Glossing Over It

The girlies uncover the complicated history of the American nail salon — from the wave of Vietnamese immigration that kick-started the industry to the toxic chemicals and labor violations that lay below the surface. Digressions include a call for a REPUTABLE pet psychic, the deeply spiritual significance of Imodium, and our current Godly Wife name fixations. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia.

SOURCES:

From 3200 B.C. to Today: The Fascinating History of Nail Polish

Cutex Hooked Americans on Manicures

Celluloid Dreams: The Marketing of Cutex in America, 1916-1935 Author(s): Kate Forde

The Making and Transnationalization of an Ethnic Niche: Vietnamese Manicurists by Eckstein and Nguyen

Nail salon workers exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals, new study reveals

Nail salon workers say proper ventilation can protect their reproductive health

Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers

The Price of Nice Nails

Nail salon sweeps in New York reveal abuses and regulatory challenges

How Black Women Pioneered Nail Art

Manicuring Race, Gender, and Class: Service Interactions in New York City Korean-owned Nail Salons by Miliann Kang