All lives matter! Irrespective of color, gender, size, and whatnot, everyone should loved, valued, and respected. And this brings us to ‘Pride’ Month. June is recognised as Pride Month commemorating the LQBTQIA+ community and honoring the people belonging to the community. Just as ‘Black Lives Matter’ is an important and honorable move, similarly, Pride Month is also a crucial period of showing acceptance towards queers.
From attending parades and performances to flaunting rainbow outfits and makeup, there are many ways to celebrate Pride Month. Not just the common men but even celebrities and sportspersons show respect towards the community in their own unique fashion. Different individuals choose different approaches to flaunting the Pride rainbow flag either in their online world or offline.
One such recent trends has been observed getting ‘Pride’ nails. Celebs and other nail lovers on social media particularly flaunt this unique trend. From TikTok to Instagram, people enthusiastically showcase their love and respect for the Pride community by sharing their nail photos. Manicurists also have their own way of getting creative with colors and nail art when incorporating the Pride flag theme on people’s nails.
One such creative nail salon from Austin Texas had made headlines because of its pledge for inclusivity. Let’s look at what this nail studio has done to give back to the transgender community.
Meet the Nail Studio that is Giving Back to the Transgender Community
Located on East Seventh Street Austin in Texas, ‘Cute Nail Studio’ isn’t just a rainbow-painted house offering beauty services. The nail and esthetics studio has made a mark by being an all-inclusive beauty destination that offers a place for everyone to be their own unique and authentic self.
Besides having a Pinteresty exterior and dreamy interiors, Cute Nail Studio is a self-proclaimed salon that celebrates ‘whatever your idea of beauty is’. Owned by Jason Darling and Maria Russo, it was a former barber shop that was refurbished into a jarringly-cute rainbow theme beauty salon. The couple had started it with a goal to create a vibrant queer-friendly place where there is no discrimination based on gender identity or gender preference spectrum.
The place where Cute Nail Studio is located is yet to step outside the gender-biased beauty norms completely and the way this duo has cultivated a safe space for genderqueer people on an otherwise downtown Austin street is commendable.
And, on their mission, the nail and esthetics studio has partnered with a local nonprofit institution – ‘Out Youth’. Out Youth provides health and wellness services to the LGBTQIA+ community between the age group of 18 and 25. Under its Transgender Wellness Program, Cute Nail Studio promises to provide free-of-charge weekly salon services to the transgender community.
Other Services at Cute Nail Studio
Not just gender-based but Cute Nail Studio offers inclusivity in all aspects from color to size and even body hair. The salon has various signboards, one of which says ‘Black Lives Matter’. This shows their acceptance of various skin colors. They promise no discrimination based on color, race, or creed.
Besides, Cute Nail Studio also preaches size inclusivity without even being vocal about it. They have plus-size manicurists and nail artists who proudly flaunt themselves. They represent their beauty studio dressed up in whatever way they like. This promotes their idea of being a ‘safe space’ for everyone without having to feel awkward about their bodily appearances.
Not just nails and esthetic services, Cute Nail Studio also offers all-gender waxing options, semi-permanent makeup, tooth gems, and armpit dyeing. yes, you read that right! ‘Armpit dyeing’ is one of the unique specialties of the salon where you can get your armpits dyed any color! Though it may sound funny or gross, it has a deeper message. It doesn’t force you to get suppressed by beauty standards and stereotypes about body hair. If you want to embrace armpit hair, it allows you to beautify it. And you can even represent your ‘Pride’ by getting them dyed in rainbow colors.
Out Youth’s Mission
‘Out Youth’ is on a mission to present LGBTQIA+ youth with opportunities to develop their identify and self-esteem, and cultivate peer support networks preparing them for a successful adulthood. The ‘Trans Wellness’ program of the nonprofit organization is meant to provide short-term counseling and support groups for trans and non-binary teens and adults. It has partnered with Cute Nail Studio to offer complimentary nail art and esthetics to its clients.
The Final Word
Austin’s Cute Nail Studio is more than just a story about a business; it is a testament to the power of inclusivity and compassion. This salon is setting a remarkable example by creating a safe and welcoming space for transgender individuals, proving that beauty and self-expression can go hand-in-hand with meaningful social impact.
As we celebrate Jason and Maria’s efforts, let’s be inspired to support and uplift the transgender community in our own ways this Pride Month. Let’s pledge to foster a world where everyone can feel seen, valued, and empowered.
