Photos of Cuban women embracing nail art as escape from economic crisis
Miralys Maura Cruz sports long, decorative nails as she chats on her phone at home in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
HAVANA (AP) — Despite Cuba’s economic crisis, many women are embracing elaborate nail art as a bold fashion statement. Manicurists like Marisel Darias Valdés treat it as an art form, creating intricate designs that can take hours and cost up to $40 — more than triple the average monthly salary.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Yalema Gonzalez, sporting long decorated nails, collects her sun-dried laundry from a clothesline, in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Yalema Gonzalez, sporting long decorated nails, collects her sun-dried laundry from a clothesline, in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Mariam Camila Sosa strikes a pose to show off her freshly decorated fingernails, at a home-run nail salon in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Mariam Camila Sosa strikes a pose to show off her freshly decorated fingernails, at a home-run nail salon in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Maite Hernandez gets into a taxi to go home after having her nails done at a home-run salon in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Maite Hernandez gets into a taxi to go home after having her nails done at a home-run salon in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Manicurist Marisel Darias Valdes works on a client’s nails at a salon she has set up in her home, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Manicurist Marisel Darias Valdes works on a client’s nails at a salon she has set up in her home, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Mariam Camila Sosa places her hand under a UV lamp to speed dry her manicured nails at a home-run nail salon, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Mariam Camila Sosa places her hand under a UV lamp to speed dry her manicured nails at a home-run nail salon, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Yalema Gonzalez, wearing long, decorative nails, drinks her afternoon coffee at her home in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Yalema Gonzalez, wearing long, decorative nails, drinks her afternoon coffee at her home in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Maite Hernandez, donning long, decorated nails, takes her change from a vegetable vendor, in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Maite Hernandez, donning long, decorated nails, takes her change from a vegetable vendor, in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Maite Hernandez takes a taxi home after having her nails done at a home-run nail salon in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Maite Hernandez takes a taxi home after having her nails done at a home-run nail salon in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)