VOA标准英语2012--Nail Polish Business Booms In Weak Economy

（单词翻译）

Nail Polish Business Booms In Weak Economy

In a factory north of Los Angeles, glass bottles are filled, boxed and then shipped to more than 100 countries around the world. This is the home of OPI, a company that produces nail polish for women from the United States to Asia, from the Middle East to Latin America.

Suzi Weiss-Fishmann is executive vice-president and artistic¹ director. She says women are getting more adventurous² with their nails.

“You can really be kind of that conservative professional and wear blues³ and greens and any color and dark shades year round," she said.

Many women in the U.S. are experimenting with nail art. 

“I was blown away by the nail art that I saw. I couldn’t believe it," said customer Judy Gabor.

Judy Gabor plans on getting glitter on her nails at Marie Nails, a salon⁴ where many nail artists are trained in Japan. Marie Ueno has salons⁵ in Japan and the U.S. She says nail art has been popular in Japan for a decade. It became trendy in the U.S. over the last few years.

“American people like impact, impact design," she said.

Impact design is the specialty⁶ of The Naja. She creates 3-D nails using unconventional objects, like hair extensions, paper clips and even staples⁷. The Naja has decorated the nails of stars like Lady Gaga. She says celebrities⁸ made nail art mainstream⁹. 

“Nail art is really for every woman. It’s like the new lipstick¹⁰. Everyone is using their nails as their accessory," said The Naja.

The obsession¹¹ with decorated nails has become big business.

“I actually have made more money than I ever have the entire time of the recession," she said.

Business is also booming at OPI.

“It’s tremendous. I mean our sales have been double digit¹² growth for the past five years," said Suzi Weiss-Fishmann.

Many consumers say when money is tight, it's much easier to spend $5 to $10 on nail polish than on something more expensive.

“If you’re trying to get a new outfit¹³ or a new accessory or something, it’s probably going to be more expensive but you can just spice up your look with the nail polish thing, with these things, for a way cheaper price," said Kathryn O’Sullivan.

Kathryn O’Sullivan and her friend Samantha Berendt are college students. They decorate their nails at home with a variety of inexpensive colors and do-it-yourself nail art sold at stores.

“More and more people are doing it. I like it. I think it’s more fun," said Berendt.

Industry experts say nail laquer is the fastest growing product in cosmetics¹⁴ because it's an affordable¹⁵ indulgence when times are tough.