In the latest installment of will-technology-ruin-us-all: Companies are touting innovative machines that can paint nails, bypassing the nail artist, according to The New York Times. Nimble, Clockwork and Coral are each coming to the market with devices that resemble LED nail lamps but in fact paint nails in just 10 minutes or so.
Before you roll your eyes or start to panic that nail artists will be replaced by robots, these machines are not a stand-in for the full-service manicure. They simply paint the nails—they do not remove polish, buff, file or treat the cuticles. In fact, they might provide an opportunity for nail salons. Nail artists can be relieved of the express polish change and better spend their time on bigger ticket services. You've been there—you've taken on a simple polish change when minutes later a walk-in steps through the door requesting the works.
Here is what the future of nail salons might look like: