Hedren also connected the women to jobs at salons across Southern California. By the end of the 1980s, over 125,000 Vietnamese refugees had settled in the United States, and word had spread among the close-knit community that nail salons were a viable business to earn a stable income and become self-sufficient.

How Much Gel Pedicures Cost. At Sunday's Nail Studio, a 65-minute gel pedicure costs $78—and a 45-minute non-gel pedicure costs $55. The price of a pedicure depends on your location, what's included, and your technician's skill level, but you can expect the treatment to fall in the $40 to $80 range.

For the longest-lasting manicure, choose a gel or acrylic style. Gel nail polish is less likely to chip, and acrylic is even stronger than gel.

Shabana Karim is the founder and owner of successful UAE chain The Nail Spa.