Liv Hungate had a childhood filled with liquid color. Now, as a fourth-year double majoring in theater studies and psychology, she fondly recalls her mom’s tables full of nail polish. Her mom initially introduced her to the art of painting nails, a skill that would evolve into the business Hungate would create a decade later.
Like many college students, Hungate held a job at the HUB Starbucks. At the beginning of her third year, Hungate ordered a gel nail polish kit, which included a UV light, from Amazon. The UV light allowed for faster and easier gel nail application. However, her job at Starbucks prohibited nail polish, leaving her with materials without an opportunity to use them.
In a quick Snapchat post, Hungate asked if anyone wanted their nails done for cheap.
“It took days to get through all the messages,” Hungate says.
In October 2022, Hungate made an Instagram portfolio for her nail art. Now, people can schedule appointments and check out her past work on @livs.nail.bar.
Hungate’s success from Liv’s Nail Bar has her booking six to nine appointments weekly all while charging $25 to $65. Hungate achieved a level of success that exceeded her initial expectations.
Hungate’s love for nails goes beyond what she can do creatively; she delves into knowledge about nail techniques that someone with a true love for doing nails would possess. The UV light is like Photoshop in the world of nails. “If I’m painting a flower and I don’t like how I did the stem, I can wipe it off without starting over,” Hungate says.
Hungate began doing nails using the knowledge she had from experiences at salons and what she could do for herself. Through trial and error, she developed better techniques all for the benefit of making sure the nails last.
An average set takes Hungate about one to two hours, something that once made her feel insecure. However, when clients mention that nail services at traditional salons usually take 45 minutes, Hungate says, “There’s no shot that they are doing everything necessary because when I do prep, I take 30 minutes.”
“Just because it’s fast doesn’t mean it’s good. I try not to hold myself to a salon standard but rather something higher than that,” Hungate says.
Patience has been a crucial lesson for Hungate throughout her journey, starting from the time it took to do her nails to now creating a website. In the past year, she has become more forgiving of herself when things don’t go as planned.
In State College, surrounded by small towns and cornfields, options for getting one’s nails done are limited. Downtown nail salons charge high prices due to the lack of alternatives, making it unaffordable for many students.
Hungate offers an experience that is affordable and accessible. “I feel like I accidentally found a niche that is needed,” she says.
While the pricier services tend to make for longer wear, Hungate doesn’t want to put pressure on clients to choose a pricier nail set. Instead, a more expensive service often ensures they can have the best possible experience and long-lasting wear.
When it comes to the finished product, Hungate has two rules. One, let her know if anything is uncomfortable when you’re getting your nails done. Two, be as picky as possible.
“I feel as a woman in general you’re told to sit and be okay with whatever comes your way, especially in a salon environment,” Hungate says. “I don’t want anyone to feel that way coming to me because I know it’s not personal.”
The experience of doing someone’s nails can be deeply intimate, often reminiscent for people who would go to the salon with a parent – a unique moment of childhood. Hungate recreates these moments for many first-years at Penn State. “I’ve got freshmen who are coming to me who I might be the first person they have talked to in a couple of days,” Hungate says.
Every appointment is a new opportunity for Hungate to meet new people ranging from freshmen in high school to Penn State graduate students.
“It’s nice to talk and have it be a safe place for people,” Hungate says. “Many of my clients have become close friends.”
The advice Hungate gives when going outside your comfort zone is to trust your instincts but not force them. If things aren’t working out, shift gears.
“Do the things you love and share them with other people, it might turn into a thing, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t, but don’t stop doing it,” Hungate says. “Even if Liv’s Nail Bar didn’t turn into this entire thing, I would still be doing nails.”
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