We're a mermaid-owned, anarcho-socialist feminist pastel LGBTQIA+ rainbow cult, but we are also a nail art & skin care salon that legit loves you.

Tucked among the paradoxical extremes of Austin's East Side, where modular yuppie condos share street corners with gritty hipster bars, stands one rainbow-painted house plucked straight from the cover of your favorite Lisa Frank binder from fifth grade. Meet the Cute Nail Studio. "[We wanted a place] where you can come in, be yourself, ask for whatever. And we'll celebrate whatever your idea of beauty is and just go hard in that direction," says Jason Darling. He and Maria Darling are the married entrepreneurs behind this dreamy, self-proclaimed "queer as fuck" salon and arguably the most interesting parents on Zoom PTA meetings.

Currently, Jason has an immaculate black-line art manicure featuring varying nail lengths and shapes. He holds his hand up to the camera during our Zoom call and flares each digit like an accordion fan: "We call them party fingers — utilitarian and sexy." Meanwhile, Maria, face framed by a shag of dark curls, is the punk-rock version of a Botticelli girl with dyed armpit hair.

The magic rainbow nail art studio, safe LGBTQIA+ & aesthetics happiness space on east 7th! Austin's best nail art, waxing, tooth gems and body hair coloring.