Thuan Le with long-time client Robin Bernstein. Le is a manicurist at Brentwood West Salon in Santa Monica. She started doing nails in 1975, just a few months after coming to the U.S. as a political refugee after South Vietnam fell. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Nancy Hoan Le gets a pedicure and manicure from students at Advance Beauty College. The school was started by Tam Nguyen’s family and is one of the premier beauty colleges in Little Saigon. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Students practice decorative nail art at Advance Beauty College. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
The founders of Advanced Beauty College with their children. From left, Linh Nguyen, Diem Nguyen, Kien Nguyen and Tam Nguyen. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)