For Chicago–based nail artist Litzy Melchor, creating nail art inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe makes her feel more connected to her faith and Salvadorian culture.
“Growing up in a Latina household and community, La Virgencita is an image you see everywhere,” she said. “It’s a powerful symbol of identity that resonates deeply with a lot of us who want to wear a piece of our culture proudly on our hands.”
Maria Melendez, a Puerto Rican Catholic nail artist based in Kissimmee, Florida, has also said the Blessed Mother–inspired nail art she has created for clients has done something similar for them, bringing them “a sense of peace.”
Displaying Our Lady of Guadalupe on nails has become increasingly popular among Latina Catholics — something experts say can become a tool for evangelization, provided it comes from a place of prayer and reflection.
“It doesn’t surprise me in the least that there’s kind of an uptick in this nail art trend, given that kind of intimacy and closeness that so many Latina women experience with Our Lady of Guadalupe,” Jennifer Owens-Jofré, assistant professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles who researches devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe among women, told The Tablet.
“Latina Catholic women, especially Latina Catholic women who are mothers, often relate to (the Blessed Mother) because of the power of her maternity,” she added.
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Father Juan Herrera, parochial vicar for Blessed Sacrament Church in Jackson Heights, said he’s seen Our Lady of Guadalupe’s image on the nails of some of his parishioners. He sees nail art as an opportunity to evangelize people indirectly.
“You can have that as an opportunity to start a conversation regarding Hispanic culture, Catholic culture,” he said. “Something that is as ordinary as a manicure could be a doorway for a conversation. Our faith is expressed through ordinary things to bring something that is extraordinary. And who is extraordinary? Our Lady.”
These kinds of nail designs can often cost hundreds of dollars. So while they’re aesthetically beautiful, Catholics who want to partake in the trend should consider the price point and purpose, according to Father Herrera.
He said it’s important to “think about those who don’t have the opportunity to spend that kind of money and how, from time to time, can I reframe myself to help the Church?”
While Father Herrera said he sees no problem with Catholics having the Blessed Mother painted on their nails, he emphasized that the deeper question is whether the act draws them closer to Christ.
“Through this act, are you allowing her to lead you to Jesus Christ?” he asked. “Because that’s the entire point of our Catholic faith.“
“That is an opportunity for you as a woman to evaluate your intention: Is it faith, is it culture, is it fashion, or is it really a way of how I want to express my devotion for her,“ he explained. “The danger is to have something that is sacred, like the image of Our Lady, become something that is merely decorative.“