Angela Toares gets her nails done at Eclipse Hair Salon and Spa on Monday. Ms. Toares has worn acrylic nails for the past four years, following a popular trend in the Virgin Islands. Photo: NGOVOU GYANG

She was referring to her fingernails, which are nearly three inches long. She began wearing them long shortly after graduating from high school years ago, and now she goes to local nail shops at least twice a week.

“They’re all mine,” she said. “The acrylic nails are just on them to strengthen them.”

On Monday, she sat behind her desk at the National Parks Trust, typing away with ease. And she said the nails don’t hinder her from doing other tasks, either.

“People question me as to ‘why,’ and ‘how do you do so and so,’” Ms. Christopher said of her shiny nails, which were painted shiny brown. “I am right-handed, so I keep my right fingers shorter. I cook, I clean and I love gardening, so I am always in the dirt with my nails.”

Steven Nguyen, a nail technician at One Stop Mall, said he has been seeing a growing number of women at the shop, with some 100 visiting every weekend.

See the Jan. 31, 2013 edition for full coverage.