Kim Motola has always been searching for innovative solutions to real-world problems. As a working mother of 3 small children, she was always very concerned with sun protection and skincare.

The issue at hand: Motola was worried about the use of UV radiation and LED lights during her regular and gel manicures, which she relied on to maintain professional, chip-free nails amid her packed schedule. A longtime stickler for healthy skincare habits and a self-described sunscreen obsessive, she questioned why the standards should be any different at the salon, where thousands of women like herself were exposed to UV radiation and its harmful effects, which include both cosmetic issues like dark spots and wrinkles as well as major health risks like skin cancer, during their gel manicures. LED lights, meanwhile, aren’t much better; while they don’t have the UVB rays responsible for skin cancer, they still emit UVA rays, which contribute to premature signs of aging. Ultimately, she wondered: Why sacrifice skin health for nail care?

With this in mind, Motola set out to find a way to protect skin not just for herself but for all women who have had to compromise their safety for the sake of beauty. Following months of research and meeting with the world’s top dermatologists, she developed ManiGlovz, which are UV and LED protective gloves that protect hands and wrists during nail services. ManiGlovz’s broad spectrum fabric defends against both UVA and UVB rays and offers a UPF rating of 50. They’re also versatile: While they were initially designed for use at the salon, they can be worn anytime skin is especially vulnerable to sun damage, such as while driving or following a laser procedure.

ManiGlovz found near instant success; they’re now a three-time award-winning beauty accessory beloved by celebrities and beauty editors alike and have garnered mentions in Vogue, Allure, Elle, Forbes, USA Today, and Health magazines, among many others.

With the goal in mind to protect all women’s (or men’s) hands, ManiGlovz will continue to spread its message so no hand is left uncovered!