The History of Nail Art

Have you ever wondered how far back the history of nail art goes??Can you imagine that if it weren't for dentistry, nail art might look completely different today??Did you know that the French manicure wasn't invented in France, but in the U.S.??There are many more interesting facts like this in the history of nail art.The history of styling is full of movie stars, dentists, and men whose creativity is truly surprising.Its origins date back as far as the human desire to highlight one's beauty and uniqueness.

Beauty treatments were already known in ancient times.About 3,000 years ago.n.e.Pharaoh Narmer used henna to dye the palms of his hands, the soles of his feet, and, of course, his fingernails.Regular baths in goat's milk gave Cleopatra her beauty, while Nefertiti painted her fingernails and toenails red (a color reserved exclusively for the royal family).

The origins of modern nail care date back to the 19th century.

Here, then, is an overview of the history of nail styling and the evolution of nail care:

1800 - almond-shaped nails—short and slightly tapered.They were sometimes dyed with fragrant red oil and polished with a suede cloth.

1830 - adaptation of an orange wood stick (a dental tool) for manicures.

1900 - Women cut their nails with metal scissors and file them with metal nail files.To create a glossy finish, they rub colored powders and creams into the nails.
A glossy nail polish that’s applied with a camel-hair brush is available, but it wears off within a day.

1910 - Flowery manicure products - a manufacturer of metal nail files invents and introduces a new type of nail file - an abrasive material on a wooden base.

1914 - Anna Kindret files a patent for a protective nail polish.It protects the nails of people who work with chemicals from discoloration.

1917 - "Don't cut your cuticles!"warns an ad in Vogue".The first home manicure kit hits the market—it includes a cuticle softener, nail polish, nail whitener, an orange wood stick, a nail file, and a booklet with manicure tutorials.

1920 - using car paint as nail polish.

1925 - Nail polishes in shades of pink and red appear on the market.They are applied only to the center of the nail, and the free edge remains clear.
Etiquette rules advise women against painting their nails in bright colors.

1927 - the prototype of the French manicure is created—pink cream in a porcelain jar and chalk-white liquid applied to the tips of the nails.

1929 - Perfumed nail polishes appear on the market but are not very popular.

1930 - Movie stars make nail polish fashionable.The dish soap and olive oil appear.
For the movie, Greta Garbo's nails were extended with film strips and painted red.

1932 - An opaque, pigment-based (rather than dye-based) nail polish that comes in many colors and doesn't leave streaks is introduced.
Fashion dictates that you match your lipstick color to your nail polish.

1934 - A nail polish that is harmless to natural nails is patented.Maxwell Lappe (dentist) creates artificial nails for people who bite their nails.
The trend of painting the entire nail with nail polish.

1936 - A template designed to be placed over the nail to ensure even application of nail polish is introduced.

1937 - A method for using nail tips to repair and extend nails is patented.

1938 - A base coat is developed that allows the entire nail to be covered with nail polish.

1940 - Rita Hayworth popularizes long red nails—they are longer and more oval than pointed, and completely covered in red polish.
Men's manicures are becoming just as popular as shaving or getting a haircut.

1945 - A wider range of colors is introduced to the market.

1950 - the range of available colors continues to expand.Nail trends are shifting from sharp and dark to oval and lighter.

1957 - Thomas Slack files a patent for plastic stencils used to apply acrylic.

1970 - “The ’70s: The Decade of Artificial Nails”.Nails are very long and are worn primarily by the wealthy.
The first beauty salons are opening.
Fake nails that cover the entire nail are placed under the lifted cuticle to make them look as if they’re growing directly from the finger; they can only be worn on special occasions because any contact with water dissolves the adhesive.

1973 - the trend for square nails—probably due to nail contests.It is easier for judges to evaluate the C-curve on square nails than on oval nails.

1976 - Jeff Pink - creator of the French manicure.This look was created in the U.S. for movie actresses who were spending too much time repainting their nails for every new outfit.

1979 - Sogo introduces the first fiberglass system for nail modeling.

1980 - Adaptation of dental and jewelry milling machines for widespread use with acrylics.
Nail tips are becoming more and more popular.
The First Styling Trade Show and World Championships.

1982 - There are 80,000 nail technicians and 13,435 nail salons in the United States.
The first gel system hits the market, and the lamp invented by James Giuliano costs $500.
Odorless systems are being developed.

1990 - A time for successful women who view their nails as part of their professional image, and most importantly, a time for the informed customer.

1992 - Retro fashion is bringing back “Cuban” and “Gatsby” style manicures, in which nail polish is applied only to the nail bed and not to the free edge.The fashion world hasn't seen this style since the 1930s.

1993 - There are now 175,832 nail technicians and 25,547 salons in the United States.

1994 - Light-curing liquid and acrylic hit the market.

1995 - Uma Thurman popularizes short, natural nails with a French manicure or painted in very dark colors, such as maroon or burgundy.

Based on an article in NAILS Magazine, 2004