Nail trends have really changed over the years. From the classic red nails of the housewives from the 50s to the crazy eye-catching acrylic nails with crazy designs in the 80s to the neon color trend this summer. But have you ever wondered when and where manicure originated? The first manicures are said to have existed around 5,000 years ago! We will tell you many more interesting facts and information about the history of manicure in our article!
The history of manicure through the years
The word “manicure” comes from a combination of the Latin words “Manus”, which translates as “hand” and “Cura” – care.
- 5000 – 3000 v. Chr. –As early as 5000 BC Indian women painted their nails with henna in the 4th century BC. Cleopatra and Queen Nefertiti popularized manicure in ancient Egypt by dyeing their nails in shades of red using various berry and plant juices. Cleopatra always preferred a blood red hue, while Nefertiti always chose ruby. At that time, however, only the rich and powerful were allowed to wear this color - the higher the social status, the darker the shade. The slaves were also allowed to wear subtle and bright colors, even if only on very short nails. Cleopatra already modeled her nails from special porcelain powder, which she attached with a glue-like liquid.
- From 3200 BC A manicure set made of solid gold was found in Babylon in 200 BC. But even back then, nail care was not the prerogative of women - men also used lead-colored minerals to paint their fingernails.
- 2000 v. Chr. –In China, nails were also used many years ago to demonstrate wealth and social status. She invented her own “nail polish” for this purpose. It was a complex mixture of beeswax, gelatin, egg white, gum arabic and flower petals with an 8 to 9 hour exposure time. Different shades of color were achieved by adding orchids, roses or other flowers. However, the most popular were red and black.
- 600 v. Chr. –Another Chinese nail trend was to dye your fingernails in the colors of the ruling imperial dynasty. But this was only allowed to higher-ranking men and women - for the lower classes of society, using the colors of the rulers was punishable by death. During the Chou Dynasty, the royal family decorated their nails with gold and silver dust.
Interesting facts
- The first artificial fingernails were created in China during the Ming Dynasty between 1268 and 1644. An interesting fact is that men were the ones who strengthened their nails with rice paper, porcelain powder or silk and not women. The most famous nail design and the most unusual nail art ever were the so-called “nail guards” or “nail protectors” of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). These looked like thimbles that came to a point and were very valuable. Some of them were made of silver and others even of pure gold and decorated with precious stones. The works of art were worn on the little finger of each hand and were a symbol of the wearer's social status. The people showed that they don't have to lift a single finger, but have a servant for all needs at all times.
- An 1800The first recipes for making your own nail polish were published in many cookbooks. At that time, the colorful varnishes and the necessary ingredients were considered a popular means of exchange or payment.
- 1830 –Over the years, not only manicure has evolved a lot, but also the tools for nail care. In 1930, a doctor in Europe named Sits was the first to use an orange tree file on his patients' nails - gently removing the softened cuticles. Before its invention, various metal or acid devices were used for this purpose.
- In the year1878The first manicure salon in the USA was opened by Mary Cobb.
- The niece of Dr. Sits went one step further and invented1892a complete nail care system. Any woman, regardless of her income or social status, could afford the care kit because it was fairly cheap.
The exciting early 90s
- The first company to produce nail care products is called “Flowery Manicure Products” and was founded in New York in 1910.
- 1914The patent for the first fingernail protection was filed. The coating, which protects nails from discoloration caused by chemicals or other agents, was developed by Anna Kindred of North Dakota.
- The first nail polish arrivedin 1925to the market. The color was a translucent, pale pink and was only applied to the center of the nail - the tip of the nail and the nail moon remained colorless. The look is still known today as the “moon manicure” and was developed by beautician Beatrice Kaye, who was also responsible for the stars' beautiful manicures at the time. During these years, “respectable” women were forbidden from painting their nails bright or bold colors.
- 1932The cosmetics brand “Revlon” was born. The brothers Charles and Joseph Revson created the first color-intensive and opaque nail polish that could also be applied streak-free. In contrast to the other products, it was no longer based on dyes, but on color pigments, which enabled a larger selection of shades. “Revlon” was the company that introduced the trend of painting your lips and nails in the same color. In addition to pink and red, gold and silver were also the most popular.
- Nail extensions with acrylic, which are still very modern today, do not owe their origin to the cosmetics industry, but to a coincidence. The dentist Fred Slack from the USA broke a nail while working and stuck it back on his finger with acrylic. Since the fingernail healed very quickly and also became much harder and more durable, this emergency solution became one of the best inventions in the history of manicure.
It's getting more and more colorful and interesting
- In the 50s you could observe two nail trends: either pointed, filed, long nails, painted in colors such as plum, dark blue or dark green orthe beautiful almond shapein combination with light and rather delicate nuances. During this period there were also the first lessons for nail modeling and the company “Revlon” offered a training set including basic equipment.
- In the year1970The French manicure was developed.
- The nail trends in the 80s were no longer limited to monochrome polishes. The women let their creativity run wild and transformed their nails into real works of art with various decorations and gemstones.
- The first nail polish pen and the first “scented” nail polish in the history of manicure came onto the market in 1990. The scents that the “Manhattan” company offered were vanilla and berries.
- The film “Pulp Fiction” is one of those films that you simply have to see. There the actress Uma Thurman wears the previously unknown nail polish “Rouge Noir” from Chanel. The previously unheard of, almost black dark red became the best-selling nail polish of the decade within just one year.
- The small stones and crystal decorations have been one of the most popular nail trends ever since 2007. The fashion wave was created by designers such as Swarovski, who decorated the models' nails with the glittering applications.
- In 2011, the first nail art exhibition “Nailphilia” took place in London.
- “Nailpolis” was founded in 2014 - an online platform that offers artists a large selection of different ideas and nail designs.
What is the most expensive nail polish in the history of manicure?
The most expensive nail polish in the world is called “Black Diamond” and actually costs the same as a brand new Ferrari, 250,000 euros. It was brought to the market by the company “Azature” and contains a total of 267 carats of diamonds ground into a very fine dust. Singers Katy Perry and Kelly Osbourne have already undergone this nail design.
What does the future of manicure look like?
Now that you know everything you need to know about the history of manicure, you may be wondering:where the nail trends will go in the future? The designs and decorations are very diverse and nail artists from all over the world continue to surprise us with their interesting and eye-catching ideas. But we can't know exactly what to expect - so you just have to let yourself be surprised.
