History of nail polish

We're exploring the history of nail polish.

Ever wonder what’s really in your nail polish? Product formulation expert Jenny Frankel explains!

Having fabulous nails has long been a desire of many women over the decades. The only problem was that women had to grow out their nails in order to accommo ...

Illustrated History of Nail Art 5000 BC — Women in India dyed their fingertips with henna — a practice that continues to this day! 3000 BC — The Chinese formulated a complex lacquer of gum arabic, gelatin, beeswax, vegetable dyes, and egg whites. Crushed orchid and rose petals helped to produce shades from pink to red. 600 BC — Aristocrats during China’s Chou Dynasty preferred a showier gold or silver on their lengthy nails, a symbol of wealth and leisure. 0 - 1800AD — the 15th Century…

Nail polish is an undeniable part of our culture. In 2020, 100.89 million people in the U.S. used nail polish or adjacent nail products, and by 2024 that number is expected to grow to 102.13 million people (via Statista). #nailpolish

A comprehensive look back on the manicures of yonder.

Manicured nails might seem to be a relatively modern phenomenon but as a new book reveals, they're actually far older.

JH Reference Library: History of Nail Polish — J. Hannah Journal

History

The past week I have tried, but not succeeded, in making a 1940's half moon manicure. To paint the half moon isn't that hard to do free hand, but to remove a sliver of polish from the top of the nail only ends up being very messy. Oh well, practise makes better, I hope. Fortunately you could paint the whole nail too in the forties. Rita Hayworth, for example was known for her long, completely painted nails. Here is a close-up of her hands from the movie Blood and Sand from 1941. I was quite…