(Source: Nails Designs)
In these days of individualism over conformity, nail art is one method to showcase your individuality and inventiveness. Nail art is experiencing a major transformation in the Western world, with an abundance of talented artists creating an amazing explosion of color and design.
Over 5000 years have passed since the invention of nail color. Originally, Egyptians employed it as a symbol of social order in the form of "lacquer," a Chinese and henna concoction made from beeswax and flowers.
Nail polish was available in a wide range of captivating styles during the beginning of the 20th century, and it was crucial for creating a consistent impression of a well-dressed woman. In 1920, cosmetics artist Michelle Menard became well-known for repurposing high-gloss enamel, which was originally used for painting vehicles, as a nail color. Years later, she worked with scientist Charles Lachman, brothers Charles and Martin Revson, and others to create a nail enamel that would last.
Together, they introduced the "Revlon" brand of opaque nail color in 1932, which was intended to shield the nail bed from stains. The glossy red talons fad was elevated to new heights by Hollywood stars and other pin-up ladies, particularly after MGM employed Beatrice Kaye, a talented manicurist.
She presented the half-moon manicure, in which the nail's moon was left naked and the nail's core was simply painted. The French manicure, which was created to mimic a natural nail, became popular.
The French and half-moon manicures, which alter the nail's one-color shape, are the origin of the nail art renaissance. With the development of additional colors, glue-on appliqués, and false nails for those who bite their nails, individuals started experimenting with a wide range of nail colors to match the shades of lipstick.
In the mid-1900s, manicure styles were influenced by fashion icons and movie stars. The inclination for acrylic-sculpted nail extensions began after dentist Frederick Slack unintentionally discovered how to utilize acrylic in 1957.
In the 1960s, stylish ladies in London used oil paints to add floral designs to their nails, and in the 1970s, long, artificial nails with pricey embellishments—typical of wealthy people—became fashionable.
Nail lifespan was low due to the glue's lack of water resistance, but the trend drove the growth of beauty salons and necessitated skilled application. Orly's Jeff Pink introduced a French manicure kit with nails that went with any kind of clothing. This made performing a French manicure simpler and easier.
The craze for nails, the proliferation of nail products, and the rise in nail experts are all responsible for the rise in nail contests. The elements serve as a spark to create flawless manicures.
The half-moon manicure gained popularity, but with a contemporary spin. To accentuate the half-moon, use a nail enamel hue that contrasted with the color of the garment. Nail stickers made it simple to adorn colored nails and brought innovation to acrylic systems, enabling the creation of daring nail forms like stiletto, squoval, and even lurid fantasy creations created using sculpting processes.
Although fashion companies considered the French manicure to be an edgy fashion statement that went well with every outfit, nude hues became more fashionable for this same reason.