A brief history of nails
Just like ball gowns and hairstyles, nail styles over time have expressed the values of days gone by.
People throughout history have paid special attention to their fingernails. It's been said that nail trends date back to 5000 B.C. when women in India decorated their fingertips with henna. In more modern times, Lucille Ball, Barbara Streisand and twiggy all had their role in the nail files.
Read a brief history below and scroll through the gallery above to see accompanying images.
Late 1800s to early 1900s
Fingernail maintenance was originally thought of as a medical and hygienic industry. Short, round nails were easily kept clean and symbolised a wealthy life of leisure
1920s
During the roaring ’20s, flappers shed their conservative dresses for liberating, skin-bearing looks. Drinking and smoking were glamorised as cigarette campaigns advertised beautiful women with well-manicured round nails.
Late 1920s and 1930s
After the stock market crash in 1929, the appreciation for manicures seemed to grow. It was an inexpensive way to retain a sense of luxury. Revlon helped push nail polish into the mass market. Delicate pinks and bold red hues allowed wearers to have fun with colour and then of course, there was nail art. Sharper nail shapes also emerged.
1940s
Prestigious fashion magazines and respected actresses promoted the trend of oval shaped nails.
1960s
Long oval nails coated in barely-there shades like pastel pink and shiny peach ruled the decade. Mod mavens like fashion model Twiggy and actress Barbra Streisand were known to flaunt this style.
1970s and 80s
Whilst the hippie movement opted for short, unfinished nails, the disco crowd was all about glamour. Divas like Cher and Donna Summer dramatised the oval shape by extending it even longer and adding shine.
1990s and early 2000s
Square and “squoval” shapes became the style of choice as the French manicure gained traction. Dental supply company Odontorium Products Inc. converted its denture acrylics into a product for fingers and shortened its company name to OPI, eventually becoming the wildly successful polish brand we have today.
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Related links:
6 reasons your nails keep breaking
6 things your nails reveal about your health