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Nail polish! One of the hardest decision in a woman’s life….what color? This decision process has been a part of human expression for thousands of years and over time it has grown to be a huge phenomenon. Nail polish originated in China as early as 3000 BC.
The ingredients included beeswax, egg whites, gelatin, and vegetable dyes. In Ancient Egypt, nail polish was even used to signify class rankings: The lower class often wore nude and light colors, while high society painted their nails red. (No wonder red manis are so iconic!) The invention of the car spurred the creation of the first modern-day nail polish.
Inspired by automobile paint, a completely colorless version was introduced in 1916. Revlon became the first established nail polish brand in 1932 when they released a cream color. (Retrieved by http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nails/tips/a24202/nail-polish-facts/)
Nail polish has become a way for people to define their moods as well. This has been a trend signified by the use of mood changing polish as well. Chrome polish, nude colors, and the many options we have as far as color make going to the nail salon a task within itself! The cool thing about nail polish is that we can make a statement about ourselves without even saying anything. A lot of people change up their color choices as the seasons change, choosing brighter colors for the spring and summer and darker or nude choices for the fall and winter.
Nail polish has been an artistic expression since it came into use in 3000 BC. When U.S. first lady Michelle Obama wore blue-grey nail polish during her speech at the Democratic National Convention last year, her choice set off a chatter-storm on the Internet, even prompting some political commentators to mention her partisan color. Her Twitter feed, @FLOTUS, sent 42,352 new visitors to the website of Artistic Nail Design, the company responsible for her nails. Patriotism was also expressed on the fingertips during the 2012 Summer Olympics, where several athletes sported specialized national manicures.
Nail polish will always be a major factor in artistic expression and as time goes by new ideas, colors, and designs take the trend. Next time you go to get a mani/pedi be sure to think about how that color represents who you truly are and have fun in the process!