Nail care is an activity that combines personal care with art and fashion. Although today it is associated with beauty and hygiene, the history of nails holds many fascinating and unusual elements that date back to ancient times. Nail care was not just a matter of fashion, but a significant part of the culture and social classes of various civilizations. In this article, we’ll explore some fun historical facts about nail care and when this practice first began.
1. Ancient Egypt: Gold and Nail Art
Have you ever wondered how the Egyptians managed to have such perfectly manicured nails? In Ancient Egypt, nail care was a meticulous process. The Egyptians used early forms of nail polish, but with some very interesting materials. Red and brown colors were commonly used to paint the nails, while men preferred darker tones. In fact, the quality of the polishes was so good that even today, archaeologists find samples of these early “manicures” in museums!
What makes nail care in Egypt even more intriguing is the social significance it held. The higher the social rank of an individual, the more striking and elaborate their painted nails were. Queen Cleopatra, for example, is known to have used red and blue dyes to emphasize her royal image.
2. Ancient China: Coral and Gold as Social Status Symbols
Nail care in Ancient China was similarly significant. Chinese emperors and the elite used nail care as a means of distinction and reinforcement of their social power. As early as the 2nd century AD, the use of gold and silver powders for nails was common among the aristocracy, while red was popular for emperors. The frequent references to traditional Chinese methods for nail care are closely tied to the desire to maintain social dominance and influence.
What’s especially interesting is that in China, having long nails became a symbol of wealth and power. Luxurious and lengthy nail care was associated with the idea that the elite didn’t need to engage in “manual labor” and, therefore, did not need to use their hands for everyday tasks.
3. The Middle Ages: The Curious Relationship Between Nails and Religion
During the Middle Ages, nail care was more limited and often connected to religious and spiritual beliefs. The society of the time focused on accepting pain and hardship, and personal grooming was considered secondary. However, women of the upper classes in Europe did use natural oils and lotions to moisturize their nails, although the concept of “beauty” was quite different from what we know today.
What’s most interesting about this period is how the pressure to maintain one’s appearance was influenced by social norms. During this time, religion and faith were seen as more important than appearance, so nail care was rare and mainly confined to the nobility.
4. The Renaissance: The Return of Beauty
With the Renaissance, the concept of personal care and beauty returned with full force. Women in Italy and France began to place more importance on their appearance and invest more time in self-care. During this period, nail care came back into the daily routine of women, and in fact, wealthier ladies were known for their luxurious grooming rituals.
Although the fashion of painted nails was not as widespread as it is today, the increased attention to the health and appearance of nails became an important part of social status.
5. Today: Manicures, Pedicures, and Fashion
The modern history of nail care, as we know it today, began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the development of the beauty industry. The first commercial nail polish (a precursor to today’s nail varnish) appeared in 1915 by the company “Cutex”. Following the commercial success of this product, beauty companies developed various products for nail care.
In the 1930s, the French manicure became popular, with the idea of keeping nails natural but clean, with a thin white tip at the edge of the nail. In the 1970s, the nail care industry took another giant leap forward, as women began adopting more vibrant and bold colors for their nails. Since then, the art of manicures and pedicures has evolved into one of the most popular and creative industries worldwide.
Nail care has a long and fascinating history, closely tied to social classes, religious beliefs, and changes in fashion. From Ancient Egypt, China, and Rome to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, people have always cared about the appearance of their nails, not just for reasons of beauty but also for social and cultural significance. Today, nail care is a process enjoyed by millions of people around the world, and its history continues to inspire and evolve.