NAIL ART through the ages

Traverse the nailsphere with LILLY DELMAGE, who explores the origins & development of nail colour & design

The 20th Century

Nail art has been a form of self-expression for over 5,000 years, with styles evolving on par with societal changes. The early Egyptians used henna on nails to establish social order, while women in ancient Greece took to shaping their nails to communicate hierarchy. Today, nail finishes are mostly dictated by personal style. Read on to discover the fascinating development of nail design through the ages.

1920s & 1930s

According to research revealed in Nail Style: Amazing designs by the world’s leading nail techs, a book written by Scratch’s editorial & partnerships director, Helena Biggs, it was make-up artist, Michelle Ménard, who was inspired to create nail polish as we know it. She had admired the high-gloss lacquer used on cars and collaborated with brothers, Charles and Martin Revson, and chemist, Charles Lachman, to create a hard-wearing nail enamel. This led to the launch of the first opaque nail polish in a bottle, under the Revlon brand.

Matching lipstick & nail polish colours

The 1940s trend saw women matching their lipstick hues to their nail colours for a cohesive beauty look.

US-based nail pro, Aeshna of @thepolishedaffair,matches her bubblegum pink lipstick to her nail colour.

1940s & 1950s

The 1940s saw a rise in colour experimentation, with nail enthusiasts opting for hues beyond neutrals and reds. The decade also welcomed glue-on appliqués and fake nails. A revolutionary change was witnessed with the invention of acrylic sculpted nail extensions, widely attributed to dentist, Frederick Slack. In 1957, the dentist cut his nail at work and used aluminium foil and dental acrylic to fix it, inspiring the innovation.

Portland-based nail artist, Andie of @nailor_moon,created this 1930s-inspired nail design for a client.

The luna manicure

Manicurist, Beatrice Kaye, who worked for MGM Studios and tended to the nails of actors and actresses, created a design that swiftly became popular. It involved painting the nail, with the exception of the moon area and/or tips. Watch a step-by-step tutorial to creating a 1930s-inspired moon manicure design, courtesy of @lightslacqueron TikTok

Hertfordshire builder gel specialist, @by.tcj,shares a classic French manicure.

The French manicure

The timeless and sophisticated finish soared in popularity amongst fashionistas in France. Designed to resemble, yet enhance, the natural nail, it became a staple in nail styling.

Huddersfield nail tech, Chloe Holllingworth (@classywithchloe),shares her client’s red mani with a high-gloss finish, created using The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Royal Stamp.

Glossy red

Glamour was at the forefront of this era, with Hollywood actresses making scarlet red nails a must-have.

Celebrity styles continue to keep the oval nail shape in demand, with influencer, Molly-Mae Hague, sporting the shape courtesy of tech & educator, Corrine Jackson of @nail_it_with_corrine.

Oval nails

The mid-1900s focused on nail shaping, with oval nails proving most popular, courtesy of the influences of film stars and fashion icons at the time.

1960s & 1970s

Owing to the development of plastic nails, trend-conscious people could transform their natural nails into elegant, long-length talons. However, as noted in Nail Style: Amazing designs by the world’s leading nail techs, the adhesive glue used was not usually water-resistant, limiting the longevity of nail styles. This led to a higher dependence on nail professionals for enhancements, which catalysed the expansion of beauty salons and established the trade’s reputability.

INDUSTRY INFLUENCES

The Black community’s contributions to the popularity of long, bold L&P acrylic nails can be traced back to the 1960s. Bespoke and elaborately styled nail art allowed for self-expression, such as on a 1966 cover of lifestyle magazine, Twen, where African-American model, Donyale Luna, showcased long L&P acrylic nails. Learn more about the influence of the Black community on the nail industry by scanning here

Long nail styles

Long nails were used as a sign of affluence, with only the most adorned and wealthy able to sport the design.

The 21st Century

The early 2000s saw what Helena Biggs considers ‘the nail art boom’ in Nail Style: Amazing designs by the world’s leading nail techs. Increased disposable income meant that pros could tailor services to suit clients’ needs and budgets, shifting adorned nails from a luxury to a must-have.

Nail pro, @beautybyles,shares a mix ‘n’ match nail art design.

Bold & daring designs

While initially met with hesitation, bold and non-conformist nail designs grew in popularity, overtaking minimalist styles. Their rise was facilitated by celebrity culture and nail technicians creating innovative and elaborate looks.

Vancouver nail artist, Christie of @cdanails,created this multi-coloured, patterned alternative French design.

Session tech, @tylerphoenix_nails,created press-on nails for the AW25 Di Petsa show at London Fashion Week using The GelBottle Inc products.

The development of the French manicure

Since its humble beginnings, identifiable by white tips, French manicure-inspired designs have continued to excite. From experimenting with colour and smile line shapes to nail art, variations of the style are popular owing to their versatility.

The Glitterbels team’s nail creations for the AW25 Poet-Lab catwalk at London Fashion Week.

Warm reds, oranges, yellows and pinks seamlessly merge in this aura look by @nails_by_arlene.

The development of press-on nails

Press-on nails are a speedy option for session nail technicians working with time-poor clients. They offer a quick nail transformation for fashion shows and editorial photoshoots, where fast-paced and changeable work is essential.

Nail artist, Reina Santos (@reireishnailart),blends cat eye and chrome products to create an eye-catching design.

Manchester tech, Tasha Solanki (@talonsbytash),used The GelBottle Inc products to achieve this chrome mani.

Illusion effect designs

Illusion effects have taken this last decade by storm, and are popular with pros and clients seeking striking, unusual finishes that attract attention and intrigue. Styles include cat eye nails, chrome finishes and aura manicures.