From henna manicures on mummified pharaohs to nail art bloggers, here’s the overview of how nail polish and nail trends evolved.
The early days
The invention of nail polish transformed hands from functional body parts to gem-like ornaments to show off. If you were wearing nail polish, it implied that you were a lady of leisure. Nail polish as we know it was invented in the 1920s with the introduction of nitrocellulose as an ingredient, but decorating nails was not a new concept. Mummified pharaohs were found to have used henna on nails and Indian and African women dyed their fingertips with it. The desire to make yourself beautiful is as old as time. The effect remains, but the ingredients have changed.
Before nitrocellulose, women would either manicure their nails with powder or cream polish, which would be buffed onto nails with a cloth and gave a subtle pink finish. But during World War I, the U.S. got hold of German chemical patents and licensed them out to American companies, which resulted in a booming American chemical industry and led to the addition of nitrocellulose in nail polish. The lacquers were being produced like crazy in shades of light pink. A rose color was also available for scandalous women. Now nails were beginning to be seen as glamorous and something to be fussed over.
Polish progression
Darker shades slowly started to be accepted in the mainstream, which most likely and unsurprisingly started in France. Madame Mille’s was the place to go for a modern manicure. This was in the late 1920s, when the popular design was painting the middle of the nail, leaving the moon and tips natural. Princess de Faucigny-Lucinge became a trendsetter after painting her nails crimson.
Soon, Hollywood stars and society women became more fearless in the colors they picked and opted for shocking crimson. Others would kick it up a notch and add silver tips to red nails. For a short time around 1930, women wore black polish, but the trend faded out as more options were made available. There were now all kinds of red, blue, green, pearl, gold and silver polishes.
Revlon soon became the leader in the cosmetics industry, alongside companies such as Cutex, Avon, Elka, Blue Bird and Glazo. Overall, nail polish formulas were getting better — the consistency, staying power and glossiness were improving — but a few ingredients in some of the lacquers caused problems. One of Revlon’s base coats reportedly ruined quite a few fingernails and even led to one amputation. Other companies had problems with their polish causing allergic reactions. Formaldehyde is still a key ingredient in most nail polishes today.
Fashion’s influence
Fashion magazines insisted on having the right shade of polish for each activity and time of day, which led to more sales and women fretting over whether their new shade was socially acceptable. In the 1930s, nail art became popular in England, with ladies getting scenic landscapes painted on their mini canvases. The idea for nail ornament appliqués took shape but didn’t materialize.
New nail technology arrived in the 1950s with nail wraps, hair spray being used to dry polish, split nails being repaired with filter paper and glue and acrylic nails. The materials used for false nails were actually invented to fill cavities in teeth. They became easier to apply and more practical in the 1970s.
These days, there seems to be no limit to how a woman manicures her nails. She can stay natural, opt for a single soft or vibrant color or get creative with nail art and embellishments. Websites devoted solely to nail polish, products and designs are everywhere and brimming with inspiration. All you need to do is look around and grab some nail polish!
More on nails
Wedding day nail design tutorial: Pearl French tip
Chanel-inspired tweed and fur nails
Prada-inspired tortoise shell print nails
References: Inventing Beauty by Teresa Eiordan, Hello Gorgeous by Rachel C. Weingarten
FAQs
Quest: Where it All Began
Tell Deimos the cult is using him/her. Refuse to fight her/him here to finally reach the happy ending. If you do fight Deimos, he/she will kill your mother and you will be forced to kill her/him.
Does killing Aspasia change anything? ›
That you've destroyed the Cult of Kosmos is a good thing but, and there's a serious but, “this imbalance comes with a price”. Killing or saving Aspasia afterwards makes no difference, your actions have spawned what will become the Templars.
How to answer Deimos questions? ›
At the start of the chapter, you'll be in conversation with Deimos. For the best ending, choose the following options, "We didn't abandon you", "Our mother searched for you", "She thought you were dead", and "I was thrown off too". After Kleon interrupts Deimos, you'll be in a fist fight against two prison guards.
What to say to save Deimos? ›
Tell them: "You don't need the Cult." When Deimos tries to fight, make the final decision by choosing the option: "I don't want to fight you." You offer them your spear, instead, and they'll take it. You'll know if you've successfully saved Deimos by their reaction.
Is it possible to convince Deimos? ›
Tell Deimos: "You don't need the Cult." The climax will be when you tell Deimos: "I don't want to fight you." You'll offer them your spear, and, assuming you've earned enough goodwill with Deimos up until this point, they will take the spear, begin to cry, and drop to their knees before Myrrine runs to embrace them.
Can phoibe be saved? ›
During this quest, there will come a situation where Phoibe will face off with the cultists. The players will rush to save Phoibe, but by the time they reach it will be too late and Phoibe will die from the wounds inflicted by the Cultists.
What is the best cultist ending in Assassin's Creed Odyssey? ›
The best ending for this arc sees the player keeping their entirely family alive, saving their sibling Deimos from the whisperings of the evil Cult of Kosmos and sparing the lives of some of their more rambunctious family members.
How do you get the worse ending in AC Odyssey? ›
The worst ending in Assassin's Creed Odyssey can be obtained by killing or failing to save Nikolaos, Stentor, Myrrine, and Deimos, which causes the protagonist to return home and eat dinner alone.
What is the best ending in AC Odyssey? ›
The best endings in the game are those in which the player has managed to save Deimos from the cult's brainwashing. This is a tricky process, requiring you to choose particular options throughout the game (even when not speaking to Deimos).
Which Spartan king is the cultist? ›
Pausanias is the cultist.
After this, the player will wake up in prison in Athens. Deimos will confront the player again. Try to convince them they are being used by telling them the truth. "We didn't abandon you."
Why was Alexios abandoned? ›
His unique heritage made him the target of the Cult as an infant and a false oracle delivered by the Cult deceived Sparta into believing he had to be thrown off Mount Taygetos to his death. Although he survived the fall, Alexios was abducted by the Cultist Chrysis and forced to endure a cruel and torturous childhood.
Is where it all began the last quest? ›
Where It All Began is the final story mission in Far Cry 5. It takes place in the Cult's Compound where The Junior Deputy confronts Joseph Seed.
How many endings are in AC Odyssey? ›
Assassin's Creed Odyssey endings - narrative choices, decisions story arcs and endings. There are nine different endings in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, with each one drawing off specific decisions you make throughout the game's nine chapters and epilogue.
Can brasidas be saved? ›
Many players have asked can you save Brasidas in AC Odyssey. Saving Brasidas in AC Odyssey is actually an impossibility, the death of the character has already been set in the game and no decision can impact this result. Brasidas is a historically accurate figure that fought in the Peloponnesian War.
What to say to Deimos on Andros? ›
This is the last chance to kill or save Deimos. To save Deimos, choose the following in the conversation: "The Cult is using you." "I don't want to fight you."
Is where it all began the final mission? ›
Where It All Began is the final story mission in Far Cry 5. It takes place in the Cult's Compound where The Junior Deputy confronts Joseph Seed.
What to say to Kassandra in AC Valhalla? ›
First Response. Kassandra will start the Flyting and end her first speech with, "There stood Eivor, hot-headed and brash." Players should respond with: "To see us now, you'd not believe our clash."
How to get the good ending in AC Odyssey? ›
Best Ending (Family)
- Do not kill Nikolaos in The Wolf of Sparta.
- Promise Myrrine Deimos can be saved in Chapter 6.
- Convince Nikolaos to intervene with Stentor when he is seen again in The Last Fight of Aristalos.
- Do not kill Stentor in The Conqueror.
- Start convincing Deimos they are being used in The Battle of Pylos.
