The history of manicure is 5,000 years long

Many of us today enjoy getting our nails done, but manicures have a long history dating back more than 5,000 years. What began in ancient civilizations as basic nail care has developed into a global beauty phenomenon.

The manicure has been a status, beauty, and self-expression symbol since ancient Egypt and Imperial China. Different cultures have adopted distinctive methods and aesthetics over the ages, each contributing to the fabric of what is now understood to be modern nail care.

This historical tour demonstrates how nail maintenance went from being a basic personal hygiene and fashion practice to a vital component of both. Knowing the background of manicures helps us appreciate this beauty ritual even more and makes us more aware of the various traditions that have influenced them.

Time Period	Key Developments
3000 BCE	The first nail care practices were recorded in ancient Egypt and China, where people used tools and natural dyes to color their nails.
19th Century	Modern nail care began to take shape with the introduction of nail files, cuticle care, and the first commercial nail polish in the early 20th century.
20th Century	The popularity of manicures surged, with new techniques like French manicures, acrylic nails, and gel polish becoming widespread.
21st Century	Nail art and design exploded in popularity, with innovations in nail care products and techniques continuing to evolve rapidly.

Interesting facts

Manus means hand, and cura means care. This is the Latin translation for the common word "manicure." a series of cosmetology procedures meant to enhance both the hands’ and nails’ physical and aesthetic qualities.

A few fascinating facts

• The first manicure appeared more than 5,000 years ago. Then natural henna or charcoal helped to add color, and tools made of natural gold were used to treat the nail bed and cuticle.
• A little later, 2,000 years later, slaves were given permission to have a manicure. They were allowed to paint short nails and use only inconspicuous colors;
• During the Inquisition, painted nails were considered a sign of witchcraft. Fashionistas were burned at the stake;
• It was only in 1914 that a patent for a nail protection product, or, in other words, varnish, was officially registered for the first time.

Manicures were originally performed to maintain hygiene and the health of the nails; a few centuries later, they also started to be used as a class indicator.

How manicurists and pedicurists appeared

The tradition of nail care emerged almost immediately, and then there were masters. Ancient Egyptian excavations have demonstrated that, even in times past to our own, certain individuals took care of the hands of members of the upper classes.

Apart from court attendants and other trusted individuals, the remnants of the pharaoh’s nail guardians were discovered in one of the tombs. These were the ones painting and tending to their nails.

Masters didn’t exist in Russia until the turn of the 20th century. At that point, nail art was first made possible by the appearance of car varnish. There weren’t many manicurists at first, but as time went on and the variety of care options expanded, so did interest in this field.

Ancient Babylon

Men had the right to get manicures, and even back then the first color scheme emerged. Upper class representatives painted the nail plate black, symbolizing humility, while lower class representatives painted it green. Discovered during burial excavations, the most costly set of tools made of pure gold was invented by Babylonian manicurists. The wealthiest members of society were able to adorn their nails with gold pieces, making the Babylonians the forerunners of nail art.

Ancient Egypt

Both Nefertiti and Cleopatra were renowned for their exquisite beauty and meticulous attention to detail. In addition to applying color, hand care included using oils to moisturize the skin. Nefertiti chose a shade of ruby, while Cleopatra went for a rich red. By the way, Queen Cleopatra did Julius Caesar’s manicure with her own hands, in spite of her well-known eccentricity and waywardness.

Ancient China

Chinese women cherished having their nails painted, but they also enjoyed surprising people with their amazing length. They purposefully chose not to trim the overgrown nail in order to convey to others their importance and sense of luxury. Chinese women invented unique protective covers, one for each overgrown nail, to keep them from breaking. Because the tips were made of silver and gold, only the wealthy could afford them.

Dyeing was a time-consuming process, particularly for women who desired a vivid crimson hue. The plate was smeared three to fourteen times with natural dye that was derived from natural ingredients. The color became more saturated as each layer was added.

It should be noted that natural plant leaves were used for the procedure; they were threaded, filled with dye, and wrapped around the finger.

Ming Dynasty

Representatives of the Chinese dynasty in the Middle Ages always had neat nails. They combined egg yolk, gelatin, and natural dyes to get the right shade. Then, there were twelve shades in the palette, ranging from red to black.

Slavic manicure

Even in the days before Rus ", it seemed customary to only cut nails on Thursdays. Nails that were not burned after cutting were used to cause damage, and the procedure on a different day might cause problems for the family. Because of the symbolic meaning of this procedure, seriously ill patients were treated with burnt nail ashes.

France in the 19th century

There was unrest in 1830 when King Louis was confronted with a hangnail. The man was having a lot of problems due to a painful skin rupture, so Louis gave the order to locate a physician who could assist in removing the hangnail. Dozens of physicians have examined the king’s hands; only Dr. Zittz was able to resolve the issue. He used an orange stick and a natural suede file for the procedure. Later, every French woman had one of these sets in her closet.

Beginning of the 20th century

Dr. Coronu created a cuticle softening product in 1917 that didn’t require skin cutting.

Fashionistas used varnish in their daily lives as soon as the automotive industry introduced it to the world and used it to paint cars. Although such a coating cannot be considered safe, what won’t you do to maintain neat nails? The first Revlon nail plate polishes were available in pharmacies in 1932.

Manicure in Europe

The world celebrated the discovery of varnish, but Europe vehemently disapproved of bright colors and the advancements made by the nail industry. Up until 1920, the nail plate could only be colored by members of the oldest profession. Chaste and modest women merely wiped their hands and sometimes used bits of suede to shine the plate.

Subsequently, unique polishing instruments inspired by suede or leather were developed.

1940-1950

The manicure industry was also impacted by the advancements in cinematography. Women now had the option to paint their nails at home or in specialized salons. At that time, actresses started a new trend of shaping nails into points and painting them a vibrant shade of red.

1960-1970

The world over, the hippie subculture solidified itself and compelled a shift from vibrant hues to softer, pastel ones. After that, the Orly company’s founder gave the French manicure a second wind.

1980-1990

Pastel colors gave way to deeply saturated ones. Both sexes started painting their nails black and dark purple. Concurrently, the notion of "nail art" emerged. The first steps were taken by nail artists in experimenting with nail shapes, textures, and decor.

2000s

The manicure saw significant changes in the 2000s: gel initially replaced the traditional varnish coating, and stencils, acrylic, rhinestones, and various application techniques were introduced. Masters were brimming with possibilities and prospects, but above all, they were driven by a desire to create nails that were breathtakingly beautiful.

Our days

Another new nail product in the market today won’t surprise anyone. Manicurists have access to an endless array of decorative elements, airbrushes for creating gradients, and varnishes that change color. Additionally, producers are gradually going back to the coating’s original source and producing goods with a natural makeup.

History of the emergence of hardware manicure

Using a device to help with nail and surrounding skin care is a relatively new practice. Eduard Gerlach, the man who founded Gehwol, deserves our gratitude for the progress. Eduard, Gerlach’s son, was learning the fundamentals of podiatry and learning about foot care while his father was busy coming up with inventive cream recipes.

The evolution of hardware manicure happened in multiple stages:

1. Gerlach Jr. began studying podiatry and thought about developing a unique device for combating rough skin, which would replace mechanical cleaning;
2. In 1966, the first developments of a device for hygienic treatment of feet appeared;
3. In 1969, the arsenal of podiatrists was expanded by an invention for cleaning the skin based on dental technology;
4. A year later, the first cabinet with a built-in device, the ability to adjust the power and reduced vibration in the handle was released. The improved version turned out to be universal and perfectly coped with the treatment of fingernails.
5. Only in the early 2000s, the manicure apparatus appeared in Russia.

Manicure milling mill manufacturers have been refining their devices since 1970 in order to increase opportunities and streamline masters’ work.

How Japanese Manicure appeared

One of the things that has always set Japanese women apart is their extraordinary beauty and inventiveness. When court ladies started painting their nails using natural methods in the eighth century, nails in Japan started to attract attention. Geishas also made an effort to follow the latest fashion trends and catered to even more surprising men who were wealthy.

Since then, there have been numerous changes to the manicure in Japan, but funds made of natural materials are still preferred. The natural ingredients found in the products’ formulation allowed for the distinction of Japanese manicure as a distinct approach to the care of weak nails.

French manicure

As was previously mentioned, the founder of the Orly company introduced a new natural design in the middle of the previous century that was appropriate for any occasion or ensemble. This led to the resurgence of the French manicure.

Nonetheless, there are traces of the French manicure dating back to the turn of the 20th century, when the first nail varnish in an identical pink hue first surfaced. Thus, it would be accurate to state:

• A coating that involves applying a flesh-colored varnish with a translucent free edge was invented at the beginning of the 20th century;
• The name "French manicure" was created by Jeff Pink, who later released a special set for the French manicure and modernized the application technology.

How pedicure appeared

The first mention of foot skin conditions dates back to the ancient Egyptians, whose feet were subjected to harmful substances on a regular basis and were prone to dryness.

The Egyptians massaged their skin with calming oils and used gentle pressure to help the skin shed its keratinized layer and increase blood flow.

Cleopatra even elevated the pedicure to a full-fledged spa treatment. The queen’s daily foot regimen comprised:

1. A bath with incense and herbs;
2. Rubbing in aromatic oils;
3. Drying the skin with peacock feathers.

The custom of kissing the feet of those in higher social classes was another reason why the Egyptians required care. Pharaohs and courtiers were required to use oils and take daily baths to get rid of offensive odors.

A little later, it was also customary for nobles to kiss each other’s feet in France. Elegant women could not afford to look disheveled, so they used a silver knife to scrape off calluses and corns from their skin on a regular basis.

Since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, hand care has advanced significantly and is now accessible to all women. The fact that manicures continue to evolve and that an increasing number of natural nail products hit the market each year is what matters most. In twenty years, how do you think manicures will look like? 128578; Post your forecasts in the comments section!

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The manicure has developed over the last 5,000 years from basic nail care procedures to an expressive art form that represents social class, culture, and individual taste. An ancient grooming ritual has evolved over time due to cultural shifts, technology breakthroughs, and changing fashion tastes.

The history of manicures is a monument to human creativity and the need for self-expression. It begins in ancient times, when nails were colored with natural dyes, and continues into the modern era with elaborate designs and a wide range of colors. Every era has influenced the way we see and treat our nails today.

Knowing the fascinating background of manicures enables us to recognize the beauty and importance of this traditional procedure. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly insignificant things like nail care have rich histories that link us to civilizations and customs that date back thousands of years.

Over 5,000 years have passed since the beginning of time, when nail care was prized as a status and beauty symbol in ancient cultures. The evolution of the manicure reflects shifts in society, fashion, and technology, from the elaborately adorned nails of ancient Egypt to the sophisticated techniques of today. This lengthy custom demonstrates how nail care has always been valued as a form of personal expression that transcends time and cultural boundaries, going beyond simple cosmetics.

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