varnish

The exact origin of nail polish as a cosmetic decoration is shrouded in the mists of time, making it impossible to definitively identify the first woman to adorn her nails in this way. However, tracing the history of nail coloring and its evolution offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural significance of cosmetics and personal adornment across different societies. While we can't name a specific individual, we can explore the practices that paved the way for the modern manicure and appreciate the role early adopters played in shaping this enduring beauty ritual.

The earliest recorded use of nail color can be traced back to ancient China, during the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE). Here, nail color signified social class and status, with royalty and the elite favoring elaborate nail art and vibrant colors derived from natural sources like beeswax, egg whites, gelatin, gum arabic, and vegetable dyes. Gold and silver were also popular choices, indicating wealth and power. While we don’t know the names of individual women who wore these early forms of nail polish, their adoption of this practice laid the groundwork for its future development. These women, by embracing nail color as a form of self-expression and status symbol, inadvertently began a trend that would span millennia.

In ancient Egypt, nail color played a similar role. During the reign of Queen Nefertiti (c. 1370 – c. 1330 BCE), it is believed she and her court favored shades of red and ruby on their fingernails and toenails, using henna as a natural dye. Again, while Nefertiti is often cited as a prominent example, she was not the “first” but rather part of a larger cultural practice where women, regardless of social standing, used nail color as a form of personal expression. The color red, in particular, held symbolic significance, potentially representing fertility, life, and victory. Lower classes used paler shades, highlighting the social stratification reflected in cosmetic choices.

Moving forward to the Inca civilization (c. 1438–1533 CE), we find another example of nail decoration as a marker of social status. Incan nobility adorned their nails with intricate miniature paintings of eagles, a symbol of power and divinity. This elaborate nail art, while different from the colored varnishes of China and Egypt, demonstrates the continued importance of nail decoration across diverse cultures. It reinforces the idea that decorating nails was a significant ritual associated with identity and self-representation long before the advent of modern nail polish.

The development of actual varnish-like nail coverings can be traced back to China again, around 3000 BCE. This early form of nail polish was created by combining a mixture of beeswax, egg whites, gelatin, gum arabic, and colored pigments. This mixture, applied to the nails and allowed to dry, created a hard, glossy finish, a precursor to modern nail lacquer. This technological advancement suggests a growing sophistication in cosmetic practices and a desire for more durable and aesthetically pleasing nail decorations.

The transition to more recognizable forms of nail polish occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries. Early formulas used ingredients like tin oxide to create a pearly sheen. By the early 1900s, automobile paint inspired the development of nitrocellulose-based nail polish, leading to the wider availability and popularity of colored lacquers. The rise of the film industry in Hollywood further fueled the trend, with actresses showcasing glamorous manicures on screen, influencing women around the world.

Revlon, founded in 1932, played a pivotal role in popularizing nail polish in the United States. Their introduction of matching lip and nail colors revolutionized the cosmetics industry and cemented nail polish as a staple in women’s beauty routines. By the mid-20th century, nail polish had become a widely accessible and affordable cosmetic, allowing women from all walks of life to participate in this practice with unprecedented ease.

While pinning down the first woman to use nail polish as a decoration remains impossible, the historical journey of nail color reveals a compelling narrative of evolving beauty standards and the enduring human desire for self-expression. From the ancient rituals of status and power to the modern-day explosion of colors and styles, the practice of decorating nails continues to be a significant aspect of personal adornment, reflecting individual taste, cultural trends, and the ongoing evolution of beauty practices. Although we cannot name the individual who first embraced this practice, we can celebrate the collective history of women who, over centuries, have used nail color as a form of self-expression and a testament to the enduring power of beauty rituals.