Style at their fingertips

The concept of decorating ones nails, what we call nail polish today, can be traced to antiquity as the concept of painting nails goes back more than 5,000 years. To our knowledge, this inspiration was born in Asian civilization, most probably India and China.

Charles Revson invented the first ever nail polish in 1932. It was a nitrocellulose-based formula and was launched in red and pink. Since that time, traditional nail polishes have changed significantly, observed Jan Arnold, co-founder of CND,San Diego. CA.  “During the time between the 1930s and now, pigments, colors and effects have changed, as have solvents,” she said.

According to Ritz of Duri, other big companies like Chanel and Estée Lauder followed and found the same success in nail polish. Strictly salon and professional brands also developed their own niche among the big companies and earned a devoted following.

During the past 50 to 60 years, the beauty industry was invaded with “glamorous” celebrities who brought their own vision and started new trends, noted Ritz. It all started with the “stunning” red nail polish worn by Rita Hayworth in her films in the 1950s. Red became a classic for all times.  

In 1964, Clairol rolled out a non-settling nail enamel, which impacted the industry because it was “easier to use and a more consistent product,” noted Suzanne Grayson, who, along with her husband Bob, are co-founders of Grayson Associates, a consulting firm that’s based in San Juan Capistrano. CA. She also points to the 1995 release of “Vamp” nail color by Chanel and the 1996 rollout of Maybelline Express Nail Color as pivotal moments in time for the nail color sector.

Jin Soon Choi, founder of the JINsoon Hand and Foot Spas inNew York Cityand the JINsoon Nail Polish Line, agreed that Vamp was a pivotal point in nail polish history, as was the creation of the French manicure in the 1970s.

“Chanel Vamp was the first fashion-related nail color and became an instant icon. Because of this color, Chanel became a trendsetter in the nail category. Vamp truly changed people’s way of thinking about nail polish as it related to high fashion.” Soon Choi also referenced millennial nail art as a noteworthy place on the nail polish timeline.

“In the 2000s, nail art stickers and 3D gel nail art fromJapanis key. Pop stars, especially hip-hop artists, started wearing nail art stickers and gel nail art in either a cute or over-the-top way, making them true fashion accessories,” she told Happi.

Big Business

The nail category has enjoyed strong growth due to women turning to at-home nail care options, particularly as product innovations like gel manicures allow them to replicate salon services at home, noted Mintel in its report “Nail Color and Care – US.” 

In addition, new product launches have proliferated in the category, particularly as nail polish and nail art have become closely linked to fashAir Max 90 LTHR Suede