A Brief History of Nail Polish
The history of nail polish dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians were using nail coloring as early as 3000 BC. They would mix paint pigments with oils and waxes to protect and color their nails. During the 1920s in the United States, dark colors like reds and greens became very popular. It was also around this time that nail color started being sold commercially. In the 1930s, nail color became mainstream and new shades like pink and peach emerged. Fast forward to the 1950s, when brighter colors like corals and turquoises gained popularity. The 1980s saw the rise of neons and dark shades, while creative nail art originated in the 1990s. Today, nail color comes in virtually any color imaginable and new trendy shades are launched seasonally.
Types of Nail Polish
There are different types of nail color formulated for various nail care needs:
- Regular nail color is the most common type. It comes in a creamy or liquid consistency and dries to a hard, glossy finish. Regular polishes last around 1-2 weeks with proper care.
- Matte nail color has a flat, non-shiny finish when dry. Nail Polish is popular for a subtle, natural look. Matte polishes are less prone to chipping than regular varieties.
- Crackle nail color es have unique crackle patterns that appear as they dry. Wearers love the edgy, abstract designs these polishes create.
- Gel nail color es are cured with an LED or UV light for a super hard wearing manicure. Gel polishes can last up to 3-4 weeks and resist chipping extremely well. However, they require professional removal.
- Stamping polishes are highly pigmented inks used for nail art stamping. The intricate designs transfer effortlessly onto the nails for creative looks.
- Glitter and shimmer polishes add subtle or bold sparkle to any manicure. Loose glitters can also be mixed into clear polishes.
Trendy Nail Polish Colors
Nail polish brands continuously develop on-trend shades each season. Some popular colors that were huge in 2022 include:
- Mauves: Soft lilac, lavender and dusty rose shades were everywhere. Essie's "Play Date" was a standout mauve polish.
- Neons: Electric lime greens and bright oranges made a comeback. OPI's "I Just Can't Cope-acabana" was one of the buzziest neon shades.
- Metallics: Holographic and multi-dimensional metallics dazzled. Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik created many eye-catching chrome colors.
- Pastels: Light blue, mint, lilac and pink pastels evoked calm, carefree vibes. Orly's "Mint Candy" embodied the pastel trend.
- Dark academia: Moody burgundies, plums and browns suited the dark academia aesthetic. Essie's "Coat Blue-tiful" epitomized the aesthetic.
- French tips: Classic French manicures saw a revival with updated takes. Kokie's “Frenchie” kit made DIY versions easy.
Popular Nail Polish Brands
The major players in the nail color industry offer a wide range of high quality, on-trend shades at various price points:
- OPI: Known for its vibrant, highly pigmented colors that last. Popular shades include "Big Apple Red" and "Malaga Wine."
- Essie: Affordable, highly rated brand with trendy seasonal collections. Recent hits include "Fashion Playground" and "Angel Food Cake."
- Orly: Budget-friendly polishes that dry quickly. Popular shades are "Bondi Babe" and "Moon Dust."
- China Glaze: Great for glitter and metallic shades. Famous polishes include "Re-Fresh Mint" and "Fairy Dust."
- Sally Hansen: Drugstore favorite known for its fast drying Insta-Dri polishes. Their "Hard as Nails" line is very durable.
- Butter London: Luxury brand popular for its opaque, velvety smooth formulas. Cult classics include Scuppered and Marbs.
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