History of Nail Care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of Nail Care - Essay Example In ancient Egypt, the color of the nails of an individual determined his/her status and class – it was an emblem of importance. While individuals of lower rank were only permitted to wear pale colors on their nails; queens and kings wore deep red (Trapp, 13 and David, para1). During the reign of Queen Nefertiti, red nail colors symbolized the status of royals. Furthermore, the famous queen Cleopatra who ruled Egypt always painted her nails with a rusty red color, which was only set aside for the queen (HubPages Inc., para2). Similarly, in ancient China, fingernails played an important role in identifying the nobles. Individuals who held high status wore long nails as a symbol of their status, and their nail color revealed their social class. Silver and gold colors were an emblem of highest power and rank, while red and black represented boldness and strength. The common people, on the other hand, used pale tones, and they symbolized weakness. The Chinese came up with a nail polish made from gum Arabic, beeswax, gelatin, and egg whites around 3,000 B.C. In Chou Dynasty, Chinese individuals of highest status and ranks painted their nails with silver and gold polish in 600 B.C. During the 15th Century, Chinese Ming Dynasty’s leaders painted their nails red and black. Before the battle in Babylon, early Rome and Egypt, military commanders spent hours curling and lacquering their hair and painting their nails and their lips with the same color (HubPages Inc., para3 and Trapp, 13). Nail care started being a part of glamour and fashion in the 19th century. With the technological and social advancements, new nail care tools started surfacing in Europe. A foot doctor by the name Sitts devised a wooden manicure apparatus in the year 1830. Prior to his invention, people used acid, scissors, metal rod, among others for manicure. During this period, slightly pointed nail styles or almond-shaped nails were common. The