In modern times, wearing specific clothing, makeup, and nail polish is a form of self-expression or the opportunity to jazz up for a special occasion.

However, nail painting can be traced back to China in 3000 BC. According to Byrdie.com, “the Chinese used nail color as a distinction of rank and dynasty. During certain dynasties, the lower classes could wear pale colors, but wearing the color of royals was punishable by death.” Upper-class individuals used beeswax, gelatin, egg whites, Arabic gum, and vegetable dyes to create highly pigmented colors.

It wasn’t until thousands of years later that liquid nail polish came to be. The Northam Warren Corporation’s founder, Northam Warren, “first introduced a colorless liquid nail polish into its Cutex line in 1916. In 1917, a rose-tint was added. On a trip to France in 1920, Northam Warren noticed that Parisians preferred liquid nail polish over all other forms and he decided to follow this trend” (hagley.org).

Fun fact: a dentist created acrylic nails in 1957! At work, Frederick Slack broke a nail and used aluminum foil and dental acrylic to create a realistic-looking faux nail. Realizing his genius, Slack and his brother collaborated to patent the first acrylic nail form (byrdie.com).

To celebrate National Nail Polish Day:

• Get a manicure or paint your own nails
• Share your favorite nail polish color on social media
• Use #NationalNailPolishDay and #NailPolishDay