100 years of Nail Fashion
Originally posted on Nov 30, 2019 — Updated for 2025!
100 years of Nail Fashion
Ancient Beginnings
Nail color goes back millennia: in 3200 BC, Babylonian warriors used kohl on nails as power symbols; by 3000 BC, the Chinese mixed beeswax, Arabic gum, and egg whites to create stiffeners and color denoting social class. Cleopatra famously used henna to dye her nails a rich red.
In the U.S., the first nail salon was opened in 1878 by Mary E. Cobb, who also invented the emery board.
1920s
1920s: Nail lacquers began to be mass produced and it was fashionable to only paint the middle of the nails, leaving the moon and tips of nails a natural color.
1920s: The Roaring Half-Moon
Cutex introduced the first liquid nail polish in 1917; by 1925, Revlon stepped onto the scene with glossy lacquer.
A “moon manicure,” in which only the middle of the nail was painted, leaving the lunula and tips bare, topped the decade’s trends. Makeup artist Michelle Menard created the first glossy long-wearing polish inspired by car enamel.
Bold flapper-era beauty included Cupid’s-bow lips, heavy blush, and dramatic eye makeup, reflecting cultural shifts as women gained independence and visibility.
Nearly a century later, Art Deco nail designs, think geometric lines and gold accents, have made a stylish comeback on social media.
Using “Tulip Festival” in the middle of your nails would help you achieve the vogue look of 20’s nail fashion. Using French manicure stencils is an easy trick to leave the negative space on the moons and tips, and applying Top Coat would complete the look.
1930s
1930s: Lipstick and nail polish were used as an affordable way to accessorize, and usually matched with shades of bold red, pale rose, light pinks and subtle cream shades. Adorning the tips with gold, silver, or mother of pearl was the trend.
1930s: Subtle Glamour
Tinted powder polish gave way to soft nail color applications, offering a subdued elegance.
Polish shades often echoed lipstick colors, pale roses, reds, and manicures sometimes featured metallic accents like silver and gold tips.
Revlon popularized polished nails across the decade, blending fashion and beauty seamlessly.
“Cherry Festival” red would be the perfect way to accessorize a dress from the 30s, pairing with the perfect shade of red lipstick.
1940s
1940s: When resources and efforts went towards the war, fashion had to be functional. The affordability of cosmetics allowed women to feel feminine, even when working heavy machinery. Clear coats and base coats were marketed towards keeping nails protected while working. Short nails with a layer of natural pink polish was the go to look.
1940s: Wartime Functionality
With ingredients scarce due to World War II, cosmetics were limited, but nail polish remained a morale-boosting ritual.
Simple pink or natural-looking nails, protected with base and clear coats, were favored for their low maintenance and practicality.
1950s
1950s: The postwar generation returned back to fashionable, feminine, glamorous style with longer bold red nails, as well as the invention of acrylic nails by dentist Fred Slack in 1955.
1950s: Bold & Glamorous
Post-war exuberance fueled a return to bold colors, particularly red.
Acrylic nails were invented in 1957 by dentist Frederick Slack, introducing new creative possibilities.
Revlon’s iconic “Fire & Ice” campaign in the late 1950s made orange-red polish a trendsetting style.
A classic red shade, “Thimbleberry Jam” can be worn for any occasion for a feminine, glamorous style.
1960s
1960s: Fashion trends of the 1960’s were inspired by the many social movements of the decade. Make up was all about the eyes, so women wore nail colors that were more subdued, softer, and pastel.
1960s: Mod Minimalism
Inspired by social movements and modern art, nail colors became more subdued: soft, pastel hues dominated.
The French manicure, featuring nude bases and crisp white tips, was born around 1975, but its style roots trace back earlier.
“Barely There” would be the go-to color for this decade.
1970s
1970s:
The ’70s embraced natural nails or French manicures, often reflecting bohemian and disco influences. Bare or natural was how most women of this decade sported their nails.
A healthy way to wear your nails natural is to use the Nourishing Base Coat, cuticle balm, and glass nail file that comes in the 4-pc Manicure System kit.
1980s
1980s: Literally anything goes in this decade! Bright, off the wall colors, each nail painted a different color, introduction of colors never before worn like neon green, yellow, and blue. Inspiration came from music, celebrities, and the powerful youth.
1980s: Eclectic Expression:
By the ’80s, nails exploded with neon colors, bold shapes, and mix-and-match styles, anything-goes creativity was standard.
1990s
The ’90s saw dark, statement nails and early nail art—opulent and empowering.
1990s: Artful Flourish
Bold nail art sported by female rappers in the 90’s gave way to creative flare still seen today. Short, dark nails were seen in popular films and also inspired a trend.
“Old Mission” would be a cool, dark shade for your inner 90s spirit.
2000s
The 2000s popularized nail wraps, glitter, and textured finishes: perfect for self-expression in the era of accessories.
2000s:
During the recession, nail art became a huge way to express oneself. Adorning nails with wraps, glitter, dark nail polish, studs, jewels, hand painted art, stickers, water slides, textured nail polishes, and metallic shades was the trend in the Millennium and went perfectly with all the crimped hair and lip gloss of this decade.
2010s
2010s:
Nail fashion is all about individuality. There is a style, nail shape, length, and nail color for literally everybody. The fast paced world we live in today means that one day we can sport a manicure to match a bright blue bridesmaids dress on a Saturday, and then don a nude color to work on Monday. It has never been easier to express ourselves, change who we want to be for the day, and come up with new ways to be fashionable as it is now.
Nail fashion now celebrates personal style—whether minimalist nude, bold shades, or thematic art.
Brands and social media fuel rapid trend cycles, from pastel colors to bold accents.
Northern Nail Polish champions safer, toxin-free formulas: free of formaldehyde and phthalates, reflecting a shift toward health-conscious beauty.
More importantly, there are now safer nail polishes available that don’t contain formaldehyde, TPHP, DBP, toluene, parabens, phthalates. Northern Nail Polish was established in 2013, and is setting the scene locally for toxin-free nail polish that is also long-lasting and chip resistant.
2020s: Only time will tell what the next decade will hold! We’ll continue to come up with shades that are inspired by the uniqueness and beauty of our natural Great Lakes State!
Update for 2025:
2020–2025 Nail Trends: What's Hot Now
Minimalist, Clean-Looking Nails & Naked Manicures
Subtle sophistication dominates: the “naked manicure” offers sheer nude polish over carefully shaped nails, creating a low-maintenance, "high-maintenance" feel. Celeb-favorite Taylor Swift’s engagement nails helped elevate this trend in 2025.
Micro French & 90s Nostalgia
Micro French manis: ultra-fine white tips over nude bases have surged, inspired by minimalist throwbacks. Celebs like Kaia Gerber are leading the trend. In parallel, 1990s nail styles (think pastel blues, chrome finishes, milky whites) are resurging, modernized for today.
Playful Polka Dots & Playful Nail Art
Polka dot manis are back, seen on stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa, easy to DIY with bold or subtle contrasts and a playful spirit.
Chrome, Aura, and Iridescent Textures
Sleek finishes are trending for fall 2025, especially in rich seasonal shades and creative effects like floral or spiderweb motifs.
Ombré Reinvented
Ombré nails have returned with new life… think velvet magnetic finishes, 3D overlays, and glitter-dipped tips. This isn’t your grandmother’s gradient, it's bold, textural, and expressive.
Shapes: From Squoval to Almond
Short, neat squoval nails remain stylish. Meanwhile, tapered oval and almond shapes, with an elegant silhouette, are becoming the new go-to for a polished look.
