Over the years, our society had developed various beauty styles from different origins. Our hair, face, and nails are often used to convey a person’s beauty; that is why several beauty products were invented. Nails have gone a long way than just trimming it to a short-length. Nail services, such as manicure and pedicure, was invented to make a person’s nails clean and beautiful.
Women are the primary fans of manicures and pedicures, making sure to keep their nails looking nice. One of the most common styles done in the nail is the French manicure, which is known worldwide. In this article, we are going to look into the more profound definition of the French manicure, as well as its history.
What is a French Manicure?
As mentioned earlier, French manicure was one of the most typical manicure and pedicure styles. It is distinguished for its thin white polish strip at the tip. This nail style is an ideal choice for those who are looking for a neat and stylish nail without any complicated treatments. Furthermore, French manicure still has its variations when it comes to the width of the nails’ bands.
French manicure is a treatment that also comes with a warm foot soak and foot scrub; it is then followed by pushing back the cuticles with a pusher. A foot massager is then used to relax the feet; a moisturizer is applied to keep the feet vibrant, and lastly, the nail technician could then proceed to trimming and styling the nail.
Origins of the French Manicure
Now that we already have a more profound knowledge of French manicure let us now look into its history. From the name itself, one of the most common misconceptions of the French manicure’s history is that it originated from France. It might sound real at first since it is called “French.” However, history shows that this nail style did not develop in France or have a French inventor. Interestingly, the French manicure was a style created by an American.
Jeff Pink, the founder of nail polish and treatment brand Orly, was responsible for coining the term “French manicure” in 1978. However, Pink was not known to be the inventor of the technique. Instead, experts believe that it originated back in the 1930s, wherein the father of cosmetics, Max Factor, claimed to have invented it. So, why is it called the French manicure? When Max Factor claimed to invent the technique, he intended to develop the nail style for the fashionistas of Paris, giving it the French connection. In addition to this, people also believe that the French manicure was a nail style that already existed far back to the late 19th century.
Despite the confusion in the French manicure’s origins, it became popular during the 1970s. Jeff Pink developed the first DIY French manicure kit, which he supplied for Hollywood actresses. The kit’s popularity skyrocketed in the United States, making the French manicure more popular.
However, the development of the French manicure also has its disadvantages; directors would complain to Pink about the lengthy process it takes actresses just to change nail colors. With this said, Pink was asked to create a broader version of the French manicure where it would have the same beautiful looks, along with a more natural-looking nail. The tweak would significantly shorten the length of time actresses spend inside the wardrobe. Jeff Pink once again impressed the public with his outstanding creation, which he called the “Natural Looking Nai Kit.” This new kit is more convenient than the earlier designs, which is a significant help to stylists and actresses.
Jeff Pink then went to Paris for a fashion show. He introduced his work to models and painted their nails with this manicure style. The manicure style left a significant impact on French women’s nail styles, and when Pink went back to the United States, he started calling it the “French manicure.” Pink’s introduction of the French manicure sparked the interests of many people, especially women.
Over the years, the French manicure became popular not only in the United States but also in other parts of the globe. Today, it is considered one of the most common nail styles offered in spas and salons.