History of Nail Care page 3

A History of Nail Care Page 3

1957 Thomas Slack is issued a patent for a 'platform' that fits around the nail edge, designed to help manicurists apply extensions to the natural nail. Made of foil it is used to apply the first acrylic for nails, called 'Pattinail' which is manufactured in the '50s by the Slack family. The product is named after Patricia Still, who developed and demonstrated the technique in department stores.

1970 It's the age of the artificial nail! Acrylic nails look and feel real, but are much stronger. The square nail evolves. The salon is the place to get your nails made-to-order. By 1978 nails are very long and are worn mainly by the rich. Artificial nails that cover the entire nail bed are available, including the Eye-Lure Nails brand. These nails are inserted under a lifted cuticle to make them look as if the grow out of the finger. Glue holds them on, but not for long. These can be worn just for special occasions because any contact with water dissolves the glue. While some women in the United States enjoy artificial extensions, they are still unthought of for many.

1972 In the early '70s, acrylics, well known on the West Coast, are brand new to the Midwest. Phyllis Monier has brought her Nike line of acrylic powder and liquid to Chicago and attracts many students from the Midwest to her classes, according to former student Jo Livingston. Classes are limited to 10 students, and compared with today's acrylic products, the dental acrylics have a bad smell and are difficult to work with.

1973 IBD develops the first adhesive especially for nails.

1974 In California, Helen Gourley uses Pattinails purchased from a dental supply company: $40 for a year's supply. At first she does not admit her nails are false; when she does, business booms and everybody wants them.

In '74 and '75, the FDA seizes and recalls products containing methyl and methylacrylate, a chemical considered to be hazardous, and forces manufacturers to formulate acrylics for the nail that are gentler.

1975 Orly International is founded, offering Orly Nail Paint, Romeo liquid fibre wrap, and Ridgefiller primer base coat.

1976 Square nails become fashionable, probably due to nail competitions - judges can critique a C-curve more easily in a square nail than an oval nail. Exceptionally long nails are accepted and popular. Nail tips are used more and more, a relief to nail technicians who have difficulty applying forms.

1977 Beatrice Kaye manufactures Soak 10 and a manicure bowl, the first items in her MGM Studio 10 natural nail care products.

1978 Creative Nail Design offers its first product, non-yellowing Solarnail, a liquid and powder resin.

1980 The '80s sees the use of nail drills (adapted from dental, hobby and jewellery drills) become common when working with acrylic nails. Fibreglass is the newest wrap system. Nail charms and gold nails begin to decorate some clients' hands, and nail art finally makes it to the United States.
Nail tips are popularised. According to Jo Livingston, technicians who have difficulty with the paper forms use tips and overlay them with acrylic.
The trade newspaper 'Mainly Manicuring' reaches salons in the '80s.
World International Nail and Beauty Association (WINBA) holds its first trade show for nails, as well as its world championship competitions and cosmetics.

1981 Essie Cosmetics is founded and offers nail technicians 12 different nail colours. OPI Products is established and develops 4 NP Powders and L-2000 Liquid especially for the nail industry. Star Nail Products is born on Venice Beach, California - its first nail products are Star Original acrylic and polish.

1982 There are 80,000 nail technicians working in the United States and 13,435 nail salons. The average price of a manicure is US$6. The average price of a full set of acrylics is US$25.
Helen Gourley is the first in her area to offer one of the new gel systems on the market. Her lamp, invented by James T Giuliano costs $500.
NAILS Magazine opens its first offices in Huntington Beach, California and the first issue is distributed at the Longbeach Hairdressers' Guild Show.
Odourless systems are now available. Ladyfingers is one company offering them.

1984 Backscratchers is started in a school environment.

1987 The National Nail Technicians Group is formed. Its original name is the New York State Nail Technicians' Organisation (NYSNTO)

1990 In nail styles, anything goes! With the number of artificial extension systems available, women can choose the one that fits them best. It's the era of the successful woman who considers nails as part of her overall professional look, and most important, it's the era of the educated client.
The Nail Manufacturers Council is formed with founding board members Lorenzo Mejia, George Schaeffer, and Jan Arnold.
NAILS Magazine Shows holds its first show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

1992 The Nails Industry Association (NIA) is founded by NAILS Magazine and Bobit Publishing to support, protect, and represent professional nail technicians.
Illinois formally adopts licensing requirements for nail technicians.
Retro fashion brings back the 'Cuban' or 'Gatsby' manicure, in which polish is applied to the nail bed but not he moon or free edge. Fashion hasn't seen this style since the 1930s.

1993 There are 175,832 nail technicians and 25,547 nail salons in the United States. Both figures have more than doubled over the previous decade. The average price of a manicure is US$11. The average price of a full set of acrylics is US$42.

1994 Light cured liquid and powder acrylic systems hit the market.
New York becomes the 46th state to adopt licensing requirements for nail technicians.

1995 Creative Nail Design Systems is acquired by Revlon Professional.

1996 NIA acquires NNTG, becoming the largest nail-focused association in the United States.

(Article source - NAILS Magazine 1996-97)

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