NAILS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PERSONAL, CULTURAL AND POLITICAL.

🗓️March 10, 2026

I think I’m not the only nail tech who screamed at her screen when she saw us represented in the Bad Bunny 2026 Half time show. Seeing many techs come to social media to express the happiness this representation brought- shows that It’s no secret nails and nail techs are the most underrated part of the fashion and beauty industries. Often being undermined as “just nails.”

This got me reflecting on how nails have always been personal and cultural.

In ancient America Mayans and Incas painted their nails to match their body’s paintings to send a symbolic message. Nail care and decorations held big cultural and spiritual significance.They believed the length and shape of nails were seen as indicators of an individual’s physical and spiritual health, with long, well-groomed nails signifying strength and vitality, nails held spiritual power and energy.

For ancient Egypt manicures were a ritual practice reflecting social status and spiritual beliefs. Both men and women of high social status used natural dyes such as henna to paint their nails red, symbolizing life and power. Those of higher class wore vibrant nails, while those of lower class wore modest and pale manicures.

In Ancient Babylonia men were the first to do manicures, these were a sign of social status and class. Warriors used kohl to paint their nails before battle to intimidate their opponents. Higher-ranking individuals wore darker colors like black while lower classes wore colors like green. Babylonians were the first to develop tools for nail care.

Ancient China men and women used to grow their nails long and painted them with vibrant colors, and also added decorations to demonstrate they were above a life of labor and of an upper class.

In medieval Europe they focused more on cleanliness over the aesthetic and artistic expression. This changed during the renaissance bringing an artistic cultural shift to Europe. It was the era where culture and art were flourishing inspiring nail care to go beyond just cleanliness. This era inspired the wealthy to bring artistic expression into their grooming practice, as technology advanced their manicures started shifting. Tinted polishes made from natural ingredients, intricate designs inspired by the era’s art with jeweled decorations turned vibrant. Embellished nails became a sign of upper class and artistic appreciation.

From ancient times up to the late 19th century we see manicures have culture and social status as a common denominator so

How are nails political?

In the 20th century, the political conflict in Vietnam from 1955-1975 caused a high rise in immigration from Vietnam. A lot of Vietnamese immigrants brought this skill from their country or learnt to do nails in the U.S as a way to survive, Vietnamese entrepreneurs took over the nail industry by offering quicker services, at the time with the civil rights act of 1964 a lot of women were also entering the workforce which led to a high demand for quicker and cheaper services. Nail salons started opening in almost every corner, offering quick basic services for everyone.

As the industry grew in the 90s, and worker women opted for clean simple manicures- Hollywood stars started opting for longer acrylic extensions, more elaborate designs and going to luxurious higher end salons. This style of nails became the new sign of wealth as they were much more expensive than the basic services the average working women were getting. The price of a basic service being $15 (about $37 today) and a luxury service being around $60 (about $148 today). Politics pushed the industry to become the multi-billion force it is in our modern day.

Nail art as a political statement

Politics affects nails the same way it does fashion; trends- as they come and go, serve as a mirror of the world’s political and economical state. Trends can often be forced towards either rebellion on conservatism, for example the rise of minimalism vs maximalism. However, nail art wasn’t born on the fashion runways, it was born on the streets. Nail art was born as a cultural identity, resistance and self-expression then taken by the fashion industry.

The Hollywood stars and women who opted for the most elaborate and longer sets were mostly latinas and black women. Pictured below you will see the U.S’ greatest sprinters; Flo Jo and Gail Devers winning medals while rocking long acrylics long before they became socially acceptable. At the time extravagant long acrylic nails and nail art were often being looked down upon as “lowlife” and “tacky.”

However, the moment nail aesthetics entered the runways and red carpets suddenly it became trendy, and gained a wider approval.

Take the Hailey bieber “glazed donut” nails for example suddenly everyone thought this was a groundbreaking new design when in fact it was created in the late 90s-early 2000s and they were known as “futuristic nails” at the time thanks to its metallic finish. Pictured below you can see JLO rocking the glazed donut nails long before they were revamped under that name. However, this shift was helpful to motivate women to add more to their manicures, leading to the modern boom in minimalistic-but-not-so-much-so that they are 100% plain style of nails.

Personally, it fills my heart with joy seeing women of color reclaiming nail art, their culture, embracing maximalism. Nail techs being represented in the media is big for the industry it shows that it isn’t “just nails.” It has never been, nails tell stories, stories from silenced marginalized communities and of the personal sort, they are the most customizable accessory capable of bringing outfits and creative ideas together, creating a space to express yourself.

Our modern day

In the 21st century, there has been a big raise of private nail techs looking to return the luxury to nail services. Many of us understand there is no relaxation in a quick in and out services, no proper sanitation is possible when you are constantly switching customers, no time to elaborate self-expressive sets, and no privacy where you could form a deeper connection so we opt to rent private studios. Doing nails is political because it is thanks to the feminist movement we are able to open our salons, charge money for our services, not only that but being a nail tech requires you to be a girl’s girl. How could one service women, offer top notch quality services if men haven’t been de-centered in the field? you should be able to trust your nail tech as if she was a close friend, to feel comfortable and excited every time you go to her. Nail day has to feel like a self-care ritual and spiritual reset.

We still have a long way to go before our career gets taken serious, but thanks to the brave Vietnamese immigrants, stars like: Flo Jo, JLO, Cynthia Erivo and yes, even Hailey Bieber; we are getting closer to a world where nails techs are appreciated. In the current climate of the world, when you are a woman, or member of a marginalized community everything you wear and do becomes political. Because self-expression, resistance to assimilate and refusal to go full minimalistic is a form of protest. So why not do it!? wear your nails as loudly as you want, long, embellished, proudly!