Who was nail polish originally made for?

A Quick Look Back at the Origins of Nail Polish

There are many theories about the origins of nail polish in human history. Here’s an exploration of one of the earliest known uses of nail color in an unexpected context.

Ancient Babylon

While nail polish is often attributed to Ancient China, it can be argued that its use dates back even earlier, around 3200 BC, in Ancient Babylon.

There, male warriors painted their nails using crushed ground minerals called kohl as part of their battle preparation. Before nail polish could be mass-produced, individuals made their own polish to apply to their nails.

As in many cultures, nail color was a marker of social class. In Babylon, for example, upper-class warriors used black kohl, while lower-class warriors used green. Evidence also suggests that men in ancient Egypt and China commonly colored their nails as part of their grooming rituals to denote social status.

While men initially polished their nails to give them a clean, shiny appearance, it wasn't long before women were also using nail polish, particularly among the aristocracy, since well-groomed hands symbolized wealth and social standing.

The Impact of Popular Culture and Celebrity Influence

Over the past few decades, nail polish has evolved significantly. While women dominated nail painting for centuries, male musicians in the 1970s and 80s re-paved the way for men. Icons like Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Prince began wearing nail polish publicly. This continued into the grunge era with artists like Kurt Cobain sporting bold red nails. In recent years, rappers such as Lil Yachty, Gunna, and Tyler the Creator, as well as professional athletes like NBA player Jared McCain and NFL quarterback Caleb Williams, have embraced nail polish, adding style to their public images and expressing confidence regardless of societal expectations.

The Enduring Legacy of Nail Polish

For nail polish enthusiasts, nail art is a true art form with a rich and storied past. From ancient warriors who used polish as a means of intimidation to today’s athletes and rockstars flaunting bold designs, nail polish has held cultural, social, and artistic significance for thousands of years—and its influence continues to grow.

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