The History of Nail Polish – India

We thought it would be fun to find out when all the fuss began and when nail polish hit the scene. Of course we realise that in the conventional sense nail varnish is quite new, however the idea of colouring nails is not a new one.

As it turns out the history of colourful nails is a convoluted and confusing one.

Mysterious Origins

There are a variety of theories about where and when nail polish actually began. However it seems that perhaps India was where it originated and colouring nails is a custom thought to date back well over 5,000 years. The use of henna as a dye began during the Bronze Age and it was quickly adopted to colour a variety of surfaces including skin, hair and textiles as well as nails.

Quick to Spread

India’s location meant that the Indians traded with a variety of different peoples and this colourful decoration idea quickly spread to nearby cultures. Interestingly enough, it was the men who spread this hot trend, not the women. Stay tuned for next time when we share about the history of nails in ancient Babylonia.