3000 years Before Christ the Chinese used enamel on their fingers. They applied the substance and left it to sit for several hours, the result; a pink finish on their nails. This was the beginning of nail art and the earlier records. The Indians also practiced nail art in a similar period using a dyestuff derived from the Henna plant. This sometimes implied a social significance. Egyptians were another civilization that used nail art early on. The colour of ladies nails were used to identify what class in society you were in. The higher class wore deep sunglasses of red and lower classes wore pale shades. Another mother of nail art was the Inca civilization who really painted images of eagles on their fingertips.
The modernization of nail design began early in the 19th century. Orange wood sticks were developed in Europe beginning the process. Modern manicures began with this invention around 1830. The popularity created business opportunities and salons started to pop up crossways the US by late 19th century.
