Ancient History of Nails

    For Thousands of years, a wide range of natural and manufactured products has been used by different cultures and classes to enhance and sustain the beauty of hands and feet.  For example: In some culturesm attractive hands and nails were simply seen as a part of good hygiene.In other cultures, well-manicured hands were set apart from the upper class and high society, or as a sex symbol.  Of course the tools of the trade have changed over and over again over time including to the present day.
    Much like estetics industry, the practice of nail art and design has been around for centuries.  THe chinese wore nail art as early as 3,000 B.C., and so did the ancient Egyptions since around 3,500 B.C.  The Chinese found ways to use gum arabic, egg whites, gelatin, and beeswax to create nail varnishes and lacquers. Egyptians used henna to stain their nails. 
    Egyptians used red to show the highest social class. It is said that Cleopatra's nails were painted a deep red, Queen Nefertiti sported a flashier rudy shade of red.  If a commener painted their nails a royal color it was punishable by death.