Nails can say a lot about a woman, so it's no surprise that many more women are expressing themselves through nail art. It's been a popular art form for centuries, starting with the ancient Egyptians and many African and Middle Eastern cultures that use henna to paint their nails. But today, there are so many more things a woman can do to portray her beliefs, favorite sports teams, holidays and social networks. Manicured nails have, in fact, become personal statements, not just something that makes a woman feel good about herself.
"I think nail art is just another way of accessorizing," says Barbara Johnson, a nail technician in Melbourne, Fla. "You get the right earrings, you get the right necklace, and a lot of people like their nails to match their outfit."
Johnson, who's been doing nails for 23 years, says she's freehand painted just about everything on nails and toes.
"I've done nail art for some clients going to the races in Daytona," she says.
"I'll do something like the number '24.' I've done checkered flags. It's kind of fun, and they get a kick out of it."
One of her most daring designs?
"A Burberry purse print on a nail," she says.
Overall, the holidays and weddings are the busiest times for nail art, according to Johnson. And there is a growing demand by women who want to treat themselves to nice nails, period, not just nail art.
According to Nails magazine, 71.1 percent of full-service salon owners have seen an increase in customer demand for nail care in 2006, and women getting nail art run the gamut in age. In fact, women ages 36 and older make up more than half of all nail salon clients, according to Nails.
Nails can be matched to a print or design in a dress, said Johnson, referring to a new technology where photos and dress fabric swatches can be transferred to a small decal, which can then be transferred to a nail.
Women are increasingly opting for intricate designs on their toenails, such as gel glitter, according to Rust.
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