In 1950s, nail art was in its nascent stages; women were mostly opting between a colorful single coat or a French manicure to enhance the beauty of their hands. Common shades such as pink, red and nude stole the show, however, the latter half of that era marked an emergence of soft pastel colors as a preferred choice amongst the fashion-enthusiasts.
During the 1950s, red and pink were the predominant colors of choice for nails. Red embodied ferocity while pink was delicate; women chose to pair their nails with a fitting red lipstick while teenage girls mostly went for the softer hue. Though not as popular as the others, some preferred more sophisticated and refined neutral shades for nails.
From the latter part of the 1950s, soft colors such as pale blue and delicate pink surged in popularity. Teenagers and young women embraced these hues as a symbol of vibrancy and youth.
During the 1950s, vivid hues like mustard yellow, hunter green, and tangerine formed an integral part of people’s wardrobes. Such buoyant colors were associated with enjoyment, exuberance and merriment, and were routinely sported at celebrations and festive gatherings.
In the 1950s, nail polishing enthusiasts had three major brands to choose from. Max Factor was renowned for its pioneering hues and finishes, Revlon celebrated for its budget-friendly shades, and Coty for its rainbow of pigments.