5. Mid-Century Modern Innovations
In nail art technology and techniques, post-World War II saw hitherto unheard-of creativity. Acrylic nails, which offered a strong substitute for genuine nails and created fresh opportunities for nail art patterns, first appeared in the 1950s. With salons providing ever more advanced treatments, this era also heralded the development of nail art as a separate kind of artistic expression. While popular culture’s increasing impact resulted in more adventurous and bold nail art styles, the creation of new polymer formulations and application processes allowed for longer-lasting manicues and more detailed designs.