The History of the French Manicure

Have you ever wondered how the French manicure got its name? I did a quick Internet search to see if I could find a definitive answer.

 

It seems that the exact origins on how the classic pink-and-white-look came to be called “French” are not precisely known.

 

Orly founder Jeff Pink, is credited with branding the name in America when he used the term on one of his manicure kits in the late ’70s, while others attribute the phrase to Max Factor, the father of modern cosmetics, saying he invented the look back in the 1930s for the fashionistas of Paris.

 

Some others say the look first occurred even earlier in the late 1800s.

 

You can check out the articles I found here:

What is known, however, is that this subtle and classy look has become a staple for manicured nails, and has remained the most requested design in nail salons across the world.

 

Also, don’t forget to check out our French-related features on our channels:

 

 

— Tim

Print | posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:03 PM

Comments

 re: The History of the French Manicure

left by Holly Schippers at 3/10/2009 6:47 PM
I love to read random history things like this every now and then, thanks Tim!

# re: The History of the French Manicure

left by French manicure lover at 9/9/2010 5:34 PM
Love French Manicure, I enjoyed reading your article it was informative. I'd like to add a little to your history, the truth is U.S. patent #6656484 was granted to 2 co-inventors, titled
Kit assembly and technique for preforming a cosmetic nail treatment. Namely French Manicure,
in reading the patent it clearly describes a Brush and solvent used to remove and form a Perfect French Curve. I have seen it advertised all over the internet, infringements using their technique. But guess what since then the patent has been leased out and you can now buy the OU La La BE Be French Manicure Kit with the famous and infamous Perfect French Brush and Shaping Corrector on line at www.newfrenchmanicure.com

# re: The History of the French Manicure

Gravatar left by French Manicures Designs at 12/2/2010 7:30 AM
French Manicures are characterized by having a white nail polish on the tip of one’s fingernails. It gives the hand a very clean and sophisticated look. I loved the post and I enjoyed reading it.

# re: The History of the French Manicure

Gravatar left by yiwu at 12/12/2010 7:13 PM
Good article, looking more like it, hope you can still see good work.

 re: The History of the French Manicure

Gravatar left by lily at 11/19/2011 3:02 PM
one day a franch person found nail polish and put it on only on the frunt of his nail so that is how we got the name franch manicure.

 re: The History of the French Manicure

Gravatar left by Lynn at 1/30/2013 8:49 AM
I think it's high time for the French look to "go away"! It has been around since the 70's! Does no one get sick of them? They all look the same on everybody, and it's getting REALLY old now. I haven't worn the french look in years, and I don't miss it one bit. I no longer find it looking "attractive" like I used to. Now it actually looks so "out of date" to me. Same ol' look over and over again. For weddings, I think a soft pink/clear look would look nice, and a nice change.

Be gone, French look manicure! You're old and worn out!!

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