In one of my classes a few weeks ago, we read Michael Taussig's What Color is the Sacred?, which got me thinking a lot about nail polish. Taussig's book traces a genealogy of color and connects it to colonialism and capitalism, questioning why bright colors are often connected with being "primitive," while subdued colors are expected of the more "civilized" people in the West. It is not an easy read and he kind of rambles on for awhile, but it's worth a look if you are interested in reading an academic analysis of color. Anyway, it really got me thinking about nail polish. I know that sounds kind of silly, but really, nail polish is very connected to ideas of race, socioeconomic class, and gender. For example, it is generally believed that it is not appropriate for men to wear nail polish (I don't agree). Socioeconomic class affects which women can afford to go to certain nail salons. Certain salons that cater to specific classes of women may have different products in their salons than other salons. Women of color are often stereotyped as wearing huge, chunky acrylics. Manicurists are generally stereotyped as Asian, usually with very little English-speaking ability. (Please note that I'm saying "stereotyped." These stereotypes are not necessarily true.)
Most nail polish companies in the U.S. recycle the same colors every year in collections that consist of sheers, pinks, beiges, and (muted) reds. The “unique” colors tend to be released in Asia, specifically Japan and Korea. These “unique” colors are practically impossible for anyone living in the U.S. to purchase, due to exorbitant prices or unwillingness of sellers to ship overseas. Why is it that OPI will release U.S.- and Asian-specific collections? Why is there apparently no market in the U.S. for glittery colors?
Why do people have such a negative reaction to me when I wear “unusual” nail polish colors? Strangers stop me in stores to ask why I’m wearing a certain color, coworkers make disparaging remarks about my “weird” colors, and colleagues comment on my color choices in classes. Until green was reported as the trendy nail color of 2010 in fashion magazines a few months ago, wearing green or yellow would cause the most negative reactions from people who are never too shy to tell me that I am wearing an “ugly” color. Bright red is still regarded, often by elderly women in my experience, as the color of prostitutes or tramps.I was once confronted by an elderly woman in a store as I picked up a bottle of bright red nail polish. The elderly woman claimed that “only tramps wear that color.
Well, I have no conclusions to these musings. Just that nail polish is intertwined with race, gender, and class, and that we should not forget this.
In light of such thinking, I was inspired to wear something unusual. As I expected, I received quite a bit of attention for this mani. Mostly it was compliments, which surprised me.
This is 3-4 coats of China Glaze Happy Go Lucky and 1 coat of China Glaze Doll House. Happy Go Lucky wasn't too bad to apply - just kind of thick. I could have gotten away with 3 coats if I was more careful. Now that I have been enlightened by MeganChair's amazing nail cleanup tutorial, I don't really care how difficult a nail polish is to apply. No matter how much of a mess I've made, I can easily clean it up when I'm done! I think China Glaze has changed their formula too - it dried super fast despite so many coats!
Sunlight:
Shade:
Well, what do you think? Ugly, ugly-pretty, pretty?
Thanks for looking!
