Nail Art Is More Than a Style Statement — It's Black Culture

For decades, Black women have taken pride in the divinity of their nails. Glossy lacquer was a stage and album-cover staple for Donna Summer and Diana Ross; Flo-Jo set Olympic records in a bedazzled red, white, and blue manicure; and as hip-hop and R&B rose to prominence, so did the popularity of bold French tips and long, curved acrylics, worn by everyone from SWV to Lil’ Kim.

Today, intricate manicures are all over the pages of leading fashion and beauty magazines, and a host of celebrities have made complex nail designs part of their trademark style. Google “Who started the long nail trend?” and Kylie Jenner is often the first result — a fact that would be laughable if it weren’t so insulting. For years, long nails were deemed “ghetto” by many outside of the Black community, and the nail styles born in the Black community aren’t a trend — they’re a part of our history and culture.

This morning, Venus entered its home sign of Libra — find out what that means for your weekly horoscope. Travis Barker flew on an airplane for the first time since he was in a deadly plane crash 13 years ago. The NOAA says July was the hottest month globally in the 142 years it’s been keeping track. In far less horrifying news, food-stamp benefits are set to be increased a record amount starting in October! Sorry to hear Pete Davidson is going through another breakup again. And three years after its release, Barbra Streisand shares her doubts about the Star Is Born remake.

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