Airbrush systems were finding their niche in salons everywhere for nail art or as an alternative to polish. Geometric lines and shapes take form on ultra-long, square acrylics in the fall of 1989.
Airbrush systems were finding their niche in salons everywhere for nail art or as an alternative to polish. Geometric lines and shapes take form on ultra-long, square acrylics in the fall of 1989.
<p>Cutting-edge designs came into play at the end of last year. This pointy-tip design features a “velvet,” off-center stripe.  </p>

Cutting-edge designs came into play at the end of last year. This pointy-tip design features a “velvet,” off-center stripe.  

<p>To create a more natural-looking nail and sharperlooking C-curve, techs started shaping the free edge in a U-shape in the late ‘90s. </p>

To create a more natural-looking nail and sharperlooking C-curve, techs started shaping the free edge in a U-shape in the late ‘90s.

<p>Nails started becoming shorter and less square. This 1994 cover featured tips with liquid and powder overlay.</p>

Nails started becoming shorter and less square. This 1994 cover featured tips with liquid and powder overlay.

<p>Nails went natural in the spring of 1992. The short, square, blended French manicure was all the rage, along with wearing makeup and nails to match trend</p>

Nails went natural in the spring of 1992. The short, square, blended French manicure was all the rage, along with wearing makeup and nails to match trend

<p>The famous “squoval” shape was born in the fall of ’93. Square and oval are mixed for a delicate and feminine look for shorter nails. </p>

The famous “squoval” shape was born in the fall of ’93. Square and oval are mixed for a delicate and feminine look for shorter nails. 

<p>This acrylic overlay with French tips was all the rage in the summer of ’95.</p>

This acrylic overlay with French tips was all the rage in the summer of ’95.

<p>At the height of long, square acrylics, this 1998 photo says it all. </p>

At the height of long, square acrylics, this 1998 photo says it all. 

<p>Fantasy nail art comes into play in the late ’90s, mostly for competition sake. </p>

Fantasy nail art comes into play in the late ’90s, mostly for competition sake.

<p>Colored acrylics help techs become more creative in the late ’90s.</p>

Colored acrylics help techs become more creative in the late ’90s.

<p>Also in 1995, gold charms took center stage on polished, square nails.</p>

Also in 1995, gold charms took center stage on polished, square nails.

<p>Natural nails with a longer length in a French-style become popular at the end of the ’80s.</p>

Natural nails with a longer length in a French-style become popular at the end of the ’80s.

Pink-and-white acrylics get spruced up with Bindis, which were a hot trend in 2000.
Pink-and-white acrylics get spruced up with Bindis, which were a hot trend in 2000.
<p>This reverse French with clear tips showed up on brides’ nails in the summer of 2001.</p>

This reverse French with clear tips showed up on brides’ nails in the summer of 2001.

<p>Handpainted nail art becomes a profitable add-on service. </p>

Handpainted nail art becomes a profitable add-on service.

<p>(1980s) Fiberglass nails become an alternative to acrylics. </p>

(1980s) Fiberglass nails become an alternative to acrylics.

<p>The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.</p>

The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.

<p>The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.</p>

The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.

<p>There are no limits to what you can do with colored acrylics. </p>

There are no limits to what you can do with colored acrylics.

<p>Short, natural, and polished was all the rage for 2001.</p>

Short, natural, and polished was all the rage for 2001.

<p>Natural nails painted in metallic shades take the spotlight. </p>

Natural nails painted in metallic shades take the spotlight.

<p>&lt;p&gt;Things come full circle. This stunning pink-andwhite will never go out of style.&lt;/p&gt;</p>

<p>Things come full circle. This stunning pink-andwhite will never go out of style.</p>

1/22
 
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Airbrush systems were finding their niche in salons everywhere for nail art or as an alternative to polish. Geometric lines and shapes take form on ultra-long, square acrylics in the fall of 1989.
1/22
 
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Airbrush systems were finding their niche in salons everywhere for nail art or as an alternative to polish. Geometric lines and shapes take form on ultra-long, square acrylics in the fall of 1989.
<p>Cutting-edge designs came into play at the end of last year. This pointy-tip design features a “velvet,” off-center stripe.  </p>
2/22
 
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Cutting-edge designs came into play at the end of last year. This pointy-tip design features a “velvet,” off-center stripe.  

<p>To create a more natural-looking nail and sharperlooking C-curve, techs started shaping the free edge in a U-shape in the late ‘90s. </p>
3/22
 
Slider

To create a more natural-looking nail and sharperlooking C-curve, techs started shaping the free edge in a U-shape in the late ‘90s.

<p>Nails started becoming shorter and less square. This 1994 cover featured tips with liquid and powder overlay.</p>
4/22
 
Slider

Nails started becoming shorter and less square. This 1994 cover featured tips with liquid and powder overlay.

<p>Nails went natural in the spring of 1992. The short, square, blended French manicure was all the rage, along with wearing makeup and nails to match trend</p>
5/22
 
Slider

Nails went natural in the spring of 1992. The short, square, blended French manicure was all the rage, along with wearing makeup and nails to match trend

<p>The famous “squoval” shape was born in the fall of ’93. Square and oval are mixed for a delicate and feminine look for shorter nails. </p>
6/22
 
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The famous “squoval” shape was born in the fall of ’93. Square and oval are mixed for a delicate and feminine look for shorter nails. 

<p>This acrylic overlay with French tips was all the rage in the summer of ’95.</p>
7/22
 
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This acrylic overlay with French tips was all the rage in the summer of ’95.

<p>At the height of long, square acrylics, this 1998 photo says it all. </p>
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At the height of long, square acrylics, this 1998 photo says it all. 

<p>Fantasy nail art comes into play in the late ’90s, mostly for competition sake. </p>
9/22
 
Slider

Fantasy nail art comes into play in the late ’90s, mostly for competition sake.

<p>Colored acrylics help techs become more creative in the late ’90s.</p>
10/22
 
Slider

Colored acrylics help techs become more creative in the late ’90s.

<p>Also in 1995, gold charms took center stage on polished, square nails.</p>
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Slider

Also in 1995, gold charms took center stage on polished, square nails.

<p>Natural nails with a longer length in a French-style become popular at the end of the ’80s.</p>
12/22
 
Slider

Natural nails with a longer length in a French-style become popular at the end of the ’80s.

Pink-and-white acrylics get spruced up with Bindis, which were a hot trend in 2000.
13/22
 
Slider
Pink-and-white acrylics get spruced up with Bindis, which were a hot trend in 2000.
<p>This reverse French with clear tips showed up on brides’ nails in the summer of 2001.</p>
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Slider

This reverse French with clear tips showed up on brides’ nails in the summer of 2001.

<p>Handpainted nail art becomes a profitable add-on service. </p>
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Slider

Handpainted nail art becomes a profitable add-on service.

<p>(1980s) Fiberglass nails become an alternative to acrylics. </p>
16/22
 
Slider

(1980s) Fiberglass nails become an alternative to acrylics.

<p>The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.</p>
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Slider

The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.

<p>The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.</p>
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The fall of 1990 saw texture come into play on nails. These montage nails with hologram and quartz were the style of choice.

<p>There are no limits to what you can do with colored acrylics. </p>
19/22
 
Slider

There are no limits to what you can do with colored acrylics.

<p>Short, natural, and polished was all the rage for 2001.</p>
20/22
 
Slider

Short, natural, and polished was all the rage for 2001.

<p>Natural nails painted in metallic shades take the spotlight. </p>
21/22
 
Slider

Natural nails painted in metallic shades take the spotlight.

<p>&lt;p&gt;Things come full circle. This stunning pink-andwhite will never go out of style.&lt;/p&gt;</p>
22/22
 
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<p>Things come full circle. This stunning pink-andwhite will never go out of style.</p>

Throughout the last two decades, NAILS has chronicled the best of nail styles, from thick and square to thin and oval. Here, a look back at the highlights — the fabulous, the frivolous, and the truly influential. 

Nail styles have come into their own especially during the last 100 years. During the 1920s, nails progressed from snowy white nail tips in the early ’20s, to crimson-colored nails as the ’30s approached. The most unusual technique was referred to as Paris Nails. They were deep pink at the edges with a paler pink in the center of each nail.

Square nails become fashionable around the mid-70s, probably due to nail competitions — judges can critique a C-curve more easily in a square nail than an oval nail. Exceptionally long nails are also accepted then and nail tips are used more and more.

The ’90s and early 2000s gave way to a back-to-natural look. Elegance and romance were prevalent as an ongoing trend. Nails were delicate and feminine in appearance, showing off that natural, well-kept look that stands true today.

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