This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s summer editorial intern Jordyn Centerwall. Find her on Instagram at @jordyncenterwall. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The time for a new nail trend has come… again. Move over aura nails, latte nails, and everything in between. It’s black nail theory’s time to shine. It’s not the first time this trend has stepped into the spotlight. This time last year black nails took over the hype that red nails had claimed for some time. Now this winter, TikTok appears to be claiming black nails again as the color of the season. What is the “theory” behind an all-black manicure? Is it simply a trend that will pass or is there something more to it?
What Is Black Nail Theory?
Similar to red nail theory, black nail theory suggests that the nail color you choose to wear makes a statement about you as a person. Some believe it can even affect the way you are perceived. Others utilize color theory or even witchy explanations for why a certain nail color might promote a certain response. Most of the time the “people” that the statement is aimed at generating a response from are men. Red nail theory proposed this way of catering to the male gaze by suggesting that men found red nails more attractive. This gets slightly more concerning when you find that psychologist Sigmund Freud’s followers explained the theory as the red hue reminding men of their mothers growing up.
Black nail theory is positioned as an edgier, more self-empowering take on the red nail trend. Where the color red points to lust and seductiveness, black is seen as confident and self-sufficient. Some creators even make the argument that black nails may even repel men, or at least assert that the wearer isn’t one to be messed with. Others suggest that the color also symbolizes protection.
Color Theory And Analysis
Is there any basis in color theory or spirituality to support the claims of black nail theory? Color theory is the study of how colors interact with one another and how certain colors may generate certain effects by using or wearing them. This is an art and design theory that also makes its way into fashion and branding considerations. Within the popular color analysis trend that has swept social media, black is considered a winter color. This is because winter colors are high-contrast. This could possibly play into why we’re seeing a resurgence of this nail trend.
Black as a color is the result of all colors and light being absorbed. It is considered the strongest neutral color for this reason. Additionally, the associations connected to this color are highly varied. Black often symbolizes elegance, mystery, evil, death, power, and the occult. WitchTok asserts that black is a color of protection. Like the color black absorbs light, some also believe that black absorbs energy and in this way is protective. Black crystals such as black tourmaline or obsidian are considered grounding and are believed to dispel negative energy. Black was also the first pigment used in art and ink.
A History of Nails
According to the Guardian, some of the earliest “nail art” came from henna and kohl. Archeological finds from ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and India all have found evidence of both men and women augmenting or staining their nails. Many believe that this was both cosmetic in purpose, but also done before battle as a way to intimidate the enemy. Colored nails were also a status symbol. China often gets the credit for the first actual nail polish around 3,000 BCE. Women soaked their nails in a variety of compounds (flower petal dyes, egg whites, beeswax) to produce a colored tinge. Sharp manicure sets that fitted over the fingers and were often made of precious metal and stones were both weapons and beautification.
The first ever nail salon didn’t come until the 1800s in France. At the start of the 1900s, big brands got involved in launching their own lines of nail products. Cutex was the first brand to do so. Their polish became the first of the modern liquid polishes we use today. Revlon was later founded and followed suit in creating its own line. Their polishes were designed to mimic the shine of car lacquer.
Does It Work?
I love the image of warriors going to battle with black kohl-painted nails, but is there any merit to how black nail theory is being marketed now? Or is it just that: marketing? I suspect it depends on who you ask. Most of the women asserting the theory online seem to believe that the color of their nails affects how they present themselves in the world. Some have noticed that they are more assertive. Other simply enjoy that the color goes with every outfit. I have noticed a shift in confidence when I have my nails painted, regardless of what color I choose. It is unclear whether this comes from the color itself, or from the act of being intentional about presenting yourself in this way.
Expression or Consumption?
Most nail trends nowadays operate around buzzwords. Think blueberry milk nails or butter nails. These trends are treated like accessories meant to be consumed and then cycled out by the time you’re ready to get a fresh set. As it was in ancient times, nail art can still be seen as a status symbol. It’s true that polish is more affordable nowadays and colors are not only allowed within certain classes like in ancient times. However, there is still a barrier to entry in terms of cost and time, especially in getting regular manicures in salons.
I can personally appreciate black nail theory more than red nail theory because of the discourse surrounding it. Where most of the speech around red nail theory presents it as a strategy to attract male attention, black nail theory has been positioned as being self-empowering. Of course, this varies from person to person. I have seen plenty of people discussing the empowerment they felt wearing red nails, regardless of the external attention they received.
Do you think black nail theory is real? Let us know in the comments down below!
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