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Nail polish (called also nail varnish in British English) is a cosmetic lacquer that is applied to the nails of both the fingers and toes, usually as ornamentation but also as protection. Most nail polishes are made of nitrocellulose dissolved in a solvent and either left clear or colored with various pigments.
There are historic records of its use in ancient societies of China and Egypt, where colour signified social class. Originally made of natural pigments, modern nail polish is similar to car paint, and requires a polish remover such as acetone to remove.
Modern nail polish was invented by Michelle Ménard.
Nail polish is traditionally worn by women. Some men with a countercultural bent will wear nail polish as well, with stars such as Aerosmith's Steven Tyler having been photographed wearing it. Men wearing it can be viewed as carrying a social stigma, as male use of makeup does not fit traditional gender roles. Nail polish may be applied as one of several components in a manicure. Reddish and pinkish shades of nail polish represent femininity in most cultures and can make the wearer appear more sexually attractive. Sometimes people paint their nails a color that will match their clothes, but others tend to paint their nails to match what color they think represents their mood. There are also types of polish that are advertised to cause nail growth, make nails stronger, and stop nail biting. Black nail polish is popular amongst the goth and punk community.
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