The historical roots of the word "lacquer" go to Hindustan, where people extracted "varnish" from resinous insect secretions. In China, it was isolated from the juice of a varnish tree, in Egypt it was made on the basis of amber resins. In a modern treatment for nail polish appeared in 1930, when Charles Revson, the founder of Revlon, brought to court the "fashionable" public a water-insoluble nail coating. And already in 1933 a whole collection of coatings from Charles Revson of different colors came on sale.
The modern cosmetics market can offer every fashionista just a huge selection of all sorts of nail varnishes. But, probably, every woman wondered how to choose a nail polish? After all, the range of varnishes is so wide that even just remembering all the names of their varieties becomes an impossible task.
Composition of varnishes.
The composition of modern varnishes includes four main components: polymers, pigments, plasticizers, solvents.
Polymers are the basis of the lacquer coating. Tosomilamide-formaldehyde resin together with nitrocellulose derivatives form a strong glossy film.
Solvents are necessary to ensure that the varnish in the bottle does not freeze. When applied to the nail, the solvent evaporates, which gives the varnish an opportunity to harden.
In the production of varnish, the same ethers are often used as solvents, as in the production of fruit essences and sweets.
The plasticizer in the varnish is necessary for the strength of the varnish coating. Often in its role camphor or dibutyl phthalate. In Europe and the United States, dibutyl phthalate is banned due to possible negative effects on the human body, but it is this compound that guarantees good plasticity of the varnish. Camphor is of natural origin, but is not considered safe for humans.
Pigments are used to impart lacquer colors and can be both synthetic and natural.
How to choose the lacquer correctly.
The usual varnish is the most popular. The nail is covered in 2 layers. In the case of black and very dark tones, varnish should be applied in 1 layer; white - in 3 layers.
Pearl lacquer has good durability and pearly tint. Has a well-visible texture, so it should be applied gently, holding the brush from the base to the edge of the nail.
Lacquer base is needed to smooth the irregularities on the surface of the nail. It is transparent or pink. Protects the surface of the nail from dyeing with a very bright color varnish.
Transparent varnish is used as a base and as a varnish for topcoat. Performs a protective function and gives shine to the nails. Makes the color brighter and more saturated. In its composition contains aniline dyes.
Quick-drying, so-called, express varnishes - have the feature of drying out in 1 minute.
Lacquer with sparkles can be transparent or colored, in its composition is added a brilliant tinsel of various shapes, colors, sizes.
Matt lacquers do not have glossy reflections, but their surface is smooth, velvety. It dries very fast, it smells of camphor oil.
Single-layer varnishes - high-quality, it is enough to apply in one layer.
Strengthening varnishes are designed to strengthen the nails, are a barrier against the adverse effects of the environment. They should be applied after the manicure. The effect is achieved due to the fact that they contain keratin and silk fibers.
Bitter lacquer is designed to disaccustom the habit of biting your nails. Has a bitter aftertaste. Often transparent, with a greenish tinge.
Hypoallergenic varnishes contain toluene-sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin, nickel is not included in the mix-balls. When applied, these varnishes do not cause contact allergic reactions. Acquired in pharmacies.
Chameleon varnish changes shades depending on the angle of the nail.
Temperature varnishes change color depending on temperature, for example, in a warm room and on the street.
The effect of "old porcelain." Nail polish with this effect creates the illusion of an old, cracked surface. After 3 seconds after application, the top coat of varnish cringes.
Watercolor is a clear varnish of different shades. Its surface is even more glossy than when applied to conventional varnish. It is often used with a jacket, that is, it smooths the border between the nail bed and the free edge (smile). It creates an illusion, as if the varnish has not dried up yet. In nail art, it is often played out by its transparency, creating the depth of the drawing.
Lacquers «Dance Legend» - change the color when lighting in nightclubs, casinos, bowling. With UV light can be manifested in the form of glows of different shades: pink, red, green, blue, turquoise.
Cream-varnish - in its composition contains insoluble pigments. They are used in nail art to create a volumetric pattern: due to its density, dense strips and other details are formed.
Mica lacquer - the composition includes very large pigments. After application, the surface of the nail is rough.
Pil-off-varnish - in its composition contains special polymers that allow you to remove it from the nail with a single film. Do not use such a varnish for a pedicure.
Varnishes for drawing - are part of professional kits for nail art. Presented by six flacons of different shades - red, blue, black, white, yellow and green. Such varnishes are more dense, liquid, clean in color. They paint them almost like gouache with a brush located inside the bottle. But it is better to have in your arsenal and other brushes, the main are three: thin for conducting straight and slightly curved lines (No. 1, length 1.5 mm); thin for drawing of points and zakoryuchek (№ 00, length of 3 mm); and fluffy with a pointed tip, used to coat the surface and shake off pollen (No. 3).
Varnishes for drawing use in combination with other varnishes, for example, a chameleon or mother-of-pearl.
Miniature varnishes are characterized by a small volume (no more than 3.5 ml), placed in any cosmetic bag, fully consumed.
Lucky from the collections - their release is confined to any event, place, season. Or it can be whole series of special varnishes, for example, for soft nails, etc. By issuing such collections, manufacturers are guided by trends in fashion, the mood of the season, the solemnity of the event. Collective varnishes disappear from sales after the event, to which their release was timed.