Vintage Manicures

[Inky]

Joan's Claws

A beautiful Joan hooking a rug (yes, I'm sure she was quite crafty) - but look at her manicure! What I wouldn't do for a copy of this picture in color *sigh* she's fabulous!

I've been filing mine to a point for the last few months and love it - though it took some getting used to. Looks like Joan had the same problem I do, my right index finger nail is always the shortest of the bunch.

 

[goldwyn girl]

My nails are this shape and I want to try Joan's manicure this week if time permits.

 

[Inky]

I want to try it to, Goldwyn Girl. I don't usually leave such a wide bare end but I like it on Joan!

Here's another good shot of her hands, circa 1933

http://www.joancrawfordbest.com/33danla28.htm

and 1935:

http://www.joancrawfordbest.com/35circasmiley.htm

and 1939 (just red nails but OMG fabulous color!)

http://www.joancrawfordbest.com/joan39.htm

/end joan crawford hijacking of vintage manicure thread

 

[~*Red*~]

This must be how women's nails began with the term CLAWS lol

 

[goldwyn girl]

Great photo's Inky, I'm all prepped and ready to paint. Now if I can find an hour or two this afternoon............

 

[goldwyn girl]

My attempt a Joan's nails. I painted freehand. Sorry about the size photobucket won't let me make it smaller ??

 

[Inky]

My attempt a Joan's nails. I painted freehand. Sorry about the size photobucket won't let me make it smaller ??

They turned out great, Goldwyn Girl! Did you leave the ends bare or with a clear topcoat? Did you paint vertically down your nail or across it?

I am going to have to give it a go when I have time.

They look fabulous - I'll be curious about any feedback you get.

 

[~*Red*~]

GG your nails look fab! I love it! Geez, I wish I could grow my nails longer like I used to. Not that they won't grow, but any length past my fingertips drives me insane. I kept the last tips on for a week after painting, then I had to clip them. :eusa_doh: Eh.. what's a girl to do?

Inky, make sure you post a pic when you do yours! I am living "long nails" vicariously through you ladies! ha ha!

 

[Inky]

Ok, here is my attempt to emulate my beloved Joan Crawford's 30's era nails. I can easily emulate her attitude already, lol, and there are NO wire hangers in my house

I did cheat and used french manicure guides (those stick on things) and then cleaned up any boo-boos with an old eyeliner brush and some acetone. I love them and the hubby thought they were a hoot. The red polish I used is a great red by Borghese.

I will definitely do this again, and I expect the polish job should last a while versus painting the entire nail. Those 30's gals, so practical.

(and thanks to my lovely photography "assistant" Miss Bella, now 6 months old)

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Aw, is she named after me?

One of my favorite manicures is painted points at the tip:

I'm left handed, so this is the hand I did with my right, and it's not too messy. I like this manicure because it looks complicated but it's easy...just use the flat side of the brush!

 

[Laura Chase]

Inky, superb! Did you use clear polish under and over the red?

 

[Inky]

Miss Bella Hell - why yes, of course she is

I like that polish technique too, I've done that with black often. I've also painted them red and then used red glitter polish for the tips (i "heart" glitter polish - inside I am eternally 12 years old)

Laura Chase - Thanks! and yes, I used a clear base coat and a clear top coat. I think I will put another layer of top coat in a day or two.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Miss Bella Hell - why yes, of course she is

I like that polish technique too, I've done that with black often. I've also painted them red and then used red glitter polish for the tips (i "heart" glitter polish - inside I am eternally 12 years old)

I knew it!

I love that style in the combo of red with black tips. I also like pink with red tips. Fun!

 

[LelaViavonie]

Miss Bella Hell and Inky!
Your nails came out superb!!! Ohhh.. now that my nails are super long now I am itchin for something new

 

[goldwyn girl]

They turned out great, Goldwyn Girl! Did you leave the ends bare or with a clear topcoat? Did you paint vertically down your nail or across it?

I am going to have to give it a go when I have time.

They look fabulous - I'll be curious about any feedback you get.

Thank you Inky and Red. Inky your nails look fab !! I painted mine with Loreal Vintage Red vertically finishing where my white tip starts, tidied up with polish remover then painted Platinum on the tips. I don't think anyone but hubby noticed.

 

[Goldfish]

Miss Bella melts the crazy cat lady's heart in me.

One of my favorite manicures is painted points at the tip:

I'm left handed, so this is the hand I did with my right, and it's not too messy. I like this manicure because it looks complicated but it's easy...just use the flat side of the brush!

Even with the right hand I don't think I could paint it as even as you ! Love the look, when has it been popular? And what is the polish you're wearing?

 

[Medvssa]

I will definitely do this again, and I expect the polish job should last a while versus painting the entire nail. Those 30's gals, so practical.

Exactly! I like the half moons & tips of the 20's, but I normally wear my nails pointed like Joan's, so it didn't occur to me I could mix the two until I saw the picture you posted I cut my nails which where quite long recently (except my pinkies, I couldn't get rid of them), but still I wanted to try...

So here are my pointy, half moon + tips manicure, +1 week old:

Excuse the unevenness, one nail is much shorter because it is the one that broke, I have to even them all out soon. Well, there is room for improvement all around lol

After a week my nail polish is often scratched, rubbed off on the tips (I work with my hands a lot, apart from housework), and they grow so fast you already can notice. This manicure is perfect: the tips only have top coat and I bet it is gonna take a long time before you realize the nails have grown a lot
I used a strenghtener base coat, two layers of Yves Saint-Laurent #3 (I love it, perfect red which lasts a long time!) and two layers of top coat (2nd applied after a few days, I'll probably apply a 3rd one in a few days). Oh, and I used frech manicure stickers I am not as good at manicure as I used to be.

 

[RitaHayworth]

Ladies, your nails look great!

I myself was sporting some long strong beautiful nails only a month to 6 weeks ago. Now they are dry, peeling, chipping, splitting. I don't know whats happened. [huh]

 

[Medvssa]

Are you drinking enough water? or, in fact, where you drinking enough water the last few months? while your new nails where growing.

 

[RitaHayworth]

Are you drinking enough water? or, in fact, where you drinking enough water the last few months? while your new nails where growing.

I confess I am not much of a water drinker. But love my coffee and diet coke :coffee: [bad]