Let Your Fingers Do The Talking

Make a big impact with the tiniest canvases and let your fingers do the talking.

- Arissa Ha

Nail painting has come a long way since its early days in the Bronze Age when henna was used as a dye not just for the nails, but also the skin and hair. Moving away from the narratives of social class—hues such as red were once reserved for the queens in ancient Egypt, while red, gold, silver and black were designated royal colours in ancient China—the practice is now more a form of self-expression and a show of individual style.

Accordingly, the simple powders, oils and dyes of old have evolved into a plethora of formulas that let you play with the finish, the lifespan and even the breathability of the colouring. Nail painting has even been elevated to an art form of great finesse, thanks to skilled nailists who let loose their creativity on these tiny canvases to exquisite effect with 3D embellishments and hand-drawn designs. Nail artist Jenrine Tan is one such individual.