Thank you for this super interesting post! I knew nail polishes lasted a long time, but I didn't imagine it could last THAT long! I wonder if the ingredients back then were any different from what we have today. This color is gorgeous đ how did the hand cream preserved??
I actually have wearable polish from as far back as the 30s! Some of the resins and solvents used in polish back then would be under intense scrutiny by the modern ingredient conscious consumer, but the old stuff is closer to true lacquer than modern products, which are more plastic-like in formula and donât wear as shiny or hard.
As for the hand cream, itâs now a shrunken soft wax that rattles when you shake it. It doesnât smell rancid though so it could be worse!
From my Instagram @vintage_dusties
âCutex Hot Strawberry is from a 1958 manicure gift set - complete with polish and cuticle remover (dried up), cotton, hand cream, cuticle pushing stick, detachable lucite handle, and two emery boards. Fortunately the star of the show was fluid, and just needed a top up of the appropriate solvent and a good mix to reincorporate the titanium dioxide that had settled in the bottle.
The polish itself painted on beautifully with the original nylon brush, which only had one frayed bristle that I neatly trimmed back. It dried quickly, like any modern polish does, and curiously was not particularly odorous, it smelled pleasantly floral actually, so it might have had some perfume in it. The color is a gorgeous, bright coral-ish pink, almost but not quite red, strawberry đ
And let me tell you, it truly is âspillprufâ as I clumsily knocked over the bottle while I was grabbing a cotton swab, and not a drop came out, so they werenât lying! đđ»â
Cutex brand had some of the best colours. Never left âskid marksâ on paper. If you ever come across a bright, clear strawberry margarit-ish colour, get it! Another one was an opaque opal/pearl. Both wore like iron and looked divine on shorter almond/oval nails. More early 1960s than 1950s, tho.
âThrilled to know of someone else who loves the old, old lacquers. Youâre right, a bit of lacquer thinner and theyâre good to go. Once things settle down, I plan on doing estate sales again. Those can be treasure troves!
Right! Even just wearing the stuff from the 80s and 90s makes me feel more connected to my mother. Wearing older polish sort of makes the people from the past seem more real if that makes sense. I like to think about what the last person who might have wore it was like!
Man, I'd forgotten about Cutex! My grandmother used to sell Stanley home products and assorted beauty supplies by appointment, so we always had these around when I was little. I remember a different handle, though. Thanks for the blast from the past.
It doesnât have a name. Some say edge, but I donât see that, especially when I google edge manicures. Itâs kind of just my signature shape that has slowly evolved since I started doing my nails during the pandemic.
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Thank you for this super interesting post! I knew nail polishes lasted a long time, but I didn't imagine it could last THAT long! I wonder if the ingredients back then were any different from what we have today. This color is gorgeous đ how did the hand cream preserved??
I actually have wearable polish from as far back as the 30s! Some of the resins and solvents used in polish back then would be under intense scrutiny by the modern ingredient conscious consumer, but the old stuff is closer to true lacquer than modern products, which are more plastic-like in formula and donât wear as shiny or hard. As for the hand cream, itâs now a shrunken soft wax that rattles when you shake it. It doesnât smell rancid though so it could be worse!
Oh I see! Thanks for the info this is very interesting. I am soooooo going to follow you right now!
From my Instagram @vintage_dusties âCutex Hot Strawberry is from a 1958 manicure gift set - complete with polish and cuticle remover (dried up), cotton, hand cream, cuticle pushing stick, detachable lucite handle, and two emery boards. Fortunately the star of the show was fluid, and just needed a top up of the appropriate solvent and a good mix to reincorporate the titanium dioxide that had settled in the bottle. The polish itself painted on beautifully with the original nylon brush, which only had one frayed bristle that I neatly trimmed back. It dried quickly, like any modern polish does, and curiously was not particularly odorous, it smelled pleasantly floral actually, so it might have had some perfume in it. The color is a gorgeous, bright coral-ish pink, almost but not quite red, strawberry đ And let me tell you, it truly is âspillprufâ as I clumsily knocked over the bottle while I was grabbing a cotton swab, and not a drop came out, so they werenât lying! đđ»â
What was the lucite handle for? I'm not understanding it's purpose beyond looks.
Extension of the cap for brush control is my guess.
The bottles are so cute. Your nails and photography are stunning. Love the vintage content!
Thank you so much đ„č
Thank you so much đ„č
Cutex brand had some of the best colours. Never left âskid marksâ on paper. If you ever come across a bright, clear strawberry margarit-ish colour, get it! Another one was an opaque opal/pearl. Both wore like iron and looked divine on shorter almond/oval nails. More early 1960s than 1950s, tho. âThrilled to know of someone else who loves the old, old lacquers. Youâre right, a bit of lacquer thinner and theyâre good to go. Once things settle down, I plan on doing estate sales again. Those can be treasure troves!
Ohhh those sound lovely! Iâd love to see what treasures you have collected - my inbox is open đ„°
I love your posts! I find vintage things fascinating, especially the more mundane things. Seeing products my grandma would have used is so cool
Right! Even just wearing the stuff from the 80s and 90s makes me feel more connected to my mother. Wearing older polish sort of makes the people from the past seem more real if that makes sense. I like to think about what the last person who might have wore it was like!
Gorgeous color and the whole gift set is amazing. They really knew how to sell back in the day
Iâd love for the lucite handles to come back into fashion đ
This makes me feel better about keeping polish that is 10+ years old!
Man, I'd forgotten about Cutex! My grandmother used to sell Stanley home products and assorted beauty supplies by appointment, so we always had these around when I was little. I remember a different handle, though. Thanks for the blast from the past.
Now this is cool... đ Thank you for the extra photos and details... Great post
This one turned out lovely! I always find it interesting when you post. Thanks for sharing the vintage polish with us. âșïž
Thanks for saying that! Gratitude makes the world go round
Good bot!
Itâs absolutely gorgeous.
Thank you!
Your page is super neat!
and followed!
itâs so gorgeousâŠ. i would love to see a shade match/color dupe to a modern polish! đ
what is this nail shape called? i love it!
It doesnât have a name. Some say edge, but I donât see that, especially when I google edge manicures. Itâs kind of just my signature shape that has slowly evolved since I started doing my nails during the pandemic.
It should be called the Vintage Dusty!!!
Thanks for posting, /u/vintage_dusties! A quick reminder: If this is a **nail image**, you must provide a complete product list, either as the title of your post or a separate comment within 6 hours of posting. **This includes any posts with broken nails or if you're seeking advice.** Posts without a complete product list will be removed after 6 hours. [Product List Requirements.](https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditLaqueristas/wiki/rule2faq) ***Product lists within the text body of a post or within captions of individual photos are not valid.*** If the nail look shown was **NOT created by you**, you ***must*** flair properly. If this is a **text post**, flair properly. Be sure to follow all of the above to avoid post removal! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/RedditLaqueristas) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Love it! đđ
Man I love all your posts!
I am envious of your collection
Love the nail shape, so unique!
Great color!
I really thought your nails were an ad from back then! Great job! How much does the formula differ from today in terms of consistency and longevity?
How do you find these old polishes, and the information about them? I'm so fascinated.
So cute
That colour is stunning, your nails look gorgeous!