Nail Rouge and Nail Lacquer Experiment

I decided to have a go at a historical style manicure complete with rouge and lacquer in the Victorian/Edwardian style.

Eeeww! One period source calls the practice of rouging and lacquering the nails "vulgar in the extreme" and based on this experiment I can see why! Admittedly some of this is the result of the particular rouge I chose -- it creates a nice cool red on the skin, but on the nails this particular historical recipe (made mostly from brazilwood) apparently turns an orangey color... which is then further enhanced by the orange-brown hue of the tincture of benzoin based lacquer which goes overtop. Then the liquid rouge tends to seep under the nails and cuticles, enhancing the "colors" in these areas. The result is stained, dirty looking nails.

I confess that the look that is achieved by the rouge, even if successful, is a bit unattractive to modern tastes. The idea is to create an effect of a thin fingernail letting a bright red nailbed show through, in imitation of a baby's hands. It actually looks a little unpleasant, to me.

Rouge, sans lacquer.