Nails have long been a symbol of beauty and elegance in various cultures across the world. However, in Brazil, nails have taken on a whole new level of significance. Brazilian women are very dedicated to nail care, not only in salons but especially at home.
Known for their love of vibrant colours and intricate designs when it comes to their nails; from bold hues to glittery accents, Brazilian nail art is celebrated for its creativity and originality. The nail culture in Brazil has become so noteworthy that it has even become a tourist attraction, with visitors seeking out nail salons and technicians to experience the trend for themselves.
Las uñas como símbolo de la cultura brasileña
Nails have held a significant place in Brazilian culture for centuries. The Aboriginal population already used pigments extracted from nature to adorn their bodies, so it was only natural that those customs got absorbed into the daily lives of Brazilian people. During the colonial period, the slave trade brought a diverse mix of cultures to Brazil, each with its own customs and traditions too. Add to that the huge influx of immigrants during the 18th century, and it’s no surprise that Brazil is a big melting pot of creativity and diversity.
Evolución del cuidado de las uñas en Brasil
Las mujeres brasileñas se arreglan las uñas en casa desde principios de los años 19th century, with salons becoming popular a bit later than Europe (1920’s, as opposed to Europe’s late 1892). And even so many techs have been working successfully in salons since the beginning, the Brazilian government has only recognised and legally protected the profession in 2012.
In a country where nail lacquer is still prevalent over any other type of nail coating, women attend the salon weekly for their appointments, and it’s not rare for some to pop in for a change of colour twice in the same week.
Also, because nail polish in Brazil can be bought for very little money, it is accessible to many and used as a form to escape austerity in the poorer parts of the country.
Because the use of lacquer is dominant, Brazilian women have over the years developed their own method of painting nails, which is very interesting and produce beautiful results. It consists in flooding the cuticles whilst painting, and using an orange wood stick, cotton and acetone to clean up the surrounding skin afterwards. This ensures that the isn’t a gap between the product and the proximal nail fold, and that will potentially make the service last longer (WARNING: this is not a practice done with gels, only with nail lacquer).
Últimamente ha tenido mucho éxito en las redes sociales, con el hashtag brazilianmanicure y muchas periodistas de belleza escriben sobre su experiencia con el servicio.
Del bricolaje al profesionalismo: La evolución del nail art brasileño
El nail art profesional es una tendencia cada vez más popular en Brasil desde hace algo más de una década.
It has always been customary for Brazilian women to do some sort of DYI nail art at home during the World Cup, Carnival and special events for example, but it wasn’t until the early 2010s that it really exploded in popularity.
The introduction of new types of nail coatings plus the upskilling of the profession opened so many possibilities.
Social media also played a significant role in the trend’s rise, as Brazilian women began sharing photos of their elaborate nail art designs on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. As the trend grew, nail art became a cultural phenomenon, with entire magazines and TV shows dedicated to the topic.
Al igual que en el resto del mundo, las famosas y las personas influyentes en las redes sociales también contribuyen a popularizar los estilos de nail art. Muchas famosas y personalidades de la televisión brasileña son conocidas por sus elaborados y llamativos diseños de uñas, que suelen compartir en sus cuentas de las redes sociales. Como resultado, sus fans y seguidoras intentan emular a sus estrellas favoritas probando las últimas tendencias en uñas.
Hay mucha expectación por saber qué llevarán en las uñas las famosas durante el carnaval, por ejemplo, con marcas locales e internacionales que las patrocinan para que utilicen sus productos.
Nail Artists Brasileños: Calidad y atención al detalle
Brazilian nail artists have gained a reputation for their attention to detail and quality of work for many years, with some having become celebrity favourites in Hollywood in the 80’s and 90’s (it’s not just waxing that was exported to California).
En los últimos diez años se ha producido un aumento en el mercado brasileño de distintos tipos de recubrimientos y extensiones de uñas, lo que ha impulsado aún más la profesión y ha exigido una mayor cualificación.
Muchos técnicos han viajado a Europa y América para perfeccionar su oficio y competir en eventos mundiales, y para traer de vuelta al país esa enorme plétora de conocimientos. Los eventos de uñas son enormes en el país, con la presencia de grandes nombres del circuito internacional.
En estos momentos, el sector sigue creciendo en su conjunto, y estamos viendo cómo muchas marcas intentan sumergirse en las aguas brasileñas y en su talento.
La floreciente industria de las uñas en Brasil: Oportunidades económicas y creatividad
Las uñas se han convertido en un gran negocio en Brasil, el segundo país más rentable del mundo en este sector. Los salones de manicura y los técnicos están omnipresentes en todo el país, con opciones tanto de alta gama como económicas. Se calcula que el sector mueve en Brasil más de 1.400 millones de dólares y da empleo a cientos de miles de personas.
Sin embargo, la parte del sector dedicada al cuidado personal sigue representando su mayor tajada, ya que a la mayoría de las mujeres se les enseña a cuidar sus uñas en la adolescencia, y muchas aún no pueden permitirse las innovaciones que han salido recientemente al mercado.
The nail industry has become a significant contributor to the Brazilian economy, providing jobs and income for many. It has also created opportunities for entrepreneurship, as many nail technicians have started their own businesses or franchises. Additionally, the industry has become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors seeking out to try the Brazilian manicure method.
Según cifras de 2010, Brasil aportó 10,1% de los ingresos mundiales por ventas de productos para las uñas, perdiendo solo frente a EE.UU. (16,6%). Esta cifra supuso la friolera de $405 millones de dólares y representó un crecimiento de 6,9% respecto al año anterior.
The growth of the nail industry in Brazil has provided economic opportunities for many, while also showcasing the country’s creativity and innovation. Overall, nails in Brazil serve as a testament to the country’s passion for beauty, creativity, and self-expression, and they continue to inspire and captivate people around the world.
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