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.
As unhas como símbolo da cultura brasileira
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.
A evolução dos cuidados com as unhas no Brasil
As mulheres brasileiras têm feito suas próprias unhas em casa desde o início da década de 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).
Ultimamente, tem sido grande nas mídias sociais, com a hashtag manicure brasileira e muitos jornalistas de beleza escrevendo sobre a experiência com o serviço.
Do faça-você-mesmo ao profissional: A evolução da arte das unhas brasileiras
A nail art profissional tem sido uma tendência popular crescente no Brasil há pouco mais de uma 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.
Assim como no resto do mundo, as celebridades e os influenciadores da mídia social também ajudam a popularizar os estilos de nail art. Muitas celebridades brasileiras e personalidades da TV são conhecidas por seus designs de unhas elaborados e atraentes, que são frequentemente compartilhados em suas contas de mídia social. Como resultado, os fãs e seguidores procuram imitar suas estrelas favoritas experimentando as últimas tendências em unhas.
Há muita expectativa em relação ao que as celebridades usarão em suas unhas durante o carnaval, por exemplo, com marcas locais e internacionais patrocinando-as para que usem seus produtos.
Estilistas de unhas brasileiras: Qualidade e atenção aos detalhes
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).
Nos últimos 10 anos, aproximadamente, houve um aumento no mercado brasileiro de diferentes tipos de revestimentos e extensões de unhas, o que impulsionou a profissão e exigiu um aprimoramento das habilidades.
Muitos técnicos viajaram para a Europa e para os Estados Unidos a fim de aprimorar sua arte e competir em eventos globais, além de trazer essa enorme quantidade de conhecimento de volta ao país. Os eventos de unhas são enormes no país, com a presença de grandes nomes do circuito internacional.
No momento, o setor continua crescendo como um todo, e estamos vendo muitas marcas tentando mergulhar nas águas brasileiras e em seu talento.
Indústria de unhas em expansão no Brasil: Oportunidades econômicas e criatividade
As unhas se tornaram um grande negócio no Brasil, com o país ostentando a segunda indústria de unhas mais lucrativa do mundo. Os salões e técnicos de unhas são onipresentes em todo o país, com opções de alta qualidade e econômicas disponíveis para os consumidores. Estima-se que o setor tenha um valor superior a US$2 bilhões no Brasil, empregando centenas de milhares de pessoas.
No entanto, a parte de autocuidado do setor ainda representa sua maior fatia, pois a maioria das mulheres aprendeu a cuidar das unhas na adolescência, e muitas ainda não podem pagar pelas inovações lançadas recentemente no 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.
De acordo com os números de 2010, o Brasil contribuiu com 10,1% da receita global de vendas de produtos para unhas, perdendo apenas para os EUA (16,6%). Esse valor foi de US$405 milhões e representou um crescimento de 6,9% em relação ao ano 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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