Well, let me tell ya, is nail polish cosmetics? That’s what we’re gonna chew on today, right? It ain’t face paint, that’s for sure. You don’t slap it on your cheeks or your lips, no sir. But it sure does make things look purdy, just like that lipstick the young’uns wear.
So, what is this nail polish stuff anyway? Some folks call it nail varnish, some call it enamel, sounds fancy, huh? But to me, it’s just that shiny stuff you put on your nails to make ’em look less like you been diggin’ in the dirt all day, even if you have been. They say them high-up folks way back when, like kings and queens and such, they used somethin’ similar. Not like the stuff we got now, mind you. Theirs was made with eggs and beeswax and whatnot, all mixed up. Can you imagine? Eggs on your fingernails! But hey, if it made them feel fancy, who am I to judge?
Now, this here nail polish, it ain’t just for show, though that’s a big part of it. I mean, who don’t like to have pretty lookin’ nails? It’s like puttin’ on your best Sunday dress, just for your hands. It makes you feel…well, put together, you know? Like you ain’t just rollin’ out of bed even if you are. And them colors! Red, pink, blue, green, even glittery ones! Enough to make your head spin. I remember when all we had was that plain old red. Now you got a whole rainbow at your fingertips.
- Makes your nails look pretty
- Lots of colors to choose from
- Makes you feel fancy
But here’s the thing, some smarty-pants folks, they got rules and regulations about this kinda stuff. They call it “cosmetics regulations.” Sounds important, right? They gotta make sure the stuff we’re puttin’ on our bodies ain’t gonna hurt us. And that makes sense. You don’t wanna go around puttin’ poison on your nails, do ya? Now, whether they think nail polish is makeup, well, that’s another story. I reckon it depends on who you ask. To me, makeup is the stuff you put on your face. But this nail polish, it’s for your nails, so it’s kinda different, ain’t it?
But here’s a word of warnin’, girls. Don’t go leavin’ that stuff on your nails forever. I heard tell it can dry ’em out somethin’ awful. Make ’em brittle, like they gonna break off any minute. And that ain’t good. Nails are there to protect your fingers, you know? Keep out all the nasty stuff. So you gotta let them nails breathe sometimes. Just like you gotta take off your work boots at the end of the day, gotta let those nails air out.
And another thing, don’t go thinkin’ nail polish is just for young girls. Why, I seen plenty of older women with their nails all painted up pretty. It don’t matter how old you are, if it makes you feel good, go for it. Just remember what I said about lettin’ them nails breathe. That’s important.
So, back to the question, is nail polish cosmetics? Well, it sure ain’t food, and it ain’t medicine. It makes you look better, just like makeup does. But it’s for your nails, not your face. Maybe it’s a kinda special makeup, just for your hands. Or maybe it’s somethin’ else entirely. I don’t know. All I know is, it makes my hands look a whole lot nicer, and that’s good enough for me. And if them fancy folks wanna call it cosmetics, well, they can call it whatever they want, long as it keeps my nails lookin’ purdy.
Now, I ain’t no expert, mind you. I’m just an old woman who likes to have her nails lookin’ nice. But I reckon that’s all that matters, ain’t it? Whether it’s makeup or somethin’ else, it makes you feel good, and that’s the important thing. So go on, paint them nails, and don’t worry too much about what them fancy folks call it.
And remember what I said, let them nails breathe, or they’ll turn on you like a wet hen. You don’t want that now do you?
