It’s A Women’s World

In the late 1970s a new youth craze emerged in England. They were called Goths and they listened to Goth bands and wore Goth costumes. The movement spread to the U.S. and parts of Europe, Germany in particular. It was influenced by Gothic novels of the past and horror films, especially those involving vampires. The overall effect was dark and gloomy.

The bands were a big influence on the clothes, hair and make up associated with Goths. What they wore filtered down to the fans. There weren’t any hard and fast rules, and individual experimentation with Goth costume was encouraged. The usual color worn was black, purple and deep red on occasion. Both men and women had black hair, white make up and black nail polish. Eyes were heavily made up with mascara. Women wore long, velvet dresses with fishnet stockings and men wore frilly shirts as worn by the Romantic poets. Sometimes studded dog collars were worn around the neck. Silver buckles and silver jewelry would often finish a Goth costume ensemble.

Old horror movies, featuring Dracula were a favorite of the Goths. The largest annual gathering of Goths in England takes place in the seaside resort of Whitby, where Bram Stoker set his original Dracula story. The women especially, modeled their Goth costume on the female vamp actresses. More recent films were lapped up, such as “Interview with a Vampire”, adapted from the Anne Rice novel. Winona Ryder played a Goth in Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice”. Goths started to appear in TV shows too. Symbols of horror were used in their music venues, such as bats and cobwebs.

The bands of the genre had wonderfully macabre names, such as Dead Can Dance, Killing Joke, Sisters of Mercy and Southern Death Cult. The most successful were Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Cure.

The Goth look was such a distinctive one that many young people were picked on and bullied. A lot of people who felt insecure with their looks felt at home in Goth costume. It gave them a character to hide behind, which made them more confident. It was also a cry for individuality in a time when society is obsessed with perfect, model type looks. The Goths are still with us today, although in depleted numbers. Most people grew out of it as they got older. They made a lot of friends with like minded people and there will be some interesting photographs to show their children.

When you don’t have time for a manicure or don’t want to wait until broken fingernails have grown out again, use artificial nails.  Artificial nails are also known as press-on or glue-on nails. This is because, you guessed it, you glue them on your fingernails.  You can buy them wherever beauty products for women are sold.  Buy nails that conform to your fingernail surface type. There are flat nail beds, high arch nail beds and regular nail beds.

A package of these nails can vary greatly in quality. Some come attached to plastic wheels. They must then be twisted off. These are the worst kind, because there is always a little plastic nub from where it was attached. The better option is the type that come in trays that conveniently separate them by size. Normally, your tray will separate the nails into five sizes, sometimes six for unusually large or small finger nails.  You’ll also need to purchase nail glue. You can get glue specifically formulated for artificial nails or you can just use super glue.

Once you’ve purchased your nails and glue, you’re set to attach them at your convenience. You will have to prime your nails, shape the artificial nails and then glue them on.  To prime your fingernails, clean each nail bed with nail polish remover. Then, using a soft nail file, gently file the surface of each.  Making a rough surface allows the artificial nail to stay attached longer.  Next, size the artificial nails for each finger.  Match the size of your nails with those of the artificial nails. Nail bed width sizes vary. If none of the sizes exactly match your size, select a nail larger than the width of your nail and file the sides down to your nail’s width.

Now you’re ready to attach them to your nails. For each nail, apply glue thinly over the entire nail surface. If  you apply the glue too thickly, the nail will appear to be unnaturally raised. Holding the  nail by the tip, align its base against your fingernail cuticle and fit the nail over your own fingernail. Press it down firmly.  Then, using thumb and index finger, pinch the artificial nail and the finger tip together, starting from the base and working up to the tip. Repeat for each nail.

Artificial nails can then be painted like natural nails. The down side is that every time you want a new color, a new set is needed. If you try to put nail polish remover on an artificial nail, it will literally melt and disintegrate.  Even so, you’ll be delighted when someone tells you how beautiful your nails are.  It’s your prerogative to tell them they’re not your own nails. If you attached them carefully, they’ll look as natural as your own.