First of all the word "Manicure" comes from the Latin "Manus" (hand) and "Cura" (care).
The first evidence of nail care recorded in history was before 3000 BC in Egypt and China. Ancient Egyptian men and women of high social rank stained their nails with red-orange dye called henna, which comes from a shrub. The color of a person's nails in ancient Egypt was a sign of importance. Kings and queens wore deep red, while people of lower rank were allowed to wear only pale colors. Around 3000 BC the Chinese developed a nail paint made from beeswax, egg whites, gelatin, and gum Arabic. In 600 BC, Chinese royalty wore gold and silver paint on their nails. In the 15th century, leaders of the Chinese Ming Dynasty painted their nails black and red. Military commanders in Egypt, Babylon, and early Rome spent hours before a battle having their hair lacquered and curled and their nails painted the same shade as their lips.
Now in the 20th century with all we have to choose from in the service, color, and design, we can all look and feel like kings and queens.