tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733046417281735238.post2255256551182675067..comments2023-04-01T08:22:21.406-07:00Comments on t r a c e | w o r k: Pedicures: Interesting ThingsColumbia Center for Archaeologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03723214537331609686noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733046417281735238.post-47961728767053559252013-10-07T21:12:40.396-07:002013-10-07T21:12:40.396-07:00Nails are interesting when used as a mode of self-...Nails are interesting when used as a mode of self-expression because, like the impracticality of high heels as Danesi describes, they oftentimes hinder a woman's use of her hands. There is, of course, the limited dexterity women experience when they get long artificial nail tips. But then there are the implications that come with the more common practice of nail-painting because of the vulnerable nature of wet nail polish. Whenever I paint my nails, I make sure that I will follow it up with some sort of physically sedentary activity. I can forget about doing a load of laundry or making food; and if I think ahead, I make sure everything I might possibly need within the next hour or so (cell phone, book, TV remote) is at hand, lest I should have to rummage around the house to find these items and risk smudging my wet nails.<br /><br />Indulging in a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon imposes even more treachery on freshly painted nails since you have to deal with actually being in the world once you step outside of the nail salon (providing that, as I've experienced in most cases, the UV drying lamp doesn't quite finish the job). There's no avoiding using your hands when you're out and about, and any unfortunate contact with the contents of your purse, a door handle, a seatbelt, a stranger--anything and everything that could possibly touch your hands in New York City--could possibly ruin your nails. Such threats have rendered newly-manicured women without the usual dexterous facility of their hands, causing them to awkwardly splay their fingers wide and lock their joints in an attempt to keep their new manicures safe from harm.<br /><br />And yet for all its hindrances, I often paint my nails and consider it a treat to get a mani-pedi. I also frequently wear high heels. And although these behaviors seem normal to me and in the culture in which I live, the desire to express myself via nail color or shoe selection clearly beats out what might otherwise be more fundamentally practical.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03115144103972485461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733046417281735238.post-50685090095062909462013-10-07T10:56:39.681-07:002013-10-07T10:56:39.681-07:00The process of naming does indeed seem to be excep...The process of naming does indeed seem to be exceptionally important within the nail polish industry and the makeup industry. In particular, the name "fishnet stockings" is striking. Its deep red color is already connotative of feminine sexuality and eroticism. The addition of this nomenclature serves to reinscribe the symbolic nature of the polish. It becomes a signifier of not only the abstract idea of sexuality but also of fishnets, which themselves symbolize female sexuality. This dual signification is a powerful marketing strategy and can make one particular product more appealing to a consumer simply by virtue of a different name.<br /><br />On Sunday, I was complimented on my lipstick by a well known fashion designer. I told a friend, and she immediately asked me what shade it was. I had never actually checked the name since it was a gift, but when I did I saw that it was called "untamed brown." Despite the compliment, after seeing that rather unattractive name I was less inclined to reapply the lipstick, and my friend said that she was less inclined to buy it. We both knew our feeling was completely irrational, but somehow we could not escape our reaction to the semiotics of the name.Lucy Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16015408171169683774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733046417281735238.post-30566195010813592982013-10-07T09:24:58.178-07:002013-10-07T09:24:58.178-07:00If we run with the notion that manicures and pedic...If we run with the notion that manicures and pedicures are a way to embellish the 'self' or convey a particular 'persona' in a manner akin to jewelery or makeup (especially lipstick), we are presented with just another semiotic forum for self expression. <br /><br />This is greatly exemplified by nail polish color names. Some of my personal essie favorites include "rock the boat," "where's my chauffeur," "fishnet stockings," "no boundaries," and "saturday disco fever." There appears to be a certain degree of propaganda to convey that these colors are more than just colors. <br /><br />I must admit that I am guilty of buying into this. For example, when I am feeling fun and summery -- when I want to be outgoing -- I opt for a color such as "Fruit Sangria." In the same vein, when I want to be slight daring I opt for a color such as "wicked". I consciously match the color with my state of mind. Admittedly many of these names are ridiculous ridiculous, but I cannot deny that there seems to be a logical, almost natural, association between a particular color and emotion. I pick the color that not only corresponds to my mood, but also to the mood I hope to have while wearing this particular hue. <br /><br />Colors are never merely colors. If we consider the link between orange, juice, and an orange cat, it is evident that it is human tendency to build or rather think in terms of these associations. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17543222021123209135noreply@blogger.com