An intense colour steeped in history, ultramarine blue, now known as Klein blue, makes a cheerful appearance on our hands. A deep dive into Ultramarine, a Manucurist palette essential.
While some surveys claim that blue is now French people's favourite colour, this has not always been the case. Long neglected by Latin civilisation, blue only came into its own at the beginning of the 20th century.
“Since opinion polls have been available, from around 1890 onwards, blue has indeed ranked first everywhere in the West, in France as in Sicily, in the United States as in New Zealand, among men as among women, whatever their social or professional background. It is the whole of Western civilisation that gives primacy to blue,” says historian Michel Pastoureau.
Many artists, such as Geneviève Asse and David Hockney, have made this colour the cornerstone of their work. But can we really talk about the colour blue without mentioning painter Yves Klein? Also nicknamed “Yves the Monochrome” for his works made exclusively of blue, Yves Klein was convinced that in the future, artists would paint only monochromes. For him, the very essence of art lay in the purity of colour, which had to permeate the person looking at it. He then decided to focus on one shade, the one that brought him success. “It will be blue, nothing but blue, I will devote my life to it!”
For several months, ultramarine blue pigment became the focus of his research. It was ultimately thanks to a new solvent, a synthetic resin, that Klein succeeded in developing his famous International Klein Blue (IKB), powdery and magnetic. Obsessed with his discovery, Klein filed the formula for his blue with the National Institute of Industrial Property. This IKB, whose exact formula, although imitated, has never been revealed or marketed, could only be used by Klein himself.
In practice
Hypnotic, Ultramarine electric blue nail polish can be worn in many ways, in winter and summer alike. Also available as blue gel nail polish Green Flash™ for a manicure that lasts several weeks. For those who love caring for their hands, a beautiful Klein blue nail polish becomes a chic, bold ally, whether worn on its own or paired with neutral colours such as white, beige or sand to let the shade fully express itself. This vibrant shade also works perfectly as gel nail polish, so you can enjoy its deep shine and almost hypnotic effect for longer.
Without fear of a fashion faux pas, you can also dare more daring combinations by opting for bold shades such as terracotta, lemon yellow or coral. The more experienced can even go for a colour-block look by pairing Ultramarine with orange, pink or green.
If you choose it for your interior, know that it pairs perfectly with wood, straw and rattan: these raw materials soften the bold, wildly artistic side of this absolute blue. You can decorate a hallway, staircase, bedroom or office in Klein blue. As a wall covering, this powdery-looking monochrome adds depth to the space and makes it feel larger.
