Intense color rich in history, ultramarine blue, now called Klein blue, cheerfully graces our hands. Deep dive into Ultramarine, a staple of the Manucurist palette.
While some surveys claim that blue is currently the favorite color of the French, this has not always been the case. Long neglected by Latin civilization, it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that blue came into its own.
“Since opinion polls have been available, around 1890, blue has indeed been ranked first everywhere in the West, in France as in Sicily, the United States as in New Zealand, by men and women alike, regardless of their social and professional background. It is the entire Western civilization that gives primacy to blue,” says historian Michel Pastoureau.
Many artists such as Geneviève Asse and David Hockney have made this color the cornerstone of their work. But can we really talk about the color blue without mentioning the painter Yves Klein? Also nicknamed “Yves the Monochrome” for his works exclusively made of blue, Yves Klein was convinced that in the future, artists would only paint monochromes. For him, the very essence of art lay in the purity of the color that had to permeate the viewer. He then decided to focus on one shade, the one that made his success. “It will be blue, nothing but blue, I will dedicate my life to it!”
For several months, the ultramarine blue pigment became the focus of his research. It was ultimately thanks to a new solvent, a synthetic resin, that Klein managed to develop his famous International Klein Blue (IKB), powdery and magnetic. Obsessed with his discovery, Klein filed the formula for his blue at the National Institute of Industrial Property. This IKB, whose exact formula, although imitated, has never been revealed or commercialized, was used only by Klein himself.
In practice
Hypnotic, the electric blue Ultramarine polish can be worn in many ways, in winter as in summer. Also available as Green Flash™ semi-permanent blue polish for a manicure that lasts several weeks. For those who love to care for their hands, a pretty Klein blue nail polish becomes a chic and bold ally, one you dare to show off or pair with neutral colors like white, beige, or sand to let the shade fully express itself. This vibrant hue also works perfectly as a semi-permanent polish, to enjoy its deep shine and almost hypnotic effect longer.
Without fear of poor taste, it is also possible to dare bolder combinations by betting on strong shades like terracotta, lemon yellow, or coral. The more experienced can even opt for a colorblock look by pairing Ultramarine with orange, pink, or green.
If you choose it for your interior, know that it harmonizes perfectly with wood, straw, and rattan: these raw materials break the bold and wildly arty side of this absolute blue. You can decorate a hallway, a staircase, a bedroom, or even an office in Klein blue. As a wall covering, this powdery monochrome adds depth to the space and enlarges it.
