When cosmetic companies want to be fancy, they spell “color” with a u. When they want to be virtuous, they claim some affiliation with nature—either in ingredients or aesthetics. Almay did both with this 1976 ad for nail polish—excuse me, nail “colour”—in a rainbow of shades that don’t exist in nature. No matter. They make the idea of an extra pair of hands mighty enticing, if it weren’t for the inevitable chips. —Linda Wells
