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Manicures and nail polish for men are more popular now then they have ever been in history. This is not the only time in history that there were “French manicure guys.” French royalty in the eighteenth century had courtiers that got their nails done. That is why the manicure is called the French manicure. It’s purpose was to make the male hands look soft and elegant as rough hands with ragged nails meant you were lower class.
Manicures and nail polish for men have since evolved beyond the sheer polishes and French nail treatments of that century. Nowadays men wear red, black, blue and brown nail polish. It is particularly common among the Goth and punks in the world.
However it was not uncommon at all for the very rich to get manicures and nail polish for men . It was a mark of celebrity as well as wealth throughout the twentieth century. However unlike female treatments for nails french manicure guys stuck to sheer polishes over white tip nails. Also the white tipped nails may not necessarily be painted on like a woman’s French manicure. Instead a thick white crayon may be rubbed under the nail bed to make the nails look stronger and whiter.
Manicures and nail polish for men also come into play on a wedding day if the bride wants you to look special. Some companies that offer butlers, limo drivers and other types of domestic help may also require that the men that they employ have French manicures.
Manicures and nail polish for men is also very popular in the gay communities in Europe and North America who see a finely moisturized hand and a well buffed shining nail as a male fashion accessory. Some men even get diamond or brass studs in their longer nails, such as a pinkie nail, to produce a decorative effect.
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I think the closest I'll ever get to my husband wearing nail polish is the other day he let me borrow his thumb nail to try out a nail stamping design on to see if the stamper worked. ROFL
i like nailpolish i think its fun to wear it. why should girls have all the fun. lol
Glad to find this article. I wear red polish on my toes and have done so continuously for at least twenty years. My doctor noticed my feet during an exam when he asked me to completely undress and asked why I wear it. I told him I enjoyed doing so. He could have cared less but it made the day of the nursing staff. I might as well have showed up wearing dress! I have never had my toes painted as part of a pedicure nor have I used the so called masculine colors. To me, bright red is masculine. I wear open toe sandals to the beach but rarely in public places off the beach. Why? Doing this makes me feel good and good about myself. The first time in public will be hard but you will soon realize that the sky won't fall. Enjoy!
I started to paint my toenails initially for a different reason than I see here. I developed a pretty nasty case of toe nail fungus, and was very emberassed to wear sandals in public, which was hard for me as I generally prefer bare feet, I would paint them black, or blue usually, but they didn't really ever look that great. I finally did something about the fungus and my nails looked dynamite! I was so happy about it and found a nail salon (not in my neighborhood) and got my first pedicure. I was astounded with the whole experience, wow, really? AND you get years of dead skin removed, and then an awesome foot rub with lotion?? the next time I went in and tha gal asked if I wanted color? I said sure, as I was used to it anyway, and loved how good my feet looked and was getting compliments from both women and men too.that was 8 years ago and I am not looking back. Spring has arrived and I just got a full pedicure, and 2 layers of clear shiny polish to start, went out the same day and got me a new pair of Olokai flip flops (black leather) and put a nice masculine design toering on my middle toe, and immediately got compliments,I was wearing jeans, cant wait for shorts weather! I am thinking next color will be a dark shiny Olive, any Ideas? Go for it guys!!
I connot believe my eyes! There are actually other people out there like me... sharing the same thoughts, opinions, stories and desires. I must be dreaming! I LOVE wearing nail polish on my toes but to date have only done so in secret. I think it is truely beautiful. I am a PRO by now and even do a better job on myself that my wife does on herself - French Pedicure etc. you name it! I find that this topic is unfortunately hugely frowned upon by society and even more so my wife. I am saddened to the bone! I have been caught out numerous times by her and it causes her much pain, dissapointment and anger. This causes huge amounts of strain on our relationship, therefore I find it very hard to go against her wishes. It takes her forever to get over it when she catched me out. I'd rather deny myself wearing nail polish than let my relationship with her get ruined - over the years my experience indicates that this is what could happen. My utmost dream would be for her to 'one day' say to me that I could wear nail polish - even more so share the feeling/ experience with me like many other couples out there do. I do occasionally stroll out late at night wearing my sandals with my toes freely glimmering in the street and moon light! The day I could freely wear nail polish without reservations or being frowned upon... I think I would die!
Christopher. I would be happy to send her an email if you would like. My husband has just started polishing his nails and it brings him much joy.
My guy used to have terrible (gross, actualy) looking feet. I bugged him about it enough that he finally went in for a pedicure. The results were amazing! I told him that his feet improved so much that maybe I should go with him the next time, and he said he'd like that. We made a date for three weeks out and even took advantage of a BOGO half-off deal. When the nail tech got to the polish step, I chose a deep maroon that he even liked enough to compliment me on. The tech then asked if he would like to try it and with a little encouragement from me (I was actually curious if he'd do it), he went for it! It looked good on his feet, actually much better than either he or I had expected. He wore it out of the salon and we were surprised that most people didn't even notice. But of the ones who did, we received nice compliments for our matching pedicures. We have since been wearing our toenails matching and it's just some good, clean fun that we have together.
I am honestly surprised at the number of both men and women who are for about this. I've seen discussions about men wearing nail polish on at least four blogs just today and think that it must be becoming much more popular! For a long time I have been curious what this would feel like, to have my toes polished. I see it on women and think it would be pretty cool if I could do it too because I think it makes your feet look so much better. I have become convinced now from all of your positive comments that I am going to just try it! Could anyone suggest a good "starter" color for a guy? And do you just go into any nail salon and they will polish a man's toenails? Thank you for all of your great encouragement!
My husband has always been a fan of my painted nails, and so one evening when I was doing my toes, he said he really liked the color I was using (it was a dark maroon). So, I half-jokingly suggested that since he liked it so much maybe we should try it on his toes. He was hesitant, but I guess I was in an adventurous mood, so I persisted and ended up giving him a full pedicure - complete with polish! The funny thing was that I actually liked it on him. He was not so sure about it, but I convinced him to give it some time before he took it off. He came around after a couple of days and admitted that it made him feel good to have nice-looking feet. So that was three years ago, and I still paint his toenails for him. He's had red toenails, pink, blue, purple, brown and even green, but he says his favorite is the maroon that I first painted his toes with back then. He's been pretty careful to not show them publicly, though he does like them painted now. Our neighbor saw him one day when he was wearing sandals to take out the garbage and she commented that his feet 'sure look nice with polish'. He was embarrased, but I think the compliment really helped his confidence with it because ever since then, I have noticed that he is not trying to hide it anymore. I just think it looks very sexy on him!
OK I started out getting a pedicure because my wife thought I would like it. She was right. I did not get polish the first few times but one time I decided to get the clear polish. I have since moved on to colors and even a French Pedicure with the white tips. I really like the French pedi and have worn that for a few weeks. I live in flipflops since I live in Florida and have had several compliments from women and even a couple from some guys. My feet look great and I love to keep them polished
Im 16yo st8guy.but idk why i love2do manicure by my
address@removedmakes my finger looks so much better and fabulous.my friends keeps thinking that i wear nail polished.lolI discovered pedicures a few years ago when my wife and I were shopping at a mall. She stopped in because she saw they had a special, and it actually turned out to be a two-for-one sale. So we both had pedicures (my first one) and I really liked it. Today, my feet feel and look great. I highly recommend it to anyone, man or woman!
Bev, try posting on Flickr. There are quite a few couples who already wear nail polish together and have pics posted. I did not realize that as many men did this before I started looking, but now see that it is quite the new 'style' for men.
I have recently discovered the fun one could have with polished toenails. It started with painting both my daughters' nails when Mommy was out. I decided to try it as a joke and actually liked it. I have now gone through different colors and love it. In fact, I'm writing a fun blog about my newbie experience, fumbling through painting just the nail and not most of the toe. Check it out and follow along on blogger under 9PrettyPiggies. You'll find it amusing and think back to when you first started. Get out there men and brighten your life a bit through polish.
Wow. Colored toes? No way for me. I keep my finger nails and cuticles looking sharp at home w/ Sally Hansen cuticle removing cream and OPI matte finish as I think a clear gloss is a little pretentious and obvious. The Matte provides a great healthy looking nail w/o the high shine.
By the way, i wish i could send a pic of our toes on here, but do not see a way to do it.
Darla,Thank you, I didn't want to think i was the only woman that likes it. Like I tell my husband, It's no big deal as it's ONLY color. I personally think he is more of a man for wearing it and he is starting to believe it also as he has gotten several very positive compliments from women about it. And like You and I said, IT"S HOT!!!!! We go every other week for a pedi and polish change together and it has become a very special day for us!!!!
I had a somewhat similar experience as Bev, though in my husband's case, it was the nail tech who suggested he try colored nail polish on his toes. She told him to 'surprise' me with it. It was a very deep maroon color. Well, he certainly did! I was not entirely crazy about it the first time I saw it, but I have to admit, it did not take long for me to begin liking it. In fact, I told him to keep it on because I was liking it more each time I saw it on him. Yes, it is 'hot' on guys and I would also encourage ladies to get your guy to at least try it. Tell him he doesn't have to wear it publicly if he doesn't want to, but to try it for your benefit. You will love it on him!
I totally agree. I finally got my husband to go with me for a pedicure several months ago. The tech talked him into clear polish at first,and he loved it. As his confidence improved, The tech and I were able to talk him into getting matching color and design as i have. At first he felt a little uncomfortable,but admitted he loved it,and so did I. Now he looks forward to every other wed and a nice BRIGHT color like OPI RED or I'm not really a waitress,or Ladies and magneta men and then the tech paints a matching design on his big toes and it is HOT!!! Now he feels confident enough to walk in sandals to the pool at the hotel etc. I hope more men do this, you do not know what u are missing!!!!
I say "why not"? Men should be able to freely express their creativity, Lord knows us women have been flaunting this attribute for years! I think it's about time men started wearing a little color on their toes. As Suzi Weiss Fleischmann from OPI says "Men should wear colored nail polish. It shows that they have style and an open-mind." Well said Suzi! I have in fact encouraged my husband to get a pedicure so his feet and toenails looked decent, then to try nail polish on them. His feet look great, in fact, the look pretty sexy with a deep color like dark blue or even maroon on them. Girls, you should def. try this with your guy. He won't believe it works for him at first because of what he's been brought up to believe, but after he tries it, keep your nail polishes locked up because he'll get into it BIG TIME! Especially when you encourage him by telling him how great it looks. Here is another vote for men to wear their toenails polished! I love it on them!!
I have worn my toenails polished for maybe five years now. I am a professional technical manager, and though I don't wear sandals at work (it does not fit the dress code), I have a number of cohorts who are also into this and like it (men and women). I think we have reached a point in society where people are free to wear styles that they like and it really does not make a lot of difference what others (usually the more conservative) think about it. Consider what it must have been like for the men who first started wearing earrings, jewelry (besides a watch), coloring their hair, or even wearing in longer. They were trend-setters and once we began seeing it, we accepted it. Women understand this all too well. They have adopted many styles that were once considered only for men. Modern men are beginning to come our of their shells and push the limits with wilder colors and less-conservative styles. Nail polish is simply paint. Men and women are wearing it and if done properly (neatly on nicely-maintained nails) it does look great! You can search the internet and find many articles and blogs that discuss the question why more men don't wear nail polish, and it is impressive the high percentage of positive support and comments for the men who do.
I'm with BusinessExec & BusPro above. I've been getting manicures for years. I usually go for the clear polish. It gives a more "finished" professional look. It does get my hands noticed, and most people who comment (tho most people don't) tell me it looks good. I don't let my nails get long, I keep them trimmed and filed. I definitely wouldn't wear colored nail polish or "french" tips. I get manicures as a part of good grooming and feeling good about the way I look.
I began wearing colored nail polish on my toes a number of years ago on the suggestion from my wife that it might look good. She had apparently seen it on a guy and liked it. Well, I tried it and yes, we both liked it, so I continued wearing it on a regular basis. I will add, that along with the nail polish, I do receive regular pedicures to 'clean up' my callouses and have my nails kept trimmed so that they already look pretty decent. The polish just adds a bit of class to that look. Though I have tried a wide range of colors, I tend to like darker shades of blue, maroon, brown and gray, along with silver. You may find it interesting that even a well-established beauty editor openly encourages men to try nail polish on their toenails. Suzi has a blog on the OPI web site (check out her posts under 'for men') where she even suggests particular colors that work well for men. I find it very satisfying to have my feet look and feel good and am no longer ashamed of wearing sandals, as I once was with my previously crusty guy feet.
One more comment. Great advantage and also reason why I started 20 years ago was to cure a split thumb nail that just would never heal, grow out. The split was three quarters of way down the length of the nail bed. Talk about painful! I could even pick up a cup of coffee with pain in my thumb. Started manicures then. Fixed after 3 months and have never looked back! Pedicures are also great! I get same treatment for my feet. My ingrown toenails have also been "repaired" and now my feet also look and feel great. I play ice hockey and work out in the gym 1 -2 times a week and my feet never give me any problems now.
I'm a hetero, married male and I've been getting manicures, complete with high gloss clear polish for almost 20 years now. Most women love it. Looks very clean and professional. If you're in the public eye, lecturing, presenting, sales, etc., it really gives a finish to the total professional image; especially if you wear any rings. Why wear a nice ring and draw attention to your hands if they look like you dig ditches for a living; not that there's anything wrong with that; but is that the image you want to project? I think it looks great and sexy. Not sure about the dark colours though; may look like you got your hand caught in a door and nail turned black. Would like to be brave enough to try a very light whitish or frosted look; but so far just using the clear base coat and top coat. Also, keeing nails not longer than fingers. I knwo some guys who are wearing much longer nails. I'm not certain about that and it's simply not practical for me, being very active in sports, gardening and using the snow blower ;)
Good to see an article on men's manicures and nail polish. I've been getting manicures on an almost weekly basis for many years. Initially, I went with a high-shine buff, but for the past 5 years or so have been getting a high-gloss clear polish. It's just part of the overall professional look.