Fanatic Feedback – Men Wearing Nail Polish?
 The age of the metrosexual has come and gone. The term “ubersexual” has become the way to describe a macho, stylish, well groomed man. Yet even in a time when it’s become acceptable to find shelves full of product in a man’s medicine cabinet, when it comes to male nails, the evolution has come to a standstill. |
 Yes, there are exceptions to that. I mean, who hasn’t drooled over Dave Navarro (pictured right with Zac Efron) and his black painted nails at some point? But outside the rock world, is nail polish acceptable for a man?
I remember the first time I came across a boy wearing any form of nail polish was during my summer break from college. I worked at an amusement park on Lake Erie called Cedar Point. And for those of you not in the know, it’s kind of a Midwest mecca for young gay men. One of my buddies there, who was very “out” and comfortable with himself, wore clear nail polish and while it didn’t totally stand out, it was considered “different” for the time. Since I thought he was a big ball of fabulous, I never really gave it a second thought. |
 Flash forward to 2007. When one of my male friends found out about my blog and discovered my affection for polish, he jokingly asked me to paint his toes silver. Little did I know, he was serious. In fact, this past summer he borrowed polish from me twice to give himself a pedicure (once while drunk after a long day of wine tasting). Both times he chose dark, grungy “masculine” shades; a gunmetal gray from Sleek UK and Sally Hansen Stormy Blue (pictured left). And while it might not have been his intention to use the polish as a chick magnet, it certainly did get girls talking to him. |
Then a few weeks back, Darren Garnick, a reporter for the Boston Herald, contacted me about his experience getting a fish pedicure, wanting my feedback on his choice of polish (pictured left). As I told him for his follow up humor essay, he certainly didn’t half ass it when he chose OPI Osaka-To-Me Orange for his pedicure shade. Not necessarily fall appropriate, he would have been totally “in” this past summer when bright orange was all the rage.
Coincidentally, since hearing from Darren I’ve also received quite a few emails from men that enjoy wearing polish on their toes. The consensus seems to be that for most of those men, they wear the polish only for their mate, not in public. That it’s a bonding thing for them and their partner but that they’d be embarrassed to wear color in public.
So while it’s become perfectly acceptable to see a man getting a manicure or pedicure with no polish, color seems to be taboo. What do you think fanatics? Can men wear lacquer? When is it OK? What guys can pull it off? Does it only work in the rock scene? Can they wear any color or only black and gray? I’m sure there are some lurking male readers that would love to hear your thoughts.
images: AllLacqueredUp.com, WireImage, BostonHerald
I like guys wearing black or dark nail polish if they’re going to do it every day. Other colors are good if you’re going to a club.
Penn of Penn and Teller wears nail polish I think, and several musicians do, so it’s definitely becoming more common to see.
My husband wears black, but he also loves China Glaze’s Lubu Heels because of the red flecks for costumes and clubbing.
For me it depends on the color, like Phyrra I say dark or black. When I was in LA on my way to Paris, I was standing in line at security behind the hottest guy I had ever seen in my life. When I saw his toes were painted black, he got even hotter.
1. He has nice toes for a guy
2. I think boys-n-polish is a no-no
3. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my fellow fanatics a very Restful, Peaceful and Love Filled Thanksgiving!
God Bless you all!
I like my men manly- Lift heavy things, play football, grunt alot manly. While my partner looooves himself a hand or foot rub as much as I do, the one time i tricked him into polish he freaked. I had been giving him a pedi when he fell asleep. When he woke up he was sporting a dark purple sparkle by OPI that I can not for the life of me remember the name of. I enjoyed practicing my skills on feet other than my own. He on the other hand refused to leave his room even to go get the polish remover from the bathroom. It was mildly amusing for me but kind of annoying to him
Yeah sorry no. Polish on guys is defintly a turn off. I don’t think it works on anyguy anywhere anyhow. Not sexy. I think it would make the guy seem effeminate and personally I want my guy to be manly.
I also saw Darren’s “Fish Pedicure” article and I was totally amazed at the flourish of comments on his blog, as well as many others (mostly nail polish blogs). The comments came from both men and women, and a surprising number of them were very positive about men wearing nail polish!
not surprisingly, there was also quite a bit of support expressed for men getting pedicures too, probably because most men’s feet don’t typically get much care or maintenance.
I have actually been wearing my toes polished since my wife introduced me to this about four years ago. I had for some time taken an interest and appreciation in the many cool colors she paints her nails with, and one day she just suggested that I try it. It worked for me, and we both liked it, so I was instantly hooked (unlike your husband)!
Why shouldn’t men wear their nails painted? It certainly is not going to change their sexual preference. Besides, it is quite a bit of an improvment over what most men’s nails look like.
Obviously, my wife and I are in favor of it. I honestly hope your post encourages more men to try it too. I can say that it’s been fun for my wife and I to do this together.
Painted nails on rock guys looks interesting to me, but I don’t think I’d appreciate my husband doing it (and he would not, as the engineer type that isn’t his thing or his fashion sense). However, more men should get pedicures – feet don’t have to be scary and nasty. Even a bit of time with the pumice and cuticle remover at home would be such an improvement for so many!
Pedicures and manicures, yes. Polish, no. And this is very sexist of me, but both the guys in the photos have girly feet. Nice feet, of course, but girly just the same.
I suppose it does depend on the color. There was a guy in my class who was so comfortable with himself that he wore a bright hot pink (He’s not even gay) I guess I don’t mind unless the color he’s wearing is nicer than mine D: I tried Kaleidoscope on my boyfriend :p
I don’t really think men and colored polish go together. I view nail polish as make-up, and I think that make-up is for women. It’s like seeing a man with bright red lipstick!
But if men want to wear polish, I say go for it! I myself don’t like it but that’s just my opinion. I believe people should do whatever makes them happy (as long as you’re not hurting anybody of course
)
My husband had a few too many beers one night and fell asleep on the sofa, so he ended up with bright red toenails, the day before his jiu-jitsu tournament! That was fun!
He’s a rather manly man, but I introduced him to a nail buffer, and he really liked how it made his nails look. However, he chews his nails down to the quick, they wouldn’t look good painted.
It’s cool though, men who wear polish. I dig it!
I have to respect any guy willing to paint his nails. It’s something they’re likely to get a lot of crap for from peers, so to do it anyway implies confidence which is always attractive.
As to whether or not I actually not the polish rather than the attitude it alludes to, it depends on whether it’s done well. Same goes for makeup. I love both polish and makeup, so if I see it done well on a guy, it’s going to attract my interest. Not necessarily in a “oooh that’s hot!” sort of way but a “oooh that looks nifty! I need to get that color for myself!” sort of way.
I think it’s interesting enough and I encourage people (of either gender) to do what they enjoy and feel good about.
HOWEVER, my personal preference is a big old “NO”. It’s just too feminine in my opinion, for men to wear nail color. I would be a little weirded out if my husband wanted to get his toenails done, but I’m into the very “guys guy” sort of men.
Both of the photos immediately made me think of women. That is not a slight to either man, but that’s the honest truth!
I think that rockers and artsy types can get away with it. But that is about it!
Wow. Let me first start by admitting that I’ve had nail polish on my nails before. I was a young piano player who had a very bad habit of biting my nails. My fingers were a mess and my then girlfriend suggested that letting them grow and applying clear nail polish was the way to go. Of course my male friends let me have it for days but till this day I have good looking finger nails (though without nail polish).
This brings me to my point, I think only there are only two instances where nail polish on a man is acceptable. One is to restore your nails to a degree of health and two is because you work with your hands in a way that brings attention to them and so you have to take extra care of them. In both instances clear nail polish is the way to go and that’s only if you’re desperate cause my finger nails look great without it and that’s been the case for years now.
I get the whole relationship bonding thing but sorry there are other ways to bind that don’t require becoming a “gurlyman.” Have some pride and backbone and say no guys. Damn. Bond through shopping together, talking, being in each others presence, spending quality time together and etc; whatever but let her do her nails with her girlfriends and keep it moving. Next thing you know bonding is going to requre wigs, dresses, panty hose and lipstick. Ugh!
Will the wimpification of this nation ever end?
I appear to be in the minority here, but I think (black/dark) polish on a guy is *HOT*, and would love for my husband to rock it! Unfortunately, he’s a professional and also unwilling.
I blame Spike (from Buffy) for my male-polish lust.
Umm..no. I have to be the girl and only girls wear colored nail polish. Hope you and yours have a beauty full Thanksgiving!
I don’t care about the color although hot pink might be little weird. I think it’s the shape that’s important and men definitely should not wear it long and squaoval like we do. They should develope a masculine way to wear nail polish (other than manglaze). Like one stripe of color in each nail would be cool. 10 years ago, men earings weren’t accepted. Now, it’s like a requirement for a badass image. SO I’m optimistic about men mani/pedis in the future.
p.s. I’m addicted to your site. You are solely responsible for that B I got in Economics. (haha jk)
Men with well groomed feet and hands- YES!!
(In fact…feet that don´t get cared for are just nasty.)
Nail polish? NO!!! Total turn-off!
That´s MY personal preferance.
I am a man, and I wear polish from time to time. Why not?
I am not gay, and it usually never gets seen. But its fun and interesting.
Wearing OPI “Can you dig it?” now.
I think too many women are jealous that men can take care of themselves too.
Why ever not? If he likes it, and it makes him happy, it’s all good, whether he’s a rocker or a computer geek.
I saw all the more power to the boys who want to look fabulous!
I think more men should get manicures and pedicures, there is nothing wrong with looking after your hands/feet. However I personally don’t like polish on mens toenails, to me it’s horrible, especially bright colours.
But I have to agree with Trina, sometimes black/dark polish can look incredibly sexy on a guys fingernails (I also agree that Spike on buffy rocked that look and also Dave Navarro in the blog) I think they do have to have the whole image to with it though. It would not look so great on my guy unless he was dressed the part too.
Hm, I don’t have a problem with polish on a man, whether mani or pedi. Why should we females have all the color fun? I just want it to look like he takes care of his hands and feet.
Think back to Renaissance dress for men … and you know women swooned for Henry the VIII, a guy that loved his frilly bits.
I don’t think we are making guys wimpy or feminine when you tell them, “You don’t have to be so aggressive. You can express yourself in other ways.”
Likewise with gals when you say, “You don’t have to like pink. You can enjoy watching or playing football.”
I think these extreme gender stereotypes hurt rather than help. Manly girl or girly man, what does this actually mean? That someone isn’t following some traditional role that someone else wants them to follow.
BTW, I should mention that I am a biologist and have a bunch of species examples (i.e. birds, ungulates) where the males are much more exuberantly plumed than the females.
I think it makes them less masculine. It’s a metrosexual look to me and I’m definitely not attracted to metrosexuals. It’s a turn off.
I don’t seem to understand why the dynamic has shifted.
There was a time, not that long ago, when there were certain items of clothing that were “forbidden” by the opposite gender. For instance, women were not allowed to wear jeans or pants. Men were not allowed to wear t-shirts. Now, we have a bright new world in which anyone can do pretty much anything they want–in a fashion sense–and get away with it. Women wear jeans, men wear skirts (although, admittedly, not as often) and I see no reason why anything should be taboo at this point. Women fought valiantly for the right to wear whatever they wanted, so why should men be denied the same rights? If men want to wear skirts, pantyhose, nail polish, makeup, heels, or whatever, who are we to say that they shouldn’t? I think it speaks volumes about the character of this country and this world that we are able to make decisions based not entirely upon what will bring us the most social indifference, but what we like. I personally am a very happily married man (to a woman) and I regularly wear nail polish on both fingernails and toenails. I have not encountered many objections to this, aside from the occassional snicker from the girls in the mall or a curious onlooker, who simply asks me why (to which I answer why not?). This is not a cry for help. I have no desire nor intention of purusing a life as a woman. I am not gay. I do not see it as a “fetish.” I am simply comfortable enough with who I am to let myself be myself. And it’s a shame that everyone doesn’t hold themselves to those same standards. Stop worrying about what the world thinks of you and start worrying about the fact that one day you will be dead. Enjoy the things that you enjoy today. And damn the consequences.
For something as seemingly innocent as nail polish, this subject has brought forth an impressive diversity of opinions.
For what it’s worth, I have always been intrigued by nail polish. I love the way women wear it, the wide range of seductive colors, the glossy finish, the shape of their nails and how it makes their fingers look long, feminine and very attractive.
That said, I would not be opposed to considering this further with the right woman. The quality of the relationship would of course play a part, but if she found it attractive that I wear nail polish, it would be an interesting and different direction that I would be open to exploring with her.
I can understand why some women would not be as excited about this, if it was ‘right’ in their situation. But I also applaud the many here who have expressed their open-mindedness and think that it might be intriguing to try.
This is probably one of the more controversial, yet compelling topics I have come across in quite a while. It is an inspiration to read your comments and understand that we all have different ways to express ourselves, and we all fit.
Oops, I guess one word left out can change an entire meaning…
I meant to say that if it was not ‘right’ in the relationship, I could understand why this would not work.
Well, for those who think that nail polish is an indication of sexual preference or orientation, look in the mirror first. As many have indicated; in the world of nature, it's usually the maile who is the more brightly colored one. This of course is to attract a mate and the female is less spectacular as a defense/safety mechanism for the offspring.
Now, I'd like to add my voice, as a mature married, straight male. I'm closer to retirement than not and have had mani-pedis for about 20 years now. I'm not gay, not a cross dresser, no fetishes, but probably a metrosexual – id that means taking care of myself so that I don't look my age. Business is brutal and finding myself already the recipient of age discrimination, looking my best and yonger than my real age is a necessary survivla skill. It also feels good to see an attractive, yonger female glance my way with a smile. I'm fit, play rough seniors ice hockey, shovel snow, cut the lawn and garden, work on my car, scoop out cat litter and many other so called "manly" things. I had several girlfriends before getting married 15 years ago. Guess what? I love having both hands and feet professionally manicured. As someone who teaches in front of audiences/classes, having a nice manicure provides confidence and a 'polished" and finished look to professional attire. I've never had a single comment. The wife of my barber and my Mom have said my nails look great. My wife likes it as well. She doesn't think the glitter polishes work so well for, and I agree. I told her though that I'd wear a very glittery polish for going out on new year's eve
Generally I wear clear but lately have used a very very sheer pink polish, OPI hearts & tarts. You have to look very close – I mean VERY close to tell it's something other than clear. It provides a very nice, even lustre, only a hint of color and only in direct sunlight can you see the extremely subtle sparkle. I've tried about 80 OPI and China Glaze for fun, in the house, but only wear the clear, sheer ones out. Monthly professional mani-pedis are a treat. Feels great. Why should only women get to pamper themselves? Is it manly to be getting grey, saggy, dry and rough skin everywhere, chipped, dirty and rough nails? Is that manly? My gawd, those of you who think that a man is defined by his rough hands, etc, are so archaic in your thinking that you're missing the big picture. As a previous post clearly said, we'll all be dead at sometime in the future. How we conduct ourselves in our life, how we treat others, the quality of good work that we do, how we care for those less fortunate is how we will be remembered and how our "image" and respect will be garnered – not by nail polish.
I *love* men in nail polish! I’m glad to see so many polish-wearing guys commenting on this topic.
It’s disturbing to me the number of people whose gender stereotypes seem to be stuck in 1950. “Manly” versus “girly” – ugh, really? My DH is traditionally “manly”, and yet he has gold toenails and paints his nails green for going out. Several of my exes paint their nails.
I think it’s an excellent social signifier of someone who is less worried about silly socially-assigned gender roles and more interested in trying new things – nothing is sexier than a man with polish.
wow didn’t realize you have many male readers here, way to go cincy!
hmm never thought about my preference before. i’ve never met a man wearing polish here in asia, but thinking of my SOs, i’d probably wouldn’t mind if they wear it…
My mom (an ex-manicurist) has occasionally painted my stepdad’s toenails. He’s not really a self-indulgent type, being a traditional quiet old school Korean man, but he rocks the pedicure (in his sandals!) all summer long.
I think it’s trendy for me to wear nail polish, as long as the color is masculine. Reds and pinks, no. I love that steely blue color on toes. I asked a few of my gay guy friends and they were not down with wearing nail polish. They thought it was only appropriate if the guy was into drag.
For me, it all depends on the event a guy is attending or the type of work he does.
Polish or no polish, I wish more men were into getting manicures, that’s for sure!
Oh, goodness. Major typo alert! I should have typed the following:
I think it’s trendy for MEN…
(I’m not a guy.)
I don’t understand why so many people are against this. Men started with long hair, and then pierced ears (now on both ears), so why not nail polish or anything else for that matter.
I have been wearing polish for years and years, always on my toes, sometimes on my fingers.
I am married and straight and just enjoy the look.
I think anyone should be able to wear whatever they want regardless of gender. Granted one big problems many may have is that clothes are cut for certain body types however there has been a few attempts on the runway to put a guy in a skirt, or a pair of heels.
By the way – nail polish was actually started in ancient Egypt times as a sign for the MALE who is in power – in those days, a pharaoh or other leader/king. This is even depicted in the movie 300 and a few other’s i’ve seen.
The concept of the polish was to show that they are in power and don’t have to do any work.
The the girls took it over, like they do most fasion items such as heels (also designed for MEN in the 1600’s)
I have been painting my toes on and off for about 8 years . for the last 6 months they have been painted all of the time.have been using blues blacks maroon and purple and the people i have showed think they look good and it does work on a guy and i am going to keep them painted all of the time when i dont have polish on they look boring and when they are painted they look good .
I’ll never understand the belief that a man wearing nail polish = wimpy.
One, what are you saying about women, when we wear nail polish all the time?
Two, how does putting on a nail colour connote a physical weakness? Is it like kryptonite?
Like all things, I think it depends on the person and what colour the person is wearing, and how they carry it off. It’s not for all and not all should try it (nor would they want to) but it seems a bit silly to me to have a problem with a guy wearing nail polish if he liked wearing it. How is it hurting anyone? In fact, he’d probably have to put up with a lot of flack from other guys so more power to him.
I think it takes a certain type of guy to wear nail polish. On my boyfriend, it’d just look ridiculous (and he would kill me for putting it on him, because he wouldn’t ever do it himself), but I can think of a few guys that could totally rock it.
I am all for men getting manicures and pedicures!
I know they sometimes are hard on their hands, so a manicure can go a long way in helping to keep their hands in good condition.
As far as the pedicures go, most men do not really pay much attention to their feet. And when they wear sandals, and everyone can see their rough callouses and crusty, yellowed nails, it’s just gross in my opinion. Pedicures should be required by their g/f or wives!
And I can’t explain it, but I really like the look of a guy with deeply-colored polished toenails. It just finishes off their strong, manly image in my opinion.
I have seen this in magazines, and I saw a guy with deep blue toenails in Las Vegas last summer, and it looked totally great on his tanned feet!
I have discovered that there are more men trying this look than you would expect, but you don’t notice it until you start looking for it.
I am going to tell more of my male friends about this blog and encorage them to try it. I think it’s about time guys show a little ‘color’!
I love dark polish on a guy. Dave Navarro could wear red for all I care, he’d still be HOT! I remember back in the early/mid
90’s when Hard Candy first came out and they had a line specifically for men. Dark shades and even slightly different packaging. If I remember correctly Antonio Bandaras wore it.
Now polish on boy toes? Not sure, I hate feet to begin with but the polish would hide the narnar toes. On the fence there, but on the right hands, me likey some black polish.
I also remember back in the Glam Rock days when guys wore polish. What can I say, I love a pretty boy LOL
What with the possibility of painting nails to match their favorite team’s colors, I wonder why men don’t do it more often.
I feel that if a man is comfortable with wearing polish, whether on fingers and/or toes then who gives a crack of what others think. I wear polish on both and I am not gay. I am partial to dark colors, even shades of purple, red, brown/plum, blues, green, etc. My friends, family and wife thought I was becoming a picther & catcher but then saw that I do take care of my hands and feet more than I have done in the past, and must say that they look better than some of the ladies/women that I have met. I would actually like to meet others with the same interest that do not blame their nail painting on booze or kicks! I wera it 24/7.
I love independant men who have enough self-confidence that they do not need to give in to what others think they should do.
The man I am currently dating gets regular manicures and pedicures and his hands and feet look terrific! He has tried colored polish before and it totally rocks on him! He wore a charcoal/silver shimmer on his fingers at party last New Years Eve and I thought I was going to have to take him home early because the other women there were going crazy on him over his boldness!
He’s worn silver, charcoal and deep blue on his toenails before, and so far, I like the blue the best.
Men should not be afraid to try this, unless maybe they are not ‘man’ enough!
I love men who wear nail polish, and I am not just talking about the celebrity guys you see on the web and in magazines.
Living in California, I see more men wearing their nails (mostly toes) polished and I think it looks soooo sexy and hot!
I don’t think it’s for women only, why should it be?
sent from: fav.or.it
I am really glad to see a lot of women approve of guys waring nail polish! I am a guy who likes to look after my nails and I love nail polish. My wife is cool with it as long as the clos aren’t too girlie. I tend to ware pale or natural cols mostly. I wish it was more fashionable for guys to do this so that I can ware it all the time…
At least most of the women here that say men shouldn’t wear it see it as a sexist comment. When you get down to it, it’s nothing but paint! Personal preference that you don’t like it? Cool. Saying men shouldn’t do it? Sounds like a “women shouldn’t wear pants” argument to me!
I am a heterosexual married male that has worn nail polish for the last 15-20 years. Most of that time it was in private, but now I wear color on my toes 24/7 and have acrylic fingernails. Why not wear color? What is SO bad about painting your nails? It hurts no one and is an extension of your personality. Do whatever makes you happy and don’t waste your energy worrying what everyone else thinks. Step outside the norm, and break the very old societal rules. Women were so up in arms that society told them not to wear pants, and look at them now telling men that they cannot wear nail polish or anything else that society deems as to be feminine.
I will say, as a seventeen year old straight male, that I find myself enjoying painting my finger nails. Of course, I choose black or (sometimes) white, and yeah, I guess I’d fit into a rocker stereotype, since I do play guitar and have long hair.
The way I see it, is, its different. It makes my hands stand out, it contrasts my skin color and adds to my look, so why would I not do it. Sure, it may not be “manly”, but I more than make up for that with the music I play. Hell, I where eyeliner too. I think makeup can work as an extension of your personality.
If you’re a guy and want to wear makeup, thats all you. I personally love it, and so does my girlfriend.
Manicure for men I think is ok. Just as long as there are no polish involved. What’s wrong with a guy who’s got clear shiny and short nails just like any men have? Sure there’s nothing wrong with this. It even looks very neat looking compared to a man’s nails that are not manicured. This is why men should have their own ped/manicure salon too.
I’m a 14yr old boy and i too wear nail polish.. i don’t show it to many people but i have been doing it for a very long time now(about 5 years) and i’m very good at painting my toe nails:) I absolutely love it! Yet i’m not the least amount of gay!! That is my greatest fear in life…(gay poeple) but i don’t hate them or anything, like that one person said above about you only live once. I have had my nails painted so many different colors, such as blue, black, pink, red, orange, clear, all sorts of sparkles and what not, neon green/yellow, brown, purple, grey, white, and gold… I love it!!!!!!!:) and i’m not too afraid to wear it in public anymore.. Sometimes i have worn my toenails painted clear, yellow, green, and other not too noticable colors to the swimming pool. When i’m at friends houses i wear my nail polish proudly, as i do at my house:) i also have a foot fetish.. I will wear any color on my finger nails anywhere. The reason being is that i can put my hands in my pocket:) but at the mall and other places i just don’t care, it’s really fun if you get into it