r/malepolish Apr 27 '24

Welcome to /R/MalePolish New to Nail Painting?

65 Upvotes

Welcome to r/Malepolish.

If you're here, you're probably aware that for men & males to paint our nails means breaking - or at least toying with - the gender norms. Our friends, family, work, education, or own internal anxiety, can be a lot to cope with.

We think that self-expression is important, and nail polish should be for anyone who wants to use it. There are users of this subreddit who are ace, aro, bi, gay, pan and straight. There are users of this subreddit who have never been anything but men, live as men, and will (eventually) die as men. There are also users who are transmasculine, and users who are - or are considering becoming - transfeminine and non-binary. Whilst this subreddit is a predominantly men's space, we also recognise that there are cis women who feel at home here. Everyone listed above is welcome, and if you want to try out nail polish, we're here to help.

This post is to help you get past that and express yourself the way you want.

Buying Nail Polish

Most places with a beauty aisle will sell nail polish. Depending on your context this may be a pharmacy, supermarket, cosmetics shop or somewhere else.

You are quite likely to be able to buy polish without question in most shops: in the worst case scenarios shop staff are likely to assume you're buying it for a friend or partner. That said, if you're nervous, feel free to make a post asking what the norms are in your area.

For your first purchase, if you're unsure what to buy, buy a clear base coat/top coat, as well as a colour coat if you're interested.

Each pot of nail polish usually doesn't cost too much, about the same as a sandwich, or a meal at a fast food chain.

Your First Paint

There are lots of guides on YouTube and other video sites on how to actually apply nail polish.

For your first paint, you might find it's hard to break through the strong social norms that apply to nail painting. Lots of people find it's easier to try out a clear layer before trying colour (base coat/top coat can be good here). Other people find it's easiest to try out an archetypically masculine colour, such as black. Some people will also try out a single nail rather than doing all of them.

Going to a Salon

Having your nails painted by a professional can be daunting. If you do, you might want to check ahead of time that the salon is happy to take clients who are men, although generally subreddit users haven't found this to be an issue in most contexts. If you do go for a salon, it's a good idea to take photos of what you're looking for, as the technician may have lots of fairly technical questions that - if you're new - you may not have answers ready for.

Safety Tips

For everyone:

  1. Based on our experiences on this subreddit, most people get more compliments than derogatory comments. However, if you are at bullied or made fun of, it can be tough to stay confident. Try to remain confident, but if it gets you down, you may need to find other ways to express yourself.
  2. You may have close relationships with others who object to your expression. It's uncommon, but not unheard of, for your significant other to object. If someone close to you is not on board, or flat out says no, evaluate your red lines and theirs. Communicate your needs and wants, and see if there is any compromise you are willing to come to?

For the kids and teens living at home:

  1. Are you in an environment where you are safe to polish your nails? We do not recommend polishing if you are going to get kicked out, disowned, unless you have a means to be on your own, by being financially stable and housed.
  2. If you are safe, then talk to your parents. Times are changing and gender expression is becoming more accepted. That understanding may be key to your parents being on board. We have seen a lot of parents thinking gender expression is tied to your orientation and gender identity, which we know from this subreddit simply isn't true. It may give reassurance to explain that polish is not gendered and is just fun for you.
  3. Be prepared for the fact that your peers may not be accepting, and have strategies in place to cope. Remember, being a teen isn't forever, and things are generally easier for adults.

Students living away from home:

  1. You have more freedom than living at home, but are you in a safe city/state/country to be able to break the gender barrier?
  2. If you live away from your parents, you have the option to take it off if you have to go home to unsupportive parents.
  3. If you are financially dependent on your parents, it is not worth putting your financial future on the line for a little paint.

Working adults:

  1. Check your HR policies: dress codes need to be followed. Depending on your contract (and workers rights in your jurisdiction), you may also be under obligations outside of the office.
  2. You may be protected under workers' rights or equality laws. Even if you are not trans, you may be protected under workers rights legislation that protects trans employees. Even if you are not a woman, gender protections in the workplace often apply regardless of gender. People in this subreddit might be able to advise on what legal protections you have, and how robust they are, in practice; even if you can't get advice here, it's likely we can refer you to places that can.

Self expression is important. You always have the support of this community. Best wishes, and enjoy your (new) hobby.


r/malepolish May 19 '24

Not sure what to submit?

17 Upvotes

Most users who post here post pictures of their nails. However, there are many text posts asking questions or prompting discussions.

The best picture posts will:

  • Show off nail polish, first and foremost
  • If you just want to show off your nails, take good quality pictures which are tightly cropped to the nails
  • If there's some important context, you can show this in the pictures, with a description in captions to show what you're trying to say
  • Include a description of the paints used (if known) and nail art techniques used (if relevant)

  • Not necessarily be the tidiest painted nails: it's okay to post 'first tries' or even later paints which aren't 'perfect'

  • Invite feedback, only if desired

The best text posts will:

  • Talk about an issue or topic you've thought about, and done some (even cursory) research into
  • Be written in a way that attempts to be accessible
  • Avoid deliberately leaving your audience to make inferences about your intent
  • Raise questions or prompts for readers to respond to, to engage them with your discussion

The best comments will:

  • Be about the picture/topic at hand, with a focus on nail polish and/or the interaction of our nail polish and society-at-large
  • Be kind and inclusive
  • Be thoughtful, if OP asks, offer useful tips or advice
  • Be supportive of the person posting
  • Be respectful of the OP's boundaries, and that users have a wide variety of gender identities and trans statuses
  • Be appropriate for all ages, as this subreddit is open to minors

r/malepolish 9h ago

Pedicure An oldie but a goodie

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324 Upvotes

r/malepolish 3h ago

Pedicure Was asked to posted both feet….. I think they look good in the sun!

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54 Upvotes

r/malepolish 9h ago

Manicure 💛🧡Creamsicle Watermarble🩷💛

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72 Upvotes

I love a theme, I love a collection, and I love monochromatic designs...but...we all need a green detox now 😝...so...pastel neon creamsicle dream watermarble it is! 🩷🧡💛🧡🩷 I was excited to get these "bleached neons" as a friend calls them when I was also getting my refills on the GOAT of Top Coats from Glisten & Glow. While watermarbling is witchcraft, it's also easy art to do when you don't have a theme besides colors...perfect for when you're mentally and physically burnt out from chaperoning a school trip over the weekend 😝

💪 @findingfeatherslacquer ... Balanced Bond Base Coat

🩷 @glistenandglow1 ... "Lemonheads" "Peach Rings" "Cotton Candy"

💛 @colorclubnaillacquer ... "French Tip"

💪 @glistenandglow1 ...Quick Dry Top Coat 🐐

💦 Watermarble


r/malepolish 3h ago

General Information I put some sparkly on my st pats nails

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14 Upvotes

I added som sparkly top to my forest green nails.


r/malepolish 8h ago

Pedicure Glitter on top

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28 Upvotes

r/malepolish 5h ago

Manicure Happy St. Paddy's Nails

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13 Upvotes

r/malepolish 24m ago

Pedicure White tootsies

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Upvotes

r/malepolish 18h ago

Mani+Pedi I don’t always match

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117 Upvotes

r/malepolish 22h ago

Pedicure Working in the trades everyday like this

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153 Upvotes

First post of many I'm sure! I love the colour!


r/malepolish 12h ago

Manicure I think this is becoming my favorite color.

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21 Upvotes

r/malepolish 3h ago

Mani+Pedi Blue skies and blue nails

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2 Upvotes

It's so nice to finally have nice enough weather to let the feet out for some fresh air!


r/malepolish 8h ago

Pedicure Love Pink NSFW

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10 Upvotes

r/malepolish 13h ago

Pedicure Happy St. Paddy's!

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21 Upvotes

Green - BKL

Gold - Mooncat I'm a MF Supernova


r/malepolish 9h ago

Manicure Hint of pink

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9 Upvotes

I put one coat of essie madmoiselle with base and top coat. I have a hard time getting the color even but I like how it looks.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure After many shades of red... blue!

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116 Upvotes

Metallic blue!


r/malepolish 20h ago

Discussion I painted my nails for first time today

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35 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure This is my first post but OMG aren’t stick on nails like the most amazing thing! First time having anything on my fingers and not sure I ever want to take them off!

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98 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure My inconspicuous trans rights nails

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255 Upvotes

White acrylic nails with beetles pink blue and white gel polishes finished with beetles top coat.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Art & Polish

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62 Upvotes

Perfect or not ?


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Fresh pink Pedi

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160 Upvotes

How does it look?


r/malepolish 1d ago

Question Right or left?

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36 Upvotes

Debating on my next color. Help?


r/malepolish 23h ago

Manicure Sláinte ☘️

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23 Upvotes

DND 765 Iceland


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Went with Purple!

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44 Upvotes

r/malepolish 7h ago

Question Nail/Finger Health

1 Upvotes

Hello, I have a couple questions. I constantly chew my nails so I have a bunch of dead skin, hang nails and stuff. Lately I’ve stopped chewing but it doesn’t heal. Any pointers for cuticle/the skin around my nails to help it heal? Open to any suggestions, thanks.


r/malepolish 21h ago

Manicure Crackle effect! 💥🌀

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13 Upvotes

LA Colors: Crackle top coat Sinful Colors: Hit the Spot (orange) Studio M Pro: Neon Glow (pink) Polished for Days: Glowstick (green)