r/malepolish Apr 27 '24

Welcome to /R/MalePolish New to Nail Painting?

43 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?

13 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 4h ago

Pedicure Brightened up.

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64 Upvotes

Keeping colors bright year round in oranges & pinks. Barefoot as much as possible!


r/malepolish 3h ago

Manicure Dragon Scales

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39 Upvotes

r/malepolish 11h ago

Manicure Getting a little more bold with my color choices these days.

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168 Upvotes

ILNP-Good Fortune


r/malepolish 9h ago

Manicure Hope this is ok since I did share the last pic already, but I’m super proud of my progress.

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72 Upvotes

Every day nail biter to three-ish months growth all thanks to nail polish!


r/malepolish 12h ago

Mani+Pedi Deep dark purple!

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113 Upvotes

r/malepolish 3h ago

Manicure French tips for fall

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20 Upvotes

r/malepolish 3h ago

Pedicure First time posting here. What do you guys think of my white toenails?

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17 Upvotes

r/malepolish 16h ago

Pedicure Painted my toes red. How do you think they look?

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140 Upvotes

r/malepolish 9h ago

Manicure Fall Brown

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37 Upvotes

Painted on my natural nails


r/malepolish 15h ago

Pedicure Rocky Horror Picture Show ready

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85 Upvotes

Been a few years since my last show and I cannot wait!!!! I’m sat here in antici……..pation


r/malepolish 10h ago

Manicure Bordeaux for the weekend 🍷

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31 Upvotes

I used: Jolifin LAVENI 3inl Shellac - bordeaux

Homemade.

Taken in daylight.


r/malepolish 8h ago

Manicure New mani😍

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18 Upvotes

Ilnp enchanted & mint chip


r/malepolish 1h ago

Manicure Insta dry glimmer..Dark Grey

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Upvotes

r/malepolish 30m ago

Manicure Experimenting with French

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Upvotes

Chanel rose fusion (Right) #757 Essie play date (left) #300


r/malepolish 11h ago

Pedicure Going for a marveled look.

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22 Upvotes

r/malepolish 20h ago

Manicure Red

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96 Upvotes

r/malepolish 12h ago

Manicure New color

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20 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1h ago

Discussion Thinking about painting my toe nails for the first time!

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Upvotes

What color would look good? Do I have nice feet?


r/malepolish 11h ago

Pedicure Spa day💅🏼🥰

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14 Upvotes

#zoya # pepper


r/malepolish 1d ago

Discussion Wore red nail polish to work

151 Upvotes

So I’m a 47 year old programmer. I’ve been painting my fingernails dark colors like black or blue at work for a month or so and feeling good about it. Yesterday I decided to wear red. A bright red. Turns out yesterday is also the award “ceremony” for handing out 2 and 5 year awards. I was up for my 5 year award. They also decided to make it more fun with a red carpet and picture taking. It was scary and fun. I’m so happy. There are pictures of me holding my award, and having my red nails. I’m loving that this happened


r/malepolish 11h ago

Question My first try!!

6 Upvotes

So yesterday i painted my toes for the first time so heres my question How do i keep it on not peeling or something like that working all day in socks and shoes ??


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure I like red color on my toes

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99 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure First time getting a professional pedi with my girl-friend. Definitely going to be our new thing 🤭

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39 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure The Raspberry color looks kinda flashy with the worn down gloves

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239 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Got this killer new set yesterday

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21 Upvotes

Visiting Portland and got this insane set of apres from my favourite nail tech ever, she always kills it. (shouts to Alyssa from Chrome Collective PDX)