Hey everyone! Today I’m sharing with you the second in an open-ended series featuring everyday guys who have taken the leap into openly wearing nail polish. If any of you out there reading would like to take a crack at writing a guest post and showing off your swatches – hit me up at onegents@gmail.com!
Today’s post is from Wes, who contacted me via twitter. He seemed to have a lot of motivation and I liked his attitude, so I invited him to write a guest post. He followed up quickly.
Check out his story and swatch photos below!
- Scott
Wes says:
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by painted fingernails and toenails, and for just as long I have been attracted to women that wear nail polish.
However, I was brought up to believe that boys don’t wear nail polish and that it is only for girls. So I spent the first 31 years of my existence afraid to wear nail polish on my own hands.
Well no longer!
I started searching online for articles, blogs, or anything about men wearing nail polish. I was curious if I was the only man on earth that liked nail polish. Boy was I wrong!
I read post after post about guys that wore nail polish and how women were very supportive of it. The women all wanted their men to take care of their hands and feet and what better way to do it than getting a manicure and a pedicure.
After finding this encouraging information, I decided to begin down that path of wearing nail polish on my own hands.
I decided to take it slow at first. My first step was to stop biting my nails. I went to the store and purchase Hoof Hands Stop the Bite. This is a clear polish that is applied to the fingers and tastes horrible when bitten. This was a great first step, because it would allow my nails to grow naturally, which was essential before I could start painting them.
Next, I went for my first pedicure. This was a GREAT experience. The nail salon I found catered to men, which was a huge relief and surprise to me. I actually found that all nail salons tend to be very accepting, so guys don’t need to be scared to visit a nail salon.
During my first salon pedicure, I had my toes painted for the first time with a nice silver metallic color that matched my truck. I went out in public wearing this polish on my feet, and no one really noticed.
I had been afraid to paint my nails for so long because I was afraid of what people would say – and it turned out that I had little or nothing to fear after all!
Shortly after getting my pedicure, I found Scott’s blog. This blog was the push I needed. Scott showed that it doesn’t really matter if you’re a male; nail polish is for men and women.
Since finding One Gent’s Ten, I have acquired my first manicure and painted my nails.
I’ve gone out in public many times with my nails painted, and it turns out it really is OK for a man to wear nail polish. More men need to do so!
Since introducing my new habit to people I know, I have gotten a few ignorant comments: “Nail polish isn’t for boys,” “Guys aren’t supposed to wear nail polish,” and the obligatory “Are you gay?”
My response to these comments is usually something to the effect of – Nail polish is just that – polish, paint, nothing more. It enhances the look of your hands and feet, and that’s all!
I have also enjoyed many, many good comments: “I love your nails, what color is that?” or “OOO, You toes are pretty, are they purple?” and “I think it’s great that you are willing to push society’s standards.”
That last comment is a perfect tie-in, because that is exactly my goal – to push society so that they realize that men can wear nail polish if they wish.
The polish I am wearing in the included swatch photos is China Glaze Immortal from their Halloween 2012 collection. It is a dark grey with blue/purple/pinkish shimmer.
In closing, nail polish isn’t just for girls anymore – it’s for men also. Don’t let your fear of what people think stop you from wearing nail polish. Most people you encounter won’t care, and many will actually think it’s great that you do it.
Wes has been so inspired to spread the word that it’s ok for men to wear nail polish that he’s started a blog of his own! Check out his experiences at www.polishmemanly.blogspot.com.
14 comments
patrice wassmann says:
Nov 2, 2012
Great post! Thanks for sharing your story!
Jackie says:
Nov 3, 2012
No man should ever wear polish. Ever.
Jackie says:
Nov 3, 2012
I think you’re over-estimating how supportive women are about it, b/c I’m one and it just doesn’t work. Ever.
Susie says:
Nov 3, 2012
Thank you for sharing this. I enjoy reading your blog. I especially like this post. I wish more men would openly wear nail polish.
Lucy says:
Nov 26, 2012
Jackie, don’t let your opinion speak for other women. You have absolutely no grounds to say that the women who have given Wes positive remarks weren’t being sincere. I personally think it’s awesome, as well as many commenters on this blog, and Wes has a real point. It’s just paint. It’s a decoration. The only reason we view it as inherently feminine is because we have been raised in a society which says so. In the Egyptian period, men wore eyeliner, and skirts were a men’s garment before a women’s garment, just off the top of my head. Screw rigid gender roles and norms. :)
Drew says:
Dec 13, 2012
I agree with Lucy. My wife of 28 years likes that my hands and feet look well kept. She is actually a little mad that mine look better than hers. I have not received a negative comment yet.
Dave says:
Jan 1, 2013
I’m wearing Sally Hansen’s Ton of Bricks on my hands and feet for New Years. My wife and I were at a party last night, and after a few minutes of confusion by some of the other guests, if anyone mentioned it at all, it was either something like “that color looks nice on you” or “how long have you been doing your nails?”
It wasn’t all that long ago that only servicemen and convicts had tattoos, now they are perfectly acceptable on anyone. How long do you think it would take for people to accept nail polish on guys if more guys wore it?
Scott Gents says:
Jan 1, 2013
I gotta reply to this one, too Dave. Your experience sounds a lot like my own experiences. People generally don’t react at all, I think because they got used to guys wearing black nail polish about a decade ago, so they’re pretty ready to handle other colors.
I walked all around a southern city yesterday and today wearing Essie Smokin’ Hot with China Glaze Nova glitter accent nails. I got one direct compliment on them, and no one else reacted at all. I think people are ready to accept mail polish on guys now – we just need to blaze the trail. The more guys wear it, the faster it’ll become ‘normal.’
J says:
Apr 4, 2013
No chance… I still get comments, and usually not positive ones either. Most are neutral or mildly negative, i.e. “guys are starting to wearn nail polish now, eh” or some sarcastic remarks about them looking nice.
Steve McMillen says:
Jan 24, 2013
I have been wearing nail polish on my toes for years, and just recently started wearing the same colors on my hands. I have actually had no comments from anyone, but my wife is comfortable as long as the color blends with my skin tone. I’d really like to go to a salon and get them painted professionally. I think the age of men in nail polish is on the verge of opening up. Nice story, txs.
paintedmom says:
Feb 7, 2013
I must say I am a little angry at Jackie’s comment. Sure, that is her opinion, but it’s rude! Some opinions shouldn’t be expressed especially over something as harmless as nail polish. You don’t walk around telling people they are too fat, or can’t wear a certain type of shoe because you don’t like it.
I got pretty upset because my son LOVES to get his nails painted. Granted he is only 2 but when his nails are painted people look at me like I’m some psycho mom from planet Crazy. I never just paint his nails to paint them. He comes up to me with his fingers extended while I’m painting my own. Sometimes I don’t want to paint them because I am trying to finish my manicure, and he isn’t patient. So I have to paint at least a dot on all of his nails. He won’t stop urging me till every nail is painted! Trust me he notices even one nail that doesn’t have a dot. He always sees my nails and LOVES them. He says “wooooow” or tries saying “pretty”.
Jake says:
Feb 17, 2013
Hey Scott, I think it’s pretty cool that you started this blog because obviously there are quiet a few who have something to say about this. And I am also pleased to see the majority of the comments in support of men wearing nail polish.
My experience with this began when I was four, thanks to my sisters, but really got going about five years ago when my wife offered to paint my toenails. I’m pretty open-minded and like to experience new things, so this was fine by me.
I agree that the time has come where guys should take better care of their nails. And once they have nice nails, the polish just enhances the look.
Keep up the great attitude – and blog!
Scott Gents says:
Feb 17, 2013
Hey Jake!
Thanks for posting here…I know you’ve been somewhat of an old veteran in the men’s online nail polish movement, so I think it’s an honor to get your weigh-in!
I think nail polish on men is one of those thing that has no real roadblocks–the only remaining obstacles are in our own heads.
I’d love to have you guest post sometime…let me know if you’re interested!
Thanks again.
mark says:
Apr 2, 2013
and why would Jackie be so upset? it’s a bit of color on a usually drab canvas of male expression, so why so vehement?
history has shown ad nauseum that most women’s fashion was derived directly from men’s. but what she’s really saying, without realizing it it, is that this culture buys into the belief that being a girl is simply not good enough. to emulate a man is good stuff but any foray into what culture says is relegated to the girls is well, just wrong.
in an odd way Jackie, your way of thinking is keeping women down, keeping their status hindered, and basically hindering the entire race from self expression and happiness, for reasons you cannot possibly fathom, because it’s clear from the rather shallow comment that it is repeating a mantra that has no substance.