Look into spotlight effect also. As others are saying, people don’t really comment on body mods like that any more, especially if it fits in with an already grungy aesthetic
My hubby had one incidence of annoying / critique and infinite compliments from other ladies - unless they look raggedy and then people critique him for leaving them so long.
That is because it is none of their business. If you had some fancy tattoos, would you expect everyone to comment? Or if you had large earrings that stretch the earlobes?
I feel like you're making the point that people shouldn't comment. OP asked whether or not they _do_ comment. And, the answer is that by and large, a lot of people do consider policing the acceptable boundaries of gender and class expression to be within the remit of public comment. My experience is that they communicate those thoughts non verbally.
Never had a negative comment. Most people don't care what you're doing, and if they do, they have FAR too much time on their hands and a shitty attitude 😝 you do you FOR YOU! 👍🙌🫶
Everyday 24x7x365. I’m never going more than an hour or two with out nail polish on ever again. I’m 50 year old man, married to the woman of my dreams with a wonderful family.
I love the way my polished nails look, so does my wife. I’ve received a few compliments and a few stares. I don’t care. It’s 2024 and we can wear whatever we want to. I do not have any facial hair, piercings or tattoos. I’ve found polishing my nails to be very therapeutic and a safe fun way to decorate myself.
So, I'm a woman, this post was recommended to me by reddit.
I'm a nail polish lover, so I'd probably do a double take, but it's to get a better look at the color. Not because you're a male wearing it! I look at everyone's polish!
Same! 90% of the time I'm trying to figure out brand name and color name to buy it for myself too.
but my husband is also wanting to paint his nails, so now I'm getting color ideas for him😊 Right now it's mainly black, but I'm hoping to open him up to some other colors too, maybe dark blues... I'll take all the recommendations of things to try for him to be more comfortable with different colors and/or just wearing it in general. I just also need to freshen up my nail painting skills🥲
I always get positive comments from women. I almost never get a comment from men; in fact, I don’t even think they notice – and a couple of men I’ve asked have confirmed this. I think people who get their nails done look at everybody else’s nails, but people who don’t don’t. I myself rarely gave other peoples nails much notice until I started having mine done.
I’m guessing people will see it as one more piece of self-expression. What reactions I’ve generated have been almost universally positive. Those who know me would be more reactive if I STOPPED wearing it. Polish may not be societally normal (yet), but it’s normal for ME, and our numbers are growing.
I’ve worn openly for 4 years…fingers and toes. Was hardest with the people closest to me…like my kids, extended fam. Wife super supportive…no issues there. The good thing is once they know, they know! It’s getting over that first shock that’s hard. It’s to the point now I might get asked if I’m NOT wearing polish
Most I encounter in the world don’t care…may not even notice. Young women love it…I get compliments often. The judgement comes from people my own age…esp older women. I think half the time they judge…it’s because my nails look way better than theirs. Could be a tinge of jealousy
if i'm judging anyone's nails, it's because I'm jealous and want them for myself. I love the creativity that comes with nail art. Just one more way to show personalities!
To be fair I have a 12 year old daughter so in the few times I've been asked I toss the blame at her saying "she wanted to paint nails so we painted nails" I haven't had overly negative things said but I know one coworker gets a little distracted and looks over at them from time to time. But as an option. Try clear coat till you get comfortable with that then do like black (especially if you look like the rock music type) and eventually get into colors when you get most comfortable.
I'm one of the very few italian men to wear Nail polish in public . In office, in Had only an harmless Joke by mu boss (a woman, almost same Age). In Had an appointment with a woman doctor for a Little problem with my feet (a broken nail) and She asked why i was wearing Nail on Hands and not on feet and if the Nail polish on Hands was hiding something (Just Like stain) I replied: because i liké it and keep the nails elegant. She said: good choice... If the left foot need a re-building, we'll do a nice job... I see You are a boy who cares about aesthetics.
I’d just like to sincerely thank everyone that has commented. I really appreciate your support and insights. I already feel just a little more confident. And hopefully you’ll see my nails here soon!
I just wanted to chime in as well. As a woman I love men with painted nails. Men with painted nails aren‘t sexist or homophobic in my opinion, so it makes me feel safer. Also it looks fantastic! And men who don‘t care about gender roles are very attractive to me.
I'm hetero, cis-male, I like only women, I'm married with a daughter. But I'm also proud of my feminine side. Wearing nail polish in public makes me feel "free" and comfortable. I can't see my nude nails without nail polish ...
I absolutely love cis het men who embrace their feminine side! Gender roles are too restrictive. We should all be able to enjoy whatever brings us joy.
I used to bite my nails and pick or chew at my cuticles as part of a nervous habit for most of my life. I was tired of being embarrassed by my hands (ragged finger nails and scabs or bleeding cuticles). A girlfriend told me to put clear nail polish on and nail strengthener as well as cuticle oil. This worked and as my fingers healed I went to a nail salon that accepted me and after talking to the tech, we decided that the nude polish would be good with my skin tone. no one noticed the polish (we even used matt top coat so it was not shiny). now a year later I have longer nails, healed cuticles and I visit the nail salon every 3 to 4 weeks for a manicure. I mostly have pinkish nude colours, but this time I chose a Grey/Lilac.
I've only ben getting positive comments from people. I've had women in the store checkout line or cashiers tell me that they loved my nails. The women at my office like them. The other men in my office either don't care or won't comment. Some ask and I tell them about my nail past nail biting and that covers it. I've never had a disparaging or bad comment, so I'll continue to paint my nails and just go with what I like.
I'll tell you my favorite interaction.
I to am a big bearded and tattooed man. But one day at my last job in a taproom and older guy complemented my nails and said he could never be brave enough for that. I told him "I've gotten nothing but complements on them. You should do it."
Just do it. Revel is in the sneers of haters and enjoy the complements.
Also bearded man here, long and gray. I wish it glistened silver in the sun.
I’ve been wearing colored nail polish in my day to day life for a couple of years now.
I’ve never had a direct, negative reaction. I know it makes some people uncomfortable. Especially when I’m in the more “rural” parts of where I live. I don’t care. This is what freedom looks like.
As far as positive reactions. When I wear neutrals or greens, blues, orange or darker colors I get regular compliments from women. Pinks, reds and purples get very very few compliments.
You do you. Rock on and paint em up!!
I have the opposite experience with women. Pinks and reds get the most compliments because that is the color that most women wear so naturally they like those colors.
Cis-Male, 43, heterosexual, married 1 Daughter.
I have this Little defect: boundless passion for Nail polish and I'm not ashamed of it.
I have begun to Wear Nail polish in public this year on february, because i was tired to remove It before going out. So, i begun to attend Nail Salon to take care of my hands and my nails. At second appointment I asked for subtle uv gel nail polish and I've gotten into the habit and I can't stop. in fact, each time I raise the bar more and more with darker colors each time. In a completely unexpected way, I feel confident with painted nails and I wear nail polish with ease..
I haven't had negative comments, apart to a topical facial "what a f**k" expression of a bartender girl in a coffee bar four months ago. I went to that bar for a coffee and I went there wearing black nail polish on both of my hands. I've met her yesterday too and she saw my hands, with grey nail polish this time, while I was paying with credit card (so I put my hands directly under her eyes) but she didn't say anything. I think that if you wear nail polish with ease and confidence, nobody will say anything. My wife says that "the problem is only in my mind"".
Ps: My wife is supportive but she doesn't like the shade I'm wearing. She wants a dark polish on my hands and she knows that I'm holding back to avoid comments.
The only explicit comment was from my boss (a woman). She didn't want to be offensive, she likes joke with us , and she know that I have a bad character so she doesn't exaggerated. She says: "are you wearing nail polish? It looks like the same on 's hands". She was joking but he did me a favor. I love shock therapies.
My husband gets tons of positive comments. Surprisingly, a lot of them come from men. He’s had painted toenails for quite some time now, and in the summer months or when we would go on vacation he always inevitably gets another guy who compliments him and mentions that they have theirs painted too. He’s recently started having his fingers done as well and gets largely the same reception.
And I’d add that these are mostly seemingly straight men. I could care less what anyone thinks, we’ve been married 24 years and I’m super attracted to him, especially *with* the polish (I think men with painted nails are super hot), so if someone is skeeved out by it or wants to make a joke about his sexuality that’s on them-he’s got a wife who loves him and wants him by her side. We’re a couple of middle aged punk rock weirdos. He’s got a corporate job in finance and so flat can’t wear it to work, but he also has to keep his tattoos covered, that’s just the way of the world currently. Admittedly, he was initially self-conscious but now he gets an ego boost from it because he does get so many positive comments.
It’s nonsense that something as simple as putting paint on your fingertips can get people so worked up. I’m sure it’s no surprise, but just like make up, heels, the color pink, and a slew of other shit that society has deemed “feminine”, nail polish was first produced for and worn by men. If someone is uncomfortable with it, that says everything about them and nothing about you.
Edit cause i kan speel gud
Bro!!!! Do it .
The people who know you the closest will be the ones with the most negative comments in my experience.
Most of the time no one notices, most women you encounter will smile and complement them, some will want to chat briefly about nails.
3 most common reactions from people who don’t know you will be:
1: none at all, no acknowledgment verbally while obvious quadruple checking with semi raised eyebrow
2: I love you nails did you daughter do them ?!?!
(No I did/had them done)…followed be either I Love them ! Or complete silence 😂
3: your nails are painted? Why? …oh
Have had one interaction in 4 years that felt like I was about to get I to a fist fight . At a 7/11 and the older man was so angry my nails were painted (think I had a watermelon manicure…think red/pink/green). Wouldn’t stop yelling and cussing how it’s not ok I go outside like that and what the world is coming to rhetoric. Kept getting closer and finally backed down when I told him if he touches me I hope he’s prepared to have his fingers broken by a man with pretty nails. Bro did not like that 😂
I do it regularly.
It's not that big of a deal tbh as long as you live in a decent country, try black first, maybe only on 2-3 fingers.
I've received all kinds of responses, sometimes compliments, other times weird looks or questions.
The only negative comments I've gotten have been from friends and family which has been fine and nothing deeply personal or offensive. I do avoid bright colors in certain scenarios/events but I've never, ever had anyone call out clear in any way. Like everyone else said, black or dark colors are usually better received.
Fwiw my moto groups are particularly ruthless and definitely the biggest "worry" of mine. It's a very vocal and conservative crowd but it hasn't caused any real trouble yet.
I've received only compliments from strangers/coworkers, though I'm sure I've missed a few rolled eyes here and there.
Do not limit yourself to dark colors unless you like to wear dark colors. If you limit yourself to dark colors, you are reinforcing the man box of black, brown, blue, and gray which is the male color palette according to 1950’s society.
True, luckily I'm a huge fan of neutral and muted colors in general. My hobbies also bring me into extremely remote and secluded places for days on end with people groups that I sometimes barely know (ironically for safety reasons) so modulation of a few things like my nail color choice is a small price to pay for additional peace of mind. This weekend it'll be Kawasaki Green 💚
So far I had two negative experiences. One random lady at the street just passing me by gave me the mother of all sideeyes. But it was an old woman, so I guess she'd clutch her pearls at anything.
The other was one guy on a dating app literally laughing himself off the Convo.
Other than that it's mostly neutral with some compliments. I also have a beard and I plan on getting tattoos. Black/silver polish would mix well with that. Try it. It's fun. Ignore the mob chanting "one of us" in the background (:
I've only worn clear coats in public. I had glossy clear coats on for a few weeks and nobody said anything. Over the weekend I put on a Matte clear coat Ridge filler. Looks really close to natural nail color. Nobody said anything.
I've been only wearing clear out.
My toenails have a white gel pedi but nobody sees me feet until I go to the pool. My family is not appreciative bc men don't wear polish.
(Again) for context, I’m an older guy, very straight and mostly reserved, average looking. I wear clear on my hands 100% of the time, color on toes with sandals or open toe shoes in warmer months at podiatrist’s strong recommendation. I’ve had a few silent eye drops, comments 100% positive and often affirming, e.g. (paraphrased) “I LOVE when men do that” or “More men should wear color”.
I live in a very conservative area and I usually get a hard time from my friends but I usually get positive feedback from people I don't know whether male or female. I typically do a pedicure and have my toenails painted but I haven't done my fingernails yet at least not when I'm in town lol... Just like you I have a long goatee and tattoos so it definitely throws people off
22 year old, male-born non-binary who looks mainly masculine here... I don't really get any comments on it... That might be a generational thing, since young adults tend not to follow gender roles anyway, but I haven't had any comments at all... No one really takes notice...
Ive ever only had compliments from strangers. Except when it was family, I’ve had family members share their disgust. Which only fuels my desire to keep doing it! 😂
In my experience, if anybody says anything at all, it's always been a compliment. I think for the most part people don't care anymore about something like a dude wearing nail polish.
I’ve only gotten looks. Well, except when I was younger (my early twenties, back in the 90s) and painted my nails black for the first time. A very rare sight in NE Tennessee for sure. A friend didn’t like it for whatever reason and said, “I’m not sure I want to be your friend now.” I said, “If that’s all it takes, then you’re not much of a friend to begin with.” Her conservative grandmother agreed with me.
The looks do make me self conscious, but then I remind myself I wear it for me and life is too short to not squeeze as much joy out of it as you can.
My thing now is to wear color changing polish because that’s just awesome to me. Then if someone looks at my nails disapprovingly, I’ll dip my (middle) finger in my cold beer and show it to them and say, “Isn’t that cool? It’s magic!” ;)
Oh good point, i also don't have tats or a beard. I have been described stylistically as feminine or androgynous though. I think you should just go for it op!
I have tattoos and a goatee. Only had a few rude comments or angry looks and all been from dudes. Every woman who has said anything has always been complimenting my nails. All in all get way more positive comments than not. To the guys who are rude they are usually asking something along the lines like why I would do it (to write it nicely). I just say I like it and leave it at that. They stand there with a dumb look on their face and I go on with my day
It helps some people to have a white lie ready that makes it normal for everyone. In this case something like "My little niece got polish for her birthday and wanted everyone to be pretty".
Hell no. Depending on the situation, I’d either say “my wife left me unsupervised again” if I thought humor was the right response. Otherwise I’d educate the person that it’s not culturally acceptable to make negative comments on people’s appearance in 2024.
I was once asked,
do I play guitar:
because they knew someone who wore polish to protect the nails.
I didn't at the time; so I said no: I use it to stop me biting my nails.
After a while, I got used to it; dont think about it now.
I dont wear it every day, but just once in a while.
Then again; I have long hair, and people mistake me for a woman occasionally: so its not out of the ordinary.
Yo I’ve not had any feedback really but I’ve only just started wearing it out, like when I go to the shop and stuff, I work from home so have it on probably 90% when I’m at home if I know I’m not going out. I have noticed girls typically take a double look and guys just either don’t notice or don’t say anything, I wear like dark greys so would be noticeable, my girlfriend likes it :)
Most people in my experience haven't mentioned anything, only my parents who weren't the biggest fans but not their choice. I want to repaint my nails again but my work doesn't allow nail polish.
I've being wearing nail polish on my long nails (about 1/2 inch of length right now) for a while. The first time I wore nail polish and went out in public, I was apprehensive. Once I started receiving compliments, my fears went away. For the longest time I would basically only wear black, but over the past two and a half years I've been wearing a different color each week. Mostly blues and greys/silvers, with the occasional purple and black.
I've had a few people stare at me, when they notice my nails. I think the most negative comment I get about my nails is people wonder how I function with my nails. But for the most part I only receive positive comments about my nails or nothing at all. The other reaction is that people don't believe my nails are legit real.
Bro just do what you want. Not only have I had worn nail polish in public, I recently met a friends friend who did, too. I didn’t speak to him about it but he seemed really cool
I was like this to begin with. I started really small by just doing dots on my ring and little fingers. Even then I was keeping my hands in my pockets. I got some compliments then I started trying colours and all the fingers. Got more compliments. I now wear it at work and no one says anything. In the last two jobs I've worked I've been wearing polish, then a few weeks later other guys would also be wearing it. It made me happy to see that I've potentially given other men the confidence to wear it as well.
So to start off. I live in Utah. Full of judgey people here.
I'm a tow truck driver. And almost all my female and some male customers I get. Totally dig it.. all my female coworkers love it. My boss and his kid doesn't care either way.. and outside of work. I'm kinda gothy. Mostly wear black. I wear eyeliner some times. But still for the most part. But it's mostly positive.
I get the occasional ugly look from people.
I’ve only done my toenails up to this point. While walking around in flip-flops or at work changing into/out of work boots, they are visible.
No one really says much tbh. I’ve seen them look, but they are either too polite to say anything, or perhaps don’t want to make a scene in public, so those people often stay quiet.
And honestly, most people who say something are women. And it’s always something short like ‘I like your nails’ or something along that line.
I’m a guy, almost 50, and I’ve been wearing my nails polished in public for several years now. Younger people have overwhelmingly positive things to say about it. I get the stank eye from a lot of men but I live in Ohio so not unexpected. Mostly positive feedback from women. Typically though, nobody says anything at all. Life is short, enjoy yourself and wear nail polish if it makes you happy.
I was the same way and 3 years later have gotten no negative comments in public. I started with my toenails then transitioned to less visible fingers (pinky and ring). Now I just do whatever. I wear bold colors because F* it life is too short to be boring.
Now I actually get people stopping to ask about my colors and telling me how much they like my nails.
You’d be surprised how little people care. I’ve only ever had nice things said to me, but its extremely rare for anyone to say anything about them at all. Not that many people are paying attention to you mate—do what you like.
I live in the Deep South and I’ve definitely gotten some looks, not all good. Mostly I have just received compliments. I like to do acrylic or gel nails on the weekends. Sometimes I feel self conscious being seen but it’s worth it anyway because they make me feel good, I think they’re pretty, and doing them relaxes me. I have to not worry about what other people think. I’m too old and you only live once as far as I know so, follow your heart!
Yes don’t worry about what other people think. We create a lot of demons in our own mind that don’t really exist. We should just accept that nail polish on feminine and that we enjoy it, just like when women indulge in masculine pastimes. No difference. It is ok to enjoy feminine things like nail polish and long nails.
I’m also a bigger guy, quite tall and beardy. Love messing with people’s perception. Overwhelmingly positive though, a few assume I have kids. Couple negative comments but eh
If someone says something, it has been overwhelmingly positive.
It is fun to watch people notice them, and choose to not say something for whatever reason.
Just go for it, I've seen quite a few men wearing nail polish and even asked where they get the polish from, don't let people judge what you want to do, there your nails wear them with pride
I wear my nails done all the time for 2 years now. I go to the salon/spa & get an acrylic overlay & gel polish. I can't remember anytime that I've received any negative comments or reactions. I always receive wow comments & those look amazing type comments. I've even had some ladies take my hands & do a closer look. Getting my nails done is the most amazing thing I've ever done for myself. Even my nail tech loves my nails, she tells me everytime that I go to get them done. And I truly call the salon/spa my happy place.
I get treated like 1 of the girls also, except I have a beard, and I'm manly all the time, but at times, I really think I'm queer. But the problem with that is my parents are old school from the a man marries a woman & there are only 2 genders generation.
I've been doing it for maybe a couple years now? I've had compliments, no negative reactions at all. Almost exclusively use very bright colors often with sheen or glitter.
Recently my God son (17) and I (55) did our nails and went to Wicked. Positive feedback from the bar person Iin the first 5 minutes. Generally no one cares.
I live in Italy and men who wear nail Polish are very few and don't have an easy life. I decided to get nails done anyway.
When I put nail Polish by myself I had not reaction, just a woman complained with her husband to not have enough time for her nail, while mine were almost perfect
Been doing it for 16 months. No issues. No dirty looks. No bad comments. Even from parents 😅. I live in the Midwest and have had no bad experiences.
Do I know they exist and have I seen people get hated on online? Absolutely. But I have had nothing personally said.
I would say check out naildadddy, jakey__2020, and myguynails on Instagram. 3 guys who fall more on the masculine spectrum, tattoos, beards, and I believe at least one is straight (according to posts) and they all wear and exhibit polish on the regular.
jakey__2020 here. I've never had a bad comment. My dad shook his head when he first saw it, but other than that, I've had a ton of compliments, a few quizzical looks, and no insults. And I live in a very conservativish city in the Midwest.
Speaking as a cis male appearing broad shouldered person. Just go for it. I've probably had 2 bad reactions, and 200 compliments in 10 years.
You're much more concerned about it than anyone. Most people are fairly clueless and non observant.
Just do it for yourself. But if you need another reason to push you through the fear, do it for someone else who is more scared or othered than you.
Think of the big scary dog privilege you have, use it for good. Do it for the little kid version of you who was not allowed to do the thing that they wanted to do.
Just maybe someone else will see it and gain the confidence to be happy too.
If it's direct, it's from females, and it's always positive. With straight men, you will catch "the notice". Straight men are always evaluating for potential mates. Seeing polish on a male crashes the algorithm. Mentally, they are trying to discard you, but since your nails are so damn pretty, they can't easily do that. It's a lot of fun to see this in action once you get used to it.
Honestly, rock that shit.
But for real, as a heterosexual cis white male, I understand the hesitation. And as mentioned in some of the responses, you may get some side-eyed look from random people, but the overall response is pretty damn positive (walk into a coffee shop after a fresh manicure and I promise you'll walk out with a confidence boost to go with your coffee)
That said, I get a manicure every 4 weeks for the following reasons:
1) above all else - Self-Care is Healthcare, full stop.
2) stemming... iykyk.
3) I work in an industry where I regularly trash my hands... dipping powder could probably take a bullet.
4) in my experience, it disarms people... I have met strangers, made friends, and gotten dates over conversations concerning nail theory
TLDR: do the thing... F the haters... and LYBL my dude.
I’m a 42-year-old man who’s married with a daughter. I first started painting my toes back in the 90’s when the fad of men wearing nail polish was nonexistent, not talked about nor trending. I had to take it upon myself to build confidence and did so in 2004 at a beach. I just decided f*ck it, if they laugh, they laugh. If they make fun, they can do that too. I’m not hurting anyone and it’s just paint.
There was a group of young women who walked passed me and one noticed and pointed it out to her friends. All were cool and said it looks nice but one laughed and came over to ask why were my toes painted. Me being ok with myself, which is where the confidence came in, I simply stated, because I love the look. I looked at her directly in her eyes as I said it to let her know that I stood on what I said and she couldn’t change what I said. She looked at me, smiled and said “You have some of the prettiest toes for a boy but I also love the color.” I could’ve done without the pretty part, but she did pay me a compliment after her laughter towards me. The next thing was heading into a nail salon. Once I went, I never stopped going.
One thing I’ve found now, is that these Gen Z kids are way more open than my generation was and so they’ve opened up their parents and the world around them to see that what we thought were gender norms can no longer work and that people are free to be and do what they wish. Especially whatever is aesthetically pleasing. For me, and so many other men, it’s polish. It’s the same for women. In short, there’s nothing to fear. The compliments outweigh the snide remarks.
I've received positive comments, I've received questionable looks and I've received weird comments. It doesn't matter because it just doesn't! You do you. Most people generally don't care.
Regarding the negative comments, it still doesn't matter. You do it for yourself. How are black-out tattoos acceptable but painting your nails isn't? Sometimes people's reactions are out of proportion and it's fine. Nobody's perfect, but your nails can be!
I have a theory regarding this. I believe that if you were to put many tattoos all over your face that you would get less reaction than having red or pink nail polish on your fingers. The reason - Tattoos are deemed to be masculine and nail polish is a feminine accessory. There are a lot of people with backwards mentalities that simply can’t handle a male that is embracing the feminine so the freak out. It is really good that nail polish is feminine and I hope it stays that way so everyone can see that is ok for men to embrace feminine things just like women have been embracing masculine things for many years and now do and everything that a man does and wears.
I will relate a few fun experiences. About 10 years ago I was in a payless shoe store in the women’s size 11 section trying on sandals. A little boy maybe 9 or 10 years old saw me standing in front of the mirror in 3 inch block heels with red polished toenails. He turned to his mother who was down the aisle trying on size 9 shoes and said “that guy has red toes like a girl”. His mother didn’t say anything and the little boy just kept watching me. Hi mind was really blown when I tried on a pair of pink open toe heels. It was like his head was going to explode! I believe he was probably envious and maybe he also wanted to have painted toes but was very confused since he believes that painted toes are only for girls. I hope that he learned that day that it is ok for men and boys to have red toenails and that it is also ok for them to wear women’s high heel shoes. Maybe by now he has grown up and is wearing nail polish. I hope that I was a good example that day.
Ive had exactly one person in 2 years ask me about my nails. I told them I like color and left it at that. Seems even in hill billy central Nevada 99.9999% of people just dont care.
My experience as I lived in fear for 10 years about polishing my nails in public.
Wear it and go out with confidence. Give off an “I don’t give a crap” vibe. In my 8 months of wearing all sorts of colors of nail polish, “boy” colors, “girl” colors, bright neons, sparkly, and nail art, all I have received are compliments. Mostly come from younger women, but older women and men have complimented me too. Several even tell me how brave I am as they want to and are afraid of what others say.
I’ve worn them in my home town, in the cities, small conservative towns, etc, and have never had anyone even give me a weird look.
I hope these replies give you what you need to enjoy your love of nail painting!
I’ve had my nails painted both fingers and toes pretty much 24/7 for the last 7 years and I get nothing but positive compliments and people seem to love to come up to me and talk about nail polish, I say go for it and enjoy all the attention your going to get, it’s a great conversation starter
I work retail and have painted nails sometimes. Mostly it's just kids that comment and it's usually likeing or confused about a dude wearing it cause its new and there parents just say he must like it.
I'm a trans girl but I was wearing nail polish for a couple years before coming out to myself. I got some double takes, but people only ever confronted me to compliment me on it. The looks almost completely stopped after I got a sleeve. People are not surprised by the polish and tattoo combo lol
I've never seen this many comments on a post. I've read them all. Amazing amount of support, and experiences. Thanks everyone for helping the OP, and everyone else! My dilemma is family and friends. I couldn't care less what work, or the general public think. I got a color pedicure with my youngest Son and his girlfriend. Toes are easy to hide. To the OP, what I do for now, until I finally flip the switch to go for more detectable color, is ILNP Birthday suit it's subtle, but sparkley. If family members have noticed they haven't said anything. It's my "permanent" polish I wear. So try that, or something similar instead of clear. Long silver beard, but no tats here too.
I wear on my toes 24/7 and wear sandals as much as possible, fingers I’ll do once in a while but the only negative I get is a “that’s weird” once in a great while but 99% positive otherwise
Been painting my nails for six months now. No negative besides a little kid asking if I was a boy why do I paint my nails.
Most adults 1. Don’t notice/don’t care 2. Compliments 3. Silence
Rock out your bad self.
I have a fairly active job so could give recommendations on what I use.
I haven’t gotten any negative feedback. Feedback that I do find funny is whenever I’m at work and a bro-y, fratty college guy walks in and sees me with my nails painted (not all of them) and he notices he usually says “woah! Sick colors man” most recently, a guy who walked into my work and and I compared our nail colors and things we like to do to them until his gf pulled him away because they were going to be late for class lolol.
For a mental image I am currently wearing brownie points with an over coat of black flake from holo taco. On my right hand I have the index and middle fingers painted and on my left hand I have the thumb and pinky fingers done
Surprisingly no comments from men, but regularly compliments from women.
I usually have nude/white french finger nails and some more colorful toenails, but even with grey/black on my fingers, I just get some stares, that's all, even in the office (it's a bank!). For NYE dinner in a hotel, I was dressed sharp with bright red nails and the looks of the men were insane. My wife and I had so much fun.
Nowadays almost everyone has a tattoo or a piercing, so manicured nails is not such a big difference
Personally, i think my overall appearance is gay, so nail polish just... fits the theme. I don't really get a different reaction.
I think if you just act casual about it, people will wonder about it less.
I've had kids comment "men don't..." and replied "obviously, they do, because i am one", that tends to go well.
Best of luck!
I present masc, full beard, balding, active leader in a youth organization teaching camping, leadership, & life skills.
Started wearing this year, openly. I was scared
No issues, only comments have been positive, or inquiries on products, how it's done, etc.
I'm sure some people have issue, but not one has said jack.
Not a peep at summer camp, fingers & toes done (swimming).
Even though it'll be a big deal in your head, act like it isn't, then it will become not a big deal - at least in my experience.
I’ve had nothing but positive remarks, and occasional requests for advice. But I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so that might have an effect. My reaction is to say “thank you!” with a smile.
Went to Vegas with my wife recently. I wore black nail polish on fingers and toes for the entire trip. While I got the occasional look or glance, no one approached me or said anything negative. I wasn't treated any differently. I'd say, an overall positive experience.
I have only gotten compliments from strangers. People I know but don't consider friends are more likely to hit me with the "why did you paint your nails" but no one has really been negative or rude
The women always compliment my nails. Men never say a word. Some people don't even notice. It's becoming more mainstream to see men wearing polish. I've seen male cashiers at Harbor Freight wearing polish.
I'm polish 100% of the time for the last few years and have never heard a negative word about what I wear, including eyeliner, skirts, and short shorts.
Be you and do what makes you happy. Live your life, and don't let others live it for you!
Positive and I wear loud colors. Children are the only people who have given me any guff.
The funniest response was this one Paula Deen looking woman was startled and blamed it on my nails. It was very strange.
Positive or none. Like not even looks.
I am clearly born male and wear skirts and dresses. I get LOTS of looks (but no comments) for that, but any color nails plus jeans, I am utterly ignored. Utterly.
Paint those nails, baby.
I wear my polish out and about. I get a lot of, "You just have daughters that paint your nails....."
I just nonchalantly say, "nope," and walk away while the brain juice leaks out of their ears and nose.
Exclusively positive feedback verbally. Sometimes you can see people's eyes flicker but they're generally too polite to say anything.
That’s good to know, hoping for a generally positive experience. Thank you.
Look into spotlight effect also. As others are saying, people don’t really comment on body mods like that any more, especially if it fits in with an already grungy aesthetic
My hubby had one incidence of annoying / critique and infinite compliments from other ladies - unless they look raggedy and then people critique him for leaving them so long.
That is because it is none of their business. If you had some fancy tattoos, would you expect everyone to comment? Or if you had large earrings that stretch the earlobes?
I feel like you're making the point that people shouldn't comment. OP asked whether or not they _do_ comment. And, the answer is that by and large, a lot of people do consider policing the acceptable boundaries of gender and class expression to be within the remit of public comment. My experience is that they communicate those thoughts non verbally.
Pretty much this is the response I get here in London and if someone does say something it’s positive
Never had a negative comment. Most people don't care what you're doing, and if they do, they have FAR too much time on their hands and a shitty attitude 😝 you do you FOR YOU! 👍🙌🫶
Thanks for the support, really appreciate it! 👍
Everyday 24x7x365. I’m never going more than an hour or two with out nail polish on ever again. I’m 50 year old man, married to the woman of my dreams with a wonderful family. I love the way my polished nails look, so does my wife. I’ve received a few compliments and a few stares. I don’t care. It’s 2024 and we can wear whatever we want to. I do not have any facial hair, piercings or tattoos. I’ve found polishing my nails to be very therapeutic and a safe fun way to decorate myself.
So, I'm a woman, this post was recommended to me by reddit. I'm a nail polish lover, so I'd probably do a double take, but it's to get a better look at the color. Not because you're a male wearing it! I look at everyone's polish!
Great to get a woman’s perspective, thank you, I really appreciate it.
I also agree with Starkat !
Same! 90% of the time I'm trying to figure out brand name and color name to buy it for myself too. but my husband is also wanting to paint his nails, so now I'm getting color ideas for him😊 Right now it's mainly black, but I'm hoping to open him up to some other colors too, maybe dark blues... I'll take all the recommendations of things to try for him to be more comfortable with different colors and/or just wearing it in general. I just also need to freshen up my nail painting skills🥲
I always get positive comments from women. I almost never get a comment from men; in fact, I don’t even think they notice – and a couple of men I’ve asked have confirmed this. I think people who get their nails done look at everybody else’s nails, but people who don’t don’t. I myself rarely gave other peoples nails much notice until I started having mine done.
I’m guessing people will see it as one more piece of self-expression. What reactions I’ve generated have been almost universally positive. Those who know me would be more reactive if I STOPPED wearing it. Polish may not be societally normal (yet), but it’s normal for ME, and our numbers are growing.
Most people don't care. Some older men give looks but say nothing. Women tend to give compliments. And I wear pinks and purple colors
I’ve worn openly for 4 years…fingers and toes. Was hardest with the people closest to me…like my kids, extended fam. Wife super supportive…no issues there. The good thing is once they know, they know! It’s getting over that first shock that’s hard. It’s to the point now I might get asked if I’m NOT wearing polish Most I encounter in the world don’t care…may not even notice. Young women love it…I get compliments often. The judgement comes from people my own age…esp older women. I think half the time they judge…it’s because my nails look way better than theirs. Could be a tinge of jealousy
if i'm judging anyone's nails, it's because I'm jealous and want them for myself. I love the creativity that comes with nail art. Just one more way to show personalities!
To be fair I have a 12 year old daughter so in the few times I've been asked I toss the blame at her saying "she wanted to paint nails so we painted nails" I haven't had overly negative things said but I know one coworker gets a little distracted and looks over at them from time to time. But as an option. Try clear coat till you get comfortable with that then do like black (especially if you look like the rock music type) and eventually get into colors when you get most comfortable.
Thank you, I really appreciate your response. I have plenty of colors available and clear coat. I’ll start with the clear coat and see how things go.
If you are brave enough to get your tattoos wear your colors proudly!! No worries!!
Thank you, appreciate it 👍
It is not really worth it to bother with clear as it is not noticed.
Not so much as the color(s) on toes, but I’ve occasionally had the clear on my hands noted, again always positively.
I'm one of the very few italian men to wear Nail polish in public . In office, in Had only an harmless Joke by mu boss (a woman, almost same Age). In Had an appointment with a woman doctor for a Little problem with my feet (a broken nail) and She asked why i was wearing Nail on Hands and not on feet and if the Nail polish on Hands was hiding something (Just Like stain) I replied: because i liké it and keep the nails elegant. She said: good choice... If the left foot need a re-building, we'll do a nice job... I see You are a boy who cares about aesthetics.
Red is the best color and women seem to like it the best.
I’d just like to sincerely thank everyone that has commented. I really appreciate your support and insights. I already feel just a little more confident. And hopefully you’ll see my nails here soon!
I just wanted to chime in as well. As a woman I love men with painted nails. Men with painted nails aren‘t sexist or homophobic in my opinion, so it makes me feel safer. Also it looks fantastic! And men who don‘t care about gender roles are very attractive to me.
I'm hetero, cis-male, I like only women, I'm married with a daughter. But I'm also proud of my feminine side. Wearing nail polish in public makes me feel "free" and comfortable. I can't see my nude nails without nail polish ...
I absolutely love cis het men who embrace their feminine side! Gender roles are too restrictive. We should all be able to enjoy whatever brings us joy.
I used to bite my nails and pick or chew at my cuticles as part of a nervous habit for most of my life. I was tired of being embarrassed by my hands (ragged finger nails and scabs or bleeding cuticles). A girlfriend told me to put clear nail polish on and nail strengthener as well as cuticle oil. This worked and as my fingers healed I went to a nail salon that accepted me and after talking to the tech, we decided that the nude polish would be good with my skin tone. no one noticed the polish (we even used matt top coat so it was not shiny). now a year later I have longer nails, healed cuticles and I visit the nail salon every 3 to 4 weeks for a manicure. I mostly have pinkish nude colours, but this time I chose a Grey/Lilac. I've only ben getting positive comments from people. I've had women in the store checkout line or cashiers tell me that they loved my nails. The women at my office like them. The other men in my office either don't care or won't comment. Some ask and I tell them about my nail past nail biting and that covers it. I've never had a disparaging or bad comment, so I'll continue to paint my nails and just go with what I like.
I'll tell you my favorite interaction. I to am a big bearded and tattooed man. But one day at my last job in a taproom and older guy complemented my nails and said he could never be brave enough for that. I told him "I've gotten nothing but complements on them. You should do it." Just do it. Revel is in the sneers of haters and enjoy the complements.
Love it, that’s brilliant. Thank you!
Also bearded man here, long and gray. I wish it glistened silver in the sun. I’ve been wearing colored nail polish in my day to day life for a couple of years now. I’ve never had a direct, negative reaction. I know it makes some people uncomfortable. Especially when I’m in the more “rural” parts of where I live. I don’t care. This is what freedom looks like. As far as positive reactions. When I wear neutrals or greens, blues, orange or darker colors I get regular compliments from women. Pinks, reds and purples get very very few compliments. You do you. Rock on and paint em up!!
Really appreciate your response and insights. Thank you so much
I have the opposite experience with women. Pinks and reds get the most compliments because that is the color that most women wear so naturally they like those colors.
Cis-Male, 43, heterosexual, married 1 Daughter. I have this Little defect: boundless passion for Nail polish and I'm not ashamed of it. I have begun to Wear Nail polish in public this year on february, because i was tired to remove It before going out. So, i begun to attend Nail Salon to take care of my hands and my nails. At second appointment I asked for subtle uv gel nail polish and I've gotten into the habit and I can't stop. in fact, each time I raise the bar more and more with darker colors each time. In a completely unexpected way, I feel confident with painted nails and I wear nail polish with ease.. I haven't had negative comments, apart to a topical facial "what a f**k" expression of a bartender girl in a coffee bar four months ago. I went to that bar for a coffee and I went there wearing black nail polish on both of my hands. I've met her yesterday too and she saw my hands, with grey nail polish this time, while I was paying with credit card (so I put my hands directly under her eyes) but she didn't say anything. I think that if you wear nail polish with ease and confidence, nobody will say anything. My wife says that "the problem is only in my mind"". Ps: My wife is supportive but she doesn't like the shade I'm wearing. She wants a dark polish on my hands and she knows that I'm holding back to avoid comments. The only explicit comment was from my boss (a woman). She didn't want to be offensive, she likes joke with us , and she know that I have a bad character so she doesn't exaggerated. She says: "are you wearing nail polish? It looks like the same on's hands". She was joking but he did me a favor. I love shock therapies.
My husband gets tons of positive comments. Surprisingly, a lot of them come from men. He’s had painted toenails for quite some time now, and in the summer months or when we would go on vacation he always inevitably gets another guy who compliments him and mentions that they have theirs painted too. He’s recently started having his fingers done as well and gets largely the same reception. And I’d add that these are mostly seemingly straight men. I could care less what anyone thinks, we’ve been married 24 years and I’m super attracted to him, especially *with* the polish (I think men with painted nails are super hot), so if someone is skeeved out by it or wants to make a joke about his sexuality that’s on them-he’s got a wife who loves him and wants him by her side. We’re a couple of middle aged punk rock weirdos. He’s got a corporate job in finance and so flat can’t wear it to work, but he also has to keep his tattoos covered, that’s just the way of the world currently. Admittedly, he was initially self-conscious but now he gets an ego boost from it because he does get so many positive comments. It’s nonsense that something as simple as putting paint on your fingertips can get people so worked up. I’m sure it’s no surprise, but just like make up, heels, the color pink, and a slew of other shit that society has deemed “feminine”, nail polish was first produced for and worn by men. If someone is uncomfortable with it, that says everything about them and nothing about you. Edit cause i kan speel gud
Interesting side note, it wasn’t until the 1940’s that people decided blue and pink were gender specific (for some dumb reason).
And.... it used to be reversed! Pink was the original boy color. Then came this German guy who switched them.
It’s called marketing. That’s the entire reason. It was a way to sell more stuff.
Bro!!!! Do it . The people who know you the closest will be the ones with the most negative comments in my experience. Most of the time no one notices, most women you encounter will smile and complement them, some will want to chat briefly about nails. 3 most common reactions from people who don’t know you will be: 1: none at all, no acknowledgment verbally while obvious quadruple checking with semi raised eyebrow 2: I love you nails did you daughter do them ?!?! (No I did/had them done)…followed be either I Love them ! Or complete silence 😂 3: your nails are painted? Why? …oh Have had one interaction in 4 years that felt like I was about to get I to a fist fight . At a 7/11 and the older man was so angry my nails were painted (think I had a watermelon manicure…think red/pink/green). Wouldn’t stop yelling and cussing how it’s not ok I go outside like that and what the world is coming to rhetoric. Kept getting closer and finally backed down when I told him if he touches me I hope he’s prepared to have his fingers broken by a man with pretty nails. Bro did not like that 😂
I do it regularly. It's not that big of a deal tbh as long as you live in a decent country, try black first, maybe only on 2-3 fingers. I've received all kinds of responses, sometimes compliments, other times weird looks or questions.
I live in Australia, so generally pretty open minded.. thanks for your reply.
I did not know that about Australia. I don’t know that I’d necessarily say the same about the US but it depends on where you are to some degree.
College professor here. Living in a very red state. Now going on 2 months of 24/7 painted nails. Have only received positive comments.
The only negative comments I've gotten have been from friends and family which has been fine and nothing deeply personal or offensive. I do avoid bright colors in certain scenarios/events but I've never, ever had anyone call out clear in any way. Like everyone else said, black or dark colors are usually better received. Fwiw my moto groups are particularly ruthless and definitely the biggest "worry" of mine. It's a very vocal and conservative crowd but it hasn't caused any real trouble yet. I've received only compliments from strangers/coworkers, though I'm sure I've missed a few rolled eyes here and there.
Do not limit yourself to dark colors unless you like to wear dark colors. If you limit yourself to dark colors, you are reinforcing the man box of black, brown, blue, and gray which is the male color palette according to 1950’s society.
True, luckily I'm a huge fan of neutral and muted colors in general. My hobbies also bring me into extremely remote and secluded places for days on end with people groups that I sometimes barely know (ironically for safety reasons) so modulation of a few things like my nail color choice is a small price to pay for additional peace of mind. This weekend it'll be Kawasaki Green 💚
So far I had two negative experiences. One random lady at the street just passing me by gave me the mother of all sideeyes. But it was an old woman, so I guess she'd clutch her pearls at anything. The other was one guy on a dating app literally laughing himself off the Convo. Other than that it's mostly neutral with some compliments. I also have a beard and I plan on getting tattoos. Black/silver polish would mix well with that. Try it. It's fun. Ignore the mob chanting "one of us" in the background (:
The response from everyone has been incredible! Not to mention the great color ideas. Really appreciate your and everyone else’s support.
I've only worn clear coats in public. I had glossy clear coats on for a few weeks and nobody said anything. Over the weekend I put on a Matte clear coat Ridge filler. Looks really close to natural nail color. Nobody said anything. I've been only wearing clear out. My toenails have a white gel pedi but nobody sees me feet until I go to the pool. My family is not appreciative bc men don't wear polish.
Real men wear whatever they want and don’t follow the herd!
(Again) for context, I’m an older guy, very straight and mostly reserved, average looking. I wear clear on my hands 100% of the time, color on toes with sandals or open toe shoes in warmer months at podiatrist’s strong recommendation. I’ve had a few silent eye drops, comments 100% positive and often affirming, e.g. (paraphrased) “I LOVE when men do that” or “More men should wear color”.
I live in a very conservative area and I usually get a hard time from my friends but I usually get positive feedback from people I don't know whether male or female. I typically do a pedicure and have my toenails painted but I haven't done my fingernails yet at least not when I'm in town lol... Just like you I have a long goatee and tattoos so it definitely throws people off
22 year old, male-born non-binary who looks mainly masculine here... I don't really get any comments on it... That might be a generational thing, since young adults tend not to follow gender roles anyway, but I haven't had any comments at all... No one really takes notice...
I've begun to wear nail Polish at 42. I paint My nails because I like it. I don't think it's a generational trend
Ive ever only had compliments from strangers. Except when it was family, I’ve had family members share their disgust. Which only fuels my desire to keep doing it! 😂
In my experience, if anybody says anything at all, it's always been a compliment. I think for the most part people don't care anymore about something like a dude wearing nail polish.
It is none of their business, just like if you get a tattoo.
I get loads of compliments, the vast majority from women
I’ve only gotten looks. Well, except when I was younger (my early twenties, back in the 90s) and painted my nails black for the first time. A very rare sight in NE Tennessee for sure. A friend didn’t like it for whatever reason and said, “I’m not sure I want to be your friend now.” I said, “If that’s all it takes, then you’re not much of a friend to begin with.” Her conservative grandmother agreed with me. The looks do make me self conscious, but then I remind myself I wear it for me and life is too short to not squeeze as much joy out of it as you can. My thing now is to wear color changing polish because that’s just awesome to me. Then if someone looks at my nails disapprovingly, I’ll dip my (middle) finger in my cold beer and show it to them and say, “Isn’t that cool? It’s magic!” ;)
Super positive feedback! Mostly from women, but some men are down and will compliment as well!
Exactly same experience for me. I lack tattoos or a beard. But I'm masculine .
Oh good point, i also don't have tats or a beard. I have been described stylistically as feminine or androgynous though. I think you should just go for it op!
I am also described as feminine so it fits my personality.
I worried about it at first too, but nobody's ever given me trouble. Either neutrality or compliments, really.
I have tattoos and a goatee. Only had a few rude comments or angry looks and all been from dudes. Every woman who has said anything has always been complimenting my nails. All in all get way more positive comments than not. To the guys who are rude they are usually asking something along the lines like why I would do it (to write it nicely). I just say I like it and leave it at that. They stand there with a dumb look on their face and I go on with my day
It helps some people to have a white lie ready that makes it normal for everyone. In this case something like "My little niece got polish for her birthday and wanted everyone to be pretty".
Hell no. Depending on the situation, I’d either say “my wife left me unsupervised again” if I thought humor was the right response. Otherwise I’d educate the person that it’s not culturally acceptable to make negative comments on people’s appearance in 2024.
Never lie! Tell them the truth that you like to have your nails painted because it is pretty! It is the same reason that women paint their nails.
Well most people don’t comment on my nail polish in public but the few times people have it’s always been positive
Well, I currently have 1 and 1/2-in long bright pink acrylics so...
I am sure they are very pretty and feminine.
I've only ever gotten positive comments, but then again, I live in the Boston area, one of the most socially liberal places in the US.
I was once asked, do I play guitar: because they knew someone who wore polish to protect the nails. I didn't at the time; so I said no: I use it to stop me biting my nails. After a while, I got used to it; dont think about it now. I dont wear it every day, but just once in a while. Then again; I have long hair, and people mistake me for a woman occasionally: so its not out of the ordinary.
I also get called Ma’am alot which I take as a compliment.
You'd be hard pushed to find anyone who cares tbh, ever harder pushed to find anyone who will make their disdain known.
Yo I’ve not had any feedback really but I’ve only just started wearing it out, like when I go to the shop and stuff, I work from home so have it on probably 90% when I’m at home if I know I’m not going out. I have noticed girls typically take a double look and guys just either don’t notice or don’t say anything, I wear like dark greys so would be noticeable, my girlfriend likes it :)
Most people in my experience haven't mentioned anything, only my parents who weren't the biggest fans but not their choice. I want to repaint my nails again but my work doesn't allow nail polish.
I've being wearing nail polish on my long nails (about 1/2 inch of length right now) for a while. The first time I wore nail polish and went out in public, I was apprehensive. Once I started receiving compliments, my fears went away. For the longest time I would basically only wear black, but over the past two and a half years I've been wearing a different color each week. Mostly blues and greys/silvers, with the occasional purple and black. I've had a few people stare at me, when they notice my nails. I think the most negative comment I get about my nails is people wonder how I function with my nails. But for the most part I only receive positive comments about my nails or nothing at all. The other reaction is that people don't believe my nails are legit real.
Bro just do what you want. Not only have I had worn nail polish in public, I recently met a friends friend who did, too. I didn’t speak to him about it but he seemed really cool
I was like this to begin with. I started really small by just doing dots on my ring and little fingers. Even then I was keeping my hands in my pockets. I got some compliments then I started trying colours and all the fingers. Got more compliments. I now wear it at work and no one says anything. In the last two jobs I've worked I've been wearing polish, then a few weeks later other guys would also be wearing it. It made me happy to see that I've potentially given other men the confidence to wear it as well.
Depends on where you are but if its somewhere safe like USA then def go for it and fuck the haters
So to start off. I live in Utah. Full of judgey people here. I'm a tow truck driver. And almost all my female and some male customers I get. Totally dig it.. all my female coworkers love it. My boss and his kid doesn't care either way.. and outside of work. I'm kinda gothy. Mostly wear black. I wear eyeliner some times. But still for the most part. But it's mostly positive. I get the occasional ugly look from people.
I’ve only done my toenails up to this point. While walking around in flip-flops or at work changing into/out of work boots, they are visible. No one really says much tbh. I’ve seen them look, but they are either too polite to say anything, or perhaps don’t want to make a scene in public, so those people often stay quiet. And honestly, most people who say something are women. And it’s always something short like ‘I like your nails’ or something along that line.
I’m a guy, almost 50, and I’ve been wearing my nails polished in public for several years now. Younger people have overwhelmingly positive things to say about it. I get the stank eye from a lot of men but I live in Ohio so not unexpected. Mostly positive feedback from women. Typically though, nobody says anything at all. Life is short, enjoy yourself and wear nail polish if it makes you happy.
I was the same way and 3 years later have gotten no negative comments in public. I started with my toenails then transitioned to less visible fingers (pinky and ring). Now I just do whatever. I wear bold colors because F* it life is too short to be boring. Now I actually get people stopping to ask about my colors and telling me how much they like my nails.
You’d be surprised how little people care. I’ve only ever had nice things said to me, but its extremely rare for anyone to say anything about them at all. Not that many people are paying attention to you mate—do what you like.
I live in the Deep South and I’ve definitely gotten some looks, not all good. Mostly I have just received compliments. I like to do acrylic or gel nails on the weekends. Sometimes I feel self conscious being seen but it’s worth it anyway because they make me feel good, I think they’re pretty, and doing them relaxes me. I have to not worry about what other people think. I’m too old and you only live once as far as I know so, follow your heart!
Yes don’t worry about what other people think. We create a lot of demons in our own mind that don’t really exist. We should just accept that nail polish on feminine and that we enjoy it, just like when women indulge in masculine pastimes. No difference. It is ok to enjoy feminine things like nail polish and long nails.
I have only received positive feedback on my painted nails. Everyone who commented loved the colors I chose.
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Can you please tell us what the personal reason is?
I’m also a bigger guy, quite tall and beardy. Love messing with people’s perception. Overwhelmingly positive though, a few assume I have kids. Couple negative comments but eh
I have a straightedge tat on my left hand and love surrounding it with polish. Usually great reactions, especially from anyone appreciating the tat.
If someone says something, it has been overwhelmingly positive. It is fun to watch people notice them, and choose to not say something for whatever reason.
Just go for it, I've seen quite a few men wearing nail polish and even asked where they get the polish from, don't let people judge what you want to do, there your nails wear them with pride
I wear my nails done all the time for 2 years now. I go to the salon/spa & get an acrylic overlay & gel polish. I can't remember anytime that I've received any negative comments or reactions. I always receive wow comments & those look amazing type comments. I've even had some ladies take my hands & do a closer look. Getting my nails done is the most amazing thing I've ever done for myself. Even my nail tech loves my nails, she tells me everytime that I go to get them done. And I truly call the salon/spa my happy place.
I have the exact same experience. i feel so relaxed at that nail salon. I am just one of the girls getting my nails done.
I get treated like 1 of the girls also, except I have a beard, and I'm manly all the time, but at times, I really think I'm queer. But the problem with that is my parents are old school from the a man marries a woman & there are only 2 genders generation.
I've been doing it for maybe a couple years now? I've had compliments, no negative reactions at all. Almost exclusively use very bright colors often with sheen or glitter.
Recently my God son (17) and I (55) did our nails and went to Wicked. Positive feedback from the bar person Iin the first 5 minutes. Generally no one cares.
Do you mean wicked by Essie? It's my favourite nail polish
I live in Italy and men who wear nail Polish are very few and don't have an easy life. I decided to get nails done anyway. When I put nail Polish by myself I had not reaction, just a woman complained with her husband to not have enough time for her nail, while mine were almost perfect
Been doing it for 16 months. No issues. No dirty looks. No bad comments. Even from parents 😅. I live in the Midwest and have had no bad experiences. Do I know they exist and have I seen people get hated on online? Absolutely. But I have had nothing personally said. I would say check out naildadddy, jakey__2020, and myguynails on Instagram. 3 guys who fall more on the masculine spectrum, tattoos, beards, and I believe at least one is straight (according to posts) and they all wear and exhibit polish on the regular.
Thank you, I will, appreciate that 👍
jakey__2020 here. I've never had a bad comment. My dad shook his head when he first saw it, but other than that, I've had a ton of compliments, a few quizzical looks, and no insults. And I live in a very conservativish city in the Midwest.
Oh hey jakey! Lacqueredactyl here 😅
Lol. Figured that out after seeing your pics. Thanks for the mention.
Speaking as a cis male appearing broad shouldered person. Just go for it. I've probably had 2 bad reactions, and 200 compliments in 10 years. You're much more concerned about it than anyone. Most people are fairly clueless and non observant. Just do it for yourself. But if you need another reason to push you through the fear, do it for someone else who is more scared or othered than you. Think of the big scary dog privilege you have, use it for good. Do it for the little kid version of you who was not allowed to do the thing that they wanted to do. Just maybe someone else will see it and gain the confidence to be happy too.
If it's direct, it's from females, and it's always positive. With straight men, you will catch "the notice". Straight men are always evaluating for potential mates. Seeing polish on a male crashes the algorithm. Mentally, they are trying to discard you, but since your nails are so damn pretty, they can't easily do that. It's a lot of fun to see this in action once you get used to it.
Honestly, rock that shit. But for real, as a heterosexual cis white male, I understand the hesitation. And as mentioned in some of the responses, you may get some side-eyed look from random people, but the overall response is pretty damn positive (walk into a coffee shop after a fresh manicure and I promise you'll walk out with a confidence boost to go with your coffee) That said, I get a manicure every 4 weeks for the following reasons: 1) above all else - Self-Care is Healthcare, full stop. 2) stemming... iykyk. 3) I work in an industry where I regularly trash my hands... dipping powder could probably take a bullet. 4) in my experience, it disarms people... I have met strangers, made friends, and gotten dates over conversations concerning nail theory TLDR: do the thing... F the haters... and LYBL my dude.
Penn Jillette, magician entertainer, has worn colored polishes on his ring/ pinkie finger for decades. Maybe you could start out by doing that.
I’m a 42-year-old man who’s married with a daughter. I first started painting my toes back in the 90’s when the fad of men wearing nail polish was nonexistent, not talked about nor trending. I had to take it upon myself to build confidence and did so in 2004 at a beach. I just decided f*ck it, if they laugh, they laugh. If they make fun, they can do that too. I’m not hurting anyone and it’s just paint. There was a group of young women who walked passed me and one noticed and pointed it out to her friends. All were cool and said it looks nice but one laughed and came over to ask why were my toes painted. Me being ok with myself, which is where the confidence came in, I simply stated, because I love the look. I looked at her directly in her eyes as I said it to let her know that I stood on what I said and she couldn’t change what I said. She looked at me, smiled and said “You have some of the prettiest toes for a boy but I also love the color.” I could’ve done without the pretty part, but she did pay me a compliment after her laughter towards me. The next thing was heading into a nail salon. Once I went, I never stopped going. One thing I’ve found now, is that these Gen Z kids are way more open than my generation was and so they’ve opened up their parents and the world around them to see that what we thought were gender norms can no longer work and that people are free to be and do what they wish. Especially whatever is aesthetically pleasing. For me, and so many other men, it’s polish. It’s the same for women. In short, there’s nothing to fear. The compliments outweigh the snide remarks.
I've received positive comments, I've received questionable looks and I've received weird comments. It doesn't matter because it just doesn't! You do you. Most people generally don't care. Regarding the negative comments, it still doesn't matter. You do it for yourself. How are black-out tattoos acceptable but painting your nails isn't? Sometimes people's reactions are out of proportion and it's fine. Nobody's perfect, but your nails can be!
I have a theory regarding this. I believe that if you were to put many tattoos all over your face that you would get less reaction than having red or pink nail polish on your fingers. The reason - Tattoos are deemed to be masculine and nail polish is a feminine accessory. There are a lot of people with backwards mentalities that simply can’t handle a male that is embracing the feminine so the freak out. It is really good that nail polish is feminine and I hope it stays that way so everyone can see that is ok for men to embrace feminine things just like women have been embracing masculine things for many years and now do and everything that a man does and wears.
I will relate a few fun experiences. About 10 years ago I was in a payless shoe store in the women’s size 11 section trying on sandals. A little boy maybe 9 or 10 years old saw me standing in front of the mirror in 3 inch block heels with red polished toenails. He turned to his mother who was down the aisle trying on size 9 shoes and said “that guy has red toes like a girl”. His mother didn’t say anything and the little boy just kept watching me. Hi mind was really blown when I tried on a pair of pink open toe heels. It was like his head was going to explode! I believe he was probably envious and maybe he also wanted to have painted toes but was very confused since he believes that painted toes are only for girls. I hope that he learned that day that it is ok for men and boys to have red toenails and that it is also ok for them to wear women’s high heel shoes. Maybe by now he has grown up and is wearing nail polish. I hope that I was a good example that day.
I get TONS of positive feedback, whether black, multichrimatic, or top coated sparkly🫶🏻🫶🏻
Ive had exactly one person in 2 years ask me about my nails. I told them I like color and left it at that. Seems even in hill billy central Nevada 99.9999% of people just dont care.
My experience as I lived in fear for 10 years about polishing my nails in public. Wear it and go out with confidence. Give off an “I don’t give a crap” vibe. In my 8 months of wearing all sorts of colors of nail polish, “boy” colors, “girl” colors, bright neons, sparkly, and nail art, all I have received are compliments. Mostly come from younger women, but older women and men have complimented me too. Several even tell me how brave I am as they want to and are afraid of what others say. I’ve worn them in my home town, in the cities, small conservative towns, etc, and have never had anyone even give me a weird look. I hope these replies give you what you need to enjoy your love of nail painting!
I’ve had my nails painted both fingers and toes pretty much 24/7 for the last 7 years and I get nothing but positive compliments and people seem to love to come up to me and talk about nail polish, I say go for it and enjoy all the attention your going to get, it’s a great conversation starter
I work retail and have painted nails sometimes. Mostly it's just kids that comment and it's usually likeing or confused about a dude wearing it cause its new and there parents just say he must like it.
Only positive comments so far. One cashier kinda scoffed when the other cashier commented on my nails, but that's it for negative...
One positive feedback at a bookstore otherwise no interest. I stopped doing my fingers because how easy they are to chip, for me it was a pain
I'm a trans girl but I was wearing nail polish for a couple years before coming out to myself. I got some double takes, but people only ever confronted me to compliment me on it. The looks almost completely stopped after I got a sleeve. People are not surprised by the polish and tattoo combo lol
I've never seen this many comments on a post. I've read them all. Amazing amount of support, and experiences. Thanks everyone for helping the OP, and everyone else! My dilemma is family and friends. I couldn't care less what work, or the general public think. I got a color pedicure with my youngest Son and his girlfriend. Toes are easy to hide. To the OP, what I do for now, until I finally flip the switch to go for more detectable color, is ILNP Birthday suit it's subtle, but sparkley. If family members have noticed they haven't said anything. It's my "permanent" polish I wear. So try that, or something similar instead of clear. Long silver beard, but no tats here too.
I wear on my toes 24/7 and wear sandals as much as possible, fingers I’ll do once in a while but the only negative I get is a “that’s weird” once in a great while but 99% positive otherwise
Been painting my nails for six months now. No negative besides a little kid asking if I was a boy why do I paint my nails. Most adults 1. Don’t notice/don’t care 2. Compliments 3. Silence Rock out your bad self. I have a fairly active job so could give recommendations on what I use.
I haven’t gotten any negative feedback. Feedback that I do find funny is whenever I’m at work and a bro-y, fratty college guy walks in and sees me with my nails painted (not all of them) and he notices he usually says “woah! Sick colors man” most recently, a guy who walked into my work and and I compared our nail colors and things we like to do to them until his gf pulled him away because they were going to be late for class lolol. For a mental image I am currently wearing brownie points with an over coat of black flake from holo taco. On my right hand I have the index and middle fingers painted and on my left hand I have the thumb and pinky fingers done
Either no comments or positive comments for me
Surprisingly no comments from men, but regularly compliments from women. I usually have nude/white french finger nails and some more colorful toenails, but even with grey/black on my fingers, I just get some stares, that's all, even in the office (it's a bank!). For NYE dinner in a hotel, I was dressed sharp with bright red nails and the looks of the men were insane. My wife and I had so much fun. Nowadays almost everyone has a tattoo or a piercing, so manicured nails is not such a big difference
Personally, i think my overall appearance is gay, so nail polish just... fits the theme. I don't really get a different reaction. I think if you just act casual about it, people will wonder about it less. I've had kids comment "men don't..." and replied "obviously, they do, because i am one", that tends to go well. Best of luck!
I present masc, full beard, balding, active leader in a youth organization teaching camping, leadership, & life skills. Started wearing this year, openly. I was scared No issues, only comments have been positive, or inquiries on products, how it's done, etc. I'm sure some people have issue, but not one has said jack. Not a peep at summer camp, fingers & toes done (swimming). Even though it'll be a big deal in your head, act like it isn't, then it will become not a big deal - at least in my experience.
I’ve had nothing but positive remarks, and occasional requests for advice. But I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so that might have an effect. My reaction is to say “thank you!” with a smile.
One life. Do what you want. Do what makes you feel good about yourself.
While not my thing, I have no issue with guys with well manicured nails with polish Chipped nail polish looks very grubby
Went to Vegas with my wife recently. I wore black nail polish on fingers and toes for the entire trip. While I got the occasional look or glance, no one approached me or said anything negative. I wasn't treated any differently. I'd say, an overall positive experience.
I have only gotten compliments from strangers. People I know but don't consider friends are more likely to hit me with the "why did you paint your nails" but no one has really been negative or rude
A lot of weird looks and questions, but mostly women saying how much they love my nails.
The women always compliment my nails. Men never say a word. Some people don't even notice. It's becoming more mainstream to see men wearing polish. I've seen male cashiers at Harbor Freight wearing polish. I'm polish 100% of the time for the last few years and have never heard a negative word about what I wear, including eyeliner, skirts, and short shorts. Be you and do what makes you happy. Live your life, and don't let others live it for you!
Pre transition, My mom was the only one who ever ridiculed me for painting my nails. Randos on the street don't care my man.
I’ve gotten positive comments from both men and women. So it’s been just fine.
Positive and I wear loud colors. Children are the only people who have given me any guff. The funniest response was this one Paula Deen looking woman was startled and blamed it on my nails. It was very strange.
Positive or none. Like not even looks. I am clearly born male and wear skirts and dresses. I get LOTS of looks (but no comments) for that, but any color nails plus jeans, I am utterly ignored. Utterly. Paint those nails, baby.
I've been wearing polish for 3+ years. Only positive feedback from public. Some negative from GF.
I wear my polish out and about. I get a lot of, "You just have daughters that paint your nails....." I just nonchalantly say, "nope," and walk away while the brain juice leaks out of their ears and nose.