Saturday, March 13, 2010

title pic Men Wearing Nail Polish, Fad or New Trend?

Posted by beautyqueen on July 20, 2009

Men Wearing Nail Polish, Fad or New Trend?

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Nail polish and wearing nail polish has always been a bit one-sided. Something women did all the time and guys well they shied away from it because it might make them seem less cool. Thinking it might make them less of a guy or possibly thought of as gay. Not so, but you know how things go. Fast forward a few years and we got rockers, actors all wearing nail polish, usually black and usually on their fingernails for all the world to see.

Now I have been doing research on this very subject because it fascinates  me and well because one very nice guy brought to my attention that he wears nail polish not on his nails, but his toes!!

Everyone has a reason why we start doing something. One guy’s reason was because he happens to be a runner and black and blue toe nails are just ugly! His wife covers hers ( she is also a runner) with nail polish and  after a bit he started. Now you can read more about his thoughts in the article I have now in the side bar there. Take get a chance  and read his article that he so thoughtfully wrote for me called Nail Polish for Men? Its  one’s guys point of view on this subject..

Now think about it, today men can order anything they want off the web without some women behind a counter making strange faces at him because he says the nail polish is for him not his wife or girlfriend.

I guess I have a issue with closed minded people. I had lots of emails from other men that I can’t share here because I said I wouldn’t  but most say they are just normal men, who just happen to like how nail  polish looks on their toes. One guy has been wearing it for over 25 years! And other told me he wears it but his wife doesn’t care for it, but she agrees that self expression with nail polish is a lot easier to get rid of then say a tattoo.  And the bottom line is, really, it is just another way of self expression… I think I would rather see a guy with nail polish on his toes after a pedicure then some of the body art I have seen.

Now we have another one guy’s point of view on this subject  who even has been kind enough to let us use his picture!

Mark's Toes

This is from a email that Cindy of BB Couture received and as been kind enough to send it on to us:

Hi Cindy,

I figured I would take a moment to let you know a little about me. I’m a handsome 48 year old (but look very much like a young 30’s) clean-cut light complexion nice looking black male, I was born in long beach, California. I was once married for 14 years, I have no children, i have no current girlfriend and I’m not gay! I love some feminine things that women do and I love women!

My favorite celebrity is Hugh Hefner. I’m a very open minded guy and I love to talk. I’m very serious about my feet and wearing nail polish and I’m about to get my nose pierced with a small diamond!. one of my goals is to walk hand in hand with a lovely lady down the Venice beach boardwalk with sandals on with my toenails perfectly polished for the world to see!

And Cindy, don’t ever be afraid to ask me anything, even if it’s personal, because I want you to know me as a person and I’m very interested in getting to know you as a person and business person.

From time to time, I do wear the french pedicure and I am very open to wear any foot jewelry or any color of nail polish!......and I love your nail polish Cindy, it’s very lasting and goes on so good.

After I have these upcoming photos done and sent to you, I would be very interested in meeting you personally Cindy…. and I thank you for your compliment on my toes, you have good taste lady!.. Mark If you would like to contact Mark  his email address:
mmpancakes@gmail.com

What Mark is talking about is Cindy of BB Couture is coming out in August a set of nail polishes with men in mind. It will be called BB Couture for Men.

After reading that and reading Nail Polish for Men? You can see its two different type of men who just happen to enjoy nail polish.

What is about men wearing nail polish? Are we as women afraid it will make our manly men less manly?  Now I happen to be very opened minded and feel what ever makes you happy, then do it along as it stays within the law and the law of good taste.

Truth be told its not a gay thing, (I even checked on this fact) Shout to my best bud A. Diva! I had a chat with her about this very subject and she filled me in on this misconception. Not a gay thing!    Today everyday straight  men are going to get pedicures done because they have found out why women enjoy them so. Not all men are into colors of nail polish, lots just want to wear clear or not at all.

Now here is a quote from a email from my buddy Jake who happens to be helping with the creation of BB Couture for Men:

Jake's Toes

Kim,

When you talk to guys about wearing nail polish, I think it depends a lot on the guy.  If you are intending that you want to interest the most men with the least amount of ‘alienation’ , then I would suggest the following colors in medium to darker shades: gray, black, brown, green and blue.  Silver (actually platinum – not chromy-silver) is a color that I really like too. Some guys like to wear purple and red, but most don’t.  Very few like to wear pink.  And surprisingly, many say they like glitters, but those are usually the closet wearers.

The new mattes coming out are definitely not considered as feminine as gloss finishes, so yes, this is a good way to introduce men to nail polish if they haven’t tried it before.  I have read many comments on some nail blogs that women like the way matte looks more ‘masculine’ and tough.  There is always the matte finish topcoat too (by Orly, Zoya and OPI) to change a glossy polish to a matte.  I have heard that Zoya’s works and looks the best of these.

All in all, guys have preferences just like women, only we tend to make decisions for different reasons.  We (most of us guys anyway) are not trying to attract a male who likes bright flamboyant colors.  We’re just wanting to spice up our look a bit and add some interest with color.  Anything that will look decent and not ‘loud’ will usually work for men.  Think about how this works with men’s clothing vs women’s.  Guys typically prefer to wear less-bright colors often while women love to wear something that stands out – and it looks good on them!

I am curious to see how this new direction for your marketing ideas will turn out, Kim.  It should be very interesting!  Thank you for asking my opinion.

Jake

Now I want to open this up for discussion ladies AND men… what are your thoughts about men wearing nail polish? And from the guys.. would you?

PS: If I step on your toes, or you don’t care how I am looking at this subject, please let me know that as well. I just want to hear what everyone else thinks.. and you can’t hurt my feelings, I have children!!


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