Forget basic nails–male manicures are bigger and bolder than ever. Check out today’s most unexpected men’s nail polish trends.
From Bad Bunny to Harry Styles, today’s celebs are making men’s nail art part of their signature look–and they’re not being shy about it. From vibrant lacquer to youthful art, men who paint their nails are reshaping trends in the men’s beauty and grooming industry. Beyond the usual male manicure done in nude tones, today’s nail varnish trends showcase the unexpected, such as long extensions and smiley face nail art.
Haven’t dipped your toes into the guy manicure scene yet? No worries–we’ve got you covered with all the necessary men’s manicure info from what’s trending to DIY tips. Scroll down for must-try men’s nail polish trends of the moment.
WHY DO GUYS PAINT THEIR NAILS? THERE’S A HISTORY
Surprisingly, nail art for men has deep historical roots. Long before modern trends, ancient Babylonian men actually painted their nails as a war tactic to intimidate their enemies. Over in ancient Egypt, male royals both performed and recieved nail treatments, also used for afterlife preparations. During the Chinese Ming dynasty, elite men flaunted long nail extensions to showcase their status, further indicating they were above manual labor.
Nail designs for men were also a big part of pop culture. Icons like Iggy Pop, Kurt Cobain, Freddie Mercury, Prince, and Johnny Depp were all pioneers of nail art on men, embracing male manicures before they became mainstream. Today, male nail designs have evolved into powerful forms of self-expression and creativity, breaking free from historical status symbols. So, next time you catch men with painted nails, don’t forget there’s a long history behind it.
WHAT’S HOT NOW: MEN’S NAIL POLISH TRENDS TO TRY
NAIL TREND: MISMATCHED SHADES
Remember when you were a kid and couldn’t pick just one crayon to use? In the same attitude, there's something youthful about men wearing nail polish in mismatched shades. As seen on Harry Styles at the 2019 Met Gala, mismatched nail colors for men are even good enough for the red carpet.
Manicure Tips: There’s no right or wrong method of achieving mismatched nails for men. You can experiment with two, three, or even ten different nail colors across all fingers. Simply pick out your favorite colors and start painting.
NAIL TREND: Y2K NAIL ART
The Y2K aesthetic is not only making a major comeback in fashion, it’s also taking men’s nail designs by storm. Among men’s nail polish trends, this one features iconic Y2K-inspired symbols, such as smiley faces, peace signs, graphic flames, yin-yang symbols, checkerboard patterns, evil eyes, and blackletter font.
Manicure Tips: You can certainly paint nail art for guys by hand, but it does require artistic skill. As an alternative, try nail stickers for an easier, faster, and more affordable option.
NAIL TREND: ARTIFICIAL NAIL EXTENSIONS
From Ben Platt’s femme nails to Machine Gun Kelly’s gothcore nails, men’s nail extensions are having a moment. Artificial nails for men come in all shapes, sizes and formulas, including hard gel, acrylic, silk wrap, and dip powder. It really comes down to personal preference.
Manicure Tips: If you’ve never handled artificial nails for men before, we recommend starting with press-on nails before getting into professional-grade equipment. You can also head to any local salon and ask for nail extensions. To spice up your nails, you can also ask for gems, chains, spikes, etc. (usually for an additional charge).
DIY GUIDE: HOW TO DO YOUR MANICURE FOR MEN AT HOME
Curious to try the latest nail polish trends for men? We’ve got you covered with the most streamlined collection of men’s nail polish and nail care products. Among them, our exclusive Kinx x Differio Peel-Off Nail Polish is perfect for beginners (no nail polish remover required!). You can also find salon-grade nail polish by top brands like Context.
Check out this quick guide on how to do your own nails so you can master any men’s manicure at home.
STEP 1: CREATE A CLEAN BASE
Start with clean nails by removing any debris. If you have excess dirt under your nails, use a nail cleaner or nail brush (found in most nail kits) and rinse with soap. Follow up with a moisturizer if you’re prone to dry hands.
STEP 2: TRIM & FILE
Always trim your nails before adding polish–an essential step for guys with painted nails to achieve a polished look. Use a nail clipper to cut your nails to any desired length. You can also use a nail file to buff out unevenness.
STEP 3: PAINT ON COLOR
Start with a base coat, which is basically just clear nail polish that’s formulated to extend wear and protect nails. It’s not a mandatory step but it prevents chipping. Once dry, paint any nail polish for men over the base coat. Apply at least 2 coats, or until you’re satisfied.
STEP 4: DECORATE & SEAL
Finish with a clear top coat to protect and seal the nail varnish. For that ~extra~ effect, you can add nail decor, like stickers, gems, etc. before applying the top coat. Like base coats, top coats are not mandatory, but recommended for better results and color longevity.
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What do you think of guys with nail polish? Share your thoughts on men’s nail polish trends below!
