Celebrate this Father's Day with a little twist of iconic nail fashion. Gift your dad the effortless, chic male manicure with any of these designs!
Why Male Manicures Are More Than Just Pampering
From Kurt Cobain adorning the grunge aesthetic in the ‘90s to Bad Bunny featuring pastels, men have overcome the stereotype of manis being for women.
Male manicure sets offer benefits beyond grooming, including keeping your nails happy and clean and helping to prevent hangnails. Trimming and shaping nails keeps them strong and less prone to breakage, while caring for cuticles helps prevent ragged edges and dryness. Well-maintained nails help boost a person’s confidence and self-image.
Stepping further than clean nails, men can enjoy male nail art. Through subtle stripes, geometric designs, or even a single accent, nail art allows men to flaunt their personality and taste.
Finding Your Fit: Different Types of Male Manicures
Male manicure designs come in a variety of styles to suit you and your choices. Here are a few popular options for men:
- The Classic Clean: This basic service is the foundation of most male manicures. It includes cleaning under the nails to help remove dirt and bacteria. This is followed by carefully shaping the nail with a squared-off tip. Many newbies may opt for a subtle, clean look.
- Buff, and Shine: For a coat of polish, clear polish can be added on top of the classic clean look. This enhances the natural shine of your nails, leaving them looking happy and well-groomed.
- Color Confidence: If you're feeling adventurous, you can always choose color. Whether it is bright or muted or neutral tones like Black Glass, Blue Grass, or Monogram. Matte finishes can offer a sophisticated look compared to high-gloss.
- The Artful Accent: This option allows you to dabble in nail art without the commitment. Choose one or two accent nails on each hand for a subtle statement. Geometric patterns, stripes, or even a simple symbol or line can add a touch of personality.
Nail Art Inspo for Men
- Accents: If you're new to this, you can try manis with simple accents like symbols, patterns, or shapes for a clean, subtle look.
- Minimalistic: Minimalist nail art designs for men include thin stripes, geometric shapes, or a single accent nail. You can also add some color or gradients for some flare.
- Color Pop: Make those nails pop with some bright pastel colors like Emerald and Bellwort and simple designs like smileys, Xs, flowers, or hearts.
- Artistic: Creative nail art with doodles and bold colors is in this Father's Day! These are nails for people who love going all out to accentuate their nails.
- Glittery Gradients: Add some sparkly gradients to your nail art designs.
Tips for At-Home DIY Male Manicures
Ready to give yourself a sharp, well-groomed look? Here's what you need for a DIY male manicure:
Essentials
- Nail clippers: Choose sharp clippers for clean cuts.
- Nail file: Opt for a fine-grit file for shaping and smoothing.
- Buffer: This polishes the nail surface for a great shine.
- Cuticle oil: This helps moisturize cuticles and prevents dryness.
Picking the Right Polish
Look for long-lasting formulas that resist chipping. For a beginner, neutral shades like Jet Black, Shadow, or Royal Navy are great options. If you're feeling bold, go for deeper jewel tones or a metallic accent.
Application Essentials
- Clean canvas: Start with freshly washed, dry hands. Trim your nails to your desired length and smooth out any rough edges using the file. Gently push back cuticles with an orangewood stick.
- Base coat: Apply a thin layer of base coat for better polish adhesion and to prevent staining. Let it dry completely.
- Polish: Apply thin coats of your chosen male nail polish, starting in the center of the nail and working outward. Use smooth, even strokes for a clean finish. Repeat with a second coat for better coverage.
- Cleanup: Use a cotton swab or brush dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any mistakes around the edges.
- Finishing touch: Once the final layer is dry, apply a top coat and cuticle oil for extra nourishment.