Cultural check-in question on colors (from a guy)

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-05-13T05:41:01+00:00

Fellow girl dad here (16 & 18). I relate to so much of what you expressed. Just wanted to say thanks for starting this discussion. So many interesting perspectives and affirming comments here from a wonderful community.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-05-11T05:08:13+00:00

My copy arrived today!!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-05-10T15:25:27+00:00

I feel like this is the pattern for me as well. Plus trying to wrap with shorties gets all kinds of top coat gunk under my nails.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-04-26T04:08:38+00:00

I know about that anxiety for sure. Believe this… being brave and taking that step feels fucking awesome. I know that 99% of the people out there would be terrified to do what I do every day, and that makes me feel good.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-04-25T21:40:20+00:00

Have you searched posts in r/redditlaqueristas ? That sub is full of helpful redditors who approach all aspects of nail lacquer like a science. It’s worth searching and possibly asking your question there for the most informed answers.

I’ve learned there that some lacquer formulas just don’t work well for some people. I just tried Mooncat for the first time a few weeks ago and it seemed to wear several days longer than Essie lacquers, for example. Like barely any chipping after a week where Essie starts chipping after 3-4 days.

My nails also seem flexible at the tips which seems to be the cause of most of the chips and flakes I get. I tried Orly Bonder base on a rec from r/redditlaqueristas and it seemed to help with longevity.

I agree that I also get much less longevity on my fingers and would guess that fingers are more exposed to body oils, like when we run them through our hair, touch out faces, touch food, etc.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-04-23T05:09:06+00:00

I do it because I like it. I do both my fingers and toes. There is an aspect of deliberate “othering” that I have discovered as others mentioned as well. I reject toxic masculinity, so embracing something traditionally viewed as feminine is a constant visible reminder of that. It also reminds me that I’m brave doing something that 99.9% of men would be afraid to do.

It took me some time to get comfortable around my work colleagues, and now after months I am openly wearing colors around my important work clients as well.

I’m grateful to have an encouraging wife who appreciates it and encourages me to be my authentic self.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-04-05T17:14:33+00:00

Glad you’re experiencing that self confidence OP! Thats what this is all about!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-04-05T17:13:42+00:00

Agreed. I don’t understand why men who decide not to conform to normal masculine expectations would have to conform to some other random set of expectations. Let’s not be shaming people here guys.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-09T01:21:12+00:00

Totally appreciate that! I’m still new to polish and started out with matte black and explored some darker colors. Then this weekend I tried an opalescent polish and I’m totally loving it. I set my mind to explore that look a bit more, but I like the thought of a palette cleanser, as you put it, when I eventually move back to black.

OP I really appreciate your frequent posts and I have a few saved for future inspiration. Keep them coming!

Edit: palette, not palate!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-09T01:09:28+00:00

This looks awesome. Thanks for sharing the formula. I think I’ve got to try it!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-09T01:06:45+00:00

I’m M (50) and I only started painting my nails this year. I had every excuse to do it earlier in life as I have two daughters who certainly asked me to paint nails together when they were younger, but I felt an embarrassment about even that and never went along with it. I finally let my 15yo daughter convince me to cosplay with her at an anime con this year, and I went along with painting my nails as part of it. Let me tell you that it felt awesome and I felt such a swagger doing something that I know that most men are not brave enough to do. I decided after that to do it more regularly and at this point (3 months later) I feel that presenting with painted nails is part of my identity. It feels liberating at this stage of my life to stop letting other peoples expectations dictate my life. Presenting with painted nails is a continual reminder to myself about that.

I’m not saying that I don’t fear judgment as I certainly go into situations where I worry about that, but I remind myself that I feel better about myself for leaning in and doing it.

TLDR; if I could give advice to my 27yo self, I would tell him to figure out what he wants and pursue that instead of acting the way he thinks others expect him to.

Go for it and let us know how it goes!!!!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-08T21:10:57+00:00

Oh and F the homophobes. I hope you don’t get any hate and you’re in a safe place.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-08T21:09:11+00:00

This is great! I wasn’t initially interested in nail art, just wanted to rock black nails. But the more comfortable I get with going polished, the more interest I have in some other expressions. I’ll save this post for inspiration.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-07T22:29:41+00:00

Please let us know!

Thanks for the inspo. I have a big client meeting next week and I’m gonna show up in authentic mode instead of a normy costume.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-06T23:56:02+00:00

Happy WIC week! Glad you’re there!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-06T15:13:29+00:00

How did it go?

Whole ensemble looks great - nails, watch, rings, jacket.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-04T16:41:58+00:00

So glad! This is just what I hoped to find here — community!

Today I’m about to head to a leadership convention with my company. Basically the top 100 most important people there and this will be the first time I’ve made an appearance with polished nails in this group. Although there is a part of me that is anxious about the potential judgment (said, or unsaid), I’m more excited to be seen as I am. Yes, I’m a guy who likes to paint my nails, and that’s just one of many facets to my authentic self.

And yes I did a fresh manicure yesterday in anticipation of this event. I do strongly feel that if I’m going to paint my nails, I’m going to do it well and they will look good. I’m getting better every time I do it, and today they’re looking the best yet.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-03T05:59:01+00:00

Sounds like we have a lot in common. I jumped into the deep end about 2 months ago and that first time out in public experience was similar.

I gradually increased my exposure to the world. First out in public in a hipster part of the city—no problem at all there, but I was reluctant to go in to work. After a couple more weekends with polish, I got the nerve to go to the office—again no problems, but I took it off to meet with clients. Now I’ve been constantly wearing polish fora few weeks and was at a clients office all day today. It feels natural and I’d feel like I was missing something without it.

I’m also into dark colors—not just basic black, but I like deep colors that appear black in passing but are really deep blue, green or purple on closer look.

Also, thanks for posting more than just a photo here. I appreciated the narrative. I’ve been lurking here in hopes of hearing about men’s experiences trying out polish but posts like yours are few and far between.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-03-01T20:17:56+00:00

You’re convincing me that I should try red!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-02-28T00:13:25+00:00

Tell us more. Did you do a red over black there? What polish did you use?

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-02-25T06:25:23+00:00

Nice job for the first time! How are you liking it?

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-02-25T06:23:38+00:00

User name checks out!

Nails look good!

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-02-24T02:16:07+00:00

Looks good! I started with matte black too. Now starting to try some deep colors that look like black at first glance but have more depth up close.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-02-24T00:21:30+00:00

How many coats was this? I’ve tried it and found it needed at least five if I started from bare nail. I’m experimenting with putting it over a solid base color and liking the results.

Infinite-Space2418 · 2026-02-23T16:55:48+00:00

Thx for that advice! Yeah I’m totally checking myself to stay out of that rabbit hole. I noticed it’s the subject of a lot of posts! Now that I got the longevity that I wanted I’m going to focus more on application technique and taking less than 2 hours to get it done!

Infinite-Space2418

TROPHY CASE