Colorful and manicured nails always look fascinating and we girls love to experiment with nail paint colors according to our mood. However, nail polish is not just trendy in the modern era. Colorful nails have a long and intriguing history. Though the exact origin of nail polish is unclear, we certainly know that people have been coloring their nails since 3200 B.C. it was discovered during an excavation of royal tombs at Ur of the Chaldees. In the 1400s, Aztec and Inca warriors used to paint their nails.It is interesting enough that it was man, not woman who started painting their nails. The first manicure set was found in Babylonia. Babylonian men of all classes used to wear nail paint. Babylonian solders painted their nails with black and green color to instill fear among foes.
Although over time, nail polish became emblem of feminine expression. So, whenever, men paint their nails, people start to assume that they are either gay or transgender. But, Nail polish has nothing to do with someone’s sexual orientation. Fashion trend is about breaking stereotypical perceptions and expressing the freedom of choice. Therefore, many men are coming forward to break stereotypical ideas about what men should wear and what women should wear. David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Bad Bunny and A$AP Rocky already flaunted their painted nails in a cool way. Some people are curious why some men wear black nail paint on one hand. However, men do not only painting their nails with black, but they also wear funky colors on their nails. The reasons why men wear black nail paint are listed below.
black as colour of rebellious mind-
Black color reflects the creativity of the mind. That’s why many artistic persons wear black nail paint .it is also the way of expressing rebellious nature. Trend is about breaking old norms and accepting new concept. The rebellious men are going against the norm and setting trend of wearing nail paint. I think one should not limit oneself just because of prejudiced concept of society. One should do whatever he likes if it does not hurt anyone.
nail paints to protect nail during playing guitar-
Many guitarists coat their nails to protect nails with nail polish from getting torn up with a string. , the good cosmetic companies usually have nail strengthening “agents” in their nail polish. The rockstars such as Iggy Pop, Kurt Cobain, Lou Reed and David Bowie painted varnish on their nails for music scenes like punk, glam rock, grunge and emo. They rebelled against the gender norm in the golden era of ‘Rock n Roll’.
Our mainstream culture considers nail polishes as feminine. The sub cultures has challenged this idea. When a guitarist play guiter, his fingures tend to blend with the color of the fret board. So, some guitarists paint their nails black to be seen moving across the board while playing guitars in the dark with strobe lights. Black nail paints on the guitarist’s fingures also look aesthetically pleasing. It is fascinating to see their bold and rapid fingures moving skillfully while they are playing and black nail paint on fingures add drama to the performance. However, all of them not just wear black nail paints. They also experiment with colors. By the way, nails can be painted without nail polish too. Sounds interesting? Then, do check my another article where I have shared how you can paint nails without nail polish.
black as masculine colour-
Black color adds drama, mystery and boldness. This color does not interfere with the concept of masculinity. If a man wear black nail paint, he would not get judged by people because black is considered as a masculine color. So, some men take the safe route. However,
Men are proving that nail polish has nothing to do with femininity. If girls can flaunt their beautifully painted nails, then men can also sport funky nail colors in a trendy way. Color of a nail paint does not determine the gender identity. Wearing colorful nail paint, men are pushing the social boundary and establishing new fashion trend. youTube star, Joey Graceffa launched his own line of lacquers and thus he has helped to break down gender barriers.
form of expression-
Fashion is the art to expression. Cool trendy nail art and funky nail colors can be a way of self-expression. Celebrity like Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort and Pete Davidson rocked painted nails and showcased their personal style. Ansel Elgort graced the red carpet with his painted nails and glittery eye make up. For Harry Styles, painting nails is a way to express his individual self and to be creative. Joet Graceffa explained that Painting his nails let him express himself a bit more in a way that he has always wanted to. Some people want to express themselves the way they are and painting nails is a way to express.
wearing nail polish as a custom-
In India some boys often paint one fingernail. One married guy told me that wives paint one fingernail on their husband’s hand before sending them off to work in another city. When the polish fades, it’s signifies the time to come back home. Whatever the reason is behind wearing nail polish by men, it looks trendy.
gender neutral fashion trend-
Fashion is becoming gender neutral. It is not weird for a man to wear black nail polish because it’s a trend nowadays and for some it signifies who they are Men’s fashion is now free from bias. The fashion industry has embraced gender-neutral nail art trend with open arm. men wearing nail polish has become becoming more and more common in photo shoots and on runways. Though the men who wear nail polish are mostly celebrities, soon this trend will be popular among masses.
-polished man campaign:
Some men wear nail paint on just one finger. However, there is a deeper meaning of this. These men are participating in the Polished Man campaign. It is an organization which takes initiative to spread awareness about the children who are suffering from sexual assault. This movement began when Elliot Costello met a little girl ,named Thea in Cambodia . she lived in an underprivileged part of Cambodia with her poor family. Elliot started spending time with Thea. She painted his fingernails blue and drew a heart on his palm. Later, Eliot learned that she was physically and sexually assaulted when she was in a orphanage. Then, Eliot decided to paint one nail to remember Thea and her painful experience. He also started spreading awareness about the importance of ending violence against children. Thus, the Polish Man Movement was born. He thought that men should be the voice of change to end this violence on the children because 96 percent of physical and sexual harassment on kids worldwide is committed by males.
Then, with a finger nail painted, men have joined the league of male role models who support to end physical and sexual violence against children. Over the year, men have worn black nail paint to support Goth or rock culture. Now they are painting one nail to combat sexual harassment against the children. Celebrities such as Tyler Blackburn, David Higgs ,Michael Klim, Mario Batali, Alec Baldwin, and Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Chris Hemsworth, and Liam Hemsworth already have participated in the Polished Man’s Campaign by painting a fingernail to end violence against children. Costello has sported different nail colors like blue, pink, and the Polished Man logo. Zac Efron, Chris Hemsworth, and Liam Hemsworth are participating in the Polished Man’s campaign to end violence against children.
conclusion:
At the end, we can say that it is a personal choice to wear nail paint and nail polish does not determine the gender of a person. If someone likes something, then they like it. There is not always a reason behind it. Some guys do it for fashion, some guys wear nail paint to support polished man campaign ,some paint their nails to break down stereotypical thinking of society. whatever reasons they have painting nails does not hurt anyone. We should not pass judgment on someone’s personal choice. Moreover, painted nails really look cool on men.
