Inspirations

Men’s Manicure: A Step-by-Step Guide

6 min read
Nail polish, long perceived as exclusively feminine or reserved for rebels like rock stars, fashion icons, or rappers, is now so much more than just an accessory. Booming in popularity, manicures are breaking free from stereotypes and gender norms to become a universal form of self-expression. Whether you want to take care of your hands, make a personal style statement, or let your creativity run free, there's something for everyone… Gents, here are our tips for a top-notch man-icure!


Men's Nail Care Trends

Focus on men's nails

Nail care is rarely part of most men's daily routines. A quick snip here and there with scissors, if not teeth, and that's it! Yet, men's nails are often thicker, drier, and prone to breaking. They can show ridges or uneven texture caused by everyday tasks (especially using nails to scratch, fix things, or lift), exposure to harsh products, or lack of hydration. Just like for women, a regular, tailored nail care routine is key to having neat hands and extending polish wear for those who love wearing colour.

 

For neat, healthy hands, establish a regular nail care and skin care routine!
(@Vincent Ramonet)

 

Bad habits to avoid

  • Biting your nails: besides looking unkempt, this bad habit weakens the nail and can lead to infections. A habit to break as soon as possible!
  • Picking at cuticles: this delicate skin plays an essential protective role. Ripping it off can cause cuts or inflammation that you'll quickly regret.
  • Clipping your nails with scissors or nail clippers rather than your teeth is a good start, but these tools can weaken nails and make them brittle.
  • Skipping hydration: the skin on your hands and around your nails needs regular nourishment to prevent cracking and irritation.

Don't worry, there's an easy fix for each of these habits. Follow our guide as we reveal all our top tips!

 

A men's nail care routine is easy with Manucurist treatments!

 

A tailored care routine

Put to the test by everyday activities, men's hands and nails deserve just as much attention as women's.

Deeply hydrate with a nourishing oil

After washing your hands or before going to bed, introduce a simple yet remarkably effective ritual. Apply a few drops of Green Oil onto the nail surface and cuticles, massaging gently to help it absorb. The effect of this ultra-nourishing, fragrance-free oil is immediate: the nail plate is hydrated and the skin around the nail is soothed, without any sticky, greasy finish.
Combining the benefits of hemp and everlasting flower, the Precious Oil is also ideal to instantly nourish and replenish dry nails and hands, without leaving any fragrance or greasy film.

Green Oil and Precious Oil, your best allies for well-hydrated nails.

 

Say goodbye to bitten nails

If you have this pesky habit, using a bitter polish can help you kick it for good. Pair it with a nail care routine to get your nails back in top shape! Discover all our tips in this article.

Need a helping hand to stop biting your nails? Try our Bitter Polish!

 

Adopting good nail care habits

Take care of your cuticles! Instead of tearing them off, apply a few drops of Cuticle Softener to soften dry skin and gently push it back with a cuticle pusher. This gives you a clean, neat nail contour.
To shorten your nails, opt for nail filing using a natural nail file to ensure a neat, rounded shape and a smooth, long-lasting finish. Be sure to use the logo side for fingernails and save the non-logo side for toenails.
Finally, protect your nails from everyday wear and tear and restore comfort with the Rose Balm, a multi-use treatment that strengthens and soothes both nails and cuticles.

Find all the nail prep essentials in our complete set.

 

Take care of your hands

Keeping your nails hydrated also means keeping your hands hydrated. Enjoy the daily benefits of Manucurist Hand Creams. The French Lavender Hand Cream or Orange Blossom Hand Cream deliver a lightweight texture and a subtle scent while deeply hydrating skin. Don’t forget to massage your knuckles and cuticles too for optimal hand care.

With Manucurist Hand Creams, hydrating your hands becomes a real treat.

 

After nail care, time for colour

Want to turn your nails into genuine fashion accessories to boost your look? Here is our selection of Green™ polish colours tailored to men's fashion trends—up to 83% bio-sourced, super easy to apply, with vibrant colour lasting up to 7 days.

Our top colours for men

Khaki is a gorgeous pigmented green that looks great paired with a casual outfit. Blended with hints of grey, it's perfect for anyone who loves natural shades. A staple that adapts to every occasion!
Intense and sophisticated, Licorice is the black that embodies chic and a rebellious spirit right down to your fingertips. It’s sure to appeal to men with strong character!

 

Khaki and Licorice: go for a natural look or a rebellious edge.

Anthracite is an organic, almost volcanic dark grey. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a touch of raw warmth and minimalism.
How trendy is this chocolate brown! Clove is an absolute favourite. It wears with confidence, creating gorgeous nails from day to night.

Embrace warm, deep shades with Anthracite and Clove!

Poppy Seed is a grey-blue reminiscent of a stormy sky, offering mysterious depth and a resolutely modern vibe. A bold colour choice for those who dare.
With its taupe tones—a subtle blend of chestnut and greyClay embodies "less is more" elegance. Soft and sophisticated, it leaves your hands looking velvety smooth.

For a modern, sophisticated look, go for Poppy Seed or Clay!

Mystic is a deep blue-violet, a bold shade that never goes unnoticed. Perfect for anyone looking to add mystery and character to their hands.
Evoking the vastness of the ocean, Navy Blue embodies a deep navy blue that invites contemplation. Perfect for men wanting an understated yet confident style.

Opt for shades of blue with Mystic and Navy Blue.

 

✌️ Our tips for a flawless manicure:

  • Prep your nails: applying polish on clean, well-filed nails will ensure much longer-lasting wear.
  • Never skip your Base Coat: apply a single coat before your first coat of colour. It protects the nail and helps colour last longer.
  • Never without my Top Coat: it's the final touch to every great manicure. This final layer helps seal in colour and boost shine. For an exceptional matte finish (and totally on-trend!), apply a coat of Matte Top Coat over your polish. It instantly transforms colour, adding a textured effect and unique depth.

5 Nail Art Inspirations for Men

For trailblazers looking to take their creativity further, here are 5 unique Nail Art ideas:

1. Color Waves: for a dynamic, artsy style, have fun painting colourful waves using a fine brush. The correcting pen lets you tidy up the edges of your designs and fix any minor mistakes.

 

With Green™ or Green Flash™, mix and match colours and patterns to your heart's content.
(@toupouetboulou)

2. Midnight Sky: Channel Troye Sivan with a dreamy look featuring a black Licorice base fading into light blue Lilas, dusted with sparkling glitter.

On the Met Gala red carpet, Troye Sivan rocks a 100% Manucurist nail art look.
(@nailsbymei)

3. Rock Matte Graffiti: Subtly edgy black graffiti over a deep red, nude, or white base, enhanced with a matte finish for a 100% rock-and-roll vibe!

Playfully scribbled nails for a so glam-rock look.
(@hypnozy.nail)

4. Marbled Grey: A marble effect created by blending white and anthracite grey for a sleek, chic look seen at Vivienne Westwood.

Mix a touch of Snow with Anthracite or Navy Blue for a super stylish marble effect.
(@nailsbymei)

5. Nail stickers: if you’re not confident in your nail art skills, stickers are a fantastic option for customising your manicure. Super easy to use: just place them over your chosen base colour, then apply a layer of Top Coat to lock everything in place.

 

Far from being a passing trend, men's manicures have become an essential grooming step and a great way to express personality. So, are you ready to embrace a nail care routine? Have fun, dare to explore, and unleash your creativity by playing with colours and patterns to craft looks that truly reflect you.