The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Sunday Lifestyle
A CO-WORKER of mine recently said he thinks manicures on men are ridiculous. But are manicures really ridiculous?
2016 could be a great year for many fashion enthusiasts. I think it’s a year where we can try out new trends and styles.
Personally I want to try out new trends in an endevour to find a unique style that only identifies with me. I am talking about renewing my wardrobe to changing the type of cologne I use and the rest of my toiletries.
Indeed it will cost me an arm and a leg but it’s a goal I have set and want to meet. Heck I’m even going back to the gym (gosh the first week is going to be excruciating but it is worth it).
I was inspired by men that go the extra mile or strive to achieve “The Look”. I mean there is absolutely nothing wrong with a man that is concerned by his appearance. Gone are the days when men had no concern about their appearance, the barbaric and dirty man’s days are over. I remember how most of the guys at the office poked fun at me when I started writing this column. They even coined names such as “fashion man” or “maperfume”. You know at the back of their minds they were just eager to see what I had to offer or see what or where this would take me. No one has to be embarrassed for being concerned about their appearance.
Back in my grandfather’s day, a man invested in his appearance, think a well-tailored suit, a trip to the barbershop for a haircut and shave. Back home he would make sure that his nails are cut and filed. Wasn’t this somewhat a manicure?
Neatness was a priority, being clean made and still makes a man look sophisticated. There really is no point in wearing an executive’s suit if your hands scream motor mechanic.
“Whoever decided that ragged nails and rough cuticles make a man masculine?” questioned this one guy whom I saw having a manicure at a salon a while ago.
Dirty or wild-looking nails are a huge turnoff, you know, the way women adore ladies’ nails is just the same way they look at ours. They really don’t want to see dirty or ragged nails or to have a hand with such characteristics caressing them. That would surely leave her scared emotionally and would need therapy for the nightmares that would follow. And the only thing worse than unkempt “claws” are feet that look like they belong to Satan!
Hilarious as it might sound trust me the ladies out there talk. We are in the middle of summer or are we? And the last thing you would want to do is slide on a pair of sandals with those talons, you should think twice about the state of those toes.
Luckily, the general consensus on men’s manicures and pedicures is quickly changing for the better, or so I hope. If you are asking whether I would go for it, well this article should already give you an answer. If celebrities get them, why shouldn’t I? Embrace yourself as a being and care for your body.
The guy in the salon looked pretty content getting his hands and feet massaged and buffed. Don’t worry if you’re hiding a pair of dragon feet; a good manicurist has seen it all and can take care of ingrown nails and corns and will whip your nails into way better shape than you can at home.
Nail business has long been thought of as a lady’s domain. But the times when it was a shock to see a man getting his nails done are long gone. Now it’s common to see men at the salon, either on their own or with their wives or girlfriends. After all, the clean, fashionable look once known as metrosexual is now pretty much what’s expected of all men.
What’s so wrong with a man in a nail salon, anyway? Women can take care of their nails at home, just as easily as going to a salon. But there’s just something about a salon manicure. It’s like a mini facial for your hands. Nail technicians can provide a relaxing and pampering service while also increasing the health of your nails and cuticles.
But for men, it’s not always just about luxury. Since many men don’t learn how to moisturise and trim their cuticles by their teens — but many women do — it makes sense for men to look to the pros to take care of their hands. Manicures are a pleasant luxury that could be a necessity, depending on your line of work.
I may have been a fuddy-duddy, but I do think that polish, even clear, on men generally looks excessive. It calls too much attention to your hands. But few matters of grooming are bigger turnoffs than dirty or ragged fingernails and out-of-control cuticles. Self-maintenance with clippers often results in a rough look, and most men are not in touch with their inner emery boards. The occasional professional manicure will give you nice, even nails that can be easily maintained.
Till next week let’s keep styling, link up with me via sms or Whatsapp only – 0772 337 433. You can also drop your comments, views and opinions on my e–mail: [email protected]
