Jacobs, who has long been a pioneer of eye-catching style statements, has been single-handedly reclaiming the ’man’ in ’manicure’ via regular social media posts documenting his penchant for colourful nails. He favours dark, moody shades such as purples, blacks and burgundies, adding a touch of grunge-glam to his everyday look.
Social media users everywhere have since been embracing the #malepolish trend with renewed enthusiasm, with Instagram displaying over 1,200 images tagged with the caption.
Although stars such as Marilyn Manson, Jared Leto and Jacobs himself are known for championing the gothic look with sombre shades, the Internet shows a glitzier side to the trend. From creamy pastels to glittering metallics, guys, it seems, are getting bold with their manicure choices. Many have adopted an artistic approach, with NYC graphic designer Samsonntag documenting a spray-painted aesthetic, while others, such as dancer and nail artist-in-training Ben Thomas, have channelled a love of all things scientific into intricate, prism-like designs.
Male beauty market
Whatever the colour, the rising popularity of the #malepolish movement is symbolic of a wider trend - that of the increasing interest in male beauty in general. In January, new figures predicted that the growth in the male grooming sector would drive a steady increase in the global haircare market over the next three years, with growing numbers of fashion-conscious consumers cited as the main reason for the boost.
Male grooming has undergone a revival across the beauty industry over the last few years, boosted by the launch of high-profile products such as Clinique’s Sonic System Deep Cleansing Brush, brewery Carlsberg’s shampoo, conditioner and body lotion trio, and must-have products such as beard oils and scented moisturizers. #Malepolish is proof of just how much the face of mainstream men’s beauty is changing.
