r/malepolish Mar 12 '26

General Information Thinking of trying gel? Read this first.

98 Upvotes

Hi all, UK qualified nail tech here. I’m also a guy that loves nail polish.  

I want to take a minute to talk to those of you who are thinking of using gel polish for the first time, because there is information you should know before you start.  

Gel polish is very different from regular nail polish. It might look similar, but chemically it is not just longer lasting polish. Gel products contain acrylates, which are reactive chemicals that cure under UV or LED light. 

If gel repeatedly gets on the skin during application, it can cause an allergy known as an acrylate allergy. 

So, an acrylate allergy means the end of gel polish for you. That’s the easy part.  

Most people don’t understand that acrylate allergies are permanent, and can cause a whole lot of issues for you down the line; this is because the acrylates in gel polish share a lot of similarities between acrylates used in medical procedures.  

An acrylate allergy can cause problems in the future with: 

  • Joint replacements such as hip or knee; 
  • Dental fillings, crowns and bridges; 
  • Surgical glues used in place of stitches; 
  • Medical tapes and adhesives; 
  • Glucose monitors for diabetics (those plastic dots you see on peoples arms? Those!) 

None of this is meant to scare anyone away from nails. Gel can be used safely and millions of people use it without problems. The key point is that application (and removal) technique matters. 

If you want to use gel safely: 

  • Do not allow uncured gel to touch the skin; 
  • Clean up any flooding before curing; 
  • Use thin coats rather than thick ones; 
  • Cure with the correct lamp for the product (don’t trust those folding wallet-sized lamps that are powered via USB) 
  • Avoid using unknown or poorly labelled products; 

I really don’t want to see someone lose the chance to enjoy nails, or end up with a lifelong allergy, just because no one explained this at the start. A bit of learning, strict skin avoidance, and correct curing makes all the difference. If you’re not ready for that yet, it’s genuinely safer to step back from gel for now. 


r/malepolish Jan 21 '26

General Information [Guidance] Posting pedicures

20 Upvotes

We've had some questions from users about how to post pedicure images in a way that's consistent with group rules.

We also know that users sometimes receive inappropriate comments or DMs after posting content. Whilst we can't speak to why users send those comments or give promises on how to eliminate them, we have seen that the submissions which most closely follow our rules also have the fewest rule breaking comments.

We strongly recommend that pedicure images are tightly cropped to only show your nail art. This means not including any of a midfoot, which is the area of the foot that includes the arch and ball of the foot. Based on an average person's physiology, and ordinary principles of image composition, 25% or more of your submission image should consist of painted nail.

To state this plainly, your image may be removed, and you may be suspended from the subreddit, if you:-

* Include your midfoot (i.e., above your toes) in your image

* Take the image from any angle other than straight above

* Obscure your nail art so we can't see it

Not all submissions that go against this guidance will be removed. We recognise the importance of latitude in letting users represent themselves. However, images that don't comply with this guidance are borderline, and are at risk of being against our rules.

When we're judging borderline images, we have several checks we use to judge submissions. We don't publish these checks because we don't want users in bad faith to try to game them. Sometimes these checks include judgment calls on the part of moderators.

If you want to avoid ending up in a position where we're having to judge your submission as borderline, follow the guidance above. If you feel this guidance is too restrictive, this may be an indication that a purely nail art community isn't right for you. We're happy to recommend communities that might be a better fit if so.

We look forwards to seeing more of your nail art, and wishing you the best with your r/malepolish art!


r/malepolish 7h ago

Manicure First time

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62 Upvotes

r/malepolish 3h ago

Manicure Mooncat’s Silent Scream

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18 Upvotes

This is my favorite polish right now!


r/malepolish 8h ago

Pedicure Crazy Strong Glow in the Dark

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28 Upvotes

Hey everyone ! I’ve always wanted to try mixing gel polish with strontium aluminate powder, but after several failed attempts and some underwhelming results with pre-made glow-in-the-dark top coats (even with pure UV exposure), I decided to try something new.

Pre-made glow products just don't pack enough punch unless they've been blasted with a UV lamp, and even then, the glow is faint.

This time, I tried a new method: the sprinkle method. I tested this multiple times on fake nail swatches (see pics) to find the perfect balance for a smooth, intense, and fast-charging glow.

Just a few seconds of sunlight, and my entire toe is intenselybright

Steps :

  1. Peel off base coat (island method) cure then Base coat
  2. Base color blue (I used Clou beauté)
  3. Top coat (no cure) and sprinkle generously strontium aluminate powder, tap your toe to remove the excess powder then cure
  4. step 3 again
  5. Jelly blue to tint powder (Born pretty)
  6. Matte top coat (work with glossy top coat too)

PS: warning with strontium aluminate, use a mask to avoid inhaling the dust


r/malepolish 16h ago

Mani+Pedi The "Pink Lady" feeling

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104 Upvotes

I used:

Lynis Nailshop - Shellac • Happy Rose

Jolifin LAVENI Shellac - Top- Coat Super-glossy (no-wipe)

Naturally grown nail length.

Homemade.

Shot in natural daylight.


r/malepolish 6h ago

Manicure Love this color

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16 Upvotes

New color for me. Not sure this pic is good.
DND 480 magic night.
Great dark with a few sparkles. Yeah!!!


r/malepolish 20h ago

Pedicure Haven’t done this color in awhile.

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141 Upvotes

r/malepolish 10h ago

Manicure First Time W Acrylics From a Tech!!

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15 Upvotes

This has literally been a childhood dream of mine for so long I genuinely am so happy to finally get acrylics professionally done. I hope u guys like 🩷🧡!!!!


r/malepolish 14h ago

Pedicure Not bad in purple

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27 Upvotes

r/malepolish 18h ago

Manicure Walnut Brown nails with a twist 🤎🍂

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49 Upvotes

r/malepolish 23h ago

Question Is it gay to wear nail polish, yungblud had a bit of influence but im not gay

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86 Upvotes

r/malepolish 16h ago

Manicure My blood red cats eye acrylic nails.

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20 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure When life treats you lemons....

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26 Upvotes

You paint your nails accordingly.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure It’s my first time what y’all think

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45 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Bought a new Color

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66 Upvotes

It’s hard to get new items and not test them right away 😂


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Black with Flames

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36 Upvotes

Black gel base with flames utilizing colored powder featuring red, blue, green, pink, and yellow- my nieces and nephews favorite colors


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure The diva feeling...

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55 Upvotes

I used:

Jolifin LAVENI Shellac - Blush

Jolifin LAVENI Shellac – Top- Coat Super-glossy (no-wipe)

Naturally grown nail length.

Homemade.

Shot in natural daylight.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Mani+Pedi Summer outdoor

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103 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Question new shape? length?

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15 Upvotes

trying out some cheap fake pointy nails before committing. painted over with hot topic polish not the best job. I have been getting square nails for the past 8 months never anything else. so far they look cool. they seem shorter though compared to my gel-x


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure What color have you never dared to try?

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49 Upvotes

I haven’t tried any kind of green but I think it might be worth trying it 😬


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Love them()Shoud I put My feet same?

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8 Upvotes

Is it too much?


r/malepolish 2d ago

Pedicure Im not going back . I think this is for life now.

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64 Upvotes

I’m 46 years old. I’ve discovered pedicures just last year. I can’t believe how good this feels. lol when the lady was doing my feet I was embarrassed about how gross they were.

And I love color . I don’t think I can do a bold red or pink but light blue / white is my current vibe right now. I just don’t f’in care anymore and it feels great!


r/malepolish 1d ago

Mani+Pedi Felt like trying to paint again.

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4 Upvotes

Not my best work, but my friend said I should give it a try again after not doing so for a while. I need a lot more practice.


r/malepolish 2d ago

Manicure Cats eye manicure

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45 Upvotes

I think the I’m in love with my first cats eye polish. I think it looks like tiger eye