You’re a man, and manicures are for women. This is the common belief that many men believe when they hear about manicures.

The truth is that men can also benefit from manicures. There’s no denying that you’ll look great with well-groomed hands and nails. But did you know that men’s manicures also have huge health benefits and can boost your career?

Let’s find out why! Here’s your complete guide to manicures for men – including tips on how to do a man’s manicure yourself.

The benefits of manicures for men

1. Healthier nails

Whether you work an office job or have an active career, your hands are exposed to a ton of dirt, moisture, and pollutants on a daily basis.
Regular manicures for men can help keep our nails clean, healthy, and strong.

2. Better hygiene

Countless germs can be found lurking on our nails. Even with regular handwashing, this can easily cause infection or contaminate the food that you eat.

Fungal infections are common in people that don’t trim or look after their nails. They can also be painful and put your hands out of action for a while.

A consistent manicure schedule for men can ensure better hand hygiene for a healthier body. They can also keep your hands working for you as they should!

3. You’ll look younger!

Like many other things, rough hands can be a part of the aging package. A men’s manicure can help keep your nails strong and your hands smooth by regularly removing dead skin.
We can’t escape the aging process. But strong nails will make us look and feel younger and healthier. Plus, it can even boost our confidence!

4. Better handshake

We all know the basics of an impressive handshake. Eye contact? Check. Firm grip? Check. Manicured nails? Che – wait, what?

Your hands can make a huge first impression. Imagine shaking someone’s hand in an interview and getting scratched by their gangly nails or spotting dirt lurking under their fingertips. Hireable? Of course! They might be worthy of the job more than anyone.

But first impressions can go a long way in helping you on your career path. A set of clean, manicured nails can boost your image at work (or at interviews) and increase the power of your handshake.

5. Improved circulation

A salon manicure will often include a hand and forearm massage. This can do wonders for your circulation. Even a DIY manicure at home will include some buffing and moisturizing.

This movement will stimulate more blood flow to your hands and improve your circulation. Better circulation prevents cold hands and improves the mobility of your joints.

6. Less stress

Manicures can be highly therapeutic, no matter who does them. The spa-like salon experience will no doubt lower your stress levels.

But if you opt for a DIY manicure, then even just the simple act of resting to care for a single part of your body can be unwinding.

Looking after your nails regularly is a great way to de-stress – while fostering good health in the process.

3 things you need to know about salon manicures

If you’re sold on the benefits, then heading to a salon for a men’s manicure is a great choice. Manicurists are highly trained professionals that are experts in hand health.

They will likely cut your nails, push back your cuticles (the skin around your nails) before revitalizing your entire hand for better hand health.

If you’ve never been to a salon for a manicure before, here are 3 things you need to know to get the best results.

1. Expect a hand massage

We told you that manicures were relaxing! Just like a pedicure (a pamper for your feet), you’ll get a gentle massage during your manicure that will likely focus on your hands, forearm, and fingertips. Some manicurists even use reflexology techniques to pinpoint pressures and send signals to your brain to relax.

2. Check for hygienic practices

Most salons and manicurists know how to look after you properly. But it’s best to double-check for hygienic practices when you visit a salon for the first time. Do they open a new set of tools in front of you, or sanitize them first? If not, that could be a red flag. If you’re not comfortable, ask your manicurist about hygiene or visit somewhere else if you have cause for concern.

3. Your experience can be tailored

Despite manicurists typically having a set routine, they can tailor the experience to suit you. You can ask them not to do certain things or to pay certain attention to any pain or issues you have with your hands. A good salon will be more than happy to accommodate your needs for the best experience.

How to do a DIY manicure at home

Heading to a salon isn’t the only way to reap the benefits of a men’s manicure. It’s easy to create a DIY manicure at home.

Here’s what you’ll need before you start:

• A bowl of warm water
• Nailbrush
• Metal manicure stick
• Nail clipper
• Cuticle remover
• Nail file
• Buffing block
• Nail polish (optional)
• Hand cream

How to do a man’s manicure at home is easy. For the best results, follow these 8 simple steps.

Step 1: Soak hands

Fill a bowl with warm water and allow your hands to soak for around 10 minutes. This will give your skin and nails time to soften. After 10 minutes, pat your hands dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Scrub & clean nails

Next, use a nailbrush to gently scrub your nails. This will remove any dirt, grime, or loose skin surrounding your nail. If any dirt remains under your nails after brushing, use your metal manicure stick to gently remove it.

Step 3: Trim nails

Using your nail clippers, trim your nails down to your desired length. For better nail health and prevention of ingrown nails, keep the shape squared and the length relatively short.

Step 4: Perform cuticle care

Cuticles are thin layers of dead skin that grow over the bottom of the nail. Apply a cuticle remover to soften and wipe away the dead skin. Or use your metal manicure stick to gently push back the cuticle. Never cut your cuticles as this can cause infection.

Step 5: File & buff nails

Next, smooth the edges of your nails with a file. Trimming your nails with clippers will often leave jagged edges. Smooth these down to prevent breakages (and handshake scratches). After this, use a buffing block to smooth any ridges on your nail. Buffing will increase the blood flow to your nail bed and leave a subtle shine.

Step 6: Rinse & dry

Once you’ve filed and buffed your nail, wash your hands with soap to rinse away any residue leftover from filing. Gently pat your hands dry.

Step 7: Apply nail polish (optional!)

It’s optional, but if you want to strengthen your nails, you can apply a clear polish to prevent brittle nails and make weak tips stronger. A matte polish won’t make your nails look too shiny.

Step 8: Moisturize

Once your nails are dry, apply a hydrating hand cream and massage it into your hands, nails, and cuticles. This will make your hands feel smoother and will help boost your circulation.

Ready to make manicures part of your grooming routine?

Here at JESSE JIMZ, we’re all about helping men look and feel their best. That’s why we believe manicures should be part of every man’s grooming routine!

Ready to step up the rest of your grooming routine? Check out our premium men’s skincare and grooming products.