Bernard O’Shea: ‘Lots of men are getting their nails done, acrylics originated from the needs of guitarists’

But my nails consistently break, and it’s a nightmare because you might have practised something for weeks, and suddenly, you break one. 

It may be the quintessential phrase for “wimpish” behaviour, “Oh no, I broke a nail?” But it’s a different matter when you need them for your job.

I decided for the first time to do something about it. I visited Jo Simpson, a nail artist and technician. Jo has set up a new parlour on Dublin’s vibrant Camden Street. 

When I asked her if she had many guitarists come in for a manicure? She told me that it was a regular enough occurrence. Her nail art even made its way onto the biggest stage in the country.

We did a job for Arcade Fire in the 3Arena where we painted their keyboards with nail varnish for their world tour. 

“They used various techniques over the years, but what they found best was nail polish. 

“One of the guitar techs came up to us. He asked if we had any acrylic with us for his nails. He told us where acrylic nails originated from for the needs of guitarists. Over the years, we had loads of musicians visit us.”

Jo uses nail gel as she finds it doesn’t damage the nail as acrylic can. Guitars aside, a well-manicured man was once the absolute norm.

In the annals of history, the reverence for well-groomed nails has traversed continents and eras. Picture ancient China, where the aristocratic class boasted lengthy, impeccable nails, directly representing their noble status and a life unburdened by physical labour.

In the courts of Versailles, luxury was not merely a characteristic but a steadfast rule. King Louis XIV, a monarch with a penchant for embellished nail artistry, was at the forefront of this grandiose era. 

In his regal presence, the nails were more than just a body part, transforming into intricate canvases that mirrored the grandiosity of his reign, weaving a tale of wealth and magnificence.

In the 20th century’s corporate mazes, every aspect of a man’s appearance was scrutinised to measure his success and authority. In this age, the hands took centre stage. 

Amid the buzzing streets of global business hubs like New York and London, men sought refuge in salons, spaces of relaxation and grooming where nails were nurtured to convey a message of success and sophistication.

I asked Jo if she had more men visit her salon?

“Absolutely, throughout the years, you’d get men going in to get a tidy up. However, now the way fashion trends are going, you have the likes of Travis Scott and Harry Styles. Harry Styles has a range of nail polish and beauty brands. 

“There is a lot more out there now in the mainstream media to see straight men doing nail art and their nails done. You see many more men getting their nails done in the last few years.”

During the 20th century, we witnessed a shift towards a stereotype that valorised physical prowess and a stern exterior, represented by figures like John Wayne, leaving little room for what started to be viewed as “feminine” indulgences such as manicures. 

However, as we find ourselves in a new era, the revival of the male grooming tradition potentially signifies a return to a time when manicures were not just a feminine pursuit but a universal one.

Before leaving, I asked what is the best thing I can do for my nails?

“It depends, but if you want them to grow, it’s cuticle oil, cuticle oil and cuticle oil.”

I stepped out with the most pristine fingernails I’ve ever possessed, catching glints of the sun as they practically shimmered. 

Swiftly, I scribbled “buy cuticle oil” on my hand to not forget this newfound secret. 

Shortly after that, I found myself nestled in a cosy guitar shop on Exchequer Street, melodiously picking away a guitar I couldn’t afford, but this time with the comforting assurance that a nail breakage wasn’t looming on the horizon.