If your male client has a nice healthy looking nail bed on his toes, I would suggest that you go with a low shine clear coat for the body of the nail as his natural nail color will (of course) look the most natural. If his nails are a little on the white side, I find that going with a peach or beige color is your best bet for a look that is still clean and healthy looking without being too pink and feminine. Do a sample on his big toe first. If it’s too heavily pigmented for his liking, tone it down by mixing in (in a separate container like a dappen dish or on a margarine container lid) small amounts of low-shine clear until he is satisfied with the color. If he wants a white tip on his toe, keep the nails nice and short and tone the white down in the same way (mixing in clear) and apply it in a thin line. — Carla Foster is a veteran nail tech and owns Carla Foster Nails in Shaughnessy, Alberta, Canada.
Style
More FAQ
How do I make the nail polish dry without my clients messing it up before they leave?
My clients end up dinging their nails despite the fact that we have them sit under the dryer or in front of a fan. How do I make the nail polish dry without my clients messing it up before they leave?... read more
How do I keep my clients' polish from chipping or peeling off?
Several of my manicure clients have trouble with the polish either chipping or peeling off soon after a manicure. I feel I do a great prep job, and I’ve tried numerous polish treatments, but still no luck. Can you help me?... read more
How do I know if I am pricing my acrylic 3-D nail art correctly?
How do I know if I am pricing my acrylic 3-D nail art correctly? Is there a place where I can compare pricing?... read more
How can I do a French manicure without the polish getting too thick?
I can do a great French manicure on the toes, but on the hands I run into problems with the polish getting really thick or too thin. I have tried using French forms, but it still happens — it even gets under the forms. Can you help?... read more
Do product innovations influence style trends or vice versa?
Do product innovations influence style trends or vice versa?... read more
Why do I sometimes find splotchy white patches on the natural nails when I remove clients’ polish?
While doing a natural nail manicure, why do I sometimes find splotchy white patches on the natural nails when I remove clients’ polish? I use non-acetone remover.... read more
My polish is bubbling on natural nail care clients. Could it be the polish or my nail prep?
I am having problems with my polish application. When the polish dries, it bubbles. This happens on my natural nail clients only. I clean the nail very well with ScrubFresh. I roll the polish between the palms of my hands and I do not shake it up. Could the polish be old? I use a good quality base and top coat.... read more
Reader to Reader
Readers respond: What do you do with your old polish?... read more
