Chanel has just launched a makeup range for men, sparking yet another debate in the wider conversation around genderless beauty. Do we really need separate makeup for men, women and non-binary folk? Are we moving towards a society that accepts people of all genders and sexualities making themselves up in whichever way they choose? We hope so.
One Instagram account celebrating those wearing whatever the hell they want is Boys in Polish, run by London-based freelance nail artist Jess Young. The account, which shows men wearing nail polish, from the acrylic to the bejewelled, seeks to break down gender stereotypes while celebrating a damn good manicure.
"The idea started when I was doing my art foundation, and one of my guy friends wore nail polish which I really admired," Jess explains. "I started shooting others and posting photos on my personal account, but I thought, 'Why not start a movement?'" Each subject directs his own shoot, from styling to location, while Jess does the nails and shoots on her Fujifilm camera.
"Times are definitely changing and men are starting to reconstruct masculinity, with the help of the creative industry, which is helping to subvert the perceptions of what it is," Jess explains. "I love seeing men embrace their femininity, and it's so refreshing seeing them in beauty campaigns. It's about time. I definitely aim to break the barriers to traditional masculinity, because when it comes to self-expression, women have more freedom when it comes to fashioning the body. I want them to have the same, regardless of their sexuality."
Click through to see some of our favourite Boys in Polish.
I believe beauty, fashion and aesthetics are really powerful tools for people to explore and express their gender and identity. For me, wearing nail polish was the first step to outwardly express being genderqueer. I find the move that beauty and fashion is making towards offering options which are less gendered encouraging, but I think there is still a long way to go for brands to be truly inclusive.
Trying to think about why I wear nail polish has made me realise how little I actually think about it - I do it because I simply enjoy it; no deep thought, no powerful message, just enjoying something that makes sense to me. More and more people are starting to realise that gender is fluid, which gives way to more freedom of expression. I don’t think beauty is genderLESS, it’s becoming more inclusive of all genders.
I wear nail polish simply because, why not?! They look awesome and I’m a fan of that. Just the same way if I went shopping and I was to find women's clothing that I really like - I’d buy it. I know of many guys who do the same, masculine or feminine. I feel like beauty is or should be limitless, it’s another way to express that and express one’s self.
Of course, it’s down to people’s preferences what they feel comfortable wearing but wearing nail polish or makeup, any beauty product for that matter, shouldn’t be limited to one gender. If a guy wears beauty product that it labelled to be a female’s beauty product automatically people assume he is either gay or less of a man, which is total nonsense. If a girl wears a guy’s boxers, to most it’s totally sexy or cool, and she isn’t seen as less feminine, it's seen as a preference. I believe the same rule should apply to guys regardless of their sexuality.
I think as someone who grew up in an Asian culture surrounded by traditional values, wearing nail polish and genderless beauty is empowering. It shows that we are able to detach from what is the ‘norm’ in my culture, allowing myself to grow and just have fun with my style!
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