How These Male Celebrities Wear Nail Polish: ASAP Rocky, Kid Cudi, Lil Nas X, and More
From Lil Yachty and Lil Nas X to Post Malone and ASAP Rocky, here are the top celebrity men redefining 'man-icures' and embracing the painted nail trend.
Image via Complex Original
Over the past couple of years, nail polish has become a trend for male celebrities. But it’s not a completely new thing. The late David Bowie rocked it during the ‘80s, and stars like Kurt Cobain and Dennis Rodman wore it during the ‘90s. So this new wave of men, which includes Lil Yachty, ASAP Rocky, Kid Cudi, Tyler, The Creator, and Bad Bunny, wearing varnish on their nails isn’t that surprising, but the trend has evolved a little. A lot of the men on this list aren’t just wearing solid nail colors, they are hiring manicurists to create extensive nail art. And some are even taking things a step further, introducing their own nail polish brands. Here, we cover the male celebs who are wearing nail polish right now and doing it in their own individual ways.
Lil Yachty
Like some other names on this list, Lil Yachty has fully leaned into the nail polish trend in recent years by launching his own brand. Crete first debuted back in May 2021 with a line of black and gray paint pens, but Boat has been experimenting with nail varnish for about four years. He told GQ that he was initially inspired by ASAP Rocky telling him to get clear-polish manicures. “I got compliments instantly. I felt clean. My nails weren’t dirty and nasty. I felt more mature.”
The name of the brand coincides with Yachty’s Concrete Boys collective that he frequently shouts out in his music and uses in his merch offerings. The unique pen is designed to make applying the paints easier. Crete currently offers colors like black, gray, yellow, and orange for $14 each, as well as $10 sticker packs. For anyone ready to go all-in, you can purchase the collections together for $79. Brand aside, the Atlanta rapper always has a fresh set that’s much more creative than a simple black or gray paint job. Sometimes there are graphics like pandas and BMW logos. Other times his nails are painted with reindeer and the Grinch in honor of Christmas. He’s even taken to social media in the past to show love to his nail tech Rosa Yee, who is responsible for these designs. It’s clear Yachty is trying to break the stigma that men can’t wear nail polish. The Crete website displays an official message from Yachty for anyone interested in painting their nails: “If you find painting your nails is a way to show your creative side or it’s an aesthetic that fits you, you shouldn’t be judged for it. Outside opinion shouldn’t have an effect on your aesthetic and whatever you decide to do and this line is a reflection of that.” The Crete slogan puts it more simply, “For you. Not them.”—Michael DeStefano
Tyler, the Creator
Ever since Tyler, the Creator got a manicurist to paint his nails baby blue in the “Lumberjack” video, he’s committed to his new look. Following the release of his new album Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler’s worn lots of baby blue and has kept up with his baby blue nail polish routine. Interestingly enough, Tyler’s look for the Call Me If You Get Lost-era has been developing for some time. In 2018, he showed up to the Grammys wearing a ton of baby blue garments with an ushanka—which has been repeated throughout 2021. Last year, at a Converse event during London Fashion Week, Tyler emphasized how important it was for men to make themselves look nice. “Men should wake up and want to be on top of their shit. And get your nails done. People be shaking my hands with dark fingernails. Like, no, come on,” said Tyler. “When you get to a certain age, getting manicures is important, because people be out here looking disgusting.” Although we’re yet to find out when that Golf nail polish we saw in “Lumberjack” is dropping, it’s clear that Tyler thinks we could all use a good manicure in 2021.—Lei Takanashi
ASAP Rocky
Pretty Flacko came off looking like a monster from Pan’s Labyrinth with this crazy, eyeball-esque nail polish. But in all seriousness, Rocky is a man who knows the best way to wear some nail polish is to do something crazy with it. Rocky was never really one to just pick a random color and call it a day. Instead, he’s a big fan of nail art and frequently adds unique decals to each of his fingers. He’s put the Testing logo, flames, American flags, hearts, and more on his nails. Rocky even painted his middle fingers to spell out “F—k Off” when he holds both of them up. Although some of Rocky’s nail art feels like it was inspired by a teenager shopping at Hot Topic, he told Vogue he wishes more men would be open to rocking it. “I feel like men should be able to do nail art without feeling feminine,” said Rocky. He’s also influenced other rappers in the game like Lil Yachty to take their nails seriously.—Lei Takanashi
Kid Cudi
One of the artists who has been in the news recently for wearing nail polish is none other than the Moonman himself, Kid Cudi. Cudi caught some flack on the internet for his style choice when commenters began to call him out on an IG post from July when he flashed a peace sign with blue and orange nails. He eventually turned off the comments on the post before taking to Twitter to address the critics with a pretty straightforward message. “Seems people really have a problem w me painting my nails. I got tired of blockin so many accounts. I really need u to understand, if u dont like me doin this or anything I do, please dont buy my albums, dont come to my shows. Fuck way off.”
This isn’t the only recent instance of Cudi blurring traditional gender lines either. During his “SNL” performance back in April 2021, he took the stage in an Off-White floral dress, a clear homage to late rock legend Kurt Cobain who did the same thing back in April 2021. He also received backlash for this, which he later addressed on an episode of “The Shop: Uninterrupted” saying, “If this is what I’m supposed to do, then so be it,” he continued. “I want to be a disruptor, I want to fuck shit up. And it’s cool, because I’m also giving confidence to the kids and telling them to be themselves and do what they want to do.”—Michael DeStefano
Virgil Abloh
Virgil Abloh shows that the best way to wear nail polish is to keep it subtle and bold. When he arrived at the Louis Vuitton Parfum Hosts Dinner this July, he did just that. The creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton arrived wearing an insane customized suit, an ironic tie that spells out “A Formality,” and a pair of Louis shades that were likely designed by himself. However, a painted set of red nails with a matching red ring delivers the perfect accent to Abloh’s sophisticated look. Although no one knows exactly when Abloh started painting his nails, he has recently been matching the colors of his nails with the color palette of his fits. For example, when Abloh came to Berlin to attend a secret party by Bottega Veneta this year, he came wearing an all-blue ensemble that was topped off with some blue-colored nails.—Lei Takanashi
Lil Nas X
Shortly after the success of “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X started playing with nail art. At the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards, artist Juan Alvear drew his name on his nails using 3D gel. Then in November 2019 he wore white nail polish to match his Off-White suit to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. As he’s raised his profile, the nail art has gotten more extravagant and expensive. For his 22nd birthday earlier this year he rocked a diamond encrusted manicure to match his diamond and opal grill. According to designer David Tamargo, the manicure featured micro-pave VVS stones and cost $30,000. Lil Nas X hasn’t talked about jumping into the nail polish business, but we are sure he’s helping many of his fans feel comfortable expressing themselves in new ways.—Aria Hughes
Bad Bunny
Statement-making nails have always been a Bad Bunny signature. In the video for his song “Estamos Bien,” he gave himself a manicure. He’s tried everything from bright solid colors and fun nail art to more daring styles like longer acrylic nails. Unfortunately he’s received some backlash for it. In an interview with Refinery 29 he said: “Men also take care of themselves. There is no need to criticize why one decides to maintain themselves one type of way. Stop the ignorance and let’s think with a more open mind. We’re in 2018, and we are supposed to have equality.” He also ran into problems a few years ago while on tour in Spain. According to Remezcla, he tried to get a manicure at a local salon and they refused to service him because he was a man. He posted the following on Instagram: “I just wanted to tell you all that I went to this sh*tty place to get my nails done (manicure + color) and they told me NO because I’m a MAN hahaha. I don’t know what to think, but it seems very very very unfortunate haha. What year is it? F/*cking 1960? What do you call this?”—Aria Hughes
Machine Gun Kelly
Ever since Machine Gun Kelly switched from rap to pop punk in 2020 with his project Tickets to My Downfall, he’s experienced a recent career renaissance. To go along with the new rocker aesthetic, MGK’s taken to painting his nails to mimic other popular rock stars of the past, with bright colors like neon pink and blue. He’s added flare to the designs using smiley faces and eyes. One of his most extravagant looks came back in May when he attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards with a set of ultra long, jagged nails adorned with mismatched designs like serrated edges and silver spikes. Nail art has also provided a bonding opportunity for the musician and his girlfriend Megan Fox. The couple’s sported matching nail art in the past that includes bloody hearts and knives, as well as more simplistic designs like black lines, which the couple wore on the American Music Awards red carpet back in November 2020. The merch for the aforementioned album even included a three-pack of nail polishes in colors like Punk Pink, Black Like My Heart, and a glittery silver option titled Paparazzi. It appears that he is taking things a step further by launching his own unisex line in collaboration with Unlisted Brand Lab, UN/DN, in the coming months as well.—Michael DeStefano
Post Malone
Post Malone is another pop star who tows the line between rap and rock. Both genres’ influences are on full display in his music, but Posty takes it a step further with his image. If his tattoo-covered face wasn’t enough, Post also usually can be seen with his nails painted. He usually opts for something more simplistic, like an all-black look, but occasionally has been seen rocking brighter colors like yellow as well. While he often has his nails painted, Post isn’t someone necessarily worried about them always looking pristine. In plenty of cases, the polish is chipped and half removed. But it all kind of fits with his grungier aesthetic. It’s clear that Kurt Cobain has a large influence on Post and his style. He even has multiple tattoos of the grunge legend on his body. He livestreamed a Nirvana tribute show back in 2020 and re-created Cobain’s iconic floral dress look as well. We’ve seen the pop star expand his portfolio with his own wine brand and popular Crocs collaborations in the past. Is a nail polish line of his own the next step? Only time will tell.—Michael DeStefano
Harry Styles
Post One Direction, Harry Styles has emerged as a stylish artist known for leaning into clothing and accessories that have traditionally been called feminine. In an interview with L’Officiel he stated: “Many borders are falling—in fashion, but also in music, films, and art… I don’t think people are still looking for this gender differentiation. Even if the masculine and feminine exist, their limits are the subject of a game. We no longer need to be this or that. I think now, people are just trying to be good. In fashion and other fields, these parameters are no longer as strict as before, and it gives rise to great freedom. It’s stimulating.” We first got a glimpse of Styles wearing nail polish in his “Watermelon Sugar” video when he wore a Skittles-inspired manicure that alternated between hot pink and light blue. For many of his manicures that include nail art, he works with popular nail artist Britney Tokyo, who has adorned his nails with playful things like cherries, kiwis, and smiley faces. There’s talk that Styles could be launching his own nail polish brand under a brand named Pleasing.—Aria Hughes