May 2026 · 2 min read
Men's nails get less attention than women's but are more likely to be noticed in professional settings — handshakes, paperwork, typing, pointing. Here is the minimum standard for clean, professional nails.
Every 2-3 weeks. Nails grow 3-4mm per month (faster in summer, slower in winter). After 3 weeks, the free edge (white part) is 2-3mm long — past the fingertip. That is the cutoff. At 4 weeks, the edge is 3-4mm, which looks unkempt. Mark it on your calendar: nail day every 2-3 weeks. 15 minutes at the salon. $10 for a classic manicure at Jeannie Nails. You do not need polish (unless you want a buff-shine finish).
Tell the technician: trimmed short (free edge no longer than the fingertip — 1mm maximum visible white). Cuticles pushed back (not cut — pushing is enough. Cutting is unnecessary and increases infection risk). Buffed for a natural shine (the buffer refines the nail surface, eliminates ridges, and creates a clean, polished look without colour). You can also ask for nail ridge filing (if your nails have vertical ridges — filing them smooth in one direction, not sawing back and forth). The whole process takes 10-15 minutes. No polish unless you ask. No frills. Clean, professional, done.
Do not let the technician cut your cuticles. Men's cuticles tend to be thicker and more attached to the nail plate than women's (from less hand care and more manual work). Cutting thick cuticles increases infection risk. Push them back gently, leave them intact. Do not let the technician use a curved nail cutter on your toenails (straight-across cut prevents ingrowns). Do not paint your nails with clear polish unless you are treating nail fungus (clear polish on men's nails looks clean for 2-3 days, then chips and looks worse than unpainted).
Classic manicure $10 at Jeannie Nails — walk in welcome.
