Plus, why the man in your life might benefit from a buff.
Is there any pick-me-up as powerful as a new manicure? If you’ve ever fallen deeply in love with your own polished nails (and stared at them at every chance), you know the feeling firsthand (pun intended). But have you ever considered that it’s a shame that the men in your life — husbands, brothers, sons — can’t take advantage of that same source of self-confidence?
Men wearing nail polish isn’t necessarily anything new — we all knew an angsty teen who wore black polish for all of the early aughts. But seeing a man embrace color or designs on their nails is still a bit of a rarity.
Manicurist Gina Alcedo recently decided to share the love by launching her own collection of Male Polish through her line, NVLA nail polish. Designed to empower men to embrace their non-traditional masculine side, the colors range from subtle neutrals to eye-catching red. And Alcedo should know a thing or two about empowering people through their fingertips — she’s worked with celebrity clients in Los Angeles for over two decades.
We caught up with Alcedo to talk about her journey launching Male Polish and her career catering to stars like Amal Clooney. Plus, she delved into what sets NVLA apart from drugstore options and filled us in on the new shade she recently launched in collaboration with Stand Up to Cancer.
Katie Couric Media: How did you get into beauty?
Gina Alcedo: School really wasn’t my thing. I was always sitting in class thinking, “Why the heck do I need to know algebra?” But I had been getting my nails done with my mom since I was young. I remember a manicurist of mine — when I was 16 years old — showed me a drawer full of cash. I thought, She makes a lot of money. So I went to beauty school.
I always loved having my nails done. When I would leave the salon, I felt whole and good about myself. I wanted to make other people feel whole and beautiful, too. Now I’ve been a manicurist for 26 years, and for most of that I’ve been mobile — so I’ve been going to people’s homes [to do their nails] for 25 years.
Who are your clients?
When I did work in a salon for one year, it was all celebrities and actors — people like Steven Spielberg. Then, I started going to their homes. I’ve worked with Kate Capshaw, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Amal Clooney and George Clooney — before they moved to New York — and Bruno Mars.
I name all of my own nail polishes. Amal Cooney let me name a color after her — it’s called Amal-ified. She loved the name.
How did you start NVLA?
I feel like I can’t do nails forever, only because I fear maybe one day my eyesight is going to be really bad. So I thought, “How do I make money once I’m done doing nails?” I can’t imagine not doing nails, but I know there will be one day when that comes. So I said to my husband, “Let’s start a nail polish line.”
What sets NVLA apart from drugstore options?
Dollar store nail polish has a lot of harsh chemicals. While that nail polish does last, so does mine — and I took out eight of those harsh chemicals. [NVLA] is more in line with clean beauty. And NVLA products are made in the U.S.
You have a line for men called Male Polish. How did that come to be?
We want to make a statement that it’s OK for men to wear nail polish. It’s typically the rock stars wearing it now. But back in the day when men started wearing earrings — one earring, usually on the right side — it was always frowned upon. But now, it’s accepted. Men are wearing earrings all the time. So we want to make the fact that men do like to wear nail polish acceptable. It’s not frowned upon. My husband wears it. So does a lawyer at a really well-known law firm and a USC football player. There are even a few baseball players who are wearing nail polish.
What advice would you give to a man who’s never worn nail polish?
Start with one finger. Paint the pinky nail and then get used to it. Stare at it, accept it, and then maybe do the other pinky nail. Then, start adding more fingers. This weekend my husband wore matte black and white nail polish — it gives him confidence. It’s like he’s saying that he’s strong, confident, fashionable, bold, and masculine.
You recently collaborated with Stand Up to Cancer on a color.
Yes. In May, I did a color for them called When She Stands Up…Red. 100 percent of the proceeds of the retail price go back to Stand Up to Cancer.
