I’m getting involved in a national campaign called Hard As Nails, and I’d love you to help me spread the word to the men in your life.

So what is Hard As Nails?

It’s a social experiment, with a university behind it, that asks men to do something small but surprisingly brave: get their nails painted and wear them for a week in November. Then they go about their normal week. Work, the gym, the pub, the football, the in-laws. Wherever their nails go, conversations follow.

The idea is to challenge the unwritten “rules” that keep so many good men quiet. Most men don’t actually believe in those rules, but they assume every other bloke does. A bit of polish is a gentle, slightly daft way of breaking one in public, on purpose.

It’s not about having a go at men. It’s about giving them permission to speak up, open up and show up for the people they care about.

And it’s not just a nice idea. The research from last year’s study of 422 men found that:

95% had a very positive experience and would do it again
85% had conversations they would never normally have
their fear of judgement halved
their willingness to stand up for others doubled

Hard As Nails is overseen by Professor Brendan Gough at Leeds Beckett University, and it’s supported by organisations including CALM, Movember and Stonewall. It’s run by a registered Community Interest Company, with surplus funds going to CALM.

Why I’m in

As a mum of two boys, this one is close to my heart. I want my boys to grow up in a world where they can talk about how they feel, ask for help and be kind without worrying what the other blokes will think. Anything that gets men chatting honestly is worth a few coats of polish in my book.

With so much talk around what masculinity is, the trouble with the manosphere and all the other conversations around the patriarchy, I think this is something pretty valuable to be involved in. And we, as women, know how relaxing and therapeutic the experience of a manicure is, this could be a valuable eye opening session for our men getting involved.

Here’s where you come in

You know the man who’d roll his eyes and then secretly love it. The husband, partner, brother, dad, son or best mate who is brave enough and daft enough. This is your chance to nominate him.

If you have an appointment with me in November (or you’re about to book one), you can add a Hard As Nails appointment for him, and his is on me. Just add promo code HAN26

That’s it. Same visit, same kitchen table, and he gets his nails done for free. Pour a glass of something and make an afternoon or evening of it. If the kids want in, we can sort that too.

The Hard As Nails appointment is available to book now and consists of a simple file, tidy and paint with a choice of polish (not gel, meaning it can come off quite easily after a week!). I have a great selection of colours, including a new specially curated male friendly colour palette with a matte top coat as an option. If they want the relaxing massage, they can have that included, however they have the choice to decline that, if that just makes them feel weird!

Prefer to come on his own?

No problem. If your man (or any man who’s up for it) would rather book separately, he can do that via my online booking link, and choose the Hard As Nails MANicure or he can get in touch with me directly on WhatsApp on 07976 373206 or by email at clare@thenailclub.uk. There will be a basic call out charge for this but they can pay what they feel they want to.

I cover Sunbury on Thames and the surrounding area, including Hampton, Teddington, Twickenham, Esher, Thames Ditton, Hinchley Wood, Shepperton, Chertsey, Walton, Weybridge and Kingston.

One small thing for the men

To take part in the research, men sign up at hard-as-nails.com. It takes about five minutes and includes one short survey before and one after. All of the data is anonymous.