Long before "manicures for men" was a viral TikTok trend, and years before Harry Styles' first smiley face, Marc Jacobs was a pioneer.
His dark, glossy, and often perfectly imperfect nails became a signature part of his personal brand, as recognizable as his tattoos or his kilt.
More than just polish, Marc Jacobs' nails are a statement of self-expression. From his iconic (and dearly missed) "Enamored" lacquer to his recent Met Gala masterpieces, this is the ultimate guide to his style, the expert artists he trusts, and how you can get the look.
Quick Guide ✨:
- His Signature Style: Marc Jacobs is known for a dark, "goth-glam" manicure. His go-to shades are high-shine black (like his former "Blacquer") and deep, vampy reds (like "Jezebel").
- The Pro Artists: Celebrity nail artist Jin Soon Choi is his long-time collaborator and the expert behind his signature look. In his new era, he has worked with artists like Muneca Nails (@muneca_nails) for long, jeweled extensions and Jenny Bui (@nailson7th) for his 2024 Met Gala nails.
- He Championed the "#MalePolish" Movement: Long before it was a mainstream trend, Jacobs used his nails as a form of self-expression, posting his manicures on Instagram with the hashtag #MalePolish and normalizing the practice.
- His Iconic (and discontinued) Polish: The Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer was a cult-favorite product. It was famous for its "wet look" glossy finish, inspired by the 30 coats of lacquer on his coffee table.
Marc Jacobs Inspired Press-on Nails
Who Does Marc Jacobs' Nails?
You cannot talk about Marc Jacobs' nails without talking about the artists. His hands are a canvas for some of the most legendary and boundary-pushing manicurists in the world. He doesn't just get his nails done; he collaborates with masters.
Jin Soon Choi: The Master of His Signature Look
If Marc Jacobs' nails have a godmother, it is Jin Soon Choi. A true legend in the fashion industry, Jin Soon has been Jacobs' long-time, go-to artist and collaborator. She is the expert who helped him perfect his signature "goth-glam" aesthetic.
- The Collaboration: Their partnership runs deep, spanning from his personal manicures to the groundbreaking nail art on his fashion runways.
- The Look: Jin Soon is the artist behind his most famous look: the dark, vampy, ultra-glossy finish. She understood his desire for a nail that looked "wet" and "lacquered," not just painted.
- The Shades: She almost exclusively used his own brand's polishes on him, with his favorites being "Jezebel" (a deep, blackened red) and "Blacquer" (a true, high-shine black).
Their work together cemented his nails as a key accessory, and her execution of his vision set the standard for his entire #MalePolish movement.
The New Guard: His Recent Nail Evolution
In recent years, as his personal style has evolved, so has his nail art. Jacobs has embraced a more extravagant, "more-is-more" philosophy, and he's tapped a new guard of nail artists to bring these opulent visions to life.
- Muneca Nails (@muneca_nails): In 2024, fans noticed a dramatic shift. Jacobs began wearing long, almond-shaped extensions adorned with intricate 3D art, crystals, and jewels. This new, high-drama look is the work of New York-based artist Muneca Nails.
- Ella (@xg_zhangchen): For his 2022-2023 "chic cool chrome" phase, Jacobs worked with artist Ella at Cindy Nails, proving he's always on the pulse of the next big trend.
- Jenny Bui (@nailson7th): For the 2024 Met Gala, Jacobs entrusted his nails to the "Queen of Bling" herself, Jenny Bui (who is also famous for Cardi B's iconic nails). Alongside her daughter Cianna Bui, she created a show-stopping set of extra-long black and emerald nails, dripping with jewels to match his look.
👉 Also Read: Hailey Bieber Nails: Get Inspired by Her Iconic Nail Designs
The #MalePolish Philosophy: Why Marc Jacobs' Nails Matter
It's easy to see painted nails on men now and forget how revolutionary it felt just a few years ago. Marc Jacobs wasn't just wearing polish; he was starting a conversation. He was, and is, a core figure in the movement.
A Statement of Self-Expression
Years before "gender-fluid" was a common fashion term, Jacobs was posting his manicures on Instagram. He cheekily captioned them with his own hashtag: #MalePolish.
He used this simple tag to do several things at once:
- He owned it: It was a confident, unapologetic declaration.
- He normalized it: By posting his "Mani Mondays" just like any beauty influencer, he treated his manicure as a normal, stylish part of his grooming routine.
- He challenged norms: He showed that self-expression, color, and beauty are not bound by gender. He framed his manicure as a simple act of personal choice, just like a tattoo or an accessory.
He, along with artists like Jin Soon Choi, turned a simple manicure into a powerful statement. He was not just painting his nails; he was giving other men permission to do the same.
Embracing the "Imperfect" Manicure
Perhaps the most important part of the Marc Jacobs nail philosophy is this: perfection is boring.
In a world of flawless gel manis and poreless selfies, Jacobs is famously authentic. He is known for posting pictures of his nails when they are chipped, grown-out, and "lived-in." He celebrates the beauty of imperfection.
This act is more punk rock and more relatable than a perfect manicure could ever be. It's a rebellious statement that says, "I'm living my life, and my nails are a part of that, chips and all."
This philosophy even made it to his runway. For his Spring 2018 show, he and Jin Soon Choi sent models down the runway with "purposely grown-out" nails.
The polish was applied with a gap at the cuticle, perfectly mimicking a two-week-old manicure. It was a high-fashion moment that proved his lived-in look was a deliberate, confident choice.
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The Legacy of Marc Jacobs Beauty: The Enamored Nail Lacquer
Credits: https://jinsoon.com/blogs/journal/marc-jacobs-fashion-icon-and-nail-enthusiast-1
You cannot discuss Marc Jacobs' nails without paying respects to the most iconic, and tragically discontinued, nail polish of the 2010s: The Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer.
This was not just another celebrity product. For nail polish lovers, this was a holy grail.
What Was the "Enamored" Polish?
The Enamored polish was an obsession for beauty editors and fans. Here is what made it so special:
- The Inspiration: The entire formula was inspired by a lacquered coffee table in Jacobs' own home, which he has said had over "30 coats of lacquer."
- The "Wet" Finish: The goal was not just "shine." It was to create a "wet look" finish that looked like liquid vinyl or, well, a heavily lacquered table. It had a gel-like, cushiony, high-shine effect without needing a UV light.
- The Bottle: The bottle itself was a work of art. It was a heavy, curved glass oval that felt substantial and looked beautiful on a vanity.
The Most Famous Shades: "Blacquer" and "Jezebel"
While the line had a full range of colors, two dark shades became his personal signatures and cult classics. If you were going to get the Marc Jacobs look, you needed these.
- Blacquer: This was the ultimate high-shine black. It was a true, deep, jet black with that unparalleled "wet" finish.
- Jezebel: This was his other go-to. It's a deep, vampy, blackened cherry red. It was the perfect "goth-glam" shade, sophisticated and edgy at the same time.
Why Was It Discontinued (and Will It Come Back?)
In 2021, a dark day for makeup fans, the entire Marc Jacobs Beauty line was discontinued. It vanished from Sephora shelves, leaving fans to scramble for the last bottles of "Blacquer."
- The Reason: The line was produced under a licensing deal with Kendo (an LVMH-owned beauty incubator). When that license expired in 2021, production stopped.
- The GOOD News: The story is not over. It has been officially announced that Marc Jacobs has signed a new, 15-year licensing deal with beauty giant Coty (the parent company of brands like Gucci Beauty, Burberry, and OPI).
A full relaunch of Marc Jacobs Beauty is in the works. While we do not have a hard date, the return of Marc Jacobs' iconic beauty line is confirmed.
👉 Also Read: Olivia Rodrigo Nails: Iconic Nail Inspo & Trendy Designs to Try
How to Get the Signature Marc Jacobs Nail Look (DIY Guide)
Credits: https://jinsoon.com/blogs/journal/marc-jacobs-fashion-icon-and-nail-enthusiast
Want to channel your inner Marc Jacobs? His signature look is all about attitude, but a few key steps will help you get that "goth-glam" vibe.
Step 1: The "Goth-Glam" Color Palette
The look is not just "black." It is about deep, rich, saturated colors that have depth. You are looking for:
- The Perfect Black: Avoid matte or chalky black. You need a high-shine, jet black polish. Look for formulas described as "jelly," "creme," or "gel-like."
- The Vampy Red: Find a dark, blood-red, burgundy, or "black-cherry" shade. The color should look almost black in the shadows.
- The Occasional Nude: On the rare occasions he went light, it was a clean, glossy, full-coverage nude.
Step 2: The High-Gloss "Enamored" Finish
This is the most important step. Since the original Enamored polish is gone (for now), you must "dupe" the effect. This is all about the top coat.
- Use a Good Base Coat: This prevents your dark polish from staining your natural nail.
- Apply Two Thin Coats: Apply two thin coats of your color, letting each one dry for a few minutes. This builds up the pigment.
- The Top Coat is Key: Do not use a thin, quick-dry top coat. You need a thick, "gel-effect" plumping top coat. These top coats are designed to mimic the thick, cushioned look of a gel manicure and will give you that "30 coats of lacquer" vibe.
Step 3: The At-Home Alternative: High-Fashion Press-Ons
Let's be real. Marc Jacobs is now wearing 3D jeweled art that most of us cannot paint ourselves (or afford to have done). The easiest and most reliable way to get his modern or his classic look is with press-on nails.
- The Classic Look: You can find high-quality press-ons in solid, glossy black or dark red in a short, "goth-glam" shape.
- The Modern Look: For his Met Gala or @muneca_nails era, realistic, hand-painted press-ons are your best bet. You can find sets with 3D art, chrome finishes, and jewel embellishments, giving you a high-fashion look in minutes.
👉 Also Read: 12 Trendy Sabrina Carpenter Nails to Recreate
Conclusion: More Than Just a Manicure
Marc Jacobs' nails are, and always have been, more than just a color; they are an attitude. He, along with expert artists like Jin Soon Choi, turned a simple manicure into a powerful statement of self-expression, championing the #MalePolish movement long before it was popular.
While we may all miss the iconic Enamored polish, the "lived-in," glossy, and fearless style he represents is a reminder that beauty has no rules.
It's not about perfection; it's about what makes you feel like you. And with the news of his beauty brand's return, we are all on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what he does next.
Ready to Find Your Own Signature Look?
Whether you are going for goth-glam, celebrity-inspired art, or just a perfect glossy finish, you can get the manicure you want in minutes.
- Check Out the Celebrity Nails Collection
- Explore Realistic Press-On Nails
- Discover Hand-Painted Soft Gel Press-Ons
Press-on Nails You May Want to Shop
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Marc Jacobs' Nails
Who is Marc Jacobs' nail artist?
His long-time, go-to nail artist is Jin Soon Choi. She is a legendary celebrity manicurist who is responsible for crafting his signature dark, glossy look. More recently, he has worked with artists like Muneca Nails for his long, jeweled extensions and Jenny Bui for his 2024 Met Gala look.
What is Marc Jacobs' favorite nail polish shade?
He is most famous for wearing high-shine black and deep, dark red. His own discontinued polish line had two iconic shades he wore often: "Blacquer" (his signature black) and "Jezebel" (a vampy, blackened red).
Can you still buy Marc Jacobs nail polish?
No. The Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer line was officially discontinued in 2021 when the brand's licensing deal with Kendo expired. However, the entire beauty line is set to make a comeback under a new deal with Coty, with a relaunch expected in the coming years.
Why does Marc Jacobs paint his nails?
Marc Jacobs paints his nails as a form of self-expression. He has been doing it for years, long before it became a mainstream trend for men. He uses it to accessorize and complete his look, just like jewelry or a new outfit, and famously used the hashtag #MalePolish on Instagram to normalize the act.
