It's Okay to Get Manis and Pedis, Male Models

Male models often get a tough rap because they have to do things to maintain their look that's sometimes considered "feminine" or even "gay." But if you've read my post, "Real Male Models Wear Makeup!" then you already understand what comes with the territory.

Being well groomed from head to toe is a big aspect of a male model's career. Whether you're sporting the manly, rugged look or a more baby-faced one, there are steps you may need to take in order to maintain your appearance. Sure, Photoshop does a lot to make models look picture perfect but when it comes to attending castings and go-sees, you have to sell your look upfront and "as is" in order to book the gig.

This means paying attention to the small stuff like your fingernails and toenails. Depending on your lifestyle, you may or may not have a need to do anything to groom your fingernails and toenails. However, as a male model of any experience level, you'll want to develop a habit of making sure your digits are properly groomed at all times, especially when heading to a casting or go-see.

Getting clean nails can be done at home but I just want to put it out there into the universe that for male models--men in general, really--going to a local nail salon and getting a manicure and/or pedicure done is perfectly acceptable and even necessary at times. If you know and understand the term "metrosexual," you'll know that men appearing in stereotypically "female" places like nail salons and day spas is becoming more commonplace these days. In major cities and even medium-sized ones, such a sight doesn't even get a second look.

Male models just starting out could feel intimidated by this concept but the good news is that your fingers and toes don't require as much attention as your female counterparts. Getting a mani and pedi is mainly about having your nails free of the gunk that gets underneath, filing/shaping the nails, trimming the cuticles and sloughing off layers of dead skin cells. All you need is maintenance every now and then and that's the extent of your involvement with a nail salon. You can opt to have your nails buffed to a nice shine and even get a hand/foot massage in the process.

Not only will you come out looking good but feeling good as well...and you can take that heavenly feeling directly to your next casting, go-see or booked gig. Talk about being on cloud nine! Who knows, you might even get addicted to it. ;-)

Comments

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who ...

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It...

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks ...

Modeling & Acting 101 - A Model/Actor's Diary

Search This Blog