Male nail tech breaking stereotypes

Ruel Reid, a 35-year-old male nail technician, has carved out a remarkable niche in the female dominated field.

Originally driven by the desire to impress women, Reid's journey has evolved from a casual interest to a thriving career. Reid's roots trace back to Spanish Town, St Catherine, and St Ann's Bay, St Ann, where he navigated the challenges of societal expectations and stigmas that "man nuh do nails." Despite this, his passion for art began early.

"I'm an artistic person and from day one that was my passion while I was going to Marcus Garvey [Technical High Scho ol]. I did well in art and craft but really and truly, it was my brother who got started as a nail technician," Reid recounted.

"I [was] more caught by the sexy ladies that were around him," Reid joked about his initial attraction to the business. His brother's nail shop in Mandeville, Manchester, became a hub of interest, but it wasn't until Reid lost his hotel job that he found himself dedicating more time to the craft.

"I said 'You know what?' This is the only chance to get some of them pretty girls yah," he added with a laugh.

With newfound free time, Reid began spending evenings at his brother's shop, initially helping out casually. His interest soon turned into a genuine passion as he started practising and refining his skills.

"By doing the designs, everybody just liked it," Reid said. "I realised that I liked the work because I was active every day and fresh." Despite his growing interest, Reid faced internal conflicts due to the prevailing stigma.

"Mi really never like the work, mi just love the woman dem, and fi mek sure them look good and love them nails when it done," he confessed. Nevertheless, the financial benefits and personal satisfaction started to outweigh his initial reservations.

"I was on and off. I was close to stopping because I was kind of scared at the time and I never really feel too comfortable," he admitted. Reid's interest and ambition eventually led him to open his own shop in St Ann. Despite not having formal certification at the time, he prioritised client safety and hygiene, ensuring that his tools were clean and that he asked health-related questions to avoid cutting or scratching clients.

"We a lock down the town and a mek money," he joked about his early days in business. His hard work and commitment paid off, allowing him to expand his horizons beyond Jamaica. Reid's skills earned him a place in the Cayman Islands, where he obtained his nail technician certification. Additionally, he pursued advanced training in Los Angeles, in the USA.

"Remember that we were locked in our country and not going anywhere for how long, so I got a likkle break fi fly pon a plane," Reid said. "Sometimes you have to try new waters and see it work out."

The transition to the Cayman Islands has been fruitful, with positive feedback from his new clientele. Reid acknowledged the opportunities for growth, reflecting on his experiences in Jamaica and expressing gratitude for the chance to improve and innovate.

"It's just good that I can use this opportunity to get better and more creative with the work," he said.

The family man's presence on TikTok has also been a boon, allowing him to showcase his work in real time and reconnect with long-time clients. Despite facing personal challenges, including the death of a daughter, Reid remains focused on expanding his beauty business.

"At the end of the day, nowhere nuh better than yaad. Here is good and could be better but Jamaica is also a good place to be for a male nail technician."