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It’s becoming more and more common to see men with done nails, brightly colored nail polish and all. Several male celebrities and influencers have also come out with signature Polish lines that they proudly rock on their own hands (see Harry Styles, Tyler the Creator and MGK). We love this age when men or any gender can feel free to express themselves fully through their nails.
AJ McLean with nails by Julie Kandalec.
One man who loves to show off his glowing nails is AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, who recently had his nails done by celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec. A few hours before showtime on the band’s DNA tour, McLean and Kandalec planned the starry look in their nail art design book and used McLean’s own line of polish, Ava Dean Beauty, to execute it.
AJ McLean finds inspiration in Julie Kandalec’s Nail Art Design Book.
“Yellow was a shade he had never worn on tour before and it was inspired by the night sky as the concert venues are all open sky venues,” explains Kandalec. “I sprinkled black stars and 2 lightning bolts everywhere.”
McLean launched Ava Dean Beauty back in 2020. The brand is named after his two young daughters, Ava Jaymes and Lyric Dean. Though the singer has sported nail polish since the ’90s, he credits his daughters as his inspiration as the father-daughter bond has spent time painting each other’s nails.
Ava Dean Beauty polishes.
Ava Dean Beauty resonates strongly with Kandalec. Growing up, her father always encouraged her to follow her dreams by taking her on field trips, including a notable one to a local cosmetology school. This fateful journey directly inspired her current career. The father-daughter bond between Ava, Lyric & McLean is a great reminder of where Julie’s passion began.
Kandalec was grateful for this exciting opportunity as it was a full circle moment for her. During cosmetology school, the Backstreet Boys played on repeat; especially Millennium, which was released in May 1999 – just days before Julie graduated. AJ McLean was her favorite band member due to his constantly painted nails and ability to be himself. Music helped Julie pave her way through the industry and the Backstreet Boys were the beginning.
Julie Kandalec paints AJ McLean’s nails before a Backstreet Boys show.
Get the look with Ava Dean Beauty
- Apply the base color “You Are My Sunshine”.
- Using a detail brush and Alexander James paint, paint lightning bolts on the ring fingers.
- Apply black star stickers to all other nails.
- Seal with two coats of Crystal Clear Top Coat.
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