BBC Slammed for ‘Ludicrous’ Article Suggesting Bare Fingernail Trend Could Be a ‘Class Issue’

Readers are giving the BBC the finger for an article suggesting that the nude or no-nail-polish trend could actually be a “class” issue leaning into “white supremacist standards of beauty.”

On Saturday, September 26, the news organization published an article titled, “How the bare nails trend became a class issue.”

While spotlighting the new trend of women preferring bare nails or neutrals over manicures and nail polish, the article cited a number of reasons behind the shift. While simplifying their routine, cost, time, and embracing more feminist ideals were all named as potential explanations, the piece also said some critics “argue the bare nails trend actually says something about class, the hamster wheel of beauty standards, and who gets to define what is considered tasteful.”

After also explaining that nail art is rooted in Black, Latino, and Asian cultures — and that women of color “really made manicures an accessible and fashionable form of self-expression” — the BBC added that the suggestion “bare nails are now a sign of high status could stigmatise bold manicures.”

The article also quoted beauty journalist Kristina Rodulfo, who said forgoing nail polish or nail art could be seen as an “erasure of culture,” especially when bare fingertips are called “elegant or tasteful,” terms which are “often usually euphemisms that perpetuate white supremacist standards of beauty.”

The piece ends with Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon — who recently pivoted to a more natural look after feeling manicures were a chore — saying the subject is “not that deep,” a sentiment with which many readers apparently agreed.

After sharing the article on X, it was quickly flooded with angry comments.

“Can’t even talk about nails without bringing up race and white supremacy,” wrote one reader, while another called the piece “One of the most insane articles of the week.”

“Stop making up issues that don’t exist & go touch grass,” read another comment, before someone else wrote, “It is what counts for news these days?”

“Eh? What? Is this news???” asked one confused reader, while another cried, “Defund the BBC.” One commenter added, “This article is ludicrous. Talking about making an issue out of nothing.”

Others defended their choice to embrace the trend.

“What a silly article. Fake nails are an expensive, life restricting commodity that no one expects of a man,” shared one woman, adding, “Choosing not to engage with this is feminism, not white supremacism!”

“You know, I don’t have my nails done for the following reasons,” shared another, calling manicured nails “tacky” and saying longer ones “get in the way” of their job. She ended her post with a single middle finger emoji.