Air Force 'girl' complains about new nail polish regulations
The U.S. military has recently revised its uniform regulations, restricting personnel from wearing colored nail polish—a decision that has frustrated many women in the service.
“People are not happy,” said Elora Jean, a U.S. Air Force member, in a TikTok video referencing online discussions about the change.
According to the updated policy, military personnel in uniform may only wear three manicure styles: clear polish, French manicure, or American manicure.
“They feel like the priorities are a bit misplaced,” Jean explained. “Nail polish doesn’t seem like a major issue, and there are far more important concerns related to military readiness, recruitment, and overall well-being that should be addressed.”
The policy shift comes nearly a year after the Department of Defense had expanded the allowed nail polish colors to 60. Now, the selection has been reduced to just three options, with the American manicure resembling a French manicure but featuring a sheer nude overlay on the white tips.
Many service members have expressed their frustration online. One Air Force member on TikTok lamented, “I joined because I knew I could still have fun nails. I’m done.”
Another Reddit user shared their frustration over spending $50 on a manicure in a now-unapproved color, while acknowledging that other Air Force members face more significant challenges.
Some have criticized the sudden implementation of the policy, arguing that it financially impacts service members without adequate notice. “Forcing a policy change just days after announcing it is unfair, especially when it affects Airmen’s wallets,” one commenter noted.
While some online users sympathized, others dismissed the complaints. “If you serve our country, you should be able to wear whatever nail color you want,” one person argued. However, others pointed out that the military is about uniformity, not self-expression.
“The military isn’t a beauty pageant,” one person remarked, while another added, “The whole point of a uniform is that everyone looks the same. If you’re in the military, get used to it.”
