Marc Jacobs kick starts men's beauty trend for 'male polish'

Back in March, Marc Jacobs uploaded a photo of himself to Instagram enjoying a cigarette break while simultaneously showing off a set of dark purple nails. And the fashion designer's accompanying hashtag #malepolish has since turned into the hottest new men's beauty trend.

Whatever the color, the rising popularity of the #malepolish movement is symbolic of a wider trend -- that of the increasing interest in male beauty in general. In January, new figures predicted that the growth in the male grooming sector would drive a steady increase in the global haircare market over the next three years, with growing numbers of fashion-conscious consumers cited as the main reason for the boost. Male grooming has undergone a revival across the beauty industry over the last few years, boosted by the launch of high-profile products such as Clinique's Sonic System Deep Cleansing Brush, brewery Carlsberg's shampoo, conditioner and body lotion trio, and must-have products such as beard oils and scented moisturizers. #Malepolish is proof of just how much the face of mainstream men's beauty is changing.