A mechanic who refuses to trim her three-inch nail extensions for work says she faces constant judgment from men in the automotive industry.
Peyton Cicconi, 25, has spent over £5,000 on elaborate nail designs during her seven-year career fixing engines and fitting wheels.
The Oakland, California-based technician wears fishnet tights and mini skirts while repairing cars, challenging stereotypes about what mechanics should look like.
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Despite having 1.2 million TikTok followers who support her unique approach, Peyton regularly faces harassment and is told she’s “fake” by male colleagues.
“I face a lot of difficulties in the industry as a woman such as daily harassment and men belittling me,” Peyton told NeedToKnow.Online.
“So many industry professionals were hating on my nails – it felt so unfair and I felt alone.”
Breaking Into a Male-Dominated Field
Peyton’s journey into automotive repair began early, sparked by childhood play with her twin brother.
“I’ve been interested in cars ever since I was a baby, I used to love playing with hot wheels with my twin brother,” she said.
When she enrolled in an automotive technician course, the gender imbalance became immediately apparent.
“When I started my automotive technician course, I was the only woman in my entire class of 100 people,” Peyton revealed.
The isolation extended beyond the classroom into employment opportunities.
“It was also hard to have employers taking me seriously,” she explained.
Her school principal actively advocated for her capabilities, but prejudice persisted.
“My school principal would be calling managers telling them I was capable of suspension jobs and they would still be hesitant to have a woman at their shop,” Peyton said.
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The Nail Evolution
Peyton’s signature long nails started as a creative expression tied to her modelling work.
“I started having fun and customising my nail polish colours to match my cars and trucks paint so I guess it just took off after that,” she said.
The length increased gradually over time through experimentation.
“I slowly started getting my nails longer every time I went to get a new set done,” Peyton explained.
Learning to work with extended nails required patience and adaptation.
“It took many sets of broken nails and trial and error to figure out the best way to work with them,” she said.
Her current set measures three inches long and features numerous decorative charms.
“My favorite set is my most recent set because it’s got so many cute charms and it’s the longest I’ve gone, which is three inches long,” Peyton added.
Over five years, the investment has added up significantly.
“I’ve spent over $6,000 on my nails over the past five years!” she said.
Practical Applications
Surprisingly, Peyton’s colleagues have found her nails functionally useful for certain tasks.
“My friends and colleagues can’t believe it,” she said.
“I’m always being called so they can use my nails as a pick or to scrape something, they actually come in handy.”
The extended nails serve as impromptu tools for reaching tight spaces or scraping off stubborn materials.
What critics view as impractical has become an unexpected asset in her work.
Daily Harassment
Despite her proven capabilities, Peyton faces regular challenges from men in the industry.
Beyond questioning her technical abilities, male mechanics attack her authenticity.
“A lot of men online have called me fake,” she said.
The criticism from fellow professionals particularly stung.
“So many industry professionals were hating on my nails – it felt so unfair and I felt alone,” Peyton revealed.
The negativity took a toll on her mental health.
“I was depressed at one point and didn’t know if I should keep my nails,” she admitted.
Like other women who’ve faced discrimination in male-dominated fields, Peyton had to decide whether conforming or standing firm better served her goals.
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Building a Movement
Rather than giving in to pressure, Peyton doubled down on her authentic presentation.
Her social media presence has attracted substantial support, with one recent video gaining over 40,000 views.
“My videos of me working in nails has started a worldwide movement of confident women that aren’t afraid to embrace their feminine side,” she said.
Followers regularly express admiration for her refusal to compromise her style.
“How did you do it with talons,” asked one user.
“Awesome job gorgeous,” said someone else.
A third person wrote, “Love how u do it with heels and nails.”
“You go girl,” said another commenter.
“I love this. This is what I want my daughter seeing, and sons,” commented another person.
Changing Customer Dynamics
Peyton believes her feminine presentation actually benefits certain customers.
Female clients particularly appreciate working with a woman mechanic.
“Women definitely feel more trusting coming to a mechanic like me, they know I’m not going to overcharge them or scam them just because of their gender,” she explained.
Her presence challenges the assumption that all mechanics are men trying to exploit female customers.
The automotive industry has long faced criticism for taking advantage of customers perceived as less knowledgeable.
Advocating for Women in Automotive
Beyond her personal success, Peyton actively champions women entering the trades.
“In my opinion, women are so teachable and great learners when it comes to automotive mechanics!” she said.
Her enthusiasm reflects a desire to see more gender diversity in the field.
The 25-year-old uses her platform to inspire other women considering non-traditional careers.
The Model-Mechanic Balance
Peyton’s modelling work complements rather than conflicts with her automotive career.
Her modelling background explains her initial interest in elaborate nail designs and fashionable work attire.
The combination creates a unique personal brand that differentiates her from other mechanics.
Her 1.2 million TikTok followers appreciate both aspects of her identity.
Pushing Back Against Dress Codes
Peyton’s choice to wear fishnet tights and mini skirts while working directly challenges industry norms.
Traditional automotive workplaces emphasize functional, masculine-coded clothing.
Her refusal to adopt conventional mechanic attire makes a statement about women’s right to present themselves authentically.
The clothing doesn’t impede her ability to perform mechanical tasks competently.
The Authenticity Question
Critics who call Peyton “fake” reveal assumptions about what real mechanics look like and how they should behave.
The accusation suggests that femininity and mechanical competence are incompatible.
Peyton’s seven years of experience and technical certifications contradict this stereotype.
Her ability to complete complex repairs with three-inch nails demonstrates adaptability rather than incompetence.
Representation Matters
Peyton’s visibility serves an important purpose for young women considering careers in trades.
“I love this. This is what I want my daughter seeing, and sons,” one commenter noted.
Seeing women succeed in non-traditional fields while maintaining their personal style expands possibilities.
Children who see diverse representations of professionals are more likely to pursue varied career paths.
The Cost of Standing Out
At over £5,000 invested in nails alone, plus fashionable work attire, Peyton’s presentation requires financial commitment.
The investment reflects her dedication to challenging industry stereotypes.
For Peyton, the cost is worthwhile if it inspires other women to enter automotive fields.
Mental Health Impact
The harassment and criticism took a serious toll on Peyton’s wellbeing.
“I was depressed at one point,” she admitted.
The pressure to conform versus staying authentic created real psychological distress.
Her decision to continue despite the mental health cost demonstrates remarkable resilience.
Support from her online community ultimately helped her persevere.
Future of Women in Trades
Peyton represents a growing movement of women entering traditionally male trades.
Her success challenges the notion that women must masculinize themselves to succeed in these fields.
The positive response to her content suggests cultural attitudes are shifting.
As more women like Peyton establish themselves, the next generation may face less resistance.
Her “worldwide movement of confident women” could gradually transform industry culture.
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