17 Gorgeous Red Nail Design Ideas You Need To Try
Red nails are a classic manicure option. It’s a versatile look that can be adapted for a sophisticated event, a day at the office, or a romantic date night. Far from being boring and basic, you can play with the tones, top coat, nail shape, or decorations to make your red nails stand out from the crowd. Keep reading to find out the best ways to take your red nails to the next level.
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Burlesque star Dita Von Teese is famous for her old-school glamorous look. A ruby red manicure perfectly complements her retro style. To get Dita’s ’50s-inspired nails, ask for a half-moon manicure with a glossy red base and a nude or pale pink accent.
Show off your quirky and creative side with a fun nail design. One popular option is a social media-inspired manicure. An Instagram heart or a Facebook-like fit perfectly on each nail. You could also try different emojis – either smiley faces or cute food like tacos, fruit, and ice cream.
Red nails look great with any finish, from satin to glitter and high shine. However, a matte top coat gives your scarlet manicure a modern twist. A matte finish also adds richness to the color and draws attention to your nails because it’s unusual. You could also try a matte nail feature nail or an all-matte manicure with a shiny feature nail.
Metallic has been a big nail trend for years, and it’s not going out of style any time soon! The cool chrome look will make your manicure stand out from the crowd and attract attention. It’s created by using a ‘mirror’ or ‘chrome’ powder mixed with your polish. With the right tools, you can achieve the foiled finish of metallic nails at home.
For a fresh twist on red nails, combine a crimson shade with maroon in a subtle gradient. The resulting ombré effect looks sensual and passionate. Ideal for the cooler months, it has a stylish feel and a polished finish. Ombré nails also look great on all nail shapes, particularly square, stiletto, and coffin.
An unusual color combination for your manicure is red and pastel. Try adding a coral red feature nail, while keeping the rest of your nails within the pink pastel family. The pop of bold, saturated color will draw attention and give a simple manicure a striking and unexpected look.
Red and pink are classic color duos. The contrast between bold, passionate red, and pretty pink makes for the ultimate feminine and romantic manicure. For a special occasion like Valentine’s Day or your anniversary, play up the girly feel by adding cute details like hearts.
Give your nails a psychedelic ’60s vibe with red and white candy stripes. Retro treats and wrappers inspire a sweet and swirly look. For an at-home version, try more simple diagonal or vertical lines, similar to the uniforms worn by candy stripers.
Show your romantic side with red and white love nails. Perfect for a date night or special occasion, love nails are cute and sweet. Opt for a red manicure with a white heart feature nail, or reverse the colors and go for a pop of red. You can also use heart-shaped glitter or repeat the heart pattern on every nail. There are so many ways to embrace this trend!
Sweet, juicy cherries are a popular pattern on clothes and nails. That’s because they are bright and fresh, and give a pop of red to any look. Paint the iconic double cherry on each nail for an adorable result that will remind you of long summer days. Combine with classic French tips for extra ’90s style points.
Embrace the red dots trend with oversized dots on your nails! It’s a subtle and quirky pattern with personality. Plus, it puts a fresh and modern take on a classic manicure design. You could also try a polka dot pattern. For best results, paint your dots over a nude, clear, or white base.
We’re all familiar with the classic French manicure – a nude base with white tips. To give your French manicure a fresh and cool update, swap the white for red. The result is a sexy and sophisticated nail look that is as simple as it is chic. Perfect for the office or a night out, the red French manicure is one of the most versatile options. Try combining it with an almond, oval, or stiletto shape.
Love hearts are one of the most versatile patterns you can choose for your nails. One trending option is love heart tips. Subtle, cute, and flirty, love heart tips are easy to create yourself. Shape your nails, so they form an oval, almond shape, or stiletto shape, then paint on a double curve to form a heart on each one.
A pretty and feminine take on the ombre manicure is red to pink. To get the look at home, apply a white base coat so that the colors on top pop. Then use a damp makeup sponge to stamp on the red and pink polish, which will ensure you get an even, blended gradient. Then simply add a glossy top coat, and you’re done!
Stick-on or press-on nails give you a stand-out manicure in minutes. They are also a good option if your natural nails are too weak for acrylics or gel polish, or if you bite your nails. While there is a huge variety of stick-on nail designs and shapes available, red is a classic and goes with every outfit.
Feature nails are a great way to refresh a simple manicure without redoing every nail. Whether you choose a contrasting color or a pattern for your feature nails, you can be sure your fingertips will stand out. That is because the human eye is attracted to contrast. For your red manicure, choose a pattern with complementary colors in the same hue family.
Why choose between your favorite red nail polishes? Show off the full spectrum with a shades-of-red manicure. From cool-toned berry reds to hot orange-red hues – and everything in between – your fingertips will look amazing. Because all the colors are in the same shade family, you won’t need to worry about them clashing. Instead, all the reds will work harmoniously together.
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Red nails are a bold choice, and they have the ability to grab attention and make a powerful statement. This hue is often associated with romantic love and passion, but it can also give the wearer confidence. There are various shades to choose from, all of which allow you to perfectly show off your hands and let others know that you are anything but a wallflower.
It is a color that is timeless and has been popular for decades, although it does take a lot of confidence to pull off because it is guaranteed to draw attention to your hands. Keeping this in mind, it is important to ensure that your nails are well-manicured, as chipped polish or unkempt talons are especially noticeable when painted in this bold hue.
Red nail polish can be classy, although it is not always appropriate for every occasion. For example, if you work in a very conservative environment, it may be best to opt for a simple, natural shade. That said, red is a hue that lends itself well to various settings and can be used to give your look a pop of color. You can also make a statement by matching it to your lipstick or accessories.
If you want your nails to be a focal point of your appearance, then tone down the rest of your outfit by wearing solid, neutral shades like black or white. Red nails demand attention, so they look perfect when your outfit is toned down; however, they can go with almost everything.
