12 Red Nail Designs: Easy Ways To Add Even More Flair To This Classic Nail Color At Home
By Anna Traver,
29 days ago
Nothing can make you feel more vibrant than a red manicure: The bold hue makes a standout statement, it can be both chic and playful and the color can help exude confidence. "Red nails give a powerful, yet sexy message," says celebrity nail artist Vanessa McCullough who has worked with stars like Jennifer Coolidge and Christina Applegate. Best yet, although red nails have been a staple for women for decades, red nail designs are one of the hottest nail trends now. That's why we've rounded up our favorite nail looks using the fiery color that you can DIY at home or bring to the salon for inspiration.
Having a fresh manicure is an instant confidence boost, no matter if you’re doing nails yourself or having them done at the nail salon. Adding a fun design or testing out a new shade or manicure technique ups the confidence factor. And though getting a nail design never goes out of style, different nail trends […]
What is the best shade of red for my skin tone?
The best way to wear red nail designs is to factor in skin tone when picking a red polish to use.
Medium or olive skin? Try a brick red polish such as CND Vinylux Polish in Oxblood . “Reds with a hint of brown or gold blend well with the natural warmth of your skin tone,” says Roncal.
Also smart: "As women age and lose elasticity in our skin, it shows in our hands. A red nail design nail with some length polished with a classic red will elongate the fingers and keep them looking feminine," assures McCullough. "Keeping nails manicured with a darker color also helps camouflage any ridging of the nails, thickening of the cuticles or dryness."
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12 radiant DIY red nail designs
Of course, you can stick to a tried-and-true red mani if you're looking for a more classic and traditional red nail look. However, if you're wanting to spice it up and incorporate some fun nail designs, we've found 12 fabulous looks you can easily recreate at home.
1. Red nail designs: Red chrome nails
Chrome has been one of the biggest nail trends of 2024, and we're all for it. The best part? Chrome can be applied to just about any color — including red. These gorgeous red chrome nails have the most beautiful pearlescent finish that complements the red beautifully.
Watch the video below by @MarlaKris on YouTube to learn how to do chrome nails without gel.
Paint all nails with a coat of clear polish and let get tacky. Then, use an eyeshadow sponge and "rub" on chrome powder, like Manicurist Paris Pink Glazed Effect Powder , to get the chrome, pearlescent effect.
Wipe the excess powder off with a brush.
Seal with top coat.
2. Red nail designs: Red French tips
A French manicure never goes out of style, but it can be done in many different variations. Spice it up with red French tips, a fun twist on the classic mani.
On the pinky nails, use the green nail art polish to make leaves and stems.
Finish with top coat.
4. Red nail designs: Fabulous swirl nail art
Abstract nail art is so fun, and better yet, super easy to recreate since there really are no rules. Just paint on some fun stripes and swirls, and you're set!
Use a striping brush and the red polish to paint on one thin, curvy, vertical stripe anywhere on each of the nude nails. Then, use the striping brush and white nail polish to create a similar stripe next to the red stripe. Let dry completely.
Finish with top coat.
5. Elegant red tulips
A flirty floral red nail design looks gorgeous any time of year. This manicure features a slightly deeper red, but you can substitute in the best red for you.
To create the tulip, dip a striping brush into a brown polish, like Nails.Inc nail polish in Copacabana Beach Nude , and use it to draw the stem of the flower starting at the tip of the nail and stopping slightly before the center of the nail. Then, dip the striping brush into the scarlet polish and use to create a tulip shape with three points or "petals." The tips of the petals should be in the center of the nail. For the leaves, dip a striping brush into a green polish, like Olive & June polish in WKF , and use to create two curved leaf shapes on each side of the stem. let dry.
Finish with top coat.
6. Red nail designs: Cute red cherries
Cherries are one of the trendiest designs of the year in clothing, accessories and, you guessed it, nails! The best part? They are easier to recreate than you may think.
Dip a dotting tool, like Le Mini Macaron Le Dottie , into the red polish then use it to create 3-4 small cherries on the middle finger nail and one larger cherry on the corner of the ring finger nail. Let dry.
Using a green nail art striper, like FingerPaints Striping Polish in Green , create stems by painting a thin line stemming from each cherry with a small leaf attached. Let dry.
Finish with top coat.
7. Dark red nails: Cherry cola nails
This simple and elegant look by @MariaLouise_nails on Instagram doesn't require any nail art skills. These cherry cola, dark red nails are easy as pie to recreate and look right on trend.
What's not to love about these red heart nails by @lucyjanesbeauty on Instagram? They're simple enough without being too busy and are sure to bring on the compliments.
Dip the ball end of a nail dotting tool into a red polish, like Salon Perfect Nail Polish in Salsa Dance , and use it to create 5-7 small hearts all around each nail; This doesn't have to be in a perfect pattern. Let dry.
Finish with top coat.
9. Neutrals with a pop of red
These nails by @sogelish on Instagram are the chicest minimalist option if you are not into bold designs. It's subtle while still giving a pop of color, and will go beautifully with your neutral clothes and accessories.
On the pointer nail, use a nail striping brush, like SQULIGT 3PCS Nail Art Liner Brushes , dipped in the maroon polish to create one square in the upper corner and one square diagonal in the lower corner. Fill in the squares with the polish. Let dry.
On the ring finger nail, use the striping brush and maroon polish to create four squares: one on the top middle, one on the bottom middle and one on each side of the nail. Fill in the squares. Let dry.
Finish with top coat.
11. Dazzling diamonds
This design by @LifeWorldWomen on Youtube has your nails looking like jewerly.
Get the look:
Prep nails with a base coat. Let dry.
Cut a strip of tape into a narrow, long triangle. Stick onto center of nail with the point facing up.
Peel the tape off to reveal the triangle of bare nail underneath. At the point of the triangle, add a dot of clear polish and place a rhinestone, like QEZEZA Rhinestones for Nails , on top. Let dry.
Seal with top coat.
12. Retro reds
If you are looking for something similar to a classic red mani, but still want a little flair, this retro nail art by Maryam Maquillage on YouTube is just for you.
Use a red striping polish, like China Glaze Stripe Rite in Roll out the Red Carpet , to create a curved, semi-circle towards the bottom of the nail. Then, fill in all of the space above the circle all the way up to the tip of the nail. Let dry.
Seal with top coat.
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