Despite what TikTok may have you believe with its buzzy Red Nail Theory (aka the assumption that red nails make you more confident and more likely to attract a romantic partner), a red manicure is not “back,” and it’s not “trendy.” Red nails have never left the chat! A candy-apple lacquer is many people’s classic go-to shade at the salon, no matter the season, and I lump myself in that list.
“Whether you are looking for a bolder manicure or one that can still act as a neutral to take on all from day to night, red is versatile, flattering, and a great color for anyone to choose,” agrees celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann, founder of the namesake brand. That said, a slew of red nail polish shades are on the market. Should you go with a bright, blue-based red, a deep oxblood, or a warm poppy?
Browse our selections and shade-matching tips below, and you’ll surely find more than a few new staples. Keep scrolling—your new go-to red lies just ahead.
The Best Red Nail Polishes, Listed
- Best True Red: OPI Big Apple Red
- Best Blue Red: Chanel Pompier
- Best Orange Red: Essie Geranium
- Best Dark Red: Deborah Lippmann Lady Is a Tramp
- Best Cherry Red: Gucci Goldie Red
- Best Poppy Red: JinSoon Crush
- Best Burgundy: H&M Bordeaux
- Best Drugstore: Sally Hansen Augmented Red-Ality
- Best Splurge: Hermès Rouge Casaque
- Best Black Cherry Red: Chanel Rouge Noir
The Best Red Nail Polishes of 2024
Best True Red: OPI Big Apple Red
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red
It doesn’t get more classic than OPI’s Big Apple Red. Sitting squarely in the middle of the warm-to-cool-tone spectrum, it flatters all skin tones and makes a juicy statement. As an editor who resides in NYC, this is the polish I turn to when I want to feel bold and powerful.
Customer review: “This is the perfect shade of red. No need to look further than this. The polish goes on easily and has good coverage too. Could get away with only 1 coat but I stick with 2 coats to be safe. Love.”
Best Blue Red: Chanel Pompier
Chanel
Le Vernis in Pompier
While this glossy, blue-based red will look beautiful on anyone, it complements the hues naturally present in someone with cool tones in their skin. You can never go wrong with any Chanel nail polish, IMHO, but if you have yet to add one to your arsenal, snagging a fancy red isn’t a bad idea.
Customer review: “This color red is perfect with my coloring, goes on so well, [and] I’m on 6th day with no signs of wear. And it makes me feel good.”
Best Orange Red: Essie Geranium
Essie
Essie Nail Lacquer in Geranium
This bright, fiery red certainly makes a statement! This lacquer is a playful mood booster. Warm-toned reds tend to complement those with warm, golden tones in their skin, and this creamy polish (tagged at just $9!) is one of the best you can wear.
Customer review: “This is my favorite summer red! Not Christmas-y at all… bright, with very faint hints of orange.”
Best Dark Red: Deborah Lippmann Lady Is a Tramp
Deborah Lippmann
Gel Lab Pro Color Nail Polish – Lady Is a Tramp
With searches for “deep red nails” up 5000% in Google over the past month, the color is certainly trending for fall. Dark red nails evoke a moodier, autumnal take on a bright red mani, yet it doesn’t lean as vampy as, say, a plum or burgundy. This number from Deborah Lippmann—cheekily named Lady Is a Tramp—is the perfect pick. It not only nails the rich, deep color but also has immense staying power. It’s called Gel Lab Pro for a reason!
Customer review: “This polish surpasses any I’ve ever used, and I adore each one as it goes on smoothly and feels very good on your nails. Highly recommended.”
Best Cherry Red: Gucci Goldie Red
Gucci
Glossy Nail Polish in Goldie Red
Cherry red nails are bright and expensive-looking, say nail techs. The trend picked up earlier this fall but is clearly not going anywhere—the gorgeous hue is classic, after all. The perfect cherry shade will look juicy and ripe, just like this Gucci lacquer. The vintage-inspired bottle is reason enough to add it to your collection. My tip? Snag the matte lipstick of the same name for a beautifully monochromatic moment.
Customer review: “I have never been impressed with any nail polish in the past. I have tried many and due to my work and habits, often they just chip so quickly. I even just went to clear nail polish just to keep the length. But, I was willing to try the Gucci brand because overall, the reviews were solid. I am thrilled to say they are 100% correct about the wearability and chip resistance! I am in love with Goldie Red. I had so many people ask me where I had my nails done. I proudly shared the info! I already ordered my daughter the same color!! I will definitely be buying this in the future.
Best Poppy Red: JinSoon Crush
I’m obsessed with the entire Jinsoon jelly collection, but this poppy red especially has my heart. It applies a bit translucent (like all jelly shades do), but you can layer on coat after coat to reach your desired intensity. Bonus: The polish emits a soft floral fragrance since it’s inspired by rose balsam petals. A vivid red shade, a delightful scent, and a playful jelly finish are pretty much a recipe for happiness, don’t you think?
Customer review: “I think I’ve become a staunch fan of Jinsoon as a whole. I have another bottle besides this color and both of them are consistently easy to apply and relatively difficult to chip. To contextualize the situation, I chip most polishes within a day because I use my hands a lot to write, type, cook, gesture, etc. Jinsoon polish only starts to chip on day 3 for me. Anyway, back to Crush: True to advertising, the polish does give off a rose perfume smell as it is drying. It’s a pretty cute detail, since Crush and Blush are the Rose Balsam-inspired duo.”
Best Burgundy: H&M Bordeaux
H&M
Nail Polish in Bordeaux
Yep, H&M sells nail polish, and just as the brand’s fabrics look way more expensive than they actually are, these $6 lacquers exude luxury. I’m especially partial to this deep oxblood, which instantly elevates your fall and winter aesthetic. It’s no wonder the burgundy hue is poised to become the season’s biggest color trend!
Customer review: “I purchased Rhodium Runaway because I wanted a rust/red metallic nail polish, but this is more of a deep burgundy/wine. It’s still a beautiful color, but [not] as pictured online. Wears well for such a deep color; needed only one coat. I will order it again because of the wear, and burgundy is lovely.”
Best Drugstore: Sally Hansen Augmented Red-Ality
Sally Hansen
Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Augmented Red-Ality
Whenever I make a mad dash to the drugstore in a nail polish emergency (yes, it happens), I always seek out Sally Hansen. The brand’s Insta-Dri collection is a nail art novice’s dream, as the polish is formulated with a base and top coat already and dries down in just 60 seconds. There are over 70 shades to choose from, but I’d say this true, classic red is a must-have.
Customer review: “Love Sally Hansen insta-dri nail polishes! Dries in a minute, quality’s good, and the color choices are lovely. Life-long fan here.”
Best Splurge: Hermès Rouge Casaque
Hermès
Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Rouge Casaque
I know what you’re thinking: Am I really about to drop $57 for a nail polish?! But when a lacquer gives you salon-quality results that last weeks without chipping, the steep price tag becomes a bit more reasonable. Trust me, this Hermès number doesn’t budge, which is even more of an impressive feat for a bold, bright red. (Usually, highly pigmented polishes chip more easily!).
Customer review: “Color is perfect, applies so smoothly, lasts and lasts. The best product in their beauty lineup for sure.”
Best Black Cherry Red: Chanel Rouge Noir
Chanel
Le Vernis in Rouge Noir
Black cherry nails have been trending since the summer (think cherry’s moody younger sister), and I, for one, am fully on board. The color is just so elegant. Chanel’s Vamp (originally marketed as Rouge Noir) is already an icon in its own right, but in case you need one more reason to snag the highly coveted classic, it’s also the perfect shade of black cherry.
Customer review: “Obsessed with this color. It’s dark. It’s the deepest red. It’s sexy. It glides on like magic on my fingertips. I am thrilled to add this color to my collection.”
What’s the best red for your skin tone?
First, let’s be clear: You can really wear any shade of red you please. But if you’re curious about which crimson hue suits your skin tone best, Lippmann recommends assessing your undertones. Everyone has a range of tones in their skin (cool, warm, and neutral), and identifying which ones are most present in yours can help you decide which shades of red to wear.
- Warm undertones: “The best red polishes for a warmer skin tone would be the vibrant reds,” she says. Think fiery, orange-based reds or brick hues, if you’re looking for a darker polish.
- Cool undertones: Cooler-toned individuals, on the other hand, would want to opt for blue-based reds. Burgundy also suits cool undertones quite well.
- Neutral undertones: “Neutral tones have the best of both worlds and can land on a true red,” Lippmann shares.
Just don’t forget, Lippmann adds, “This can be used to see what shade stands out the best on your skin tone but by no means should limit you for getting your favorite red manicure, or any manicure, in general.” Period!
FAQ
What is the best true red nail polish?
A true red polish is vibrant, versatile, and suits all skin tones and seasons. You can’t go wrong with OPI’s Big Apple Red, but if you feel like making a splurge, Hermès’s Rouge Casaque is a fabulous choice. Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Augmented Red-Ality also counts as a true red, if you’d prefer to pick one up at the drugstore.
Is red nail polish still in style?
It never left! Take it from Lippmann. “Red never goes out of style and is a classic, timeless color to choose for your manicure,” she says.
What are the red nail trends in 2024?
Red nail polish as a whole is very on-trend, but you can dive deeper into the category to discover micro-trends, such as burgundy or black cherry nails. We also saw regular cherry lacquer trending this year, as well as red French tips.
Source From: www.whowhatwear.com
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