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Just like a red lip can transform your entire look with a single swipe, red nail polish can evoke confidence and boldness with a simple, no-frills manicure.
While the color has been brought to the forefront thanks to TikTok à la the “Red Nail Theory,” red nails have been used to symbolize power for centuries, with its history being traced back to 3,000 B.C. when Chinese royalty and high-ranking women in ancient Egypt wore the crimson shade on their nails to signify rank. Fast forward to today, and it’s become the go-to color for beauty lovers and experts alike wanting to make a statement.
“Red nails are a power statement,” says celebrity nail artist and Kiss brand ambassador Gina Edwards. “The person who wears red is conscious of nail care, most likely aware of nail trends but chooses to stay classic and effortless.”
“It stands out, but is still classic and complements almost every other color,” adds celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone. So how does one settle on a shade when there are endless options? Whether you love a bright cherry red or deep Bordeaux, you can wear whatever variation of this timeless shade you please. But if you’re looking for some guidance on where to start, the easiest way is to pick the one that will best complement your skin tone. Below, Edwards and Falcone walk us through how to do just that. Read on to learn more and pick the best red nail polish for you.
For Fair Skin
Edwards recommends looking for a red shade with slight pink undertones, like a watermelon. Against lighter skin, she says it will read like a true red. Something like the Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Electric Geometric gives you a bright pink-red shine with long-lasting power. We also like Sunday’s No. 13, which also mixes in hints of orange and gives you a high shine.
Falcone also likes bright red on fair skin and suggests opting for something with cooler tones like the OPI Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red. “It flatters everyone,” she says. You can also try something like the Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour, which mimics the signature red on its iconic shoe soles—and that's just simply stunning on.
For Medium to Olive Skin
Edwards says that undertones for medium skin tones may vary, so you have lots of options for that perfect red. First, she recommends looking for something with a blue base. We love the JINSoon in Ardor, which also infuses hints of pink to round out the color. She says you can also go dark red and loves something like Chanel’s Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Rouge Noir for a deep burgundy shade for those moody and romantic vibes.
Falcone likes more neutral shades. Our picks include the Zoya Nail Lacquer in Tanya or the Olive & June Nail Polish in CV.
For Tan to Dark Skin
Speaking of keeping things neutral, neutral red tones can also really pop against tan skin, says Edwards, as well as velvet tones. She recommends shades such as the OPI Nail Lacquer in OPI Red or Deborah Lippman’s Gel Lab Pro in Blazin to give you that classic red with depth and dimension.
We love the PLA Nail Polish in Chai and Chai Again or the Gucci Vernis À Ongles in 25 Goldie Red to bring some warmth to your red mani.
For Dark to Deep Skin
For a red polish that brightens the skin, Edwards loves looking for shades that are orange-based, like China Glaze’s The Heat Is On. We also like the Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in 64 Rouge Casaque, which gives your nails a smooth and creamy tomato color that’s super pretty to look at.
Falcone agrees and likes a vibrant orange-red like Essie’s Clambake. She also likes an opaque red, like Deborah Lippmann’s Gel Pro Nail Lacquer in It’s Raining Men which contains ingredients such as keratin and green tea extract to boost your nail health.
How to Keep Red Polish Looking Fresh
Both Edwards and Falcone say that red polish can be one of the more challenging shades to maintain and may require some extra reinforcement. “Red polish is very pigmented, so it’s more prone to chipping,” explains Falcone. To prolong your red mani, she recommends capping off the edge of your nail with your polish color of choice before using a top coat, like the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat, to lock it all in.
Edwards says that you can swipe a think layer of nail glue, like the Kiss Brushing Glue Vita Bond, on the tips to cap off the edge and apply a top coat like Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat over the entire nail and tip every two days to prevent chipping.
