Yahoo Finance 27 red nail designs that are anything but boring
- 1/27
27 red nail designs that are anything but boring
If, like us, you're guilty of always sticking to your fail-safe nude nail polish, it's time to break out of your style rut and break open the reds. From pillarbox, to deep crimson, we have scoured Instagram to find the most drool-worthy designs which will make you want to reach for the bottle immediately. Plus we've tracked down some shades you can shop for an exact match.
Whether you're looking for acrylics or gels, cream or glitter, we've got every style and finish covered, to prove once and for all that red isn't just for December.
Some of these designs are so simple you could easily recreate them at home, some might be a little more challenging, and others will definitely require a salon appointment (unless you've got the kind of steady hand a surgeon would be proud of and the painting skills of Van Gogh).
Which seems unlikely...
You'll find inspiration in here from your favourite artists including Aja Walton and Chaun Legend. Not to mention some of the most talented studios around the world, including Paint Box Nails, which should be at the top of your NYC to-do list.
So go grab your nail polish remover and quick drying top coat and get painting your nails red. Just make sure you leave enough time for them to dry so you don't end up with the dreaded pillow creases.
We all know there's truly nothing worse than smudges on a freshly painted manicure...
Unless it's a flooded cuticle.
Instagram/nataliepavloskinails/overglowedit - 2/27
1) Red wine dipped
We love this twist on the classic French manicure, using two different shades of red.
overglowedit@Instagram - 3/27
2) Red fog
Switch up your classic monochrome marble design with some crimson smoke.
beautyworksbyamy@Instagram - 4/27
3) Shimmering Scarlet
This OPI Nature Strong polish in shade Raisin Your Voice is an elevated take on a red glitter, opting for a deeper cool toned red and a fine milled shimmer over a classic glitter.
opinailsuk@Instagram - 5/27
4) Barely there
The perfect style for those who are a bit apprehensive, but still want to dip their toe in red waters.
nail_unistella@Instagram - 6/27
5) Cubism
For fingers that look like they should be hanging in the Tate Modern.
paintboxnails@Instagram - 7/27
6) California dreamin'
The only thing these '70s inspired nails need is a Big Sur roadtrip.
nailsinc@Instagram - 8/27
7) Wrap it up
This intricate design may be impossible to recreate at home, but definitely worth booking an appointment for.
chaunlegend@Instagram - 9/27
8) Movie Star Red
Wildfire by CND so perfectly captures that ultimate movie star red, it's bold without being bright, deep without being dark, and classic without ever risking bring dated. The universally flattering shade cannot fail to make you feel 100% that b*tch.
cndworld@Instagram - 10/27
9) Colour blocking
We love the touch of neon green in this truly unique design.
astrowifey@Instagram - 11/27
10) Traffic lights
Sheer acrylics are a great way of upgrading your classic bright red.
hollyfalconenails@Instagram - 12/27
11) Ombre finger tips
Can't master ombre nails on yourself? Try fading your colour finger by finger.
themimid@Instagram - 13/27
12) She's French, Burgundy to be specific
This sophisticated take on a coloured French manicure is far from the brights you might expect from the playful design, and uses the Essie shade 'Wrapped in Luxury'. It's the title shade from the Winter 22 collection.
essie@Instagram - 14/27
13) Lost in the maze
Not quite sure if we have the skills to recreate this at home, but you can guarantee we'll try.
nataliepnails@Instagram - 15/27
14) Subtle tips
If you're looking for just a flash of red, this metallic design will make you feel like a superhero.
nataliepnails@Instagram - 16/27
15) Going dotty
Use a nail dotting tool to plant the perfect circle over a nude base.
hollyfalconenails@Instagram - 17/27
16) Share the love
Give yourself the love you deserve with this simple heart design.
sophierevolver@Instagram - 18/27
17) Sultry Day to Night
These two pictures perfectly illustrate how OPI's clever Malaga Wine shade is a rusty deep red in the daylight but under the cover of darkness turns to a vampy blood-black red.
opinailsuk@Instagram - 19/27
18) Flamin' hot
If you like your nails how you like your Doritos, this flame art manicure is the one for you.
emily__meraki@Instagram - 20/27
19) Cherry bomb
Make it spicy, but keep it cute.
missbettyrose@Instagram - 21/27
20) Wavy lines
We're a bit obsessed with this manicure and not just because it reminds us of the Pepsi logo.
paintboxnails@Instagram - 22/27
21) Street art
These Keith Haring inspired nails are not only cultural, but also bloody cute.
narinanails@Instagram - 23/27
22) Irregular shapes
This is a whole optical illusion. Bored of coffin and tired of oval? We'll be filing our nails diagonally from now on.
nail_unistella@Instagram - 24/27
23) Just do it
There is no better symbol of the current '00s nostalgia we're experiencing, than the classic Nike tick.
jessicawashick@Instagram - 25/27
24) Tartan talons
Sorry, but how is this even real? The talent here is unbelievable.
ajackdannie@Instagram - 26/27
25) Sprinkle frosting
Abstract Christmas nails? Or abstract Krispy Kreme? We're yet to decide...
swaknails@Instagram - 27/27
26) Scratch it out
One for you nail art amateurs. This cool jagged design is a twist on the classic French manicure.
bhambnails@Instagram
