In the beauty world, the color red is forever a classic —especially on the manicure front. Whether keeping it simple with a swipe of crimson or going for an intricate design, bold red nails will never go out of style.
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Before you just paint your nails a random shade of rouge, though, keep reading to uncover over a dozen gorgeous red nail ideas.
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Tomato Red Nails
Red is one of those colors that's so stunning all on its own that simply choosing the perfect shade is enough to create a flawless nail look. One look at these squoval-shaped nails proves it.
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Ruby-Red French Tips
A surefire way to rock red on your nails in 2024? In the form of a bold French mani. To perfect your arcs, use French manicure nail stickers, like the Orly Half Moon Guides ($6).
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Pink and Red Mismatch
Allow us to remind you: pink and red is a color combo that can be worn all year round — not just on Valentine's Day. This year, try getting creative with the pretty hues by working them into a mismatched mani.
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Cherry Red
Does it get any better than this red? It's a tough one to beat in our book. The exact shade is Game Over by Cirque Colors, which is part of the Vice 2023 Collection Set ($60).
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Red French Manicure With Heart Accents
Love the idea of a red French mani but want to flaunt some fun nail art, too? Check out these cutie heart-and-daisy accent nails.
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Red Chrome Nails
If you prefer the look of non-holo chrome, here's a reminder of just how gorgeous it can look in red. FYI: If you want this exact nail shape but struggle to grow your nails out, you can cop it using the Aprés Gel-X Sculpted Almond Medium Tips ($30).
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Red Holographic Chrome Nails
Chrome nails were huge in 2023 and aren't going anywhere in 2024. For a playful twist on the metallic nail art trend, opt for a holographic finish. To get this exact look, you'll need a bottle of the Nail Reserve LA Gel Polish in the shade Let's Have Some Fun ($11). It's a magenta hue, but when topped with the ICEGEL Sunset Glow Powder ($50), it reads like a cherry-red shade.
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Matte Red and Pink Nails
Here's another mismatched mani showcasing the hottest color of the year. What sets it apart — beyond the trendy checker print — is the matte finish. To transform any red polish into a matte masterpiece, stock your nail-care collection with a bottle of the OPI Matte Top Coat ($12).
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Red Almond-Shaped Nails
Truly, just how gorgeous is a solid red mani? It's simple, classic, and bold all at once. (FYI: This is another example of how the Aprés Gel-X Sculpted Almond Medium Tips look in action.)
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Red Cat Eye Nails
If you love the idea of a solid red manicure but are hoping for a bit more depth, consider a cat-eye nail look. With Holo Taco Nail Polish in the shade Sacrificial Lacquer ($15), you can DIY the nail trend with a simple swipe of color.
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Red Strawberry Accent Nails
Over the past year, there's been an enhanced adoration of all things emulating girlhood. If you ask us, these daisy-dotted, strawberry-accented French tips nail the look. (Psst: If you love the shape, you can snag it for yourself with the Aprés Gel-X Sculpted Stiletto Tips, $30.)
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Red Floral Nails
These playful red-bordered floral nails remind us of vintage dinnerware and festive fiestas. As intricate as the design seems, it's rather simply to DIY so long as you have a steady hand and dotting tools. Each of the flowers can be made with a single dot in the center and dragged-out dots for each petal. Then, the border can be outlined with a fine-lining nail art brush and detailed with evenly spaced, drawn-out dots.
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Firecracker Red Nails
For an extra fiery red manicure, reach for a bottle of Death Valley Nails Nail Polish in the shade Hiss ($14) . The trick to making it look professionally painted is to touch up the edges of each nail bed with an angled brush dipped in acetone.
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Pink and Red Holly Nails
You can rock festive nails while throwing a touch of pink in the mix, too. These pink and red striped nails are positively party ready with their cute little holly accents, which, BTW, are easy to DIY with nail dotting tools.
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Red Seashell Nails
Whether you're dreaming of the beach, embracing your inner mermaid, or looking for the prettiest vacation mani, this gold shell-embellished red French mani is a must. It was created using the Cirque Colors Coquille Charms ($10).
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Bow Accent Nails
Bows are the most popular style detail as we head into 2024, so these dainty bow-accent almond-shaped nails are an obvious pick for the weeks and months ahead. The polishes at play here are OPI Nail Lacquer ($12) in the shades Rebel With a Clause and Alpine Snow.
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Red Swirl Nail Ideas
Another way to wear red polish? In a swirl design. Just know that, unless you have a super steady hand, this nail look is likely best achieved by a professional nail artist.
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Red Velvet Nails
Velvet nails were everywhere in 2023 and the luxurious nail-art trend is forecasted to remain in fashion in 2024. Nail artist Dayanna I. Sapiens created this nail look using Gelcare Official UV Gel Nail Polish ($20) in shades Gold Velvet and Pomegranate.
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Red Angel Number Nails
Looking for luck as we head into 2024? This 777, Vegas-inspired French mani will make you swoon. To recreate the look at home, you'll need the Cirque Colors x Kelli Marissa Collection Set ($52), which comes with six polishes, as well as the decals.
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Abstract Red Nails
This cute abstract nail look was created at home with the Le Mini Macaron Cherry Red Gel Manicure Set ($38). So, if you ever thought gel nails had to be expensive, think again!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As a beauty expert with a deep understanding of nail art and manicure trends, I can confidently say that the color red has always been a timeless classic in the beauty world. Its versatility and boldness make it a go-to choice for many individuals when it comes to nail designs. In this article, we will explore various red nail ideas that will surely make a statement in 2024.
To begin, let's talk about the concept of a red manicure. Red is a stunning color that can stand on its own, effortlessly creating a flawless nail look. The perfect shade of red can make all the difference, and in this article, we will explore a range of options. From tomato red nails with squoval-shaped tips to ruby-red French tips, there are plenty of ways to rock red on your nails.
Moving on, we have the concept of a mismatched mani. Pink and red, a classic color combination, can be worn all year round, not just on Valentine's Day. This year, you can get creative by incorporating these pretty hues into a mismatched manicure. It's a fun and playful way to experiment with different shades of red and pink.
One particular shade worth mentioning is the cherry red. It is a stunning color that is hard to beat and can make a bold statement. The exact shade, Game Over by Cirque Colors, is part of the Vice 2023 Collection Set. It's a must-have for anyone looking to make a statement with their red nails.
If you love the idea of a red French manicure but want to add some nail art, consider adding heart accents. These cute heart-and-daisy accent nails are perfect for those who want to flaunt some fun and playful nail art. Another option is to explore the world of chrome nails. Non-holo chrome nails, such as red chrome nails, can look absolutely stunning and add a touch of elegance to your manicure.
For those who want to take metallic nail art to the next level, holographic red chrome nails are the way to go. This playful twist on the metallic trend will surely turn heads. To achieve this look, you'll need a bottle of the Nail Reserve LA Gel Polish in the shade Let's Have Some Fun, topped with the ICEGEL Sunset Glow Powder.
Matte red and pink nails are another trend to explore in 2024. This mismatched mani combines the hottest color of the year with a trendy checker print, creating a unique and eye-catching look. To achieve the matte finish, you can use the OPI Matte Top Coat.
Almond-shaped nails in solid red are a classic choice that never goes out of style. The simplicity and boldness of a solid red manicure make it a timeless option. You can achieve this look using the Aprés Gel-X Sculpted Almond Medium Tips.
For those looking for more depth in their red manicure, consider a cat-eye nail look. With a simple swipe of color using Holo Taco Nail Polish in the shade Sacrificial Lacquer, you can add a touch of intrigue to your nails.
Emulating girlhood has been a popular trend, and red strawberry accent nails perfectly capture that essence. These daisy-dotted, strawberry-accented French tips are a fun and youthful way to embrace the trend.
If you're feeling creative, you can try your hand at creating playful red-bordered floral nails. With a steady hand and dotting tools, you can achieve this intricate design. Each flower can be made with a single dot in the center and dragged-out dots for each petal, while the border can be outlined with a fine-lining nail art brush.
For an extra fiery red manicure, reach for a bottle of Death Valley Nails Nail Polish in the shade Hiss. To make it look professionally painted, touch up the edges of each nail bed with an angled brush dipped in acetone.
Adding a touch of pink to your red manicure can create a festive and playful look. Pink and red striped nails with cute little holly accents are the perfect party-ready nails. You can easily create the holly accents using nail dotting tools.
If you're dreaming of the beach or embracing your inner mermaid, consider a gold shell-embellished red French manicure. The Cirque Colors Coquille Charms can help you achieve this vacation-ready look.
Bows are a popular style detail in 2024, and dainty bow-accented almond-shaped nails are an obvious choice. You can achieve this look using OPI Nail Lacquer in the shades Rebel With a Clause and Alpine Snow.
Another unique way to wear red polish is in a swirl design. While this nail look is best achieved by a professional nail artist, it can create a stunning and eye-catching design.
Lastly, velvet nails were a huge trend in 2023 and are expected to remain fashionable in 2024. Red velvet nails, created using Gelcare Official UV Gel Nail Polish in shades Gold Velvet and Pomegranate, add a touch of luxury to any manicure.
If you're looking for luck in 2024, why not try an angel number-inspired French manicure? The Cirque Colors x Kelli Marissa Collection Set, along with the decals, can help you achieve this Vegas-inspired look.
To conclude, there are numerous ways to rock red nails in 2024. From classic red manicures to bold and playful designs, the color red never goes out of style. Experiment with different shades, finishes, and nail art to create a look that suits your personal style.