12 Red Nail Designs That Add Fiery Flair to the Classic Nail Color

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.

What is the best shade of red for my skin tone?

The best way to wear red nail designs is to factor in skin color and tone when picking a red polish to use.

Fair skin? Try a pinkish red such as essie Nail Color Polish in Style Hunter (Buy from Amazon, $12.40). “That hint of bluish pink really complements delicate, fair skin!” says celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal.

Medium or olive skin? Try a brick red polish such as CND Vinylux Polish in Oxblood (Buy from Amazon, $11.42). “Reds with a hint of brown or gold blend well with the natural warmth of your skin tone,” says Roncal.

Dark skin? Try a red wine polish such as Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Polish in Cinna-Snap (Buy from Amazon, $10.14), says Roncal. “To really brighten a deep skin tone, you need a richly pigmented shade like wine.” (Click through here to learn more about your skin’s tone and undertone.)

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.”

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: 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.

Get the look:

1. Prep nails with a base coat. Let dry.
2. Paint the thumb, pointer and pinky nails with two coats of a red polish, like Salon Perfect Nail Polish in Salsa Dance (Buy from Walmart, $4.12). Let dry.
3. On the middle and ring finger nails, paint two coats of a white polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White On (Buy from Amazon, $2.97). Let dry.
4. Dip a dotting tool, like Le Mini Macaron Le Dottie (Buy from Le Mini Macaron, $5), 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.
5. Using a green nail art striper, like Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Striper in Lime Green (Buy from Amazon, $4.99), create stems by painting a thin line stemming from each cherry with a small leaf attached. Let dry.
6. Finish with top coat.

2. Red nail designs: Sparkle-accented red

The hint of gold shimmer in this red nail design adds light-reflecting shine that blurs any nail dents and ridges.

Get the look:

1. Paint nails with a base coat. Let dry.
2. Paints two coats of a scarlet red polish, like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Polish in That’s a Blazing! (Buy from Amazon, $5.24), and let dry.
3. Paint the ring finger nail with one coat of a gold sparkle polish, like Olive & June polish in Is It Too Much? (Buy from Olive & June, $9), focusing most of the sparkle on the bottom of the nail.
4. Use a black striping polish, like China Glaze Stripe Rite in Paint it Black (Buy from China Glaze, $4.20), to create a thin line starting at the base of the nail going up to a little past the center of the nail. Then, draw the leaves by creating thin, shorter lines stemming off the main line. Let dry.
5. Finish with top coat.

3. Red nail designs: Shimmery French tips

This gorgeous twist on a traditional French manicure is not only elegant and easy, but the contrast of the textured gold tips with the deep burgundy polish also creates the illusion that nails are much longer.

Get the look:

1. Sweep on two coats of a dark berry polish, like O.P.I. Nail Lacquer in Malaga Wine (Buy from Amazon, $11.49) and let it dry completely.
2. Hold the brush of a gold polish with a “sand” texture, like OPI in Five Golden Rules (Buy from Amazon, $11.49) horizontally over the tip of the nail. Then instead of moving the brush, gently roll the finger so the tip of the nail grazes against its bristles to create a super-straight French tip. Repeat on all nails and voilà — beautiful in a blink! 

4. Red nail designs: Ravishing red roses

A red rose has to be one of the the most romantic designs, and this beautiful bloom is super fun to create!

Get the look:

1. Apply two coats of glittery red nail polish, such as O.P.I. in Kiss My Aries (Buy from Amazon, $11.49) to thumb, middle finger and pinky nails; Let dry.
2. Paint the rest of nails two coats of a metallic silver polish, like China Glaze polish in Platinum Silver (Buy from Amazon, $7.58). Using a green nail art polish, like Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Striper in lime green (Buy from Amazon, $4.99), make a long, curved line with leaves. On the index finger nails, make a bud shape using a red nail art polish, like L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Polish in Red (Buy from Amazon, $1.49), with a line down the center using a pink nail art polish such as Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Striper in Hot Pink (Buy from Walmart, $1.99).
3. On the ring finger nails, use the red nail art polish to paint on a blooming rose making tiny “C” shapes. Use a toothpick dipped in top coat to place a rhinestone at the center.
4. Finish with top coat.

5. Red nail designs: Fabulous foliage

Placing orange rhinestones on top of red nails helps mimic the changing colors of the fall season. Gorgeous!

Get the look:

1. Apply two coats of red polish, like essie in Forever Yummy (Buy from Ulta, $10), to all nails, then let dry completely.
2. Use a toothpick to dot clear top coat onto the back of orange rhinestones, find them in a set like editTime Nail Art Rhinestones (Buy from Amazon, $9.98), and place in a line along the cuticle; repeat, stacking it with two more rows of three gems each.
3. Add one orange stone to the top row, then seal all nails with clear top coat.

6. 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.

Get the look:

1. Prep nails with a base coat. Let dry.
2. Coat each nail but the ring finger nails with two layers of a scarlet red polish, like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Polish in That’s a Blazing! (Buy from Amazon, $5.24). On the ring fingernails, paint two coats of a sheer, off-white polish, like Cirque Colors Sheers Nail Polish in Linen (Buy from Amazon, $12.50). Let dry.
3. To create the tulip, dip a striping brush into a brown polish, like Nails.Inc nail polish in Copacabana Beach Nude (Buy from Nails.Inc, $9), 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 (Buy from Olive & June, $9), and use to create two curved leaf shapes on each side of the stem. let dry.
4. Finish with top coat.

7. Classic French with red tips

This simple and elegant look by BeautybySAS on Instagram combines two of the most beloved nail designs: red and French.

Get the look:

1. Prep nails with a base coat. Let dry.
2. Use a red striping polish, like China Glaze Stripe Rite in Roll out the Red Carpet (Buy from China Glaze, $4.20), to create a curved line at the tip of each nail. Let dry.
3. Finish with top coat.

8. Mini red hearts

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.

Get the look:

1. Start with a base coat. Let dry.
2. Paint nails two coats of a pale pink polish, like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in In a Blush (Buy from Amazon, $5.24). Let dry.
3. Dip the ball end of a nail dotting tool into a red polish, like Salon Perfect Nail Polish in Salsa Dance (Buy from Walmart, $4.12), 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.
4. 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.

Get the look:

1. Paint nails with a base coat; Let dry.
2. Paint two coats of a nude polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Bare it All (Buy from Amazon, $3) on the index and middle finger nails. Then paint only half of the pinky nail nude. Let dry.
3. On the ring finger nail, paint two coats of a red polish, like Salon Perfect Nail Polish in Salsa Dance (Buy from Walmart, $4.12) and also paint the other half of the pinky nail with the red. On the pointer nail, use a striping brush like SQULIGT 3PCS Nail Art Liner Brushes (Buy from Amazon, $3.99) to create a thin, vertical red line off-center. Let dry.
4. Finish with top coat.

10. Deep red checkers

A deep, maroon red, like this design by @nailartbyqueenie on Instagram, is a gorgeous option for those who want to steer clear of a bright red.

Get the look:

1. Prep nails with a base coat.
2. Paint two coats of a deep maroon polish, like Olive & June Long-Lasting Polish in Obsessed (Buy from Olive & June, $9), on the thumb, middle and pinky finger nails. Let dry.
3. On the pointer and ring finger nails, paint two coats of a nude polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Bare it All (Buy from Amazon, $3). Let dry.
4. On the pointer nail, use a nail striping brush, like SQULIGT 3PCS Nail Art Liner Brushes (Buy from Amazon, $3.99), 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.
5. 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.
6. Finish with top coat.

11. Dazzling diamonds

This design by @LifeWorldWomen on Youtube has your nails looking like jewerly.

Get the look:

1. Prep nails with a base coat. Let dry.
2. Cut a strip of tape into a narrow, long triangle. Stick onto center of nail with the point facing up.
3. Paint over the nail with a red polish, like Salon Perfect Nail Polish in Salsa Dance (Buy from Walmart, $4.12).
4. 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 (Buy from Amazon, $5.99), on top. Let dry.
5. Seal with top coat.

13. 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.

Get the look:

1. Prep each with a base coat. Let dry.
2. Paint two coats of a milky white polish, like Cirque Colors Sheers Nail Polish in Linen (Buy from Amazon, $12.50) on all nails. Let dry.
3. Use a red striping polish, like China Glaze Stripe Rite in Roll out the Red Carpet (Buy from China Glaze, $4.20), 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.
4. Seal with top coat.

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Click through these stories for more nail inspiration:

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Celebrity Manicurist: Why Jelly Nails Are Perfect For Women Over 50 — and How to Get the Look At Home

Acrylic Nails for Beginners: Everything You Need To Know About the World’s Most Popular Nail Enhancement

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