20 Red Nail Ideas For A Classic Manicure With A Twist (2025)

Red nails will never go out of style. From Marilyn Monroe’s much-feted red manicure to Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth and Lucille Ball, the colour is yet to be relegated to the sidelines. Instead, it seems to take on a new cachet with each year that passes. And even though it looks simple – it’s just one colour, in fairness – there is some forethought to be given to which shade of red you choose.

'The undertones in both your skin and the nail polish can significantly affect how a red colour looks,' Giorgia Capella, training and education manager at The Gel Bottle, explains to ELLE UK. 'A warm skin tone paired with a warm red polish will look vibrant and summery, while cool skin tones paired with cool reds affect the classic look.'

But which one to pick? Capella recommends people with warm undertones choose red shades with orange or yellow undertones – like brick red, coral and cherry. For cool undertones, pink and blue-toned reds like wine red, burgundy or cranberry, will suit well. Fortunately, these rules are more guidelines. Personal preference will (and should) always win out. Having an understanding of how undertones can affect the final result is good to keep in mind, though.

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Here, we’ve compiled a list of red nails that span the gamut of tastes and preferences. There are orange-toned chilli colours, matte raspberries and perfect ketchup shades, intermingled with the siren red that has dominated trends over decades and generations.

The best red nails for 2024

1

Siren Squoval

There is nothing boring about a simple red manicure. Here, the slightly rounded square shape adds a touch of softness to the striking shade.

2

Chilli Curve

If the almond shape is too sharp for your aesthetic, gently rounded red nails are just as elegant.

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3

Mulled Wine

Herald in the chilly season with a timeless russet red. The touch of darkness brings a sense of cosy intimacy.

4

Ruby Chrome

Last year, the fervour around chrome nails reached a fever pitch when Hailey Bieber introduced us to glazed doughnut nails – a confluence of neutral colours made modern with a chrome finish. This season, up the ante with a metallic, festive red.

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5

Sunset Haze

Summer might be over but that doesn’t mean the balmy sunsets of Grecian beaches need to go with it. This gradient wash – an undulating red blending to orange to nude – is a grown-up way to incorporate colour without feeling too young.

6

Minimal Red

A red French manicure is already a popular choice in nail salons across the country. The addition of a tiny red dot in the centre of the cuticle adds an avant-garde quality that elevates and differentiates.

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7

Pixel Watch

Something of a camouflage manicure, this pixelated effect feels festive without veering into the very jolly or juvenile.

8

North Star

A twinkly, sophisticated way to add gems and stars to your red nails, this design can be painted on every digit or just one for a statement effect.

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9

French Kiss

There’s shimmer and then there’s shimmer. The latter adds dimension and depth without the large flakes of glitter that can look clunky and unevenly spread.

10

Coffin Red

Double down on the drama of red nails with a coffin nail shape.

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11

Reverse Red French

Forget about regrowth with a red nail design that leaves a little gap between the polish and the base of the finger. Oh, and it looks stunning, too.

12

Subtle Shimmer

A touch of shimmer can turn red nails from everyday to special occasion wear.

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13

Matte Poppy

An easy way to switch up your red manicure is to ask for a matte top coat. It creates a soft, diffused effect to the colour that always delights.

14

French Raspberry

A classic style made infinitely cooler with a surprising red tip.

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15

Red Ombré

Go bold with two or three shades of red arranged in an ombré style. Keeping the lighter colour towards the tip will elongate and draw the eye up.

16

Red Flames

For the cool girl who loves red but needs a little oomph.

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17

Cherry Pie

The key to nail art that can carry you from work to play and in between is to balance fun with negative space. These cherries are finely drawn with sweet round fruits but don’t take up all of the nail bed, allowing the design to breathe.

18

Ketchup

A neon-adjacent shade that balances fun with elegance, jot down the word ketchup for your next nail appointment.

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19

French Heart

Another twist on the classic French, this Valentines-inspired shape is a sweet alternative.

20

Two-tone

The beauty of red is that it pairs well with other reds, funny that! Here, only one nail is darker but you could choose to do an alternate system or thumbs only – the world is your oyster.

20 Red Nail Ideas For A Classic Manicure With A Twist (2025)
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