Red nail designs aren’t a new thing. An appetite for the shade – from crimson to berry – has existed since manicures began. Just look to Ancient Egypt and Cleopatra using henna to stain her fingernails. Red nail designs, though, are coming back to the fore. Think less solid colour and more interesting details and embellishments in any number of red hues, and you’ll be bang on the money. From red micro-hearts and ladybirds to cherries, flames and skinny French manicures, there is nothing short of a plethora of styles to choose from.
“Red is a forever shade,” Townhouse founder and creative director Juanita Huber-Millet tells British Vogue. “What keeps it a fresh colour is the way our nail artists reimagine it. Lately, it’s been about food, like delicate cherries, dainty strawberries and even tiny jalapeños and watermelon slices. There’s something so joyful about these miniature motifs.”
One thing about red nail designs is that each shade can show up differently depending on the colour’s undertone, but also your skin’s undertone. “Blue-based reds tend to flatter cooler complexions while those with warmer undertones often suit red with a hint of orange,” Huber-Millet explains. While it matters slightly less with red nail designs than a solid red manicure, it’s still worth knowing which type of red might work best.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best red nail designs for your perusal. Go forth and paint the town (your nails) red!
1. Red ribbons
Slinky and undulating, there’s something about a red ribbon that feels exciting, like approaching a present wrapped up just for you. One for a steady hand, thin ribbons are delicate and elegant and categorically not just for the holiday season.
@nailslpc.xo 𐙚 bows are that girl this holiday season 𐙚 using @dndgel left him on RED ♥️ #nails #bownails #frenchtipnails #rednails #christmas #christmasnails #xmasnails ♬ ur the secret recipe - david kushner
2. Red hot chili pepper(s)
One of those red nail designs that makes an impact on one nail, a few nails or all ten nails, chili peppers are popular for their silly, fun quality.
@townhouse These Chilli Nails are bringing in the heat 😮💨🔥🌶️ #chillinails #nailart #townhouse #kyliejenner ♬ Dile Austin Millz Remix - Austin Millz
3. Flames
Channel your inner pop punk princess (whose leaders include, of course, Avril and Olivia) with these dark red flames. Paired with a natural, soapy base, the flames are outlined in black for definition.
4. Jelly bean red
Perfectly plump and rounded, this red nail design brings to mind perfectly ripe fruit or, for the sugar lovers, little jelly beans.
@gelxbyriss Red cat eye w/ jelly red overlay 🤌🏼 #beyondnails#nails#gelxnails💅🏼#cateyenails ♬ Never Lose Me - Flo Milli
5. Micro cherries
Ready for a red nail design but wondering if it might be too eye-catching for your minimalist tastes? These sweet mini cherries are a lovely detail to add to a neutral manicure.
6. Double red French
Lean into the avant-garde with a double-layered French red manicure. Make like celebrity manicurist Iram Shelton and paint a thin red line beneath your French tip. A nude, sheer base stops the design from looking heavy or overblown.
7. Ladybirds
Does it get any cuter than miniature ladybirds? Alternate with white daisies for an English summer-themed manicure.
@nailsbypaular the cutest lil ladybug nails!! 🐞❤️🥺 had to do a spring version of the christmas bauble nails I posted in winter last year! <3 — using: • @kiaraskynails red gel polish “Roses are Red” 🌹 black painting gel “Pitch Black” 🖤 gel top coat • use my code PAULAR10 for 10% off! 💸 #summernails #cutenails #ladybug #3dnailart #nailarttutorial #nailart #prettynails #nailinspo #naildesign #diynails #nailtok #kiaraskynails #kiarasky #fypシ ♬ we cant be friends - 🫧
8. Hearts
A persevering red nail design, hearts aren’t going anywhere in 2025. Here, they’re dotted on a couple of nails only, but, as a dainty detail, they could go on every digit, just thumbs or alternating fingers, too.
9. Duo French
A colour combination beloved by maximalists and minimalists, pairing pink and red together is kitsch in the best way.
@_nailsbybeee Outlined red with pink French ♥️ @ariana.uribe_ #fypage #chicagonailtech #chicagonailartist #valentinedaynails ♬ Melting - Kali Uchis
10. Summer stripes
While red is usually the main event, it can make a fun backdrop, too. Here, blue flowers are splashed over a red and nude striped backdrop.
11. Maraschino
A glossy red nail design that looks more like a piece of art than anything else, this Maraschino-cherry inspired nail art is juicy and hyperrealistic.
12. French red
Switch up your usual order with a pop of colour. One of the easiest red nail designs to try (you’ll likely already know if you like a French manicure or not), swap the typical white for any shade of red, from jammy and dark to bright and attention-grabbing.
@doseofnisha_ Red French tips for the holiday season! 🎄 Nail Shape: Oval Nails: PolyGel What’s your go-to Christmas nail design? #HolidayNails #RedFrenchTips #ChristmasNailInspo #FestiveNails #NailDesigns #HolidayNailArt #RedNails #NailInspo #ChristmasNails #OvalNails #NailStyle #ChristmasNailDesign #NailArt #FestiveManicure #NailTrends #SeasonalNails #HolidayNailIdeas #NailGoals #RedNailDesign #ChristmasManicure #NailAddict ♬ sweetener - Ariana Grande
Originally published on British Vogue.
