There are some nail colors that are always reliable no matter the occasion. A sheer pink, a milky white, and, my personal favorite, a classic red. It’s the kind of polish that always looks elevated and put together, whether you’re wearing jeans and a T-shirt or getting dressed up for an event.
As I type this, my nails are painted with a glossy, jelly berry hue that has all the impact of a classic red without feeling as traditional—proof that even a shade as timeless as red can have plenty of room for modernity.
And therein lies the tricky part: There are so many reds to choose from. Do you go for a warm tomato, a bright crimson, or a deep burgundy? As a beauty editor whose nails are rarely chipped, I’ve tested more than my fair share of reds, and I also tapped expert nail artists John Avery and Ramon Duran for the polishes they swear by.
Ahead, the 10 best red nail polishes, dare I say, of all time.
OPI Big Apple Red
OPI Big Apple Red
Big Apple Red is not only OPI’s most iconic red nail polish, but arguably the brand’s best polish, period. “This is honestly the most iconic red of all time,” says Avery. “Whenever someone asks me for a classic red, this is immediately what I think of.”
Ramon adds “It’s bright, super clean, and one of those reds that truly looks good on everyone, I love that it’s also available in gel too because that super glossy finish makes a classic red look even better.”
essie Forever Yummy
essie Forever Yummy
Essie’s Forever Yummy is another classic hue that looks great on everyone, no matter your nail shape or skin tone. “It’s such a good true red and I love it because it gives that super chic, timeless manicure that literally never goes out of style,” explains Duran. It’s also a great year-round shade—you can get away with wearing it during the summer for a fruity finish, but also during the holiday season as a festive scarlet.
Moody burgundy polishes inevitably start trending once the temperatures drop, and OPI’s Malaga Wine is the GOAT when it comes to a deep, cool-toned red. It has that rich, wine-inspired hue that feels especially luxe in the colder months.
There’s very few manicures better than a juicy red with a glossy topper, and Manucurist’s Red Cherry is exactly that: a timeless, blue-leaning cherry that feels both classic and fresh. It’s highly pigmented for a bold finish, while its ultra-glassy formula gives the nails that just-left-the-salon shine.
Since so many of our favorite nail trends have been inspired by food lately, it only makes sense to include a tomato red. Essie’s Tomato, Tomahto, from the Gourmet Grocery collection puts a warmer spin on the classic shade, with golden undertones that give it that juicy, sun-ripened look. Kylie Jenner recently hopped on the tomato manicure this summer, making the shade feel especially current.
Gelcare Rouge Cassis Gel Nail Polish
Gelcare Rouge Cassis Gel Nail Polish
The beauty of a red manicure lies partly in its glossy finish, and we obviously want that sleekness to last as long as possible. Gelcare makes DIYing a chip-resistant mani so easy, and since a peeling polish is quite obvious with such a bold color, this longwear option in the shade Rouge Cassis is a great choice.
Everyone deserves to splurge on a luxury nail polish bottle, and because a Chanel bag simply isn’t in the cards for me right now, this deep red is the next best thing. Pompier is the shade I imagine a chic Parisian woman wearing as she browses the floors of Printemps to pick out an equally luxe matching lipstick. It’s timeless and universal.
Apres Nails Enigmatic Collection
Apres Nails Enigmatic Collection
If you’re after that juicy, translucent jelly effect, look no further than Aprés Nail’s Enigmatic Jelly Collection. Any of the five red shades can be layered to build your desired level of color and glossiness, whether you want a subtle wash of sheer red or a deeper, stained glass-like finish. I’ve been wearing Broomfall for the last week (pictured below) and the shade is ideal for a transitional late summer color.
Meet the Experts
- John Avery is a Miami-based nail artist whose clients include Alix Earle, Paige DeSorbo, and more.
- Ramon Duran, aka @craftedbyaprince, is a California-based nail artist and content creator.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who is obsessed with all things nails. She’s tested dozens of red polishes and you’ll never find her with bare nails. She also tapped nail experts for their top red nail polishes.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
