Beauty trends have become strangely agricultural. We had juicy peach nails. Butter yellow. Fleshy watermelon. Now, apparently, we're all one burrata away from becoming an antipasti platter. With that in mind, it feels inevitable that the humble tomato has finally rolled onto the beauty moodboard, all taut skin and expensive optimism.
Cat Deeley, one of the 'UK huns', as I like to call them, is the latest to succumb, stepping out in a glossy tomato-red pedicure.
Now, tomato isn't an especially glamorous word. It's a fruit that spends half its life apologising for being mistaken as a vegetable. Bless. Not to mention it stains Tupperware; it explodes in salads; it has a personal vendetta against white clothing. Yet on your toes (another not-so-glamorous word... unless toes are your ~thing~) it becomes something entirely different. Think rich, warm and impossibly alive.
What are tomato nails?
As its name would suggest, tomato nails are reminiscent of the fruit that's carried Italian cuisine on its vine-covered back. They aren't pillar-box red, nor are they orange enough to veer into Aperol territory. Instead, they occupy that delicious middle ground, softened with a warmth to rival that of golden hours and a high-shine gloss that looks almost wet. Key word: Almost, because we ain't about to smudge this hard work!
"A tomato red pedicure is a bright, juicy red with warm orange undertones that resembles the colour of a ripe tomato," explains Susan Carroll, founder of leading Notting Hill beauty destination Young LDN. "It's fresher and more vibrant than a classic blue-toned red, making it the perfect shade for warmer weather. It feels playful, bold and instantly elevates even the simplest summer outfit."
Perhaps that's why they feel so right for summer. We've spent years oscillating between 'clean girl' restraint and maximalist chaos (I fall into the latter camp, do with that information what you will), as though the only options were looking clinically moisturised or dressing like the contents of a craft drawer. And hey, don't get me wrong, I love a craft drawer, but tomato nails reject the binary. They're cheerful, fun, chic and polished in equal parts.
"Tomato red captures that carefree Mediterranean summer aesthetic," adds Carol. "It's a fun alternative to classic red, while still feeling timeless enough to wear all season."
How to recreate tomato nails
When it comes to recreating tomato nails, the trick is resisting the temptation to go too blue or too orange. I'm talking ripe vine heirlooms left on a windowsill, rather than ketchup or the Central Line. "Opt for a bright, warm-toned red with subtle orange undertones rather than a deep cherry or burgundy shade," Carol advises.
She also recommends starting with "well-shaped nails, tidy cuticles and a smoothing base coat" before applying "two thin coats of colour" and finishing with a high-shine top coat. "Keep cuticles hydrated with daily cuticle oil to maintain a healthy, polished finish."
And the finish matters almost more than the pigment itself; high shine gives the colour its juicy quality, transforming an ordinary red into something that feels freshly picked.
The best part? Tomato nails don't really ask much of you. They don't require a wardrobe overhaul nor a full-blown £90 salon appointment. Sure, an expert can help; as Carroll points out, good prep, a warm-toned red and a glass-like top coat make all the difference. But if you are balling on a budget, tomato red nails are totally achievable at home. À la:
Tomato red nail polishes
Essie Original Gourmet Grocery Tomato, Tomahto
Nailberry Cherry Chérie
Sally Hansen Colour Therapy Nail Polish - 340 Rediance
Kiko Milano Smart Nail Lacquer 64 Deep Red
With all this talk of trending produce, I bid a warning to the vegetable community. Cucumber, your time is nigh.
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
