If you've ever put on your favourite red dress or a slick of red lipstick and instantly felt more confident, then you might be wondering why that is.
Well, as it turns out, there are loads of studies out there which prove wearing the colour red can have a real, scientific impact on us. And, it's a positive impact at that! One study, for example, found that wearing red increases your perceived self-attractiveness and sexual appeal, while another study discovered that red can enhance your performance in sport.
With that in mind, we're feeling inspired to inject as much red into our lives as possible. And that includes our next manicure. Luckily, there are so many shades of red to choose from, like cherry red, coral, and crimson, to name a few. Yep, you can pretty much get a different shade of red for every month of the year! Here are a few ways to wear this classic (and confidence-boosting!) colour...
Red nail polish
Scarlet red nails
Scarlet red (also known as Ferrari red) is a bright shade with orange undertones, which gives off a fiery, intense, and bold aura. Arguably one of the most iconic shades of red, scarlet is a classic we come back to time after time. And, who can blame us?
Oxblood red nails
Oxblood red is a deep, dark shade of red with rich brown or purple undertones. It gives off major vibes of sophistication and just makes every look a touch more elegant.
Cherry red nails
Mimicking the hue of a ripe and juicy cherry, cherry red is a vibrant yet deep shade that sits between red and violet on the colour wheel.
Coral red nails
Coral red is characterised by its vibrance and sits between pink and orange on the colour spectrum. Often coming in various neon shades, coral red is an ideal nail colour for holidays in the sunshine. Trust us!
Crimson red nails
Tiptoeing towards purple and pink on the colour wheel, crimson is a deep, rich red that is flattering to all skin tones. Evoking images of rich velvet or a robust red wine, crimson is one of our go-tos when we want to feel extra classy.
Burgundy red nails
With purple and brown undertones, burgundy is a rich, deep red... and it really had a *moment* last year! We predict it'll be big business again in a few months, too. When the season changes from summer into autumn, how cute will this burgundy red mani look wrapped around a steaming PSL?
Now, onto red nail art ideas...
Red star nails
Stars are nothing new when it comes to manicures, but there's just something about a red star that really pops, right? Want to go one step further? Embellish your red stars with diamantes, or layer them over a cool chrome tip.
Red cat eye nails
Whether you're a fan of actual cats or not, we can all agree that cat eye nails are so trendy. What's more, the cat eye effect is such a simple way to elevate a manicure and doesn't require spending hours at the salon like other, more complex nail art designs.
Red jelly nails
These red jelly nails literally look good enough to eat, and we love the textured swirly effect, which adds another layer to an already aesthetic set.
Red swirl nails
Okay, okay, so these are kind of giving Christmas candy canes... but we're here for it! While we wouldn't blame you for saving this set for your December mani, there's something fun and whimsical about these red swirls that we think could be pulled off year-round.
Red French tip nails
Take inspiration from the ultimate cool girl, Hailey Bieber, and combine two timeless trends with a red French tip manicure.
Red polka dot nails
From our wardrobes to the way we're decorating, polka dots are everywhere right now. And they should be on your nails, too! Opt for contrasting colours (like the above set by @gelandt_) for a really eye-catching look, or go for something more subtle yet still really stylish, like @_virgo.nails did with their jelly-inspired set.
Red chrome nails
Thought a chrome finish was just for pastels? Think again! Layer chrome over red to take your classic colour-block mani to shinier new heights.
BRB, booking our next nail appointment!
