Oftentimes when people embark on the mission of selecting a nail polish color, red is left out of the equation. Much like red lipstick, many people wonder if it’s too much for an everyday look. Well, folks, we’re here to let you know that, as with red lipstick, there is no such thing as too much. “There used to be rules about when you can wear red like ‘you can’t wear white after Labor Day but these rules don’t apply any longer,” says celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann. If you want to wear a ruby red polish or pout, we say go for it—regardless of your skin tone.
While flaunting a red pucker is pretty straightforward, there are so many different ways that you can embrace the nail color. To prove it, we rounded up 40 gorgeous red nail art ideas, ranging from abstract negative space silhouettes to the perfect Valentine’s Day manicures. Needless to say, you might as well go ahead and create a new Saved folder on Instagram—there’s no doubt that you’re going to want to keep these pretty red nail ideas on hand for your next manicure appointment.
01of 40 Tiny Gold Bows
@MELANATED.MANI Looking for a way to dress up plain red nails? Put a bow on them! Instead of painstakingly trying to paint bows on your nails, consider stocking your DIY nailcare collection with a pack (or five) or Deco Miami’s Nail Stickers. Each pack has over a dozen different nail designs, with at least six and as many as 13 of each. As for bows, in particular, the Deco The Halls Sheet ($8) and Mon Cheri Sheet ($8) both include dainty little bows.
02of 40 Subtle Pink Cuticles
@BETINA_GOLDSTEIN For an extra subtle accent, top off your favorite red nail polish with a trace of hot pink along the cuticle line of each nail. While nearly imperceptible from far away, it will give your mani an up-close allure.
03of 40 Red Woman
@BETINA_GOLDSTEIN Romanticize your manicure with this red silhouette design that showcases lashes, lips, and lovely contours. Use a super fine detail brush like the Le Mini Macaron Liner Nail Art Brush ($12) to mimic these crisp lines. To copy this set, skip the glossy top coat.
04of 40 Cherry Statement Nails
@MELANATED.MANI Rather than opting for an all-red manicure or a fully detailed nail look, embrace a happy medium with a few solid (or glitter) nails and two statement accents. While cherries can be easily created with a nail dotting tool and red and green nail polish, they do take a little time to perfect. If you don’t have the time, be sure to add a sheet of the Deco Miami Mon Cheri Nail Stickers ($8) to your kit—it includes six cherry decals among a bunch of other fun designs.
05of 40 Red Waves
@CHILLHOUSE Another way to embrace red nails without covering your entire nail in ruby polish is to opt for a few lines of color. We love how this wavy red nail art idea employs two shades of red to contrast with white and peach. While professional manicurists will have no problem recreating them, if you don’t have the time or money to book a visit, know that you can snag these exact nails—they’re Chillhouse’s Discoteca Press-On Nails ($16).
06of 40 Red Swoosh
@PAINTBOXNAILS If you prefer a purely red nail look, this squiggle negative space option might be right for you. To DIY, Syreeta Aaron, LeChat Nails Educator, recommends to use a thin brush, like the LeChat Dual Sided Brush Fine Liner & Detail Liner ($16). Use this brush to create the curved dividing line and carefully fill one side with polish. Don’t forget a clear coat for the other side!
07of 40 Pink and Red Marble Nails
@MELANATED.MANI Craving a little contrast? Pair solid red nails with a couple pink marbled nails for the ultimate Valentine’s Day look. Of course, these nails aren’t just pretty for the day of love—pink and red create a popular bold color combo all year round.
08of 40 Peach Geometry 
@VARNISHLANE Add a touch of contrast to your red nail look by overlaying your favorite ruby polish with offset peach squares. While it might sound unconventional, one look at this image proves why it’s such a good nail art idea. What’s more, given the sharp lines, it’s one of the easier red nails ideas to recreate. Simply apply your red base and let dry before taping off your squares and filling them in with peach polish. Let that dry before removing the tape and finish with top coat—so easy!
@BHAMBNAILS Instead of (or, better yet, in addition to) buying pricey bouquets for yourself, give yourself the gift of everlasting blooms with this rosy manicure. Get it done in gel and you’ll be able to stop and stare at the roses for up to two weeks. These stained glass roses are what a Beauty and the Beast fan’s dreams are made of.
10of 40 Disco Nails 
@CHILLHOUSE Complete with wavy accents and yin-yang symbols, these are the hippie disco nails of our dreams. Plus, that color palette? We’re in love.
11of 40 Milky Base
@IMARNINAILS Instead of opting for a full negative space nail design with red polish accents, consider using a milky white base for a touch more contrast while remaining neutral. We dig the Olive & June Beb Nail Polish ($8).
12of 40 Red Ombré Nails
@OLIVEANDJUNE Can’t choose which shade red to use? You don’t have to! Instead, paint a different shade on each nail to create an eye-catching gradient look—it’s one of the easiest (and prettiest) red nail art ideas. As far as colors, you can recreate this particular look with the Olive & June Rad About Rouge Set ($48).
13of 40 Wavy Tips
@PAINTBOXNAILS For a red nail art look that will last, skip full color and opt for a negative space design. That way, when your nails grow out, it won’t be as noticeable by your polish. And remember: You don’t have to pigeonhole yourself to a plain French tip. Instead, consider mimicking this funky wavy nail art idea. Tracing your red tips in white will add extra contrast.
14of 40 Silver French Tips
@NATALIEPNAILS Modern French manicures are having a major moment, so what better way to rock red polish than by topping it off with crisp silver tips? We’ll wait. Silver not your metal of choice? Red and gold nails are just as stunning.
15of 40 Strawberry Tips
@NUKA.NAILS Strawberries might seem like a summer staple but they’re also a delicious food associated with many romantic occasions, so we say they’re in season for manis all year round. We’ll also say that these highly detailed tips are definitely one of the hardest red nail art ideas in this list, so your best bet for recreating them is to book an appointment with a manicurist versed in such realistic nail artistry.
16of 40 Holographic Red Hearts 
@NUKA.NAILS You also can create a red nail art look without painting your nails with any red polish. The trick? Dozens of perfectly placed holographic red hearts encased in high-shine clear topcoat. Seriously, how cute is this nail idea?
17of 40 Rose Gold Half Moons
@LOLO.NAILEDIT An easy way to make a red mani look even more festive or romantic? Add rose gold half-moons along the cuticles. While you can easily do this with a striping brush dipped in metallic polish from the onset of your nail art look, you can also use the design as a hack for covering up any growth between manicures.
18of 40 Two-Tone Checker 
@THEHANGEDIT Create a stunning red mani by combining red and hot coral polish in a variety of ways—like in the example above. While one nail has checkers, the others have vertical stripes in various combinations and, to be honest, we’re swooning.
19of 40 Inverted Hearts 
@VARNISHLANE Create eye-catching contrast with this white and red nail art idea. Taking hearts to the next level, the inverted polish situation makes it a particularly head-turning design. Given its detail, though, it’s one nail art look that’s likely best left to the pros.
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