Red never really leaves, but the way people want it changes constantly, and I keep a running mental list of exactly what’s trending in my chair at any given moment. Right now it’s less about the base color and more about the finish and the small details layered on top.
What’s interesting about this current wave of red trends is how many of them borrow from other categories entirely, cat-eye effects, chrome finishes, techniques that didn’t used to belong to red specifically but have found a home here anyway.
Here are the 25 trendy red nails my clients keep bringing me right now.
Cat-Eye Red Nails
Magnetic polish pulled into a cat-eye effect over red gives you a shifting, almost holographic line that moves as your hand does, one of the biggest requests I’m getting lately.
Glazed Donut Red Finish
That glossy, glazed, almost wet-look finish translates beautifully onto red, currently one of the most requested finishes across every color I do.
Trending Red Nail Shapes
Squoval and soft square have picked up serious traffic recently, a slightly rounded, less severe alternative to hard square shapes.
Red Aura and Blended Finishes
A soft, hazy aura finish around a red core is a huge current trend, dreamy and completely different from a solid, flat color.
Mismatched Red Nail Art
A different red-based design on each nail, rather than a matching set, is a genuine current trend, playful and individual.
Complete the Look: More Red Nail Ideas
Want something a little lighter? Browse fun red nails, or see the full range in red nails ideas.
