Red nail polish will continue to rule 2025

It’s very likely that you already own a bottle of 2025’s headliner mani shade because red nail polish has never not been a classic. Despite its enduring appeal though, it’s fair to say newer trends (see: milky pink, glazed donut chromes and even surprise smash-hits like baby blue and espresso) have hogged some of the attention. But, throughout 2024, and continuing confidently into 2025, red has regained ground.

Recently celebrity fans like Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez and Camila Morrone have all revisited the shade. The colour has been re-crowned at fashion week, too, where for the last few seasons it has dominated runways at Proenza Schouler, Brandon Maxwell, Balmain and Burberry.

“I feel like red nails have come into a chic era at the moment,” confirmed celebrity manicurist, Michelle Humphrey, who counts Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter as clients. “Less is more and what better way to sex up a look than a statement red nail,” she insists. “Think expensive and luxury vibes here,” she adds.

The good news is, there’s room to play within the one trend, since every gradient is game. “It works perfectly for all seasons, as it’s so timeless,” A-list manicurist, and senior Mylee ambassador, Tinu Bello, told us. “Deep cherry and merlot reds will be hot [at the beginning of the year], with tomato and post box reds dominating the summer months,” she added.

And, we’ll be putting our 2025 twist on it, too with updated textures. “I think we will see some elevation to our red mani’s, with chrome, glazes, matte finishes, and high sheen,” says Tinu. Even if you prefer a more minimalist mani, you can nod to the trend by adding it into tiny accents. “Imagine how gorgeous a red skinny French would look,” says top nail artist, Harriet Westmoreland whose clients include Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

The fact is, red is a classic, especially on your nails. It’s stood the test of time, from ‘20s flappers, to ’40s Jenny Wrens, to ’50s Marilyn Monroe, to today where bright fire-engine and sultry merlot are as covetable and versatile as ever. And, it offers a whole spectrum of opportunities. Sunny days where you’re dining al fresco calls for a cheery orange-spiked sunrise red (cracking with a tan). For chilly spells when you’re back in your favourite cosy knit, you might fancy a sultry deep cherry. For off-duty days a brick red is a cool switch from ruby. And for a shade you can’t go wrong with, pillar box red works well on everyone. See? The opportunities are endless.

Here’s some of our favourite ways to wear red nail polish…

Glossy Hollywood red nails

Chrome red nails

Squared-off red Frenchies

Wine red

Glazed fire red nails

Fire engine red nails

Cut-out red nails

Postbox red nails

Matte red nails

Doubled-up red frenchies

Tomato red nails

3D garnet Frenchies

Jelly red Frenchies

Merlot red nails

Coca-cola red nails

Red cat-eye nails

Ruby red nails

Cherry red nails

Gingham cherry

Hi-vis red nails

Red bow details

Jelly red nails

Red starburst Frenchies

Merlot red nails

Burgundy red nails

Poppy red nails

Red carpet red nails

XXL glazed red nails

Deep red and cherries

Tangerine red nails

Garnet red nails

Cut-out cuff red nails

Wine red nails

Cherry red nails

Bright red nails

Lipstick red nails

Fire engine red nails

3D red bow nails

Candy red nails

Currant red nails

Scarlet red nails

XXL ruby red nails

Apple red nails

Garnet and bow nails

Ketchup red nails

These are the best red nail polish shades to try…