Red nail polish will continue to rule 2025
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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
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Chrome red nails
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Squared-off red Frenchies
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Wine red
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Glazed fire red nails
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Fire engine red nails
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Cut-out red nails
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Postbox red nails
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Matte red nails
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Doubled-up red frenchies
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Tomato red nails
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3D garnet Frenchies
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Jelly red Frenchies
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Merlot red nails
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Coca-cola red nails
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Red cat-eye nails
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Ruby red nails
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Cherry red nails
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Gingham cherry
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Hi-vis red nails
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Red bow details
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Jelly red nails
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Red starburst Frenchies
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Merlot red nails
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Burgundy red nails
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Poppy red nails
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Red carpet red nails
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XXL glazed red nails
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Deep red and cherries
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Tangerine red nails
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Garnet red nails
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Cut-out cuff red nails
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Wine red nails
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Cherry red nails
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Bright red nails
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Lipstick red nails
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Fire engine red nails
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3D red bow nails
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Candy red nails
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Currant red nails
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Scarlet red nails
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XXL ruby red nails
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Apple red nails
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Garnet and bow nails
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Ketchup red nails
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