The Best Red Nail Polishes That Never Go Out of Style

"OPI Big Apple Red is perfect for almost every skin tone—it's the perfect neutral, classic vivid red, and provides a bold finish that's effortlessly chic," Reynosa notes. "Wear it on a longer pointed almond for drama, or a clean, short, perfectly manicured nail—both are equal parts classic and modern."

You won't need an LED lamp to keep this deep red polish from chipping: Nearly 1,600 Ulta customers swear by Essie's long-lasting Gel Couture that lasts for up to two weeks.

"Red is a universal color that looks good on any skin tone, which is why it remains an enduring choice for manicures," Choi says. Named by supermodel Edie Campbell, this vibrant polish shade from her brand adds an instant energy boost to any manicure, and is ideal for both spring and summer.

Beauty boss and style icon Rihanna wore this fire-truck engine red nail shade at the 2023 Super Bowl, which all but confirms that the evergreen trend shows no signs of slowing. "We wanted the nails to pop so we went with CND’s Devil Red, which is the perfect true red that really complements her tone," celebrity nail artist Kimmie Kyees says of the star's halftime performance manicure. "The longer length square shaped tips also beautifully lengthened her hands while still staying true to the classic look."

The high-shine payoff of this warm red polish is enough reason to use it again and again. But as an added bonus, its glossy formula is also made to smooth out ridges and imperfections on the nail surface for a flawless finish.

Here's a glossy option that's created with the cushioning effect of a traditional gel manicure, and makes choosing your next red hue a no-brainer.

Chanel's pigmented Gitane red is a standout on darker skintones, and formulated with conditioning ceramides to help keep your nails healthy and strong. "The degree of brightness and the tone of the nail polish is what makes one shade stand out from another within the context of how the red polish contrasts with the user's skin tone," Choi adds. "Brightness refers to how light or dark the red shade is and tone refers to the opacity and depth of the pigmentation and prevailing undertone. The higher the pigmentation, the more intense the color."

Perfect for warmer months, this pinker take from Hermès that nicely arrives in one of its coveted orange boxes. And since it contains a rounded brush for application, it's easier than ever to paint your non-dominant hand.

While this satin-finish polish looks great on just about anyone, its pigmented color especially pops on olive skin with yellow and green undertones, which look best in warmer reds.

You'll get plenty of bang for your buck (and wear in fall in winter) with this bordeaux-toned polish from Olive and June, that features a hint of brown.

For an option that doesn't scream red, consider this brick version that works for any season. "This is by far the best polish I've ever had on my nails. It all begins with the easy application—the brush is very wide and allows for no streaks in the nail," writes one satisfied Nordstrom customer of Dior's popular formula.

Professional nail artists say that red polishes featuring bluer or cooler undertones are best for fairer skin tones. "Cooler skin tones (undertones of blue; you tend to look great in silver jewelry and icy blues) will be beautifully accessorized by a blue-based red," Reynosa explains. This pick is inspired by the shade of Christian Louboutin's coveted soles.