What’s the red nail theory? Stylists decode this viral TikTok fashion trend

If you’re an avid internet user interested in fashion and beauty, chances are you’ve come across the viral ‘red nail theory’ trend on TikTok. With public figures, celebrities and influencers donning red talons in an attempt to boost their attractiveness, this trend has eventually found its way to the Indian subcontinent. But brown skin is different, and our undertones and pigmentation require special attention.

Indianexpress.com spoke to fashion stylists to understand their takes on this hot trend, and found out their top tips to make red nails work.

“The “red nail theory” in fashion and psychology suggests that wearing red nail polish can have a positive impact on how a person is perceived and can boost confidence. The theory is based on the idea that cherry red is a bold and classic color often associated with passion, love, and confidence, making it a powerful choice in fashion. It creates a strong visual impact,” shared celebrity fashion stylist Jhanvi Pallicha.

“I absolutely love the cherry red colour, it’s bold yet versatile, can be worn across different seasons and occasions. The popularity of this colour is seen in clothing, accessories as well as bags. And, it has definitely also become the ‘IT’ nail colour,” she added.

Isha Bhansali thinks any shade of red looks great on Indian skin, be it maroons, vermillion or scarlet. The colour red has such a strong presence all throughout our history, she said.

How can you style red nails?

“When it comes to styling Western wear, ideally a crisp white shirt, jeans and bright red nails is my most classic and favourite way. They also look great with black outfits, or any others with hints of red in it,” shared the celebrity stylist.

If your skin has golden, yellow, or peachy undertones, warm reds with orange or coral hues tend to look great (Source: Freepik)

According to Pallicha, there are multiple ways of styling cherry red nails. It depends on each one’s preferences and tastes, few ways would be as follows,

Neutral Pairing: Pair cherry red nails with neutral tones like black, white, or beige to let the color stand out.

Colour Blocking: Combine cherry red nails with other bold colours like pink, orange, or navy for a striking, fashion-forward look.

Monochrome Looks: For a bold statement, wear cherry red nails and style it with head-to-toe or mix different shades of red for depth.

How can you find your perfect red?

By understanding your undertones and experimenting with different shades, you can find the perfect red that enhances your natural beauty and style, she explained.

Warm Undertones: If your skin has golden, yellow, or peachy undertones, warm reds with orange or coral hues tend to look great. Shades, Tomato Red and Brick Red would definitely enhance golden and warm skin tones.

Cool Undertones: If your skin has blue or pink undertones, opt for cool reds with blue or berry hues. Shades, Ruby Red, Crimson, Wine Red would look very elegant with cool undertones.

Neutral Undertones: If your skin has a mix of warm and cool undertones, you can experiment with both warm and cool reds. Cherry Red is this bright, classic shade that has a universal appeal and can work well with both warm and cool undertones.

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