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Historically, red was one of the first colors used in art by mankind. We can trace its roots far back to the prehistoric art in caves, isn’t that amazing? During the Renaissance, it was the preferred color of costumes for the nobility. In China and India, it is still the main color for festivities and weddings since it symbolizes happiness and good fortune.
Nowadays, we can easily acquire a huge range of red shades for our clothes, our hair and of course, our nails. Red is a favorite for Saint Valentine’s Day, it is after all, the color most associated with love, passion, joy and courage.
Why is red such a popular color in nail design?
Red nail polish is one of the most popular colors in nail design. It’s a classic look that is bold, sexy, and makes a big statement. Red nails have been around for ages. In fact, in ancient China, red was only worn by royalty.
When you think about red nail polish, it’s hard not to think about the iconic shade of Chanel Rouge Allure. It’s the perfect combination of bright and dark with a rich cream finish that dries to a gorgeous gloss.
But why is red such a popular color? Is it because it’s classic? Or is it because of its rich association with power, luxury, and wealth? Whatever the reason may be, red is here to stay!
Red Acrylic Nails That Get the Looks
It is also the color that attracts the most attention, so you will surely stand out with your red acrylic nail designs! Check out our pictures for some amazingly creative ideas if you are feeling like it is time to show some love to those nails.
Bold Red Acrylic Nail Designs
Ruby Red Manicure with Rhinestones
The right shade of red can take your outfit to the next level most of the time, but no detail can make your manicure so good with so little as these tiny rhinestones applied in a geometric pattern to your index finger. Sometimes what makes a manicure is the details!
St. Valentine’s Red Coffin Nails
The most basic and luxurious red coffin acrylic nails can be the right type of extra when you are preparing for a sexy date and want to make sure your ensemble screams hotness all around.
Super Long Artsy Rose Design
There is so much going on in this artsy red roses design that it is hard to know where to begin. For red acrylic nail ideas, each one of those digits could be a whole manicure inspiration, that is the level of craft in this manicure. The transparent nail with red roses is the cutest design ever, with the geometric french manicure done in red coming in a close second.
Short Round Elegant Red Nails
There is so much bad press when it comes to red, that sometimes we forget that done right, it can be such an elegant color. Short round red acrylic nails are the perfect type of manicure to balance that bold yet elegant look.
Super Bling Marbled Scarlet Manicure
A long red acrylic nail manicure can be the perfect canvas to do some pretty inventive designs since it offers a lot of area to cover. You can bring out your Swarovski crystals and play around with shapes and colors, combining red, pink and white shinies over white marbled nails. No one will dare say this is basic!
Glittery Dark Maroon Long Nails
Red on red never looked so good as in these maroon nails with shimmering shiny red glitter on top. The contrast of shades helps bring out the sparkle factor! Maybe try the sugar technique too.
Vermillion Line Glitter Art
The delicate silver lineart in these cute red acrylic nails make this manicure a delight and adds an element of joy to the sexy shade. Who knew a thin diagonal line could accomplish so much?
Baroque Style Cardinal Red Manicure
Sometimes when using red nail polish, it can feel like the only option is a plain minimal manicure, but this is not so! Go crazy with peekaboo 3D designs of white doodles over transparent nails, combine red and pink rhinestones over a nude ombre, pack red glitter or go crazy mixing them up, the world is your oyster!
Ruby and Ivory Glitter Nails
Red glitter combined with the odd white glitter nail can be the perfect manicure for a snowy winter afternoon. There is something about the combination that screams winter holidays.
Short Square Crimson Manicure
Short red acrylic nails are the most underrated manicure style. They can look retro or not depending on the general outfit but they always provide a degree of luxury!
Ruby Red Super Bling Crystal Rhinestone Design
Rhinestone designs can be hard to achieve without looking all over extra. The key is in the positioning of the rhinestones to achieve balance over the different fingers. Doing one under-decorated nail next to a fully-covered one helps achieve this look with top grades.
Pearlescent Rhinestones Manicure Over Red Nail Polish
If crystal rhinestones are not your cup of tea, try this opaque iridescent rhinestones in delicate designs like these horizontal and vertical lines or go full nail cover like shown in the picture.
Extra Glossy Red Manicure
There is nothing that fits better than some shiny silver tassels, iridescent glitter and a bright extra glossy red nail polish!
Glitter Fest Meets Rhinestones Design
This glitter is pure fire! Combine crystal like rhinestones and glittery red nail polish for a heated manicure!
Geometric French Ruby Nails
This is undoubtedly the cutest manicure you will ever see. This dainty geometric french manicure combines perfectly with lovely flowers over nude nails.
Glitter Pinky and Carmine-red Manicure
Like we keep saying, details can make or break a look. And in this case, this multi colored glitter pinkie nail definitely makes this manicure stand out from the crowd.
Mirror-like Scarlet Nails
Chances are, if you have a date and are already thinking of a steamy night out, this will be you color of choice!
Almond Shaped Glossy Red Manicure
Red acrylic nails are the epitome of luxury and sexyness, but if you want to tone it down a notch this almond shaped red acrylic nails are the perfect way to balance it out.
Christmas Red & White Design
Christmas is here with this super cute manicure combining red and white, the two main colors of the season! Add a touch of snowy inspiration with a snowflake and you are set to go.
Doodled Arabesque Over Crimson Nails
Arabesques over nails are so hard to do! The level of intricacies in this delicate design speaks volumes about the level of expertise of the nail artist: black, red and white combine in effortless curlicues over red nail polish. You could decorate with splashes of blue or orange as well.
Minnie Mouse Manicure
Disney is the perfect fountain of inspiration for a manicure. In the case of this red acrylic nail art, Minnie Mouse in particular. Since red, white and black are her signature colors, the style is perfect for our red manicure collection.
Long Bloody Nails
Feeling the vampire vibe? Go for long coffin blood red nails! Halloween, Christmas and date night ready!
Cute St. Valentine’s Glitter Design
St. Valentine’s the perfect day for a glittery do. Combine red nail polish with red and silver glitter, add a pink jelly nail and rhinestones here and there and you are all set.
Short Square Maroon Manicure
Square short red acrylic nails is the way to go if you are feeling red but not into the sexy feline vibe.
Silver Glitter Rhinestone Nails
Square red acrylic nails can be anything but tranquil. Pair them with red nail polish with glitter on top and line them up with rhinestones and it is a whole different vibe!
Jelly Coffin Nails with Golden Glitter
This orange hued red nail polish makes the jelly transparent nail with colorful bronze glitter stand out so much! The marble effect over both nails makes for a little visual composite when the fingers touch.
Poinsettia the Queen of Reds
Another great design for Xmas! Go for a shiny gold glitter and draw a poinsettia over it. Everyone’s favorite flower of the season is a great focal point for your manicure.
Matte Red Nails and Jelly Hearts Manicure
Red matte acrylic nails are something we hadn’t seen yet in this list, but they are a huge hit. Transparent jelly nails with silvery hearts and red glitter are just the cherry on top of this cake.
Carmine Glitter and White Flowers Design
Dark red acrylic nails packed with red glitter are a fantastic replacement for your dear old red nail polish. White flowers with rhinestone centers look great, especially if you are feeling romantic and flowery.
Popsicle Design Nail Art
Tired of your red manicure feeling all minimal? Go for a candy inspiration and combine red and white stripes of different thickness to make it oh so perfect.
Bling Silver Coffin Manicure
Mix it up with silver glitter, red nail polish and rhinestone designs for a complete look that screams regal glamour.
Snowy Christmas Design
This Frozen worthy look is delicate and flashy at the same time. The snowflake designs and silver glitter complement each other perfectly.
Red-Pink Ombre Extra Long Nails
Red on pink ombre extra long coffin nails could be a whole manicure onto themselves, but the pink jelly nail with butterflies makes the whole do extra special.
Maroon Dark Pointed Manicure
Pair with Your Favorite Heart Tattoo
Unsculpted? Sure! With Red…
Add an Accent Nail
Lover / Loser Design
This is the Classic Look
Red & Black Swirl Nails
The Dots
Mix and Match Red Designs
Simply Red, Sugared Almond
Red Acrylic Nails with White Polka Dots
Almond red acrylic nails with pink ombre and rhinestones at the base are our last red acrylic nails manicure inspiration.
This is certainly an awesome list that will leave you inspired to go grab your own red nail polish and get creative!
Remember that this color is the one to go for a sexy, passionate date and if St. Valentine’s around the corner, you literally cannot go wrong with a red nail manicure. Enjoy!
The cost of acrylic nails ranges from $30 to $65. This range depends on the location, the specific salon, and the type of acrylic nails you’re having installed. Some basic-level salons may charge as little as $20 per nail, while a more high-end salon may charge up to $85.
Acrylic nails are artificial nails that have been bonded to your own nails using an acrylic powder and liquid. The applications is done at a salon by a trained nail technician. The average cost for this service is about $35 per set of 10 fingers.
Which red acrylic nail design is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!
