The curious thing about classics is they seem to be timeless, but of course, what is now a universal staple was once as a passing trend. While red lacquered nails can be a part of your everyday beauty look in any season—in any decade—this was not always the case.
In fact, it is widely recognized that the ubiquity of red manicures emerged out of the Second World War when women in America found themselves on factory assembly lines building munitions, airplanes, and armored tanks—if you’re picturing Rosie the Riveter, you’re exactly on target. In her concise history of red nail polish for British Vogue, author Francesca Segal estimates that era’s reigning red was likely Revlon’s Cherries in the Snow or Scarlett Slipper. “Clever crimson-tipped fingers were busy winning the war,” she explains, concluding that love of makeup and commitment to hard work weren’t mutually exclusive and that red nails were emblematic of getting the job done.
Today, all sorts of women can be found sporting crimson polish, with or without the accompanying red lip of Rosie’s day. Whether running errands, working overtime, overseeing a business empire, or even rallying votes in congress like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a perfectly polished red manicure is a power move: red nails mean business.
Of course, 70-odd years after red manicures emerged as a trend, the color has become a classic. However, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. With literally hundreds of different red nail polish shades and variants to choose from, it’s possible to find the perfect hue for you. Keep scrolling for 26 of the best red nail polishes of all time (plus a few special recommendations from three nail-industry experts), and we’re sure you’ll find your new favorite.
This shiny red polish is basically a beauty wardrobe staple.
The bottle looks like more of a berry-red than a true classic, but don’t be fooled—the polish comes out as bright as the Big Apple.
According to celebrity crystal manicurist and founder of Mazz Hanna Beauty Mazz Hanna, this is the most-requested red nail polish shade in her kit.
Pair this signature Christian Louboutin shade with your red bottoms.
We love this rich berry-red for winter.
This strawberry-red is just gorgeous.
This berry-red hue is fun and flirty.
Lauren Dunne, co-founder and CEO of Varnish Lane, loves this raspberry-red shade with rich purple undertones.
Dunne says Varnish Lane clients swear by this bright orange-red hue all year long, and she counts it as a personal favorite.
Baby, you’re a firework…
We love bright orange-reds for a beach-vacation matching mani/pedi.
According to Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June, her community was begging for a classic red, so she set out on a mission to create the perfect one—and this is it! CV has been a fan favorite since it launched in 2019 and is a best seller on its website.
Another personal favorite of Dunne’s.
Some say this is the Revlon shade that started it all.
You don’t have to be a showgirl to rock this cheekily named polish.
This berry-red from Burberry looks as classic as its signature trench coat.
Your best bet for perfectly polished red nails in a flash.
Add a little spice to your regular red mani.
This shade is fiery in the best possible way.
This brighter Chanel red is a close second when it comes to the most-requested shade in Hanna’s kit.
Welcome to the jungle, indeed!
This shade just looks rich.
When Oribe names a polish The Red, we think it might be on to something.
Hanna’s clients also love this classic OPI shade.
Why not pair your next manicure to your favorite vintage?
This wine-red hue is a favorite among Varnish Lane’s D.C. crowd during the holiday season.
Cole became the first pitcher in baseball history to earn a $300 million contract.
The Gerrit Cole sweepstakes ended on late Tuesday night as the former Astros star pitcher has agreed to a deal with the Yankees, according to the MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Cole’s deal is reportedly for nine years and $324 million, according to multiplereports. He became the first pitcher to earn a $300 million contract, passing the previous record set Monday when Stephen Strasburg signed for seven years and $245 million.
Over the past two seasons, Cole emerged as one of the best starters in baseball, compiling a 2.68 ERA with a 13.1 K/9. At one point last season, he went 16-0 with a 1.78 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with 226 strikeouts over his final 22 starts, in what was one of the most dominant stretches in baseball history.
In 2019, the 29-year-old Cole led the majors in strikeouts with 326, smashing the Astros’ franchise record, and his league-leading total came in the second fewest ever by a pitcher to record 300 K’s.
The Yankees ultimately landed Cole, beating out both the Angels and Dodgers, who were the most serious suitors for the three-time All-Star. New York lost to Cole in the Astros in the 2019 ALCS after winning 103 games in the regular season.
Mark Vital blocked Kamar Baldwin’s potential go-ahead shot with 1.5 seconds left and Baylor held on to beat previously undefeated Butler 53-52 on Tuesday.
Noodles, tender chicken, broccoli, bell pepper and mushrooms with the best and easiest stir fry sauce ever. 30 min. Start to finish.
So is it too early to be doing New Year, New You?
Because after all the holiday stuffing and pies, I need all the veggies I can get. And this recipe is the perfect way to sneak in all the vegetables – broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, onion – you name it. Carrots and green beans would also be great swaps or additions.
Not to mention, this comes together in 30 minutes or less, start to finish, with the quickest 4-ingredient stir-fry sauce of your lives. All you need is chicken stock, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar and Sriracha.
Super quick, super speedy, super simple, and so so good.
Quick Chicken Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
Yield:4 servings
prep time:15 minutes
cook time:15 minutes
total time:30 minutes
Noodles, tender chicken, broccoli, bell pepper and mushrooms with the best and easiest stir fry sauce ever. 30 min. Start to finish.
Prized free-agent pitcher Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees have agreed to a record nine-year, $324 million contract, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Bears earned their second straight win over a Top 25 team.
WACO, Texas – Mark Vital blocked Kamar Baldwin’s potential go-ahead shot with 1.5 seconds left and No. 11 Baylor held on to beat previously undefeated No. 18 Butler 53-52 on Tuesday night.
It was the second win in a row, and third this season, for Baylor (8-1) over a Top 25 team.
Butler (9-1) was the third team to lose for the first time, after No. 1 Louisville and No. 4 Maryland lost earlier Tuesday night. That left five undefeated Division I teams.
The Bulldogs never led, but had the ball after Aaron Thompson rebounded Davion Mitchell’s missed shot before a timeout with 7.9 seconds left. After Baldwin inbounded the ball, he got it back and drove for a layup that was swatted away and out of bounds and last touched by the shooter.
After MaCio Teague missed a free throw for Baylor, the Bulldogs had 0.7 seconds left. A desperation shot by Baldwin, who finished with 19 points, wasn’t close – and likely came after the buzzer anyway.
Teague and Devonte Bandoo each had 10 points for Baylor, whose coach, Scott Drew, is a 1993 Butler graduate and faced his alma mater as a head coach for the first time.
Sean McDermott had 16 points, including four 3-pointers, for the Bulldogs.
Butler, after trailing by 16 points in the first half, had a chance to tie the game with 3:46 left after Baldwin – whose 15-footer had just gotten the Bulldogs within a basket – rebounded a missed 3 by Baylor. But Baldwin had his potential tying shot blocked by Mark Vital, who then scored on the other end to make it 53-49.
The Bulldogs had gotten within 44-40 midway through the second half after Baldwin’s third consecutive basket came in a stretch when they made seven shots in a row.
BIG PICTURE
Butler: The Bulldogs were trying to get to 10-0 for the first time since 2006-07. They were still good defensively, having come in allowing only 56.2 points a game – and holding Baylor to under that.
Baylor: The Bears are one bad stretch from being undefeated. Their only loss was to Washington in the second game of the season in Alaska, when they had a 10-point lead before not making another field goal in the final five minutes.
UP NEXT
After five games in a row against teams from major conferences, Butler is home Saturday against Southern University.
Baylor has only two more games in December. The Bears play UT-Martin on Dec. 18 in Houston, then are home against Jackson State on Dec. 30 in their last game before opening Big 12 play.
