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13 Non-Basic Designs for Red Nails

Simple twists on the classic color.

By Justine Carreon
Finger, Lip, Brown, Skin, Eyebrow, Red, Nail, Style, Eyelash, Beauty, pinterest
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Bust out your thin brush and acetone, because we've got 13 easy riffs on the classic red manicure that you can do at home. Check them out.

The Upside Down

<p><span data-redactor-tag="span" data-verified="redactor">Add an healthy dose of color by painting the underside of your nail in a contrasting hue. </span></p>

<p><span data-redactor-tag="span" data-verified="redactor"></span><em data-redactor-tag="em">Design by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgYTrlDjko/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link" target="_blank">@whitneygnails</a></em></p>

Add an healthy dose of color by painting the underside of your nail in a contrasting hue.

Design by @whitneygnails

Metallic Touch

<p>Make a red nail instantly glamorous with a metallic accent. Start with a clear base coat, then paint your half moons in gold. Let dry, then fill in the rest of the nail in your favorite red polish. Finish with a top coat. </p>

<p><em data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="em">Design by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMwmq99gs-B/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link" target="_blank">@nail_unistella</a></em></p>

Make a red nail instantly more glamorous with a metallic accent. Start with a clear base coat and then paint your half moons in gold. Let dry, then fill in the rest of the nail in your favorite red polish. Finish with a topcoat.

Design by @nail_unistella

Varsity Stripes

<p>Retro-inspired varsity <a href="http://www.etrececile.com/chevron-stripe-boyfriend-knit.html" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">sweaters</a>, <a href="http://www.ysl.com/us/shop-product/women/ready-to-wear-casual-jackets-teddy-jacket-in-rose-virgin-wool-and-polyamide-and-white-leather_cod34678547js.html#section=women_rtw" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">jackets</a> and <a href="http://www.barneys.com/product/nike-cortez--2772-sneakers-504714714.html" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">sneakers</a> are trending, and the look can be extended to your nails. But instead of going for collegiate colors, we're digging this unexpected red and pink combo by the nail art salon that started it all, WAH Nails. </p>

<p><em data-redactor-tag="em">Design by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLMfxZRD1QZ/" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link" target="_blank">@wahnails</a></em></p>

Retro-inspired varsity sweaters, jackets, and sneakers are trending, and the look can be extended to your nails. But instead of going for collegiate colors, we're digging this unexpected red-and-pink combo by the nail art salon that started it all, WAH Nails.

Design by @wahnails

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All-Over Print

<p>Add a&nbsp;print to a basic&nbsp;red nail,&nbsp;done here&nbsp;using a thin brush to paint micro lips.&nbsp;</p><p><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Design by&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBj_Sxmk_Qj/" target="_blank"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">@wahnails</em></a></p>

Add a print to a basic red nail, done here using a thin brush to paint micro lips.

Design by @wahnails

Red Accents Pt. 1

<p>Alternatively, use a pop of red on a neutral background. To get this&nbsp;cherry design, start with a nude base. Add pairs of red dots throughout, then use a thin brush to paint stems and leaves in green. Finish it off with a clear topcoat.&nbsp;</p><p><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Design by&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9o9HgNNShS/"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">@aliciatnails</em></a></p>

Alternatively, use a pop of red on a neutral background. To get this cherry design, start with a nude base. Add pairs of red dots throughout, then use a thin brush to paint stems and leaves in green. Finish it off with a clear topcoat.

Design by @aliciatnails

Red Accents Pt. 2

<p><span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space">Or supersize your look with a design that extends from your index finger to your pinky.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Design by&nbsp;</em></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDAPJfPyBON/"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">@cassandrew__marie</em></a><br></p>

Or supersize your look with a design that extends from your index finger to your pinky.

Design by @cassandrew__marie

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Easy Minimalism

<p>Add a thin diagonal line in a contrasting color&nbsp;for a simple yet dynamic look.</p><p>Design by&nbsp;<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYb3b2ghIM/">@paintboxnails</a></p>

Add a thin diagonal line in a contrasting color for a simple yet dynamic look.

Design by @paintboxnails

Lined Up

<p>Try&nbsp;an unexpected&nbsp;'70s color&nbsp;combo in maroon, cherry, and hot pink.&nbsp;
</p><p>Design by&nbsp;<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLBq_y8BA6_/">@vanityprojects</a></p>

Try an unexpected '70s color combo in maroon, cherry, and hot pink.

Design by @vanityprojects

Red Ombre

<p>With Halloween around the corner, this vampy ombre&nbsp;is a subtle way to celebrate the holiday.</p><p><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Design by&nbsp;<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9OsRPGQ3xi/"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">@karengnails</em></a></p>

This vampy ombre is a subtle way to celebrate your inner goth.

Design by @karengnails

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Petal Tips

<p>Instead of painting a red French tip, scallop the inside edge for an abstract floral design.&nbsp;</p><p><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Design by&nbsp;<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFKJJR4qRhK/"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">@jinsoon</em></a><br></p>

Instead of painting a red French tip, scallop the inside edge for an abstract floral design.

Design by @jinsoon

Negative Space

<p>Wear your heart on your nails with this negative nail. Outline the bare section&nbsp;in&nbsp;black to clean up any mistakes and&nbsp;embolden the graphic.&nbsp;</p><p><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Design by&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFkO_PFJkvR/"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">@dollydayinn</em></a></p>

Wear your heart on your nails with this negative nail. Outline the bare section in black to clean up any mistakes and embolden the graphic.

Design by @dollydayinn

Matte Contrast

<p>After painting your&nbsp;nails in your favorite&nbsp;red,&nbsp;let the lacquer&nbsp;dry and add a&nbsp;horizontal swipe in a matte topcoat for a contrasting finish.&nbsp;</p><p>Design by&nbsp;<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nataliepavloskinails/" title="nataliepavloskinails">nataliepavloskinails</a><br></p>

After painting your nails in your favorite red, let the lacquer dry and add a horizontal swipe in a matte topcoat for a contrasting finish.

Design by nataliepavloskinails

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Statement Nail

<p>Use a thin brush to add a fun statement nail or two, seen here in the form of teeny lightning bolts.</p><p><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Design by&nbsp;<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_uG-S1PGzc/" target="_blank">@mpnails</a></em><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor"></em></p>

Use a thin brush to add a fun statement nail or two, seen here in the form of teeny lightning bolts.

Design by @mpnails

From: ELLE US
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