- Pros: Dries in five minutes; lasts up to seven days
- Cons: Requires the brand’s four-step system for best, lasting polish results
Orange-red shades bring optimism and brightness, even in winter. Whether you’re heading to a job interview or need a pick-me-up, orange-red exudes optimism and confidence. Unexpectedly, this nail polish shade is everywhere this winter.
“This lacquer glides on effortlessly and delivers a salon-quality finish. It gives rich, full coverage even without a top coat, though adding one amps up the shine even more. While the shade leans more orange on paler skin tones like mine, its warm undertone is sure to pop against golden, peach, and olive complexions.,” says Glamour contributor Audrey Harper.
Finish: Creamy | Size: 0.5 oz
Best Brick Red Nail Polish: Olive & June Nail Polish Cozy Up
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Olive & June Nail Polish Cozy Up
- Pros: Gel-like finish minus the damage from using a UV lamp
- Cons: Must pair the brand’s long-lasting top coat for best results
It’s the perfect red for any occasion. Playful yet professional, this goes on like a normal polish but delivers a gel-like finish—minus the damage of a UV lamp. This brick red has warm undertones that feel especially transitional, carrying the harsh winter months into early spring. The shade’s earthiness makes it ideal for all skin tones, even enhancing and warming the skin. With just two to three coats, expect a clean and smooth deposit of pigment that just brings your entire look together. “I wore Cozy Up to a wedding with a dress that was heavily purple and red, and it was a great match. It’s a brick red with a hint of brown, so it reads as a subtler red—not too Christmassy or too fiery orange—and it lasted almost a week without chipping,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs.
Finish: Glossy, gel-like | Size: 0.46 oz
Best Dark Red Nail Polish: Essie
Essie Nail Polish Berry Naughty
- Pros: Lasts for at least a week without chipping
- Cons: Some say the brush is not wide enough to spread the product evenly
Dark red nail polish projects sophistication, and we love that this one also leans slightly edgy. This deep burgundy polish is flattering on all skin tones; it looks very striking on fairer skin. Just swipe two coats whenever you’re in a mysterious mood. It looks great on its own on short nails too.
Finish: Glossy | Size: 0.46 oz
Best Red Nail Polish for Olive Skin Tones: Revlon Nail Enamel Revlon Red
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Revlon Nail Enamel Revlon Red
- Pros: Affordable; smooth finish
- Cons: May chip after a few days of wear
Marilyn Monroe is rumored to have used this very nail polish in her beauty routine. This classic drugstore shade Old Hollywood vibes at an accessible price point. It looks especially flattering on olive skin because the color beautifully pops on those with greenish-yellow undertones. While affordable, the formula delivers solid pigment payoff and a glossy finish that works year-round.
Finish: Glossy | Size: 0.5 oz
Best for Fair Skin Tones: Manucurist Green Nail Polish Red Cherry
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Manucurist Green Nail Polish Red Cherry
- Pros: Free from any harsh chemicals; beginner-friendly application
- Cons: Requires the brand’s base and topcoat for long-lasting results