Top 10 Red Nail Polishes

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Priced under $10, this 100% vegan red nail polish is the most affordable option on this Top 10 list. Sally Hansen's Pomegrante Punch is a deep crimson red that delivers 7-days of high shine and an excellect color payoff so you don't need several layers to achieve a perfect red mani. 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
This nail polish is 16-free, which means it is formulated without 16 toxic ingredients known to cause harm to humans or the environment such as synthetic fragrances and formaldehyde.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
For starters, Lady Is A Tramp is a fantastic name for a nail polish, and it’s hard to go wrong with Deborah Lippmann’s innovative contour brush. But more importantly, the rich, almost-maroon hue makes this the film noir version of red nail polish.

APPLICATION TIP
When applying this polish, start down the center of your nails, then work your way down the sides to avoid flooding your cuticles.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Jin Soon named this shade after the 1929 film Coquette, a classic drama in which Mary Pickford falls in love with a man from “the other side of the tracks.” Simply put, we love a red that’s steeped in rebellion.

APPLICATION TIP
This is a quick-drying polish, which can be a saving grace or a disaster. To avoid the latter, make sure your nails are buffed before application.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Dior’s Rouge 999 is a shade that makes us daydream of a romantic stroll down the streets of Paris. And it doesn’t hurt that the new polish formula plays up the smooth and shiny gel effect.

APPLICATION TIP
Dior’s brush is flat with a rounded tip, which makes it easy for even a beginner to apply the polish. However, we recommend rubbing a dab of vaseline on your cuticles—just in case.

WHO IT'S FOR
Revlon Nail Enamel in the shade Fearless is a fiery red that is more vibrant than your average true red nail polish. It leans on the more coral side thanks to its pink undertones so if you're into wearing non-traditional reds this one is for you.

USER REVIEW
"Gorgeous!!! Such a beautiful color!! Id describe it as a vibrant (not neon) but bold coral. Looks amazing on both pale and tanned skin! It is super pigmented and formula isn’t streaky... applies so nicely. Definitely recommend!"

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Named after fashion designer Claire Vivier, this polish has a bright, warm tone that makes it appropriate for any season. Not to mention, it’s one of the most affordable polishes on the list. 

APPLICATION TIP
Olive And June recommends pairing this polish with their Super Glossy Top Coat to extend your manicure’s lifetime and add extra shine.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
It doesn't get more classic than a rich cherry red. Essie's Not Red-y For Bed is confidently bold yet super approachable to wear. The glossy formula offers high shine and provides flawless coverage with each stroke.   

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
This vibrant nail polish is an 8-free vegan formula, so you can rest assured that it's free of animal by products, and other toxic chemicals such as formaldehydes and resin.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Neither bright or dull, Forever Yummy delivers a creamy red. The opaque color this bold and rich in pigment and acts as a good neutral red for when you want to rock a red manicure that doesn't skew too blue or orange. 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
The salon-quality formula is a breeze to apply thanks to the exclusive easy-glide brush which makes it possible to achieve a professional looking manicure from home. 

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
OPI has managed to craft a classic, red nail lacquer reminiscient of a can of Coca-Cola. The classic bright red shade is always in style and looks good on a range of skin tones. 

APPLICATION TIP
OPI suggests applying two thin coats of the fast drying formula to enjoy up to 7 days of durable wear. 

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Big Apple Red is everything we want a red nail polish to be: eye-catching, timeless, and bold. The classic, vivid red is neutral so its suitable for all skin tones. Plus, if OPI wasn't number one, we’d be second-guessing our algorithm.

APPLICATION TIP
It takes about 15 minutes for polish to dry and set completely, so make sure you set up your Netflix queue before you start applying.