Red Nail Theory: Experts Explain and Share Which Shades to Try (2024)

FAQs

Red Nail Theory: Experts Explain and Share Which Shades to Try? ›

Red is hot and associated with sexy, and in my opinion, one of the boldest shades in the primary colors,” says LECHAT Nails Brand Educator Syreeta Aaron. “The bottom line is when most people see a nice, bright, red polish on your nails—they're drawn to the color, which causes major compliments.”

Christian Louboutin, Taylor Swift, and Jessica Rabbit all identify with the color—and more recently, single girls of TikTok do too. Enter the red-nail theory, or the idea that you're more likely to get attention from potential suitors if you paint your nails red.

It can mean passion, love, fire and danger. Many people tend to connect red to carnal passion, lust, and romantic love. It's also a bold color in general and simply more eye-catching than a subtle pink or nude shade. Now there is an interesting theory that connects the color of nails to one's attraction to men.

Red nails could mean possible heart disease or kidney issues. Red nails are also connected to conditions like psoriasis and lupus. Blue looking nails are signs of poor oxygen circulation, heart or lung issues. A vertical black stripe from the cuticle to the tip can be the most serious of all.

Influencer and founder of The Bar Bridget Bahl has a running joke about the trend with her Instagram followers. After getting engaged while wearing one particular color — you guessed it, red — on her nails, she theorized that it's the key to taking your relationship to the next level.

Pale or white nails may indicate anaemia or liver disease. Yellow nails can indicate fungal infection or psoriasis. Bluish nails may indicate poor circulation or respiratory issues. Greenish-black discolouration can be a sign of a bacterial infection.

What do 'light blue nails' mean on TikTok? Basically, if you've got blue nails, it means that you have a boyfriend, or you're taken. There's also a theory that when girls ask their boyfriends what colour they should get their nails done, they will apparently always say "light blue" or "baby blue".

The Color Red Symbolizes Passion and Desire

But red does not always signal danger and aggression. Perhaps not surprisingly, red also symbolizes passion, love, and desire. These associations could explain why people wearing red are consistently rated as more attractive by the opposite sex.

If you have blue or purple nail beds or fingernails, it may be due to an underlying condition known as cyanosis . This condition is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis can result from exposure to cold temperatures, certain lung and heart conditions, circulation problems, issues with hemoglobin, and more.

In the year 3,000 B.C., Chinese royalty used an ointment made from beeswax, egg whites, and vegetable dyes to dye their nails a deep red. Nefertiti and Cleopatra kept ruby and blood-red manicures fashionable as a status symbol until the end of Ancient Egyptian days.

What do black nails mean on a girl? ›

In recent times, wearing black clothing or black nail polish is seen as less of a symbol of rebellion, and more of a representation of confidence and empowerment in women and of masculinity and strength in men.

In a representative survey, the German Paint Institute found that men generally likeblue , but also likegray , black and brown . Both sexes like green about equally, while women are more likely to like red ,yellow ,beige and orange .

Passionate Red

Red is impactful and connected to deep symbolism. Synonymous with both danger and excitement, red is known to raise the heart rate at the sight of it. Considered the colour of life, it is connected to strong emotions of passion, anger and love, a true symbol of human vitality.

“Wearing red nail polish can be seen as a form of confident self-expression, showing that one is not afraid to stand out and be noticed,” says Dr. Yusim. “Confidence can contribute to attractiveness: when individuals feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, it can make them more appealing to others.”

Green: Associated with relaxation, nature and money. It stimulates harmony and balance in our brains. It symbolizes nature so it implies an eco-friendly personality. Blue: Signifies stable sentiments such as trust, tranquility, security, and wisdom.

It is set in the fictional Hyborian Age and concerns Conan entering a lost city whose degenerate inhabitants are entangled in a murderous blood feud. Due to its dark themes of decay and death, the story is considered a classic of Conan lore while also cited by Howard scholars as one of his best tales.

I think most men look at other parts of a woman's body before nails, starting with the face and lips, but the emotional associations of the color red with boldness and confidence are probably just as appealing for many,” the historian says.

The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate. It is the area of the nail on which the nail plate rests. Nerves and blood vessels found here supply nourishment to the entire nail unit. Like all skin, it is made of two types of tissues: the dermis and the epidermis.

The reason we have fingernails and toenails is not to pick our noses or to scratch our siblings. The short answer is we have evolved to have nails because they help us pick things up (like food), pick things off (like bugs), and hold tightly onto things.