In the world of young women, the red nail theory has become a widely popular method in attempting to attract love into one’s life.
Ruthie Burnette, a receptionist at CHA Nails in the Northshore area of Chattanooga, said, “We went from nobody getting red shades to pretty quickly about 82% of our customers getting some shade of red.”
The theory is, during the most formative years of a man's life, their mothers often had some shade of red paint on their fingernails. A man may associate the color red with the time in his life when there was a woman who took care of him, tended to his every need and loved him unconditionally.
For this reason, a man might be more drawn to a woman if he sees she has red fingernails. Once women began experiencing this theory being successful in their own lives, the artificial nail industry saw a 2% growth rate in total market penetration over the last year, according to an article on the Cosmetic Design website.
On TikTok, the hashtags #rednailpolish and #rednailtheory have over 36 million views, proving that the younger generation of women has become entranced with the red manicure.
“I would personally say kids 16 years old to 24 years old have been the most popular age group,” Burnette said. “I think it’s such a large age gap because that’s the group that is most active on social media.”
It’s common knowledge that the red manicure is timeless. It’s elegant, classy, and exudes confidence, which is why women such as Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana and even Cleopatra have been known to have red fingernails. It can be traced back to ancient China where the royals used the color to show off their wealth and power. Back then red was used to show a person's social class, and today it’s used in the attempt to attract love.
A bottle of red nail polish at a drugstore ranges from around $3.50 to $10.00, so participating in this trend does not mean you have to make an appointment at the nail salon. However, if you do want to make an appointment there are many nail salons in Chattanooga that are very familiar with the trend.
“All of the nail techs here love the color red and each of them has a different red that they recommend when a customer asks for the color on their nails,” Burnette said.
Maggie Arnold, a 20 year old college student, decided to test the red nail theory for herself. She purchased a bottle of red Essie nail polish in the shade “She’s Pampered” and painted them herself. Arnold said she normally has her nails painted a color, but because she’s never had them a shade of red so she wanted to test if her boyfriend would notice a difference.
“The day I painted my nails red, he literally said ‘Oh I like your nails’ without me mentioning anything,” Arnold said. “He’s never even acknowledged my nails before.”
There are two main factors that play a role in what makes a nail polish color popular: celebrity trend setters and the changing of the seasons. The emergence of the red nail theory has caused many celebrities to flaunt red fingernails in their day to day lives and even on the runway, making more and more people want to try out the red manicure.
When the weather begins to cool down people often paint their nails in warmer tones such as, reds, dark oranges and shades of yellow. So, it worked out when the red nail theory gained popularity in the winter months.
“I love having red nails,” Burnette said. “Every time I get my nails red I get so many compliments and they attract so much more attention than if I were to get a more neutral color.”
FAQs
Some individuals claim to have found romantic success sporting red nails, others report no noticeable change in their dating experiences. With reviews providing mixed results, it's difficult to definitively conclude whether the red nail theory holds merit.
Do red nails attract love? ›
A man may associate the color red with the time in his life when there was a woman who took care of him, tended to his every need and loved him unconditionally. For this reason, a man might be more drawn to a woman if he sees she has red fingernails.
What nail color attracts love? ›
Red is associated with strong emotions, strength, power, courage, and danger. Red nails are a clear signal a woman is ready to attract a partner.”
What is the theory of red nails? ›
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. After seeing it take over my feed, I was conflicted. I'm a '96 baby (read: generational cusp), so the millennial in me wanted to prove it silly clickbait—so antiquated!
What nail color turns guys on? ›
Nail design: Men like these colors
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 .
What nail color means love? ›
Red and Warm Colors are some of the most popular shades of nail polish that people use for their manicures. The nail polish color meanings that people associate with red and pink include energy, empathy, passion, care, and love.
What color is love attraction? ›
The Color Red Symbolizes Passion and Desire
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.
Are red nails seductive? ›
Experts do, however, universally agree that red has a powerful effect on men. A 2008 study of 27 men with a median age of 20 found that men consider women wearing red more attractive and sexually desirable.
What color stimulates love? ›
Red: love, passion, anger
Red is one of the most intense, stimulating colors that raises a room's energy. Muted shades can pique feelings of love, passion, and sensuality, while bright hues may trigger anger, strength, and power.
What nails are men most attracted to? ›
Natural and Nude – Understated Beauty
While bold and bright colors have their place, many guys appreciate the natural and nude look. Nude or flesh-toned nail polish can enhance your nails' natural beauty without drawing too much attention.
The idea is simple: If you wear red nail polish, you're more likely to receive attention from potential suitors. In her video, Delmonte said that every time she has red nails, a guy comments on the color. She was confused at first — until it hit her.
What does a red fingernail mean? ›
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.
What do purple nails mean on a girl? ›
Blue or purple nail beds or nails are a common sign of cyanosis, which is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. This type of discoloration can also occur on other parts of the body including the hands, fingertips, toes, nose, lips, and tongue. Cyanosis is often caused by exposure to cold temperatures.
Why are guys attracted to red nails? ›
This is likely because the color red is associated with passion and excitement, which are qualities that many men find attractive in a partner. Additionally, the theory suggests that men are more likely to remember women who have red nails, which could be helpful if you're trying to make a lasting impression.
Do guys get turned on by nails? ›
Some guys get turned on when they see a girl wearing white nail polish because it makes her seem more “pure” or naive. For guys who prefer girls with less sexual experience, white nails are appealing because they represent the qualities they're looking for in a partner.
What nail color attracts money? ›
Gold is the most powerful color if you are thinking of attracting affluence, fame, and wealth.
Why do guys find red nails attractive? ›
The same study found men are more willing to ask women out on a date and pay more during that date when they wear red. This likely stems from our deep roots in associating red with romance, sexuality and passion.
What do red nails indicate? ›
| A Guide toHealthy Fingernails: 10 Possible Signs of Serious Conditions |
|---|
| Nail Appearance | Associated Condition |
|---|
| Red nail beds | Heart disease |
| Pale or white nail beds | Anemia |
| Pitting or rippling of the nail surface | Psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis |
7 more rowsFeb 24, 2008
The red dress effect, which can be broadened to the general red-attraction effect, the red-romance effect, or the romantic red effect, is a phenomenon in which the color red increases physical attraction, sexual desire, and romantic sentiments in comparison to other colors.
Do guys find painted nails attractive? ›
But not always! Since nail polish is a mark of femininity, most men will find women more attractive if they wear nail polish. However, most men are turned off by: fake nails, paste-on nails, extreme nail art, extremely long nails, sharp nails, or even square nails.
