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Red Is Timeless, But Asking for This More Specific Nail Shade Makes Your Manicure Instantly Chicer

By Swedan Margen

Red Is Timeless, But Asking for This More Specific Nail Shade Makes Your Manicure Instantly Chicer

If there’s one nail colour trend that is constantly reinventing itself, it’s the red manicure. In the summer months, it’s chilli-red tones that take precedent, while red wine hues stood their ground last autumn, winter and right through the festive period. For a year-round red, postbox-inspired shades are an ever-popular choice, while jammy cherries look so expensive paired with a glossy top coat and clean cuticle work. What I’m trying to say is, you really can’t go wrong with a red manicure in whichever variation you opt for; however, if you’re someone who likes to stay at the forefront of nail trends, allow me to put another red nail look on your radar: brick red.

Sitting between a warm-toned red and a terracotta, brick-red nails take inspiration from, you guessed it, the warm ruddy shade of bricks commonly used to build houses. As a result, it sits between many of the nail colours we’ve been loving in recent months, like chestnut browns, cosy copper tones and, of course, classic reds. Unlike the latter, however, brick red feels much more unexpected. It’s a red for people who like to shuck tradition and instead put their own twist on a trend.

Take Selena Gomez, for example, who was spotted on Instagram swapping traditional festive red tones for Apres Nail’s Brickhouse, or nail artist Iram Shelton, who recently dubbed Dior’s brick-red nail polish "the prettiest shade". And, these are only two of the many nail lovers who’ve been going brick red in recent months. To prove it, I’ve rounded up my favourite brick red nail inspiration. Just keep scrolling to shop the best brick red nail polishes to recreate their trending looks yourself…

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The Best Brick Red Nails Inspiration

Celeb Approval

Brick Red Nails @tombachik

Selena Gomez confirmed brick red nails are definitely in.

Warm Up

@matejanova Winter nail colours 2025

This set really shows off the warmth of a brick red polish.

Red Hot

Brick Red Nails @raelondonnails

A slightly fierier set with a warming orange undertone.

Short and Sweet

Brick Red Nails @iramshelton

Iram’s brick red mani looks great on her short, squoval nails.

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Red Is Timeless, But Asking for This More Specific Nail Shade Makes Your Manicure Instantly Chicer - Vanity Fair Fashion