Cherry, Oxblood and More—The Best Red Nail Colors for Deep Skin Tones
NewBeauty Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube find a doctor Face Adult Acne Antioxidants Anti-Aging Celebrity Chronic Skin Conditions Eye Hydration Hyperpigmentation Makeup View All Eyebrows Eye Color Foundation Fragrance Lip Color Makeovers Male Skin Care Peels Pre-Event Prep Sensitive Skin Skin Care Skin Health Smile Sun Care Treatments Fillers Microneedling Post-Procedure Skin Care Neurotoxins Regenerative Aesthetics Skin Lifting Body Body Sculpting Breasts Butts Cellulite Hair Removal Hands + Nails Legs Pregnancy Find a Doctor Hair Bond Repair Celebrity Dry Hair Frizzy Hair Gray Hair Hair Color Hair Growth Hair Repair Scalp Health Styling + Tips Awards NB100 Awards 15th Annual Beauty Awards 2025 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice Awards Shopping Gift Guides Product Reviews NewBeauty Storefront Wellness Fitness GLP-1s Health Menopause About Us TESTTUBE Search for: Search HomeBodyHands + Nails Cherry, Oxblood and More—The Best Red Nail Colors for Deep Skin Tones Not all reds are created equal. Jessica Fields Published: Jan 20, 2026 IG: @lolo.nailedit/ @paintedbyjools Traditional, unfussy and always in style, red nails are a classic that never disappoints. The shade is universally flattering and especially striking on melanated skin. “On deep complexions, red isn’t restrictive—it’s expressive, adaptable and effortlessly eye-catching,” says Riyah Martin, a nail artist and mixologist at ORLY Color Labs. Because brown skin has so much natural variation, there’s no one-size-fits-all red. From crimson and scarlet to cherry and deep bordeaux, there are plenty of options to explore. To help narrow it down, we tapped two nail artists for insight. Ahead, the best red nail colors for deep skin tones, but first, a quick look at how undertones, pigment and saturation affect how red shows up on deep skin. Choosing the right shade of red comes down to your undertones. “Deep skin tones work best with saturated reds,” says Miami-based nail artist Karyna Kyliushyk. With a higher concentration…