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Tomato Red Nails: 8 Fresh Ideas to Try This Summer
Perhaps it’s my algorithm, but everyone seems to be growing tomatoes this summer – and now tomato red nails are cropping up everywhere, too. Bright, juicy and undeniably cheerful, the shade has all the makings of a summer manicure hit.
It goes without saying that red nails are timeless. They make an appearance on the runway season after season, celebrities regularly return to the shade and, for many of us, they’re a failsafe once we’ve had our fill of Bubble Bath. But while red is hardly new, tomato red brings something altogether brighter to the table.
Shop the trend
Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamel, Rouge Amazone
Nailberry L’Oxygéné Oxygenated Nail Lacquer – Joyful
When I picture the ultimate classic red, I think of MAC’s Ruby Woo lipstick – vivid with a distinctly cool undertone. Tomato red sits at the other end of the spectrum. “A classic red manicure tends to have cooler, blue-based undertones, whereas tomato red has a warmer, orange-red base that gives it a brighter, juicier appearance,” explains Suzanne Cummins, owner and founder of 14 Day Mani. “It feels a little more relaxed and modern than a traditional Hollywood red. It’s less formal, more effortless, and has a vibrancy that works beautifully during the warmer months.”
And despite its statement-making colour, tomato red is very versatile. “The warmth in the shade complements a wide range of skin tones, particularly medium, olive and deeper complexions, but it can also brighten fair skin,” says Cummins. “The key is choosing a tone that leans either slightly warmer or slightly softer depending on your own undertones.”