The Red-Nail Theory Didn’t Work the Way I Thought It Would (2024)

Red is a high-energy color. It’s sensual and romantic, exerting dominance, passion, and confidence. 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. 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!—while the single-girl Gen Z in me couldn’t help but think, Well, what if?

Determined to scientifically test it, I requested an iconic red at my next salon session: OPI’s Big Apple Red. It’s a high-shine, slightly warm shade of bright candy apple red. While waiting for my nails to dry, I continued to scroll. According to Sigmund Freud (and the TikTokers who apparently follow his work), red nail polish reminds men of their mothers’ hands, specifically during a time when they were young and dependent on them. This began to weird me out. But then my fingers were dry, so it was time to move on to phase two: gathering evidence.

Suddenly, my fingers not so subtly slipped into every Instagram story and Zoom meeting. Somehow my hair just couldn’t stay tucked behind my ear. I was all but begging for someone to comment on my newly manicured nails. But while out on a Friday night, not a single man beelined across Crosby Street to ask for my number, and no, the music at Zero Bond didn’t come to a screeching halt when I walked into the room. All these rom-com scenarios that played out in my head were just that—fantasies.

As the days went on and my nail polish began to chip, so did my (little) confidence in this theory. There was one major takeaway, though: While I didn’t see a direct uptick in male attention or compliments just by waving my hands around, I did notice that red nails boosted my confidence. And coincidentally, as I exuded confidence, I found myself talking to more people.

So red nails do work—just not in the way the red-nail theory alleges. Rather, red nails felt like walking out in a new outfit every day. It was not the color that caught anyone’s eye but instead the confidence that colored my charisma.

The Red-Nail Theory Didn’t Work the Way I Thought It Would (2024)

FAQs

Does the red nail theory actually work? ›

“I think that the red nail theory is a real thing because psychologically, we associate red with passion, love, and power,” says Hanna. “While it's not necessarily scientifically proven that red nails are attractive, it often makes you appear more confident and alluring.”

What is the red nail art theory? ›

The Red Nail Theory is the idea that when women wear red nail polish, they're more likely to receive compliments from men. The theory was first brought up by TikTok PR whiz Robyn Delmonte (AKA @girlbosstown) in a now-viral video.

What is the red nail dating theory? ›

The term, which was coined by TikTok creator Robyn Delmonte (@GirlBossTown), hypothesises that men are more attracted to women when their nails are painted red. Since posting her viral video, many single women have put the theory to the test, with more than 13,000 videos under the hashtag #rednailtheory.

What do men think of red nails? ›

What are the implications of Red Nails Theory? Red Nails Theory is a theory that suggests that men are more likely to be attracted to women with red nails. The theory has been backed up by research, which shows that men find women with red nails more attractive than those with any other color nails.

What is the red nail theory mommy issues? ›

According to Sigmund Freud (and the TikTokers who apparently follow his work), red nail polish reminds men of their mothers' hands, specifically during a time when they were young and dependent on them.

What is black nail theory? ›

The idea behind black nail theory is that a shiny black manicure can boost your confidence, which is not unlike the purported effects of a classic red mani. However, the goal of painting your nails black is not to attract attention from men. It's about doing it as an act of empowerment for yourself.

What is the red nail trick? ›

The “red nail theory,” a term coined by TikTok creator Robyn Delmonte, aka @GirlBossTown, has become a viral sensation. The idea is simple: If you wear red nail polish, you're more likely to receive attention from potential suitors.

What is the red nail theory getting engaged? ›

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 is the pink nail theory? ›

Gloria Williams has been Oprah Winfrey's personal pedicurist for the last 12 years. And she believes that the nail polish color a person picks can say a lot about their personality. A red mani means you're daring and independent, while pink nails mean you're a people-pleaser.

What do blue nails mean on a girl? ›

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".

What do green nails mean on a girl? ›

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.

What do pink nails mean on a girl? ›

Lighthearted. In the past, the meaning of light pink nails had a lighthearted connotation. Light pink signified playfulness, so it may signify that someone is cheerful and sociable. If you are wondering “what does it mean if someone has blue nails”, it can mean that someone is attached, or in a relationship.

What does 💅 mean from a girl? ›

3. A 💅 indicates a sassy tone. Someone may use a 💅 to show that what they've sent is to be read in a bold and cheeky way. In this context, the emoji means “bougie.” X Research source This usage is especially popular on TikTok. “I'd rather be painting my nails than talking to you 💅”

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.

What is white nail theory? ›

TikTokers have noticed that single people – particularly newly single people – are more likely to paint their nails white. There's also a theory that people who wear blue nail polish tend to be in a relationship, because when you ask a man what colour you should paint your nails, they usually go with blue.

Is it a myth to let your nails breathe? ›

The idea that nails need to “breathe” by going polish-free is a myth. While it's essential to practice proper nail care and give your nails occasional breaks between manicures, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that nails require periods of nakedness.

What nail color is most attractive to guys? ›

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 .

How does the bed of nails trick work? ›

The resulting force per unit area or pressure is not sufficient to pierce the skin. The trick to lying on a bed of nails is getting onto or off of the bed of nails in such a way that most of the nails start or stop touching you at about the same time. This keeps the weight force spread over a large number of nails.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6088

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.