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You are here: Home / Love & Relationship / What Is the Red Nail Theory, and Does It Really Work?

What Is the Red Nail Theory, and Does It Really Work?

Last Modified: February 28, 2023 by Nicole Graham | This post may contain affiliate links for products we love and suggest. The views expressed in the article are solely the author's opinions.

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Women are rocking classic, sleek red nails on TikTok to test out the “red nail theory”, and the results left them at a loss for words. Now women are trying to get the guys' attention by reminding them of their moms when they were growing up.

How? By wearing the timeless red nail mani, of course.

From shaved eyebrows to false eye bags and lip wings with eyebrow pencils, TikTok is always full of surprises when it comes to beauty or any trends.

Other interesting TikTok trends:

  • Ghost Blinking
  • Reverse Cat Eye Makeup Trend
  • Lip Blushing
The Red Nail Theory
Image credit: @melissevmartineau @lexi.krebs @navyapassi on TikTok.

What Is The Red Nail Theory?

The red nail theory suggests that women wearing red nail polish are more attractive to men because it reminds them of their moms. 

So, how did this weird theory become TikTok’s viral beauty trend? 

Everything started when TikToker Robyn Delmonte posted a now-viral video raving about red nails. She explained that she always gets compliments from men whenever she wears red nail polish. 

Related: Long Pinky Nail Meaning & Why Do Guys Grow Their Pinky Nail Long

“Every time I have red nails, a guy comments on it,” she said.” They’ll be like, oh, I like your nail color. I always thought red was a grandma’s nail color…Then it hit me. In the ’90s, when we were growing up, women had red nails a lot, especially our moms… I think guys are attracted to our red nails because it reminds them of their moms when they were growing up, taking care of them.”

@girlbosstown Reply to @meganandliz @tinx @serenakerrigan ♬ original sound - GirlBossTown

At first, viewers thought Delmonte’s clip was rather disturbing and related her red nail theory to Freud’s Oedipus Complex complex theory. “Sigmund Freud would love this theory,” one wrote. 

Related: What Color Nails Do Guys Like?

“Hear me out. A red nail polish named Oedipus,” another joked. 

But now, the video is leading many curious women to put this promising theory to the test, with the hashtag #RedNailTheory racking over 135.8 million views on TikTok. 

TikToker Navya Passi shared her findings in a ‘tried and tested’ video. “The compliments I got from boys, from men, from even women, that entire night, was insane,” she explained.

@navyapassi Replying to @Unknown_123 red nail theory explained 💅🏻 @GirlBossTown #rednailtheory #rednails ♬ original sound - Navya Passi

Another woman painted her nails red because she was “broke” hoping to escape her financial trouble. “So maybe a nice man will give me money,” she said. 

@lexi.krebs #rednailtheory ♬ original sound - lexi krebs

Several men tried to shoot their shot on TikToker Melisse Martineau, who tested the theory and was mind-blown by the results. “I’ve been asked on maybe five or six dates, which is not normal,” she explained.

@melissevmartineau it’s not a joke anymore #rednailpolish #rednailtheory #rednailtheoryisreal ♬ original sound - melisse martineau

Also read: Why Do Guys Stare at Girls? 15 Eye-Opening Reasons 

The Science Behind the Red Nail Theory

Let’s talk science now, does wearing red nail polish really make you more attractive to males? 

The reason why men tend to hit on ladies with red nails may not be as Freudian as TikTok makes it seem to be. 

The color red has always been linked to desire, love, and passion in western art and pop culture. One 2016 online survey found that one-third of the 2,000 participants believed that those who wore red nail polish were more romantic and passionate. 

Related: How Do I Tell If He Loves Me - 10 Clear Signs

But this is not the only reason behind its power to attract people — red is naturally an eye-catching color that makes the wearer stand out easily among the crowd. 

Another interesting 2012 study found that waitresses dressed in red got higher tips from men than those in white.

Surprisingly, men who wear red are also perceived as more attractive, which sends signals of dominance and power to women. 

In a nutshell, red nails do increase your desirability, but not necessarily because men have mummy issues. 

Related: 10 Steps to Develop a Magnetic Personality Nobody Can Resist

Red Nails Don’t Just Help Manifest Love, But Also Wealth & Confidence 

Red is definitely an amorous color but also a powerful one. 

“You can manifest your dreams through caring for your nails and selecting a shape and color that reminds us of the [desired] intention,” astrologist Bri Luna told allure.  

Related: How to Manifest Someone into Your Life & How to Manifest Wealth

This is because we look at our nails all day, and what we see and feel about our nails can reflect on our everyday decisions. 

Luna recommends going for fiery coffin nails to help you manifest money and any shade of red to help you improve your self-esteem and manifest confidence. 

So, will you buy into the hot red nails trend? Or you just can’t go without your light pink or nude mani? Either way, everyone agrees that classic red nails are here to stay and aren’t going away anytime soon! 

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