12 Perfect Red Nail Polishes for Every Month of the Year

By Southern Living Editors
October 26, 2018
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Credit: Smith & Cult
Red nail polish—it’s an icon of the beauty world. Though nail shape and length preferences vary (short and square for me, please!), one thing nearly every Southern woman can agree on is the universal appeal of red nail color. There are a few standout brands that have mastered the fiery hue. OPI red nail polish and Essie red nail polish are in a budget-friendly league all their own but, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you’ll find stunning shades from Dior and Chanel with cult-like followings. In fact, we love red nails so much that we'd even wager to say you don't need another shade ever again. There's a red nail color that fits every month of the year perfectly, from moody winter hues to cheery summer ones. Take a scroll through some of our favorite red shades that deserve a spotlight on your digits this year. 
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January: JINsoon Nail Polish in Coquette

Credit: JINsoon

Ah, the New Year. We're still reeling from all of the holiday fun, and the weather is cold and dreary. A rich cherry red with a purpley twist seems about right, no?

BUY IT: $18; barneys.com

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February: Dior Nail Lacquer in Rouge 999

Credit: Dior

Dior’s hero hue comes through in a shade so perfect that it's just right all year long, but we favor the romantic red for Valentine's Day, hands-down. 

BUY IT: $28, macys.com

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March: Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Kundalini Hustle

Credit: Smith & Cult

Dip your toes into spring with this punchy poppy red. It's just pinkish enough to transition from moody winter hues to happy spring ones.

BUY IT: $18; amazon.com

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April: Revlon Nail Polish in Revlon Red

Credit: Walmart

Revlon Red—ever heard of it? Give this glossy strawberry shade a try, and those April showers just might stay away. 

BUY IT: $3.97; amazon.com

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May: Zoya Nail Polish in Dixie

Credit: Zoya

Celebrate the coming of summer with a juicy watermelon red. It makes for a fresh and vibrant pick before settling into mid-summer bright reds. 

BUY IT: $10; amazon.com

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June: OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp

Credit: OPI

We'll say it once, we'll say it a thousand times: This is the ultimate color for summer. June is the perfect time to rock this creamy, bright coral red.

BUY IT: $10.50; amazon.com

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July: NARS Nail Polish in Paradiso

Credit: Nordstrom

The dog days of summer deserve a zingy red, don't you think? In this hue, you'll find a true red that feels delightfully patriotic. 

BUY IT: $20; bloomingdales.com

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August: OPI Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red

Credit: OPI

Nurse the beginning of your end-of-summer blues with the most classic red of all time: OPI Big Apple Red. In the heat of summer, it's a splash of chic. 

BUY IT: $10.50; opi.com

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September: Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Vamp

Credit: Violet Grey

This favorite from the house of Chanel needs no introduction. Unless your tailgating season starts with a truer red—UGA Bulldawgs, we get it—we say it's time to end summer on a vampy note, signaling that fall is close on its heels.

BUY IT: $28; violetgrey.com

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October: Smith & Cult Nail Polish in The Message

Credit: Smith & Cult

We couldn't let October pass without something that feels a little moody. This metallic crimson is just the color to welcome autumn. 

BUY IT: $18; amazon.com

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November: Zoya Nail Polish in Ember

Credit: Zoya

Fall deserves a vivacious red like this. Think of it as a liquid metallic red with blue undertones, making it flattering for all skin tones (especially when we're not still rocking a summer glow). 

BUY IT: $10; amazon.com

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December: JINsoon Nail Polish in Opulence

Credit: JINsoon

It's all there in the name. The holiday season—with its parties and celebrations—is all about making a statement. This rich red is finished with a touch of metallic dust. 

BUY IT: $18; jinsoon.com

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