Let's All Try The Red Nail Theory

 A year ago, my husband and I planned an impromptu getaway to Miami.  In preparation for the trip, I did two things. 

1. I styled my hair in a humidity-resistant hairstyle
2. I got my nails done.

I wasn't sure what to get when as I sat at the nail station during my manicure.  At the very last minute, I happened to look over at the station next to me and see a woman with the most striking shade of red nails I ever laid my eyes on.  Without hesitation, I asked her to reveal the shade of polish she was wearing and then immediately requested the exact same shade. 

When I went home, my husband commented on my nails almost immediately.  I was so obsessed with my hails that I couldn't stop glancing at them. For some reason, I felt like they were the ultimate accessory for my getaway weekend.  

I didn't know it at the time, but I was engaging in the Red Nail Theory.  

If you search the Red Nail Theory on TikTok, you'll find countless videos of women who are sharing their experiences implementing this theory or those who are planning on testing the theory to see if it actually works.

WHAT IS THE RED NAIL THEORY? 

There's this idea that red nails act as an attractor.  Primarily, the girls are trying the red nails experiment to potentially attract more attention from men.  Apparently, men are attracted to the color red.  Men used to buy shiny red cars to attract women.  A woman who walks into the room in a stunning red dress will have all eyes on her.  Red is a powerful color that demands attention.  

Christian Louboutin understood the power of red so deeply that he created an entire luxury shoe brand featuring the infamous red heels.  Women wearing red bottom shoes were seen as seductive, beautiful, and powerful.  

Red is a color that's seen as a status symbol. 

Women on social media are telling their stories of how wearing red nails has garnered them more attention from men.  Some even claim to have met their boyfriend thanks to this new habit of wearing red nails.   Others boast that they receive more compliments and attention in their day-to-day life.  

THE PLACEBO EFFECT OF WEARING RED NAILS

I think part of the lure of red nails is the placebo effect.  Even when I'm working from home, and have no interaction with other people, painting my nails red seems to impact my own behavior.  I recently bought a bunch of nail polishes.  My haul included infinite shades of nudes and DND's Ferrari Red (the color I wore to Miami). I had to include this brilliant shade of red because every time my eyes land on my nails, I get a microdose of serotonin. Subconsciously, I see the red nails and feel sophisticated, motivated, alluring, and powerful.  

The placebo effect is real.  In clinical trials, people who receive a sugar pill can experience measurable improvements in their condition simply by believing in the power of said pill.  What if wearing red nails is equivalent to taking a sugar pill that boosts confidence?  Perhaps that's why the women who are testing out this theory experience noticeable results...because their awareness is elevated and their minds are primed to notice the additional attention.

DOES WEARING RED NAILS MAKE YOU RICHER?

In a video explaining the Red Nail Theory, the woman used as a success story wore OPI's Big Apple Red (another one of my faves) for years.  This woman allegedly enjoyed a multi-six-figure income thanks to her dedication to wearing crimson nails.   One woman who worked as a waitress confirmed that she earned more in tips when wearing red nails compared to other nail colors.  This isn't just hearsay. there's actual proof that this works.  

There was a study that found that waitresses that wore red lipstick earned 50% more in tips than those who wore brown, pink, or no lipstick.  When I first learned this statistic, I tried wearing red lipstick more often but couldn't really commit to it as a regular practice.  But wearing red nails is an easy way to carry around that fiery energy without much daily effort.  In Chinese culture, red is a symbol of luck and financial abundance.   Perhaps red has a magical ability to attract abundance into your life or maybe it's another example of the placebo effect in action.  If I were in a role where successful face-to-face interaction with customers could lead to greater earnings, I'd definitely test out the Red Nail (and red lip) Theory for myself.  

As someone who doesn't wear a lot of makeup and often dresses casually, wearing red nails gives me the opportunity to effortlessly infuse a bit of glam into my everyday look.  Red nail polish will always be a classic symbol of the confident woman.  If red nails aren't your thing, feel free to get creative.  I saw one video where a girl said that she experiences the same benefits when she wears her favorite red scarf. 

Are you going to try the Red Nail Theory for yourself?

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