By Jessica Agran
As a single individual, I am constantly bombarded with media picking and prodding at my insecurities. Videos of gorgeous influencers sharing tips for the “perfect” seductive lip to heels that make your legs pop fill my feed on a daily basis, and I can't help sifting through TikTok glow-up threads contemplating how much of it is real.
While I love the occasional fashion tip, I (try to) subscribe to the ideology that what I gravitate toward naturally and feel my best in is what I am meant to be wearing. I feel hot, ergo I look hot. It's basic science. Although, who knows if this is some sort of trick my mind has concocted to convince me to stop scrolling on Instagram and TikTok at 2 a.m. Regardless, it is rough out here for your average college girl, so here I am to share my two cents on how fashion can solve all (or maybe like one) of your problems.
About three weeks ago, I was reminded of the whimsical and elusive “F*ck Me” nails. While engaging in my daily procrastination ritual of doomscrolling, I fell into a deep rabbit hole on nail theory. For those who don’t know, “F*ck Me” nails are a deep shade of red that are indicative of an alluring individual. The shade is usually under the name of “Million dollar red,” “FM red” or “dark cherry red.”
Surprisingly, the idea of a color being particularly enticing is not a new phenomenon. It can be traced back to Nelson DeMillie’s 1990 book The Gold Coast, where he describes a sexy “f*ck-me red” dress used to entice and manipulate others. More recently, this shade of red grew popular on Tik Tok, when creator Robyn Delmonte coined the term “red-nail theory,” claiming the change was staggering. Red nails seem to have a mystifying effect — one where men can’t help but drool over the tantalizing color.
On social media, OPI Nail Polish’s “Big Apple Red” shade gained traction, becoming the official color defining this trend. Although this is more of a saturated and vivid color, a deeper red is often applied when thinking of a sexy nail. Throughout history, red has often communicated danger and the invitation of a high-adrenaline environment. This idea has even been seen in ancient mythology. The connotations associated with the color ranges widely between confidence, aggression, anger and lust. Heavy breaths, dilated pupils and rash decision making… sounds a little too familiar to a one-night stand… or perhaps a murder scene.
Red stands as an aphrodisiac for men through societal conditioning and biological means called the “red-sex” link (yes, this is getting scientific). Andrew Elliot and Daniela Niesta took a deep dive into red’s implications back in 2008, examining how deeply the color was intertwined with sexuality. Through a series of tests, comparing red to green, blue and white, they were able to find that red creates a higher rated sexual desire and attractiveness in the eyes of men. The male participants responded that they were more likely to ask a woman on a date and spend more money on said date if they were wearing the color red. Red has this kind of desirable effect that draws men in.
Interestingly enough, this color had no effect on how women perceived other women romantically (sorry girlies). Another fascinating conclusion is that while red enhanced a man's desire for a woman, it did not change their assumption on how “nice” or generally “good” of a person the woman was assumed to be.
I decided to look beyond science and consult my most knowledgeable sources: my friends. One of them, who is in a disgustingly cute and secure relationship, was a dead end. Unlike the rest of us, she barely gets her nails done, and prefers to wear them naturally. She associated red nails with high fashion (how PG-13), which has made my singleness woefully apparent. She also said it reminded her of mother’s nails, which brings me to Sigmund Freud (why he is always brought into these conversations I don’t know). A caveat of the red-nail theory that has been floated as a possibility is that men lust after these nails because it reminds them of their mothers. Mommy issues aside, the ideology that men want a woman who can look after them lines up.
People believe that wearing red nails is a “hack” to psychologically propel their boyfriends into taking things to a new level. While I believe this is utterly insane, people report developments such as marriage proposals to and increased intimacy with their partners following just one change in their appearance — red nails. Founder of clothing company “The Bar” Bridget Bahl got engaged with red nails, and people online couldn’t help but notice the odd positive correlation between her nails and the subsequent rock on her finger.
My other trusty source (a friend whose nails are always perfect) said that it was linked to confidence. She said that the color red is bold and is thus worn by someone who has a strong sense of self. If you feel powerful with these red nails, it’ll be apparent to those around you, as we become more lively and enthralling versions of ourselves when we are empowered in one way or another. She even explained that it wasn’t actually about the color itself, but instead what it represented. Those around us notice when we exude confidence, and having red nails is a common device through which we can spark that energy.
So what did I learn? Something and nothing all at once. Science does technically characterize red nails as a commander of male attention, but choosing a color that enhances your own creativity and boldness is just as powerful. While manicured nails seem like a small aspect of your appearance, they can inspire confidence that is sure to attract your campus crush or inspire a little self-love.
So, take these findings as you will. But me? I’ll be running to the salon ASAP.
Jessica Agran is a sophomore in the College of Human Ecology. She can be reached at jba76@cornell.edu.
