Manicures have taken a psychological turn thanks to the sudden rise of nail theory. But is any of it worth your time?
What is nail theory?
All over social media, we’re seeing an influx of mani meanings, where the color of your nails signals something about you or your personality. Starting with red nail theory on TikTok, influencers are talking about the impact of your nail color and how you might subtly indicate your relationship status or gain male attention with the right shade choice.
Is nail theory real?
The short answer: no.
The idea that men will gravitate towards a specific color or that another shade indicates you’re taken or single is not grounded in any science. But that doesn’t mean people haven’t leaned into it since nail theory has gained steam.
Just don’t take it too seriously.
“Like with most social media theories, it’s fun to follow if it fits your vibe, but there’s no need to assign deeper meaning to
your nail color unless you want to,” says nail expert and founder of Nailing Hollywood, Mazz Hanna.
Red Nail Theory
Meant to attract a man, the red nail theory supposes that this iconic nail color reminds men of the women who raised them. While red has always been a go-to nail color, not every mom or mother figure rocked this shade. That means this definitely isn’t a universal experience, and likely won’t result in a flood of attraction from the opposite sex.
That said, red is a powerful color with a lot of associations.
“It’s said that if you drive a red vehicle, your insurance goes up a little…red lipstick, red dress and red bottoms are known to be sexy. Red is hot and associated with sexy, and in my opinion, one of the boldest shades in the primary colors,” says LECHAT Nails Brand Educator Syreeta Aaron. “The bottom line is when most people see a nice, bright, red polish on your nails, they’re drawn to the color, which causes major compliments.”
Black Nail Theory
This nail theory is more about the impact your nail color can have on you, rather than on the people around you. We know that colors can influence emotions and behavior, and in color psychology, black is most often associated with power and sophistication. It follows, then, that a black manicure is all about giving yourself a confidence boost.
And if a bold black manicure makes you feel like a bombshell, there’s nothing wrong with that in our book!
White Nail Theory
But when it comes to white manicures, you may find that nail theory leaves a little to be desired. According to social media, white nails indicate you’re single and ready to mingle. Sources like WikiHow indicate men are “attracted” to white shades because it makes skin look tanner and gives the impression that you’re a clean person.
“As someone who has never heard of this trend before today, I would be horrified if someone made that assumption about me based on my nail color!” says essie celebrity nail artist, Steph Stone. “Maybe I’m no fun, but approaching someone because you think they are trying to signal intent with a nail color sounds like an easy way to get yourself into an awkward situation. I say stick to shooting your shot based on verbal cues and let colors be colors!”
And besides, it’s far more likely for people to associate a fresh white manicure with a crisp, elegant aesthetic. We don’t really expect men to take their flirting advice from someone’s nail color.
“The idea that white nails signal you’re single and available is more of a fun internet trend than a universal truth,” Hanna adds. “It’s a theory that’s gained traction on TikTok, but white has always been a go-to for its clean, crisp and minimal feel. A fresh white manicure looks good on everyone. It’s timeless, flattering and works year-round. So while some might wear it to play into the trend, most people are just choosing a shade that makes them feel good.”
Blue Nail Theory
Boys like blue, right? That’s basically the idea behind blue nail theory—that your man is likely to pick a blue color for you. That idea gave rise to the idea that a blue mani can indicate if you’re happily taken. Manicurist and Morgan Taylor ambassador Morgan Haile says TikTok users have spun blue nails “into a fun and lighthearted way to signal that someone is taken or in a relationship.”
Pink Nail Theory
The latest nail theory to take off demonstrates how these trends evolve. We’re seeing a shift away from how men feel about your nail color to how your nail color makes you feel. Just like with black nails, pink nail theory is about letting color psychology into your manicure choice.
Associated with femininity and delicacy, pink is a color we associate with love, serenity and compassion. So pink nails must mean that you’re extra-femme, extra-sweet? That’s the idea on social media, where pink nails are about tapping into your cheerful and feminine side.
Honorable Mentions
Short Nail Theory
In the manicure world, long nails indicate elegance and grace. Plus, there’s more real estate to play with design. For the longest time, we’ve considered our nail length a personal choice, but on TikTok, short nail theory has started making waves.
Influencer Ashley Shim explains that when long nails feel like the standard, short nails demonstrate an extra layer of confidence. “Just know she’s a baddie and really freaking confident,” she says. And if you’re a short nail girlie at heart, you should rock it. “It’s about embracing what feels true to you … It’s about owning it, not hiding it.”
Purple Nail Theory
For centuries, purple has been associated with royalty and wealth. So, is it any surprise that purple nail theory is about manifesting luxury in your life?
A sign of class, purple used to be reserved for the wealthy for its rarity and time-consuming production. According to color psychology, we still associate the color with luxury and wisdom. While we don’t think wearing purple nail polish will manifest wealth in your life, it can definitely make you feel a little more luxurious.
