Were you paying full attention when Claudia Winkleman was picking her undercover killers for series 2 of The Celebrity Traitors? If so, you’ll have spotted a detail that’s set to be one of the most influential beauty looks of the season: the blood-red manicure.
Claudia, 54, had her claws out as she clutched her trusty notebook as this year’s contestants pleaded to be chosen for the coveted cloaks. And if you were watching from a beauty perspective, you’ll have noticed the host was sporting a chic, shiny scarlet manicure to accompany her note-taking.
We got a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ close-up look at the glossy nails earlier as well, when Claudia dangled the first pair of shields in the chapel.
Short but chic, Claudia’s manicure points to the fact that blood-red nails are a brilliantly flattering choice that works perfectly on older hands.
‘Blood-red nails are definitely having a moment in the salon right now, and Claudia’s blood-red manicure is a perfect example of why the shade feels so relevant,’ says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of Townhouse salons. ‘There’s something timeless about a classic red, but a deeper, blood-red tone gives it a more modern, sophisticated edge.’
What is the ‘Claudia effect‘?
Red is having a real renaissance at Young LDN, and Ms Winkleman is part of that, confirms Susan Carroll, founder of leading Notting Hill beauty destination Young LDN. ‘We’re seeing clients move away from barely-there nudes in favour of rich, glossy reds that feel instantly more polished. Claudia has undoubtedly played a part in this. She’s a brilliant example of how a classic red can feel modern rather than traditional, particularly on shorter, natural nails.’
Juanita echoes this observation: ‘We’ve definitely noticed a renewed interest in red nails in Townhouse salons this weekend, and it wouldn’t surprise me if seeing Claudia’s manicure on The Celebrity Traitors has helped to fuel that,’ she says.
Why is blood red such a chic nail choice right now?
‘Red nails have that rare ability to look instantly polished without feeling overdone, and Claudia is a great example of why the shade works so well,’ says Susan. ‘What I particularly love is that red isn’t reserved for one particular age or nail shape.’
Juanita particularly loves Claudia’s dramatic tone. ‘A deep, blood-red is the perfect autumn shade, with a rich, decadent quality that feels instantly in tune with the season,’ she says.
Does blood red suit mature hands and short nails?
Absolutely! Some manicures work best on 20-something hands with long, Instagram-perfect nails, but that’s not the case with red. ‘On more mature hands, a classic red can actually be incredibly flattering because it draws attention to the nails and gives the whole hand a really groomed, elegant finish,’ says Susan.
Claudia’s short, neat look also proves you don’t need long nails to look elegant, she says. ‘Red works beautifully on shorter nails because the colour itself does all the talking. In fact, I think a short, neat red nail can look even chicer than an ultra-long talon. There’s something very timeless and sophisticated about a short red manicure.’
Juanita agrees that a deep blood shade is an especially flattering iteration of a classic red manicure on short nails. ‘It gives the colour a real impact on shorter length, while keeping the overall look polished and sophisticated. You don’t always need length to make a statement.’
How to get the look in the salon or at home
Susan advises: ‘At Young LDN, I’d always start with a really good shape and cuticle tidy because with a classic red, the finish needs to be immaculate. A shorter squoval or softly rounded shape works particularly well, depending on the natural nail.’
If you’re doing it at home, don’t rush the prep. ‘File the nails into your preferred shape, gently tidy the cuticles and apply a good base coat before your colour. Two thin coats of red will usually give you a much cleaner finish than one thick coat, followed by a high-shine top coat.’
Juanita recommends Townhouse’s First Date polish kit as a great way to copy the look yourself. ‘It includes the shade Strawberry, a base and top coat, making it perfect for achieving a glossy red manicure,’ she says.
And don’t be afraid of red if you normally stick to nudes, Susan adds. ‘It’s one of those shades that looks striking in the bottle but surprisingly wearable once it’s on the nails. Sometimes the simplest manicure makes the biggest impact.’
