We’re in that bridge period where bright summer mani colors feel out of season but deep, dark autumnal shades don’t quite hit right either. Call it the Goldilocks season! When such manicure malaise hits, there’s only one color to bridge that gap: classic red. Just ask Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Jenna Ortega, who are all currently rocking red nails at the moment.
Each woman’s nails are a different facet of red that perfectly suits their personalities and shows off how versatile a long, classic red mani can be. Cardi went for the brightest of the reds with a almond-shaped manicure in a vibrant cherry color that just so happened to match her bra top. It’s a little ’50s retro given the shape and the candy-coated scarlet color—and a lot glamorous. For a similar color, try Best of Beauty-winning Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Augmented Red-ality.
Gomez went a step darker for her red manicure, which made a cameo in an Instagram Story with her boyfriend Benny Blanco. Gomez’s nails were a bit shorter than Cardi’s—but still fairly long—and squared off at the tips, then painted with a rich, true red like Essie’s Forever Yummy. This is the kind of red you’ll wear forever.