The "Louboutin Manicure" Is the Perfect Look for Minimalists Who Crave a Little Edge

Fashion designer Christian Louboutin was a style genius whose name is now synonymous with luxury. He’s most well-known for his signature red-soled shoes, which are painted with an ultra-shiny, bright red lacquer on the bottom that captures just the right amount of knowing attention. Louboutin nails are inspired by the shoes, with that iconic flash of red popping up in the subtlest but chicest way.


What Are Louboutin Nails?
Louboutin nails mimic the designer’s famous shoe via an inky black top coat and bright red painted on the underside of the nail—just like the bright red soles of the designer’s iconic footwear.

“It's the perfect stealth flex,” says Meagan Swartwood, manicurist and community manager at Arctic Fox. “It looks minimal and chic from above, then surprises with that red pop. You can also customize it with glitter, rhinestones, or go matte to make it.”

It’s a simple manicure, but has just enough of a twist to keep things interesting and it’s a fun way to nod to the legacy of Louboutin.

“This manicure embodies minimalism with attitude,” Swartwood says. “While other trends go full maximalist, this one keeps it clean but adds just enough edge to stand out.” Basically, it signals ‘expensive taste’ without much effort and definitely for way less cash.
How to Get Louboutin Nails
Want to sport some Loubie nails? Here’s what to ask for at the nail salon, and how to DIY them yourself.

At the Salon
If you’re requesting Louboutin nails at the salon, ask for a black nail polish on the top of your nail with a coat or two of bright red nail polish underneath. Seal everything with a glossy top coat. This look works best with longer nail shapes—like coffin or stiletto nails—so you can really get a flash of that red.

“If you're going to do this design and gel, make sure to let them know since they will have to buff the underneath of the nail for the gel to stick,” advises Vicki Ornellas, manicurist and global educator with Salon Perfect. “Then let them know the two colors of your choice.”

DIY Louboutin Nails
To achieve this at home, Ornellas says to buff and paint the underside of your nail first, then let it dry completely. (A gel polish system will get this done in about 60 seconds.) Next, “apply black nail polish to the top of the nail, bringing [the polish] down the side walls completely so you don't see the red underneath,” says Orenellas.

You can add some rhinestones for more glamour, or play with texture by using a matte top coat and a super shiny topcoat for the red.