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Beauty trends have become increasingly agricultural. We had butter yellow, juicy watermelon, and now, apparently, we're all one burrata away from becoming an antipasto platter. With that in mind, it feels inevitable that the tomato has finally rolled onto the beauty charcuterie moodboard.
Kylie Jenner is the latest to succumb to the trend, stepping out in a glossy tomato-red manicure and pedicure.
Now, tomato isn't an especially glamorous word. It's a fruit that spends half its life apologizing for being mistaken as a vegetable. Not to mention it explodes in salads and has a personal vendetta against white clothing. Yet on your toes, it becomes something entirely different. Think vibrant, warm, and perfect for summer.
What are tomato nails?
As its name would suggest, tomato nails are reminiscent of the fruit that's carried Italian cuisine on its vine-covered back. They aren't cherry red, nor are they orange enough to veer into Aperol territory. Instead, they occupy that delicious middle ground, softened with a warmth to rival that of golden hours and a high-shine gloss that looks almost wet. Keyword: Almost, because we ain't about to smudge this hard work!
"A tomato-red pedicure is a bright, juicy red with warm orange undertones that resembles the color of a ripe tomato," explains Susan Carroll, founder of leading Notting Hill beauty destination Young LDN. "It's fresher and more vibrant than a classic blue-toned red, making it the perfect shade for warmer weather. It feels playful, bold, and instantly elevates even the simplest summer outfit."
Perhaps that's why they feel so right for summer. We've spent years oscillating between “clean girl” restraint and maximalist chaos (I fall into the latter camp, do with that information what you will), as though the only options were looking clinically moisturized or dressing like the contents of a craft drawer. And hey, don't get me wrong, I love a craft drawer, but tomato nails reject the binary. They're cheerful, fun, chic, and polished in equal parts.
"Tomato red captures that carefree Mediterranean summer aesthetic," adds Carroll. "It's a fun alternative to classic red, while still feeling timeless enough to wear all season."
How to recreate tomato nails
When it comes to recreating tomato nails, the trick is resisting the temptation to go too blue or too orange. I'm talking ripe vine heirlooms left on a windowsill, rather than ketchup. "Opt for a bright, warm-toned red with subtle orange undertones rather than a deep cherry or burgundy shade," Carroll advises.
She also recommends starting with "well-shaped nails, clean cuticles, and a smoothing base coat" before applying "two thin coats of color" and finishing with a high-shine top coat. "Keep the cuticles hydrated with daily oil to maintain a healthy, polished finish."
And the finish matters just as much as the pigment itself—the high shine gives the color its juicy quality, transforming an ordinary red into something that feels freshly picked and good enough to eat.
The best part? Tomato nails don't really ask much of you. They don't require a wardrobe overhaul or a full-blown $90 salon appointment. Sure, an expert can help; as Carroll points out, good prep, a warm-toned red, and a glass-like top coat make all the difference. But if you are balling on a budget, tomato red nails are totally achievable at home. À la:
With all this talk of trending produce, I bid a warning to the vegetable community. Cucumber, your time is coming.
