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The 40 Best Red Nails of All Time

It doesn't get any more classic.

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By Chelsea Peng
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Walk into any salon, and you're bound to find The Wall (no, the other one) dripping with red lacquers—and as many women agonizing over which one sets off their hands to the greatest advantage. Our affinity for the jewel-like polish springs eternal, so ahead, 40 of history's greatest examples for inspiration/an extra 55 minutes spent trying to match the color.

1 of 40
<p>1937<span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></p>
Marlene Dietrich in 'Angel'

1937

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2 of 40
<p>1941</p>
Rita Hayworth in 'Blood and Sand'

1941

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3 of 40
<p>1943</p>
Carmen Miranda in 'The Gang's All Here'

1943

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4 of 40
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Gene Tierney in 'Leave Her to Heaven'

1945

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5 of 40
<p>1945</p>
Joan Crawford

1945

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6 of 40
<p>1950</p>
Lauren Bacall

1950

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7 of 40
<p>1955</p>
Lucille Ball

1955

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8 of 40
<p>1960s</p>
Dior

1960s

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9 of 40
<p>1965</p>
Natalie Wood

1965

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10 of 40
<p>1972</p>
Liza Minelli in 'Liza with a Z'

1972

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11 of 40
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Faye Dunaway in 'Chinatown'

1974

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12 of 40
<p>1975</p>
Barbra Streisand in 'Funny Lady'

1975

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13 of 40
<p>1978</p>
Dolly Parton

1978

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14 of 40
<p>1980s</p>
Joan Collins in 'Dynasty'

1980s

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15 of 40
<p>1980s</p>
Chanel

1980s

Chanel, $28

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16 of 40
<p>1981</p>
Cher

1981

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17 of 40
<p>1984</p>
Lana Turner

1984

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18 of 40
<p>1990</p>
Diana Vreeland

1990

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19 of 40
<p>1992</p>
Princess Diana

1992

Revlon, $3

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20 of 40
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Anna Nicole Smith

1994

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21 of 40
<p>1994</p>
Uma Thurman in 'Pulp Fiction'

1994

Chanel, $28

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22 of 40
Gwen Stefani in "Hollaback Girl"

2005

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23 of 40
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Victoria Beckham

2006

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24 of 40
<p>2011</p>
Iris Apfel for MAC

2011

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25 of 40
<p>2012</p>
Tom Ford

2012

Tom Ford, $36

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26 of 40
<p>2012</p>
Kate Moss for Rimmel

2012

Rimmel x Kate Moss, $18

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27 of 40
<p>2013</p>
Rihanna

2013

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28 of 40
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Miley Cyrus

2013

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29 of 40
<p>2013</p>
Daria Werbowy for Céline

2013

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30 of 40
<p>2013</p>
Selena Gomez

2013

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