Explaining the cherry cola nail trend

This color is perfect for the autumn atmosphere.

Shimmery, dark red nail polish has always been popular as an edgy pop of color, but now it’s getting a new name on every TikTok. “Cherry Cola Nail”. Pairing perfectly with goth or dark academia aesthetics, this stylish shade is fall’s hottest nail trend.

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So how did this classic shade become this season’s shiny new thing? Find out more below.

What do cherry cola nails look like?

In fact, Cherry Cola nails are not brown like Cola, but are a slightly brownish Bing cherry red color. In the past, you may have seen similar styles called red cat eye nails, red chrome nails, vampy nails, etc. Because of its foam elements, it usually has a bit of glitter or a chrome finish.

@dee_ray I do a different red every season❤️‍🔥@itsalwaysasia #october #nails #cherrycola #naildesigns ♬ Eyes Without A Face – Sinnerella

Where did this trend come from?

First, let’s look at the history of the name. Cherry cola refers to cola with cherry syrup added. Coca-Cola officially introduced Cherry Coke in 1985, but many soda fountain stores actually used this combination in the early 20th century.

As a trend on Beautytok, Cherry Cola has been around since 2023. Mainly popular in the areas of lip and hair color, its early forms were inspired in the 90s and early 20s. The deep red lips recalled 90s grunge, and the burgundy hair made popular by stars like Dua Lipa recalled 2000s AD nostalgia.

The 2023 trends not only alluded to the turn of the millennium, but also paid homage to Lana Del Rey and the Americana coquette aesthetic. The songstress frequently references Cherry Cola in her songs (including “Last Girl on Earth”) and has incorporated deep red into her visuals.

@beansforfun Lana Del Rey’s coded lips 🖤🍒 #lanadelrey #vampylips #burgundy #cherrycola #redlips #rarebeauty #lipliner #ysl #yslcandyglaze #lipgloss #cherry #darkred #vampy #makeup #fall ♬ Getaway Car – tayloraudios 🎧

So why did this nail color surface? Perhaps resurfaced— at this particular moment? The burgundy shade is very similar to the muted pink of the milk tea lip trend, making it perfect for fall. And with Addison Rae’s release of Diet Pepsi this year, the return of cola as a trend was almost inevitable. In fact, we often see people matching this nail color to viral songs.

Cherry cola nail example

Although it has a fancy name, Cherry Cola nail color is relatively easy to find at drugstores and local nail salons. If you’re looking for just the right polish shade, or just want something to show off your nail tech, here are some gorgeous examples of the cherry cola nail trend.

@lightslacquer Cherry Cola Velvet Nails 🍒🥤 Products used: True Blood, Frenemy, Fully Gel. #fallnails #halloweennails #rednails #blacknails #nailartinspo #nailinspo #nailtutorials #nailartvideos #magneticnails #nailartinspo #athomenails #easynails #simplenails ♬ Sweetheart Boy Gilmore Girls Soundtrack – Drama Queen x

@roxycanty Cherry cola 🥤🍒 But make it into jelly #nailtrend #rednail #rednail Theory #fallnails2024 #nailinspo2024 @Sarah-Leonie Nails ♡ ♬ Bed Chem – Sabrina Carpenter

@nailzbyfrey Cherry Cola Chrome 💋☕️🤎☁️🍷 That’s why I name these 🤭 #chromenails #chrome #cherrychrome #rednails #nailart #nailartlove #nailartvideos ♬ Gilmore Lara – <3

Obsessed with @ashlyvett ✨🍒🤎🫶🏼 #newnails #fallnails #cherrycola ♬ Diet Pepsi – Addison Rae

@taliyah.joelle Fall nail inspiration #redfrenchtip #cherrycolanails #fallnailinspo ♬ L’AMOUR DE MA VIE – Billie Eilish

@parker_ewing FALL NAILSSSSSS – Cherry Cola Edition ♥️✨🍒 Color: OPI Free Wine ♥️ #fallnails #fallnailinspo #fallfashion #fallaesthetic #cherrycolanails #cherrycokenails ♬ Diet Pepsi – Addison Rae

@amandahowardx Fall nail inspiration for you #RedNails #RedNailTheory #NailArt #FallNails ♬ Original song – Amanda Howard

@jenacouture Fall Vibesss 🍂 I’m obsessed! 😍❤️‍🔥 Completed by the awesome @Listhenailfairy 🧚🏻‍♀️ #explore #FORYOU #fyp #nails #nailart #nailinspo #nailsoftiktok ♬ Bed Chem – Sabrina Carpenter

@tatlafata

She’s aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!Cherry Cola is the fall nail color🍒🥤

♬ Diet Pepsi – Addison Rae

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