Show Stopping Reds

As a self-confessed beauty addict and nail polish collector, I find that the easiest way to pull off wearing red is on your nails. It’s not as overpowering as wearing a red top or as intimidating as a red lip. Yet it’s a classic, timeless look that can elevate even the most minimalist of looks and complete an outfit.

For me, red is an all season color. I don’t shy away from wearing different shades depending on the season, my mood, or what I have going on that week.  While I always prefer a shiny, lacquered finish, I definitely have my favorites when it comes to color and I thought of sharing with you some of my picks:

Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Polish in Lola – a bright tomato red, retails for $18

This is definitely the brightest of the bunch, but one that can be worn throughout the year. When I discovered that one of my style icons, Olivia Palermo, who always looks flawless and put together, wears this nail polish and calls it a beauty essential, I knew I had to get my hands (nails) on it. I picked it up during the Sephora VIB Sale this year just because it felt better knowing that I’m paying 80% of the $18 price. It’s still an expensive polish, but more affordable than say Dior or Chanel. Having tried all three brands, I can say that in terms of longevity and shine, it’s comparable with Dior and performing better than Chanel, which on my nails chips very easily. The Marc Jacobs formula dries very quickly and can last on my nails for up to a week (no chips noted until around day 6 or 7), both a huge plus for me, being that I’m constantly chasing and cleaning after my one year old and don’t have a lot of time to paint my nails. I typically opt to apply two coats but you can get away with just one, if pressed for time. The bottle is slick, with round edges and looks beautiful on my vanity. However, I will caution you to use care when opening the bottle, because it can slip right thru your fingers (a downside of this elegant bottle design).

Essie Lollipop – a shiny candy cane red, retails for $8.50

Another Olivia Palermo recommendation and a personal favorite for about four years now. Not as loud as Lola, Essie Lollipop is a mid-range neutral red, that has neither pink nor orange undertones. It is definitely another shade of red that can be worn all four seasons. The formula is easy to work with and dries quickly but in terms of consistency, it is not as opaque as Lola, thus it requires two coats. I’ve noticed it lasts on my nails for up to 5 days, at which point the edges begin to show wear and subtle chipping appears. Still a top performer. The only drawback is that the color is not easy to find in stores and beauty salons. I usually order mine on Amazon.

OPI Malaga Wine – a gorgeous burgundy shade, retails for $8.69

The name suits this shade to a T. It is a rich, transitional color that I love to wear in the Fall and Winter, as my summer tan begins to fade away.  I would say the color is complimentary to a lot of skin tones, being that it’s not too red and not too bright. The formula, in terms of thickness and finish, is comparable to Essie, and you will need to apply two coats. It lasts on my nails for up to 5-6 days, similar to Essie, but not as long as Marc Jacobs. I usually buy my OPI nail polishes at Target where I can save 5% with the Target Red Card, but Amazon also carries the brand and this shade.

So there you have it. Three different red shades for this holiday season. To the untrained eye (my husband), they may seem identical or perhaps very similar, but I assure you they’re very different and cover the entire spectrum from bright red to neutral to dark red.

How do you plan on wearing red this season? What are some of your favorite reds? Please share in the comments down below.

 

Note: I used Essie Base Coat, two coats of the respective polish and Dior Gel Coat as my top coat for all of these photos.