Anyone who knows me knows my attraction to red, glossy nails. The color of passion, energy, strength, and love, red and shiny just go together. When I was a girl, I had a pair of patent red shoes. I wore them everywhere, every day and if mom hadn’t caught me, worn them in bed, too. It wasn’t even as though I saw myself as Dorothy in her ruby slippers, I just loved red and shiny.
Red is assertive, bold, and brave, and it can have physical effects, too, by increasing heart and pulse rates, enhancing metabolic rate and encouraging us to take notice and be active – why else are warning signs red, or ‘action’ buttons on websites red? However, too much red, for example in a bedroom, can make us anxious and stressed. This can be countered by adding green, the opposite and complementary color.
Needless to say, I’ve had great fun trying out the best of the best red nail polishes, and here are my top three:
1) OPI Nail Polish – Big Apple
What Makes it Great
Bold, adventurous and feisty, this gorgeously brash red by OPI says it all. Deceptively deep, it captures the eye, drawing the gaze into the glass finish and beyond. After applying my usual two top coats, the gloss was irresistible and for two whole weeks, I was in love. Until a tiny chip developed, and the whole lot had to come off.
Where it Could be Improved
Two coats of polish were necessary to complete the perfect finish.
OPI Nail Lacquer, Big Apple Red
- Bright, shiny red nail polish shade, that will have you ready to take on the world Awards: Sunday Times Style Beauty Awards 2015, Best Beauty Awards 2015
- Big Apple RED NAIL POLISH is a luscious red shade that speaks to confidence
2) essie Nail Polish – Russian Roulette
What Makes it Great
A more firey red than the previous offering, this polish replicates perfectly the glory of flame red tiger lilies and the coal embers of a camp-fire, with an element of warning running throughout. All of Essie’s creme polishes are so super smooth to apply, flowing on like the most luxurious moisturizer, and this is no different, possessing, also, their trademark two weeks of durability.
Where it Could be Improved
This is a polish to be applied near an open window.
essie Nail Polish, Glossy Shine Finish, Russian Roulette, 0.46 fl. oz.
- high, glossy shine finish nail polish ; provides flawless coverage along with outstanding durability; brush fits every nail size for streak-free application
- essie nail enamels come in an extensive palette of shades from iconic classics like ballet slipper to trendsetting nail polish colors straight from the runway; nudes, blues, purples, black, white, rose gold, and more.
3) China Glaze Nail Polish – Italian Red
What Makes it Great
China Glaze have been quietly perfecting their art for years, in the shadow of the larger names, but with this glorious red, they can step into the limelight. A softer, but still bold and strong shade, this red has a feel of elegant sophistication from the slight bluey base notes. A creme liquid, its application was simple and mess free, and after the obligatory two coats of gloss, my nails looked superb for just over two weeks.
Where it Could be Improved
Although I could have got away with one application, I felt two gave more the shade I was after.
China Glaze Nail Polish, Italian Red, 0.5 Fluid Ounce
- Long-wearing nail lacquer
- Flexible and will not chip
- Non-thickening formula no thinner required
