Dior "Rouge Red 999"

So I normally don't buy into the "pay $28 for a nail polish" thing, but this little gem came as a part of a gift set from Nordstrom for a steal, with the matching lip stick, lip gloss, and lip balm! Of COURSE I had to get it! This is just the most perfect red. There is no hint of any other color it applies like a dream, a gorgeous red cream that is opaque in one coat but I used two just in case. I wore it for a week, and you can tell that it is actually growing out with no hint of wear. Only a few tips are minorly injured, a major feat when you use your hands as harshly as I do. Overall, this is a wonderful product. If they ever release another shade I just "have to have," the wonderful formula of this one has convinced me that is may be worth the price. This is a true red, no hint of any other color. Amazing. A++. 

The little gift case! Ignore the water marks... 

Chanel "Vamp"

Ah, Chanel Vamp. 

I was researching dark vampy reds (because that's what I do...) and came across this gem. An iconic color akin to Tiffany Blue, Chanel Vamp is so popular it even has it's own Wikipedia page! First introduced to the market on the Chanel runway in 1994, this beauty was apparently a true revolution. This website lists the seven most popular shades on Chanel polish ever - and what comes in at #1? Vamp. With over $1 million in sales, it is one of the most popular polishes of all time.

See where I'm going with this? It was super popular in the 90's, and Chanel has reformulated it several times. The most current manifestation has trace amounts of ruby red microglitter, which the original did not. I would call this a crelly formula, nice and opaque in 2 coats. Took longer to dry than Essie or Opi does. This was my first Chanel purchase - I don't live anywhere near anyplace that would sell this, so when I was traveling with the SO and saw a Chanel polish display in the mall, I HAD to snatch it up! 

A little disappointed with the wear on this. The color IS fabulous, but at $27 / bottle I expect no less. I am sure I will wear this anytime I want to feel extra-special, but this started chipping on Day 1 and the pictures below were taken on Day 3 - ew! WAY less durable than Essie or Opi shades. I will try to do a comparison with some of the other vampy colors I have! 

In short, if you want to buy a piece of history, and don't mind the price, this is perfect. The color is stunning, but takes awhile to dry even with a fast-dry top coat, and doesn't wear well. I'd give it an A. 

Essie "Bordeaux"

Am seriously drooling over this color right now. A gorgeous dark wine red, not quite vampy, is Essie's "Bordeaux." A pure red without hints of berry or purple, this shade will be the perfect start to fall. I think it looks quite chic in person. It is a nice jelly red, opaque with minor pigment variations noted in two thin coats and some visible nail line, but only on camera. Can't see it in person. I am actually going to re-apply this color now - absolutely adore it, great formula, no staining. A++!

Natural light. My natural complexion is pasty. 

Artificial light. One week tip wear! 

Deborah Lippmann "B!tches Brew"

WOW. I was searching for a nice dark red that wasn't too goth, and came across this gem on another blog. After reviewing it on Google (let's be honest, I never buy polish without checking all of the reviews! I do my research!) - I went ahead and splurged on this gem.

And boy am I glad that I did. 

This red is deep, without a hint of purple - maybe just slightly berry-tinted. No black at all, just red. It really glows in the sunlight, like rubies. Application was a dream, and nearly opaque in one coat. I did two and the color just intensified so much. I anticipate getting a lot of wear out of this color over the coming fall and winter - perfect fall shade, gorgeous color, and almost a week of wear-time with barely any damage! I think this is from an old collection of Deborah Lippmann, but if you can find it an don't mind the splurge ($15 here), it is 100% worth it. Just adore this one. 

OPI "Red Lights Ahead... Where?"

Oh man, I took like a hundred photos of this polish. It is NOT this orange in real life, but it definitely isn't a "Red," just a really smoking hot bright coral. The perfect summer shade. Had some issues with the pigmentation of the polish. It was a little uneven actually, had some dark patches. It was weird. That being said, it is still a great color. Applied nicely, I wore it for a week before taking these photos (hence the minor tip wear). Really in-your-face coral. I plan on wearing it when I am in Las Vegas in a few weeks. ;)

"Red Lights Ahead" - I believe this is an homage to Amsterdam's prostitution district. Odd choice for a nail polish. Especially since it implies the wearer is actually LOOKING for the red light district. Does anyone else find this odd??? 

Light from my window

Desperate to get the color accurate - ignore the  pasty hands! (Artificial lights)