Style File : Red Nail Polish Lemmings
Filed Under (cosmetics, nail polish, style file) by rinnah on 18-11-2011
Tagged Under : chanel, dior, isetan, kate winslet, lancome, OPI
As my fellow beauty bloggers would know all too well, lately I’ve been struck by a new lemming for nail polish. But not just any nail polish. Oh no.
Like a moth to flame, I find myself inexplicably drawn to red nail polishes. The redder, the better. 
It all started nearly two years ago when I was getting a manicure/pedicure done for Chinese New Year and I decided to go out of my comfort zone (pretty but safe light pinks and neutrals) and go red. The manicurist recommended to me the most sought after red in the salon : OPI’s best-selling I’m Not Really A Waitress.
Image credit for I’m Not Really A Waitress
It’s not so much a bright red, but a deep red with burgundy highlights that show up in brighter light conditions. I liked it so much that I bought a bottle to keep – my first red nail polish. I’m not good with doing my own manicures, so I’ve been using it on my toes where it still looks good from afar and mistakes are not so noticeable. Heheh.
Then I read Lyn’s post on her new Chanel Rouge Carat nail polish and was hankering after it so bad that Beetrice had to drag me into the Chanel boutique with orders to try it on just so I would shut up about it.
Image credit for Chanel Rouge Carat
This is a brighter red compared to I’m Not Really A Waitress and under the boutique lights where I swatched it, it appears to have gold flecks in the red. Absolutely gorgeous and the only reason why I didn’t walk out of the boutique with it was because it’s much cheaper in Malaysia (MYR 70.00) compared to Singapore (SGD 36.00). Come this weekend, I’m going home to Malaysia to get this limited edition baby.
Then came another siren’s call when I got intro’d to Singaporean blogger Joey Chong. What should I see scrolling down the first page of her blog but this post on Dior’s Les Rouges collection featuring not one, but three different types of red.
I’m eyeing Gruau (on the right) and Icone (on the left), but I’ll need to see it in real life before deciding which of the two I want. Tralfagar (in the center) is a bit too bright red for me. In case you’re wondering, yes, this is *also* a limited edition collection.
As if that wasn’t enough, while fruitlessly hunting for Dior’s Les Rouges (didn’t realize that it’s exclusive to Isetan Scotts), I glanced over at the neighboring Lancome counter and saw… another red in Kate Winslet’s Golden Hat holiday collection for Lancome. Oh yeah, need I mention also that this is another limited edition baby?
Unfortunately, the consultant told me that the polishes for the Golden Hat holiday collection were not being brought in to Singapore. Bummer!
Now tell me, have I been poisoned by red nail polish lemmings or what?
Thank you for the link Rinnah, I have a weakness for red nails, love them =)
rinnah : Hi Joey, thanks for dropping by! I love all the photos on your blog. So gorgeous!
Hehehe, you got the bug bad! I must say the Dior ones are lookin’ good too
Too bad is so hard to get though.
rinnah : I know, right?!
I think it was purely the knock-on effect of seeing so many gorgeous red nail polishes all at the same go.
Love red nails, so classic and can’t gonwrong. Dior polishes are a little iffy in quality, I find. Even with the best top and base coats, I find it chips too easily
rinnah : I’m growing into this red nails and stronger lip look lately. You’re right, it’s so classic and perfect for all seasons. Which brand’s top/base coat are you using? I have OPI’s top coat but it doesn’t seem to work all that well for me.
Yes you have, and I’m proud of you! Red nails are classic. The Rouge Carat is a real beauty, you’ll love it
rinnah : It’s a stunner all right! I think I’m going to expand my nail polish collection but keep it red. Like a signature look.
My first red nail foray was my first pedicure here in West Malaysia about 2 years ago (I think?) I chose OPI Malaga Wine. I prefer blood red kind of red, not bright red though
rinnah : Same here – I don’t fancy bright reds.
ok, and I’m also declaring here that you are NOT going to set foot into another Chanel boutique between now and New Years!
to be honest, I tried out the Dior polishes over the weekend and they weren’t all that impressive (unlike the Chanel one!) – love the rest of the list though!
rinnah : Errr… *trots off to Chanel counter in department store* Teeheehee!
Soz for late reply. I’m using Barrielle as a base coat and Seche Vite as top coat. Seche Vite is like THE top coat of military-grade. Can’t live without it
rinnah : Ooh, I haven’t heard of Barrielle before, but lots of people seem to be using Seche Vite. Damn, I knew I should have bought it when I saw it in Sephora yesterday!