Today I have for you:
1.) A success! (It's been a while...)
2.) A revelation.
First, the successful red find.
You have no idea how excited I am to report to you that I found a red that works! I was seriously beginning to doubt whether or not I can "do" red. I almost held up the white flag of surrender. While it may not be a bright, light red, it is definitely red in all lights without going burgundy in low lighting like some of those naughty blue-based reds tend to do. (I really, really hate that.)
I give you the one, the only, the utterly fabulous...Essie Rock the Croc:
I can't seem to take pictures of my manicures right away anymore, so these pics are from Day 4...
Pretty right?! In the bottle this looks deceptively brown/yellow - like iodine for cleaning wounds. But on the nail, it is a fabulous, sophisticated deep red that reminds me of luggage. The kind of luggage that a ridiculously elegant woman in the 1940s would take with her when boarding a train to Paris. It's rich, mysterious and vibrant all at the same time, without being too dark or dusty. *sigh of happiness*
The formula on this is quite jelly-like, and has the problem that plagues many dark jellies - that application can be streaky. I just waited a good couple minutes in between coats (just like I would for a streaky pale sheer colour) and had no issues.
The revelation??? There *is* another undertone for red polishes besides blue or orange. I've been futzing about trying to find where I fit in between those two undertones and the answer is...neither. BUT, after this experience with Rock the Croc, I can tell you that red polishes with BROWN undertones work for me! Since my skin tone tends to turn everything bluer, the brown tint somehow seems to counteract that. It truly is amazing how ones colouring can affect a polish - I've seen pictures of this on people where it looks completely different!
Are you ladies proud of me??? Any recommendations for any other reds with some brown undertones?
kittytokaren
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18 comments:
Hey, this is an amazing red! Never seen any with BROWN undertones, ugh, so it makes me wanna check this one out irl. I'm on my red hunt as well, just can't find that_perfect_red.
Happy you found this pretty!
Oh wow, gorgeous!!
This is going to my wishlist asap!
here is so many inspirations!
have a nice time!
Paula
Is this a jelly only search? Looking at my color wheels China Glazes Salsa might work but it's a straight creme. Ch G's Ravishing Dahling might work too. It's a little more translucent although still not jelly, and it's also pretty dark.
k2k - WIN!! Good for you, I know it's been a daunting search!
I just picked up an Essie Red for a dollar (Canadian) at a local drug mart, and I'm sure wishing it had been 'Rock the Croc'. But that's okay I think I can pull off 'Lacquered up'. For 99 cents I thought I'd give it a whirl. :P
Glad you found a good red in time! Thanks for sharing.
I really like this one. Red jelly. Yum!
Hooray! That is a lovely red on you. I hope you'll be happy together.
It looks pretty, but for me blue reds are the ones that work, any warm red looks horrible on me, actually any warm color.
And i'm not super fair and don't have a lot of pink in my skin either.
Yay! congrats on finding your red, it's lovely!
That jelly looks glorious on you - good job!
Hi everyone! Sorry I'm slow in responding to all of your comments...I was at a conference and they wanted $13 for internet access - yeah right. I really do read and treasure every single comment you take time to write, so thank you!!
@Daria - This red hunt thing really is harder than I thought!! Keep me posted on yours!
@Sarah B - I hope you'll like it as much as I do!
@Paula - Thanks lovely! Glad I could inspire :)
@Sandi - Definitely not a jelly only search, but that seems to be what my favourite ones are...I think this is because jellys let more light through the layers and prevent the polish from doing that icky burgundy sludge thing in low light.
@extraH - Seriously. I am so relieved to have found this beauty.
@JQ - A dollar is a total bargain! I think Essies are amazing quality. Lacquered Up is a really famous/popular one so I hope you enjoy it!
@Megan - Yum is so right!
@Lucy - Aww thank you. I think we will be happy together for a long time to come :)
@SakuraBlossom - You are not the only one - tons of ladies seem to love blue reds - thats why I've always been astonished when they failed on me!
@Alison - Thanks my friend!!! Rouge Fatal was a total fail btw....
@Indoorkitty - *waves* Thank you!! I am so so pleased.
k2k
I love red nail polishes... just not sure if they love me back. This is a beautiful color! I'll definitely look it up for next box of order. <3
I have some issues with red too but my faves so far are Essie Keys to my Karma and China Glaze Stroll. Try em out :)
vavavarnish.blogspot.com
@JoA - I am struggling with making them love me back too! I think there is just "the one" and its hard to find...
@Ariana - Thanks friend! Checking out your blog!
k2k
gah! that looks gorgeous on you!
glad you found "the one"
Nancy (NanRx)
@NanRx - Thank you my sweet NB friend!! :) I am so glad I found her too :)
k2k
I think I must have a similar undertone since a lot of polishes pull blue on me too. Good to know. In any case you make that color look absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations!
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