This time of year when everything’s coming up hearts, what’s more classic than a bright red nail? There’s a ton of options out there, but I’m super picky {shocker, I know} and it can be difficult to find that *perfect* color that’s right on the money and goes with your style and mood. I’m partial to the shades that have a hint of orange…the warmth is the perfect compliment to these grey days and these bright colors stand out in just the right way, a refreshing change from those cooler Christmas-y reds that we’re just coming off of. {But, if you’re looking for a bright, cool red, I haven’t come across anything prettier than NARS Paradiso. } I tend to switch up my colors every now and then, especially this time of year {I’m loving some wintery darks and this Smith & Cult bright pink – or ‘watermelon radish’ as it’s described on the site…love that!! – right now. This option is also an 8-Free formula, which is healthier with less chemical-y stuff, which I’m trying to incorporate more…and it also wears REALLY well – I’m talking a solid 5 days at least after my quick at-home application}, BUT here are my tried and true orangey-red favorites, that I always go back to and are in constant rotation.
L to R:
Brazilliant : The most ‘orange’ option of the set. This is a great color for those hot summer months, when you’ve spent time in the sun and have a healthy {don’t forget the SPF} glow and are looking for something to really POP. It’s super bright {do three THIN coats} and goes just perfectly with a with a margarita.
Meet Me At Sunset : Also great when it’s warm out, I wear this a lot in the late-spring/early summer and then again in September. I got this color the day before I went on vacation in the caribbean last June, and it was the perfect option for laying in the sun all day and then going to the beach bar at night. Meet Me at Sunset gave a spot of color even though my outfits were pretty simple {carry-on problems…}, and paired with an orangey red lipstick, some mascara, and a Martinique tan, I didn’t need much else in terms of makeup to feel put together! It’s bright with a hint of orange, but not TOO much orange, and it is a great ‘bright neutral’ {if that’s even a thing…let’s make that a thing!} for a pedicure.
Clambake : I love love love this color. It’s the only color that I’ve actually bought a second {and a third} bottle…and with the gozillion options out there these days, that’s saying something. Bright red with a zing of orange – which is totally what makes this color perfect – and it’s guaranteed to go with that striped top {and everything else} and stand out in all your ‘perfect latte’ Instagrams {girls, I get that this is important}. This is pretty much the only color I wear from 4th of July to August…maybe it’s the name, but nothing seems to go better with those long beach days at the Jersey shore {followed by a backyard BBQ and some cocktails!}. and it’s the finishing touch to even the most simple outfit {I live in denim shorts and v-neck t-shirts all summer – nothing fancy}. Totally a must-have.
Geranium: Not to be overshadowed by how much I love Clambake, Geranium is such a strong, deep red color, that looks just like it sounds – like those pretty red blooms on a geranium plant, which is a favorite of mine, and always means ‘here comes the warm weather’ for me. It’s a classic, standard red, that has the right hit of warmth, but doesn’t really look orange, and it’s actually awesome for year round use, including the holidays {this is what I wore in all the Christmas shots we did, and I’ll wear it next week for Valentine’s Day, as well}. Clambake may be my classic favorite but, since the summer has passed, I’ve been using Geranium the most. If you’re looking for a bright, neutral, warm, year-round red, without the pop of orange that’s in Clambake, here you have it.
I’m dying to know what your go-to colors are!! Leave me a comment below. And definitely let me know if you try any of these!!
