I have a few more pictures of dark reds from right around Christmas.  I just kept reaching for these kind of colors!  Lancome Le Rouge L’Wren is such a dark red that my prior pictures of it didn’t come out very well, and these give a better idea of how it’s both dark and plummy-purpleish.  I wore this manicure to my office Christmas party, since it looks kind of dressy/holiday appropriate but isn’t too crazy or glittery.  I also picked up Essie’s Masquerade Belle from the Winter 2010 collection, and it’s really pretty too.

Lancome Le Rouge L’Wren looks dark and dramatic, especially in indoor lighting.  But I like how it’s not black looking at all–it just has a really dark burgundy tone that is unique among the darker reds that I have.  It also has a lot of red and gold shimmer, but it doesn’t come out looking sparkly.  Even though it’s a smallish bottle, the brush is easy to use and application is good

I used three coats for the pictures below, and took the pictures in afternoon sun.  They’re a lot better than my first pictures:

In comparison to a few other reds, it’s darker and more purple.  Below, my index and middle fingers are Le Rouge L’Wren, my ring finger is Orly Thorned Rose, and my pinky is Masquerade Belle.  I think Le Rouge L’Wren is like a cross between these other two.

Next up are a few pictures of Essie Masquerade Belle.  I’m really liking how dark and brown it is, kind of brooding, but also not black.  To me it looks classic and basic, and it applies well and is perfect for winter.

I also tried it with some flaky glitter one Friday night, and it’s so pretty with an iridescent flash over top.  This is just one coat of Nubar 2010 over three coats of Masquerade Belle:

The Nubar flakies flash a lot of orange, but do have some yellow and green, especially in the shade.