Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Oxblood Take Two: It’s a Bloody Good Trend.

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Last year, oxblood red dominated the Fall 2012 runways with such magnitude that beauty junkies everywhere forgave its gruesome moniker and intensified their style with the collision of burgundy and scarlet hues. And while the vampy shade popped up everywhere from fingernails to leather to lace, normally a trend with such widespread fandom fizzles out as quickly as it arrives. Not so with oxblood.

This fall, designers have once again embraced the off-crimson colour and short, square-cut oxblood nails were prominently featured at Valentino Couture Fall 2013, Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter 2013 and Armani Prive Fall 2013. “Universally flattering with a dark and mysterious appeal, the perfect shade of oxblood lacquer is deep and sensual – a vampy, red-black hue that almost mimics dried blood,” says Liza, Editorial Director at Mieux & Mieux.

Rarely do fashionistas have the chance for a re-do, so if you missed out last year, the resurgence of the trend for fall 2013 makes this the perfect time to stock up on a few sinister shades. The deep sanguine hue (part black, part crimson) complements a variety of skin tones and works best on neat, trim nails.

1. L’Oreal Paris, Haute Couture Red; 2. NARS, Chinatown; 3. Sephora by OPI, I’m with Brad; 4. Chanel Le Vernis, Rouge Noir; 5. OPI, Skyfall; 6. Butter London, La Moss; 7. Sparitual, Epicurean; 8. Deborah Lippmann; Ruby Red Slippers; 9. Zoya, Anastasia; 10. Revlon, Vixen.

Are you turned on by oxblood? Bloody good trend… or not bloody likely?

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Lena

      It’s a very intense colour that I believe suits everyone – but not everyone is comfortable wearing :)

  2. Flora M

    Love these colours ! I would lean towards the ones with a more purple tinge to them. I especially like Epicurean (#7), and I know my granddaughters would go for the sparkles of the Ruby Red Slippers (#8) :o)

  3. Deborah

    I am so glad to see this colour trend back this year. I bought a cute pair of oxblood shoes last season ans never got a chance to wear them. Thank goodness for take two!!!

  8. Shauna MacKenzie

    You inspired me today and I pulled out my oldie-but-goodie Loreal Breaking Curfew polish. I love these dark shades!!

  9. Anne Taylor

    I absolutely love this colour! They are so deep and rich and to me, a much better colour than a bright red! Thanks

  10. Suzanne Smith

    I love all nail polish, but really when it is purchased, displayed and photographed like this, it becomes art. Did you do this Lena because it looks like something from Elle – gorgeous BTW. I love the bottles too. Wow. Cool assignment. The Sephora and Chael are my favourites. Great job !!

    • Lena

      Thanks so much Suzanne! Yes, I created the picture board myself in PowerPoint. If you check out my beauty section you’ll see that I always use the same template for my polish picture boards, so it’s not necessarily “art” but I do appreciate a good product placement! xx