Alright, let’s talk about my dark red nail color adventure! You know, I’ve been wanting to try it for ages, but always chickened out thinking it was too bold.

So, first things first, I grabbed a bottle of dark red polish. It was a random one I found at the drugstore – nothing fancy, just a classic, creamy dark red. The kind that looks almost black in dim light. I also made sure I had my base coat, top coat, nail polish remover (just in case!), and some cotton pads.
I started by cleaning my nails really well. Removed any old polish, pushed back my cuticles (gently!), and filed them into a nice, even shape. I went for a slightly rounded square shape this time. Then, the important part: base coat! I applied a thin layer and let it dry completely. Seriously, don’t skip this step. It protects your nails from staining and helps the polish last longer.
Next came the dark red polish. I carefully applied the first coat, trying to stay within the lines. Dark colors are so unforgiving! I tried to keep it thin and even, but it was a bit streaky. Didn’t panic! I knew a second coat would fix it. I waited, like, a good 10-15 minutes for that first coat to dry. Patience is key, people!
Okay, second coat time! This one went on much smoother. The color was rich and deep, exactly what I was hoping for. Still took my time, still tried to avoid getting it all over my cuticles (failed a little, but whatever!). Again, I waited a good long while for it to dry completely. I even blasted it with a cool hairdryer for a minute or two to speed things up.
Finally, the top coat! I used a quick-dry top coat because ain’t nobody got time to wait forever for their nails to dry. One smooth coat, making sure to seal the edges of the polish. This is crucial for preventing chipping!

After the top coat was completely dry (I waited a good half hour, just to be safe), I used a small brush dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any mistakes around my cuticles. This is where those cotton pads come in handy too!
And that’s it! Dark red nails, finally achieved! It actually looked pretty good. I was surprised how much I liked it. It’s definitely a statement color, but it felt surprisingly sophisticated. Wore it for a solid five days before I got bored and changed it up again. But hey, that’s the fun of nail polish, right?