How to Pull Off Vampire Red Nails & Lips

I’m a HUGE fan of blood red nails. Ever since Uma Thurman perfected the look on Pulp Fiction, short vampy nails seem to make a comeback year after year.

It’s a tradition of mine to trim down my nails when autumn hits to keep them strong and in tip top condition. Colder weather slows circulation and causes slow nail growth (hence the reason they grow so quickly when you’re on holiday) - autumn / winter is therefore the perfect time for a spot of re-shaping. Although blunt nails can often look bitten and unsophisticated, a smattering of red will inject some much-needed glamour for the fashion-conscious.

Get the Look: NAILS

Although it’s widely acknowledged that Chanel’s Rouge Noir is the ultimate for those who take the vamp brief seriously (Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett and Emma Watson), NARS’s Jungle Red is the perfect compromise for those who can’t pull this off. It’ll work well for evenings out, job interviews and or shopping trips (just remember to keep it in your handbags for any emergency touch-ups) - It’s your ultimate wearable daredevil red.

Applying NARS’s recently re-formulated nail polish is like dipping your nails in liquid velvet. The flat contoured brush makes application a cinch, and the colour is literally Knockout. As with any red, you need two coats to make your nails truly opaque, but you get a consistent colour from nail to nail that you often fail to achieve with other brands; with dark shades you often see a slight variation between nails as you over/under load your brush. My nails were dry enough to carry on with normal life within 30 minutes too, so great for quick manicures.

NARS’s little improvements with the brush and removable outer cap make their nail polishes so much to easier use than the old style. The new formulation (sans toluene and formaldehyde) promises “flexible, high gloss finish for a freshly-painted look that lasts”. They’ve popped in resins and polymers for improved wear and to strengthen nails and it shows - mine has also been on for 5 days now (with an O.P.I topcoat) and is only just beginning to show signs of wear (that’s pretty good for me as a busy mother of two who spends her life with her hands in a washing-up bowl or collapsing buggies).

Get the Look: CUTICLES

I’ve also used Nailtiques Cuticle and Skin Gel to repair any cracks and soften them for shaping. Keeping cuticles moisturised is important; I read somewhere years ago that your cuticles are little soldiers, standing guard to protect the nail from infections. But just as a real soldier may perform poorly when ill or out of shape, dry cuticles tend to fall down on their jobs. If you want nails to grow healthy, strong and long without bending or cracking; your cuticles are the best place to start.

Nailtiques burst onto the nail-care scene in the 90s with line of prescribed, salon-tested products that promote natural nail growth, strength and moisture retention. They boast their products help combat multiple nail problems with six specially formulated protein strengths that are critical in the development and maintenance of healthy, natural nails. This is my first ever Nailtiques product and I’m fairly pleased with it.

Straight off the bat I’d say the consistency isn’t at all gel-like. It’s a thick, concentrated glycerin and aloe enriched cream that nourishes and repairs dry and cracked skin and cuticles. You simply massage sparingly into your nails and cuticles every night before bed and let it soothe damaged skin as you sleep. It’s slightly greasy upon application and the scent is a little pungent, but it does deliver fast results; the dry skin around my nails is vastly improved after just one week’s use.

Okay the smell is off-putting and the greasy texture can be annoying if you’re a nighttime texter or preener. It’s definitely tempting to wash your hands afterwards to pick up your iPhone or book, but stick with it and it quickly becomes a relaxing routine before bed. It is also an excellent treatment for dry elbows and knees and great for nail biters given the smell would put off even the keenest of chompers.

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To pull these nails off, it’s good to be aware of how often your hands come into contact with your face. Teaming red nails with pink lipstick, rose blush and blue eye shadow just doesn’t work and will make you look like a pre-teen who has raided mummy’s make-up stash. You’re best pairing it with a red lipstick like Chanel’s classic Pirate or MAC’s high-impact Ruby Woo. Keep eyes simple with a swipe of eyeliner, mascara and a smidgen of gold shimmer on your eyelids to attract the light. Go easy with the bronzer too - we’re aiming for Taylor Swift / Cate Blanchett / Dita von Teese / not Kate Moss circa 1990.