Lincoln Park After Dark and the Best Dark Plum Polishes

Lincoln Park After Dark and the Best Dark Plum Polishes

Lincoln Park After Dark is the near-black plum OPI made famous, and it still sets the standard for dark nails. Here are its closest cousins, plus the plum lipsticks and eye colors that match.

OPI dates Lincoln Park After Dark to 2005 on its company timeline, where it says the shade became a cult favorite and took edgy dark colors mainstream. Co-founder Suzi Weiss-Fischmann has said the name came from OPI's Chicago collection: Lincoln Park has a bit of mystery when night falls. OPI calls the polish a deep aubergine purple that looks near black, and it is still sold in the brand's Classics collection. I have never met a nail person who does not have an opinion on it.

There are two versions here. The OPI Nail Lacquer is the original with the Pro-Wide brush, and the brand says it gives up to 7 days of wear with its 3-step system. The OPI Infinite Shine version is a dark purple creme with a gel-like finish that OPI says lasts up to 11 days without a lamp, and it is vegan. Around them sit the neighbors. CHANEL Le Vernis in 155 Rouge Noir is a longwear polish with a name that says it all. Essie Wicked is a deep blood red with a cream finish, Londontown Lakur in Lady Luck is a deep maroon, and Kure Bazaar Dark Red is a deep oxblood. OPI Malaga Wine is a rich wine red creme, and OPI Black Cherry Chutney is a deep black-red with a pearl finish.

My test: paint one nail and look at it in daylight by a window. If it reads black, it is Lincoln Park After Dark. If you see a flash of red, it is one of the wines.

Big numbers collage for Lincoln Park After Dark: six products from OPI, Chanel, Gucci, Essie, Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown, each set beside a large numeral
Lincoln Park After Dark

Dark plum and oxblood polishes

Plum lips to wear with dark nails

Dark nails are strongest with a quiet mouth or a matching one, and plum lipstick is the second option. Gucci Velvet Matte in 224 Eva Grape is a deep muted plum with a velvety matte finish. Bobbi Brown Hydrating Lipstick in Hibiscus is a plum wine satin that the brand says hydrates for up to 10 hours. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Secret Salma is a deep rose plum, and her K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Night Crimson is a plum red with a satin shine. Anastasia Beverly Hills Full-Pigment Lipstick in Sugar Plum is a rosy plum matte, and MAKEUP BY MARIO SuperSatin in Forest Hills is a rich wine with a soft sheen. Ultra Suede in Amanda is a deep plum matte with a suede-like feel. The About That Shine Sheer Shine Lipstick in Galactic Plum is the light one, a sheer flush with prismatic shine.

Pairing tip: if your nails are near black, pick a lipstick a shade warmer or redder, like Hibiscus or Forest Hills, so the two do not fight. Blot once and you are done.

What I would skip: a deep plum matte with a dry, flaky lip. It will grab every line, so a balm first, or reach for the sheer Galactic Plum.

Plum and berry lipsticks to match

Plum eyes, from smoky to soft

Plum eyes are gentler than black and they suit dark nails. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Dusk is a dusty plum shimmer that the brand says lasts 24 hours. MAKEUP BY MARIO Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow in Plum Pewter is a taupe plum, waterproof, with a matte or soft shimmer finish. MERIT Solo Shadow in Iris is a soft plum wash of color that builds, and it is fragrance free. Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr in Ultraplum is a matte rich plum stick with 12-hour wear. ILIA Eye Stylus in Regal is a shimmer plum bronze that the brand says is safe for sensitive eyes. Kulfi Zari Eyes in Plum Pataka is a plum with silver flecks, and I like it for a party. For liner, MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Resist in 11 Unlimited Ivy is a deep plum, and Dolce&Gabbana Sleek Kohl Glider in 05 Vibrant Plum is a red-toned purple pencil.

Try this: draw a thin plum line along the upper lashes and smudge it with a fingertip. It reads as depth, not drama, and the nails do the talking.

What I would skip: a plum shadow, plum lip and dark nails at full strength all at once. Pick two and keep the third soft.

Plum eye pencils and shadows

How to wear dark plum

Start with the nails and let them set the mood. Two thin coats, cap the free edge, and finish with a top coat so the shine holds. If you want the full look, echo the color once, on the lips or the lids, and keep skin fresh. Dark plum looks best short to medium, in any season, and it is the kind of polish that makes plain clothes look intentional. Wear it Lincoln Park After Dark style, a little mysterious, and leave the rest simple. If you are unsure between the lacquer and Infinite Shine, choose by how often you like to repaint. Either way, take the polish off gently and give nails a day of bare rest now and then.