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You know what? Sometimes there is nothing better than the old standby!
Classic burgundy nails are in for fall and winter, and one of the most beloved burgundy nail colors, OPI Got the Blues for Red, is trending.
Released in 2005 as part of the Chicago Collection, this shade is now more than 20 years old. It’s from the same collection as the iconic Lincoln Park After Dark.
I first swatched this color for the blog in this post on OPI Red Nail Polishes, but you can also find it in OPI Malaga Wine VS Got the Blues for Red and OPI Burgundy Nail Polishes.
Despite its coverage in these blogs, I still haven’t shown you all the comparisons to other similar burgundy shades.
So today is today!
And if you’re still looking for the right red or burgundy polish for you, understanding the nuances between the different shades matters.
Undertone especially can make or break your decision when it comes to finding the right burgundy nail polish for you. Since burgundy nail colors are one of the most popular colors right now and one of my favorite colors period, we’re going to dive in.
So below you will find comparisons to We The Female, Big Apple Red, Como se Llama? and Essie Bordeaux. Later this month, a comparison to OPI Complimentary Wine will also be released, so keep an eye out for that.
To begin, let’s look at swatches of OPI Got the Blues for Red to refresh our memory. Then, we’ll dive into the comparisons to explore the differences and similarities.
OPI Got the Blues for Red Swatches
As you can see, it’s a classic burgundy red creme nail polish. It applies evenly, dries quickly and I especially like that it’s opaque in 2 coats.
Now let’s look at how OPI Got the Blues for Red compares to others:
OPI Got the Blues for Red VS We the Female
These are both lovely burgundy creme shades from OPI that are opaque in 2 coats, but We the Female, to me, is lighter and it has more of a berry pink undertone to it, giving it a cooler tone.
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OPI Got the Blues for Red VS Big Apple Red
These are both iconic red nail colors from OPI that are gorgeous and opaque in 2 coats, however, Big Apple Red is a classic, bold power red, whereas Got the Blues for Red is a much darker burgundy wine shade.
Same as above, you can get both of these shades in different formulas.
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OPI Got the Blues for Red VS Como se Llama?
Both are burgundy creme shades from OPI, and opaque in 2 coats, however, Como se Llama? is a bit darker and it has brown undertones, giving it a warmer, brick to maroon look. Como se Llama? is one of my favorite burgundy shades for warmer skin tones, whereas Got the Blues for Red could work for warm or cool skin tones.
OPI Got the Blues for Red VS Essie Bordeaux
One of the main differences between these is they are burgundies from different brands and Got the Blues for Red requires just 2 coats for opacity, whereas Bordeaux needs about 3 coats. The other difference is that Bordeaux is darker with a more translucent, glass-like look, giving it a jelly appearance, and Got the Blues for Red is definitely more of a flat creme shade.
Bordeaux is also a much older shade, with a longer history, as it was one of Essie’s first shades released in the 1980s and Got the Blues for Red is from 2005. So if you consider yourself somewhat of a burgundy nail color historian like myself, and you haven’t tried Bordeaux, you might like to try that first before moving onto a more recent release.
So, now that you have seen all the comparisons, which of these red or burgundy nail shades do you like best? Which do you think is most similar to OPI’s Got the Blues for Red?
Let me know in the comments!
Pick up any of these colors at the links above and for best results, pair them with a matching base and top coat.
