OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Review And Swatches
Updated 2025.10.06. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Some products were gifted as PR samples, but all opinions are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
After swatching nail polishes professionally for almost 5 years now and having my nails done for 25 years, it’s safe to say I also think it’s one of the world’s best blacks, and below you’ll learn why.
OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark is an iconic OPI nail shade described as:
“where midnight meets purple, this aubergine is as deep as evening shadows in Lincoln Park on crisp fall nights. A near-black purple, this color is ready for neighborhood night life all season long.”
Lincoln Park is a famous Chicago neighborhood park that hosts one of the country’s oldest free zoos, a conservatory, a beach, a boardwalk, museums, and a theater.
Lincoln Park After Dark was released in 2005 as part of the Fall Chicago Collection. It is now part of the OPI Classics, the core shades OPI makes and continues to produce regardless of seasonal launches.
Because it is one of OPI’s core nail polishes, you can find it in any finish type you desire.
It is a deep eggplant black which gives it depth and dimension over flat black nail polish.
What I love about it is that in darker lighting, it does look like a luscious black, but in sunlight, you can see the dark eggplant peek through - so it’s like wearing 2 different nail polishes.
If you’re one of those people, like I am, who hates to choose between black and purple for your October nail look, Lincoln Park After Dark whispers… why choose?
When you apply it as a lacquer, I like it in 2 coats. The first coat looks dark purple, and the second coat is where you see that deep inky black purple come to life.
I prefer wearing it in 3 thin coats in the gel formula.
Now let’s look at some Lincoln Park After Dark swatches:
For best results with…
Lincoln Park After Dark Lacquer
Lincoln Park After Dark Gel Polish
Gifted by Beyond Polish
Lincoln Park After Dark Dip Powder
Lincoln Park After Dark Press-Ons
Clean your nails and use the included tools to prep your nails for your manicure.
Apply your nail glue to both the back of the press-on and the top center of each nail.
Work one nail at a time and lower the press-on with glue to the nail bed at a 45 degree angle.
Hold for at least 60 seconds and clean up any excess glue with an acetone dipped nail brush.
Gel-like nail glues will fill any gaps and ensure a secure seal - preventing any water from getting between your nail and the press-on, extending its life.
Wear Time
In general, you’ll likely get the longest wear times from the dip powder and gel polish formulas, with up to 2-3 weeks of wear.
With the press-ons and Infinite Shine coming in a very close second, at around 7-14 days of wear.
Though you can get 3+ weeks wear with press-ons, I usually recommend sticking to the 7-10 day mark.
This is because they can lift along the sides, which introduces the possibility for water to get trapped in between the press-on and the nail.
When water gets caught beneath a press-on, you can get a bacterial infection known as a greenie.
It’s somewhat common and I can think of worse things, but you want to stay clear of it since you have to leave that nail uncovered while it heals.
Meaning: no perfect manis for a time.
Let’s not forget the standard wear lacquer shown in this post though…
I usually get between 4-7 day wear with the standard lacquer formula.
You can increase your wear time with awesome nail prep, applying your polish in thin coats and exceptional post manicure care - like oiling your nails every day, which keeps the varnish flexible.
No matter which formula you choose, for the longest wear time, once you have your fresh set on, avoid manicure hazards like soaking your nails in water for extended periods of time and using your nails as tools.
All in all, Lincoln Park After Dark is a classic for a reason - its deep, luscious purple shifting to black magic is unlike any other shade out there that I have seen.
This nail shade is a truly elegant, enchanting take on black.
Even if you have other black nail polishes, this shade is different from the rest. You’re bound to see the beauty in it if you haven’t tried it yet.
It’s a cult favorite, and yes, it’s safe to say after all these years, I am an enthusiastic member of the cult. I hope you’ll join me in sharing the love for this shade.
For best results, pair this shade with the matching OPI base coat, top coat, liquid or lamp, where recommended by the formula type. All are linked above!
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