Review | Tom Ford Beauty Nail Lacquer in 13 Carnal Red

I recently tried this crimson polish, a gift from the Tom Ford launch event in Singapore.

I wasn’t sure about which nail colour to buy when I made my first purchases at the brand’s Tangs Orchard boutique, so it was a pleasant surprise to find a nail lacquer inside the gift bag.

A red with a cherry-fuchsia undertone, it is beautiful at first application and striking with subsequent layers. The brush is somewhat narrow but deposits colour easily (I didn’t make many mistakes, despite not having the precise application talent of nail bloggers).

It dries fairly quickly too, thanks to its somewhat-thin consistency. Unfortunately, this also means it’s not opaque enough – look closely and you will see visible nail line…this, despite 3 layers. And for S$45 (12 ml), I’d expect nothing short of richness and density of colour, a luxurious creaminess. It’s a pity its texture doesn’t reflect its price and high-end pedigree. It stains my nails too, like many reds.

That said, its lasting power redeems itself to some degree. Pictured above is the lacquer on Day 4: minimal tip wear – surprisingly even – and no signs of shrinking from the sides, a sure prelude to flaking. I did use Zoya Anchor Base Coat and Poshé Super-Fast Drying Top Coat, which might have attributed to this (though I do not see this with other nail shades using the same combination) or it might be that 3 coats of the varnish extends its wear.

Whichever the case, I wasn’t expecting it to last this long, not with the surge of washing and cooking I had to do last week. Reds have a habit of chipping on me too, so I was glad for its long-wearing characteristic.

Would I purchase another Tom Ford nail lacquer? Perhaps. Though the thin consistency isn’t up to par and I despair at seeing the slight translucency, I’m actually impressed by the lasting power of Carnal Red. It might’ve been the Zoya and the Poshé, in which case the tenacity of the combination is undeniable.

Moreover, the tonal finesse is a plus point: The scarlet hue itself is stunning and a little unusual, being underscored by the coolness of the fuchsia. (I think this would be the perfect ‘SQ red’, an ideal red polish for the Singapore Airlines flight attendants.)

I love the luxe heft of the bottle too, as well as its shape – there’s something very chic and modern about angular bottles.

I only hope the other varnishes are just as lasting and uncommon; better yet, creamier. Perhaps the deeper colours would be richer and less sheer…we’ll see.

Like Chanel Le Vernis, Tom Ford Beauty Nail Lacquers are made in France. For more thoughts on the Tom Ford polishes, do read Joey’s review of 09 Plum Noir and Sophia’s post on 16 Bordeaux Lust.