Manicure Monday: OPI Red Hot Rio

9:00 AM


Today's Manicure Monday was chosen as a tribute to my recently (Sunday evening) departed betta, Tink, who had the loveliest red-and-translucent-white fin coloring.

I know that in traditional Eastern cultures red is the color of fortune & luck. Because I got Tink immediately after leaving my day job behind to take the huge leap of faith in following my own dreams, in many ways he is that "lucky charm" for me. He even made it cross-country to our move out to LA, faithfully swimming through the 26 hour drive. For being so much more than a fish and being with me every step of the way for years, this lucky red OPI Red Hot Rio Mani Monday's for you Tink! RIP little guy!






As with last week's Mani Monday, Red Hot Rio is from the OPI Brazil collection and is a vibrant, warm red shade. Depending on the light this color can range from very neutral red to a more glassy, almost translucent fiery red appearance in direct light.


As with many reds, this polish applied beautifully with full opacity in 2 coats. I used my usual base of OPI Nail Envy and top coat of Seche Vite. That "translucent" quality I mentioned before means that there is a bit of VNL aka visible nail line but it's not even noticeable on short nails like how mine currently are.


The only downside I can see is that this is a very run-of-the-mill, standard red which you can find at all price points but since OPI does a particularly "swimming" job of creating quality polish, Red Hot Rio is a definite recommendation.

Fun Tink Facts:
- Friends have called his tank the "Bentley" of betta homes. Roomy, heated, lighted, filtered, decorated... I research and go all out for my living companions. :)
- He was the first pet my husband and I had since being married.
- His name is a bit of an inside joke. Tink is short for "Stinky" but he was never actually a smelly fish!
- Bettas are often 1-2 years when they are bought and he had really long fins so I'm guessing he was almost 5 years old when he passed.
- He was a very active fish who would follow your finger around the tank and was trained to jump for food.
- He lived with us through 3 different homes and traveled through 6 different states.
- He was the first fish I'd ever owned.

Even though Tink swam across the rainbow bridge, his life and death are both a reminder of how drastically my life has changed in the last few years and that I couldn't have gotten to where I currently am without you. I don't mean these as empty words but truly from the depths of my heart. To me, he was more than a fish, and to me, you are more than numbers and screen names. For reading, watching, supporting, and sending love through all of the ups and downs in the last 6 years, thank you. And Tink, thank you for always reminding me to just keep swimming.

Readers, what is your favorite red? Do you have something that reminds you of a loved one you lost? It would be such a comfort for me if you shared your story. Let me know in the comments.

You Might Also Like

17 comments

  1. huuu, this is a wonderful colour.
    My favourite is Apple red...
    First place goes to vodka & caviar which is unfortunately discountined. Here and the you can find it but for silly prices.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like the perfect red color for me!
    xx Stephanie (www.stephaniesstyleblog.com)

    ReplyDelete
  3. OPI polishes are always of a great quality!

    LIVE . IN . LOVE ✞

    ~

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a gorgeous red. I love it.

    www.obsessiveblonde.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's the perfect red nail polish! I need it in my life :)

    http://glassow.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i love this color! I just got a similar color from marc jacobs!

    Angie | http://www.thefashionfuse.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Am sending you a hug--I'm so sorry about Tink! I know how it feels to be very attached to a pet betta: I have a little guy named Tiberius that's been with me for almost 4 years now. He's getting so old, and lately he's been developing tumors on one side of his body...he's swimming okay for now, but it's hard to watch--and hard to think I may have to soon say goodbye to a little friend who's been there through so much.

    Anyway, I really like the idea of trying new red polishes to remember your Tink. Try Zoya's Rekha--it's been my favorite for awhile. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the color! Literally the perfect shade :-)

    http://www.ahintofsage.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. So pretty and chic ! love it !
    pinupjet.blogspot.fr

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love OPI's Big Apple ( I think that is what it was called ). Tink is swimming in the big fish tank in the sky ^_^

    Laila from Townhouse Palette ♥

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Jen, I've recently been invited to a Jamberry party (nail wraps)...like a Tupperware party for nail wraps! Have you ever tried these? I would love for you to try them and post a review. I have been using Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail wraps and they are touted to last up to 10 days. Not sure if you have featured something like these products?

    ReplyDelete
  12. T.T Jenn your blog post was so touching, it made me tear. RIP Tink, and that red looks wonderful on you

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe