OPI Black Onyx VS Lincoln Park After Dark

OPI Black Onyx vs Lincoln Park After Dark bottles on black marble background

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OPI’s Black Onyx (NLT02) was a top shade in 2021. 

And every fall around the spooky season, Lincoln Park After Dark (NLW42) rises from wherever it was waiting to be appreciated, to be a popular color of autumn.

Both of these colors are dark, vampy, creamy and opaque in two coats. 

They’re both great colors for Halloween season. 

They’re also from the same brand and hold the same amount of fluid per bottle.

On the nail, these colors can look very similar at first glance. 

As you'll see in the photos below, they’re both blackish shades. Black Onyx is a pure cream black. Lincoln Park After Dark on the other hand, is a dark cream eggplant purple that looks almost black on the nail.

In the bottles, in the photos above and below, these colors are obviously very different. One is clearly a black and the other is clearly a dark purple, almost reddish color.

One of the reasons why Lincoln Park After Dark is so enchanting is its color shifting properties - it looks different on the nail, compared to the bottle, and in different lighting scenarios. 

Sometimes you look at it and you swear it’s black. Other times you look at it, you wonder what you were thinking, it’s definitely dark purple. It keeps the wearer entertained.

Black Onyx, though, is almost a patent leather pure black, and quite versatile in its own right. You can wear it with everything, it’s a little black dress for the nail.

Because these nail polish colors are commonly compared and considered together, below, you will find swatches of Black Onyx VS Lincoln Park After Dark:

OPI Black Onyx swatch vs Lincoln Park After Dark swatch

L to R: OPI Black Onyx swatch vs Lincoln Park After Dark swatch

OPI Black Onyx swatch vs Lincoln Park After Dark swatch

On the nail, Black Onyx is cooler toned and Lincoln Park After Dark is warmer toned.

Black Onyx has gray undertones, and Lincoln Park After Dark has purple undertones.

Black Onyx shows a slightly gray edge around the top of the nail near the cuticle line, Lincoln Park After Dark shows a slightly purple edge around the top of the nail near the cuticle line.

OPI Black Onyx vs Lincoln Park After Dark bottles on black marble background

The main difference between these colors seems to be the base colors used to get the overarching blackish overtones in Black Onyx and Lincoln Park After Dark. 

Black Onyx is gray based and Lincoln Park After Dark is purple based - you can see this in the first coat (not shown), before you layer the second coat.

Both are opaque in two coats and look great with a glossy top coat. They’re both striking, attention getting colors. They are both stunning choices for a pedicure.

If you’re looking for a pure black nail polish, a versatile creamy black nail polish you can wear with anything, get Black Onyx.

If you’re looking for a black nail polish yet crave something more, a special flair, a variation from flat blacks, get Lincoln Park After Dark.

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