This has been OPI's top-selling fall nail color for decades—TikTok claims it's particularly relevant in...

      Before I ever envisioned becoming a beauty editor, I was a teenager who spent my hard-earned babysitting wages on what I deemed essential at the time—a long-discontinued glitter eyeliner from Victoria's Secret, various drugstore mascaras, and vibrant, clinking bottles of nail polish. With a very limited budget, I was only willing to invest in products that A) I had personally tested, B) had excellent online reviews, or C) were iconic, cult-favorite items. OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark Nail Lacquer was one of the latter. I stumbled upon it while flipping through the pages of a now-defunct magazine, where words like "cool," "edgy," and "on-trend" circled the bottle. Captivated by the deep, black-purple color and its glossy finish, I ordered a bottle online and eagerly awaited its arrival. Fast forward about 15 years, and I still regard Lincoln Park After Dark as one of my favorite nail colors for fall and winter. TikTok seems to agree; I've recently seen a surge of millennials rediscovering their old bottles and Gen Z trying it for the first time. As one TikToker put it, it's "the best fall nail color in the entire world." Here's why this nail polish remains relevant in 2025.

      According to Lia Smith, OPI North America's brand education manager, Lincoln Park After Dark debuted in 2005. This means it has retained its popularity for a remarkable 20 years. Originally launched as part of the brand's Chicago Collection, Smith explains that "Lincoln Park After Dark is named after the Chicago park of the same name. At night, some find the park has a captivating, mysterious quality, and Lincoln Park After Dark embodies that essence." Since its release, it has outperformed all other shades, becoming one of the brand's top sellers—of all time. "Lincoln Park After Dark is 20 years old and remains one of OPI’s standout, iconic shades," Smith notes. "While it’s favored year-round, there’s a noticeable spike in demand during fall and winter. Our most recent trend data from July to September 2025 reveals that Lincoln Park After Dark has experienced a significant increase in average monthly search volume, rising to 40K from 18K." In other words, its interest has surged by 83% month over month.

      Two decades since its introduction, it continues to adapt to trends, thanks to its distinctive purple-black hue. Anyone who has worn it knows how it appears to change in various lighting—it might look true black in dim light, then morph into purple or even raisin in bright settings. Smith compares it to the timeless versatility of a little black dress, describing it as "a rich, deep cream that is classic and chic [and] looks stunning on a range of skin tones," adding, "[It's] nail jewelry in a bottle." So here's an official announcement: OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark is the ultimate trendy nail shade for fall '25 and winter '26 (and likely every season thereafter).

      This iconic shade is also available in OPI's Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish, a gel-like formula that provides up to 11 days of wear that resists scratches and chips (with no need for UV lamps or intricate base or topcoats). Moreover, it easily removes with standard nail polish remover whenever you'd like a change.

      For a low-effort, high-impact manicure, consider the press-on nails in Lincoln Park After Dark.

      If you prefer shorter nails, there’s also a press-on set available specifically for you.

      Here are five more iconic nail colors to explore:

      CHANEL Le Vernis in Rouge Noir: This Chanel nail polish is one of the most sophisticated dark-red shades ever.

      OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath: OPI's famous Bubble Bath is a true cult classic.

      OPI Nail Lacquer in Funny Bunny: Similarly, Funny Bunny, a soft white hue, is beloved among beauty editors, who often layer it with Bubble Bath for a stylish "Bubble Bunny" manicure.

      OPI Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red: OPI's Big Apple Red is a classic blue-toned red.

      Essie Pinks Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers.