Ancient Ironbark - 75 - Gel Polish 15ml

Ancient Ironbark - 75 - Gel Polish 15ml

Deep, mysterious, and grounded—this is the colour of Australia's oldest trees in their darkest moments. The ironbark is one of Australia's most resilient native hardwoods, found across the eastern forests from Queensland through to Victoria. These ancient trees, some over 300 years old, have bark that appears almost black in certain light, their surfaces darkened by centuries of weather, fire, and time. Ancient Ironbark captures that colour—a near-black burgundy or oxblood red, so deep it appears almost charcoal until light hits it and reveals the warm, wine-dark undertones within. This is sophisticated darkness with hidden warmth, a shade that feels both modern and timeless, both bold and subtle. It's a colour for those who appreciate depth and complexity in their choices.

Ancient Ironbark works beautifully in autumn and winter styling, paired with rich fabrics, deep jewel tones, and layered, textured pieces. It suits leather, burgundy suede, forest green, deep navy, and black. For nail art, consider deep gold leaf detailing, subtle shimmer accents, or negative space designs that reveal the mysterious depth of this shade. It pairs elegantly with vintage jewellery or modern sculptural pieces in gold or bronze. Apply with slow, controlled strokes to ensure even colour distribution; the deep tone requires confident application. Once cured, the finish reveals depth—you'll notice the burgundy undertones only when light catches the nails at specific angles, adding intrigue.

Skin Tones: This deep, wine-dark red with near-black appearance flatters medium, olive, tan, and deep skin tones most beautifully, where it creates sophisticated warmth and elegance. On fair and light skin tones, it creates strong contrast and can appear very dramatic—this is intentional and striking. The depth prevents any harsh effect; instead, it feels luxurious and intentional.

Best Worn For: Autumn evening events and formal galas, winter holiday celebrations, sophisticated date nights, professional events and corporate dinners, theatrical performances and artistic events, vintage-inspired occasions, moody editorial photoshoots, late-night events and celebrations.

Pairs With: A deep forest green or teal alongside it for a jewel-toned monochromatic palette. A rich gold or bronze accent colour for warm metallic contrast. A near-black or charcoal shade for an entirely sophisticated dark palette.

About the Finish: The cream finish on Ancient Ironbark is remarkable—it creates a perfectly smooth, uniformly glossy surface that draws light inward rather than throwing it outward. The finish reveals the hidden burgundy undertones only when light catches it directly, maintaining mystery and depth. The opacity is full and complete, with a refined, professional appearance.

Colour Type: A deep, near-black burgundy or oxblood red, this shade sits at the darkest end of the warm-red family. It's complex rather than simple—the colour contains multitudes, revealing different tones depending on lighting and angle. The saturation is high, but the depth makes it feel sophisticated rather than aggressive.