OPI FIFTY SHADES OF GREY COLLECTION 2015 - SWATCHES & REVIEW #THROWBACK

In early 2015, OPI launched a limited-edition collection of  silver-grey nail polish shades and a rich red hue, in collaboration with the hotly anticipated film adaptation, of the worldwide bestselling book by E L James; Fifty Shades of Grey. 

I managed to hunt down all 6 of the limited-edition polishes from the OPI Fifty Shades of Grey collection to review for you today :)



CEMENT THE DEAL

Cement the Deal is a cement grey creme nail polish shade. 
I really like this tone of grey.

The formula is thin, but easy to apply - the polish effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity nice and easily in two thin coats.


MY SILK TIE 

My Silk Tie is a silky silver chrome nail polish shade.
It looks just like silver satin - it's beautiful!

It's easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
Brush strokes are evident when this is applied, so I highly recommend using the three-stroke-method of application to limit the appearance / amount of visible brush strokes.

It builds up to full opacity nice and easily in two thin coats.


DARK SIDE OF THE MOOD

Dark Side of the Mood is a dark charcoal grey nail polish shade. There is a blue tinge to it and it also looks like it has a the slightest "shimmer" scattered throughout it - the "shimmer" is so subtle it's not necessarily that visible, but the polish definitely doesn't look like a straight up charcoal grey creme. I don't know what it is about this one, but i'm really digging it!

The formula of this one is a little weird (it's almost crelly-like), but it is still easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity nice and easily in two thin coats.


ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED

Romantically Involved is a brick red nail polish shade.
I like this tone of red!

The formula is perfect! It is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity nice and easily in one - two thin coats.


EMBRACE THE GRAY

Embrace the Gray is an elephant grey nail polish shade.
It's a slightly darker tone of grey compared to Cement the Deal. 

The formula is thin, but easy to apply - the polish effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity nice and easily in two thin coats.


SHINE FOR ME 

Shine for Me is a silver micro-shimmer nail polish shade, in a clear base, with small blue metallic glitters scattered throughout it. It's beautiful! Unlike anything else in my collection! 

The formula is good. It is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 

This polish can be worn on its own or worn as a glitter topper over another nail polish. 
My swatch shows three thin easy coats on it's own.

It dries slightly textured, but a coat of clear top coat will help completely smooth out the nail if the glitter texture bothers you.

*  *  *

I like this collection. 

I didn't pick the collection up initially in 2015 because, quite honestly, it looked boring to me and I didn't think grey was "my colour" (I have recently become obsessed with grey nails, so this collection fulfils all of my grey nail polish desires).

The formulas of the polishes in this collection were generally good but admittedly a little strange (I noted them as being "weird" in my notes while swatching them) - they're thin, not necessarily sheer, more like an 'opaque thin' - however their silky smooth and thin formulas make them pleasantly easy to apply and build to opacity.

I was curious of the hype around the Fifty Shades franchise, so I read all three books and watched all three films - they have kind of become a guilty pleasure of mine. Despite how poorly written the books are I did enjoy the story and have the occasional fantasy about Christian Grey *insert heart eyes*.

Whether you're a fan of the Fifty Shades franchise or not, there are some really pretty grey hues in the collection I would definitely recommend trying. I genuinely like them all, but my personal favourites are; "Cement the Deal", "Dark Side of the Mood" & "Shine for Me". 

Did you snag any of the polishes from this collection back in 2015? 
Will you be hunting them down? 

*  *  *

RRP: $19.95 each (AUD)

Available at selected Myer and David Jones stores and selected Salons nationally (Australia)*

For details on retail stockists please call 1800 812 663

For details on salon enquiries please call 1800 358 999

*This limited-edition collection was released in 2015, so I struggled to get my hands on them - I managed to collect mine from a range of eBay stores, Nail Salons and online nail polish de-stash pages. Happy Hunting!

*  *  * 

**Disclaimer: I purchased these products with my own money. All opinions expressed in this Blog post are mine based on what I have experienced through trialling these products.

Thanks for taking the time to read this review

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask :)

Doni x

Follow me on Instagram for more nail swatch pics & nail art - @donsnailobsession 

OPI INFINITE SHINE BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S COLLECTION 2016 - SWATCHES & REVIEW

I believe in Manicures! 

OPI has just introduced Breakfast at Tiffany's; a holiday collection that captures the elegance and effervescence of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the American cinema classic.The new limited-edition Breakfast at Tiffany's collection takes inspiration from Audrey's classic beauty and sense of playfulness.  

Bring glamour and effortless chic to the Holiday season with festive shades. The Breakfast at Tiffany's shades are offered in both regular nail lacquer and Infinite Shine formulas. 


Infinite Shine is OPI's answer to gel nails with no UV / LED light, promising up to 10 days of lasting colour and mirror shine in 3 easy steps.  
Here's how it works - 

STEP 1: PRIME

Apply one thin coat of the OPI Infinite Shine Primer base coat to prepared nails (nails completely free of polish, oils, etc).

STEP 2: LACQUER

Apply two thin coats of your desired Infinite Shine colour shade - apply just like regular nail polish. 

STEP 3: GLOSS

Apply one thin coat of the OPI Infinite Shine Glossy top coat over the colour.

*APPLICATION TIPS: Apply thin coats of polish and ensure each coat is fully dry before applying the next coat. 


I have all 6 Infinite Shine shades from the Breakfast at Tiffany's Collection to review for you today :)



I BELIEVE IN MANICURES

I Believe in Manicures is a beautiful robin's egg blue nail polish shade. It's not quite a Tiffany blue but it's just as pretty. I love it!

The formula is fantastic. The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity in two thin and easy coats.


GIRLS LOVE PEARLS

Girls Love Pearls is a lustrous pearl nail polish shade inspired by the film's memorable elegant five-strand pearl necklace. I love the look of this on my nails! 

The formula is good. The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
Brush strokes are quite evident when this is applied, so I highly recommend using the three-stroke-method of application to limit the appearance / amount of brush streaks.

It builds up to full opacity in two - three thin and easy coats.
My swatch shows two coats but I think it really depends on your preference as to how many coats of polish 
you will need. I actually like the chic look of just one coat.


CAN'T TAME A WILD THING

Can't Tame a Wild Thing is a daring red-orange nail polish shade. It's super bright and in-your-face. Great for summer!

The formula is fantastic. The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats.
The formula is kind of jelly-like so the more coats of polish you apply the more vibrant the colour looks.


RING THE BUZZER AGAIN

Ring the Buzzer Again is a deep red nail polish shade.
Now this is my kind of red! I love it!

The formula is perfect. The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats.


PARTY AT HOLLY'S

Party at Holly's is a burnished mahogany nail polish shade. 
There is something just so "sexy" about this colour. 

The formula is perfect. The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats.
The more coats of polish you apply the deeper the colour looks.


I'LL HAVE A MANHATTAN

I'll Have a Manhattan is a deep eggplant purple nail polish shade. 
It's so vampy and sleek and almost looks black. 

The formula is perfect. The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats.

*  *  * 

I am obsessed with this collection! 

Formula wise they're all literally perfect, they apply easily, they're super glossy, pigmented and opaque, and they dry quickly - the colours and formulas of the polishes in this collection are truely on point! Really impressed.

I quite like the Infinite Shine three-step system and did experience a longer-lasting manicure when using it. 

There is not a particular polish in this collection that I personally wouldn't recommend, - they're all just that good!

My personal favourites are; 'I Believe in Manicures', 'Girls Love Pearls' & 'Ring the Buzzer Again'.

I think this collection encapsulates Audrey Hepburn / Holly Golightly perfectly. Audrey didn't just embody classic beauty, she embraced it, understood it, and made it synonymous with fashion - there's a little bit of Audrey in all of us, and there's no better time than the holiday season with its whirlwind of parties to channel her special brand of chic with this collection. 
I definitely recommend checking this collection out for yourself - you will not be disappointed! 

*  *  *

RRP: $22.95 each (AUD)

Available at selected Myer and David Jones stores and selected Salons nationally (Australia). 

For details on retail stockists please call 1800 812 663

For details on salon enquiries please call 1800 358 999

*  *  * 

*Disclaimer: Coty PR Australia kindly sent me these products for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this Blog post are mine based on what I have experienced through trialling these products.


Thanks for taking the time to read this review

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask :)
Have a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous day,

Doni x


Follow me on Instagram for more nail swatch pics & nail art - @donsnailobsession 

OPI X DISNEY ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS COLLECTION - SWATCHES & REVIEW

OPI has gone positively mad with their new collaboration with Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass film. 

Inspired by the film's mad, crazy, wonderful characters and their latest adventures; OPI have released eight insanely gorgeous limited edition shades. 

I have all 8 shades from the Alice Through the Looking Glass collection to review and share with you today :)

*Spoiler*: they're amazing!

FEARLESSLY ALICE

Fearlessly Alice is an bright cerulean blue nail polish shade. 

The colour is amazing and super pigmented. 

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well - the formula is seriously perfect! 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats. 

Due to how pigmented this colour is, it stained my nails and cuticles blue when I removed it - #SmurfHands. 
*I decided to wear this polish with two coats of base coat and had no issues with staining. A peel-off base coat would also be a good idea to wear to avoid stained cuticles upon removal.


WHAT'S THE HATTER WITH YOU?

What's The Hatter with You? is a delicious deep plum nail polish shade. 

The colour is stunning and super pigmented. 

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well - the formula is seriously perfect! 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats. 

HAVING A BIG HEAD DAY

Having a Big Head Day is a bright fire-engine red nail polish shade. 

The colour is super pigmented and intense. 

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well - the formula is seriously perfect! 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats.

OH MY MAJESTY!

Oh My Majesty! is a white nail polish shade with a lovely gold-red-copper duochrome shimmer running throughout it. 

It is so unique and beautiful - my swatch really does not do it justice!

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail - the formula is great.

It's a little sheer but it builds up to full opacity easily in two - three thin coats.


A MIRROR ESCAPE

A Mirror Escape is a shimmery metallic yellow gold nail polish shade with matte white and blue micro-glitter scattered throughout it. 

The finish is quite unusual. It dries semi-textured and looks lumpy on the nail. Top coat can't even save it. It's not particularly my cup of tea but i'm sure someone else might like it. 

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail nonetheless. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well - the formula is great.

It builds up to full opacity in two thin and easy coats.


I'M GOWN FOR ANYTHING!

I'm Gown for Anything! is a pastel pink-purple nail polish shade - the colour is very similar to Essie 'Go Ginza' (which is one of my favourite nail polishes of all time). 

The colour is super pigmented and absolutely beautiful. 

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well - the formula is seriously perfect! 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats.


MAD FOR MADNESS SAKE

Mad for Madness Sake is a bright fuchsia pink nail polish shade. 

The colour is amazing and super pigmented. 

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well - the formula is seriously perfect! 

It builds up to full opacity in one - two thin and easy coats.


THE I'S HAVE IT

The I's Have it is a pastel cornflour blue nail polish shade. 
The colour is super pigmented and so pretty on the nail.

The polish is easy to apply and effortlessly glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well - the formula is seriously perfect! 

The formula is a little thinner than the rest in this collection but it builds up to full opacity easily in two thin coats.

* * * 

When I initially saw the press release for this collection a couple of months ago I was honestly not enticed to get them. But after trying them, I can genuinely say that the collection is worth getting. 

The colour selection in this collection is stunning. Formula wise they're literally perfect, they're super glossy without top coat, they're seriously opaque and they're super pigmented 
- the polishes are so much prettier in person. 

I've been trying to pick some of my favourites to recommend but it's just too hard to choose. There isn't any particular polish in this collection that I personally wouldn't recommend, - they're all just that good.
(I have had these polishes in rotation on my nails since I got them - I may be just a little obsessed!)

Everyone is sure to find their cup of tea in these bright, bold colours. I definitely recommend checking this collection out for yourself - you will not be disappointed! 

Indulge in a little madness of your own! 

*  *  *

RRP: $19.95 each (AUD)

Available at selected Myer and David Jones stores and selected Salons nationally (Australia). 

For details on retail stockists please call 1800 812 663

For details on salon enquiries please call 1800 358 999

*  *  * 

*Disclaimer: Coty PR Australia kindly sent me these products for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this Blog post are mine based on what I have experienced through trialling these products.

Thanks for taking the time to read this review

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask :)

Have a fabulous day

Doni x


Follow me on Instagram for more nail swatch pics & nail art - @donsnailobsession 

OPI SOFT SHADES (PASTELS) 2016 - SWATCHES & REVIEW

OPI have just released their 2016 Soft Shades collection and it's not like any typical "Soft Shades" collection we have become accustomed to. Instead of the expected sheer and muted look, OPI have chosen softly shaded, seriously opaque and gorgeous pastels that add a "mod" element to their annual soft shades collection, without diminishing it's refinement.

I have all 6 shades from the 2016 Soft Shades (Pastels) collection to share with you today :)



STOP IT I'M BLUSHING!

Stop it I'm Blushing! is a pastel blush pink nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


IT'S A BOY!

It's a Boy! is a pastel baby blue nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


IT'S IN THE CLOUD

It's in the Cloud is a beautiful milky *slightly* off-white nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


I AM WHAT I AMETHYST

I Am What I Amethyst is a soft pastel lilac purple nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's a slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


THIS COST ME A MINT

This Cost Me a Mint is a soft pastel mint green nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


ONE CHIC CHICK

One Chic Chick is a soft pastel yellow nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 

*  *  * 

I am amazed with the colour selection in this OPI collection - the shades are all so beautiful and perfect for spring.

The formulas of all six of these polishes were generally the same and kind of have the typical "pastel nail polish formula" - streaky and patchy - (I am yet to come across a pastel polish with a fantastic formula). But, unlike other pastel nail polish, their thin, smooth and creamy formulas make them pleasantly easy to control and make application a breeze. They also build up to full opacity relatively well. They could all be considered opaque in two coats, but I personally think they look better with three coats as it eliminates any of the streaks or patches that are evident on close inspection - in other words, if you don't have OCD like I do, two coats should be okay. Regardless of the formula, when completely opaque, these polishes look so delicate and feminine and are definitely worth the application effort.

APPLICATION TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS - 

• use the three-stroke method of application to prevent streaks
• do not over manipulate each coat of polish that is applied onto the nail
• wait for each coat of polish to completely dry before commencing the next coat

I appreciate that OPI has come out with a pretty opaque pastel collection this year for their annual Soft Shades collection. I really like every single polish in this collection but my personal favourites and picks are "I Am What I Amethyst" & "It's a Boy!". 

*  *  *

RRP: $19.95 each (AUD)

Available at selected Myer and David Jones stores and selected Salons nationally (Australia). 

For details on retail stockists please call 1800 812 663

For details on salon enquiries please call 1800 358 999

*  *  * 

*Disclaimer: Coty PR Australia kindly sent me these products for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this Blog post are mine based on what I have experienced through trialling these products.

Thanks for taking the time to read this review

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask :)

Have a fabulous day

Doni x


Follow me on Instagram for more nail swatch pics & nail art - @donsnailobsession