OPALLAC SPRING COLLECTION 2016 - SWATCHES & REVIEW

Opallac is the latest nail innovation promising glamorous salon quality gel nail colour designed to last up to 14 days. The unique Opallac Gel formula glides on like normal nail polish but sets instantly like gel when cured by the revolutionary Opallac LED nail lamp. 

NO dry time! NO chipping! NO smudges! NO damage!

Opallac have newly introduced four beautiful gel colours perfect for the warmer weather. 

I have the four new Opallac Gel nail colours to review for you today :)


LIFE'S A PEACH

Life's a Peach is a bright coral peach gel nail colour.
I love this colour! It makes me want to sit by the pool.

'Whether you’re soaking in the sun on a beach or heading for a balmy dinner, this is the perfect colour to keep your life peachy'.

The formula is great. The polish effortlessly glides onto the nails and applies beautifully. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It is completely opaque in two thin easy coats. 


POPSICLE

Popsicle is a bright violet purple gel nail colour.
It's so bright! I love it!

'This juicy burst of purple is everything you need to get the party started!'

The formula is great. The polish effortlessly glides onto the nails and applies beautifully. 
It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels well. 

It is completely opaque in two thin easy coats.


APPLETINI 

Appletini is a beautiful pale sea-foam green gel nail colour.
Very pretty!

'Wrap your flawless Appletini nails around a Martini glass and enjoy nails that are good enough to drink!'

The formula is great. The polish effortlessly glides onto the nails and applies beautifully. 
It's a little patchy but it builds up to full opacity nicely in two - three thin easy coats.


SAY I DO

Say I Do is a creamy white nude gel nail colour.
A great neutral shade perfect for the Wedding Season!

'An elegant and romantic creamy white colour, for those special dreamy moments'.

The formula is great. The polish effortlessly glides onto the nails and applies beautifully. 
It's a little patchy but it builds up to full opacity nicely in two - three thin easy coats.

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I really like these polishes - they're such beautiful colours with great formulas that are easily opaque, and cure perfectly under the Opallac LED nail lamp.

Check out the collection for yourself!

For more information on Opallac, I have a Blog Post reviewing the Gel System along with some of my tips and tricks to achieving the perfect gel manicure at home linked here.

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RRP: $19.95 each (AUD)

Opallac products are exclusively available for purchase online at www.opallac.com and www.priceline.com.au as well Selected Priceline stores nationally (Australia).

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*Disclaimer: Opallac kindly sent me the products mentioned in this Blog Post for an honest review. All opinions expressed 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 :)
Wishing you a fabulous 2017! Happy New Year! 

Doni x

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

OPALLAC GEL NAILS AT HOME - REVIEW, TIPS & TRICKS

Opallac is the latest nail innovation promising glamorous salon quality gel nail colour designed to last up to 14 days. The unique Opallac Gel formula glides on like normal nail polish but sets instantly like gel when cured by the revolutionary Opallac LED nail lamp. 

NO dry time! NO chipping! NO smudges! NO damage!

Today I will be reviewing the Opallac Gel system as well as sharing my tips and tricks to achieve the perfect gel manicure at home. 

THE ESSENTIALS

- WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE PERFECT SALON QUALITY MANICURE AT HOME -

• 7Watt UV LED Nail Lamp - RRP: $69.00 (AUD)
• Opallac Gel Base Coat - RRP: $19.95 (AUD)
• Opallac Gel Top Coat - RRP: $19.95 (AUD)
• Opallac 2-in-1 Shine & Soak Solution - RRP: $9.95 (AUD)
• Opallac 30pk Remover Wraps - RRP: $15.00 (AUD)

* There is a Priceline exclusive Starter Kit available that includes everything you need to create the perfect salon quality gel manicure at home. The value pack even includes 3 nail colours. 
It's the perfect DIY kit!
- RRP: $99 AUD (Great value for money!)


APPLICATION
- HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT GEL MANICURE AT HOME -

1. Prep your nails by ensuring the nail surface is completely clean and free from any oils, creams or chemicals and lightly buff the nail surface.

2. Apply a thin coat of the Opallac Gel Base Coat.

3. Cure the Base Coat for 90 Seconds with the Opallac LED nail lamp.

4. Apply a thin coat of your chosen Opallac Gel colour.

5. Cure the nail colour for 90 Seconds with the Opallac LED nail lamp.

6. Apply a thin second coat of your chosen Opallac Gel colour.

7. Cure the second coat of nail colour for 90 Seconds with the Opallac LED nail lamp.

8. Apply a thin coat of the Opallac Gel Top Coat.

9. Cure the Top Coat for 90 Seconds with the Opallac LED nail lamp.

10. Remove any sticky residue off the nail surface by saturating a cotton pad with the Opallac 2-in-1 Shine & Soak solution, and gently wiping it over each nail for a few seconds.


TIPS & TRICKS 
- THINGS I HAVE LEARNT - 

Nail preparation prior to applying Opallac -
Avoid premature peeling and chipping by ensuring the nail surface is completely clean and dry prior to applying Opallac. Remove any oils, creams or chemicals off the nails with Gel Primer, Isopropyl Alcohol or Acetone and wash hands thoroughly. Lightly buff each nail to remove any ridges and help the gel adhere to the nail for longer wear time. 

Application -
Apply THIN COATS of polish ONE HAND AT A TIME and cure under the nail lamp before going onto the next hand! This will help avoid the polish from pooling at the sides of the nails and ensure flawless application. If pooling does occur, it is important to clean it up before curing your nails under the LED nail lamp. 
I personally recommend curing four fingers at a time (each hand) and the thumbs separately.

Be prepared!
Have everything you need set up, open and ready to be used - this will make the application steps much easier to follow.

Using the LED nail lamp -
There are no tricks or complicated instructions when it comes to using the LED nail lamp. Simply plug it in, switch the lamp on* and you're set. 
It is handy to have a stopwatch or timer nearby to time the 90 second curing intervals to insure the Opallac Gel colour cures properly. 
* There is an on / off button on the back of the lamp.

Ensuring manicure longevity -
Wrapping the nail tips with a swipe of polish helps prevent premature pealing and tip wear. 
It is important to avoid keeping your nails under hot water for long periods of time 
- while doing dishes or washing, it would be ideal to wear gloves.


LONGEVITY
- HOW WELL DOES AN OPALLAC GEL MANICURE HOLD UP? - 

Opallac promise salon quality colour that lasts up to 14 days.
So I put it to the test...

OPALLAC 'LURE ME AZURE' - DAY 1
Two coats + top coat

I tested Opallac's claim with 'Lure Me Azure' a stunning deep blue holographic glitter gel polish. The polish applied effortlessly and was completely opaque in two thin and easy coats. The picture above swatch was taken on Day 1. So pretty!

OPALLAC 'LURE ME AZURE' - DAY 10
No chipping, minor tip wear + nail growth.

The picture above was taken on Day 10! 
I have never had a manicure look this good in 10 days! I am so impressed! 
I removed the manicure after this picture was taken because I wanted to change it up but i'm sure it would have lasted well over 14 days! Wow!


REMOVAL
- HOW TO REMOVE YOUR MANICURE WITH THE OPALLAC REMOVER WRAPS AND OPALLAC SHINE & SOAK SOLUTION - 

1. Lightly file the gel polish on each nail surface for a few seconds to break it down. 

2. Cut to size the desired amount of Opallac Remover Wraps from the 30 pad roll. 

3. Saturate the cotton pad attached to the Opallac Remover Wraps with the Opallac 2-in-1 Shine & Soak solution.

4. Place the soaked nail pads directly over the nail and wrap around each finger separately*  
Keep wrapped around nails for approximately 5 minutes**

5. Remove wraps, one at a time, and peel off the gel colour***

* Once the cotton pads attached to the Opallac Remover Wraps get saturated with the Opallac 2-in-1 Shine & Soak solution, they are likely to detach themselves from the actual wrap. 
A second set of hands may be needed to assist with wrapping each nail.

** I personally find 15 minutes to be optimum soaking time.

*** Instead of 'peeling' the gel colour off I like to use a cuticle pusher / orange stick to gently push / scrape the polish off the nail. The Shine & Soak Solution weakens to polish bond to the nail so it easily removes with light pressure. 

If applied and removed correctly Opallac will not damage the natural nail. It is crucial to not attempt to pick the gel colour off. This will cause damage to the nails. 
It is important to follow the Opallac Gel removal process outlined above. 


IS IT WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
- MY PERSONAL OPINION - 

YES! YES! YES!
I pride myself in giving honest reviews and opinions on my Blog, so if I say you need to try something, you do!

I had never tried real Gel polish before and I can honestly say I really enjoyed using it! 

I tend to change my nail polish every day or so due to the fact that nail polish chips on my nails so quickly, but with Opallac I did not experience any chipping or pealing even after 10 days of wear! It's amazing! I removed the Gel polish off my nails because I was I wanted to switch it up not because I felt I needed to! Really, really, really impressed!

Application may seem daunting but it shouldn't be. The wide brush applicator and fantastic formulas make application effortless. The Opallac LED nail lamp does most of the work for you; creating an instantly glossy and dry Gel manicure in seconds. The Opallac system also hardens the nails allowing them to grow and not break. I noticed substantial nail growth when using Opallac, which is an added bonus!

Save time and money with the convenience of an Opallac DIY Gel manicure at home! 
DEFINITELY WORTH THE INVESTMENT!

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Opallac products are exclusively available for purchase online at www.opallac.com and www.priceline.com.au as well Selected Priceline stores nationally (Australia).

*  *  * 

*Disclaimer: Opallac kindly sent me the products mentioned in this Blog Post for an honest review. All opinions expressed 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 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.

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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! 

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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

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*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