Nicole by OPI Spring 2012 Preview

So in addition to the latest installment of Kardashian Kolors, it looks like we'll be getting (at least) two more collections from Nicole by OPI this spring. First up is their annual set of Target-exclusive shades. I'm not sure when these will be released.

Great Minds Pink Alike

Look At Me, Look At Me!

That's Totally Red-ical

Purple Yourself Together

Next up we've got some more "texture coats," NOPI's name for shatters. This bunch includes some glitter shatters as well as regular ones. No word on an official release date for these yet either.

Opal Texture

Amethyst Texture

Aquamarine Texture

Quartz Texture

So what do you think? Personally I don't see anything that screams "must-have" to me, but maybe I'll change my mind once I see these in person. Which upcoming collection (NOPI or otherwise) are you looking forward to most?

Twinsie Tuesday: Jelly Sandwich

Hey all, sorry for the super late Twinsie Tuesday post today. I didn't have time to finish it before work today but I got it all done as soon as I got home! This week's theme is jelly sandwich, where you sandwich a polish between two layers of a jelly polish. I don't have a whole lot of jellies in my collection and I made multiple (crappy) attempts at trying to do this theme, most of which were too awful-looking to even photograph.


So I settled on doing two coats of Studio M Fame & Fortune (originally released under the same name by Color Club--Studio M is owned by the same company) sandwiched between OPI Too Hot Pink To Hold 'Em, a (as the name implies) hot pink jelly. The base of Fame & Fortune is tinted pink. Ironically it's tinted pretty much the same color as the OPI I chose for this sandwich look, something I didn't discover until I started doing the mani.

The formula on the OPI is good but the Studio M is really tough to work with. The base is thick and the big mylar(?) pieces are very difficult to paint on. Most of the time I just had to place them with my brush. The pieces are also surprisingly sharp; I wound up scratching myself on accident a time or two because edges of the pieces wound up hanging over my nail beds. I used one coat of Seche topcoat but you'd probably need at least two to cover up the rough, jagged texture of the irridescent pieces. Despite being a pain in the ass, they are really pretty and shiny though.


So there you have it: my jelly sandwich. Be sure to check out the other Twinsie Tuesday girls if you haven't already--and welcome to new addition Brandi!

Amanda: http://amandalandish.blogspot.com/
Anna: http://goingtotheshowing.blogspot.com/
Anne: http://grapefizz.blogspot.com/
Ashley: http://artevolve.blogspot.com/
Brandi: http://thecollegiatenail.blogspot.com/
ChiChi: http://beautystarr1009.blogspot.com/
Jenn: http://allthatisgorgeous.blogspot.com/
Jenna: http://www.jennafroggy.com/
Katherine: http://hauloffame.blogspot.com/
Marisa: http://marijonails.blogspot.com/
Meredith: http://polishandcharms.blogspot.com/
Nory: http://fiercemakeupandnails.blogspot.com/
Rachel: http://topcoatit.wordpress.com/
Sarah: http://seesarahswatch.blogspot.com/

a-England Order Of The Garter

As the only non-holographic polish in a-England's The Legend Collection, blue glassfleck Order of the Garter might be easy to overlook. But it's still a beautiful shade in its own right with great color and depth to it. Would I love to have a linear blue holo? Yes, but I'm still happy with a lovely blue glassfleck too!

Order of the Garter reminds me a lot of Sally Hansen Laser. I have Laser in my collection already so maybe I will do a comparison post in the near future to see how close these two really are. But I can tell they're definitely in the same ballpark.


The formula on Order of the Garter is on the thick side but still workable. It doesn't go on as smoothly as its holographic brethren but application is decent overall. I used two coats here. I didn't use a basecoat and had no issues with staining. Yay!

This is a very beautiful polish--a worthy addition to any a-England collection. (If you haven't tried the brand yet, start with the holos and then you'll be absolutely hooked! I've yet to try and a-England polish that didn't meet or, more often, exceed my expectations.) I love how the shimmer gives this shade a nice inner glow and adds some complexity. I'll be curious to see if Laser proves to be a dupe for this one. Stay tuned...

OPI A Roll In The Hague

A Roll In The Hague is an uber bright orange from the Holland Collection. If you like ultra saturated colors that will get your nails noticed, A Roll In The Hague is the way to go!

This is a touch darker than Essie Orange, It's Obvious! and maybe a little more neon as well. It's still got that glossy, juicy look to it though that I love. They are not exact dupes but you most likely do not need one if you already have the other. Personally I liked the formula on the Essie better. A Roll In The Hague felt a little thick to me and there was a noticeable amount of drag when I applied it. But I think it really just comes down to a matter of brand preference between these two. Both are very nice oranges--and it's pretty rare for me to really like an orange, although I do like both of these a lot.

China Glaze Breast Cancer Awareness 2012 Preview

China Glaze puts out a Breast Cancer Awareness Collection each year and naturally, the theme is always pink! It looks like this year there'll be a pink for everyone, whether you love cremes, shimmers or glitters best!

I couldn't find an official release date for this collection yet but I'd assume these will come out sometime around October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Zoya Rica

Back on Valentine's Day, Zoya had a promo where you got both free shipping and a free red polish of your choice with your purchase so I scooped up Shawn and then chose Rica as my complimentary red! I'm not a huge red polish person but Rica isn't your ordinary red--or even really a true red, for that matter. It's a coral-y shade with crazy bright gold shimmer. Rica practically glows. I love it!

I can see myself reaching for Rica a lot during the summer. It's such a bright, fun, almost citrus-y base and then it's packed with gold shimmer that catches the light like crazy! It seriously is about as shiny as a foil polish. The formula is really good too--no complaints. I used two coats and had the tiniest hint of VNL (which I'm admittedly a stickler for), so maybe next time I'll go for three. If you don't like coral, Zoya Tanzy (from the Sunshine Collection, same as Rica) gives you a similar look, only more orange.



OPI Thanks A Windmillion!

Thanks A Windmillion! is a dirty pastel green from the Holland Collection. I love this color; it's like a dusty jade. This is one of my favorites so far from the collection!

Thanks A Windmillion! is darker and dustier than OPI Mermaid's Tears but it's a match for Zoya Bevin. The formula is great and I used two coats here. As you may know by now, I really, really love green polishes and this one is no exception. It's perfect for spring! I love the mix of a light base color with a little bit of dustiness to it. This color and Kiss Me On My Tulips (Yes, a pink polish that I actually have major love for!) are my two top picks so far from the Holland Collection.