Nicole By OPI "Hard-Kourt Fashionista" Swatch + Review

 two coats, natrual light

I finally got around to painting my nails a truly "fall" color. "Hard-Kourt Fashionista" is a deep plummy brown. It is a color that is VERY similar to the oh-so-popular OPI "Lincoln Park". I actually own that color and when swatched next to each other they're very similar--"Lincoln Park" is darker and has a more purple undertone. This is a great dupe if you aren't willing to spend the money on OPI.

On the nails the polish is MUCH darker than it appears in the bottle. The product went on smooth and easy. I was impressed with the opacity of this color. I probably could have gotten away with one coat but I added another just to be safe. I didn't use a top coat because it dried super quickly and with a shiny finish. What I didn't find impressive was how easy this stuff chipped. I kind you not, this stuff chipped in less than twenty-four hours. And by the second day I had to repaint. I've tried quite a few Nicole by OPI polishes in the past and I've never had this problem with them before--but then I always used a top coat. I won't make that mistake again. If you buy this polish don't forget a top coat--or else you will be as disappointed as I was.

Have you ever tried a Nicole by OPI nail polish? Tell me about your experience! Chat with me on twitter! Check out my second blog!

FTC: This product was provided for review.

Nicole By OPI "Kim-Pletely in Love" Swatch + Review

 five coats, natural light

I am slowly working my way through all the Kardashian Kolors Nail Polish Collection. I didn't think I was going to like this polish--and it had nothing to do with the fact that Kim is my least favorite Kardashian sister. Okay, maybe it did. But once I put it on I saw how pretty it is. It is a beautiful baby pink shade. So natural. But not easy. This polish took SO many coats. I wrote about that it took five coats but I honestly don't know. I lost count after four and I'm just guessimating. It was a challenge.

It is easier to see in this swatch but this color has the most subtle blue shimmer to it. It isn't too obvious but it is a special little accent to a color that I've seen before. I added a top coat and this color NEVER dried. I know it is because I applied so many coats but even after five or six hours it was still semi-wet. It was impossible for me not to mess up my nails. I changed the color the next day.

I don't think that that was a problem with a formulation, I just know from experience that many light pink nail polishes are extremely sheer and require a ton of coats. I just would recommend using a product like OPI's Drip Dry or make sure that each coat is dry before applying the next one. Nicole by OPI polishes retail for around $7 at Wal-Mart or which makes them a cheaper option than many other shades that are very similar from Essie or OPI. It is a beautiful and more affordable option. Just be careful during application.

What do you think of this color? Leave a comment! Chat with me on twitter! Check out my second blog!

FTC: This polish was sent to me for review.

Nicole by OPI "Rainbow in the S-Kylie" Swatch + Review

three coats, natural light

Another shade from the Kardashian Kolors. This is an exact dupe for OPI "Rainbow Connection". If you loved that color but didn't get your hands on it or didn't want to spend the money, buy this color! I wouldn't consider this shade an actual nail polish. It is more like a top coat. This was three coats and I couldn't image how many coats would be necessary to get an opaque finish. I was feeling very summery and bright when I painted my nails this color. It isn't something I would normally paint all my nails. I think it would look fantastic as an accent nail over another polish. 

Here is another look at the polish. It really is a rainbow, right? But while it is fun to wear, it should come as no surprise that it was a pain to take off. Sigh. I don't know what I was thinking. "Rainbow in the S-Kylie" is a really beautiful color but I wouldn't expect my nail to look like the bottle. It would take too many coats and then the polish would flake off. 

Nicole by OPI "Listen To Your Momager!" Swatch + Review

two coats, natural light

   

Not the summery, bright color you were expecting. Huh? I decided to take a break from those pastel colors and take a darker approach to my nails. This is one of the nail polishes from the Kardashian Kolors collaboration with Nicole by OPI. I think OPI polishes are fantastic quality and even though their brush system is a little wonky [sometimes they're thick and sometimes they're not. what's up with that?] they are still one of my favorite drug store brands. They're color selection is really impressive. Plus it's OPI. What's not to love?

   

"Listen To Your Momager!" is a dark, shimmery blue that looks fantastic on the nails. I know it's a little hard to see in the picture but it is not an average cream finish. I first tried this color when I did my Fourth of July nail tutorial and I have been obsessed ever since. It is just a fun color. And I think it works for both the summer and winter months. Gosh! I think it is just so pretty. The formulation was a little tricky to work with--more than a bit streaky. But it wasn't really a problem after the first coat.

  

FTC: This product was sent to me for review

Team USA Nails

 Happy almost Fourth of July! America is another year older. And to celebrate I made this cute nail tutorial for those who feel the need to display their patriotism on their fingers!

You're going to need. A top coat, a base coat, nail polish remover, Q-tips, and a chopstick/tooth pick--something that you can make small dots with. You're also going to need a blue polish, a red polish, a gold polish, a white polish, and an optional sparkly top coat. I'm using Sally Hansen "Hard to Get" [white], China Glaze "Ruby Pumps" [red], Nicole by OPI "Listen to Your Momager" [blue], Nicole by OPI "Glitter in My Stocking" [gold], and OPI "Servin' Up Sparkle" [sparkly top coat]. 

Apply a base coat. Then paint your pinky, middle finger, and thumb with the blue color. Paint your ring finger and pointer finger white.

 Using the chopstick or the toothpick, make gold dots.

Then draw on line using the red polish. Polishes with smaller brushes will be easier to work with. That is one of the reasons I choose China Glaze "Ruby Pumps". Also, don't worry about getting red on your skin because we will remove all of that later with nail polish remover. For those who are nail art masters, just stay inside the lines and you should be fine.  After you remove the red polish, you can stop here.

But I decided to add a sparkly top coat on top of the blue fingers. In my mind the gold dots are fireworks in the sky and the glitter makes it look like the starry night. It really adds a beautiful touch. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I hope you have a FANTASTIC Fourth of July. These nails would also be really cool to sport during the Olympics to show your support of Team USA!

Nicole by OPI "Orna-Ment For Each Other" Swatch + Review

two coats, natural light

*sigh* I probably sound like a broken record at this point but I feel like I have to say it again. Nicole by OPI did an outstanding job with their Holiday Glitter Collection. All four of the polish are fantastic quality and the colors are drool worthy.

This particular shade, is a red polish with medium sized gold and red glitter. Out of all the polishes, I think the color is the most Christmas-y. I'm pretty sure this color is my favorite but I'm sure that will change. I can't seem to make up my mind.

Here is a closer picture. It is a better view of the gold and red glitter. As much as I love OPI, I have to admit that this holiday--with the glitter and Kardashian collections--Nicole by OPI is easily outshining its older sister company. A swatch for the final polish in this collection, "Glitter in My Stocking" will be up soon.



FTC: This polish was given to me for review.

Nicole by OPI "My Sleigh's in the Shop" Swatch + Review

two coats, natural light

Another color from Nicole by OPI's Holiday Glitter Collection. I am officially obsessed with these colors. Each time I apply a polish, I think that I've found a favorite. That is, until I apply another one and my opinion shifts. This color doesn't really scream Christmas but there is no denying that its a beautiful color. Most of the purple polishes I own are much darker or lighter and I find this middle ground polish extremely refreshing. The Holiday Glitter Collection continues to impress me and I've only gotten through two shades. I can't wait to try the other two colors on! I guarantee more swatches will be coming soon. This color applies smoother than Snow-Man of My Dreams. A topcoat isn't completely necessary. *sigh* I know I keep saying this but Nicole by OPI really hit it out of the park with this collection. Simply marvelous.

FTC: These polishes were sent to me for consideration.

Nicole by OPI "Snow-man of My Dreams" Review + Swatch

Two coats, natural light

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, it will soon be the most wonderful time of the year. What does that mean? Glitter nail polish, of course. And Nicole by OPI's newest Glitter Holiday Collection is the perfect remedy for anyone suffering from glitter withdrawal. Swatches of all four colors will be coming soon but as soon as I tried on this shimmery, cool blue I knew that it deserved it's own post.

The glitter in this polish is chunky and gritty. A top coat is needed for a glossy, smooth finish. But as much as I love this color, I have a strong feeling that it won't just chip but remove entire patches of polish with little effort. Quick last minutes warning: I've used this color twice and the polish in the bottle is already starting to get goopy and hard to apply--clumping on the brush. It isn't a huge deal now but it will only get worse as time goes on. Just something to be aware of before buying. *sigh* But I really, really love the color.

P.S. Sorry for the depressing state of my cuticles. With finals week approaching, my nerves are fried.

FTC: Product was sent to me for review