OPI Shrek Forever After Collection Preview

OPI is really getting into the whole Hollywood collaboration game.  90210, then Alice In Wonderland and now Shrek?  Granted it’s not the first time they’ve gone down this path (Legally Blonde 2) and they’ve certainly embraced Broadway (All Shook Up, Holiday On Broadway) but so many film & television themed collections in such a short span.  Makes me wonder if they’re running out of ideas or really wanting to up their marketing game.  Not that OPI needs it.  I mean, even people that NEVER polish their nails know OPI. Regardless, a collection based on a big, GREEN ogre is so up my alley.  It’s guaranteed to have some fun and funky shades.  None of those boring reds like the 90210 polishes and Off With Her Red!.  As first reported by Chic Profile the collection includes:

Funky Donkey, What’s With the Cattitude?, Rumple’s Wiggin, Who the Shrek Are You?, Ogre-the-Top Blue, Fiercely Fiona

Please, please, please let Fiercely Fiona be a soft yellow that is pigmented AND applies well!!!

There is no release information at the moment and I’m not sure if this will be their Brights entry for the summer or just a special edition release.  If you have details to add, please share with the group.  In the meantime, are you in love with the idea of this collection or what????

OPI Hong Kong Collection Swatches, Review & Comparisons – Part 1

One of the most anticipated collections of the season, OPI Hong Kong takes us to the far east and I don’t want to come back.  Following what I consider a pretty boring year for OPI (I just didn’t LOVE Spain & South Beach) they’re already off to a great start with Alice in Wonderland and Hong Kong.  I hope the momentum keeps going throughout the year. Of course I’ve been geeked over the idea of a new OPI green so Jade Is The New Black has been on my mind for months and it did NOT disappoint.  I dare say it may take down Rainforest as my all-time fave OPI.  That’s a huge statement people! I’ve got the first half of the collection for you today so check out Jade Is The New Black, Suzi Says Feng Shui, Meet Me On The Star Ferry, Bling Dynasty and Pearl of Wisdom after the jump!

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Mannequin Hands with OPI Sand In My Suit

Mannequin Hands is a new series featuring ALU Fanatics showing off their “mannequin hands” shade. The one polish that best gives that elongated, flesh-toned look to their hands.

The Mannequin Hands series continues on.  Today the Polish Hoarder shows off OPI Sand In My Suit and here’s what she has to say about it,

“I don’t know what made me buy this polish. I’m drawn more to bright, unique colors. I think I got it because it was like nothing I already owned. I’m so happy I did! It’s such a pretty nude color. How can a skin-toned color be pretty? It has tiny shimmers! In the summer, when my hands are much more tan, this color makes my nails pop from my fingertips! The shimmer reflects light like a string of pearls. It’s just gorgeous!”

Who else uses Sand In My Suit for the Mannequin Hands look? I hope the Polish Hoarder will let us know what her skintone is so you can possibly find your hand twin.

Let’s Talk Soak-off Gel Nail Polish

Last February I had my first experience with what is now becoming a major trend in nails; Soak-off UV Gel Nail Polish.  You see my pal Heather Park from SeoulDiva had been raving for months about this NYC salon Sakura and showing off her wicked cool nail art designs using the CalGel brand of soak-off polish.  Heather has managed to get more than a few of her friends hooked on Sakura including MAC Artist Keri B. who has posted some her designs on Twitter. You can read about my experience and see some more CalGel designs HERE. Since that time Fanatics have emailed asking about CalGel and the other brands of soak-off polish on the market, including OPI’s new Axxium product so I’m giving you the 411 on the whole soak-off phenomenon after the jump.

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OPI Mad As A Hatter Wear Test

I’ve been reading your comments about the glitters from the OPI Alice In Wonderland collection and see that quite a few of you have been experiencing major chipping issues. I thought I would share the results of my unintentional wear test with Mad As A Hatter.

You see I wore MAAH for NYE and because I can be extremely lazy AND I hate removing glitters (the soak off process is arduous) I ended up leaving the polish on my right (non-photographed) hand for NINE DAYS. Yes, I walked around for almost a week with a blinged out right hand and random skittles on the left. No, I really don’t care about the stares I undoubtedly received.  Don’t judge!

Anywhoodle, when I finally went to remove MAAH, I thought I should document how well it lasted on me. Which is why your comments about chipping are so surprising. I used one coat of Nubar Foundation Base Coat, 3 layers of MAAH and 2 coats of Olan Labs Quick & Slick Top Coat.  Now I did get a chip on my left thumb on NYE but that was a Wii related accident.  You have to admit, for nine days, the polish looks pretty good.

That makes me curious… those of you that have experienced chipping and poor wear from your Alice in Wonderland glitters, what products are you using and how many layers of each? Remember, the thicker the coats and the more coats you use, the more prone you are to chipping. So my first suggestion, not knowing your technique, is to apply thin coats of everything and see if that helps.