Nicole by OPI White Texture

Call it Texture, call it Crackle, call it Shatter, or call it Grafitti - crackling top coats are all the rage for 2011.  Nicole by OPI announced in late May that they would be throwing their hat into the ring with 6 colors.  Nothing new to the game - still the same kind like OPI... the one down side is that while Nicole by OPI changed to their new "Perfect Stroke" brush back in January, there are still some issues with getting all their bottles with the same new brush.  That was the case for most of my Texture collection (confirmed with the Nicole by OPI press relations representative).


I decided to use my existing (and botched) manicure from yesterday with OPI Houston We Have A Purple, and just add one coat of White Texture.  I topped it with OPI Top Coat.

One good thing about texture/shatter/crackle is that it can hide a bad manicure.  I don't like that this white isn't as crisp as OPI White Shatter but it still works.  Part of it, for me, was having that thin brush instead of the "perfect stroke."

By accident, I caught a picture with natural lighting.  Pretty stuff!

Here it is in the shade - still nothing new.

And finally indoors with the flash.  Not bad, not great, not unique, not terrible.  I will, however, stick with my OPI White Shatter for my white crackle/shatter/texture needs.

Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.


Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI Something About Color

Please enjoy the following press release from Nicole by OPI!

Target-ed Color for Fall!

Nicole by OPI Launches Four New Shades, Exclusively for Target

Nicole by OPI adds four new shades to Something About Color, exclusively retailed at Target. From olive green and periwinkle to deep burgundy and classic red, these four hues are designed to transition manicures from summer to fall with on-trend colors.

“Nicole by OPI has taken the Something About Spring collection that launched in Target this past March and added new shades to take the line from Spring to Fall,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Target has become a hub for fashionable consumers, which is why the new colors feature some of the season’s hottest hues, like red [I Love You Cherry Much], which will appear this winter as an accent shade to add a bright pop of richly-pigmented color. The neutral trend will also continue, adding elements of taupe, khaki and olive green [Green Up Your Act!] to the current favorites of nude, tan and grey.”

Nicole by OPI additions to Something About Color include:

Green Up Your Act!

This powerful olive-green has its eyes on you!

Sounds Grape to Me

A shimmering burgundy that’s up for anything!

It’s Not Me, It’s Blue

Pretty periwinkle, you had me at “shimmer.”

I Love You Cherry Much

Hold onto this romantic red – it’s a keeper.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality, with products featuring the Perfect Stroke brush for streak-free, even coverage. The new Something About Color Nail Lacquers will be available August 2011 for $7.04 each at select Target locations nationwide and Target.com.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan! 

Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolors

Please enjoy the following press release from Nicole by OPI

Nicole by OPI Announces Kardashian Partnership, Featuring 14 “Kaptivating”

Nail Lacquers

Nicole by OPI joins the Kardashian/Jenner family in announcing the launch of Kardashian Kolors, 14 new nail lacquer shades inspired by these six trendsetting women. Kris Jenner and her five daughters – Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian and Kylie and Kendall Jenner – are known for their head-to-toe unique style, which now includes nails! 

“We are so excited to work with everyone’s favorite TV family – the Kardashians – to share a diverse collection of fashion-forward shades,” declares Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “With lacquers ranging from high-shine and sparkly hues to neutral taupe and pinkish coral, Kardashian Kolors offers the perfect accessory for every woman – from teens to moms and everyone in between.”

            Kardashian Kolors includes:

 It's All About the Glam

Shimmering-white glitz for the glamorous gal!

 Kim-pletely in Love

Finally! The pink of her dreams has arrived.

All Kendall-ed Up

Powder your nose and get some pink on those toes!

Wear Something Spar-Kylie

Glitter-ly the prettiest pink ever!

Sealed with a Kris

Handle with care: This klassy red is top-of-the-line!

Rainbow in the S-Kylie

Girls just wanna have…glitter in every color!

Disco Dolls

Glittery gold glam gone wild!

Kendall on the Katwalk

A head-turning blue-green with a “sparkling” personality!

Listen to your Momager!

If you don’t, you’ll never see this fabulous blue again!

Follow Me on Glitter

A glittery deep gray that always has something to say!

My Empire...My Rules

This take-charge taupe is always on-trend.

Khloé Had a Little Lam-Lam

A deep dark emerald worth falling for.

Hard Kourt Fashionista

This delicious deep brown is the chicest hue in town!

Kourt is Red-y for a Pedi

And this captivating coral looks “fab” on everyone!

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde.  Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality, with products featuring the Perfect Stroke brush for streak-free, even coverage. Kardashian Kolors will be available Holiday 2011 for $7.99 each ($11.00 CAD).

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan! 

Kardashian Kolors from Nicole by OPI launched on Monday July 11 in NYC! Attached are photos featuring Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, who helped launch the collection, along with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  The two Kardashian ladies each wore a shade inspired by them from the collection:

Kourt is Red-y for a Pedi

And this captivating coral looks “fab” on everyone!

Khloé Had a Little Lam-Lam

A deep dark emerald worth falling for.

Kardashian Kolors from Nicole by OPI features 14 new Nail Lacquers inspired by these six trendsetting women. Kris Jenner and her five daughters – Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner – inspired the collection’s hues with their known head-to-toe unique style. The collection is available holiday 2011.

*Photos courtesy of OPI/Michael Simon

OPI Navy Shatter

I was pretty excited to try OPI Navy Shatter despite my fear of blues because from everything I'd seen, this blue ROCKS.  I decided to layer it over yesterday's Nicole by OPI's Not A Gold Bigger.

It didn't crack too well on my index finger but I LOVE the way that this shattered over my ring finger.  Such a lovely crackle and combination if I say so myself (my alma mater colors were blue and gold).

In the shade you can see a tiny bit of sparkle in the blue which makes it even cooler - seriously.

I love all the sparkle in this manicure and can't wait for football season so I can break this out for my college games.  :)


OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI Not A Gold Bigger

The final color in the Nicole by OPI "One Less Lonely Girl" collection is Not A Gold Bigger, a gold metallic.  Now if you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know that I'm not a big fan of gold anything.  This color still holds true to that fact, but that's just my color preference, not my polishing opinion of this formula/color/bottle :)


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The formula was smooth and opaque.

In full sun, you can see that this covers well and I don't have any bald spots showing.

In the shade, this looks more like a strong foiled nail to me (like Minx) which is cool since I would never have the patience to wear a color that long (I don't think).

Finally indoors with the flash (and a naked thumb), you can see that this is definitely an opaque color - no bald spots or VNL.  If you don't have a gold metallic by now, this is definitely a good one to pick up because of the "Perfect Brush" handle which I do like quite a bit (it's flat on one side) but it's not a unique color.


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI I've Got Bieber Fever

Just a few more in the Justin Bieber inspired "One Less Lonely Girl" collection - this is I've Got Bieber Fever, a dark eggplant purple creme.  It's very dark, almost black and reminds me of China Glaze VII but I actually haven't officially worn that yet.


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The formula was smooth.

I didn't have full sun but here is a partly sun shot.  You can see that this is a very vampy, almost black purple.

Same for the shade - very dark color - would be lovely in the fall and winter and maybe even with some Konad or even a CND Effects over it!

Finally indoors with the flash you can see the blue and purple sparkles that remind me of China Glaze Stroll and other colors in that fashion.  Nice color but not really for me - too dark I think.  You can also see that I had a bit of streaking on my pinkie finger.


On another note, Happy (belated) Canada Day and for today, Happy 4th of July!  Do you have any plans?


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI I'm a Belieber

Happy (belated) Canada Day and Happy (early) 4th of July!  I'm never good with remembering what day it is, when it's a day (unless it's my birthday).  Next up I have Nicole by OPI I'm a Belieber, a lilac creme.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of I'm a Belieber and a top of OPI Top Coat.  Formula was smooth and opaque.

In the direct sun, it almost looks like I have some VNL but it's just the brightness of the day.

Here in the shade you can see that the polish is opaque, and almost squishy jelly like, but it's really a creme.

And finally indoors with the flash.  I think this is a perfect spring color, especially if paired with "Baby" Blue.


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI "Baby" Blue

Shuffling down the line with the One Less Lonely Collection is "Baby" Blue, a lovely blue creme that is as pretty as the sky.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 3 coats of "Baby" Blue and a top of OPI Top Coat.

I need to do something about those pesky ridges.  You can see how well this applies as well as how bright it is.

Even in the shade, it's a nice opaque blue that really pops.

Indoors with the flash and my nails are nearly glowing!  Now I have to stop singing "Baby" in my head and go stare at my nails.  Definitely a keeper for my stash.


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

China Glaze Platinum Pieces

It's another crackle post!  This is the year of the crackle.  I really hoped it would be the year of the holographic polish but hey, maybe next year.  This is from the upcoming Metallic Crackle collection from China Glaze - the silver Platinum Pieces crackle.  I decided to use it over my existing Redy to Runaway Love? manicure.  One coat of Platinum Pieces topped with Seche Vite.

I think the red may have been to bold to really see the silver shine through here.  I'm definitely wanting to play more and do a comparison to OPI's Silver Shatter (which is still on my shelf but has been worn a few times).  As mentioned before, China Glaze's metallics seem to be much thinner in consistency and doesn't gum up around the bottle neck like OPI's crackles do or the first batch of Crackle Glaze from China Glaze.  Granted, you can add nail polish thinner to crackle polishes to bring them back to a thin consistency, but it's nice not to have to do that.

You can see the crackle coat better in the shade - partly because the camera doesn't go crazy over all the sparkling foil of this polish.

Indoors with the flash - the bottle picture looks a lot like the China Glaze Cheers To You a bit but again - it's a crackle!  I like that they have a different logo instead of a different cap, although I like the different caps as well.

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI Redy to Runaway Love?

OPI is no stranger to having interesting twists on their polish names but I had to admit, I was confused by Redy to Runaway Love? until I realized hello - these are all takes on Justin Bieber songs and he does have one called "Runaway Love" and then this is a red polish... Ta da.


This is a very bold red creme - not necessarily unique, but very bold.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of Redy to Runaway Love? (the question mark is part of the name) and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The formula was nice and smooth.

No, that's not lens flare, it's actually sunlight reflecting off this shiny and smooth surface.  A very in your face red without being neon or having any other colors in the mix (like a brown red or a blue red).

I really need to work on my cuticles of my middle finger but you can see how well this color wears - totally opaque and smooth.

Finally indoors with the flash and not much else to say.  It's definitely a bold and nice color.  Eventually I'll get back to comparisons, promise!


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.