Today I'm reviewing two O.P.I nail polishes:
Samoan Sand and The Thrill of Brazil!
(I don't have swatches right now but I'll update asap - my nails are currently healing
because I was careless and left my polish on too long...)
because I was careless and left my polish on too long...)
Samoan Sand
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This is a very nice soft, sandy-beige nude color, with a sweetly pinkish tone.
I feel like this would be both really pretty and really forgiving on any skintone!
It's a little streaky with too much pressure on the brush, so it takes a little
bit of practice to get the amount of polish and amount of pressure just right.
Painting just one layer has a sheer "foundation/concealer" effect,
in that it enhances the natural appearance of your nails.
(Streaking is more of a problem if you're going to go for just one layer, however.)
Multiple layers gives a nice, creamy, well-pigmented sandy beige - very
refined, I can see this going nicely for either a casual or formal look.
I was able to get a decent solid color with just two layers, but I
definitely recommend three layers for maximum coverage.
Both ways of layering are quite pretty, and best enhanced by a clear
topcoat. However, O.P.I. is pretty glossy on its own, so depending
on your preference a topcoat may not be needed!
Personally I didn't use a topcoat, I found it to be plenty shiny.
The color's a GREAT base for a french manicure, or to prep the nails
for nail art (especially negative-space art, since it evens out the natural color of the nail).
I'm giving it 4 stars because it's a little bit difficult to work with, and
it's pricey (about $9.50 with tax at Walmart). That being said, the quality
of the polish and its classic color + versatility is well worth the price, and I did
save on having to get a topcoat.
The Thrill of Brazil
$$
A very retro-looking and classic red, this is one of O.P.I.'s *many*
red shades. As I don't really know much about blue/orange/etc tones in red
polish (unfortunately), I sort of just stared at the various red bottles trying to decide
which one would look best. Kind of how I picked out my first red lipstick.
I've used red polishes before, not from O.P.I., but
they've always made my hands look really dark/reddened/made my skintone look
a bit strange. So I tend to shy away from red polish.
However this color looks great on me, both tanned and untanned!
Sadly I didn't take a photo the first time I used it, while I had a desk job and
thus was a lot lighter from being indoors basically all day & night.
This color produces a nice, solid, well pigmented layer with just ONE layer!
One layer produces a "brighter" shade of red, and 2+ deepens the color to match what's in the bottle
It's a beautifully creamy, rich red that intensifies with layers (but don't take my word
for it as the max I've put is 3 layers).
The color definitely reminds me of pinups and 1950's style.
This is a nice shade for a summer day at the beach, or for a swanky party.
I'm giving it 4 stars because it will stain to the EXTREME without a basecoat.
I also noticed this dried my nails out more than Samoan Sand.
Finally, the price (about $9.50 with tax).
Finally, the price (about $9.50 with tax).
I haven't tried O.P.I. polishes before these, but I figured that if I was going
to go all-out on them I may as well get classic wearable shades.
Which luckily they are! I'll probably use these down to the last drop.
Overall, I'm quite satisfied with them.
Sidenote:
A nice thing I've noticed about O.P.I. polishes is that they don't dry to
become darker than what's in the bottle - very true to shade. The ones from Essie I've tried
end up slightly darker, and Sally Hansen's have been noticeably darker.
So if that's a concern for you I'd recommend O.P.I. - I can't speak for other colors
in their lineup but based off of these two, I'd guess the rest are equally true to color.
