Monday, January 6, 2014

OPI Gwen Stefani Collection: Swatches and Review (all 7 polishes)

Hi everyone, welcome to Monday.  I'm writing this Sunday night so I'm unsure if I'll be in at work due to the blizzard we are currently getting.  The hubby and I went outside during the storm last night to see the state of things and there was three feet of snow blown into our driveway.  Work has already called and told my husband not to come into work Monday and it was announced that the road plows stopped plowing at sundown because it was too dangerous.  It's not looking good haha!

Update: So all of the roads out of our town, including the highway, are closed.  I've never heard of that before so obviously working at work was a no-go.

Today I am SUPER excited to show you the newest OPI collection which is a collaboration with singer Gwen Stefani.  I was a big No Doubt fan back in the day and I think Gwen Stefani continues to have a really cool and edgy style.  I picked this collection up a few days ago at Ulta.  I wasn't planning on getting the entire collection but I had gift cards from Christmas and the rest is history ;)  This collection consists of 7 polishes (one being a little pricier) with different finishes.

Love.Angel.Music.Baby

First up is a gold satin polish.  I normally don't go for gold polish, but this one is on the champagne side of gold so it's not too yellow-y.  I loved this polish.  I really like the satin finish because it's still pretty and shimmery but also looks edgy.  The formula was great on this polish, very close to a one-coater.  For my swatches I used two coats, with no topcoat to maintain the satin finish.




Then just for kicks, below is with topcoat.  Topcoat brought out some of the sparkle and it was pretty as well.  It went from satin to glitzy :)


Over & Over A-Gwen

This polish is the one that comes in a special package and is a little pricier at $14.95.  I didn't take pictures of it, but the polish comes with a collector's box, nail glue, and assorted Swarovski studs and crystals.  I've used the studs (the look will be in a separate post) and I thought they were pretty cool.  Reds aren't my thing but it felt wrong getting six of the seven polishes haha. 

This polish a cherry red cream/crelly and it had a really good formula.  I used two coats with topcoat below.




I Sing in Color

This polish is a deep vampy chocolate cherry color.  It's very close to black but I could tell in pretty much every light that it wasn't a black polish.  This polish had a great formula and was super glossy.  In case you are wondering how this compares to OPI Visions of Love, this polish is darker.  I also have a comparison post coming up soon.  Photos are two easy coats with topcoat below.




Hey Baby

Oh a vibrant pink cream, I can't resist.  Hey Baby is a bright pink cream with a touch of dustiness to the color.  The formula was slightly thin on this one and I needed one thin coat and one thicker coat to make it opaque.  I also have comparisons coming up of this one as well.  Photos below are two coats with topcoat.




In True Stefani Fashion

Feast your eyes on this glitter stunner...ahhhh!  I originally swatched this polish over some of the colors in the collection and then realized it was dense enough to make opaque.  I'm glad I did, it's stunning.  In True Stefani Fashion is a combination of silver and holographic glitter with little holographic squares.  It's so sparkly, so opaque, and I just love it.  I used three thin coats with topcoat below.




Here is a look at In True Stefani Fashion over Hey Baby.  One coat!


Push and Shove

Push and Shove is a silver chrome polish.  It comes with a special base coat and it says to skip the topcoat.  So far I have only tried it with the instructions it states.  This is the most chrome polish I've ever seen and I thought it was pretty cool.  It does say "one night use" but I have not tested that yet.  I can try it out and do an update in my comparison post.  I used one coat over the special base coat.  It comes out of the bottle frosty but dries to the chrome finish.  It does show imperfections on the nail but it honestly didn't bother me.




4 in the Morning

I was really excited for this polish because it reminded me of a polish I loved from last year, Julep Cleopatra.  This polish is a black satin polish but it's slightly lighter than a true black due to some hidden silver shimmer.  Indoors you can't see the silver shimmer but I've seen sunlight swatches where it is noticeable.   This polish dried quickly and was opaque in two easy coats.




Now when topcoat is added to this polish, the effect is really cool.   The shimmer starts to come out and creates a really cool, kind of subtle metallic effect.


Well, can you tell I'm really impressed with this collection?  I really liked what OPI came out with last year but I honestly like these polishes better.  I will say that they aren't the most original colors but with the interesting finishes, they really impressed me.  I am really fan of the satin finish and I hope they continue with it throughout the year.  If I had to pick, my favorites are Love.Angel.Music.Baby, In True Stefani Fashion, and I Sing in Color.

Did you pick up any of these polishes or do you plan to?  Let me know in the comments (I'm nosey) :)

I'll have a comparison post up pretty soon.  If you have any requests, let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can do! 

16 comments:

  1. Hi! I wanted to say you take the best pictures for your reviews. Do you use a light box? I am a new blogger, and would love your advice. My spot is catchthelightnails@blogspot.com. If you have the time, can you take a peek? Thank you. Your nails are gorgeous♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the kind words Debra. I do use a lightbox. It's a homemade box made of cardboard, duct tape, and white poster board and it was made from a tutorial online.

      Delete
  2. Wow, I have concluded that I NEED push and shove, NEED. NEED.
    Hope the snow slows down a bit, being snowed in doesn't sound very fun.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Every Single one of them is to die for! Great swatches, Erin :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my gosh! Opi really hit the mark on this collection all of them are gorgeous! I definitely need to get Push and Shove I think I drooled a little when I saw your swatch LOL!! I hope you and your husband stay safe in the blizzard and enjoy your snow day!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel the same way Kristine! I thought they really hit it out of the park on this collection.

      Delete
  5. Great swatches! I kind of love In True Stefani Fashion, like a lot! I hope you enjoy your snow day and stay safe! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stephanie, thank you! I LOVE In True Stefani Fashion haha!

      Delete
  6. Love all of these, this is such a great collection!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm always a sucker for satin/matte finishes, so the gold and black really appeal to me. They are both just stunning. :)

    ~ Yun

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my...ok, I really like In True Stefani Fashion, Push and Shove and 4 in the Morning...sigh. I may have to pick these up lol. Beautiful swatches as always!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful swatches as always!!! I'm loving all of these but think I'll need the pink and 4 in the morning. Can't wait to see your comparisons b/c in pics it looks close to Kiss Me On My Tulips. :) Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like how you came up with the name for all these colors my favorites are I Sing in Color and 4 In The Morning

    ReplyDelete