OPI – Skyfall Collection Holiday 2012 part 1 (swatches & review)
Name: Bond, James Bond
Designation: 007, Top espionage agent with MI6. Licensed to kill
Hobbies: Danger and women, with a preference for (shaken, not stirred) martinis – in that order
He also happens to cut the sharpest figure in a tuxedo, and the man of every woman’s deepest fantasies, both the heroines and the villainesses. Whether that man was Sean Connery (the first “movie” Bond), George Lazenby (only one Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton (2 Bond films to his credit), Pierce Brosnan, and finally to Daniel Craig (insert major drooling here), there’s no denying the pure animal magnetism of this character, embodying the gift of a pure heart with a kick-ass exterior. Women want him … men want to be him.
To celebrate the 50 years since Ian Fleming’s iconic character was created, as well as to coincide with “Skyfall”, the master spy’s latest adventure this November 7th, OPI introduces the ‘Skyfall Collection’, 12 absolutely dazzling lacquers with each one named after a well-known Bond flick – all perfectly capturing the attitude of these iconic films.
Skyfall “gun barrel” theme (source)
Part 1 of OPI’s ‘Skyfall Collection’ focuses on the warmer hues – the reds and the one gold. It needs to be stated right from the beginning, that the formula on each lacquer was AMAZING – with a consistent flow & application, almost applying themselves . All swatches are with base and top coats.
Skyfall (2012, Daniel Craig) – luxurious burgundy crème with maroon undertones and some brown in the base for depth & warmth. Excellent opacity due to the highly pigmented formula, this dark raisin hue is a classic vampy shade with a generous helping of sophistication. Top coat here was basically unnecessary – it’s that glossy on its own. Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
shaded light
Casino Royale (2006, Daniel Craig) – the only other crème of this collection, this is a deep plum shade with grape undertones and some red tints in its base. With stunning rich purple glints seen in some light, this is one deep hue that will never look black even in the dimmest setting. Some light staining possible – you may want to double up on the base coat here. Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
shaded light
Die Another Day (2002, Pierce Brosnan) – vivid metallic candy-apple red with auburn/sienna undertones and some gold flashes seen as an overtone. Completely brush stroke-free and filled with a seemingly “living glow” seen at the center of the nails, this gorgeous red almost seems to pulsate – pictures do not do it justice, let me tell you. Not as glossy as some of the others, it benefits from top coat to really make it stand out. Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
shaded light
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977, Roger Moore) – overall a blue-based red – which should technically make it a “cool” shade, but it is infused with ultra-fine gold and red glass-flecked shimmer, that give it a beautiful warmth as well. With a slight jelly-like quality to the formula and bearing excellent pigmentation, it applied effortlessly and gave off that “lit-from-within” glow I so love, not to mention the high gloss shine at the finish. Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
shaded light
You Only Live Twice (1967, Sean Connery) – shimmering cranberry hue embedded with fuchsia & golden glass flecks, along with a some light bonze duo chrome flashes seen in some lights. With a hybrid crème-jelly consistency to this formula, it appears to paradoxically apply in a sheer manner, yet still manages to give excellent coverage & opacity. Beautiful glossy shine at the finish. Coats applied: 2
in sunlight
shaded light
Goldeneye (1995, Pierce Brosnan) – is 100% pure, unadulterated luxury. Melted gold bullions along the nails – seriously. This clear, easy-flowing suspension like base is filled with brilliant yellow gold and some copper pulverized glitter/shimmer, that can send out intermittent oxidized greenish flashes in certain lights. The first coat – while on the sheer side – still gave decent coverage, with 2 coats providing much more opacity, but it is at 3 coats that this beauty comes to life. Bearing the ability to suit both warm & cool skin tones due to the duality of the shimmer, its exceptionally reflective properties also make it actually look like gold leaf, making your nails look literally gilded. Even knowing that the ultra-fine glitter may spread upon removal, is not enough to deter me from wearing this – LOVE! Coats applied: 3
in sunlight
shaded light
Final thoughts: In a word: FABULOUS. With crème, shimmer, light duo chrome, metallic, foil, and glass-flecks, there is enough visual interest in the varying finishes of this first group, to appeal to everyone. My surprising favourite? ‘Goldeneye’ – I so did NOT expect it to glow the way it did, with the golden pieces overlapping like scales to create that intense finish. ‘Skyfall’ is the other shade of this collection that blew me away, being such a rich hue with that insanely glossy finish, but let’s just say that the other 4 have all captured me as well. Much like James’s continuing adventures, stay tuned for part 2.
OPI’s Skyfall Collection will be launching in stores early October.
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
Skyfall is gorgeous!! Does anyone know any dupes for it? xx
I haven’t had time to go through my collection for Skyfall, but a quick look showed me nothing that was in the same tone. Similar colour family, yes but that tone? Not yet…will update if I do come across anything!
Please do! I’ve been waiting to find a dupe myself
No problem!
I need these. Like, all of these. Thank God Xmas is coming up – I’ll just ask each relative for a different James Bond nail polish!!!
What an excellent idea! Make sure that each relative knows what they’re getting so they don’t double up, lol!
“Casino Royale” looks very much like “Boris and Natasha”, my present favorite. Why, oh why, did they discontinue the Russian collection?!
I loved the Russian Collection too…one of OPI’s best, for sure — although the France Collection was pretty fabulous too. I went and pulled out my bottle of ‘Boris and Narasha’ to compare to ‘Casino Royale’, and even without swatching, I can see that they are different from each other; ‘Boris and Natasha’ is definitely several degrees deeper and more murky, looking almost brown next to ‘Casino Royale’ whose purple base is more pronounced. In other words, well worth having both!
Beautiful swatches, and I’m so jealous of your nail shape! Mine always seem uneven no matter how much I try! One to the question; is “Die Another Day” a dupe for opi “Danke-Shiny Red”? I’m just curious how you think they measure up! Thanks Hun.
Awww…thanks, Amanda! Shaping my nails is pretty much habit for me by now & I rarely think about it, but all I can say is that genetics has something to do with it AND it takes some effort to maintain. Once you find the shape you like, then it’s a simple matter to keep up with it, trust me! As to the 2 shades you mentioned, formula-wise they are similar, but that’s where it ends: ‘Die Another Day’ is almost a candy-apple/orange based red next to the more blue toned and obviously redder ‘Danke-Shiny Red’. In other words, they are night and day from each other! Hope this helps!
My love for Casino Royale and Vesper/Eva Green knows no bounds! I think she was maybe the first convincing intelligent female companion Bond ever had. The skewered lamb scene in the train when they first meet made my life.
I think the second part of the collection has my heart more than this group, but OPI nailed the shades and the theme perfectly!
I confess that when I heard that Eva Green had been cast in the role, I couldn’t see her as a typical “Bond Girl”, but she was spectacular and so intense! This collection overall is one giant HIT for me — and not only because of my love for all things Bond, but the shades themselves are all amazing! Totally agree with you about how well OPI nailed this theme!
I kind of find the shimmery reds quite close to other OPI releases this year.. Like the candy red in Germany and the blue-tinged pink in Minnie.. Are these Bond ones different enough to justify me taking my wallet out? Although, I already up coughing out cash for Goldeneye and Skyfall!
To answer your question: yes, these reds are definitely different enough from some of the more recent OPI releases, to justify adding them to your collection, but that being said, if you already own a stack of reds, then you may want to pass on these and go on to the more unique shades of this collection. It’s worth looking them over in person to make a more informed decision! Hope this helps!
I know Skyfall is just a red creme but I’ve been craving for a brownish red nail polish and I am in love with this! …I think I will need that
Goldeneye looks pretty neat too.
That’s the beauty of ‘Skyfall’; it’s not a true red crème, but one that definitely leans more brown, which makes it quite unique in my eyes. Totally love that one too! Goldeneye is simply stunning!
Gorgeous swatches! I’ve seen other swatches online but they don’t compare to yours. I’m in love with the sparkly pink and gold. Don’t you think glittery nails are perfect for the holidays? Can’t wait for part 2!!! When will it be posted?
Thanks, Kim — so happy you enjoyed them! Even though I’m not glitter’s biggest fan, I have to admit that they definitely make for festive manis! Hoping to have part 2 up today!
In my group of friends most of them aren’t really fans of glittery nails either. I don’t really understand why because it just makes your nails pop lol. I like solid colors as well but would choose a sparkly polish over a solid one any day lol. Can you weigh in as to why you’re not a big fan?
Here’s the thing: I must have magpie tendencies, because I’m totally attracted to glittery things, but don’t wear it often … whether that’s clothing, cosmetics, or jewelry. Go figure! I think I avoid glitter lacquers for 2 reasons: a) a real pain to remove (although with the new glue technique – which I haven’t tried yet – that may be a thing of the past), and B) not exactly “age-appropriate” for me. Then again, that could be all in my head!
Skyfall is sooooo gorgeous!!!!! I also love Casino Royale!!! Can’t wait until the movie comes out and go drooling w/ my girlfriends.
Lol..I’ll be drooling in my neck of the woods too, when I go see the movie! Great colour choices — not that you could go wrong with any of this collection!
I love your swatches like always! I am so jealous right now. I can’t wait for the second part and The man with the golden gun. I am so saving for this whole collection. You are such a girl. I might also have to ask the hubby for this to be my 10 year anniversery mini present!
Wow…thank you, Lissette!
What a great 10-year anniversary present! It’s a fabulous collection — it’s been a while since I’ve loved every single polish of an OPI collection, that’s for sure. There are also some other new items OPI is releasing with these pieces, which I’ll be showing soon! 
These colors are amazing!! I love Goldeneye and You only Live Twice they’re phenomenal! I’ve seen other colors online so I’m dying to see part 2!! I keep refreshing this page to see if the second part pops up lol.
Hahaha! Thanks for the kind words, Leslie! I’m working as fast as I can to get part 2 up!
These are by far the best and most complete swatches I’ve seen online to date. I’m drooling at your beautiful photos! I can’t wait for part 2, so please post it quickly!
Awww….thanks, Diane! Your words are appreciated, believe me! I’m hoping to have part 2 up ASAP!
Beautiful photos. I’m loving Casino Royale..
Xx
Thank you so much – glad you liked them! Casino Royale is so delicious!
Gorgeous swatches!
Casino Royale and Golden Eye are the ones I was most drawn too.
Thanks, Kara! Beautiful choices!
How do the reds in this collection compare to those from the Germany collection? Quite similar?
There was only one real red in the Germany collection, ‘Danke-Shiny Red’, and that one was a metallic shimmer, compared to a similar red in the Skyfall collection, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ which has ultra fine gold & red glitter – both completely different. The other Germany collection hue, ‘Deutsche You Want Me Baby’ is and orange-leaning metallic shimmer, as compared to the Skyfall version, ‘Die Another Day’ which also has some red flashes in it & thus not a real orange — again, quite different. Hope this helps!
Ooooooooohhhhhh! I’m speechless!
Such gorgeous swatches, such gorgeous polishes! I can’t wait to get my hands on these beauties… Skyfall is perhaps the only one of these I’m not too excited about, but the rest.. WOW! I wonder how close Casino Royale is to Essie Recessionista, though? When do we get to see the other half? Not that I’m impatient but, uh, WHEN? WHEN? 
Hmm…I love Bond, and while these are very pretty and fit the theme well, none of them are particularly grabbing me at this point. I have a (shamefully) large stash and they don’t seem that unique to me. However, I may change my mind when I see them in person. Beautiful swatches, Eugenia, as always!
Thank you, Jess! Hopefully there will be something in the second half that might grab your fancy!
“Hello Lover!” That’s all I’m saying… I wish I could say that to Daniel Craig too!
I can’t decide, though, I love them all. Is this going to be the first collection I’m gonna buy in its entirety??? Anxiously waiting for the second post!
HAHAHAHA! Hello lover, indeed! Daniel Craig: listen up!
If there were any OPI collection worthy of being bought “au complet”, then I would have to say that THIS is the one!
Hoooo man! This is honestly the most excited I’ve been about an OPI collection so far this year! All of these are gorgeous, my eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw Goldeneye.
I cannot WAIT until I can get my hands on this collection. XD
Beautiful swatches Eugenia, just beautiful!
Thanks Rie…you’re such a doll! I feel exactly the same way about this collection — started jumping up & down as soon as I learned what the collaboration was to be, lol! I can’t wait until you get your hands on these either … I just know you’re swatches are going to be something totally mind-blowing!
I absolutely love your blog ! You have the best swatches nd amazing descriptions and I’m totally jealous of your gorgeous nails lol. I’m stoked for this collection and your swatches are making me wanna get them all I love me some glittery nails lol. When will the second part be posted ? Also I just wanted to ask why you don’t post as many pics as you used to before ?
Aww…thanks so much, Leslie – I appreciate the support! As to the second part, I’m hoping to have it up within the next day *fingers crossed* – maybe sooner if I don’t wind up with too many distractions (like getting myself ready for my nephew’s wedding this coming Saturday, lol!)
Re: my photos, the only type I eliminated here were the ones taken with flash; I’ve opted to streamline the images to post only those pictures that I feel really capture each shade best. Depending on the swatch, sometimes there may be more photos — especially if it’s a colour that needs to be seen in different angles and/or lighting to give my readers as accurate an idea as I can. Thanks for asking!
oh dear i need to see part 2 badly! i most probably will skip these polishes you swatch here, but I guess Goldeneye will be an exception. Look so glam when compared to previous swatches I see on other blogs, it look so blah compared to yours.
can’t wait for part 2! dying to see how the glitter polish and the rest are like! now those me wants!
Lol…thanks for the kind words! Isn’t ‘Goldeneye’ simply spectacular? Love that one! Hope to have part 2 up real soon so you can see for yourself how the second half compares!
I really like “Skyfall”, I love those darker vampy colors.
Me too…they’re some of my very favourite shades!
Gorgeous swatches! My picks so far are Casino Royale, You only live twice and goldeneye… And a big Daniel Craig poster & display please
LOL!! Too bad my lacquers weren’t hand-delivred by Daniel Craig…that would have been the icing on this cake!
PS: Love your choices, my friend!
I am so excited for this movie because Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes in one movie, I am going to faint!!!!!!!! (I wanted to use more exclamation points but I thought it would just reveal too much of my excitement.)
Oh I almost forgot in my excitement, I do like You Only Live Twice the color is nice and Sean Connery is shexay (trying to say it in a Sean Connery voice).
HAHAHAHAHA! OMG Olivia..I totally read it in Sean Connery’s voice as well!!! For an older guy, he’s still definitely got it goin’ on! And ummmm, yeah….Daniel Craig & Ralph Fiennes…..le sigh….you could have used as many exclamation points as you wanted; I wouldn’t have minded, lol! You always go for the “underdog” shades, and damn if you’re not seeing something the rest of us usually miss! You can’t miss with any of these, that’s for sure!
Ah shhhhii….shoot!
Eugenia, this collection (this half, anyway), is KILLING ME! I must own the two cremes and the gold glitter. You know I’m not a fan of those other red sparkly shades, but the cremes – good lord, that RED!! Holy smokes. And I’m really hoping that gold rocks on my skin as fabulously as it does on yours. I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this collex!!
These two crèmes applied flawlessly – I swear you’ll be stunned at how naturally glossy they are! I know that you’ve been looking for a gold that suits you, and something tells me that this could be the one! Would love to see your swatches of these!
Hi Eugenia!
I’m so happy to finally see swatches from this much anticipated collection.
I read several blogs, and yours has the first Bond collection swatches
And your swatches are beautiful, as always.
Oh dear oh dear oh dear….looks like I might have to buy the whole collection again,,, I may as well just order up the other two helmers I need right now!!
I simply can’t wait to wear some of these!! Especially skyfall on the fingertips with golden eye under the nail tip (well I need to have them a touch longer for that) but I’ve read that that is the way the Skyfall bond girl wears her nail polish in the movie!
Hey Nancy! Thank you so much for the praise — you’re so sweet! This is an absolutely stunning collection, from the colours, the many different finishes, to even the names. It’s one of the first OPI collections in a long time, where I feel like each shade is a winner.
Thanks for the info on the Bond girl’s mani; I hadn’t heard any details and that sounds like a really stunning combo — although I’m betting if they did that, they used false nails for the effect. The last time I did that style of mani, I was removing polish from the underside of my nails for days…and swearing the entire time, lol!
Well a Bond-themed collection just means I need them all .. Now xD
Yay…another Bond fan! That’s exactly how I felt when I first heard about this collection!
I need 800 bottles of Goldeneye. No, maybe 1000. That is all, I have nothing more eloquent to say! (Oh, one other thing: I wish it was for a Sean Connery or a Daniel Craig movie, as those are the only two Bonds I really like, no offense to Pierce!).
LOL! Yeah…I know all about you and your love of golds — I was pretty sure this beauty would catch your eye!
Good thing it IS Daniel Craig as Bond now — don’t want you disappointed!
gorgeous! i’m getting the whole collection and cant wait!
OPI really pulled out all the stops here, didn’t they?! Glad you like them as much as I do!
Eugenia, I had to stop myself from drooling all over my laptop!!! Not only am I obsessed with Daniel Craig’s 007 but these colours!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! And the best part? Skyfall comes out a day after my bday! xo
Lol….keep napkins handy for when I post part 2! What a nice way to coincide with your birthday – gorgeous lacquers + Daniel Craig = YUM!
LOL re the napkins!!!! Will do and can’t wait to see them live and in person.
And yes re yum yum yum!
Hahaha! Indeed!
Oooh, love! Also love that all of the names are movie titles! Fabulous. I like Goldeneye the best!
One of OPI’s most brilliant ideas, that’s for darn sure! At least if the names are long this time around, they’re well-justified!
Beautiful swatches! x x x
Thank you so much! Hugs!
WOW!! This is a stunning collection! I think I want each and every one of them
…and wait until you see the rest, as well as the Special edition 18K top coat!
I think OPI just stole my heart with Glodeneye! That color is STUNNING! The rest are pretty amazing as well. I’m so excited about this collection I might just end up buying the whole thing
Can’t wait to see part 2. Thanks for the amazing swatches!!
You’re welcome, Monica! Even if I weren’t a massive Bond fan, I’d still fall for all of these shades myself just the same!
Goldeneye is gorgeous!! I also like Casino Royal. I can’t wait to see the rest of the collection, since I don’t wear red polish.
I agree: Goldeneye is totally gorgeous!It’s a funny thing about red lacquers: some people swear by them, others avoid them! I think diversity is great!
These are delicious looking (I must be hungry!). My picks would be “Goldeneye” and “The Spy Who Loved Me” from this half- super gorgeous! So looking forward to seeing the rest on your beautiful nails
Awww….thanks my friend! I’ve never been one for glitzy shades, and you know my general aversion to glitter/chunky shimmer (although I confess to staring at them mindlessly!), but I’m making an exception for ‘Goldeneye’ — it needs to be worn to be believed. Even the bottle shade doesn’t show its true nature!
OMG! I mean OMG !!! I am so jealous right now! I’m waiting for them since I’ve heard of them. In one word: LOVE
If you’re gonna tell me that you also already have ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’…I’m gonna die. Seriously!
*said in a whisper* I already have ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ — my post on it will be coming up after part 2 of the Skyfall Collection is up! And yes, it’s pretty spectacular! As a matter of fact, I found myself loving every single one of the shades in this collection!
I just died… Can’t wait for your swatches!
Lol….thanks! I’d much rather having you among the living, especially so you can enjoy these beauties!
Haha! I’ll do my best
I am excited to get The Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, Casino Roayle, & the blue one that is not included here . Cannot figure out if I will spring for the cost on Goldeneye – also the Zoya one is close I think but still a few $’s more and you have to get the black and white creams in the trio to land that one.
I think you mean ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’, which I did not feature in this post — that will be coming up in a separate post. ‘Goldeneye’ is not priced any different from the rest of the OPI lacquers — so worth it too! I’m not really familiar with Zoya products (I think I only have something like 4 of their polishes), but if you find something close to the OPI 18K top coat at a better price, then that can’t be a bad thing, right?!
The Zoya topcoat is $30, same as OPI’s The Man With the Golden Gun. The polish is only being solid in a trio with Purity and Raven, Zoya’s black and white, but the Zoya team has said they are essentially gifts. So for the same price as the OPI polish, you get two freebies. Gilty is LE though and according to Zoya’s Facebook it is close to being sold out, so if you miss out on that or don’t want to deal with buying it online, I would think the two are likely fairly comparable. Hope that helps!
Thanks, Sam! I’m sure my readers will appreciate this info!
As always, your swatches look amazing, <3 and I can't wait to see these bottles in person. I'm really feeling Skyfall and Goldeneye – which, btw, seems suspiciously similar to a recent Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure called Gilded Lily.
Thanks, Jessica! Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with too many Sally Hansen polishes, so I couldn’t comment on any similarities … glad you enjoyed these, though!
I love it! Can’t wait to see the other half of the collection! Dd you get it at Cosmoprof?
Glad you liked it! To reiterate, I received the collection several weeks ago for review.
I guess I shouldn’t have read it so fast the first time :s
I’m excited for:
- Man With The Golden Gun top coat
- On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
- The World Is Not Enough
- You Only Live Twice
No matter which you choose, they’re all fabulous! Wait until you see the second half of my swatches!
Goldeneye is gorgeous! From the press releases, I didn’t think it would have nearly as much depth as it does.
I think so too…can’t stop staring at it whenever I wear it, lol!
Oh my gosh!!!! I didn’t think I’d want any of these, but your swatches make me want 4: Die Another Day, The Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, and Goldeneye. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! They’re definitely going on my wish list!
Thanks for sharing hon.
You’re very welcome, MariJo – glad you liked them! Don’t finalize that list yet: there’s still part 2 for me to share, as well as the new 18K top coat!!
Ooh how does Goldeneye compare to Chanel Gold Fingers?
Even though the Chanel version is quite vivid, it doesn’t even begin to come close to the brilliance that is Goldeneye — very different, with OPI’s shimmer being also slightly larger and a brighter yellow gold. Hope that helps!