Filed In: Foil polish

Coca-Cola by OPI (Limited Edition)

Launching nationwide next month, Coca-Cola by OPI is a collection of limited edition shades, inspired by 9 of the best selling drinks from the iconic soda giant, and like most people, I confess to being rather puzzled with how the two would mesh. Beautifully, as it turns out and that I’m happy to report – and all in formulas that fall nothing short of superb. Or Amazing. Or Perfection. And fun….totally & exuberantly FUN.

For the record, I personally do not like soft drinks/soda, but this collection makes a strong case for a sugar-rush addiction. The best part? Your nails will look AH-MA-ZING, and with zero calories too!

The iconic Coca-Cola logo, recognizable the world over

The Lady in Red ad from Brazil, 1950 (source) – and check out her nails!

Coca-Cola by OPI

Coca Cola Red – (Inspired by Coca-Cola) No one does red like OPI, and this shade perfectly captures the iconic hue of the Coca-Cola brand. With a formula that’s nothing short of perfection in flow, opacity, pigmentation and glossiness, I suggest you do not skip applying base coat, to avoid any potential light staining. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Coca-Cola Red

Green on the Runway – (Inspired by Sprite) An emerald green shimmery hue, with duo chrome brown flashes seen in some lights (but it actually reminds me more of the classic brown colour of Coke, as seen through the original green glass bottles). Flowing easily along the nails with minimal visible brush strokes, the brown flashes are much more visible in direct sunlight, while a more intense green is seen in other light – absolutely GORGEOUS! Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Green on the Runway

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Green on the Runway (in sunlight)

You’re So Vain-illa – (Inspired by Vanilla Coke) A super creamy café au lait tinted white hue that almost applies itself – totally self-levelling, non-streaky and bearing excellent coverage and pigmentation (and so perfect for my white/off white nail colour addiction) Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ You’re So Vain-illa

Get Cherried Away – (Inspired by Cherry Coke) A lush berry crème hue with blue undertones in the base, with yet another superb formula (pigmentation, flow, opacity, self-levelling & super glossy at the finish). Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Get Cherried Away

Today I Accomplished Zero – (Inspired by Coke Zero) A mid-sheer charcoal base filled with red fine and ultra fine glitter pieces that seem suspended at the surface level of the nails. There’s a ‘banked embers’ look to this shade and totally stare-worthy; pictures do not do this justice – you really need to see it in person. Applying a matte top coat ups the uniqueness factor even more, by making each glitter piece stand out in high relief. An absolute MUST-HAVE from the collection. Coats applied: 2, with both top coat and matte top coat (second swatch only)

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Today I Accomplished Zero

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Today I Accomplished Zero, matte

My Signature is “DC” – (Inspired by Diet Coke) This is as close to silver foil perfection, as you’ll find. Relatively brush stroke-free in application (this lacquer seems to level out and gleam even more as it sets), you do need to work fast, as it is quick drying. Coats applied: 2, NO top coat (totally unnecessary)

TIP: start by applying a matte top coat to bare nails & letting that dry, then go in with a regular top coat before applying the actual polish – this way, any imperfections in the nails are minimized and filled in, making the final look incredibly smooth and as even as possible.

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ My Signature is “DC”

Sorry I’m Fizzy Today – (Inspired by Vanilla Coke) Ok, I admit that I don’t get the inspiration for this shade shrugs. A sweet, carnation pink shade that seems to lean more warm than cool (possible peachy undertones?), in the same easy formula as the other crèmes of this collection – über glossy at the finish. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Sorry I’m Fizzy Today

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Sorry I’m Fizzy Today with My Signature is “DC” polka dots

A Grape Affair – (Inspired by Fanta Grape) A deeply intense and true purple crème hue in a ridiculously easy formula to apply (self-levelling, colour-saturated, high gloss finish) that seems to straddle the line between cool & warm leaning, making it universally flattering for all skin tones. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ A Grape Affair

Orange You Fantastic! – (Inspired by Fanta Orange) A sheer yellow base filled with gold, red and orange hexagonal glitter pieces in fine, small & medium sizes. There is plenty of glitter to be had per brush-stroke and while 2 coats would probably be enough for short nails, longer nails can use an extra coat for more complete coverage. Don’t be fooled by any greenish tints seen in the photos (an oxidized reflection from the gold glitter); this glitter bomb shade is a spot-on representation of Fanta Orange – like wearing a bubbly drink along your nails! Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

TIP: apply a peel-off base coat (such as OPI’s Glitter Off) to make removal a breeze. As the natural finish of this shade is highly reflective and brilliant, top coat is almost superfluous, so be warned that you’ll need between 2-3 coats of a thick top coat for a smooth glassy finish.

Coca-Cola by OPI ♦ Orange You Fantastic!

I am in love with every single one of these shades of the Coca-Cola by OPI collection – something I so totally did not expect. While the majority of the crème hues shown here are nothing we haven’t all see before (with You’re so Vain-illa being a standout nonetheless), the difference is in the formula/application and that’s enough to make them unique for me. Glitter and I do not always see eye to eye, but I’ll make an exception for the total fun-factor of Orange You Fantastic! (especially now that there’s OPI’s amazing Glitter Off Base Coat to make for a painless removal). Green on the Runway has shimmer, duo chrome, and iridescence all wrapped in one, while the mysteriously seductive look of Today I Accomplished Zero is almost hypnotic (I dare you to look away). Finally, there’s the mirror-like brilliance of My Signature is “DC” – in a word: unbelievable. So, yeah … to reiterate my opening line: I am in love with every single one of these shades.

The Coca-Cola by OPI shades (CAN $10.95 each) will be available beginning June 2014 (in GelColor formula as well, through select salons). Find more information via:

*Disclosure: product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

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a-england Excalibur Renaissance

May 12, 2014

To explore the world of a-england, is to not only have the opportunity to wear some of the most incredible lacquers, but to soak in a bit of history, culture, and art as well. When Adina Bodana, founder and creative force behind the brand, launched her first collection – The Mythicals (click on the a-england tab in the sidebar for swatches & reviews of all shades), the romanticism and concept behind these varnishes instantly captured the attention of polish lovers worldwide. When the original version of Excalibur from that first collection seemed to fall out of favour, it was replaced by a variation of the shade (Excalibur reissued/reborn): still bearing the gleaming silver tone of the legendary sword for which it is named, but with a more 3-dimensional overall feel.

But as with most legends, this tale took another turn as well …

In bringing back the original silver of Excalibur – with an improved brilliance, I might add – Adina has shown that she listens to her fans, in particular those who so strongly requested this shade’s return. Excalibur Renaissance proudly joins The Mythicals collection, a gleaming addition with a long-standing pedigree.

Excalibur Renaissance – A true metallic silver foil, in a medium-thick formula and excellent pigmentation as to almost make it a 1-coater. Fairly quick drying, you need to not only work quickly in your application, but to also maintain a steady hand in order to keep any potential visible brush strokes to a minimum, although expect some levelling off which also goes a long way in presenting a smooth appearance. Incredible brilliance (almost mirror-like) at the finish, making a top coat basically superfluous. Coats applied: 2, no top coat

a-england ♦ Excalibur Renaissance

a-england ♦ Excalibur trio

The original version of Excalibur from a-england’s première collection, The Mythicals (reviewed here), bears a few differences worth noting from this latest Excalibur launch:

slightly thinner flowing formula
a few degrees paler in tone
not as brilliant/gleaming
glossier natural finish

The reissued version of Excalibur (reviewed here), has obvious differences from the other two as well:

shimmer foil metallic with bronze glitter flecks/scales
the most intense brilliant finish of the three
nor risk of visible brush strokes with this formula

a-england ♦ Excalibur trio

a-england ♦ Excalibur (original)

a-england ♦ Excalibur (reissue)

a-england ♦ Excalibur collection

What makes Excalibur Renaissance such a stand out, is that it respects what the original shade stood for, but with subtle overall improvements. Different enough from the reissued version to merit owning both, this shade is spectacular whether worn alone as an elegant attention-getter, or as a counterpart for stamping and nail art enthusiasts (skills that sadly elude me). For fans of metallics as well as those who never picked up the original shade, here’s your chance to remedy that oversight. The people have spoken, and Adina has listened: Excalibur lives again.

Find more more information on a-england products (as well as a complete list of international stockists):

*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

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Butter London Summer Holiday 2013 Collection & a special promo!

April 15, 2013

Make no mistake about it: the Butter London Summer Holiday 2013 Collection is scorching HOT. Taking inspiration from summer holidays spent in Spain by the brand’s Global Colour Ambassador (Ambassadress?), Katie Hughes, the six shades of this collection epitomize everything I consider summer: a long sandy beach, blazing sun overhead (+ an umbrella to shield you), the sensual glow of tanning oil (+ SPF, of course), and the beckoning sound of the ocean. Pure, unadulterated and hedonistically summer … I am so TOTALLY ready for this.

Find the complete details of an amazing Butter London promo offer at the end of this post!

Butter London – Summer Holiday Collection 2013

Poole – the only crème of the entire collection, this is a dusty Wedgewood Blue shade in a streak-free formula that applies smoothly along the nails, leaving a nice glossy finish behind. A cross between Robin’s Egg Blue and slightly Tiffany-esque, I was surprised to see that while I have many similar shades, none are in this exact tone. Bonus: non-staining. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Butter London – Poole

Bobby Dazzler – a platinum/silvery foil hue with definitive mauve undertones, you need to work quickly in application as this shade dries super fast. Any visible brush strokes upon the first coat are quickly managed by a second layer, and you might consider a ridge filling base coat as a primer for an even smoother surface to paint on, as well as a steady hand to apply. There’s a brilliant natural gleam at the finish, but I added top coat for a glossier look. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

TIP: If wearing full-on silver feels like too much, you can try adding Bobby Dazzler either as an accent nail, or along the tips for an edgy take on a French mani.
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Butter London – Bobby Dazzler

Sunbaker – a burnished orange/copper metallic base hue that is filled with gold and pink glass fleck-like shimmer. A stellar formula with a self-levelling application and superior glossy shine at the finish, the colour saturation of this shade is intense. Love that lit-from-within glow – there’s just so much “movement” here! Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Butter London – Sunbaker

Marbs – an antiqued gold metallic shimmer bearing a luxe gilded patina, there are some bronze-y veins running throughout for added visual depth. Almost a 1-coater due to its high pigmentation, this formula is more forgiving that than of ‘Bobby Dazzler’, as it gives you more time for application before it sets. This ultra-dazzing 24 karat gold leaf shade leans slightly warm, but can be worn by basically all skin tones. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Butter London – Marbs

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Butter London – Marbs

Champers – a complex rose-gold & champage hue in a combination metallic/shimmer/foil formula that bears a similar application to that of ‘Marbs’. Even with its predominantly silver sheen, there seems to be both cool & warm tones in this shade – which makes this the easiest metallic you will ever wear. Coats applied: 2

Butter London – Champers

Bit Faker – (gotta love that name!) a clear base that is filled with densely packed ultra-fine glitter in shades of rose-gold and brown, application is ridiculously easy as each brush load is more than enough to cover the nail. The natural finish is semi-matte and lightly textured like that of fine-grit sandpaper, while the interesting mix of colours almost makes this shade a “neutral glitter” – highly unique. By adding top coat (see the 2nd swatch photo), every particle bursts into life, but I personally prefer it au naturel (but it’s nice to have that choice, no?) – LOVE! Coats applied: 2

Butter London – Bit Faker

Butter London – Bit Faker, top coat added

Last word: I don’t know if Butter London has adapted their formula, but I found that all these shades seemed to dry incredibly fast – which is a good thing -although in the case of ‘Bobby Dazzler’, just remember to work extra quickly. Having a total weakness for aquatic colours, especially come the summer time, ‘Poole’ is a no-brainer win for me, but I was surprised to find myself loving the almost retina-searing brightness of ‘Sunbaker’ and the fudgy glitter bomb of ‘Bit Faker’. The Olympic-medal trio of ‘Marbs’, Bobby Dazzler’, and ‘Champers’ will look spectacular against lightly tanned skin … perfect accessories for the beach, I say! And now for the promo:

*From April 15th until May 15th, you can enjoy 20% off all Butter London products (not applicable on bundles or discounted packs) when you purchase online through ButterLondon.ca – enter the code “OMMORPHIA” at checkout to take advantage of this fabulous offer!

Feel free to follow Butter London through their website, twitter or facebook for all future news & updates.
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