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: