Tag Archives: OPI The Germany Collection swatches
OPI ‘The Germany Collection’ Fall 2012 – Part 2 (swatches & review)
Something I really enjoy with OPI’s country-themed collections,is that you not only get to wear the latest colours along your nails, but also receive the opportunity to learn something interesting about new places; case in point, their latest ‘Germany Collection’, showed me facets of this country I never even knew existed — from its vast historical grandeur, that co-exists with a cutting-edge modernism. The 12 shades that make up this collection (please see part 1 here) perfectly embody the feel & tones of Germany .. something I wouldn’t have known, were it not for a little welcome “OPI” research!
Cologne, Germany – history & technology in perfect harmony (source)
Continuing the trend begun with part 1, once again the 6 shades shown here all had the same ease of application in common, along with completely self-levelling coverage and nice high shines at the finish, although the shimmery hues do tend to dry slightly less glossy than the crèmes, thus benefitting from a layer of top coat to complete them. While a couple of shades are almost one-coaters, my preference is to apply 2 coats (as I did for all shown here), as I find it just looks more “polished” (no pun intended!). All swatches are with base and top coats.
‘Schnapps Out Of It!’ is the one shade out of the 6 here that I was sure would fall flat for me, but it surprised me by turning out more flattering than I thought. A dusty salmon/peach hue, this bears ribbons of a pearlized silvery shimmer throughout that while not very visible indoors, really comes to life when seen in the sun and/or with flash. The formula was the thickest of the bunch, although it still flowed quite well, and left no brush strokes behind.
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‘Suzi & The 7 Dusseldorfs’ is a beautiful cool-leaning violet hue with visible blueish undertones, and a lovely ultra-fine pearly shimmer throughout that lends a nice rounded depth to this shade. The formula was excellent and almost applied itself, flowing like silk along the nails, but this lacquer definitely needs top coat at the end to really bring out each & every nuance.
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‘Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue’ is truly an aquatic beauty; a deeply shimmering marine blue shade with obvious teal undercurrents, the ultra-fine glimmer of this lacquer lends it that ‘lit-from-within’ look I so love, giving it a glowing & luminous quality – almost gem-like. With an easy flowing formula, this one can literally be a 1-coater as well, although I much prefer the look of 2, with top coat locking in an über-glossy shine. BONUS: no staining upon removal.
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‘German-icure by OPI’ is a STUNNER. Sit back for this one, as I’ve included more photos than I probably should have, in order to really do this unique shade justice! First of all, when I opened the bottle and saw its inky blue (yes, you read correctly: INKY BLUE) colour, I did a double-take and thought that perhaps I hadn’t properly mixed the contents … but no, what you see on the outside is almost an illusion of what the bottle holds within!
What looks like a fiery berry-hued autumnal shade in the bottle, turns out to actually be more of an indigo/midnight aubergine hybrid once applied, with both colours merging happily along the nails. The formula was to die for – it flowed that well – along with perfectly self-levelling AND quite glossy at the finish, but what sets this beauty apart is the totally unique burgundy/bronze/magenta/cobalt almost duo chrome-like flash you glimpse in certain lights. How obvious is it that I am in LOVE with this shade?!
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‘My Very First Knockwurst’ is an ultra-creamy fleshy nude-pink shade that was so surprisingly non-streaky with the first coat; a super high gloss finish only adds to its clean & sophisticated allure, and the dusty/muted quality it bears, along with a slight greyish undertone, makes it an exceptionally wearable neutral hue for basically all skin tones – a totally modern ‘Band-Aid’ pink!
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‘Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!’ (while the name is ridiculous, I still like saying it!) is something of a conundrum; is it charcoal grey with deeply sage green leanings, or blackened green with “eelskin” undertones? Either way you want to view it, this shade not only applies super-creamy, but leaves behind an insane high-gloss shine. This is a fabulous and “clean” way to wear a moody hue without veering too much into black territory.
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Final thoughts: As I was wrapping up my review on this collection, I paused to think about each colour; initially, I was under the impression that with the exception of a few shades, everything here seemed somehow “seen before”, and while it’s true that for the most part the shades may not appear all that unique, several points need to be noted. I don’t always look for colour eccentricity when a new collection is released, but how well a varnish applies, its wearability, and the subtleties that make it stand out without screaming to be noticed. That’s what the shades of OPI’s ‘Germany Collection’ all have in common: all excellent quality, totally wearable, and with intricate unique touches. From the 6 of this grouping, my absolute favourites are ‘German-icure by OPI’ (a huge duh, right?!), followed closely by ‘Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue’, and ‘My Very First Knockwurst’/’Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!’ tied for 3rd. When all’s said and done, I personally think that OPI did an amazing job of capturing the colours of Germany with this collection … although I do still wish they had included a more vibrant green as well grumble, grumble.
Available as of August, please feel free to visit OPI’s website for more information, or by joining them on facebook and/or twitter.
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
OPI ‘The Germany Collection’ Fall 2012 – Part 1 (swatches & review)
Time to dust off your lederhosen, my beauties: for fall 2012, OPI is taking us on a trip through magnificent Germany! With shades ranging from visibly fall-like colours to deeply glowing gem-like hues, the 12 lacquers that make up this collection come in an assortment of finishes that will definitely appeal to everyone – from luscious crèmes, shimmering brights, and even a surprise or two! In order to better appreciate each colour, I’ve divided the collection into 2 parts – enjoy!
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany – a world renown sight and the inspiration behind Disney’s castle as well! (source)
The 6 shades that comprise part 1 of OPI’s ‘Germany Collection’ all have something in common: the formula is absolutely stellar! Each swatch bears 2 coats of beautifully self-levelling varnish with ends in a nice glossy finish, although it must be noted that the more shimmery hues certainly benefit from the addition of a top coat to really enhance their inner glow. I’m not the biggest fan of OPI’s pro-wide brush, as I find that it does not afford the same precision control that a narrower brush does, but I must admit that this version makes for a speedier application due to its width. The following swatches are all with base and top coats.
‘Don’t Pretzel My Buttons’ is a gorgeous and universally flattering nude shade with some slight rosy undertones that lend it a nice overall warmth. Very clean-looking and work-place friendly, this applied suprisingly non-streaky with the first coat and reached perfect opacity by the 2nd.
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‘Don’t Talk Bach To Me’ is somewhat of an oddity colour-wise in this collection; a dusty lime-green hue with obvious yellow undertones, it bears a beautiful silvery/pearl ultra fine shimmer that is almost imperceptible indoors, but adds a nice visual depth when see in full sun or with flash. The sheerest of the 6 here, it still applied with quite decent coverage, even with the first coat.
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‘Every Month is Oktoberfest’ is a stunner, no doubt about it! A browned wine hue with ultra-fine coppery shimmer throughout, you can almost call this one a duo chrome as it appears to not only flash several autumnal colours in the light, but also adds an ombré effect as it appears to darken the borders of your nails. With that “lit-from-within” look I absolutely adore, staring full on into this shade is like admiring the fiery glow of banked embers – FABULOUS! Bonus: no staining upon removal.
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‘Berlin There Done That’ (you have to admit: this is a COOL name!) is an ultra creamy mauve/taupe hue, with definitive grey undertones that seem to add a unique murky touch to the overall colour. Even though we’ve all seen similar shades before, there was something universally wearable about this shade – a nice urban touch perhaps – but it was the insanely high gloss finish that blew me away my new favourite neutral.
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‘Danke-Shiny Red’ is a total MUST if you love red – and not just any red, but one that almost dares you to look away! A blue based cherry-red hue filled to the brim with copper and hot pink micro-shimmer, this is undoubtedly vibrant with a modern-day sexy siren appeal to it. With the shimmer seeming suspended at the surface of your nails, it almost has a 3D effect that needs to be seen to be believed. LOVE this – enough said. Bonus: no staining upon removal.
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‘Deutsche You Want Me Baby’ (OY — the name … and now I have the song stuck in my head earworm) is fall personified; a scorching burnt orange hue filled with gold, orange and even pink ultra-fine shimmer, this is the colour that comes to mind when you think of fall; the colour of changing maple leaves, or pumpkins in a field. A nice take on the orange “colour of the year”, I was surprised at how glossy this shade was, considering its shimmery nature.
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Final thoughts: Hitting it out of the ballpark, as far as themed collections go, seems to be a recurring theme with OPI lately, and this latest ‘Germany Collection’ is no exception. I am so pleased that none of the shades required more than 2 coats for full coverage – out the door that much quicker – although I confess to a touch of disappointment with the colour of ‘Don’t Talk Bach To Me’; personally, I would have preferred a more verdant and vibrant green hue – something more in keeping with the season and in homage to Germany’s lush forests. ‘Every Month Is Oktoberfest’ is such a visual treat & just so luxurious looking – like wearing jewelry on your nails. Even the two more neutral hues have a nice modern tone to them, but ‘Danke-Shiny Red’s’ seductive allure was the star for me here. Can you tell that I am totally loving these shades? Stay tuned for part 2!
OPI’s ‘Germany Collection’ officially launches in August; feel free to visit their website and follow the brand via facebook or twitter for more information.
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
