Nicole by OPI – Count On Me & Got Style? (review & swatches)

Apart from all the new nail polish collections seeming to be popping out at the speed of light, there are also the various capsule collections or ‘exclusives’ that many companies are releasing. Nicole by OPI has created four such shades exclusively for Wal-Mart, two of which I bring you today: ‘Count On Me’ – a sheer shimmery lilac, and ‘Got Style?’ – a coppery tinted rose. These polishes all come with their patented “perfect stroke” brush which is thin but with a wide rounded tip, and is similar to that of regular OPI “pro-wide” brushes. All swatches are with OPI Natural Nail Base Coat and three coats of lacquer, no top coat.

‘Count On Me’ is truly lovely and makes me think of fairies with their gossamer wings (cheesy, I know…sorry!) While this is on the sheer side, it is so densely packed with iridescent shimmer in tones of blue, pink and even shy hints of green at times, that it gives off the most delicate duo chrome effect. While not meant to be opaque, it still has an incredible gleam when worn on its own, and I can just see all the various layering combinations that can be created with this. Note when seen in sunlight (top photo), how brilliant the flashes of the shimmer seem to be, while shaded light (bottom photo) brings out the duo chrome effect to the forefront. A standout, in my opinion!

With ‘Got Style?’ I was almost at a loss as to how best to describe this shade. Straddling the line between copper and mauve/rose frost, it is an amalgamation of all that…and more. I also happen to see the smallest particles of silver & gold shimmer in its depths, further adding to its baffling colour. Seen in full sun (top photo), this is a definite rose frosted hue with a silvery leaning. However, seen in shaded light (bottom photo) it now turns to a true mauve frost with golden glints. A true quick-change artist, indeed! The formula was quite pigmented and reached full opacity with two coats, but I opted for three to keep things consistent. Application was excellent; self-levelling, quick-drying and shiny.

Final thoughts: If there is a theme that unites the shades of this collection, it eludes me (as you will note when I post my review on the last two shades); they basically run the gamut of hues and finishes. I found ‘Got Style’ to be very different from anything I’ve seen before in terms of colour, and while I initially thought that it was more of a ‘mom’ shade, I surprised myself by actually liking how it looked against my skin tone. ‘Count On Me’, however, totally captivated me on every level: love the shimmer, the duo chrome look and the layering possibilities. It’s also goof-proof in terms of application, which only adds to its versatility. Stay tuned for my upcoming review on the last two lacquers of this collection. These polishes can be purchased through all Wal-Mart stores.