OPI – The Bond Girls Liquid Sand Collection

If I could be any Bond Girl, it would be a mix of Solitaire – for her other wordly beauty & psychic abilities, and Honey Ryder – for her fierce sensuality and kick-ass body. Yes, I have always wanted to be a Bond Girl … who wouldn’t? A Bond Girl always has a cool name, is super-handy with any number of weapons, and always gets THE guy, namely James Bond. Like I said, I always wanted to be a Bond Girl but since that’s not going to happen any time soon, I’ll settle for wearing a Bond Girl lacquer.

A word about OPI’s Liquid Sand finish, something that has stirred up quite a bit of conversation since its debut with OPI’s Mariah Carey Collection (which I have yet to post — bad beauty blogger…). Picture the finest-grit sandpaper, if you will, then superimpose the colour of “sand art” over that, then finally throw in some mirage-like shimmer — THAT’s what this finish looks like to me. Paradoxically gritty and soft to the touch, what keeps this type of lacquer from coming across as flat, is most definitely the embedded shimmer. Of course, you can always throw on a layer of top coat to bring all the sparkly bits into prominence, but I prefer to wear these polishes as they are meant to; they are just so incredibly unique in their natural state. Another plus, is how goof-proof they are to apply & the perfect varnish to slap on if you’re in a hurry. Have I convinced you yet?

In the collage below, check out the timeless Bond Girls who were the inspiration behind these shades!

top row, left to right:

Ursula Andress as ‘Honey Ryder’ from Dr. No (1962)
Jane Seymour as ‘Solitaire’ from Live and Let Die (1973)
Halle Berry as ‘Jinx’ from Die Another Day (2002)

bottom row, left to right:

Honor Blackman as ‘Pussy Galore’ from Goldfinger (1964)
Eva Green as ‘Vesper Lynd’ from Casino Royale (2006)
Jill St. John as ‘Tiffany Case’ from Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Bond Girls, baby!

OPI – The Bond Girls Liquid Sand Collection

Solitaire – a soft-focus white hue infused with small silver glitter in a semi-sheer formula, with excellent coverage by the 2nd coat. Brush stroke-free, the finish here is the glossiest of the 6. Coats applied: 3, thin (for photo purposes only)

OPI – Solitaire

OPI – Solitaire, top coat added

Pussy Galore – an icy pink hue filled with densely packed vivid pink micro glitter. I find that this shade of pink in this particular finish, makes it very easy for all skin tones to carry off. Coats applied: 3, thin

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OPI – Pussy Galore

OPI – Pussy Galore, top coat added

Honey Ryder – a pale gold hue with golden glitter flakes & small hexagonal glitter, as well as platinum-like undertones. The excellent pigmentation of this shade almost makes it a 1-coater, and I’m totally loving its vintage vibe. Coats applied: 2

OPI – Honey Ryder

OPI – HOney Ryder, top coat added

Tiffany Case – a sky blue hue (the rhyme!) with aqua leanings and filled with ultra-fine light blue glitter, as well as silver shimmer dust & larger metallic blue & silver hexagonal glitter pieces. Amazing saturation of colour, and even without top coat, this shade has a simply brilliant natural look. Coats applied: 2

OPI – Tiffany Case

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OPI – Tiffany Case

OPI – Tiffany Case, top coat added

Jinx – a semi-sheer coral base with definitive pink undertones, filled with gold and coral glitter in varying ultra-fine to small sizes – absolutely sizzling HOT and so incredibly easy to apply. Coats applied: 2

OPI – Jinx

OPI – Jinx, top coat added

Vesper – a quasi-sheer deep aubergine base hue loaded with black micro-specks. Unlike the rest of this collection, there is no overt glitter to this shade, and while I would have personally loved to have seen it with a touch of shimmer, I thoroughly love its oddly mysterious look. Two coats provides a gorgeous translucency – the best way to appreciate its inner flecks, while 3 coats will give it more depth.

OPI – Vesper, 2 coats

OPI – Vesper, 2 coats + top coat

OPI – Vesper, 3 coats

Last word: I. Am. A. Fan. – a fan of Bond Girls, as well as OPI’s Liquid Sand finish. Easy to work with, quick drying, and stunning colour complexities due to the formulations, there is nothing I don’t like about these shades. When a brand can take hues such as white & pink – notoriously difficult colours to pull off for many – and create something totally unique with them, to me THAT speaks volumes. I also love the tactile feel of wearing one of these lacquers, taking polish from a 2-D to an almost 3-D experience, although you do have the choice of adding a top coat for even more oomph (like they need it to begin with). My favourites here are Solitaire, Honey Ryder and Jinx – and that’s probably as much for the colours as for the names!

The OPI Bond Girls Liquid Sand Collection is available now at all OPI retailers. You can follow the brand via twitter & facebook for all updates.