The Kardashian Kolors ‘The Glitters’ – Nicole by OPI (part 2, swatches & review)

*Birthday Giveaway – Week 5 ‘Kardashian Kolors’ ends Friday, November 4th! See full details here

Wrapping up my review on Nicole by OPI’s ‘Kardashian Kolors’, I present you with the final eight shades, ‘The Glitters’ – although technically, three out of this set can actually be considered shimmers instead! Unlike the first half of this collection, ‘The Crèmes’ (previously reviewed here), these hues represent more of what we have all come to associate with these über-glamourous ladies: over-the-top glitz…and yet, there’s something so completely wearable about each and every one of these lacquers. All swatches are with Deborah Lippmann’s 2-Second Nail Primer (as well as Addicted To Speed Top Coat), and Seche Clear Base Coat.

Once more, the Kardashians (from left to right): Khloé, Kylie, Kim, Kendall, Kourtney and mom Kris across their laps!

To make things a touch easier, I’ve created a small sub-group of this set, beginning with the above two palest shades, ‘It’s All About The Glam’ (left), and ‘Kim-pletely In Love’ (right).

‘It’s All About The Glam’ is an off-white sheer shade, filled with scintillating and irregularly shaped white and palest pink ultra-fine shimmer particles. As it applies more like a wash of colour, you definitely need three coats to achieve a decent opacity (as I’ve done here), and I would advise waiting at least 2 minutes between coats, otherwise you may end up with some slight streakiness and/or bald patches.

When seen in sunlight, I love how the shimmer seems to reflect light like microscopic shards of glass embedded on the nails’ surface.

In this closeup view, you can clearly see the delicate yet odd-shaped shimmer pieces and what an ethereal effect they give to this hue.

Interestingly enough, even in indirect light, there seems to be a cloud-like softness to this shade, keeping it far from looking too stark.

In this backlit view, the shimmer appears to pop against the creamy white background of the base colour, yet still maintains its delicate feel.

A final view taken with flash gives ‘It’s All About The Glam’ its fairy-like look of a subtle and sparkling gossamer veil thrown over its surface.

‘Kim-pletely In Love’ is a sheer baby rose shade, made a touch more sophisticated by the addition of exceptionally fine iridescent shimmer within its base. The formula felt almost jelly-like in consistency, and while two coats would give you decent coverage, I opted for three coats here for a deeper opacity. Rather self-levelling, this lacquer also bore an excellent glossy finish, even before the addition of top coat. Fun fact: this was the shade that Kim reportedly wore to her wedding to Kris Humphries (more on that saga later!).

Sunlight brings forth a delicate prismatic effect of this shade’s inner shimmer, gleaming with blue, purple and green fairy lights.

This closeup reveals the delicate interchange of the shimmer against the backdrop of the more subdued pink base colour.

Indirect lighting cools down ‘Kim-pletely In Love’ and adds a more silvery cast to the glimmery pieces.

This backlit view draws forth a slight muted “peacock” effect of this shade’s somewhat reclusive shimmery core…so mysterious!

A final view taken with flash shows how subtly this lacquer gleams, girly and rather urban at the same time!

‘Wear Something Spar-Kylie’ is a raspberry pink sheer shade, totally filled with pink very fine micro-shimmer as well as larger glitter pieces. The formula was rather thick and suspension-like, although very easy to apply, giving a wonderful opacity with two coats. As the final finish was a touch gritty, I would recommend at least two layers of top coat to seal everything in and provide a smoother surface. Bonus: quite easy to remove!

Sunlight gives ‘Wear Something Spar-Kylie’ the look of sugar crystal-encrusted candy, and just as luscious!

This closeup angle displays exactly how dense the glitter party of this shade truly is.

I love how indirect light seems to cast an icy pink hue to the larger glitter pieces, while giving the base a more cerise leaning.

Seen in shaded light, the intricate play of both small and large glitter particles is thrown in stark relief and really stands out.

A final view taken with flash gives this shade a jewel-coated finish and elevates this girly pink hue with so much more drama.

‘Disco Dolls’ is a veritable STUNNER! A sheer pale gold base, this lacquer has everything right going on; chock-full of fine gold glitter dust, as well as golden micro glitter, then finally capped off with larger holographic particles, the formula was of medium viscosity, although a tad suspension-like, yet flowed exceptionally well across the nails. While two coats would give a very decent showing, I opted for three here for swatching purposes. The finish definitely could use either 2 layers or a thicker formula top coat, to avoid any surface grittiness and note that removal, while not difficult, needs a bit more elbow grease.

Sunlight gives this lacquer the look of rays of light brilliantly reflecting off a chest of buried treasure…gold coins and decadent jewels strewn together!

This closeup view displays the many levels of glitter available in ‘Disco Dolls’, and serves to showcase the prismatic colours it gives off.

When seen in indirect light, the rich golden base moves further into the background, in order to let the larger glitter particles take the spotlight.

This shaded view shows you the very best incarnation of this lacquer: gold, glittery, rich, and oh-so-upper crust! I so LOVE this!

A final view taken with flash naturally displays all the glittery decadence of ‘Disco Dolls’, yet paradoxically never comes off as gawdy.

‘Kendall On The Katwalk’ is a drop-dead gorgeous semi-sheer blue base shade, loaded with tons of blue micro glitter, as well as larger blue, purple and green glitter pieces swirling throughout. A suspension-thick formula, it was highly opaque with two coats and as with the other glitter varnishes of this series, benefits from an extra layer of topcoat for a smooth surface, not to mention to truly bring out its glorious display of colours.

Sunlight does everything right to this shade, by enhancing the exotic appeal of its myriad hues, while brilliantly reflecting the light.

This closeup angle shows exactly how richly packed with glitter this shade is, yet does not detract from its oceanic base.

Indirect light appears to shine a spotlight on the green tones of ‘Kendall On The Katwalk’, yet bathes all the hues in a cool light.

It is in shaded light that the purple hues of this shade truly reigns, and adds such an incredible level of overall depth.

A final view taken with flash not only shows off this shade’s more glittery nature, but seems to cast an almost cobalt tone over it all.

‘Follow Me On Glitter’ is absolutely loaded with silver micro shimmer and larger multi-coloured glitter flecks, all in a semi sheer charcoal base. The thicker suspension-like formula aids in the even placement of all that this lacquer has going on, and as the glitter in shade is quite densely packed, two coats are more than sufficient for full opacity. Note: removal was a touch messier, yet on the plus side, it left absolutely no staining behind.

When seen in sunlight, the larger colourful glitter pieces stand out with an almost rainbow like effect!

In this closeup view, you can clearly see how well the sober darker base and monochromatic glitter works with the larger coloured flecks.

Indirect light brings the larger colourful glitter into clear prominence, while also donning a silvery tone over the rest of this shade.

Shaded light forces the coloured pieces of ‘Follow Me On Glitter’ to retreat somewhat, and leans more favourably towards the gunmetal hued base.

A final view taken with flash gives an almost pewter-like gleam to this lacquer, while the coloured glitter adds some visual interest.

‘Listen To Your Momager!’ is a truly majestic shade; with a somewhat jelly-like formula and medium thick viscosity, its semi sheer royal blue base is filled with cerulean glass flecked ultra-fine shimmer that appear to literally glow through the surface of the varnish. While two coats would be more than enough for decent coverage, I applied three here for swatching purposes. One small warning, however: make sure to initially apply at least 2 layers of base coat, as this shade left quite a bit of staining behind, but on the plus side, this lacquer was the glossiest of this series.

When seen in full sunlight, the intensity of the blue base is quite mesmerizing, while the light casts an almost ombré effect…simply beautiful!

At close range, you can clearly see the density of the micro shimmer, while the depth of the blue tone becomes rather electrically charged.

Indirect light lends ‘Listen To Your Momager!’ a more navy-like appearance, while dialing down its brilliance by a few tones.

Shaded light displays everything that makes this lacquer so special: the ultra fine shimmer seems to glow magically just beneath the surface of the base hue.

A final view taken with flash showcases the scintillating sparkle of this beauty, while the deeper blue edges add a touch of sophisticated drama.

‘Rainbow In The S-Kylie’ is like a glittering confetti party in a bottle! Its clear base holds small and medium multi coloured glitters, as well as larger hexagonal pieces thrown in for extra zing. As this lacquer has the largest glitter particles of them all, I recommend waiting at least 2 minutes between coats, in order to ensure even placement throughout. When two coats are applied, you get a more daintier effect, yet I opted for the fuller look of three coats, as applied here. Very similar to both Deborah Lippmann’s iconic ‘Happy Birthday’, as well as OPI’s ‘Rainbow Connection’ from their Holiday 2011 collection, you can read my comparison review on these three similar shades here. As this lacquer is rather chunky, note that you’ll need to work a bit harder to remove it.

Sunlight not only reflects so vividly against the multitude of particles of this shade, but gives the look of rather jewel-encrusted nails.

In this closeup photo, all the varying glitter sizes are on prominent display, yet the tones all work so harmoniously together.

Indirect light adds a cooler touch to ‘Rainbow In The S-Kylie’, and focuses your eye on the almost mosaic-like effect that results.

Shaded light gives such a stunning view of how this lacquer truly looks and while its not totally opaque, there’s still enough coverage to make it look cohesive.

A final view taken with flash, bounces light off every facet of this shade and shows off its totally elegant, yet blingy, nature!

Final thoughts: As I complete yet another stellar collection, I must admit that I did not expect to so love this glittery series half as much as the crèmes, and yet there’s something almost seductive (much like the ladies themselves, right?!) about the jewelled look of these beauties. I’m really glad that Nicole by OPI appears to have abandoned that wider paddle shaped brush the previous bottles all had, as I found this new thinner yet wonderfully flexible brush made for an easy and almost goof-proof application. On a side note, when I was preparing this review, Kim was a new bride, but as the entire civilized world has come to know by now, that marriage was short-lived indeed, lasting a mere 72 days! Here’s to Kim eventually meeting (and staying with!) her true Prince Charming! Available as of this month, this is a collection that has a shade and a finish for everyone….paparazzi optional!