Thursday, February 20, 2014

OPI Gwen Stefani Collection Swatches and Review

Today I am very excited to show you the OPI Gwen Stefani collection. This collection has really blown me away with a great variety of not only colors, but also textures. It features everything from cream to chrome, glossy to satin plus glitter and studs to top it all off. This diverse collection encourages nail art like no other. You can certainly expect to see a few of my creations in the coming days, but for now the swatches...


Over & Over A-Gwen
A bright red cream with a hint of jelly for a glossy finish. This is a classic lipstick red shade with a smooth and creamy formula that is easy to apply. I used two coats for complete coverage. No top coat in these swatches. I couldn't resist using this shade in a few manicures already, namely my Lunar New Year manicure and Go Red for Women manicure... 



This signature Gwen Stefani shade comes in a decorative box complete with a booklet of manicure ideas, Swarowski nail studs and nail glue. The studs are beautiful and you'll see some of them in my nail art over the coming days. My only issue is that there are not enough studs included to complete some of the looks in the booklet. For example, the idea on the cover here uses 12 gold round studs for a single nail. There are only 20 studs included which means there wouldn't even be enough to mirror that as an accent nail on both hands...


Swatch Details
Brand: OPI
Collection: Gwen Stefani
Color Name/Number: Over & Over A-Gwen, NL G25
Number of coats: 2
Top Coat: No

Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Hey Baby
A hot pink cream. This is practically a one coater although I did use two here for the swatches. It has a perfect creamy formula, not too thick, very easy to work with. Swatches are with no top coat...



Swatch Details
Brand: OPI
Collection: Gwen Stefani
Color Name/Number: Hey Baby, NL G26
Number of coats: 2
Top Coat: No

Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

I Sing in Color
A dark wine crelly (cream+jelly). It also has a very nice formula, does not drag or leave bald spots as some jellies can. Two coats provides complete coverage as seen here. Swatches are with no top coat as it is very shiny on it's own...



Swatch Details
Brand: OPI
Collection: Gwen Stefani
Color Name/Number: I Sing in Color, NL G27
Number of coats: 2
Top Coat: No

Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
A champagne gold with a satin finish. This is very similar to OPI This Gown Needs a Crown in look and feel of the polish. This is perfect and in fact as I swatch polishes I take quick notes in a small notebook to help me remember what I wanted to write about them and the only thing it says for this beauty is "perfect!". It has a great formula and provides full coverage in two easy coats. Swatches are with no top coat to preserve the satin finish...




Swatch Details
Brand: OPI
Collection: Gwen Stefani
Color Name/Number: Love. Angel. Music. Baby., NL G28
Number of coats: 2
Top Coat: No

Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

4 in the Morning
A matte black cream. Unlike other matte black lacquers that I own, this has a waxy look to it when dry. It provides full coverage at two coats. I had an issue with tiny clumps of something in the formula. You can see one such spot on my pinkie nail. At first I thought it was something on my nails and I even re-painted a few nails only to find the same thing. When I poked at said clump, it broke apart into a white powder as though something wasn't quite dissolved. I have not heard anyone else mention this and so I'm not sure if it is just an issue with my bottle. There are not very many of these clumps so I could easily avoid them and they didn't bother me. This polish is definitely worth it! Really beautiful. Swatches are with no top coat...




I put a top coat on all the nails except for the ring finger here. It has a beautiful pearly shimmer when worn with a top coat...



Swatch Details
Brand: OPI
Collection: Gwen Stefani
Color Name/Number: 4 in the Morning, NL G29
Number of coats: 2
Top Coat: Both

Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Push and Shove
A silver chrome. This has been the runaway hit from the collection as far as I can tell and it is not surprising. This is really gorgeous. It comes with a small (3.75mL) bottle of Lay Down That Base, which is worn as a base coat. The polish applies easily and the brushstrokes disappear as it dries into the perfect chrome finish. This does show of EVERY little flaw in the nail. I gently buffed my nails before applying to smooth out the ridges. Please note though, my ridges are not very deep to begin with and I don't recommend heavy buffing as it will weaken the nails. This polish is meant to be worn with no top coat and just for a fun night out. It wears off quickly, the polish at the tips just rubs off over time. Swatches here are two coats with no top coat...




Swatch Details
Brand: OPI
Collection: Gwen Stefani
Color Name/Number: Push and Shove, NL G30
Number of coats: 2
Top Coat: No

Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

In True Stefani Fashion (over I Sing in Color)
A clear base with small and square silver holographic glitter. This can be easily layered used over any polish, it is really sparkly and beautiful! The swatches just don't do this polish justice. Look at the flashes of colors in the bottle here. This is one coat over I Sing in Color. It applies and spreads evenly over the nail. Swatches are with a top coat...



I don't often do blurry shots as they tend to hurt my eyes, but it truly was the only way I could capture some of the flashes of color in this glitter...



Swatch Details
Brand: OPI
Collection: Gwen Stefani
Color Name/Number: In True Stefani Fashion, NL G31
Number of coats: 1 ( layered over I Sing in Color)
Top Coat: Yes

Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

I'd love to know what you think of this collection! Have you fallen for any of these shades?

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)


** Polishes were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **
** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

10 comments:

  1. Great swatches. I love 4 in the morning....looks like leather!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I love that look also, it is different than other matte blacks that I own! So pretty :)

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  2. your swatches are simply the best!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much dear! That means a lot coming from you! I think you take amazing photos :)

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  3. Anutka, I agree with Tamit24: your swatches are stunning and the best of all the nail polish blogs I follow. Your nail shape is beautiful, your lighting/photography is skillful, and of course your application of the polishes is flawless. Your swatches of this collection are the only ones which have actually tempted me to buy from this OPI collection. Thank you for such inspiring work on your blog!

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    Replies
    1. *blushing* Oh my goodness! Thank you for all your kind words! I'm so happy to know that you enjoy my swatches! <3

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  4. I have the L.A.M.B. and love it (I use a topcoat just cause I like that glassy feel and this polish is still gorgeous.). I have admired Push and Shove but some of my nails are deeply ridged and I don't feel I could ever get them filled enough for this polish. I wasn't that crazy about the glitter but I have seen a mani using it that has changed my mind. And I have been on the fence about Over and Over A-Gwen. It's a lovely red but I really don't need another one (lol) but I will probably go to Ulta's this weekend and get it plus the glitter.

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    Replies
    1. I have not tried L.A.M.B. with a top coat, but it is definitely on my must try list! I'm heard some amazing comments :)
      Push and Shove does show off the flaws and I did gently buff my nails prior to using. The chrome effect is just amazing, even if used just for nail art!
      The red has quickly become one of my faves because it has such a fantastic formula! As you can see, I've used it a few times already. :)
      The glitter will look perfect over just about anything.
      Well really, you just can't go wrong with this collection. LOL!

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  5. 4 In The Morning makes me think of leather in it's natural finish, perhaps that was the intention? I've only picked up Over & Over A-Gwen and Push and Shove so far, but the satins are definitely calling my name too!

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    Replies
    1. I think the leather look was the intention. It is different than other matte black polishes that I own. I just love the unique waxy/leathery look of it! I <3 the satins :)

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