Tuesday, August 18, 2009

OPI Suede Collection Fall 2009

Just when you thought we were done with mattes for the year....

OPI is releasing Suede, a collection of six classic OPI shades in a suede finish. Not as strange as it sounds, as you'll see below.

As always, click to enlarge if you so desire.


OPI Ink Suede. Originally from the Night Brights collection (spring/summer 2007). Please imagine that this is purple. It's purple in real life and I've never been able to get a good picture of OPI Ink- cameras turn it blue. Okay. OPI Ink is probably my favorite OPI polish and I was thrilled to hear that it was made into a matte. Oddly, this looks almost nothing like the original OPI Ink. This is the case with all the polishes in this collection. More on that later.


Lincoln Park After Dark Suede. Originally from the Chicago collection (fall/winter 2005) Again, this looks really nothing like the original Lincoln Park After Dark... but that's not to say it isn't cool! Just look at it- it's gorgeous. A matte eggplant with outrageous shimmer.


Russian Navy Suede. Originally from the Russian collection (fall/winter 2007) Very beautiful navy blue matte with shimmer... But also... not much of a resemblance to the original! I've actually been wearing this one since the weekend to test the wear.

Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees Suede. Originally from La Coleccion de Espana (fall/winter 2009) This one became a matte charcoal grey instead of a smoky blue like the original. This shade looks especially nice matte- though it's not quite like ManGlaze Fuggen Ugly. I bet the men will dig this one.


We'll Always Have Paris Suede. Originally from La Collection de France (fall/winter 2008) I like the way this one translated into Suede. It's kind of a soft purple rose with lots of shimmer, I like the contrast between a traditional shade and a non-traditional finish. In case you don't have the original, this looks nothing like it. Observe:

OPI We'll Always Have Paris from OPI La Collection De France (fall/winter 2008).


You Don't Know Jacques Suede. Originally from La Collection De France (fall/winter 2008). Wow, two matte versions of this. I love You Don't Know Jacques a whole lot, but I'm ready for some *new* colors. This one looks less grey and more golden brown than the original.


And how cruel would I be to have these shimmery mattes and not do pictures with topcoat? In my opinion, this is where they shine (no pun intended).

OPI Ink Suede with topcoat. Again, pretend this is purple.

Lincoln Park After Dark Suede with topcoat.

Russian Navy Suede with topcoat.



Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees Suede with topcoat.


We'll Always Have Paris Suede with topcoat.

You Don't Know Jacques Suede with topcoat.


Okay, aren't those just the most gorgeous thing ever with topcoat? They are ridiculously sparkly. They aren't glitter- they're a really dense metallic silver shimmer. I think I'd call these matte foils- they have that foil sparkle look that, for example, Zoya Trixie or Hard Candy Scam have. Dense, metallic, fine flaky shimmer in an opaque colored base. A couple of the shades are almost iridescent once you put topcoat on them.

As I mentioned in several of the descriptions, these really don't look anything like their namesake polishes. I really think that OPI should have just come up with new names for these for two reasons. One, it's pretty confusing to see 'OPI Ink Suede' and it looks nothing like OPI Ink (original)- people who don't look at swatches before buying might be disappointed to find that the suede version isn't what they expected. Two, they're different enough that they really could have just been new colors- the resemblance to the originals isn't strong enough that you would have even expected that's what they were if you didn't look at the name.

I had a couple of the originals handy when I was swatching and I did a quick comparison to show you what I mean:

Index: OPI Ink
Middle: OPI Ink with Essie Matte About You Matte Finisher
Ring: OPI Ink Suede
Pinkie: OPI Ink Suede with topcoat

I'm not expecting the suede finish ones to have a similar finish to the original, but the shade is just so different than the original. It's not really as obvious in the OPI Ink comparison because my camera warps the color too much, but have a look at this:

Index: Lincoln Park After Dark
Middle: Lincoln Park After Dark with Essie Matte About You Matte Finisher
Ring: Lincoln Park After Dark Suede
Pinkie: Lincoln Park After Dark Suede with topcoat.

See what I mean? It's not even remotely the same color. So if you're worried about having too many duplicates if you buy these- don't be! The naming of these is silly.

Formula-wise, these are great. The formula is thin and smooth, slightly slower drying than the other mattes. Having a slower-drying matte formula is a plus because it gives you more time to work and it's more forgiving. These are faster than the Nubars but not as fast as the Zoyas. They still dry completely in around five minutes. The wear is average for mattes- I made it two days without any major chipping but on day three I got a few large chips. The matte finish becomes more satiny the longer you wear it.

They say not to use mattes with a basecoat, but you can just ignore that warning. As long as the basecoat is *fully* (I do mean fully, completely, absolutely) dry before you apply the polish, there are no negative effects whatsoever. If your basecoat is still wet when you apply these, it'll cause the matte polish to crackle as it dries.

Also, mattes say not to use them with hand lotion- ignore that also. Of course, if you apply hand lotion it will make the matte finish shiny. That's obvious. The solution? Wipe it off your nails or wash your hands. Simple! The matte finish isn't meant to last for a week, but hand lotion won't ruin it any faster.

Overall, I really like these. The suede finish is nice as-is, but with topcoat applied it's gorgeous. Super sparkly and I like all of the shades- can't go wrong with grey, blue and purple! I do think they should have just given these new names, but other than that I have no complaints about these. They're pretty and versatile and there aren't any duds in the collection.

These will be available in September.



68 comments:

  1. Holy crap those are gorgeous! I haven't been swayed by mattes yet (blech), but those? And with the topcoat? *swoon* How would you say the wear is with the topcoat versus without one?

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  2. I love these and it makes me want to skip on the OPI mattes all together. But from the moment I started looking at the pics, hell even when I saw the promo pics weeks ago, I thought "GIVE THEM DIFFERENT NAMES!!!!!" you got it, Scrangie. new names. Not remotely close to the originals. ugh. come on OPI!!!!

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  3. totally agree with you, they should have really used different names... thanks for a wonderful post :)

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  4. I may just have to give in on these. I haven't remotely been interested in mattes until I saw this post. I love them especially with topcoat, what can I say? The name thing is weird. The colors are totally cool though, I like them all.

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  5. Gorgeous shades, silly naming. Can't wait to pick these up =)

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  6. Your comparison swatches are amazing - thank you! :)

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  7. Wow, these are GORGEOUS! I want every single one of these! They look even better than the regular mattes. :D

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  8. I am so effing excited about these!! I want them all. Holy moly.

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  9. Holy sh*t! They look AMAZING!!!

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  10. You're absolutely right about how they look so different but wow, the shimmer - you hit it when you said matte foil!

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  11. Wow....these are gorgeous! Thanks for reporting on the wear too - I had been nervous about trying my mattes out, but it seems with a base coat, you can go for a day or two without worrying too much. My polish ADD makes me change it after two days any way. :)

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  12. I think I might just get some and add a layer of t/c since I like them more that way! TYSVMFP!

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  13. wowser!!!! I love most of these. I love YDKJ - and I wasn't that fond of the original - so I'm surprised by that one!

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  14. I like how Ink and Russian Navy and Lincoln Park after Dark look.

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  15. I like these a TON more than the originals! I have OPI Ink and I hate how dark it is and I just love *shimmers*! So excited!!!

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  16. I want these! Every single one of them! Thanks Scrangie, and your blog is def my favorite of all the NP blogs!

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  17. wow these look great Scrangie, thanks for posting. I really want YDKJ, I like this version better than original

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  18. Here I was worried you wouldn't show them shiny - then I scrolled down =)

    I am just not a fan of the matte finish (or this suede thing), but so many of them look amazing with a glossy topcoat! And, like you said, so different from the originals. I don't know if they should even name them the same, they're that different. Thanks for all the comparison swatches/pics.

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  19. These are great! Look really gorgeous both matte and with top coat. I could buy them all.

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  20. i can't wait to come and to have it.
    it is my addiction and simple i have to have it....tnw for swatches

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  21. These look intensely amazzzing. Thanks again Scrangie. I love your blog a little bit too much.

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  22. I really appreciate all the time it took you to do these swatches AND make comparisons to some of the original colors. You rock. :)
    -DanaCerise

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  23. I LOVE THESE. Beautiful application, too! Thank you for sharing.

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  24. Wow. I mean.. wow... I need them all, silly names or not. *in love*

    Thanks Scrangie!

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  25. what a great collection! thanks for the detailed review :-)

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  26. I want them all except sparkly poo Jacques. Do you think these would work with Konad? I shall be having sparkly Konad dreams til September :P

    I really love these with a topcoat!!

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  27. GAHHH! Those are coooooooolllllll!

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  28. i - just - died - a - LOT - inside OH MY GOD THESE ARE SO GORGEOUS I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF. I've never loved a whole collection before - but i HAVE TO HAVE these.
    My jaw dropped and i was gasping as i scrolled.. haha so not like me! I LOVE THESE thank you so much for the swatches!

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  29. They remind me of the Fleckstone spraypaint. :)

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  30. Wow - another collection I can't choose which... I love sparkly polishes and with the top coat these just do it for me! And the xmas collection coming too... Thanks again for the swatches - I would never have believed the colours just from the bottle promo pics.

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  31. I don't like mattes but these are beautiful with topcoat (love sparklies).

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  32. interesting... i think i am going to need to try some of these suedes and mattes!

    thanks!

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  33. A brief description of what your post did to me:
    1. The names threw me off and annoyed me. (OPI seems to not care that their laziness is showing.)
    2. The no-top-coat swatches intrigued me.
    3. The bottles you clutched excited me. (The polish looked similar to some Japanese releases that I can't find anywhere.)
    4. Your swatches with a shiny top coat made me giddy! (imagine suppressed squealing... I'm in an office.)

    I shall buy them all for their shiny goodness potential, just like I did with Nubar and Zoya.

    Thank you for the pretty polish pictures, Scrangie! :)

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  34. These are so gorgeous! The finish is totally different than the Matte About You gives too. Thanks for all the swatches and comparisons. =)

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  35. OMG - These are gorgeous! Can't wait to get my mits on them!

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  36. I like them. In fact, I like all of them. Usually, I only end up liking one or two colors in a typical OPI collection, so I am impressed.

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  37. I like them. In fact, I like all of them. Usually, I only like one or two colors in a typical OPI collection, so I am impressed.

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  38. oh.mah.gawd. these are AMAZING! ITA with OPI should have nemed them differently, but we all know suzis not that creative...i love a few of these, i cant wait! :D

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  39. Brilliant post, Scrangie! I lovelovelove these--and thanks for posting them with topcoats! Really, though, you went above and beyond with the original/matte topcoat/suede/shiny topcoat swatches...you totes read my mind. Truly appreciate the hard work!

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  40. I haven't really been on board with this whole matte thing, but those are actually pretty nice. I may just be tempted. Also, totally agree with you about the naming, they're just too unlike their namesakes.

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  41. Wow they look amazing. The top coat makes it look beautiful!!

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  42. I have always loved OPI but the last couple of collections have been very boring with the cremes - too many colours my Nana would like! Finally some oomp.

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  43. Actually, speaking as a dude, I'm loving the purples (I'm brave). Especially Ink. Wow.

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  44. OPI *finally* got me with these! There have been very few OPI colors that I've really wanted (seriously, could count them on one hand), but I want this whole friggin collection! They all look gorgeous, and the finish is so different; I don't care if they don't look like the originals. To be honest, I thought You Dont Know Jaques was ugly in the original and matte, but I love this take on it.

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  45. This is a more exciting collection than the mattes. OPI, stop with repeating these same colors. Boring! They really could of used different names.

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  46. Mattes were leaving me cold and had no intention of ever buying any of them - and then along come these. They are fab, love the colours and the effect and loving it more with the top coat, thanks for a fab post.

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  47. I L.O.V.E. these! Thanks SO much for posting the swatches!

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  48. I don't like it without the top coat. I swear I am the last person in the free world who does not dig this matte craze!!

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  49. You even make matte polishes look good (I'm clueless, didn't even know they exist)! How do you do it Scrangie? They look amazing!

    Farmgirl

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  50. OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.....
    I need all of these. I think they are stunning, with or without top coat. WOW! So different!

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  51. I'm interested in these but only with topcoat - super sparkly! Do they last as long as regular polish with topcoat on?

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  52. wow - i want them all. to be honest, i haven't been too impressed with OPI's collections in general so far this year but i think this is the first time I want to buy the whole collection. Do you know if the purples in the collection are similar to Nubars matte purples?

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  53. Oh love!
    I'm going to be a poor girl this fall but I can hardly blame it on you. Great Work!

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  54. I want them so badly I could screeeeeeeeeam! :D

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  55. Scrangie, is there any color that does not look sensational on you?
    Wow!

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  56. Just saw these at Ulta and I think I'll have to go back and buy one (or two or three!) I do have to say I'm in the minority because I love them best without the topcoat. Also, I totally agree about the names. . .Spa wishes, Candy

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  57. I saw these in the salon with a matte nail and the french tip in the original shade. They looked sweet on the fake nail...if you have time to try it on yourself, that would be worth another post!

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  58. That's a pity they didn't do some like those look with a top coat, they're just beautiful with it. And exactly what I'd want.

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  59. I think they name them from the original because they use the original formula color, but they remove the shine and add tons of colored shimmer, which keeps them from looking too dull, but definetly changes the color.

    I'm wearing La-Pazitively Hot Matte that I read about on your site, and I loooove it! I wanted the Navy, but it was too flat, so I'm gonna try the Suede one!

    Thank You!!

    Nina

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  60. Okay, I have the whole collection and just put on We'll Always Have Paris. Honestly, this thing is fabulous matte because it looks like it has some sheen, but I can't wait to add my coat of Diamont to it. Delish!

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  61. I just tried the opi suede this past Friday and it started to chip the following Sunday. 3 days...Overall, I like the look with the topcoat. I will def try again but only if I have plans that weekend. I need my manicure to last at least 5 days.

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  62. I'm in love with the russian navy one its soo beautiful :)

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  63. So a while back based on these swatches I knew I had to pick up Russian Navy Suede and I finally got a bottle today and could not wait to try it out. When I did I realized that it looks nothing like the pictures of RN but strangely enough really resembles your pictures of Ink Suede... the more I look at it I am convinced that my bottle of RN Suede and your pictures of Ink Suede are the same color. Strange??

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