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May 5, 2011

Arrrghhh Mateys! OPI Pirates of the Carribean Swatches Ahoy!!!

OPI Mermaid's Tears with Silver Shatter

I couldn't help myself with the cheesy pirate-oriented title LOL. I want to start this review with my overall thoughts on the collection, instead of jumping right to individual colors.

First of all, I was doomed to adore this collection from the start. I'm fairly certain you could sell me Pirates of the Caribbean ANYTHING. When I found out OPI was doing a polish collection, I almost passed out. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride has been my favorite attraction at Disney World and Disneyland since I was 4. The last time I went there, my mom and I went on the ride approximately 10 times in one day. I also absolutely adore the movies. Johnny Depp is brilliant, and as I commented to a friend the other day, as long as they have him, they could make Pirates movies for the next 20 years and I would still love them.

Second, I have heard some people asking, "Where are the Brights?", since this is OPI's Brights collection for the year. However, I think these colors are more in keeping with the feel of the movies and the ride. The movies are often kind of dark and stormy, and I think these colors tie in perfectly.

Third, Silver Shatter.

So what I'm saying is that I love this collection. And now on to the colors! These are in no particular order because I can't pick a favorite.

OPI Mermaid's Tears

OPI Mermaid's Tears

First up is Mermaid's Tears. I suppose if I had to pick a favorite, this would be it. Mermaid's Tears is a beautiful dusty sea foam green creme. Although we have seen this kind of color before, the grayed out quality of this one makes it different than others I own. This applied beautifully, no streaking and no thick chunky feeling like some pastel cremes have. This is just two coats.

OPI Mermaid's Tears with OPI Silver Shatter

Ahhhh, Silver Shatter over Mermaid's Tears. Magical. I am wearing this as a full mani right now, my first full mani from this collection. It is gorgeous. Silver Shatter really will look beautiful over any polish you can dream of (except possibly silver). I can't wait to try it with reds, purples, etc. Silver Shatter also applies perfectly and shatters effortlessly, unlike other crackle/shatter polish we've experienced. I did thick coats of Silver Shatter over Mermaid's Tears, but I will show you what thin coats looks like later on.

OPI Stranger Tides

OPI Stranger Tides

OPI Stranger Tides

Next up is my new go to ugly/pretty polish, Stranger Tides. This mix of gray, green and taupe is very on trend (the gray and taupe trends are still going strong), but still manages to be unique. I have not seen another polish that looks quite like Stranger Tides. I read a few bloggers who weren't crazy about this one, but I love it! It reminds me of putty. In some lights, it looks more gray, in others green, and other times it looks very taupe-y! It's a neutral, for sure, but an interesting one! This is three coats, but I could have definitely done two. Application was a breeze!

OPI Stranger Tides with OPI Silver Shatter

And oh, how interesting Stranger Tides becomes with a layer of Silver Shatter! It's a cool contrast of the neutral color with silver. Love this look!!

OPI Steady As She Rose

OPI Steady As She Rose

OPI Steady As She Rose

Steady As She Rose is the kind of color I usually hate. After swatching this one though, I think I usually hate this kind of pastel pinky/purple with plenty of gray creme because the formula usually sucks. Steady As She Rose, however, was lovely and no problem to apply. When I think back to another slightly similar color (CG Light As Air, anyone?), this polish is a winner in terms of application. This is three coats, and I experienced no streaking or thickness, and at three coats, there is no VNL. Finally, a pale creme I can love!

OPI Steady As She Rose with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Steady As She Rose with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Steady As She Rose with OPI Silver Shatter

And, obviously, I love it even more with Silver Shatter. I kind of want to paint my whole body with Silver Shatter.

OPI Skull and Glossbones

OPI Skull and Glossbones

OPI Skull and Glossbones

Skull and Glossbones is another surprise winner for me. With the wrong formula, this could have been a big disaster. OPI calls this a "light gray", but again, I think it has a good bit of taupe in it as well. If you thought gray was too cool-looking for you, definitely try Skull and Glossbones. I can't believe how much I'm enjoying these neutrals! I'm not a neutral lover, but Skull and Glossbones and Stranger Tides may convert me. Again, this polish was smooth to apply and dried to perfection. The first coat looked pretty sheer, but this is only two coats! Plus, I really LOVE the name Skull and Glossbones!

OPI Skull and Glossbones with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Skull and Glossbones with OPI Silver Shatter

I just really love Silver Shatter, I think you may have guessed that by now. But look how cool this neutral looks under SS!!! Like, if you had to wear neutrals for work, you could wear Skull and Glossbones and pop on some Silver Shatter to go out at night. Brilliant.

OPI Sparrow Me the Drama

OPI Sparrow Me the Drama

OPI Sparrow Me the Drama

I decided to retake my pictures of Sparrow Me The Drama because mine really didn't do this beauty justice. But you can read my thoughts about it here. The short version- awesome application, lovely color. These pictures were taken with only two coats, I did away with the unnecessary third coat.

OPI Sparrow Me the Drama with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Sparrow Me the Drama with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Planks A Lot

OPI Planks A Lot

OPI Planks A Lot

Lastly, but OMGSOCOOL, is Planks A Lot. This is a gorgeous grayed-out purple creme with a very dusty feel. I love this color, it's not so gray that it's unflattering, but definitely less bright than other purple cremes. This is only two coats also! Excellent pigmentation. The formula on this was like the rest of the Pirates collection, just smooth and wonderful. I'm really very impressed with these, as I normally hate pastel cremes (I've said this many a time, I know). I love Planks A Lot soo much, it might be tied with Mermaid's Tears and Stranger Tides for my favorite!

By the way, if you wondered how Planks A Lot compares with OPI A Grape Fit, I just happened to have A Grape Fit sitting on my dining table. As you can see AGF is brighter, more purple, and lacks the grayness of Planks A Lot. Let me know if you want an on the nail comparison, but they look pretty different to me.

Bottom- OPI A Grape Fit, Top: OPI Planks A Lot

And of course, you know I LOVE this with some Silver Shatter!!!

OPI Planks A Lot with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Planks A Lot with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Planks A Lot with OPI Silver Shatter

OPI Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides is available at an Ulta Store near you.

These polishes were sent to me for review by a PR agent for OPI. For more info, please read my Disclosure Policy.

12 comments:

  1. I'm in love with Sparrow Me the Drama and Planks A Lot!

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  2. Good choices! Me too! Are you going to pick up Silver Shatter? I think it will sell out.

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  3. i love silver shatter sooooooo much oh ma ga.
    i think i might buy the minis of the colors though. perhaps. (but probably not because once i see them in person i might think differently.)

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  4. I see a couple of must-haves and definitely, I'm getting the SS! You made all of these a pirate's booty. ;p

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  5. Rebecca- I,m actually considering getting a back-up of Silver Shatter! It's that good! The minis might not be a bad idea, especially if you own loads of polish like me!

    Kimberly- definitely get your SS soon! And there really is so much good pirate-related humor isn't there? Lol

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  6. beautiful nails and great colours!

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  7. Thanks Beauty Cosmetics! Which color is your favorite?

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  8. love this collection and they looks good on you

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  9. Thanks chell! Do you have your eye on any one specific polish?

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  10. Seriously I want to run out and buy more polish ASAP! :-)

    Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings
    http://herlatenightcravings.blogspot.com/

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  11. I was totally on the fence, but stopped by ULTA to see if they had any of the Essence Metallics (they didn't)...and ended up picking up the whole collection. I took it home and swatched and fell in love!! The silver shatter is to die for...I think I may pick up a spare!

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  12. I was thinking about getting a spare Silver Shatter too! I would get it soon though, it may sell out!

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