If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I don’t think I’ve had bare nails since I was under 10 years old. I’ve been religiously painting my nails and getting them done from a very young age. When I was a kid, it was a fun way to bond with my mom, and it quickly turned into something that I just felt incomplete without.
Growing up, there was only one nail polish brand in my house: OPI. In fact, I’m pretty sure that to this day, it’s the only nail polish my mom will touch with a 10-foot pole. It makes sense—the brand is reliable, has every color under the sun, and wears incredibly well.
Though I’ve been an avid OPI user practically since birth, I’ve been using gel pretty consistently for the past few years. I decided to take my old favorite for a spin recently and gave myself an at-home mani using OPI nail polish.
I used OPI’s base coat, color, and topcoat to create my mani at home. The great thing about its polishes is how easy they are to use for anyone who’s attempting an at-home manicure—the brushes are the ideal size for ultimate control.
The base coat applied really smoothly and evenly, and it dried quickly, so I didn’t have to wait too long between coats. The color was so pigmented that I felt like I could have gotten away with just one coat, but I ended up using two just to ensure it looked even and opaque. The topcoat really impressed me with how short the dry time was. I was able to do normal tasks without worrying about my nails getting smudged within 20 minutes.
The polish lasted really well on my hands, but some of the top edges began to wear down after two days. This may have been more noticeable because I chose a darker color, but it’s something to keep in mind. Otherwise, it didn’t chip or begin to pull up at the cuticles.
The formula itself didn’t leave me with any bubbles (which is my pet peeve when I do my own nails). It was also very shiny and stayed shiny until I took it off. All in all, if you’re looking for a solid nail polish to keep in your collection, OPI is one of my top recommendations for you.
I opted for this rich, chocolate color.
This brown-leaning purple is effortlessly sophisticated.
Metallic nails are always a fun accessory.
The most majestic purple.
Perfect for listening to Taylor Swift’s Midnights album once it comes out.
A pop of yellow is always a welcome change from the status quo.
If serenity were a color, it would look something like this.
A classic red is always a good idea.
The ultimate autumnal bright.
This peaceful blue looks good on everyone.
Next, This Polish Was All Over NYFW and Rivals a Gel Manicure—I Have Pics to Prove It
