The Ultimate OPI Nail Polish Review: Is This Iconic Brand Worth the Hype?
When it comes to nail polish, one brand stands out from the rest – OPI. Known for its huge range of colors, catchy shade names, and salon-quality formulas, OPI has dominated the nail polish world for decades. But is OPI nail polish really worth the hype? As a nail polish lover and beauty blogger, I put OPI to the test to give you the full scoop in this extensive OPI nail polish review.
About OPI Nail Polish
OPI was founded in 1981 by Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, who had the brilliant idea to transform the nail polish industry with fashion-forward colors and quirky shade names. Today, OPI is the world‘s #1 salon nail polish brand, available in over 100 countries. The brand has won numerous awards for its high-quality, chip-resistant, and long-lasting nail polish formulas.
What sets OPI apart is its mind-boggling selection of nail polish colors. The brand launches new seasonal collections each year, adding to its permanent lineup of over 240 shades ranging from classic reds to trendy neons to sparkly special effects toppers. No matter your nail polish style, OPI has multiple colors for you.
OPI Nail Polish Types
OPI offers several different nail polish formulas to suit your preferences and needs:
OPI Nail Lacquer: The original and most popular OPI formula, Nail Lacquer applies smoothly and lasts up to 7 days. It comes in creme, shimmer, glitter, and other finishes.
OPI Infinite Shine: A newer collection that provides gel-like shine and 11 days of wear without a UV light. It‘s a 3-step system with a primer, color, and gloss.
OPI GelColor: An in-salon service that requires a UV or LED light to cure each coat, resulting in ultra-shiny color that lasts up to 3 weeks with zero chipping.
OPI Powder Perfection: A dip powder system that delivers 14 days of wear and a lightweight feel. It can be removed more easily and gently than traditional dip powders.
OPI Nature Strong: A natural origin, vegan nail polish line with a plant-based brush and up to 75% plant-based ingredients. It provides up to 7 days of wear.
Top 10 Best OPI Nail Polish Shades
With so many amazing OPI shades, it‘s hard to narrow it down. But based on popularity, ratings, and my own testing, here are the top 10 best OPI nail polish colors you need to try:
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Bubble Bath – A sheer, milky pink that gives nails a clean, polished look. Perfect for everyday or French manicures.
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Cajun Shrimp – A bold and spicy red-orange that flatters all skin tones. A fun pop of color year-round.
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Lincoln Park After Dark – A deep, vampy purple that‘s edgy yet sophisticated. Ideal for fall and winter.
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Big Apple Red – A classic, bright red cream that every woman should own. It makes a statement!
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Strawberry Margarita – A vibrant, coral-pink shade that‘s equal parts sweet and sassy. Great for spring and summer.
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Taupe-less Beach – A rich, sandy taupe that delivers a chic, neutral nail look. Works for any occasion.
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Malaga Wine – A lush, berry red shade that feels romantic and luxurious. Perfect for date nights.
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You Don‘t Know Jacques! – A trendy, putty-colored greige (gray-beige) that‘s modern and cool.
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Alpine Snow – A stark, true white that pops against any outfit. Crisp and classy year-round.
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Funny Bunny – A soft, shimmery white that provides an ethereal glow. Beautiful on its own or layered.
Most of these bestselling shades come in all the different OPI formulas, so you can choose your preferred finish and level of shine/wear time. All deliver rich, even color in 2-3 coats max.
Pros of OPI Nail Polish
So why choose OPI nail polish over the hundreds of other options out there? Here are the key benefits I‘ve found from using OPI regularly:
- Smooth, easy application with a wide brush that covers each nail in just a few strokes
- Rich, saturated color that looks as good on the nails as in the bottle
- Decent dry time, especially with the Infinite Shine and GelColor formulas
- Impressive lasting power – typically 5-7 days with Nail Lacquer and over a week with Infinite Shine/GelColor before any chipping
- Wide range of finishes including crème, shimmer, glitter, metallic, and specialty textures
- Fun, clever shade names like "Squeaker of the House" and "I Believe in Manicures"
- Salon-level quality and performance at an affordable price for a luxury nail polish brand
The biggest pros in my book are the excellent color payoff, longevity, and selection. Every shade I‘ve tried from deep navy to bright white has applied beautifully and easily with no patchiness or streaking. And the wear is fantastic – I can stretch a mani 4-5 days longer with OPI than drugstore brands.
Cons of OPI Nail Polish
No nail polish is perfect, and OPI is no exception. A few drawbacks to consider:
- Some shades can be a bit thick and gooey, requiring nail polish thinner over time
- Dark shades (especially reds) can stain nails, so always use a good base coat
- With 240+ shades, the selection can be overwhelming! Definitely Google swatches before buying
- Glitter/textured shades can be difficult to remove without scrubbing or foil
- Infinite Shine and GelColor are pricier and trickier to DIY, so may require a salon trip
However, most of these cons are very minor and common with many nail polish brands. The pros of OPI definitely outweigh the cons overall.
OPI Nail Polish vs. the Competition
Now let‘s see how OPI stacks up to other popular nail polish brands:
Essie: Very similar to OPI in terms of shade range, quality, and price point (around $8-$10 per bottle). I find Essie‘s brush a bit narrower/less coverage than OPI. Both wear well and have a good consistency.
China Glaze: Another salon brand with tons of color options at a slightly cheaper price ($7-$8 per bottle). Personally, China Glaze chips faster on me than OPI and the formula seems a bit thinner.
Butter London: A trendier, "cleaner" nail polish brand that costs a few dollars more than OPI ($15 per bottle). Has some unique colors/finishes but not as extensive a shade range. I don‘t notice a huge difference in quality for the higher price.
Sally Hansen: A reliable drugstore brand that‘s about half the price of OPI ($4-$5 per bottle). Shade selection is more limited and wear time is a couple days less than OPI on average. But a great budget-friendly option.
Deborah Lippmann: A luxury, celebrity nail polish brand that‘s double the price of OPI ($18-$20 per bottle). Has some gorgeous, unique shades and finishes, but not sure if the quality is that much better than OPI, in my experience.
Overall, I find OPI offers the best combination of quality, color selection, and value. It applies and wears the most consistently for me without being crazy overpriced. You really can‘t go wrong with OPI in my book!
What Other Nail Lovers Say About OPI
Of course, you don‘t have to just take my word for it! I combed through online reviews to see what other customers had to say about their experience with OPI nail polish. The vast majority of reviews are positive, with common praise like:
"No other nail polish compares to the quality of OPI. The colors are so rich and pigmented, and they last forever on my nails." – Ulta reviewer
"I‘m a nail polish junkie and OPI is hands-down my favorite brand. Worth every penny for the awesome color selection and long wear time." – Amazon reviewer
"I‘ve tried tons of gel nail polish brands and OPI GelColor is the only one that doesn‘t chip, peel or fade on me. It‘s my holy grail!" – Influenster reviewer
There are a few negative reviews citing issues with goopiness, chipping, or staining. But these seem to be the exception rather than the norm. Some tips I noticed:
- Store polish bottles away from heat/sunlight to prevent thickness
- Always use base/top coat for dark shades to avoid staining
- Avoid getting polish on your skin which can cause premature chipping
- Properly prep nails and apply thin, even coats for best results
Where to Buy OPI Nail Polish
The easiest place to shop for OPI nail polish is anywhere that sells beauty products! Some reliable retailers include:
- Ulta
- Sally Beauty Supply
- Target
- Walmart
- CVS
- Amazon
- Chatters Canada
You can also buy select shades directly from OPI.com, or visit an OPI nail salon to get the polish professionally applied. OPI is widely available in most countries, so you should have no trouble getting your hands on it.
OPI Nail Polish Alternatives
If you want to branch out from OPI, here are a few similar nail polish lines to try:
CND Vinylux: A weekly polish system with unique technology that gets tougher with wear, instead of chipping
Morgan Taylor: A professional lacquer brand founded by nail industry vets with fashion-forward shades
Zoya: A healthier, toxin-free nail polish with a huge color catalog and finishes from matte to holo
Smith & Cult: A trendy, indie polish with a skinny brush and chip-resistant, quick-dry formula
Orly: An affordable, cruelty-free option available in fun collections and a Breathable treatment line
But honestly, after trying 20+ nail polish brands over the years, I keep coming back to my trusty OPI! It‘s the most consistently high-performing and foolproof for me.
Tips for Applying OPI Nail Polish
To get salon-worthy results with your OPI nail polish, keep these pro tips in mind:
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Always start with clean, dry nails. Remove any old polish and gently push back cuticles.
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Apply a base coat to protect nails, help polish adhere, and extend wear time.
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Shake the polish bottle well and roll between your hands to mix.
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Apply polish in thin, even coats. Two coats is usually ideal for opacity.
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Wait a couple minutes between coats to avoid bubbling.
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Seal the free edge of nails with polish to prevent chipping.
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Finish with a quick-dry top coat for a glossy finish and longer wear.
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Clean up any mistakes or messy edges with a nail polish remover pen or small brush.
With practice and patience, you‘ll be rocking a perfect OPI mani or pedi in no time! The brand‘s smooth, pigmented formula makes DIY nail art much easier too.
The Final Verdict on OPI Nail Polish
So is OPI nail polish worth all the hype? In my experience, absolutely YES! No nail polish is 100% perfect, but OPI comes pretty darn close. With its unbeatable color selection, chip-resistant wear, and consistently great quality, OPI remains my #1 nail polish pick. Whether I want a sheer, natural pink or a blinged-out glitter, OPI has me covered. And at a reasonable $8-$13 per bottle, it‘s a small splurge that makes a big impact.
I highly recommend trying at least a couple of OPI‘s most iconic shades like Bubble Bath, Big Apple Red, and Lincoln Park After Dark to see the magic for yourself. But be warned – you may get hooked on collecting every new OPI collection! I‘m certainly guilty of having a whole drawer dedicated to my colorful OPI stash.
While OPI isn‘t the cheapest nail polish brand, I firmly believe you get what you pay for. I‘d rather have a few really high-quality OPI polishes than a dozen mediocre drugstore ones. It all comes down to your budget and preferences. But if you want the best of the best in nail polish, OPI won‘t let you down!
I hope you found this ultimate OPI nail polish review helpful in deciding if the brand is right for you. I‘d love to hear about your experience with OPI – share your favorite shades and formulas in the comments below!
