OPI Neons Collection Summer 2014 Swatches & Review

Disclaimer

It already feels like Summer here in California.  It hit mid 90’s yesterday and it’s suppose to get into the high 90’s today.  What better way to celebrate the warmer weather than with some gorgeous neons?

OPI is releasing their Neons Collection this month, and unlike previous years, these 6 shades will be in full size bottles!  While the minis are cute, full size is always better!

The Neons Collection consists of 6 bright shades plus you can pick up a bottle of Put A Coat On! which is a slightly off white natural nail base coat to help the neons POP.  I did all the below swatches without the base coat though to show the shades on their own.

Ready to take a look?  Get those sunglasses out!

OPI Hotter Than You Pink

I’m kicking this post off with my favorite of the 6!  OPI Hotter Than You Pink is a neon pink crelly like base with an intense violet shimmer that is stunning.  It dries fairly fast so you need to work fast to avoid pulling or streaking. It also dries to a satin like finish.

 I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat.

OPI Down To The Core-al

OPI Down To The Core-al was a difficult color to photograph!  It’s a slight touch pinker in real life.  I don’t edit my photos (and honestly don’t know how) so I apologize!  Down To The Core-al  is a neon coral base with with pink shimmer and it dries to a matte.  This baby gave me some issues as far as self leveling.  You can see in my photos that there are some ripples from the polish drying as I brushed it on and top coat didn’t diminish them.  Overall though it is a very pretty color aside from application.

I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

OPI You Are So Outta Lime!

You Are So Outta Lime! is a bright yet soft lime green creme.  I wouldn’t call this a neon, but it does have a brightness to it that is really pretty.  I had some minor streaking issues on the first and second coat, but the 3rd coat helped.  It didn’t want to completely self level either (most noticeable on my index finger).

I used 3 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

OPI Juice Bar Hopping

OPI Juice Bar Hopping is a neon orange jelly that dries down to an almost matte finish.  Very bright and extremely pretty for summer!  Juice Bar Hopping probably had the best application of the 6 shades and there were no issues at all.

I used 3 thin coats for these photos.

OPI Life Gave Me Lemons

OPI Life Gave Me Lemons is a neon highlighter yellow polish that dries down to a matte like finish.  I had some streaking issues on the first 2 coats, and again – this one didn’t want to self level so you can see some ripples in my swatches.  It dries really fast, so be prepared for that!

I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

OPI Push & Pur-pull

OPI Push & Pur-Pull is a gorgeous deeper berry jelly shade, but seems a bit out of place in a Neons collection.  Application wise, it was thinner than the other shades, but opacity built up ok after 3 coats.

I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

OPI Put A Coat On!

OPI Put A Coat On! is a Natural Nail Base Coat that can be used under the neons to make them POP, but personally I think they did a pretty good job popping on their own.  I had some application issues with Put A Coat On!  It was a bit streaky and did not self level.  Opacity wise, it was great.  I had full opacity in just 2 coats, but I think I would be more apt to grab OPI Alpine Snow if I wanted a white base for the neons.

Put A Coat On isn’t a pure white, but more of a slightly “dirty” off white.  I used 2 coats for these photos.

Overview

I’m still thrilled OPI did a full size neon collection!  The colors are amazing, but make sure you read the descriptions of each shade to see what type of issues I encountered while applying.  Juice Bar Hopping was definitely the best as far as application goes, but the others seemed to either have streaking or self leveling issues.  I didn’t use Put A Coat On! in the swatches and really feel each shade looks absolutely amazing without a base.  But I do think those nail art ladies who want it can use it as a base for various nail art ideas using the neons.  Personally though, I think I’m still opting for OPI Alpine Snow or OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls.

Neons by OPI will also be available in GelColor, marking the launch of OPI’s first neon gel shades. GelColor is a professional salon service that offers a high-shine, 100% gel finish that lasts for weeks with a 30 second LED cure.

Neons by OPI will be available in both nail lacquer and GelColor (for professionals only) formulas beginning May 2014. Nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application and will retail for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN)  at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, beautybrands.com, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com.  GelColor is an in-salon, professional service only. Prices depend on the salon and range from $28 – $38 for a manicure and $35 – $45 for a pedicure.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter and Instagram @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

ABOUT OPI

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.