OPI DS Imperial

OPI DS Imperial

 

OPI DS Reflection

OPI DS Reflection

2 coats

OPI DS shades are always my go-tos when I am short on time. They apply so easily they are just fool-proof! This is two coats topped with NYC Grand Central Station.

NOTD: OPI DS Ruby

OPI DS Ruby

2 coats

The OPI DS line never fails me- I love love love these shades and find myself reaching for them when I am feeling like I just can't choose from my hundreds of choices.

OPI DS Exclusive

OPI DS Exclusive

2 coats

Hello Holo! I know I've said before that OPI's Designer Series shades are some of my favorites, but Exclusive is my most favorite. It's a showstopper and guaranteed to be a fabulous mani. Love love love this one!

OPI DS Pewter

OPI DS Pewter

2 coats with topcoat

Pewter was added to the DS line in Fall 2013 along with DS Lapis. To me, these just don't go with the original theme of the line..... these are more of a chunky glitter and totally different from all the prior DS shades I own, which are all either linear or scatter holos. The PR info said they were inspired by "raw granite". Both are matte textured glitter finish, which sounds totally like their Liquid Sand line.

That being said, it's still really pretty. It's a deep black that sheer enough to show the two different sizes of silver glitter. Once coat of topcoat did a pretty darn good job of smoothing it out.

OPI DS Extravagance

OPI DS Extravagance

2 coats

 

Here's another DS fave of mine- Extravagance. I am currently sporting it on my toes as well and it's just gorgeous!

 

OPI DS Couture

OPI DS Couture

 

Another holo-day! Today was an overcast day, but the sun peeked out this afternoon and I rushed outside to snap this pic. LOVE!

 

 

OPI DS Original

 OPI DS Original

2 coats

 

It just doesn't get any more gorgeous than this holo..... seriously, I just can't handle it! DS Original will always be one of my faves!

 

OPI DS Classic

OPI DS Classic

3 coats

 

 

OPI DS Classic is another one of the DS shades that needs 3 coats to be opaque. Other than Classic and Coronation, all the other DS shades I have are opaque in just 2. Classic is quite pretty and flatters my skintone much better than Coronation does. This is really pretty!

OPI DS Coronation

OPI DS Coronation

3 coats

 

DS Coronation is so pretty! Unlike other DS shades, it does need 3 coats for complete opaqueness. Worth it though- it is gorgeous in the sun!

OPI DS Tapestry

OPI DS Tapestry

2 coats

 

DS Tapestry is described as "dazzling deep rose" but it actually pulls a bit more orange on me. It's a pretty weak holo, but still pretty nonetheless.

 

 

 



OPI DS Reserve

 OPI DS Reserve

 

DS Reserve is described as "a shimmer of vintage pink". Although not one of my most favorites of the DS shades, this is still so pretty, especially in the sun.

 

OPI DS Exclusive

 OPI DS Exclusive

2 coats

 

 

 

Continuing on my project to re-swatch my OPI DS shades, I picked out a long-time favorite. DS Exclusive is gorgeous and one of those shades that people will stop me and ask me what I'm wearing. It's just that pretty!

 

OPI DS Divine

OPI DS Divine

 

DS Divine is described as "divinely brillant fuchsia" and it really is pretty, although the holo effect you see in the bottle is not as apparent when it's on the nail, even in the sun. It's still insanely pretty though.

 

OPI DS Illuminate

 OPI DS Illuminate

 

DS Illuminate is really pretty- it's described as "a brilliant sparkle of rich, burnished gold" and I really like how it looks with a bit of summer tan. As usual, these classic DS shades apply amazingly. This is definitely one of my faves.

 

OPI DS Vintage

OPI DS Vintage

2 coats

 

Quite a few of my OPI DS swatches are really old.... and really terrible! I pulled out DS Vintage, described as "the glow of coppery taffeta", and did a mani with it, and I had forgotten how pretty it is. It's one of the shades that is a linear holo and it's just gorgeous. As with most of the classic DS shades, 2 coats are perfection.

OPI DS Signature

OPI DS Signature

2  coats

 

The older OPI Designer Series shades are some of my absolute favorites. Application is perfection and the holo effect of most of them is divine. Signature is one I will always love.

OPI DS Ruby

 OPI DS Ruby

2 coats

 

Look at the holo goodness! If you didn't know, I live in Rainlahoma (formerly known as Oklahoma), and we have had the worst weather over the last few weeks. Tornados and more rain than we'll ever need. Since I take my photos outside in natural light, and the sun has been hiding from us, I haven't been able to take any good mani pictures lately.

 

But the sun is out today and I thought I'd get out one of my favorites, OPI DS Ruby. I love love love this shade! OPI really hit it out of the ballpark with the older DS shades. I haven't been a fan of the newer shades, but the older holo shades have a special place in my collection.

 

NOTD: OPI DS Lapis

OPI DS Lapis

2 coats, with topcoat

Whoops! I topcoated a polish meant to be worn matte! When I was applying this shade, I kept thinking, wow, this is matte! It was almost like the suede line OPI did a few years ago.

Without even thinking, I went ahead and used a topcoat, like I do with all my other DS shades. Today I went back and re-read the press release (copied below) and realized they meant for it to be matte. Oh well! I think it looks cool with a topcoat.

I did have a bit of a problem with the formula and brush. The formula definitely needed thinning, but my thinner wasn't handy so I just left it as it was. The brush also seemed wider than the normal pro-wide brush, and I had a bit of trouble around my curved cuticles and on my smaller nails, like my pinkies. I saw one blogger all this a one-coater, but I found that it was pretty streaky and I needed two coats to even it out. I was pleased with the result from two coats though- I'm not complaining, just saying it wasn't a one-coater for me.

I'm a little confused as to where they are taking the DS line..... all of the DS shades I have, which are admittedly older, are either linear or scattered holos. I know they released a few new ones over the past few years for the DS line that weren't holos, but I really wish they would have kept the line exclusively holo just for consistency sake.

Press release info:

This fall, OPI adds DS Raw Granite, two new granite-inspired hues – DS Pewter and DS Lapis – to the Designer Series by OPI collection. Featuring a matte textured finish with mineral-like reflections, each Designer Series Raw Granite lacquer formula offers subtle sheen with a sparkle finish.

DS Pewter, a matte textured metallic with deep silver ore, will launch simultaneously with DS Lapis, a deep sapphire blue with a textured matte finish. Designer Series by OPI offers a mosaic of 11 glistening shades and a high-shine top coat, including these two new stunning hues. DS Pewter and DS Lapis can be used without DS Top Coat to achieve an alternate matte look.

“Diamond-dust gives nails the perfect touch of glamour and can instantly transform any look. These two new shades are inspired by raw granite – the diamond’s edgy cousin – and we’re excited to broaden the range of color in the Designer Series line,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “These lacquers incorporate rich pigments with brilliant shine, to create a bold yet elegant statement. DS Pewter and DS Lapis are the ideal high-fashion, festive accessory.”

Designer Series by OPI nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. DS Raw Granite lacquers should be worn without top coat for a matte finish. DS Pewter and DS Lapis will be available beginning September 2013 at professional salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $12.50 ($14.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.

NOTD: OPI DS Chiffon

OPI DS Chiffon

2 coats

 

The DS shades I own hold a special place in my heart... they are just so pretty and apply almost effortlessly! DS Chiffon will soon be heading off to a nice lady who considers this her HG shade, and since it had been sitting in my stash for quite some time, I thought I'd better swatch it to make sure it was still in good shape before I sent it her way.