NOTD: OPI Russian Navy Suede

OPI Russian Navy Suede

I'm a big fan of completing things, and realized this weekend that I never finished swatching the OPI Suedes. Russian Navy Suede is absolutely gorgeous and I can't believe I saved it for last, AND waited to long to wear it!

Here's a list of all the OPI Suede shades:

• Here Today…Aragon Tomorrow Suede
• Ink Suede
• Lincoln Park After Dark Suede
• Russian Navy Suede
• Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees Suede
• We'll Always Have Paris Suede
• You Don't Know Jacques! Suede

All were released in Fall 2009 with the exception of Here Today...Aragon Tomorrow Suede, which was released in Fall 2010.  The "suede" finish followed the matte craze, and is more of a semi-matte effect, with added shimmer.

Although it was suggested that you not use base or topcoat, I have found that using an adhesive base coat and allowing it to dry completely (about 10 minutes) doesn't cause any adverse effects, and actually extends the wear a bit. Of course, using a topcoat totally changes the suede effect, but it is quite pretty.

NOTD: OPI Ink Suede

OPI Ink Suede

I am officially a suede freak. I love these so much. This was my third OPI Suede to try and this is most likely my favorite since you know I'm a purple girl.

I do a base coat of Orly Bonder and let it dry for about 10 minutes, and then follow with two coats of color. No top coat of course. I painted these Thursday night and it's now Saturday morning and it still looks great.

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede topped with CoverGirl City Lights

 OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede (1 coat)

topped with CoverGirl City Lights (1 coat)

I needed a quick mani last night and remembered that the OPI Suede line usually worked well, as they dried super fast and usually covered in just one coat. Sadly, LPAD Suede was a bit thick so I added some thinner, and I think I did't let it mix well enough because I wasn't very happy with the uneven mani I got.

As I have done in the past, I grabbed my old favorite CoverGirl City Lights for a rescue! LOVE this!

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 Suede Lincoln Park After Dark

OPI Suede Lincoln Park After Dark

This polish is just dreamy. It applied much better than my experience with mattes, and it look lit from within. Plus I've done quite a bit of housework and I even painted these last night before bed, and they still look great. No chipping yet, which is a problem with mattes.

I think these suedes might be the best of both worlds. But this looks nothing like the original LPAD! I think they just should have come up with a new name.

Experiment: OPI We'll Always Have Paris Suede topped with Seche Vite

OPI We'll Always Have Paris Suede

OPI We'll Always Have Paris Suede topped with Seche Vite

Before I took off my suede polish, I decided to top it with SV and see what it looked like. I liked it so much I left it on for another day, even though I had some tipwear. Isn't that pretty?

NOTD: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede topped with Nicole by OPI Extra Snowflakes Please

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede (2 coats)

topped with Nicole by OPI Extra Snowflakes Please (1 coat)

For some reason I wasn't loving the LPAD Suede after I got it on, so I topped it with the NOPI holo topcoat- and it looked gorgeous in the sun!

However, this combo did not wear well at all- of course being at the lake may have had something to do with it, but it was chipping on the second day.

NOTD: OPI You Don't Know Jacques! Suede

OPI You Don't Know Jacques! Suede

Another home run! I am over the moon for the suedes. Much more matte in person, yet it still has a sheen and a gorgeous shimmer.

Hopefully I'll get 4+ days of wear like I did with the OPI LPAD Suede.

NOTD: OPI Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees Suede

OPI Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees Suede

This is just gorgeous. Two coats over a completely dried coat of Orly Bonder. I've been getting about 3 full days of wear on the OPI Suedes when I do follow this routine. I'm really liking them.

NOTD: OPI We'll Always Have Paris Suede

OPI We'll Always Have Paris Suede

Dear OPI,

Please make more suedes!

Love, Sasha

I love all 5 of the suedes I have tried! They are just gorgeous! I have been doing 2 coats over a coat of Bonder (let it dry for about 10 minutes before you paint the color) and I get about 3 days of wear. I really want to try these topped with Seche Vite next, so watch for that.

NOTD: Here Today…Aragon Tomorrow Suede

OPI Here Today…Aragon Tomorrow Suede

I'm making my way through the OPI suedes, which I have so far loved.

But..... I don't love this one as much as the others.

For one thing, I don't think it's got the same shimmer the other suedes do, and it just seems more "matte" than "suede".

I do love how fast these dry.... I painted two coats and within 10 minutes I was working on my crochet. However, compared to the other suedes, this just doesn't have the same effect so I'm not loving it.

NOTD: Revlon Carbonite

Revlon Carbonite

This was Revlon's answer to Chanel Graphite. I love that Revlon has been doing affordable versions of hip shades.

This was almost identical in formula to OPI's suede polish. It dried crazy-quick and with an almost matte finish. I went ahead and did two coats, although I probably could have gotten away with one the coverage was so good. I topped it with Seche Vite to make it more shiny. I wore this for almost 4 days before I started to get any chips.