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I had a lot of problems getting inspired by this week’s theme of graffiti – I looked through hundreds of amazing examples of graffiti art, but I couldn’t work out how to translate the look onto my nails. Eventually I gave up and ended up with this design, which I matted using OPI’s newly released Matte Top Coat.
OPI came a bit late to the matte top coat scene, but as you’d expect from a company who released some of the most talked-about matte shades back in 2009, this doesn’t disappoint. Here’s a comparison of my long-standing favourite matte finish top coat, Rimmel Lycra Pro Mattifying Top Coat, with OPI’s new one. I painted Pretty Serious Tux on my nails (more on this gorgeous polish later!), let it dry overnight, then added the top coats.
Some people have told me that I have a fluke bottle of the Rimmel top coat, and their results aren’t quite as good, so keep this in mind!
Rimmel:
– more satiny, smooth-to-the-touch finish
– doesn’t self-level, application is a bit tricky
– cheaper ($9.95 for 12 mL)
OPI:
– rougher, duller finish
– self-levels, easier application
– more expensive ($19.95 for 15 mL)
I prefer the OPI mainly because using the Rimmel version is a bit of a pain, especially as the bottle thickens up near the end (I frequently end up with ridges running down the length of my nails if I don’t apply it fast enough). The Rimmel is a bargain in Australia at retail prices though (especially when it’s on sale – it’s much harder to find discounted OPI!).
Whichever one you choose, a matte top coat is one of the things I’d definitely recommend as one of the nail polish essentials – it’s a quick and easy way of changing up a manicure (plus you can choose to matte the whole thing, or just a French tip/dots/stripes/ruffian/whatever!), as well as making too-shiny glitters a bit more wearable.
Pretty Purple Polish – Maria’s Nail Art – Unnaked Nails – Nail & Polish – Beauty Gnome – An Accent Nail – Valiantly Varnished
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I really like the graffiti print! Love the colours too 🙂
Thanks! It turned out a bit better than I thought it would, but the colours are still my favourite part 🙂
this looks fab! i love the colour combo! and i’m loving the matte too… i have the essie matte about u but i’ve heard LOADS of positive reviews about the rimmel one xxx
Thanks! I think the Rimmel one can be hit and miss, but out of the drugstore brands it’s the best I’ve tried!
I’m a fan of the Rimmel one, but I’d like to give the OPI one a go (as I have the same problem at the end of the Rimmel bottle!)
I love the design of your mani though! Come do my nails? 😛
xx
Haha thank you 🙂
Really cool mani!
Thank you!
I LOVE this! So cool. And I’m a sucker for matte top coats.
Me too, matte top coat is the first thing I’ve ever used up!
I like this design, it also gives me the feeling of some kind of artsy fabric…
Haha, I actually just realised where I got the colour inspiration from: http://www.leenwallpapers.com/images/gallery/Blink1821.jpg
Completely subconscious!
Love it!
Thank you 🙂
Love it 🙂 especially with the matte. The colours shine nicely and the black is a good contrast.
Greetings from Berlin!
Moni
my-fingertip-gallery.blogspot.com
I like these! Your graffiti nails make mine look like butt! Lol
i love it!! great comparison!
Absolutely amazing! I thought this was a stamp, it’s so perfect! I have to try to recreate this sometime. Emphasis on “try” lol!
This looks great! 🙂
Hi Auther!
You made my day. You put your great effort in it.