OPI Suede collection Fall 2009

For those of you that aren’t sure about the matte craze, I’ve got to tell you, OPI has stepped up and added shimmer to create a unique matte formula for its latest matte offering, the six-piece OPI Suede collection.

While the finish is still matte and not glossy, it’s more satiny, and packs a ton of shimmer. It also hides the bumps in my nails better!

The little tag you’ll see in the first photo swatch says that the Suedes don’t last as long as regular OPI polish, and to avoid using hand lotion. I have Bath and Body Works Moisturizing Hand Soap around my house, and when I used them, the finish wasn’t effected. I’m not sure about body lotion itself, but the hand wash has lotion in it and like I said, it didn’t affect it. Also, you’re not supposed to use a base coat with mattes  but I used one coat of LavendeRx by Diamond Cosmetics under each Suede and it didn’t disrupt the Suede formula. It also dries pretty quickly, so I think that helps. I am just hesitant to put such dark polishes on my bare nails!

As with their previous matte collection, OPI reformulated six of its existing colors for the Suede collection:

• Lincoln Park After Dark
• You Don’t Know Jacques!
• OPI Ink
• Russian Navy
• We’ll Always Have Paris
• Suzi Skies in the Pyrenees.

However, the Suede versions look nothing like the originals! These polishes are frostier versions of themselves. I have comparisons for all but one Suede in this post.

And because these polishes are distinct from their original namesakes, I couldn’t help but play around with names that could still maintain association with the original colors, but give these Suedes their own identities!

Let’s get started! Here’s Suzi Skies in the Pyrenees:

This frosty version of the original  grey/black/blue Suzi is gorgeous – more grey and silver than any of the grey/black/blue that makes up the original Suzi. 

Like OPI’s other matte collection, the polishes are quick to dry but I didn’t have any problems keeping up during application. I love that mattes dry so quickly, which allows for a quick on-the-go manicure.

Here’s a comparison of the two Suzi’s:

Hmm. Instead of Suzi Skies in the Pyrenees, how about for the Suede color…Suzi Snowboards in the Pyrenees?! Or Suzi Drinks Hot Chocolate at the Pyrenees Ski Lodge?

Here’s We’ll Always Have Paris:

One really dark photo to show you that I tried to Konad (plate M63) over Suede WAHP with Special Polish Gold, because you really couldn’t see it as well in the light:

For this shimmery magenta/berry color, how about, We’ll Always Have Paris in Winter? Sorry to say, this is the color I don’t have a comp for since I didn’t buy it when it came out in the France collection last fall. I know from memory that this color is – like the rest of the collection - also a frostier version of its original.

Here’s OPI Suede OPI Ink:

The comparison picture with the original OPI Ink:

I like both versions, although the Suede version seems more denim to me. So for a different name…How about OPI Ink Denim?! Or OPI Ink-washed Denim?!

On to You Don’t Know Jacques! in OPI Suede:

I like all the Suedes, but I like this one the best. I like how browns look with my fair/ruddy complexion, and this is perfect. Here’s the comparison shot with the original:

Some names for this guy…how about You DO know Jacques! Or You Don’t Know Jacq-Ice!

Russian Navy is a gorgeous suede color as well, a little lighter than Suede OPI Ink :

Here’s a comparison between matte Russian Navy and Russian Navy Suede:

This one was a bit harder to think about alternative names but let’s see…Russian Navy Underwater? Russian Submarine Navy?

Last but not least is one of OPI’s best dark shades, Lincoln Park After Dark:

This looks a little more like a Suede of Lincoln Park After Midnight, which was the shimmery version of After Dark, but here’s a comparison with it’s namesake, After Dark:

Well, since there’s already an After Dark and an After Midnight, how about Lincoln Park After Sunrise? Or Lincoln Park After Sunset?

This collection really made me rethink matte polishes. I have previously reviewed Essie’s Matte About You, and I was sold on just having a top coat and transforming any polish into a matte. But this collection shows me that the matte potential is not limited to just taking the gloss out of your nail polish, and I’m glad to have these unique offerings! They may not be exact dupes of the originals, but they’ve got the same character.

What do you think of this collection, based on the pictures? What names would YOU suggest?!

Keep your eyes alert: The Suede Collection is coming this fall!

Thanks, friends!