Christmas socialising in 2020 might look like a lot of dialling in for virtual drinks but that doesn’t mean we’re planning to dial down our festive vibe. Judging by its brand-new Shine Bright collection, OPI is on exactly the same page.
Bursting with sparkle, the 15-shade range has been dreamed up in partnership with Swarovski and marries nail polish with the irresistible gleam of precious gemstones. From chic pearlescents to glistening fine glitter, punchy holographics and chunky sequin flecks, there’s a colour and level of shimmer to suit every mood. To really turn up the volume, combine your shade with genuine Swarovski crystals from the OPI Shine Bright Nail Art Kit. (We’re very tempted to stud our nails with all of them at once for socially distanced maximum impact.)
With all this choice, Shine Bright is top of our gift list for mani-loving mates and Secret Santas. Not forgetting one (or three) for ourselves of course – just to, you know, see us through the season. We gave a few of the new Shine Bright bottles to R29 staffers and challenged them to go wild with their 2020 festive nail look. From gradients to graphic designs and crystal nail art glam, read on for glitter-loaded nail inspo…
For my festive look I started off priming my nails with OPI Infinite Shine Primer. Once this was set, I applied two coats of shade “Naughty Or Ice?” which is a really soft, pearlescent silver-pink. I wanted to create a gradient using a darker tone for a minimal but still elevated design so I used the inbuilt brush to build up layers of the darker metallic shade “Tinsel Tinsel ‘Lil Star” starting from the base of my nail up. This took two to three layers of gradually building up colour and was really easy to do. Paired with a red knit, this metallic pop has really got me in the festive mood – pass the mulled wine!
OPI Infinite Shine Naughty or Ice? – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Tinsel, Tinsel ‘Lil Star – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
When it comes to choosing colours, my style is very minimalistic. I have my go-to colours, which I change around throughout the seasons and depending on the length of my nails. The only occasions I would make an exception and go outside my comfort zone are my birthday, during summer and particularly Christmas. The festive spirit gets me very excited and I think about how I can upgrade my nail looks from the previous years. Red is usually the winner. A bold red with a glossy top coat is the perfect combo: simple and straight to the point.
A woman always needs diamonds in her life, right? This year, OPI’s collaboration with Swarovski got me even more excited than usual. OPI’s “Red-y for the Holidays” is my favourite red polish and paired with Swarovski crystals, it looks fresh and festive but still minimal at the same time.
I tried to keep it simple but with a festive touch. What I love about this nail look is that it’s super easy to make, doesn’t take too much of your time and the result is beyond what I initially expected. I feel like a professional nail artist could have done it and it saved me going to a beauty salon!
OPI Infinite Shine Red-y For The Holidays – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Shine Bright Collection Infinite Shine Trio Pack, $, available at OPI
The OPI shade “Heart & Coal” perfectly fits my winter party brief. It’s a luxurious pitch black, matching the now 5pm night sky, and with small fine-grain sparkles, matching the bubbles in my party drink! It’s super glossy and the glitter doesn’t disrupt the surface shine. My nail artist* and I went for a simple graphic – after all, who can see complicated design detail on an old laptop camera or from 6 feet?! To add a little bit of festive flashiness, I chose a leaf of gold foil on my ring fingers. The perfect nail look to get into the festive spirit!
*This nail art manicure took place in October, before lockdown.
OPI Infinite Shine Heart And Coal – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine This Gold Sleighs Me – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Snowfalling For You – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
I like to think of this look as a fun and festive take on the French tip with the classic curve replaced with painterly, tinsel-esque lines. My professional nail artist* used the OPI shades “Tinsel Tinsel ‘Lil Star”, “Merry In Cranberry”, “Let’s Take An Elfie” and “Snowfalling For You” and I love how the shimmery pinks, purple and silver are different from classic Christmas tones while still giving that winter party vibe. To add even more sparkle (there is never enough, IMO) I opted for small Swarovski Crystals from the OPI Shine Bright Kit, placed just above my cuticles.
The result? Nails I can’t stop staring at and will be flashing on Zoom (and hopefully IRL) at any opportunity.
*This nail art manicure took place in October, before lockdown.
OPI Infinite Shine Merry In Cranberry – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Let’s Take An Elfie – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine This Gold Sleighs Me – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Snowfalling For You – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Tinsel, Tinsel ‘Lil Star – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Shine Bright Collection Infinite Shine Trio Pack, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine Red-y For The Holidays – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
OPI Infinite Shine This Gold Sleighs Me – Infinite Shine, $, available at OPI
