OPI New Orleans Collection Review + Swatches

This post has been a very long time coming. I've had my swatches done for ages, but then I couldn't find the time to edit them, and when I'd edited them I couldn't find the time to write the post on them. So here I am, finally sitting down and writing a post on them. Let me start by saying that I love this collection, with the exception of a couple of polishes that I haven't actually featured here I love every single polish (so a whole 10 colours, although I could only fit nine in my collage image), and so it's definitely not a reflection on the polishes that it's taken me so long to write this. Just ... sometimes life gets in the way. And it especially gets in the way of a super long review (which in my book is anything more than 6 polishes). 

The OPI New Orleans Collection* was released for Spring 2016 (it's still spring so technically I'm not even late) and is typical of their yearly collections named after a place, or even sometimes twice yearly (correct me if I'm wrong?). I know very little about New Orleans, but I do know I like these polishes, there are so many fun shades in here. Whilst they're not all 100% unique, they're great for summer and great for nail art. I have actually been using these in nail art for months so you will have seen them popping up here and there. 

See what I mean about big collection? They wouldn't even fit in one image, such a hardship haha. Those of you who know the collection well will I'm sure be able to see what's missing, but for those of you who don't know, I haven't featured Take A Right On Bourbon*, and Humidi-Tea* because they really weren't my kind of shade and they just didn't go with my skin tone at all. That is of course completely down to personal preference and I'm sure many of you love those shades. 

First up is Rich Girls and Po-Boys* is described as a 'china blue creme' but I actually think it's a lot brighter than that. I was expecting more of a demure shade but I love this brighter shade of blue and it's perfect for summer. This was 2 easy coats, shown without topcoat as it dried fast and shiny. 

Got Myself Into a Jambala* is a bright peach shade. This is great for summer, especially for your toes on the beach. This was 3 coats, but I could probably have got away with two. Shown without topcoat as it dried shiny enough

Weirdly, I'm Sooo Swamped* was actually the shade I was looking forward to the most out of this collection. I need a new green for leaves in nail art as I've used my usual favourite, OPI - Don't Mess With OPI, to death. DMWO will still be a favourite of mine, but I'm Sooo Swamped* is my new leaf go-to. This was 2 very easy coats, shown without topcoat as it dried fast and shiny

Let Me Bayou A Drink* is a really pretty 'blush pink' as OPI describe it. It has a nice shimmer to it, which usually I wouldn't be a fan of, and I wasn't expecting to like this, but it works really well in this and makes a great shade for bridal nails or a subtle design. This was 3 thin coats, shown without topcoat

Show Us Your Tips* stands out a lot from the rest of the collection due to its glittery shimmer. It's a lovely periwinkle shade and again it's nice and subtle. This was 3 thin coats, shown without topcoat but I think if you wanted to get the full effect of this colour then a topcoat would probably bring it out more.

Crawfishin' For A Compliment* is a perfect creamy orange. This was 2 easy coats, shown without topcoat as it dried fast and shiny. 

I actually found this very similar to Got Myself Into A Jambala* in person (or in low light at least), so much so that I accidentally painted my thumb nail with GMIAJ and the rest of my nails with this when doing some nail art. It was much more obvious the next day, and on camera, so I had to redo them! 

Suzi Nails New Orleans* is a bright pink which again would be perfect for summer, especially with a tan. This was 3 coats. I was hoping for two but I found application slightly patchy so for comfort I went with three. Shown without topcoat as it dried fast and shiny without

Spare Me A French Quarter* is described as a 'raspberry creme' but I would probably call it more of a berry wine shade. I love colours like this, I find they look super elegant and are great for a party/event. This was 2 coats, although I probably could have got away with 1, but there was a slightly VNL. Shown without topcoat as it dried fast and shiny

I Manicure For Beads* is a purple creme. I'm really intrigued by the name of this one but couldn't find any information on it, does anyone know what it's referring to? This was 2 easy coats but I could easily have got away with one. Shown without topcoat as it dried fast and shiny.

Last but not least is She's A Bad Muffuletta*, a bright red creme. This is definitely another shade that's perfect for summer, and for nail art. This was 2 easy coats, shown without topcoat as it dried fast and shiny without. 

What do you think? Have you picked up any of the collection yet? Let me know in the comments!

Alice

*some of the products in this post were provided to me for review, any opinions are entirely my own and were not influenced in any way