OPI New York City Ballet Collection Swatches & Review
New York City Ballet by OPI is a new spring collection featuring five new SoftShades and a sparkly glitter.
What goes better than ballet and these sheer soft colors? Pretty much nothing. When I think of the ballet these are the exact colors I think of. Tutus, ballet slippers, lace, satiny costumes…
They are soft and sheer, and I know a lot of people, usually including myself, don’t love sheers. But these really appealed to me when I saw promo pics for whatever reason.
Because these are all sheers they were prone to some unevenness, which I didn’t love. But they were super shiny and flattering nonetheless. Perfect for days when you need a clean nice look without loads of obviousness.
I used three thin coats for all the colors, and for Pirouette My Whistle (the silver glitter) I used just one coat.
Don’t Touch My Tutu
Don’t Touch My Tutu is a sheer white.
Don’t Touch My Tutu with Pirouette My Whistle
Care To Danse
Care To Danse is a sheer lavender
Care To Dance with Pirouette My Whistle
Barre My Soul
Barre My Soul is a sheer nude/beige.
You Callin Me A Lyre?
You Callin Me A Lyre? is a soft pink.
My Pointe Exactly
My Pointe Exactly is a sheer grey.
Overall:
They were pretty much what I expected them to be: soft sheer colors. I do like Pirouette My Whistle as an overlay, but it does tend to be thick and the larger hexagonal glitter chunks move around a bit. Work slow!
Availability: April 2012 at Salons, JCPenny, Ulta, Trade Secret etc.
Pricing: They retails for $8.50.
So what do you think about these SoftShades? Too subtle for you or do you occasionally wear these kinds of colors?
-Kelly
Do you like this product?
Whoa, its been a while since I’ve seen you do an OPI post — welcome back!
I really love Pirouette My Whistle, its the perfect soft glitter. I wanted to love this collex but it’s too sheer. I think they could have just made them more jelly with a bit more color.
Thanks for the swatches!
I don’t like these but I’m glad to see you reviewing OPI again!!
Love these! They’re neutral without being boring.
Courtney´s last post…Magazine Mixup: W, Lucky, Self and Glamour Review
Hmm. I wouldn’t mind the softness or sheerness if they weren’t so streaky. I think they all look patchy so I’ll have to pass.
As a former ballerina, I really like these. All of the sheer pinks and nudes remind me of old, favorite, faded dance tights. Perfectly worn in. In a lot of ways, this seems like an old collection– something that should have been around for a while. Pirouette My Whistle is perfectly on trend– a subtle chunky glitter! Nice.
Ariel´s last post…Upcoming Exhibition: FLASHFL00D / March 2-24
Opi! Yay!
I really like “You Callin Me A Lyre?” Every now and then I love using a nice sheer nail color (usually when my nails are long and nice) for a change from my usual dusty dark shades.
I picked up Barre my Soul, and My Pointe Exactly. These look so nice on you! Im debating about Danse, but I think I’ll pick it up anyways. Love these! Thanks for the review
Candy´s last post…Fast Track and Smoke and Ashes – China Glaze’s Hunger Games Collection, and Heels Before Breakfast
Ahh if only they weren’t uneven! I do love the glitter though, I think it might make it into my must-buy list (which is crazy huge as it is
)
Iris´s last post…Estonian Glambox, March / Eesti Glambox, märts
Is it me or is anyone else getting sick of OPI doing the same kind of colours for their soft shades collections.. I know I know they’re soft shades.. so they’re gonna be these types of colours.. but seriously a little more imagination please? is that too much to ask.. like maybe some micro glitter in some shades? would that be too much to ask?? Just to LIVEN it up.. I mean I have loads of soft shades, but now I begrudge buying any more because after a while they all kind of start looking the same.. lol or hey maybe a soft shades duochrome set for next year please? something with a bit more oompfh please opi.. the greys are calling my name though as much as I am ranting and the glitter is like nothing I have seen – I would be tempted to layer it with servin up sparkle just for curiositys sake..
Great swatches!
Lots of love xxx
agreed!
adri´s last post…NOTD: Travel Edition
Aaaaah so streaky! Too bad, that ruins the whole deal for me. I was enticed by the idea though…
These are pretty, but I’m not sure they’re my cup of tea. I think I like Pirouette My Whistle, but it’s kind of hard to really see what it looks like over these pale colors. Would it be possible to see it swatched over some darker colors or naked nails?
Are these streaky with only 2 coats?
These do evoke the ballet, but the streaking bothers me. The glitter does remind me of a tulle skirt though.
Lulubelle´s last post…Korres Milk Protein Foaming Cream Cleanser
Much too sheer for my liking! Seems like colors they should only allow little girls to wear haha.
Amanda´s last post…Inspired by a song: Armin van Buuren Rain
I’m not crazy about the streaking, but I think I might give the grey one a shot, and maybe the topcoat. I’m pretty sure I’ve got close-enough-dupes of the others in my stash already.
Meh, I like them in theory but I just can’t take the streaking/unevenness in reality.
I am not even remotely interested in these. I can see why some people would be though. I think they all look exactly the same.
I’m pretty happy OPI produced a collection which does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for me. Safes me a heap of money
Caroline´s last post…MAC Style Clan
I was just thinking the same thing!
Same here. Yeah!
I really like these for work-appropriate options. They are perfect for me and the conservative environment I work in, as my options are pretty much clear or something very subtle like this. I’ll probably pick up a few, but probably not the whole collection as they do seem to be very similar to one another.
I’m just not a fan of this collection. If they could’ve figured out how to make them level more, they would appeal to me more.
Pam R´s last post…Greens – $OPI Gleek Out
I’m not crazy about super sheer polishes like these. But in Pirouette my Whistle, the larger hexagonal pieces shimmer and kind of look like stage lighting, which is cool. Even so, it’s not calling for me to get it.
alexis´s last post…Spring Nail Art Contest Entry
A pass for me. In addition to the streakiness, they are just NOT colors that appeal to me .I’m not the subtle type when it comes to nail polish, lol.
Meh. I’m not a huge fan of sheers and these don’t really do anything for me. :/
Scienter´s last post…Tuna with Tomatoes and Capers with Spinach, Beans, and Prunes
Disappointing. They all look very similar to me, just a subtle shade off. Not quite what I’d have in mind for Spring and Summer colors.
Amanda´s last post…Maybelline Stylish Smokes Eyeshadow Quad in Charcoal Smokes
I dont care for these. I also dont like lacquers that are close to skin tone. Im voting no.
Micki´s last post…Opi Ink Suede ~ Blue Monday
See, I’ve been looking at these and I really really wanted them because they’re so soft but I don’t like sheer. It never looks right to me. Thanks for the swatches, I’ll definitely pass.
Vanessa´s last post…St. Patrick Day Festivities
These are pretty and well done, but I definitely can’t imagine wearing them myself – totally not my style at all!
Emi at Project Swatch´s last post…Right Now I’m Loving
Don’t like these at all. Too sheer & streaky. These are perfect for people who love this type of polish. Good for a nice clean look.
These are so nice and clean (albeit a little too sheer for my liking)! I only wear nudes when I have a wedding to go to haha. Most of the time I prefer bright colors when it comes to, well, almost everything!
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I picked up the glitter top coat and I am on the fence about Care to Danse. I probably will get it eventually
kaydi´s last post…My St. Patrick’s Day mani
“Ocean Lily” -…
I was so surprised to see that you’re blogging about OPI. I love the brand, but I remember your stance against cruelty-free brands. Now I’m curious – have they changed and are they on the cruelty-free list now?
These shades are really sheer, which is what I was expecting. A bit too subtle for me, however, when you layered the glitter over them, I liked them a lot more.
Thanks for swatching these, Kelly!
Swatch And Learn´s last post…March 2012 Topbox Review & Pictures
Hi Swatch and Learn,
I changed my stance awhile back actually: http://www.vampyvarnish.com/2012/01/cruelty-free-beauty-blogging/
OPI was always cruelty free, but their parent company isn’t.
Oohhh! Good to know!
I’m looking forward to seeing more OPI shades on your nails then!
Swatch And Learn´s last post…March 2012 Topbox Review & Pictures
Snore!!!!! I like a neutral, nude nail now and then, but these look so thin & watery! My Pointe Exactly is the only one I would even consider – borrrrrrrring!!!!!!!
I always feel like the Soft Shades releases all look the same, but that won’t stop me from picking up 1 or 2 (or3)! I am diggin’ the gray one and I love the glitter topcoat. I will pick up a peach-y one too for good measure
PS I am also happy that you’ve shifted your stance re: OPI recently. I agree with your view of not judging the child company by the parent company’s actions. Look forward to seeing more
Maribeth´s last post…LA Girl Glitter Addict "Nostalgic" and "Provocative" Nail Polish Pictures
These are just dreadful. No. I can’t like these.
Ashlyn´s last post…embers-fade:
brendonnnnnnnn
Jas.
I really want to like these, because I have soft spot of these squishy neutrals. However, the streakiness kills me! I love the inspiration for this collection, but wish the execution was better. And amen to the person above who mentioned these Soft Shade collections all look the same after awhile– it’s so true!
Also… a sheer grey polish (My Pointe Exactly)? No offense to anyone who does like it, but I have hard time believing that sheer grey would look good on anyone, regardless of skintone! It’s making me think of dead people hands, and that’s gross.
Cat´s last post…Julep Elizabeth
Super shots! Thanks. These are the best ones I have seen so far of this collection. I never am excited over the OPI sheer collections usually. This one has peaked my interest way more than usual. I like the glitter like most folks do. I find the gray sheer unique for my stash. Don’t know – maybe just because when I think of my sheers, they are sooooo old and have separated beyond plus turned funky shades (old black label OPI early sheer/bridal collections), it’s time if I want to wear sheers, I need to get new ones.
While these are pretty, I’m not too keen. They all pretty much look the same :/ No new colours really.
If anything, I would probably get the glitter polish.
I’ve been looking for a sheer grey jelly-ish polish for some time – It will be great for jelly sandwiches!
OnceBitten´s last post…St. Paddy’s NOTD: Essie: Pretty Edgy & China Glaze: Luxe and Lush Accent
When I think of ballet, I just don’t think of this. Maybe it’s because I was a ballerina for six years, but I just don’t think of sheer shades. I’m not sure of what OPI was thinking when making this sheer of a collection for ballet, but this wasn’t my experience with ballet. There’s no such thing as delicacy in ballet!
I’ll be picking up the glitter, but the rest is just BLAH. I wish they made colors true to ballet, not these. These are just basic sheers. If they wanted to go off the colors of ballet, they could have made jellies!
I like the idea. In theory. But I prefer something with more… well… colour on my nails. If I want sheer and nude-ish, I’ll just wear my own nails naked.
MLV´s last post…Continuation of a Love Affair
I like how the hexagonal glitters in pirouette are sparse and random, it looks artistic! Did you find Don’t Touch My Tutu to be the worst streak wise or was it just the picture?
HI Kulia,
It was and white’s usually are. :/
I love the shiz out of this collection and it’s funny cuz last year I was pretty meh on the soft shades and then I realized that I didnt have ANY colors like these so I was super excited to add these to my arsenal and have be themed after one of my favorite things ever! Ballet!
Cristina´s last post…China Glaze Luxe and Lush
I find these really appealing, despite the fact that I don’t usually gravitate towards sheers. Very soft, and shiny. Unfortunately, my nails are super stained and I can’t really rock anything less than opaque.
Honestly, it’s so bad, but I don’t really want to buff the heck out of them to remove it because I know that’ll weaken my nails. Any ideas as to how to prevent staining?
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these colors are pretty, but I wish they are more opaque and not as sheerly see-through
If I have to pick one, I’d choose You Callin Me A Lyre? ha ha
Black.´s last post…Leopard Nail Art
These are gorgeous in the bottle, but they all look relatively similar on the nail, and pretty streaky.. I don’t think I’ll be buying any from this collection, except maybe the glitter.
Jessica´s last post…March 2012 Beauty Army Kit!
Maybe someone already asked, but since you stopped reviewing companies that tested on animals for that period of time which included OPI I believe, were you still receiving products from them in the mail for review/using them? Or did they just start sending again since your announcement that you’d be going back to reviewing some of the companies?
Hi Andrea,
No I was not receiving anything from OPI for a year or 18 months or so. Since my policy changed I am reviewing them again.
The only one that seems unique to me is My Pointe Exactly. Don’t Touch My Tutu seems rather dupe-ish for Essie Marshmallow… Although I do think this collection would be interesting for jelly-glitter sandwhich manicures.
adri´s last post…NOTD: Travel Edition
not a fan of sheer shades
Michelle Miller´s last post…Illamasqua Human Fundamentalism preview
Damnit! I really wanted to like these. FINALLY…polishes that I can pass on. I lean more towards dark shades anyway. Even in summer. Thanks for the swatches and saving me money!
I like soft shades but I’m disappointed that these are so sheer.
I had You Callin’ Me a Lyre? applied at a salon and I love it. Are these not going to be sold at drugstores at all? I’m unsure of the protocol for these collections.