When I heard about the Nicole by OPI Something About Spring Collection, there were a few colors that I was eager to try. Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill was one.

I’m always drawn to green nail polish, but this light pea green is different from most of the greens in my collection that either lean on the blue side, have shimmer or glitter, or are more of a forest green.

The only color I have that’s similar to Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill is OPI Who the Shrek Are You?, which I previously reviewed and lamented the terrible formula that was all bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble!

I was hoping that Daffy Dill would have a better formula and roughly the same color as Who the Shrek Are You?. And did it?

Let me show you some comparison swatches and tell you what I think.

Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill Pictures

Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill Swatches

All swatches have:

• 1 coat of Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat
• 2 coats of Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill
• No top coat!

Claim: TRUSTED

√ Lime green

Key Notes

• Name: Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill
• Collection: Something About Spring Collection 2011
• Colors Available in the Nicole by OPI Something About Spring Collection: Daffy Dill, Iceberg Lotus, I’m a Pool for Love, Brilliant Idea, Pink. Seriously, Make a Comet-Ment, Dandy Lion, You’re S-Teal the One, Shell Me the Truth, Pink-Nic in the Park, Sea How Far You Go & Nicole’s Nickel
• Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (This was sent to me for honest review consideration. Retails for around $7 USD)
• Where to Buy: Target & Shoppers Drug Mart
• Exclusive? Yes, it’s only supposed to be sold at Target & Shoppers Drug Mart

Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill Review

Color

Daffy Dill is an unusual green that you don’t see often. There are lots of gorgeous emerald greens, minty greens, and blue-based greens, but you typically don’t see a lot of options for a green like this. It’s probably because many women find this color to not be pretty.

I, however, really love the way this color looks. It’s soft and fresh, which makes it especially suitable for spring. (Of course you can wear any color during any season though. Wear what moves you!)

Application & Formula

The first coat went on streaky and thin. But by the second coat, the bald patches were covered up nicely. In 2-3 coats, you get the bottle color.

Also, I’m pleased to report that unlike OPI Who the Shrek Are You?, which I’ve swatched and reviewed previously, Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill didn’t bubble and it wasn’t thick.

(By the way, since reviewing OPI Who the Shrek Are You?, I’ve added a few drops of nail-polish thinner, and I no longer get the unruly bubbling. Application is much better – like new!)

Daffy Dill dried fairly quickly and dried shiny. After waiting a good 10 minutes, my nails were dry to the touch. You’ll have to wait longer if you want them to be rock hard. Of course, using a quick-dry top shiny coat (like Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, my favorite!) means they’ll be rock hard in just a few minutes and they’ll look like glass.

Brush

The brush is wide and flat. According to the label on the handle, this is supposed to be a “new perfect stroke brush”. This brush covered my entire nail with one sweep, which made it faster to paint my nails. However, I don’t have huge nail beds, either, so I’m not sure how it would fare with someone who does.

The bristles fan out a little while you’re painting and helps the polish glide over your nail. I like this brush, but I’m not really picky when it comes to nail-polish brushes unless I get a defective one!

Ingredients

Daffy Dill has a Big-3-Free formula, which means that it doesn’t contain toluene, DBP, or formaldehyde. However, it is not Big-4-Free since it does have formaldehyde resin.

Is Daffy Dill a Dupe of Who the Shrek Are You?

They looked pretty similar, but actually there’s a minor difference between them. I’d say that Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill has a few drops more of a light spring-pea green than OPI Who the Shrek Are You?. The former looks fresher, and the latter has a bit more yellow.

These two shades are very similar, and unless you’re a real nailphile, the average person won’t notice much difference when you’re wearing it as a manicure. So, if you have one, I don’t think it’s necessary to purchase both.

If you’re on the fence about which one to get, I recommend Daffy Dill because it has a cleaner look and doesn’t seem to give that “lobster hands” effect quite as much as Who the Shrek Are You?. Also, Daffy Dill is part of the new Nicole by OPI spring collection, so it should be easier to find in stores than the OPI.

Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill & OPI Who the Shrek Are You? Comparison Swatches

Pros Big-3-Free formula (No DBP, toluene or formaldehyde) Delicate green spring pea Smooth, thin formula Dries shiny without top coat Dries fairly quickly Flat & wide brush helps you paint nails faster

Cons Not Big-4-Free (Contains formaldehyde resin) Exclusive to Target & Shoppers Drug Mart Odd-shaped bottle

Final Verdict: 8.5/10

Nicole by OPI Daffy Dill is the perfect spring green with an easy-to-work-with formula and brush. If you’re looking to sport an unusual color or a green that isn’t like most of what’s on the market, I recommend this!

Do you tend to wear (un)conventional nail-polish colors? Does this pea green excite or repulse you? Do you have a particular style of nail-polish brush that you find works the best for you? Please share!

Other Nicole by OPI Something About Spring Collection Colors I’ve Swatched & Reviewed:

• Nicole by OPI Iceberg Lotus
• You’re S-Teal the One

See Daffy Dill used in cupcake nail art I did!