You may remember that back in March when I met Suzi Weiss-Fischmann a second time at a special OPI launch event,
OPI Alcatraz…Rocks was the polish I drooled over.
It features the amazing Liquid Sand finish, and out of all the polishes from the OPI San Francisco Collection due out in August, this is my favourite!
My photos don’t quite convey the true beauty of this polish, so I urge you to check it out in person. I wasn’t able to capture the multicoloured glitter that’s very obvious in real life. And, trust me, those really bring a magical quality to this Liquid Sand!
OPI Alcatraz…Rocks Pictures
Natural Light
Flash
Natural Light
Flash
OPI Alcatraz…Rocks Swatches
All swatches have:
- Essie First Base (Base Coat)
- 2 coats of OPI Alcatraz…Rocks
- No top coat!
Natural Light Photos
Flash Photos
Claim: BUSTED, but Product: TRUSTED
- Textured gray (No – I thought it looked more blue than gray. Regardless, it’s a very beautiful polish!)
Key Notes
- Name: OPI Alcatraz…Rocks
- Collection: OPI San Francisco Collection Fall/Winter 2013
- Press Release: Click here to see the OPI San Francisco Collection press release & quick swatches of all the shades
- Colours Available in the Collection: A-Piers to Be Tan, Dining al Frisco, Haven’t the Foggiest, Peace & Love & OPI, Keeping Suzi at Bay, Incognito in Sausalito, Lost on Lombard, I Knead Sour-Dough, Muir Muir on the Wall, In the Cable Car-Pool Lane, Embarca-Dare Ya!, First Date at the Golden Gate, It’s All San Andreas’s Fault (Liquid Sand), Wharf! Wharf! Wharf! (Liquid Sand) & Alcatraz…Rocks (Liquid Sand)
- Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
- What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by PR.)
- Where to Buy: Trade Secrets & select beauty-supply stores, spas & salons (Available in August)
OPI Alcatraz…Rocks Review
Colour
The base of OPI Alcatraz…Rocks is a navy blue. But what really makes this polish killer is the glitter. There’s so much of it, and I felt like all the glitter colours mesh together – no stars among them.
I was able to see green, purple, and some gold. There might be more, but I’d have to take a magnifying glass to my nails…haha!
The multicolour glitter really looks like a party on your nails, and it’s really interesting because indoors, it looks more subdued, but then if you see it in the sunlight or under a really bright light, that’s when you’ll take note of truly how complex this Liquid Sand is. (Definitely it’s in my Top 3 OPI Liquid Sands – the others are Get Your Number and Jinx.)
Finish
Alcatraz…Rocks by OPI has a Liquid Sand finish. If you’ve never tried this gritty polish before, you must! It’s a neat nail trend.
It’s gritty enough so you notice the texture (which is much like a rock), but it’s not scratchy or sharp.
You could add a clear top coat to bring out the glitter more, but keep in mind that if you do so, be prepared to apply more than one layer of top coat. This polish eats top coat like it’s been starving!
Application & Formula
Like any other Liquid Sand nail polish, OPI Alcatraz…Rocks was no exception – I found it easy to apply. Plus I absolutely love how quickly it dries. You don’t have to wait long at all, and it’s dry enough so you can confidently even run your fingers through your hair!
The Liquid Sand formula is also very durable. I find that it resists chips. I can really attest to that because I have a full-time job where I’m constantly typing on the computer all day long.
Pros
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Cons
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Final Verdict: 10/10
If you’re looking to try just one nail polish from the upcoming OPI San Francisco Collection and you’re a fan of the textured nail trend, I highly suggest that you give OPI Alcatraz…Rocks a whirl! (And if you do, please let me know what you think after you try it!)
Which is your favourite OPI Liquid Sand nail polish so far? If you could design your own Liquid Sand, what would it look like?
OOOOH!!!! I cannot wait to get my hands on this one. Best looking out of them. 😀
Hey Katerina!
Definitely it stood out to me the most in this collection, too. Then again, I do have a major soft spot for Liquid Sands that are glittery! 😉
I think this might be my favourite of the San Francisco collection! Together with Peace & Love & OPI: this one I’m too curious to see swatched :-))
xoxo
Hey Paola!
Yay! We’re in the same boat then! 🙂 Peace & Love & OPI was really fun to wear. I’ll need to get that review posted ASAP. Stay tuned!
gah!! Just when I think I’m pretty much over the whole Liquid Sand thing..wait…that kinda almost looks purple/blue! (drool-drool) Darn it..there goes my steely resolve to save after giving in to the Bond Girls collection.
Oh well, looks like I’ll be needing more cheapcoat. Bet that will look even more amazing smoothed out and shiny. 😛
Hey Karen!
Haha, and you know what? I’m sure they’re going to keep pushing out more Liquid Sands. After all, Suzi still needs to make a green for me, right? 😉 Hahahaha! *Fingers crossed*
Green…omg..(runs to add more money to her piggy/polish bank)
Hehehehehe! 😉 Now if we could only find the leprechaun’s pot of gold! (I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it while you distract the leprechaun!)
Oooh I really like the different shades of glitter in there!
Hey Kelsey!
It’s very mardi gras-like in person. And it’s neat how when you see it in bright light in person, that’s when the true magic comes out. My favourite from this collection!
Wow, I think I’m gonna have to check this polish up! I’m loving what I see here! ♥ Lovely swatches Mary! I think in some photos you did manage to capture some multicolours there 🙂
Hey Lacqueerisa!
I think you’ll really love it. I didn’t want to remove it – wore it for a while before it was time to say goodbye!
Aww, thanks so much! I’m glad that you were able to see some of the different colours. On my computer’s monitor, they didn’t really show up. In person, it’s waaaay more obvious!
I think Solitaire is my favorite Liquid Sad so far! I would love to see a green Liquid Sand some time.
Chris recently posted: Swatch: Deborah Lippmann Waking Up in Vegas
Hey Chris!
YES, I’m totally with you on a green Liquid Sand! I even begged Suzi for one when I met her that second time…hahaha!
Lovely! 😀
Lizzy recently posted: Essence Vintage District Collection +Flowers
Hey Lizzy!
Thanks! This amazing polish would look good on anyone. I’m considering buying a back-up!
I can NOT wait to get my hands on this! I know textured polish is supposed to be worn sans top coat, but could you do a pic of this polish with (lots of) topcoat so we can have an idea of what it’d look like?
Hey Norma!
Okay, I’ll make a note to add a photo of that. 🙂 I may post it on Instagram. I’ll get back to you with the update.
Yaay! Thanks!!
Hey Norma,
Here’s a link to the photo of it with and without a shiny top coat. I ended up putting it on Instagram. 🙂 Hope you find it helpful! http://instagram.com/p/Y8COYeu0Yo/
Absolutely beautiful! As always, your swatches ‘rock’! 😀
Angela recently posted: What I did with my April NAS kit…
Hey Angela!
Hehe, I love you pun – and THANK YOU SO MUCH! I appreciate the encouragement!
So pretty! I want this!
Hey Maddy!
Out of all the San Francisco Collection polishes, this is definitely the one to get!
OMG!! I LOVE IT! I gotta get this. It is a must. Looks beautiful and cool Mary.
Hey Robbie!
It’ll look so hot on you! Please show me photos of your manicure when you wear it. I must see it on you!
I was hoping it would be more bluish than grey but guess will wait to see the bottle in real life before deciding 😉
Cal recently posted: Color Club Beyond flowers on Essence Glamorous Life
Hey Cal!
It’s definitely more bluish in person than grey, so I think you’ll like it.
This looks great! I agree with you, it looks more dark blue than gray. And I also agree with you about the dry time for liquid sand polishes, I like that I can put it on and run out the door 10 minutes later 🙂
Hey Molly!
Yes, definitely in person it’s bluer.
Exactly – Liquid Sands were made for busy people on the go!
This looks really nice. I might need to get this.
Is there a date/month for when it comes out?
Hey Laure!
Yes, the OPI San Francisco Collection officially drops on August 7th. However, some stores get them sooner!
Thanks! I’m gonna have to cross my fingers that my friend’s father has a business trip to the US planned for around that time, so I can get my hands on this. ;D
I’ll be crossing my fingers, eyes, and toes for you, too! (What a pretty sight…haha!)
I’ve not tried those textured polishes yet, but I think I want to try this one. How had are they to take off? WillI need to buy a new bottle of remover? 😉
Hey Kellly!
I used my regular Beauty Secrets Acetone nail-polish remover (not 100% acetone, but the pink one) from Sally Beauty Supply. It came off easier than a traditional glitter, but of course not as easy as a creme. I found that with that remover, I didn’t have to scrub much. Alcatraz…Rocks only looks like it’d be a pain to remove. It comes off easier than you’d expect! 🙂 (But I don’t suggest using non-acetone remover for textured polishes.)
Hi there. I know this is an old post… I was in the mood for this gorgeous OPI liquid sand yesterday so I put it on. I find that with this, and all other OPI liquid sands I have, it dries to the touch really quickly, but takes forever to dry hard. It dings and scrapes off easily for hours after applying. I put one coat of seche vite over two coats of Alcatraz. It made the polish dry hard really quickly and protects the surface. I find that one coat doesn’t really take away from the liquid sand effect – the surface is still textured and slightly matte, but with enough shine to make the glitter pop a bit. Just adding my 2 cents in case other frustrated liquid sand users come across the same problem as me… Oh, and the OPI matte top coat works well too, but gives it a very dry, matte finish that is more dull than the liquid sand naturally dries to.
Hey Shar!
Yes, that’s the beauty of OPI Liquid Sands! They dry lightning fast, which is a huge plus! I usually paint my nails at night, so I guess it cures for hours until I wake up in the morning. I don’t get sheet marks on my nails in the morning, though.