Before I get into today’s review, I’d like to explain why I was M.I.A. for a bit last week.
If you follow me on social media, you already know. My cat, Pingu, passed away on Thursday. I had to make the hardest decision to put him to sleep to end his suffering.
He was only 11 years old, and the vet said that he was in a lot of pain and that he was dying. It was all very sudden.
I feel like I made the right choice, but, as you can imagine, it also felt very wrong. It’s hard to say goodbye to a beloved family member. Pets are more than ‘just animals’. They are companions who love unconditionally and who often teach humans the proper way to love!
He lived at my mom’s, but before I moved out in my 20s, I was living with my parents and Pingu. Pingu and I had a strong bond, so even though I sometimes called Pingu “my mom’s cat” because he lived with her, he was really “my cat”! The way his eyes would light up as he galloped to the door to greet me each Sunday I went to visit my mom always made me smile.
Today, I’ll be reviewing OPI Life Gave Me Lemons from the Neons Collection. I actually wore this quite some time ago and had planned to review it last week, but, as you can understand, my priorities shifted, and I was overcome with emotion.
As you know, I love neon nail polish because it acts like a pick-me-up. And I think the name “Life Gave Me Lemons” is appropriate now. It reminded me that even though life seems sucky right now and my eyes were puffy from crying, I’ll eventually have to think positively and take comfort in the happy, heartfelt, and tender moments that I got to share with Pingu. (I may write a blog post to share my wonderful memories about Pingu, a quirky cat with a warm, funny, and loving personality.)
Edit: I’m having a worldwide giveaway for the entire full-size OPI Neon Collection and the new white base coat, OPI Put a Coat On! Enter until May 31 at 11:59 pm EDT for your chance to win!
OPI Life Gave Me Lemons Pictures
Natural Light
Flash
Natural Light
Flash
OPI Life Gave Me Lemons Swatches
All swatches have:
- OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (Used as a base coat)
- 3 coats of OPI Life Gave Me Lemons
- Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Natural Light Photos
Flash Photos
Claim: TRUSTED
- Lemony lime (Yes)
Key Notes
- Name: OPI Life Gave Me Lemons
- Collection: OPI Neons Collection 2014
- Press Release: Click here to see the OPI Neons Collection 2014 press release
- Quick Look: Click here to see my OPI Neons Collection 2014 Quick Look post
- Colours Available in the Collection: Life Gave Me Lemons, You Are So Outta Lime!, Juice Bar Hopping, Hotter Than You Pink, Push & Pur-Pull & Down to the Core-al
- Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
- What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by PR.)
- Where to Buy: Trade Secrets & select spas, salons & beauty-supply stores
OPI Life Gave Me Lemons Review
Colour
If you love nail colours that are so loud, you almost need earplugs for your fingertips, Life Gave Me Lemons by OPI will be totally up your alley! 😉
It’s a very bright yellow-based lime green that will have all eyes on your nails. I wouldn’t say that it’s the brightest neon that I own, but it’s still super fun to wear, and I recommend you try it!
In all of my photos above, I’m wearing 3 coats of just OPI Life Gave Me Lemons. Yes, that’s right – no white base coat to make it pop. It already pops a lot solo, and I wanted to show you the coverage and the intensity of it all by itself.
(If you use a white polish or base coat beneath it, you’ll get an even brighter look. But, I think you can totally wear it solo just fine.)
Finish
Life Gave Me Lemons by OPI has a matte finish, and it’s nice and smooth. You could really create all sorts of wild nail-art looks with this one!
As with most neon nail polishes, I suggest that you always wear a shiny top coat because I find that makes it really pop. When you just wear neons as-is, they can look dull and streaky. But once you put on a shiny top coat, it seems to even things out and even make the finished look brighter somehow.
Application & Formula
Yellows are notorious for having terrible formulas, but I found that with 3 medium coats, I got great coverage with no bald spots.
Just like your typical neon, this one dried pretty quickly because of the matte finish. This is definitely a plus because you can complete a manicure in a jiffy!
Pros
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Cons
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Final Verdict: 9/10
Life Gave Me Lemons by OPI is such a fun nail polish that is a total mood booster. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, reach for this. Every single time you look down at your nails, it’s happy colour therapy at work!
What’s your favourite kind of neon to wear? Do you always wear a white base under neons? Do you prefer neons with a matte finish or a shiny finish?
Hi Mary, I’m so sorry for you!
I think I can understand how you must have felt and still feel.
Over ten years ago I had to make the same decision for my 5 year old dog.
I still miss him (not all the time, but you know, times when I see someone having fun with their dog or when it’s drizzling outside and I remember he would try to lap up the rain before it hit his nose) but I also know I made the right decision and I would do the exact same thing if I had to do it again.
I hope you do write that blogpost about Pingu some time.
Hey Joyce!
I’m sorry to hear that you had to go through that traumatic experience with your dog. It’s seriously the most difficult thing that a loving pet owner has to do. It’s the right thing, but it sure isn’t easy!
wishing you comforting, healing energy. It is so hard to say goodbye and to accept what will always be the toughest part of life. I am looking forward to reading about your memories of Pingu, but I know it may take time for you to get to the headspace where you are ready for it. Take your time- healing is a process that can’t be rushed. I love what you wrote about pets showing us how to love! Thanks for a lovely post. This color reminds me of a tennis ball, very bright and attention grabbing. Glad that the neons will be permanent in OPIs line. I plan to try the minis to see which ones I’ll need full sized.
Hey Lorraine!
Thank you for your kind and wise words!
Although it’s been a month since Pingu’s passing, I still fully intend on writing something about him to commemorate him. I’m not sure when I’ll do it, but the fact that he was such a loving and unique cat, he needs to be recognized. He brought so much happiness into my life!
So sorry about the passing of your beloved cat. You are right, they are more than “just animals.”
Hey Tammy!
Thanks for agreeing with me on that. Some people just don’t “get it” until they have a pet of their own. It’s such a strong bond between a pet and an owner!
So sorry about your cat:( THank you for sharing “real life” on the blog.
Hey Jess!
Thank you for caring, and while I was fighting back a lot of tears (and also letting more just flow) when I wrote about Pingu, I had to share it with my readers. It feels hard to move forward. Death always seems so devastating, but somehow, we do manage to move on. I think that’s really a miracle in and of itself.
I’m so sorry about your cat. You did the most selfless thing by letting him go. You loved him enough to know he was hurting, and keeping him would only be for you. I had to make the same decision for my dog back in 2003, and I still have a picture of her on my fridge. Huge hugs to you.
Hey Jill!
Thanks for comforting me!
I still have Pingu’s photo on my computer – it’s the desktop wallpaper. I’ve had it there for years, and I’ll keep it there. At least this way, I can see him and remember the happy memories.
Very cool color!
Hey Melissa!
Glad you like this bright pop of colour! 🙂
Mary – So sorry to hear the loss of your kitty — it’s so difficult to have to make that kind of decision. I’ve been there and it’s always such a tough thing to have to handle. They always leave their paw prints on our hearts. Give yourself plenty of time and remember the sweetness and fun you had with him. Know that he’s at peace at the rainbow bridge.
Hey Debbie!
I had to put another cat (my first cat) to sleep, and it was when I was in the 7th grade. It was so tough, and I cried for a week straight afterwards. It never is easy.
That is a sweet expression you used – leaving their paw prints on our hearts. I like that!
*hug*
Hey Fedoraharp!
Thank you for caring! *Hug*
I’m sorry about your kitty. It’s always hard to make that decision, I’ve done it myself several times. Your kitties are your family, you know? Hugs to hon.
Hey Melissa!
Definitely they’re family members who we grow to love as if they are our children! 🙂
My sincerest condolences for the loss of your cat! You are completely right… pets are more than “just animals;” they are family! When I lost my cherished dog, someone told me a thought that I really love, and I want to share it with you in hopes that it might make you smile: We are all put on this earth to accomplish something special, and pets leave us so soon because they are able to accomplish such wonderful things in such a short amount of time! Best wishes to you and your family!
Hey Jenn!
Thank you for caring! 🙂
Aww, that’s a very sweet thought! Thank you for sharing it with me. It does make me feel better!
So sorry about Pingu 🙁
Love this colour btw, it is very unique and in your face, but in a good way.
Hey Renee!
I’m moving forward – miss him dearly, but I can’t wallow in sadness. Thank goodness I have such strong support from my awesome readers like you! You make a world of difference!
I’m so sorry to hear about Pingu 🙁 We had to put our dog to sleep last year and I still miss him, but I wouldn’t trade the sadness as I have so many good memories of him too.
Hey Grace!
Aww, I’m sorry about your dog. But it’s great that you’re able to relive the happy memories. At least this will bring you some comfort!
OBSESSED with this color!!
Hey Salina!
It’s amazingly bright and fun, isn’t it? 🙂
This colour is to die for!
Hey Jaimie!
It was so much fun to wear – gotta love a bright shade like this to pick up your spirits, right?
Lo siento mucho por tu gato, cuando era pequeña tuve muchos gatitos de repente escapaban de casa y no regresaban y alguna vez uno murió por que alguien lo enveneno debido a esto se cuanto duele perder a una mascota que llega a convertirse en parte de tu familia.
Por otro lado no soy fan de los colores verdes pero este se ve hermoso quede enamorada de el.
Saludos!!!!
Hey Monica!
I’ll need to use the Google translator. But, thank you in advance for taking the time to visit my blog and leave a comment!
This polish is such a perfect lemon lime color!
Erin (Paint Those Piggies!) recently posted: Colors of the Rainbow Gradient
Hey Erin!
It’s really fun, isn’t it? I can picture it looking awesome with some stamping on top, too!
Sorry about your cat! 🙁
This colour is great! #SwatchAndLearn
Hey Tammy!
Thank you for caring enough to leave a comment. That was very thoughtful!
I’m very sorry to hear about your cat 🙁
The polish looks great!
Lacky Corner recently posted: Essie – Fear Or Desire
Hey Lacky Corner!
Thank you. It’s hard, but I’m feeling better knowing that I made the right decision.
I’m sooooooooooooo sorry about your kitty. Hugs. Xo
Hey Cindy!
Thank you. It was really hard, but I feel better knowing that I did the right thing. But I still don’t think I can ever have another cat. The heartache is too much for me!