The first Liquid Sand from the OPI Beach Sandies mini set (part of the OPI Brazil Collection) that I was itching to wear first was OPI Samba-dy Loves Purple. (You may remember me showing you a photo of it on Instagram not long ago.)

Although it probably hasn’t been that long, it feels like it’s been a while since I wore a purple like this.

Take a closer look at the bottle, and you’ll see that there’s some sparkle. This isn’t a flat matte texture nail polish.

On the nail, it also shows up, although it was hard to show you because the light reflecting off the texture seemed to translate into a sheen on camera, which competed with the sparkle.

OPI Samba-dy Loves Purple Pictures

OPI Samba-dy Loves Purple Swatches

All swatches have:

• OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (Used as a base coat)
• 2 coats of OPI Samba-dy Loves Purple
• No top coat!

Natural Light Photos

Flash Photos

Claim: TRUSTED

• Vivid violet (Yes)

Key Notes

• Name: OPI Samba-dy Loves Purple
• Collection: OPI Beach Sandies Mini Nail Lacquer Collection (part of the OPI Brazil Collection)
• Press Release: Click here to see the OPI Brazil Collection press release
• Quick Look: Click here to see my Quick Look post on the OPI Beach Sandies 
• Colours Available in the OPI Beach Sandies Mini Set: Samba-dy Loves Purple, I’m Brazil Nuts Over You, What’s a Little Rain Forest? & You’re So Flippy Floppy
• Amount: 3.75 mL (1/8 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by PR.)
• Where to Buy: Trade Secrets & select beauty-supply stores, spas & salons (Officially available starting February 5)

OPI Samba-dy Loves Purple Review

Colour

Samba-dy Loves Purple by OPI is a beautiful saturated shade that’s like a Barney-the-dinosaur purple.

If you’re a fan of purple, this is definitely a pretty one to own, but you’d better grab it quickly before it’s gone because the shades in the OPI Beach Sandies mini pack are limited edition and don’t come in full-size bottles.

Finish

Featuring the OPI Liquid Sand finish I’m a huge fan of, Samba-dy Loves Purple by OPI has noticeable texture that feels bumpy without being sharp and scratchy.

It dries very quickly, which is perfect if you’re in a pinch and need to whip up a quick manicure.

Although it looks like it would be a Nightmare on Elm Street to remove, it actually comes off easier than you’d think, as long as you use an acetone-based polish remover. (It doesn’t have to be 100% pure acetone.) It is harder to remove than a creme, obviously, but it’s way easier to get off than a glitter nail polish.

If you’re not into textures, you can smooth out the roughness with a glossy top coat, but textures like this are known to eat top coat. So you may end up using more than one coat to get the shiny look. (If you opt for this route, I suggest you use a regular top coat first and then a quick-drying one after. If you use multiple coats of quick-drying top coat, it can cause shrinkage.)

There’s a little bit of sparse glitter sprinkled throughout this polish. You can see it in the bottle, and it translates onto the nail as well. It’s a little difficult to see in my manicure photos because the light seemed to bounce off and create a sheen, which competed with the sparse glitter.

This isn’t a matte texture. You get some twinkling, but it’s also not blinged out.

Application & Formula

After using 2 coats, I was able to achieve the coverage you see in my photos. I didn’t have any issues with the formula – it was like all the other OPI Liquid Sands I’ve tried before. I was able to control the polish on the nail, and it didn’t pool at my cuticles or prove to be difficult to paint with. Great consistency and pigmentation.

Pros Dries quickly Has a cool textured finish with a bit of glitter (Can be a Con for some) Saturated colour Great coverage with 2 coats

Cons Has a textured finish (Can be a Pro for some)

Final Verdict: 8/10

Samba-dy Loves Purple by OPI is a very pretty Liquid Sand, and it offers a beautiful pop on the nails that will pull you out of the winter funk and remind you that spring is just around the corner.

Do you wish that this mini-polish shade came in a full-size bottle? Would you wear this with or without a top coat? Which of the other OPI Brazil Collection shades would you like to see in an upcoming review on here?