OPI Vesper from the OPI Bond Girls Collection coming out in May is quite deceptive in the bottle.
And, like the Transformers, there’s more than meets the eye with OPI Vesper.
This is the type of nail polish that you really need to read a review about or see photos to know what you’re getting. Just looking at the bottle isn’t indicative of what you’ll get on your nails. More on this later…
OPI Vesper Pictures
Natural Light
Flash
Natural Light
Flash
OPI Vesper Swatches
All swatches have:
- Essie First Base (Base Coat)
- 2 coats of OPI Vesper
- No top coat!
Natural Light Photos
Flash Photos
Claim: TRUSTED
√ Deep purple
Key Notes
- Name: OPI Vesper
- Collection: OPI Bond Girls Collection 2013
- Press Release: Click here to see the OPI Bond Girls Collection press release & quick swatches of all 6 shades
- Colours Available in the Collection: Vesper, Pussy Galore, Solitaire, Tiffany Case, Honey Ryder & Jinx
- Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
- What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by PR.)
- Where to Buy: Trade Secrets & select spas & salons (Available in May)
OPI Vesper Review
Colour
Vesper by OPI is a very dark eggplant on your nails. And you may never know that if you just look at the bottle.
In the bottle, it looks like this is going to be a raisin colour. But, on the nails, it has much more of an aubergine personality.
I found that it was very dark and one of those near-black shades.
The interesting thing is that you’ll remember, when I photographed the official swatch nail board after coming back from the exclusive OPI event, Vesper looked a lot like a lighter purple than here! Strange!
I noticed also that when I inspected my nails, parts looked lighter purple and other sections looked aubergine, despite the fact that I painted my nails evenly.
So I inspected the bottle closer, and y’know what? I could see spots…as in little particles that had landed on the bottom of the nail-polish bottle. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. It might, since I didn’t shake my bottle up prior to using it.
Finish
Vesper by OPI has the Liquid Sand finish. This means that it has a lot of noticeable texture on purpose. The gritty feeling isn’t sharp. And technically, you’re not supposed to apply a shiny top coat over it, but if you do, you can bring out the sparkle. This is good for those who maybe aren’t into the Liquid Sand finish, but who still adore the colour.
Application & Formula
Applying Vesper was a cinch. It went where I wanted it to go, and it wasn’t clumpy or dry. I found it very easy to cover my nail.
With just one coat, I got amazing coverage, but I applied a 2nd because I’m in the habit of using two. (You won’t need a third coat.)
The Liquid Sand finish has one of my favourite nail-polish formulas because it dries really quickly. (At least, it does so for me. It could change depending on how thick of a base coat you use, I’ve heard.) But, for me, it dries super fast!
With a Shiny Top Coat
I don’t think I’ll ever wear Vesper with a shiny top coat, but in case you’re interested, I took a photo. (Sorry for the blurriness. All my photos of this came out poorly. I may have to re-take this on a sunny day, so it’s easier for the camera to focus.)
Remember earlier how I described how there were small particles that settled to the bottom? I shook up the bottle and then applied it to this nail wheel. Then I put a thick coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat over it. With a top coat, you can really see those little particles I mentioned!
If you want to wear this the shiny way, note that you may need to use multiple coats. Also, this polish eats up top coat like it’s been starving since 1999, so if you want a completely glossy, smooth finish, you’ll have to work for it.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Final Verdict: 7.5/10
Vesper by OPI is a seriously gorgeous, gothic-looking nail polish that I enjoyed wearing. The only reason I didn’t give it a higher score is because right now, I’m feeling the happier, brighter shades more. Maybe it’s because I’m excited about spring warming up and turning into summer. I’ve had enough of winter’s dreariness, and I want vibrant colour!
But, in terms of formula and application, this one is a great addition to the Liquid Sand family. I’m glad to have it, and I’m sure I’ll wear it again, but just when I’m in that mood for something dark.
Do you prefer dark or light Liquid Sands? Would you wear Vesper? Do you wear a top coat over Liquid Sands, or do you like to wear them as-is?
Hey Mary, which one is your all time favourite licquid sand shade ? and why ?
Greta recently posted: Für die nächste Zeit
Hey Greta!
Of the ones I’ve worn so far, I definitely have to say OPI Get Your Number (the blue from the Mariah Carey Collection). That shade of blue is really fresh, there’s holographic glitter, and there’s something about the combination that’s really happy-looking! (Even though PR sent me a bottle of Get Your Number, I ended up buying a back-up of it, too. That’s how much I loved it!)
Mine too! I <3 Get Your Number.
Katerina recently posted: Tips for Keeping Yourself Safe
YAY! 😀
Wah, I knew I would love this one! Gorgeous! Now I just can’t wait to see Solitaire 🙂
Sonya recently posted: Cakestyle Fashion Subscription Box – Review & Photos
Hey Sonya!
I’ll try to get Solitaire up ASAP. 😉 I know that a lot of my readers have been curious about that as well!
So pretty! After all these posts about liquid sands, I wore get your number and I fell more in love if that’s possible! I can’t wait for these to come out! The dark color is really intriguing for this one, but I think I like the lighter ones a little bit better.
Brianna recently posted: My St. Patrick’s Day Mani!
Hey Brianna!
Nice! Get Your Number is my favourite Liquid Sand so far – even bought a back-up bottle of it! 🙂 So happy to hear that you love it, too! (That was actually the polish that made me fall in love with the Liquid Sands. Before, I wasn’t sure if I would like the finish.)
I’m also like you – I prefer the lighter-coloured or more vibrant Liquid Sands compared to the gothic ones. They’re all fun to wear, but I’m really in the mood for happy, spring-like hues.
This one is really disappointing bordering on repulsive which seems extreme but black and purple is just really gross visually to me (nothing against you, of course!). When the blogs I follow first posted bottle shots/press releases, I was expecting a liquid sand version of something like China Glaze’s Prey Tell which was a major favorite of mine. Hopefully Zoya can pull something like that off for a fall collection. Other than Honey Ryder, I am really disliking all of OPI’s liquid sand output so far.
Hey Nicole!
Hehe, don’t worry – I didn’t take it personally. 🙂 We all have our colour preferences. Vesper isn’t my favourite Liquid Sand, but I’m glad I tried it. (I just love the happy Liquid Sands, like Get Your Number, so much better!)
Yeah, I can see how you thought this would look like Prey Tell. In the bottle it’s a bit like that, but on the nail, it completely morphs.
Wow, that really does look so different in the bottle than it does on the nail! It’s pretty.
Karrie recently posted: Wait Teal You See Brush Gradient
Hey Karrie!
Yeah, I was really surprised. Interesting how the glass bottle can really change how the colour looks!
love the shade, cant say the same about the finish
Hey Icequeen81!
I knew you’d like the shade. Aww, haha, I’m still hoping that one day you’ll become a Liquid Sand convert! 😉
Hehehe Im pretty predictable with nail polish shades , also lipstick 😀
That’s okay. You know what you like and what looks good on you.
Here’s an odd thought: Maybe it would be good as a franken! I could see using up some of this and then adding in some very fine glitter particles to give it more of a punch. Plus, if you use silver or violet glitter it could bring out the purple a little better!
Then again, OPI is a pretty hard to come by brand over here, so I probably wouldn’t *dare* adulterate it 😀
Fedoraharp recently posted: Haul of Shame swatch spam
Hey Fedoraharp!
That’s an interesting idea you have! I’d love to see this brightened up with some green and turquoise glitter!
Want! Want! Want!!! If I promise to make sure it’s shaken really good before applying, can I have two bottles? 🙂
Hey Joyce!
Tell me how you really feel! 😉 Hehe! Glad that you’re liking this one a lot. It seems like people either love this one or hate it. Interesting…
How about 3 bottles? 😉
Hmm…..can’t say I like this one, and unfortunately it is in the mini set which I was eyeing 🙁 Anyway, hope to see more sparkly ones soon 🙂
Cal recently posted: Innisfree nail polish #49 and Essence One Kiwi a Day ruffian
Hey Cal!
Oh yeah, there are sparkly ones in this collection. (I’ll be reviewing more soon, so you’ll see.) 😉 Stay tuned!
Mmmmmmh, near-black purple… Gimme, gimme! XD
Laure recently posted: We are on bloglovin!!!!!
Hey Laure!
Hehe, is this a nail-polish stick up? *Hands over Vesper* *Holds hands up* *Giggles*
LOL That’s crazy. They look almost nothing alike. I always shake up my bottles. Before I start painting my basecoat so while that’s drying the polish has time to de-bubble. I didn’t used to because “omg bubbles”, but the Models Own bottles say on the back to shake them so I kind of started doing it again after those. I’m so impressionable. 😉
Lizzy recently posted: LA Colors: Shock +Experiment?
Hey Lizzy!
I never shake my bottles. Maybe I’m worried that they’ll get dizzy and throw up on my nails. 😉 Hahahaha!
In all seriousness, I don’t shake my bottles unless they’ve separated. Hmm…and I didn’t think I’d need to shake this one up because it was brand new. But I guess I should’ve seen the particles settling at the bottom.
I’m definitely not into the liquid sand look, but your initial picture made me curious. I couldn’t figure out *what* was going on with this polish. I’m glad I read more and saw your great pictures, but I certainly won’t be picking Vesper up for myself.
another Cristina recently posted: Yum! Jelly Bean Blue is a delicious milky blue
Hey another Cristina!
Aww, you don’t like the Liquid Sand finish? Not even OPI Get Your Number? I went completely GAGA over that!
My friend got the OPI minis, so I’ll try GYN as an accent nail next time I have a chance. However, I have a post coming soon about how even having a textured polish in a color I loved did not turn me into fan.
another Cristina recently posted: Yum! Jelly Bean Blue is a delicious milky blue
Aww, I’m hoping Get Your Number will be the one that changes your mind. Hehe, but if not, you can save a lot of money! 😉
You look fab in Vampy shades.
I too believe that this shade transforms from what it looks like in the bottle to what it actually is on the nail.
I also love how the base seems lighter than the gritty bits in this polish. 😀
Looking forward to wearing it… hopefully soon.
Marta recently posted: Solitaire Chevron
Hey Marta!
Aww, thank you so much! 🙂 Sometimes when my dark side comes out and the horns on the top of my head poke through, I enjoy dabbling in the gothic shades. Very dramatic, that’s for sure!
Can’t wait to read what you think of Vesper after you’ve worn it! 🙂
I feel the same way you do regarding vampy shades, in desperate need of spring and bright nails! Still not sure about how I feel towards Vesper…is there any shimmer/sparkle to this one? Also, I think the black particles you mentioned are the beads that create the liquid sand texture? Just a guess ^^
Hey Neelie Z!
You’re probably right about the particles creating the texture.
This one glitters like a rock. It’s not the most blingtastic one in the Bond Girls Collection, but it definitely isn’t flat. You get some twinkling.
Which do you like better for the textured nail polishes; OPI or Zoya? I’m not really into it at the moment but I’m thinking about dipping my toes in so to speak!
Hey Tam!
I’ve never tried the Zoya, so I can’t fairly compare them. But, from what I’ve heard from others who have, Zoya has finer texture. I really do love OPI’s Liquid Sand finish, though!
(If you want to try just one Liquid Sand to test out the waters, I highly recommend OPI Get Your Number, the blue from the Mariah Carey Collection! That one has holographic glitter and is spectacular!)
pass
Haha, just a pass?
I need this on my tips ASAP
Hey KnitMaster!
Hope you really love it! Even though this time, I wasn’t feeling the dark shade, I’m sure that in the fall or winter, I’ll dig it more.
Love this color, I’m so glad you had this one to swatch because it’s the one I wanted to see most out of the new colors. Very pretty.
Melanie Snyder recently posted: I just did the unthinkable….
Hey Melanie Snyder!
Glad you like it! 🙂 I think I’ll appreciate it more when the weather’s cold.