If you’ve been following me on Twitter or Facebook, you may have read my brief messages about how my grandfather passed away a couple of days before Father’s Day this year.
Although I wasn’t close to him, I still felt the loss. Plus, in general, Father’s Day is always hard for me because my dad passed away a few years ago, just days after I turned 28.
I was really worried for my mother because now Father’s Day would remind her not only of her husband who passed away, but now also her dad.
Thankfully, my mom is a tough cookie. In fact, she could break a tooth if you tried to sink one in! 😉 Haha! Seriously, though, she is such a strong person, and she inspires me to handle hardship with grace and perseverance.
Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat is the nail polish I wore to my grandfather’s visitation and the funeral service. (It’s from the Gumdrops Collection.)
I felt like it was appropriate because it has a very sombre personality, but the silver specks symbolized how even in the darkness, there’s always light if we look for it. Maybe I’m philosophizing nail polish too much, but I felt this connection when I wore it.
But I won’t go so far as to peg it as a ‘funeral polish’. It’s truly gorgeous and edgy. Even when I’m in a happy mood, I will enjoy this manicure.
P.S. Remember, you can still vote for my snake nail-art design in the Nicole by OPI Blogger Challenge! Click here to vote by July 19, 2013!
Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat Pictures
Natural Light
Flash
Natural Light
Flash
Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat Swatches
All swatches have:
- OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (Used as a base coat)
- 2 coats of Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat
- No top coat!
Natural Light Photos
Flash Photos
Claim: TRUSTED
- Shimmery licorice (Yes)
Key Notes
- Name: Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat
- Collection:Â Nicole by OPI Gumdrops Collection 2013
- Press Release: Click here to see the Nicole by OPI Gumdrops Collection press release
- Colours Available in the Collection: Lemon Lolly, That’s What I Mint, I Lilac Gumdrops, My Cherry Amour, Candy is Dandy, Cinna-man of My Dreams, Blue-Berry Sweet on You & A-Nise Treat
- Amount:Â 15 mL (0.5 oz.)
- What I Paid:Â Nothing! (This was provided by PR.)
- Where to Buy: Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Loblaws & London Drug
Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat Review
Colour
Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat is a sombre dark grey that has a dusty quality. Since it’s not that stark, it allows the silver sparkles to blend in well and punctuate the polish with added dimension.
What I really enjoyed was that it was deep and brooding, but not gloomy. The silver sparkles are fine, but plentiful. They add that ‘light’ – that ‘life’, which takes this polish away from bland territory.
I thought this was appropriate to wear to my grandfather’s funeral because it wasn’t flashy and it was dark, so it wasn’t disrespectful. But the subtle silver glitter served as a reminder that there’s hope.
Finish
Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat has that awesome textured finish that I’m digging with a shovel! 😉 It’s matte, but not flat. And the grittiness isn’t sharp.
I enjoy wearing this finish so much that when I put on a ‘regular’ nail polish that’s smooth, I really miss the cool texture.
The great thing about this finish is that it dries quickly. While it’s supposed to be worn without a top coat, you can wear one to transform the look and to bring out the sparkle. But, I like to wear it as-is, so I didn’t put a top coat over it.
Application & Formula
This polish applied so easily, and it was wonderfully pigmented. I had no issues at all with it, and I easily got full coverage with just 2 medium coats.
Pros
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Cons
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Final Verdict: 9/10
Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat is an amazing nail polish that I will get plenty of use out of – not just for funerals!
It’s an edgy, dark shade that isn’t flat or boring. It has life, in the form of silver sparkles.
I can picture people really loving this a lot more around Hallowe’en! Seems like it’d work well with lots of nail art during that season.
Do you see this as a ‘funeral polish’? Are greys in your regular lacquer rotation? What’s the most recent grey you wore?
I really enjoy the photos you take and show of your swatches. And I agree that this one has a time and a place. Just one question: how easy was it to remove this polish? Sorry if I over-read this part of your blog post, but I was just wondering. Thanks, Lisa
Hey Lisa Mueller!
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how much you enjoy Swatch And Learn! 🙂
As with all textured polishes that I’ve tried (OPI, Nicole by OPI, and Zoya), they’re all easier to remove than you’d think. They’re easier to remove than glitters.
aw *hugs*
Lizzy recently posted: Julep: Faye
Hey Lizzy!
Thanks for the hugs! 🙂
Thoughts with you and your family. This polish is stunning though lovely and would be great for a glamourous night out, a rock concert or a more formal occasion. I love greys and blacks – especially in contrast to brights or when the weather starts to chill off – think cold clear winter nights with stars in the sky. Stunning – now I am torn between this and Alcatraz as my next textured polish buy >.< Look what you did!
Hey Charlotte!
Thank you very much! It sure isn’t easy, but life hands people different cards. It’s what we do with the cards that counts.
I like that visual – cold, clear winter night with a starry sky. 🙂
Haha, sorry that you’re now torn between two. If I really had to recommend one over the other (it’s tough), I would say go for OPI Alcatraz…Rocks, even though A-Nise Treat is really edgy
Sorry to hear about your grandpa. Last year my grandpa and my best friend passed away 2 days apart. That was pretty rough for me, but I am so thankful for all the time I did get to spend with them when I could. I like your description of this nail polish, it’s aslo how I think of it. I was wondering how similar is this to Zoya Dahlia? Thanks.
Hey Tanya!
I’m sorry about that tragedy. You must be a very strong individual as a result. I can’t even imagine how harsh that must’ve been! *Hugs*
Hmm, I don’t think I own Zoya Dahlia. When I saw pictures of it online, it does look very similar to A-Nise Treat.
Sorry for your lost and that it still reminds your dad, all the strength
I love the shade but Im so used to a smooth finish that is hard to say is cool or not but this one it has just that dark side hehehe
Hey Icequeen81!
You can slick a top coat over it. You’ll need 2 or more coats, though, in order to get a completely smooth finish. In adding the top coat, you’ll also bring out the glitter more.
The only risk is that u can make it look thick if you apply too much coats , it also depend of the topcoat I think, mines are horrible, they discolor the polish make them look withe, and they don’t look smooth
I actually don’t even use a top coat whenever I wear textured polishes. They seem to stand up even without one.
Hey Icequeen81!
I agree – through life’s hardships, we learn to rise above.
Hahaha, you and your dark-side loving ways! 😉