52 thoughts on “OPI Rainbow Connection Dupes, Comparison Swatches & Brush Reviews”

1. maddy November 3, 2011 at 7:51 am

   I really love all of them! I’m probably going to get OPI or Milani. Do you know what the cost of shipping is on the Cherry Culture website? It all depends on the cost of shipping for me. the review was amazing and I love the pictures! I have several bottles of Nicole by OPI nail polishes but the brushes don’t usually work out for me. To me, Rainbow Connection has more hexagons or their more noticeable but Milani Gems has more glitter. In the brush pictures it’s quite obvious that OPI and Milani pick up more glitter than Nicole by OPI! Thanks for the review! 🙂

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 3, 2011 at 12:26 pm

      Hey maddy!

      To buy just one bottle of Milani nail polish, the shipping and handling fees at Cherry Culture are expensive (over $8 USD). So it’s only worthwhile if you’re planning to order a lot of other stuff because then the shipping isn’t too large of a percentage of your total order.

      Oh, actually, please don’t judge how much glitter is on the brushes. When I took photos of the brushes, I wiped the glitter off the brush because I wanted to show more of the brush. Hmm…guess I should’ve wiped the Milani and OPI ones more. Whoops!

      Reply ↓
      1. maddy November 3, 2011 at 3:52 pm

         Thanks for the help! Next time I won’t judge by the brushes, I, myself wipe the brushes on the side of the bottle so I should have known there would have been less glitter. My bad! The Nicole by OPI brand came out with a new squarish brush for the justin Bieber collection and some of the texture coats. The brush is about the length of a mini polish brush but squared and has a slanted cut at the tip of the brush. It helps cover up the area and makes it easier for me not to get it on my skin that much. If I bought just one bottle of Milani which you said is $3.99 USD with shipping will be $11.99 USD than it’s more expensive. I guess I’ll buy online but buy more stuff like you said so that the percentage from my order won[‘t be that much.

         Reply ↓
         1. Mary Post authorNovember 4, 2011 at 11:53 am

            Hey maddy!

            Yeah, it’s definitely more expensive if you can only get hold of Milani Gems online and just order 1 bottle. It’s best to just wait to order more stuff along with it and to also wait for another coupon-code sale to save even more. They seem to have 15-25% off coupon codes pretty often. (I usually only order when they have these sales, now that I think about it.)

            Reply ↓
2. Sarah November 3, 2011 at 8:19 am

   I love the Milani one, I think I actually prefer it to the others.
   Sarah recently posted: 17 eyeshadow trio – Enraged

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 3, 2011 at 12:26 pm

      Hey Sarah!

      Good choice – also the most economical one!

      Reply ↓
3. PinkGlitter November 3, 2011 at 9:05 am

   They are all so pretty. I’m in love with glitter nail polishes and all three seem pretty similar. Here in the US, Nicole by OPI is usually cheaper than OPI by a dollar or two.
   PinkGlitter recently posted: Urban Decay F&F Sale

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 3, 2011 at 12:28 pm

      Hey PinkGlitter!

      In Canada, sometimes I can get Nicole by OPI polishes for less than OPI, but if it’s from Shoppers Drug Mart, usually it has to go on sale.

      Reply ↓
4. Emma November 3, 2011 at 9:18 am

   I can’t believe hpw similar they all are! I’m quite surprised at the similarity between Rainbow Connection and the Nicole polish. I already bought Rainbow Connection but I would have bought Milani if I had access to it!
   Emma recently posted: Spending Ban – Sort Of

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 3, 2011 at 12:30 pm

      Hey Emma!

      I was pleased with my bottle of OPI Rainbow Connection, and then I was sent the Nicole by OPI one. And I had previously bought the Milani polish. When I saw them all in person, I thought they were all dupes. And, really, even though Milani isn’t a dead-on dupe, it really does give such a similar effect! Great value!

      Reply ↓
5. Carmela November 3, 2011 at 10:17 am

   Yay the comparison post is up! 😀

   I personally prefer anything that’s lower priced for the same quality and Milani is such a great alternative. They look so different in the bottle (Milani vs OPI) but on the nail you’d have to use a magnifying lens to tell the difference (and even then you might still have a hard time)! Even the brush is outstanding. But I also prefer purchasing my polishes at brick and mortar stores so unless I find Gems anywhere, I think I lean towards Rainbow Connection instead. 🙂
   Carmela recently posted: Nail Art Wednesday: Halloween Nails! Ghost, Skull, Frankenstein’s Monster, Jack o’ Lantern and Mummy

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 3, 2011 at 12:38 pm

      Hey Carmela!

      I tried to get this post up a little earlier especially for you, actually, to help you decide which one to get. 🙂

      Reply ↓
6. CiCi November 3, 2011 at 11:31 am

   My Kardashian collex NOPIs have the ProWide brush… hmmm.

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 3, 2011 at 12:43 pm

      Hey CiCi!

      Hmm…so the same colour can have different brushes?

      For anyone reading this, maybe check the brush before buying it. If it has the brush CiCi’s came with, that’s so much better!

      Reply ↓
7. Melissa November 3, 2011 at 12:43 pm

   I’ve had Milani Gems for a couple of months now and got it because I knew it was a dupe to Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday. Now come to find, it’s become a dupe to a ton of other polishes. I’m pretty happy with it, it’s cheap, works well, and I found it at my Target which is less than five minutes driving from my house. If I had to get a backup bottle and Gems was no longer available, I’d probably get Rainbow Connection. There’s so many of these colors right now, it’s sort of becoming like the shatter/crackle trend, every brand is doing it. Thanks for the comparison!

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 3, 2011 at 12:45 pm

      Hey Melissa!

      I’m hoping that we don’t see tons of other brands jumping on this bandwagon, too, and making their own ‘dupe’. When it’s everywhere, that’s when I get sick of something.

      Reply ↓
      1. maddy November 6, 2011 at 6:51 pm

         The thing that really confuses me is that they change the names for the crackle nail polish to texture (Nicole by OPI), shatter (OPI) and blasted (Sephora by OPI). They all have the same effect and they’re all by OPI so why can’t they have the same name. I know it’s for business or something but it drives me crazy!

         Reply ↓
         1. Mary Post authorNovember 6, 2011 at 7:18 pm

            Yeah, they probably just want to differentiate each line even if it’s really the same. Makes me laugh because I always wonder what other names they’ll come out with. If they continue, they’ll have to really get creative because the more intuitive ones have already been used.

            Reply ↓
8. Vivian November 3, 2011 at 3:28 pm

   Wow, they look identical. What was once a very unique color by deborah lipmann is now duped everywhere! That’s good for us who cannot spend $16 on a bottle of polish, but now this glitter seems kind of bleh. I just don’t feel like it’s all that special anymore. I’m still going to cherish my bottle of OPI rainbow connection, but I don’t think I’ll be wearing it as often as I thought.

   Reply ↓
   1. Mary Post authorNovember 4, 2011 at 11:48 am

      Hey Vivian!

      Aww…sorry to hear that you’re not as excited about wearing OPI Rainbow Connection now. Pretend like you didn’t see this post! 😛

      Reply ↓
9. Emily Jurow November 3, 2011 at 6:05 pm

   The Nicole By OPI is $7 USD here, and I’ve seen it in Walmart.
   I haven’t seen Rainbow Connection anywhere, but only small salons sell OPI around me.
   I don’t have any of these, but I have a dupe to them! lol
   It’s by the brand Confetti, called “Tazmanian Devil”. and it’s a brand only sold in CVS Pharmacy stores, and it retails for $1.99!
   But I have to say, it has terrible wear time!
   Emily Jurow recently posted: Did You Get A Fake Naked Palette From Ebay?

   Reply ↓
   1. maddy November 3, 2011 at 7:39 pm

      I saw a swatch of Tazmanian Devil by Confetti and it’s different from the three because it has micro glitter and these don’t. I like all 4 of the dupes no matter what. I like the one by confetti because it has micro glitter making it extra glittery! 🙂

      Reply ↓
      1. Mary Post authorNovember 4, 2011 at 11:56 am

         Oh, thanks for pointing that difference out, Maddy! 🙂 I agree – micro-glitter adds more bling.

         Reply ↓
   2. Mary Post authorNovember 4, 2011 at 11:56 am

      Hey Emily!

      Lucky you – that’s a much better price than what Canadians typically have to pay for it. Although sometimes Nicole by OPI goes on sale…however, I haven’t really seen new collections go on sale.

      Tazmanian Devil sounds like a real steal at just $1.99! WOW! Even if it has terrible wear, I think the extremely low price point makes it a good deal.

      Reply ↓
10. maddy November 4, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    There is a new dupe to these polishes: Fun-Fetti by Finger Paints. It retails for about $4.99 at Sally’s. It’s a limited edition holiday polish that will be around from around November to January. Here’s a swatch and pic I found : http://thenailphile.blogspot.com/2011/10/fingerpaints-fun-fetti-holiday-limited.html
    The polish is already out online at Sally’s so it should be in stores too.

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 4, 2011 at 8:00 pm

       Hey maddy!

       Oh geeeeezzzz…How many dupes are there going to be in total? I really hope it’s not going to be EVERYWHERE because that’s when people will get sick of it and begin thinking it’s not special.

       Thanks for the heads up about this! I didn’t even think of this, and then I saw the picture, and you’re totally right.

       Reply ↓
       1. maddy November 4, 2011 at 10:30 pm

          They are coming out with way too many dupes of this! I fell in love with rainbow Connection the minute I saw it because I totally love rainbow glitter and jumbo hexagon glitter. This won’t stop me from getting a bottle of whichever dupe but I doubt people who are getting these polishes or already have them will be wearing them as much. 🙁

          Reply ↓
          1. Mary Post authorNovember 5, 2011 at 11:25 am

             Agreed. It’s unfortunate. It’ll definitely make it easier for people to get their hands on a bottle, but people will get burned out on it faster.

             Reply ↓
11. Nicole November 5, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    Just seeing all these dupes is decreasing my excitement about Rainbow Connection substantially. I do love it… however, it isn’t exactly anything too special, and seeing how everyone is coming out with dupes it takes a bit away from it. It’s a pretty “glittertastic” polish, but I think that if I hadn’t already received my Muppet Collection polishes, I’d buy the Milani online thanks to your swatches! 🙂
    Nicole recently posted: Ulta Moody Blues Nail Polish (Review)- A Super Pretty Denim-Inspired Color

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 6, 2011 at 6:42 pm

       Hey Nicole!

       Definitely see where you’re coming from. The more saturated the market is with dupes, the less enticing something becomes. Oh well…there will always be other exciting polishes that come out! 😀

       Reply ↓
12. Del November 7, 2011 at 4:34 am

    I have actually had the Milani polish for a few months now, and I was quite surprised when OPI came out with one pretty much exactly the same. Over here in NZ it’s normal for OPI to cost around $25 NZD, whereas I got the Milani online for much much cheaper! I feel like a winner 😉
    Del recently posted: Shopping, Review, Swatches, and Nails of the Day~

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 7, 2011 at 10:08 am

       Hey Del!

       Hehe, you are a winner! 😀 Sheesh – $25 for a bottle of polish is a LOT! So glad you snatched up the Milani. Smart!

       Reply ↓
13. Marta November 7, 2011 at 9:49 am

    I love how thorough l this review was Mary! You really narrowed down the search for people and I sooo respect your honesty!
    I retweeted this when you first posted it because I found it so helpful!
    I bought Rainbow Connection after I saw YOUR swatches… I have yet to try it… but I can’t wait!

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 7, 2011 at 12:09 pm

       Hey Marta!

       Please let me know what you think of Rainbow Connection when you try it out. If you decide to blog about it, I must see it on your pretty nails!

       Reply ↓
14. Jamieson November 10, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    Thank you for the comparison post! I now have Milani coming in the mail. I don’t care how many dupes there are, I will always love clown vomit:-D

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 10, 2011 at 10:20 pm

       Hey Jamieson!

       You’re very welcome. Thought that this comparison would be helpful. There are just sooooo many dupes out there, but it’s nice to hear that you’re not sick of it and will enjoy wearing it. 🙂

       Reply ↓
15. Another Cristina November 12, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Over at the Polish Insomniac blog, there’s a post about NOPI and OPI being the same exact polish: http://www.polishinsomniac.net/2011/11/opi-rainbow-connection-nicole-rainbow.html. Looking at all the pictures, I tend to believe it’s true. For myself, I have OPI because it was the my least expensive option. I love it!

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 12, 2011 at 6:37 pm

       Hey Another Cristina!

       Awesome! 🙂 Yup, they’re definitely dupes. Funny thing is that here in Canada, Nicole by OPI is more expensive usually than OPI.

       Reply ↓
16. gg November 14, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    I love your blog! Was the thickness of the ‘clear goop’ about the same?

    Btw dopey question – do you pronounce O.P.I. “opey” or say each letter individually?

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 14, 2011 at 9:08 pm

       Hey gg!

       Thanks! 😀

       Reply ↓
    2. Mary Post authorNovember 26, 2011 at 1:14 pm

       I just realized that the second part of my reply got cut off. So sorry!

       That’s not a dumb question at all! It’s actually pronounced O.P.I. (each letter is pronounced individually) instead of “Opey”. But, if you like calling it “Opey”, go for it. 🙂

       OPI and Nicole by OPI had a thicker consistency compared to Milani. Milani was not only thinner, but it had smaller glitter particles, so I think that’s also what made it apply more easily.

       Reply ↓
17. Laura November 19, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    It’s weird but I got the Nicole by OPI one and it actually has the wide brush!!!
    I’m really happy that it has it but I don’t understand why some don’t!!

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 19, 2011 at 11:02 pm

       Hey Laura!

       Hmm…guess it’s random. That’s very strange how it’s not consistent!

       Reply ↓
18. Reena November 29, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Thanks for the comparison! When I was all three released one right after the other, I didn’t know which one to buy! And I ended up buying Sephora by OPI Spark-tacular! in the end anyway : )

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorNovember 29, 2011 at 7:52 pm

       Hey Reena!

       No problem! Oh, I didn’t even bother getting the Sephora by OPI polish. I think I have enough of this kind of glitter to last me well into the next life. 😛

       Reply ↓
19. Jen December 1, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    Hi!

    I’m not sure if it was a random thing, but the Loblaws/Superstores where I live have Milani in their cosmetics area. Around the same price, no shipping!

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorDecember 2, 2011 at 2:14 pm

       Hey Jen!

       I’ve seen a very small section at my Loblaws/Superstores with Milani, too. Have you seen the latest collections there? I always just see the same few core-collection pieces…and not even all of them.

       Reply ↓
20. Amanda December 2, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    Hello, I’m new to your website but love it already!
    I also live in Canada and found Milani Gems at my local SuperStore! Only place I’ve found that carries Milani anything.

    Reply ↓
21. Angie May 31, 2012 at 1:03 am

    I know this is an older post, but I still wanted to add my opinion.

    I absolutely adore Rainbow Connection! I got it for myself for Christmas, and use it all the time. Sometimes on its own, sometimes layered. I just love it!

    My mom, around the same time, bought Rainbow in the S-Kylie. They look identical! She doesn’t use it much though, so hopefully she’ll pass it on to me when if I run out of Rainbow Connection. 😉

    I don’t have any experience with the Milani one, but I do like how the glitter is smaller. Sometimes those large hex pieces are frustrating to place and lay flat.

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorJune 1, 2012 at 5:30 pm

       Hey Angie!

       No problem. 🙂 I love reading comments, even when they’re on older posts!

       Considering that you really love Rainbow Connection, I think you’ll love the Milani one even more. I was amazed by how much easier it was to apply than Rainbow Connection!

       Reply ↓
22. debbie harding February 21, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    new dupe to take a look at. was at walmart yesterday and saw a whole diplay of the pure ice brand polishes. this one is called”its complicicated” looks alot like the opi and others, doesn’t have quite the big hex’s like opi but looks nice. what do you exspect for a 1.99??/

    Reply ↓
    1. Mary Post authorFebruary 23, 2013 at 8:36 pm

       Hey Debbie Harding!

       Oh, that’s pretty cool! Even more options, so nobody misses out on this fun glitter! Thanks for letting me and my readers know! 😀

       Reply ↓

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Δ