OPI Serena Williams Glam Slam France Swatches & Review
| OPI is hitting us hard this May with THREE new launches; Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Blue Shatters and Serena Glam Slam! France. While I was expecting to want to tear right into the Pirates polishes I was taken completely aback by the two Glam Slam! Duos.
If you’ve read my previous shatter/crackle reviews you know I’m not all in on this look but the base colors in this collection really drew me in. Unlike the Katy Perry collection that left me pretty indifferent, the polishes in this collection are Game.Set.Match. wins! |
Formula & Application: OPI nail polishes are now 4-Free (including formaldehyde resin) and free of camphor, which can be an irritant. This is a new development as OPI’s pre-Texas were only 3-Free. I just wish OPI had changed the color of the print on the labels so buyers can identify 4-Free polishes like they did when they made the switch to 3-Free.
The OPI Pro Wide brush is flat, wide and medium in length. It’s of average stiffness and easily spreads out on the nail when pressed. The only downside to the Pro Wide brush is that it can be too wide for slim fingers or little toes.
Being that we’re talking about two very different kinds of polish in each duo, I will address the formulas individually. Spark de Triomphe is a clear based glitter. Because the glitter particles vary in size and are so densely packed into the base, it quickly builds to opaque with only three coats though I opted to use two coats as it doesn’t need to be opaque under the crackle. I feel using three would just make the finished product too thick. Rally Pretty Pink is a foil glitter that flows easily on the nail. While the pigmentation is good, the two coats I used would probably require a third if I were wearing the color on its own..
OPI Rally Pretty Pink has a rosy pink base packed with pink and gold foil micro-glitter. The gold is very predominant in this shade and it really pops under the shatter but the pink is definitely noticeable. On the nail, the two colors combine to create a peachy duo-chrome effect.
Now when I saw this duo in the package, I thought OPI Red Shatter made absolutely no sense. That it would look like a mistake. Boy was I wrong. Applied over Rally Pretty Pink, the gold foil glitter really stands out making for a gorgeous combination. I’m showing Red Shatter without top coat on my middle finger because I loved the contrast between the matte shatter and gold. It gives the look an Old World feel. I later added a layer of Essie Matte About You top coat and the effect is even more gorgeous.
OPI Spark de Triomphe is the bright shining star of this collection. This clear based glitter is chock full of so many kinds of glitter; silver and gold micro-glitter, silver and gold foil pieces, gold hexagonal glitter. It’s a cornucopia of glitzy goodness. The overall effect comes off more gold than silver but the gold is more champagne than yellow. Adding the silver particles definitely keeps this one neutral. One could use this as a topper but the glitter is SO jammed in the base that it really steals the show from whatever color you layer it over.
When the duos first arrived, I swatched them on a nail art wheel and all I could think was how OPI White Shatter was going to ruin the gorgeousness of Spark de Triomphe. Covering it up seemed like a crime.
Inspired by an image I saw on Tumblr, that a reader told me came from a blog called Chloe’s Nails, I used a piece of scotch tape to block off the majority of the nail from the shatter hoping that would be a better option. Though as one follower commented it looked like dried sour cream. Not great.
So in an effort to find a better Shatter match for Spark de Triomphe I tested it with OPI Blue Shatter, OPI White Shatter and OPI Silver Shatter over top. While Blue Shatter pairs nicely with SdT, it makes the look feel heavy. White Shatter looks better than I thought but I should have used a lighter coat so more of the glitter would show through. Silver Shatter was a complete and utter fail. If SdT was more gold it would make for a better contrast but as is, it just looks a mess.
When using Shatters remember these tips:
- Use over COMPLETELY DRY nail polish.
- The thinner the layer, the more cracks you will get when dry
- Shatter polishes dry matte/satin and can flake off so use a top coat
- Shatters thicken faster than traditional polish and according to OPI you can thin them. Just make sure you add the thinner slowly, rolling to mix well between each thinner addition
Bottom Line: Spark de Triomphe is my must-have polish of the four. It’s utterly gorgeous and back-up worthy (that’s saying a LOT). Rally Pretty Pink is so not my style yet I’m so attracted to it. I don’t see myself wearing it often but there’s no way it’s leaving my stash. Neither Shatter color is something I would opt for but Red Shatter does look good over Rally Pretty Pink. If you can find open stock of the polishes, definitely snap up the base colors even if you don’t like Shatter.
OPI Glam Slam! France is available now at professional salons and spas nationwide including national chains Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA. OPI nail polishes retail for $8.50/ea for a .5oz bottle.
Thoughts on the Glam Slam! duos? If you had to choose, which duo would you get? Which colors do you plan to buy? Would you put a Shatter over Spark de Triomphe or wear it on its own?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by OPI. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Haha, the white shatter DOES look like dried up sour cream. Not a look I want on my nails. But Rally Pretty Pink and Spark de Triomphe are definite must owns. And the red shatter reminds me of stained glass or cellophane. So pretty!
LOL!! GROSS.
I have the red shatter and the rally pretty pink I personally like the Rally pretty pink without the red shatter…
I unfortunately already purchased the china glaze white shatter, so I didnt feel the need to purchase the OPI white shatter. I must admit I do not like the white or the red shatter. My two favorite shatters are the silver shatter and the black one…I am looking forward to the blue one so I can paint my nails red white and blue for the 4th of July…lol now thats a good use for the red and white shatter
I love the Rally Pretty Pink with the red shatter!
Shatter is still not my thing. Can you buy the non-shatter polishes separately? I’ve only seen them in the boxed sets. Now the Stranger Tides polishes… bring them on! I picked up two of them this morning but I’m holding off on Skull and Glossbones in hopes of some comparison swatches (*please*?). It’s such a gorgeous greige, but I was hoping to see whether it would be different than the others in my stash before making the purchase.
I agree, I need to see the Caribbean swatches! I just got a silver shatter on ebay, and I loved the OPI video where they showed it over this collection, but I would like to see them in person or swatched first! My local stores never get anything until weeks after the launch.
I actually wish our stores lagged behind a little! I feel like I have to snag the polishes right away before they sell out and I never get to see swatches first! Stranger Tides was unique enough for me to know I don’t have anything similar, but Skull and Glossbones… I know I have a few greige polishes, but that one seems to lean more towards the grey, whereas I think most of mine lean more beige.
Hmm, that’s a good point… all I know is that we didn’t get black shatter until three months after the launch! And then I still had to rush out to get it! Of the Caribbean collection, I’m leaning toward the Mermaid Tears, the darker pink and the darker purple… but I’m not a pastel person, so I’m buying SOLELY based on what looks best under silver shatter. The OPI video was good, but there weren’t any close-ups… which is why I need to see swatches!
I’ve seen them sold separately on m beauty lounge
I keep seeing swatches of RPP and I love it more and more! Gotta get it.
I’ve seen this collection on a couple of sites now and I just can’t get on board. I really hate the white shatter, and the red shatter just isn’t the right red for me (I’m very selective about choosing exactly the right “blue reds,” and this red just seems kind of random and cheap looking to me.) The gold one reminds me of Looks Like Rain Dear from SOPI last Christmas. The only one I’m excited about based on these swatches is the rose gold one… I really hope I can get that one individually without the shatter polish.
Also, do you know where I can get these and/or silver shatter online? And not at a mark-up like on ebay, LOL.
rickysnyc.com has the shatter polishes individually, but they’re $14 each (!) They’re out of stock of the silver one right now, but they’ll probably get more of it.
Gaah! Stupid Ricky’s. I love them, but they’re sooo expensive. I bought silver shatter on ebay for $10.50 including shipping, as it turns out.
No way would I cover up Spark de Triomphe. It’s beautiful just on it’s own. I LOVE Rally Pretty Pink. I’ll pass on the shatter top coats though. I’m still not really sold on them…
Pass here too, it looks very tween
I actually like the Silver Shatter over SdT! It’s like a deconstructed Minx manicure.
I’m just not feeling any of these. But glad you are happy.
I’ve seen a comparison swatch of Zoya Faye with Rally Pretty Pink and they looked extremely close (near identical tbh). Not that I can find either here in the UK atm – lol!
I’m still not sure if I’m on board with the whole shatter/crackle tread, but I caved this week and bought both the black and silver shatters to try. However, after seeing both the red and blue shatters I might have to get those.
The Ulta in my area (PNW) still doesn’t have the PotC collection or either of these sets (I checked yesterday). Argh.
OOOO, i want i want i want!!! you write such good reviews. i have white crackle from another brand and i use it over pastel blue and it looks like clouds in the sky, VERY pretty.
I am so tempted by the two non-shatters.
However, I so do not get the shatter effect and will never wear it.
Since a lot of people like it though, it is really cool that companies have been providing a lot of options.
Ahhh I will say no to the crackles and to the pink one, but I have been yearning for Spark de Triomphe since the promo pictures came out. I even like the name.
Can’t wait to see the Pirates! I’ve been looking very forward to that collection as well.
I like Spark de Triomphe and Rally Pretty Pink, but I’d need to see the pink in a store before I’d buy. I don’t understand the white shatter, you’re spot on that it looks like dried sour cream! I love my black and gray shatters, but I can’t imagine what the white would look good over.
Red shatter is absolutely stunning, Spark de Triomphe and Really Pretty Pink are gorgeous too. I already have the white crackle polish from ChG so, I’ll skip this one, I love the effect of a white shatter, it’s super cute
Rally Pretty Pink looks amazing in your swatch! And that red shatter is lovely. I need that one.
I really loved them! Those with glitter are very beautiful too! I loved that one with every kind of glitter! I wish I could buy them, but here in miy country they are very very expensive!
i actually like the white shatter over SdT! i preordered these and can’t wait to get them!
I’m so confused, I didn’t know OPI had Blue, White and Silver Shatters. I have the Black Shatter and I love it. I’m off to eBay to find these other shatters that I somehow dropped the ball on.
Unless, are they part of the Caribbean collection and that hasn’t launched yet? I guess I’d better do some research.
OMG! I just got my hands on Rally Pretty Pink! I am absolutely in LOVE! I dont wear pink/ purple as it doesnt go with my coloring… but with all this gold, its a beauty on my nails! Definitely worth the investment!
Lol, I’m the “dried sour cream” commenter. I think the white would look good covering nails entirely, maybe over base coats of pastels or brights. When it’s just on part of the nail though, it looks like you had Mexican food for lunch & didn’t get cleaned up after.
As for the red, I wish they had made it more of a berry shade to go a bit better over Rally Pretty Pink. I almost like the two together, but not quite. Still, the red will go great over other colors.
I love Spark de Triomphe! But not so much layered! I guess I could get use to the white shatter because I dont really like the application and the formula of China Glaze’s ones :/
I am amazed at how well Red Shatter works over RPP! I may spring for it and I am not even a shatter girl.
meh. enough with the crackles already, opi.
Cannot WAIT until you post the POTC swatches. I have already bought Mermaid’s Tears which I LOVE, but I held off on the others although they are very, very tempting.
When you do swatch them, could you tell us how similar the darker purple is to China Glaze’s Spontaneous? I adore it but don’t want to dupe.
Whoa, Spark de Triomphe is SERIOUSLY gorgeous. Definitely going hunting for it now, I need it! I think Rally Pretty Pink might be a dupe for Zoya Faye, too; it looks pretty much identical. Really not feeling the shatter, though the jelly finish of the red is pretty.
I also like both the base colors. But I am bored with the entire shatter/crackle thing already. It’s messy looking and does not work for me. The first OPI black one looked like melted rubber tires on me I thought even with 2 high gloss top coats over it. I will be looking for the base shades sold out of the duo collection boxes – or maybe I will opt for the duo boxes and see if I can get a decent price for the shatters on eBay. Have to say, the red shatter is better than the other OPI shatter colors IMHO.
Rally Pretty Pink looks gorgeous on its own. Spark de Triomphe looks actually awesome, too. I really don’t like the shatter though on both polishes.
I can’t wait to see the Pirate polishes
i love the red shatter over the pinkish shimmer. LOVE.
arc de triomphe is too gorgeous to be covered by shatter polish tho!!
I like the OPI NAVY SHATTER from April blog. The other shatters look messy to me. POC MERMAID TEARS ROCKS!
Where did you get Rally Pretty Pink from? Try China Glaze pink over silver absolutely STUNNING !!
Love that blue shatter!
Thank you for finally doing some reviews of polish collections again!! I love your reviews and I felt like I was going into withdrawal:)
I think that white shatter gives Spark de Triomphe 3D look. With just one part nail covered it really looks like dried sour creme.
I’m ‘rally’ loving Rally Pretty Pink. I’ve been having a hard time finding just that perfect pink, and I think this one is a winner!
Not too fond of shatters, though. I /do/ really want to get the silver shatter from the pirates collection, but that’s about it…
As much as I’m trying to love the white shatter polishes.. I just cant get myself into them. “Dried sour cream” describes my feelings perfectly!
I haven’t seen these at ULTA yet either!
I love Really Pretty Pink!
I love the white and gold! saw these today at one of those crazy make-up stores in nyc but i didn’t give into the urge!
Rally Pretty Pink reminds me of MACs Bad Fairy.
Beautyofasite.com has all of these polishes, POTC & Serena. I preordered my POTC a month ago and got them Wednesday. Stranger Tides is amazing! I got all but Sparrow and Plank. They seemed common. Tears is a little similar to others I have, Glossbones and Tides totally unique! Rose pretty too! Almost a grungy pink, but not RBL Grunge. If you order from them, make sure to get your free samples! I always get mini bottles of Seche and tons of shampoos etc. Even got a full size OPI holiday lipgloss. Meet and Jingle I believe. . . I’m pre ordering SdT now! Wish I could swap white for red shatter!
I just got my RPP and SdT! Yeah! Now I need that back up bottle of SdT like you suggested. I think that one is going to be up there with impossible to get like Mad As A Hatter. As planned, I skipped the shatters.
I am OBSESSED with Spark de Triomphe & Rally Pretty Pink. The shatters I can live with out.
I just bought the white shatter and the gold sparkly colour that went with it and I must say it looks amazing!
I concur about the possible Zoya dupe; I own Faye and it’s a gorgeous polish, though. Thanks for the post – decisions, decisions, decisions…
I just purchased Mermaid’s Tears. I had to go to 5 different stores, before I found it in a hair salon. I also have silver shatter. I LOVE Mermaid’s Tears. The color is beautiful. It looks fantastic with the shatter. However, both applications are nothing to write home to your mama about.
I ADORE SdT! It is gorgeous!! I am wearing it over Sand in My Suit and it really compliments the sparkle. I desperately need to get a backup of both since I think I will be wearing them constantly!
I’m so over shatters/crackles, and I suspect I’m not the only one. Please make them stop coming out with these follies already.
I totally agree that it looks like dried sour cream.
The only shatter I like is the silver over black. That looks punk rock and hardcore.
But the rest look sloppy.
LOVE YER BLOG!!!!
I, too, like the silver over black look. And the Rally Pretty Pink with red is nice, but I’m just not into shatter.
I’m a texture JUNKIE so I love the shatter and crackle collections but I agree, the OPI white shatter over the gold base was a bit hard to look at….