ALU’s 365 of Untrieds – Sinful Colors Open Seas from the Adventure Island collection
365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to.
Even though I tend to be pretty much a salon brand kind of girl I do have certain drugstore lines that I consider quality buys. Sally Hansen is a given, Milani puts out some great colors and is regularly on sale and Sinful Colors makes the best budget nail polish I’ve tried. Though it’s always on the bottom shelf of the fragrance counter at my local Walgreens which really does a disservice the brand. Of course my Rite-Aid knows Sinful’s value as they always place Sinful’s seasonal collections in a prominent spot. As was the case last week when I stopped in to see what was new. Side note: The Rite-Aid closest to me has the best seasonal displays of any drugstore chain in the area. It’s a gold mine. The Sally Hansen Tracy Reese & Prabal Gurung collections? Both there, in full! Anyway, on my last visit I noticed a display that looked eerily like the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection so I had to investigate by bringing Sinful Colors Open Seas home with me. |
Formula & Application: Sinful Colors nail polish is 4-Free (including Formaldehyde Resin) and free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The bulbous little bottles have a really smooth cap that can sometimes make it hard to open the polish. I really wish the caps were rubberized but that would just up the cost and I usually have a rubber band handy. The round brushes are short, stocky and average in width. The bristles are plentiful and flexible which makes it easy to fan them out across the nail.
Now one thing I’ve come to expect from Sinful is that the opacity just isn’t there. The polishes tend to be watery and automatic three coaters but Open Seas surprised me. It has the typical watery, squishy texture but it gave me full coverage in two coats. For a $1.99 polish, you can’t beat that!
Now I don’t want to accuse Sinful of jacking OPI’s style but the color range and marketing graphics are awfully reminiscent of the POTC collection. I know nautical is big this year and all but this one hits a little too close to OPI’s home. Hopefully OPI will just look at it like I do, as flattery.
Sinful Colors Open Seas is a sandwashed sea green creme. It’s not like the minty greens we’ve seen so much of the past couple years. It’s slightly greyed, more wistful, and with a lot more blue to its base.
The big question is, how does it compare to OPI Mermaid’s Tears? Dare we say dupe?
While “dead-on dupe” isn’t a perfect fit, we’re pretty darn close. Mermaid’s Tears may be a hair lighter but it would take one discerning nail polish fanatic to notice. The base color is identical and maybe if I had given Mermaid’s Tears another ten minutes to dry down we would have been looking at twins. As it is, it was hard for me to remember which polish was on each finger.
Bottom Line: If, for whatever reason, you didn’t jump on the OPI Pirates bandwagon, you and your wallet can have the last laugh as you pick up this gem for a pittance. The formula and pigmentation are spot on and the color is a beaut. I see no reason to pass this one by unless you hate green and well, then there’s no help for you.
365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: STASH! Being that Open Seas is slightly more pigmented than Mermaid’s Tears, I’m probably sending the OPI to SHARE bin after I review the POTC collection in full.
Sinful Colors Open Seas is available now as part of the Adventure Island collection for Summer 2011. Sinful colors can be found at drugstores nationwide including Walgreens and Rite-Aid. Nail polishes retail for $1.99/ea for a .5oz bottle. Visit SinfulColors.com for online shopping and additional retail information.
Thoughts on Open Seas? Have you spotted the Adventure Island display in your area? Have you tried any of the other colors in the collection? What do you think when less expensive brands knock-off a salon or department store brand concept?
Disclosure: I purchased this nail polish. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
SHARE Mermaid’s Tears with me! I want that color so badly, I keep meaning to go out and buy it. I don’t care very much for Sinful Colors, especially because of how closely related these colors are to OPI’s POTC series. Merh. The color is pretty, though, but near identical.
yikesss that is crazy close
Love the green
I have this color on now! =] I haven’t gotten my hands of Mermaids Tears yet, but when I saw this one at Rite Aid I had to get it! I just love it. But I still need to get M.T. because well, it’s OPI and it’s Pirates themed, haha.
I saw all of those SH at Target today, too. Big, full display on an endcap.
I haven’t seen this display ANYWHERE in Iowa yet! Granted, I don’t have a huge range of places to look where I am, but I’m still a little disappointed. I wanted to get the grayish one. I don’t think I’ll use it often enough to buy OPIs version!
Honestly, it bothers me. It bothered me when Revlon was doing it to Chanel, when Sinful was doing it to OPI with the Texas collec, when Milani did it to all those high-end brands, and it bothers me now. I would rather see companies do an original collection with unique colors and finishes than just copy other companies.
But you know I was still all up and through Rite Aid looking for this collection LMAO!!!
I’ve got Verbena & Rise and Shine. They are re-releases, not exclusive to this collection in particular, and they are fantastic. I’m a BIG fan of Sinful Colors, and I love the fact that they are putting out some pretty awesome dupes….and dupe collections! And my wallet does, too.
Did you know that Sinful closed their online store? I am SO UPSET, and was hoping they weren’t lying when they said they’d be right back — but it’s been over a month now…I don’t think they’re coming back and Walgreen’s online doesn’t have a very good selection.
Anyone know where else online they carry this polish? *besides ebay — they charge WAY too much there!
Thanks for any leads!
I didn’t know that. I’ve ordered from their site before but I haven’t been over in a few months. Bummer
I know CherryCulture.com carries the line but I don’t know if they get seasonal collections.
THANK YOU! I completely forgot about CherryCulture!! At least they have a bit more of a selection than Walgreen’s does online! Awesome
Anastasia, where are you from? I’m in Michigan, and we have a regional retailer called Meijer that carries Sinful Colors. I also went into Christmas Tree Shops today (discount outlet type of store), and they had some sinful colors (not a big selection, but a small rack). Rite Aid also carries them.
I went out to look for this collection today, but no luck.
I LOVE it when drugstore brands do knock-offs. The colors become myseriously more attractive the cheaper they are. This even applies to Essie retail versus Essie salon brand.
Sooooo agree. I can’t justify spending $8+ for a bottle of nail polish. S.C. makes me HAPPY! Haha
Are you talking about the Rite Aid with the people on strike outside of it? I’m always afraid they’ll try to chat with me if I go in there. But if this collection is there then…I think I have to.
Yep, that one. They’ve never said anything to me when I go in.
Thank you for doing this comparison! I got Star Fish, but didn’t know if Open Seas was close enough to Mermaid Tears (which I’ve been lemming!) to get it. I will definitely be going back and picking it up
Oh wow! Now I really need to find a drugstore with this Sinful collection. Mermaid’s Tears was the only polish I wanted from the PoTC collection and I will be more than satisfied with Open Seas.
I just got this color this week and haven’t tried it yet. Great review, I can’t wait to try it. I got mine at Walgreens but they don’t have a great selection. They definitely didn’t have the new display. I’m going to check out a different Walgreens or try to find a Rite Aid.
It’s really interesting that Sinful Colors put out this “Adventure Island” collection. I noticed they also recently had a Texas collection, very similar to OPI’s. Interesting…
But, I may have to pick up Open Seas. I bought the Pirates mini collection, but Mermaid Tears wasn’t included. Can’t beat $1.99 though!
I think I’ll be buying the Sinful colors one instead of the OPI.
Sinful Colors made a collection similar to OPI’s Texas one also. I saw this on Steph’s Closet: http://www.stephscloset.com/blog/gallery/id/5460/sinful-lonestar-nail-polish-display/
I forgot about that. I wonder if that means they’ll have a “Traveling America” collection for fall to dupe the OPI Touring America collection.
Everytime I try to view this post it takes me to the comments page! I just want to see the swatches!
Sorry about that. There was a technical glitch that should be fixed now.
I saw this display at Rite Aid today and thought the same thing! In fact, I was wearing OPI “Stranger Tides” and picked up one of the Sinful Colors ones and it looked like a total dupe too. Some of the names are similar as well! Too funny. Good to know you like the formula…I may have to give the purple a try!
Verbena (the purple) is fantastic! GET IT!
I heard a rumor that Sinful Colors is owned by OPI. If that’s true, it could explain the similarities.
Hmmm… I can’t read the story without it bringing me to leave a comment!
Looks pretty so far though!
There was a technical issue. If you clicked the post title (at the top) it loaded fine but the link at the bottom was messed up for some reason. It should be working fine now.
I love Mermaids Tears. That’s my color this summer
I just bought Fusion Neon by Sinful, this really incredible hot neon pink, and I really love the color, but I know what you mean about opacity.
Do you ever find that Sinful chips and peels kind of right away? I was having that problem, I use 1 or 2 coats of white base and a top coat…I was thinking maybe I just forgot what it was like to work with drug store brands. But I can’t help it, it’s such a striking neon!
I haven’t had an issues with the wear of Sinful but I haven’t worn their neons. It could be the neon formulation or that you have too many layers with the white base.
Love your blog!
So glad I was dragging my feet in purchasing Mermaid’s Tears – I kind of prefer Open Seas, and spending less money is a great bonus
Very pretty! Guess I’ll just pick this up over the OPI. Do you know if these colors are limited edition?
I can’t see the post, Michelle!
these colors are absolutely to die for!!!:) I might have to go down to my local Rite-Aid and take a look for myself:)
Would you say that these were better than the OPI On Stranger Tides Collection? Thanks!
wow, this is almost funny.. nice try Sinful
but its great they are cheaper & thanks Michelle, I love seeing comparison posts!
Michelle, there might be something wrong with the links on this post. If I click the “Click here to read the rest of the post” it loads and then jumps to a page where there’s only a comment box. If I click the title of the post, it’ll take me to the rest of the story.
On another related note: SCORE!! I want want want. I just moved to Cleveland Heights this month (from NY) and I was wondering (in the most unstalkerish way possible) WHICH Rite Aid is the gold mine? Thanks!
Hahaha, you’re totally unstalkerish! Welcome to the Heights. I’m talking about the one at the corner of Taylor & Cedar, by Melt.
Gotta love a great OPI dupe that costs $2! I’ll definitely be picking a few of these up. Also, I live in Cleveland and was wondering which Rite-Aid location you’re talking about. The walgreens by my house always jumbles the Sinful displays and almost never has full collections.
The one near Melt in Cleveland Heights.
Thanks! I actually stopped in at the Mayfield Rite-Aid today (by Eastgate) and they had the whole collection there too! I picked up Open Seas, Seaweed, and Adventure Island. Will probably be back for a few more!
For some reason, every time I click on the link to see the rest of the entry, it will show for about a second and then *everything* disappears except for the comment box.
/insert sad face here/
I’m getting that, too!
Something wrong with the link hun
Cute!
I’ve noticed that Sinful Colors seems to be jacking OPI’s ideas, too! Did anyone else see their “Lone Star” collection? Way to not be subtle, SC!
Wow. Definitely a collection of dupes. The purples, pinks, bone color. Kinda not cool.
But I guess that’s just me with sour grapes since I paid for a bunch of the POTC colors (OK, I got them discounted but still!)
Any idea if the darkest pink would be similar to Sparrow Me The Drama? If so I may get that, I wanted the OPI but wasn’t sure if I wanted to pay that much for just a pink creme…
Here is a picture (with flash) I took of the Sinful pink Star Fish. Based off the website pics, it looks like a match and is very pretty IRL.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a124/anangel84/IMG_1960-1.jpg
lol, I feel kinda ghetto though- I didn’t realize they were ripping off OPI so bad. I will continue to buy- love the price and applies well- but hope it doesn’t get them in legal trouble.
Thanks! I feel kind of like that too, but I just can’t bring myself to pay $8.50 for a pink creme right now (I also want the one that’s a dupe for Stranger Tides and Planks a Lot). It’s not like I don’t buy from OPI ever anyway. Even if they rip off from OPI for all collections I’d probably at least get my favorites from OPI and any “meh” ones from Sinful.
I wanted Planks a Lot too! lol, I got Verbena from Sinful… you’re lucky you caught on a picture day
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a124/anangel84/IMG_1977-1.jpg
I like OPI too but the only place that has them in town is Ulta, which is clear on the other side of town from me. Walgreens is all over the place, so I usually just pop in while running errands so its both cheaper gas-wise and price per bottle ($8.50 OPI vs. $1.99 Sinful).
So cute… love that color. I have too many greens/blue-greens already, but… Maybe nothing exactly like this. And for $2, how can you go wrong?
Wowzers! That is awful close to OPI. Flattery is one way to look at it. I would hate to see OPI do anything serious like sue over it, but just on principle I won’t be purchasing. I wouldn’t begrudge someone from buying it though, especially considering the difference in price points.
It looks to me like there are a lot of dupes in that set – will you be doing comparisons to the whole POTC collection? I’d love to see how close they actually are, instead of just in the bottle…
pretty! great dupes!
uh, I don’t know. I hate Sinful’s formula and OPI wears like iron on me. I prefer my Mermaid.
Awesome. I love the color of Mermaid’s Tears, but I detest OPI’s formula. No matter what I do, no matter what BC or TC I use, OPI chips on me in less than 12 hours. Usually much less. Sinful Colors FTW!
I look at the Sinful polishes everytime I’m in Walgreens (mine has them front and center) but generally walk by bc the few I have tried go on super matte (I don’t always have time for top coat) and they chip really quickly (even with he top coat).
I don’t know if I should be like “who cares it’s $1.99?” Or if I should be like “can I get a slightly better quality for my $1.99?” It’s perplexing…..
OH SO PRETTY! I really love this shade! It reminds me of the greens in vintage floral patterns… my fave!
Which Rite Aid are you talking about??? I’m a Clevelander and would love the scoop
It’s in Cleveland Heights on the corner of Taylor and Cedar. I’ve also found Discount Drug Marts to have great seasonal selections but there isn’t one near me anymore.
I love cheaper dupes! Its nice when I don’t have to “brain screw” a stinkin’ polish purchase because it costs nearly $10! God bless the ‘Free Market.’
It looks a lot like Orly Ancient Jade
I tried a bottle of Sinful Colors and did not like it. It was a light pink color and streaked like mad. Also chipped quickly. I’ll stick with OPI. Also, the lady at Walgreens told me OPI made Sinful Colors. Is that not the case?
I don’t know. There are always rumors about that type of thing floating around. The rumor used to be that OPI made Fingerpaints. According to what I’ve found online, they are a private company based in Maryland who operates as a subsidiary of Revlon and Revlon and OPI are not at all related.
yeah sinful was bought by revlon.
I got this and two other SC polishes a week or two ago and I immediately noticed (and tweeted about) the OPI…similarity. I’m very happy with my purchases, though!
I just found the SC Adventure Island Display at Rite Aid. The polish was $1.99, the OPI Polish cost $8-$10. I’m happy too!
Sinful is just GORGEOUS, and tied with China Glaze for a favorite with me for price, color selection and wearability. Shocked to just hear now that they were bought by Revlon… hopefully they will remain the great resource I know and love!
http://drugstorenews.com/article/revlons-q2-boosted-sinful-colors-acquisition-net-sales-color-cosmetics
I picked up a bottle of Sinful Colors because I had read that SC is BETTER than OPI, which I love! I figured, for $2, how can I go wrong? Well for starters, my nails are now permanently stained blue. Plus, the polish goes on gloppy, but thin (it needs at least2 coats to OPI’s 1), and it dries matte. Horrible! I would SO much rather spend $6-8 more to get a quality product!
I just bought open seas today, at wallgreens…I wonder if it was deplaced in a previous collection? I remember I had just starting to get into nail polishes when this collection came out
I wish I had picked up star fish and the purple one…. But i guess that sooner or later they will come back 