The much anticipated Fall collection from OPI, La Collection De France, hit shelves last week and sent my fellow fanatics into frenzy. Ever since the unofficial images hit the net, people have been curious about what the colors will look like in person. I have to say that while there are a few AMAZING shades in the collection, overall I can’t help but say “meh!” But you girls know me; I like new, different, unexpected. And while this extremely wearable palette represents the chic, sophisticated air of France, overall it doesn’t intrigue me.

Where formula is concerned, the shimmers are barely noticeable (exceptions noted) while the cremes have continued to impress me the way India and the Mod Brights did. Excellent coverage, smooth application and a glossy finish. What more can a girl ask for?

My OPI France Hits:
Parlez Vous OPI? is the clear winner and stand out for me. I’m so feeling the smoked out shades for Fall, I can’t even stand it! And this smokey violet creme is a total knockout. If there is one color (besides dove gray) that I’ll be wearing multiple times this Fall, it’s this one.

You Don’t Know Jacques! ended up surprising me. This muddy browned gray didn’t look at all flattering in the bottle but on my nails, LOVES IT! In the same way that China Glaze Wagon Trail felt gritty and grungy, You Don’t Know Jacques! gives off the same edge. The creme finish just makes it a bit more chic.

Louvre Me Louvre Me Not is a fun pop of juicy grape color in a collection with such subdued tones. And the shimmer in this one is more prominent, making this a great shade for us funky nail lovin’ gals.

Baguette Me Not is another one that caught me off guard. I didn’t think much of it in the bottle but it really works with my skin tone. And I’m diggin the slightly dusty quality. So, is it a deep melon, a reddish orange, a browned red? It’s like describing the wondrous taste and texture of sushi in that I can’t quite articulate it, I just know I like it.

The Misses:
What’s there to say about Tickle My France-y? It’s a nice, neutral, nude. How’s that for alliteration? But seriously, it’s a great basic. Very work friendly and I like that it’s not sheer. Finding flattering opaque neutrals can be a challenge.

Crepes Suzi-ette reminds me of the reddish brown shade MAC put in the N Colour collection, Naturally Rich. That one didn’t work for me and neither does Crepes Suzi-ette. It applied beautifully but is just way to blah for me. I could see a darker skinned person pulling this off or perhaps even a red-head. Just not me.

I wanted to like I’m Fondue Of You. I really did. The shimmery slightly bronze bottle shade drew me in. I honestly expected this to be a winner. But on my nails, it just kind of dies. I love me some chocolate brown but this was too light and too red and not shimmery enough for my taste.

And the I’ve Seen It Befores:
A Oui Bit Of Red has visible shimmer in the bottle though when applied, it disappears. I do like that it makes my nails look like little Red Hot candies, which is fun but, it’s not a red I haven’t seen before. I know, what red really is? Like the LBD (little black dress) it’s a staple.

Bastille My Heart is a deep candy apple red with that same subtle shimmer. Pretty but, yawn inducing. Next!

Yes… I Can-Can! and We’ll Always Have Paris (below in that order) both have a reddish grape base that has been deepended to a vampy plum. The shimmer in Yes… I Can-Can! is really the only difference. The silver sparkles do stand out some on the nail but I can’t really say either polish is more unique than the vampies from past Fall collections (Russia, Chicago, 25th Anniversary).

Eiffel For This Color looks to be a Lincoln Park After Midnight twin. I’ll have to do a swatch test and report back. Again, it’s another almost-black plum with shimmer. Do I like it? Yes! Will I wear it? For sure. Does it make me want to run out and buy a backup? Not so much.
The OPI La Collection De France is available now at professional salons and chains like Trade Secret, ULTA, Regis, JC Penney in addition to the online e-tailers I have listed on the right.

So what are your thoughts on the collection? I’m sure by now some of you have already scooped up your favs. What were your Hits, Misses and Seen It Befores?