I’ve been using a lot of OPI lately but until now all of that has been the regular polish. This time I tried the Infinite Shine series for the first time. Infinite Shine has it’s own base and top coats and it’s a no light gel lacquer. This is first time I’ve used a base coat with an at home gel polish and I was definitely curious to see if it would make a difference. Almost immediately I had issues with the system. Things weren’t settling or drying like I expected them to. So this post will be split in two parts; the first half is using the Infinite Shine system in it’s entirety and the second half will be using my regular base and top coats with the Infinite Shine polish. I noticed a definite difference. All the swatches are two coats unless otherwise specified.
Experiment #1: OPI Infinite Shine with Infinite Shine base + top coats
Half Past Nude
This was the first shade I tried and the amount of patchiness I had to deal with was my first indication that the whole system might not work for me. I actually really like this nude blush shade though.
Sunrise To Sunset
This medium orange was really the only shade in the collection that I really didn’t like. It has way too much yellow in it for me and the fact that it had a lot of the same issues as Half Past Nude didn’t help.
It’s Pink P.M.
This pastel pink is really on the white side but formula is really great for a shade that pale. It’s definitely a standout light pink from the ones I’ve tried recently.
In Familiar Terra-Tory
This dark coral is the only shade that was perfect in one coat and yet it was still a tiny bit smudgy with the top coat. That said, I’d wear this one again.
Experiment #2: OPI Infinite Shine Lacquers with alternative base and top coats
Rose Against Time
I noticed an immediate improvement with this bright pink. I’m not a huge fan of the shade, it’s a bit too bubblegum for me, but I don’t hate it.
Don’t Provoke The Plum!
This purple is just gorgeous and I could’ve gotten away with one coat but wanted a little more depth. I’m a big fan of this one.
Olive For Green
I have no idea why I was so surprised by how dark this piney green is but I really was. It’s a gorgeous shade that also could’ve been one coat but looks way better with two.
Reach For The Sky
I adore this light blue so much for spring. It definitely needs two coats but the formula is great.
Results: I didn’t plan on making this an experiment when I started swatching but I’m glad I did. I’m sure some people really love the OPI Infinite Shine system but I’m definitely not one of them. I noticed a major difference when I used the polishes with my favourite base and top coats instead. And actually, I don’t hate that because it gives you a lot more options when it comes to what you need to buy. The shades from this spring collection were pretty great and I would wear quite a few of them again.