O.P.I. GelColor Hawaii Collection Swatches
In an attempt to broaden my horizons and try different brands, I picked up the OPI Hawaii Collection in GelColor! I know I’m a little behind the times on this collection since it launched in February, but better late than never. These are the colors that OPI released for Spring & Summer. The collection consists of 12 fun shades with varying finishes.
This was only my second time using OPI GelColor. I really like the feel of the bottles and the brushes, though I did find that most of the colors needed three coats for best coverage. I found all of the creams to apply a bit streaky even though I shook them with my Robart before applying. Since I don’t own any other OPI colors, I can’t provide color comparisons within the brand but I will let you know when a shade is similar to another that I’m aware of.
OPI Just Lanai-ing Around is a pink-leaning mauve with an extremely subtle shimmer. This polish had a fabulous formula and provided full coverage in just two coats. I would put this color in the Marsala category (the Pantone color of the year), and it’s very similar to Revel Passion. Coincidentally, I have this color on my toes too because I picked it out at the salon the last time I went for a pedi.
OPI Hello Hawaii Ya? is a medium-to-dark, grey-leaning purple cream. Both of the purples in this collection are pretty unique to my stash and I didn’t find any close comparisons.
OPI That’s Hula-rious! is a pastel minty green cream. This shade is more green than most of my minty shades, but is very similar to Revel Envy.
OPI Is Mai Tai Crooked? is a light-to-medium orange cream. Most of my orange shades are either coral or pink-leaning, but this is a pretty true orange shade. The closest shade that I have to it is LeChat Lollipop, which is just a hair darker than Mai Tai.
Aloha from OPI is a red-leaning coral cream. This is a gorgeous, bright color for summer! It’s very similar to Gelish Tiger Blossom and Progel Lifeguard on Duty.
OPI This Color’s Making Waves is a unique shimmery blue with tiny gold shimmer flecks. This color is a bit opalescent with a frosty finish and applies a little sheer, but builds up to opacity in three coats.
OPI Do You Take Lei Away? is a nude beige cream. These neutral shades seem to be popular this summer since the last three or four collections I’ve swatched have all included one. This is probably the palest shade of beige that I own. It’s very similar to ibd Dockside Diva, which is one of my favorite neutrals.
OPI Suzi Shops & Island Hops is a baby pink cream. I have several similar shades in my stash including ibd Funny Bone, Gelish Ella of a Girl and LeChat Cotton Candy.
OPI Lost my Bikini in Molokini is a vibrant shade of purple that seems to lean slightly blue. I love the color, but wasn’t impressed with the formula.
OPI My Gecko Does Tricks is a frosty lime green. This one also applied a bit opalescent and built up to opacity with three coats. It’s a unique shade to my personal collection.
OPI Go With the Lava Flow is a unique coral-leaning red with a golden shimmer. This color had a nice formula and only needed two coats.
OPI Pineapples Have Peelings Too! is a frosty gold with multi-colored glitter mixed in. I find this to be a very odd combination and am not sure how it fits in with the rest of this collection… is it an April Fools joke? This is a total miss in my opinion, and I would never wear it. I’ve never said that about a polish before! I actually made myself keep this on for a whole day to see if it would grow on me, but I loathed it more the longer I wore it. LOL Am I crazy? Do you like it?
Whew! That was another long post. Let me know which of these OPI colors are your favorites.
Can I just tell you all that I sometimes miss the days when I could get away with posting just one color at a time! LOL I’ve posted 21 swatch pics so far this week and it’s only Wednesday! ;)
Don’t know what they were thinking when creating Pineapples Have Peelings Too.. It’s just, nah. However, great swatches as usual! ;-)
I agree. I make a really ugly face every time I see it. I’ve tried to like it but…no.
My Gecko Does Tricks would be really nice with a deep tan….Oooh, I want, I want, I want….
That would look nice. I think that Gecko and Making Waves would also look awesome if applied over a black base because they both have that sheer iridescence about them. They’d be great for layering.
I kinda liked the look of Pineapples Have Peelings Too, only because I sometimes like the odd stuff. I think some people will like it, but probably not a hugely popular color. Just a little different.
Great to see you posting swatches of Gelcolor :)
sorry if this question has been asked before, but can i use my gelish foundation and topcoat with the OPI color? or any other color?
Yes you can.
It’d be nice if you could do a comparison of suzi shops and island hops, gel ii mauvelous melody, and gelish ella of a girl! Thanks for the swatches I was curious how these colors looked in a gel polish formula!
Ella of a Girl is a close match, Mauvelous Melody is a brighter shade of pink.
Thanks for the gorgeous swatches. I’ve been looking everywhere and only find the regular polish swatches. I ordered That’s Hula-rious and Just Lanai-ing Around in the Gelcolor versions. I tried the mint green. It has a beautiful formula and application, worked great with my Gelish base and top coat. I was a little disappointed, though, that it’s a shade or two darker than what I expected. I am wondering if the gel version comes out darker…? I expected a very light mint. Haven’t tried the other yet. The three others I would love to have are Lost my Bikini, Aloha and Making Waves. What a beautiful collection.
The green does look a few shades darker in gel than in RNP based on other swatches I’ve seen. :)
I thought so! Thanks for confirming for me. I still love the colour. It’s quite beautiful, just darker than I was expecting. I may have to buy the RNP to get that white mint shade! LOL
I was disappointed that the Hawaiian Collection did not include my favorite lacquer color Hawaiian Orchid. I only use soak off gel now. Do you know a similar gel color or a combo of gel colors to recreate it?
I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with the color.
I’m thrilled you are reviewing OPI GelColor, it’s one of my favorite lines. And since I always check your swatches before I buy, it’s nice to have this as well!
Definitely love your gel swatches. You’ve done an awesome job at gel manicure. Will the MelodySusie 12-watt led lamp also cure with the O.P.I. GelColor line?
Just wanted to pipe in that I have the Melody Susie 12 watt LED and I cured OPI gel colour That’s Hula-arious with it and it worked beautifully. That’s the only OPI gel colour I have, but I assume they would all cure well with it.
Thanks, Shar. I haven’t tested the OPI colors in the 12-watt MS lamp.
You are the Swatch Queen Andrea fabalous work ! I love Opi Gelcolor own about 90 only got 3 in this collection after look at the bottle now thinking I will be purchasing a few more after seeing the swatches . I find it so much better to see the color on a hand vs going and seeing it in the bottle or on swatch stick . Keep up the great work .
Thank you! I’m glad you find the swatches helpful. :)
I saw Pineapples, somewhere and thought it peaked my interest. Seeing your swatch makes me think I actually love it and I definitely would wear it! ♥
Could you please recommend a Gelish colour close to OPI Lost my Bikini in Molokini? Thanks!
(Or any brand that has a colour close to it – a rich, vibrant purple that doesn’t look black or lavender)
Gelish doesn’t really have a purple that color. The closest might be You Glare, I Glow.
Will you be swatting the OPI gelcolor 2015 soft shades collection ?
Probably not
Did you use the opi base and top coat too? How did you feel it compares to gelish? I personally found the opi gel colours to be very thin, and chipped incredibly easy. Did you get much wear out of the colours? I am a huge fan of the texture and strength of gelish though.
I don’t have the OPI base and top and haven’t conducted a wear test on the brand.
I’m having a hard time with this brand. It peels right off, any suggestions?