Whether you are a certified beauty expert or a more casual cosmetics user, you are probably familiar with the iconic three letters of OPI.
This established brand is synonymous with high-quality, innovative nail products and formulas adorning the shelves of salons worldwide. Since its inception, OPI has revolutionised nail care with excellent strengthening products and long-lasting polishes with high-shine finishes.
Here, we are diving into what makes OPI a standout name in nail care.
Contents
How long does OPI take to dry?
What does OPI stand for?
OPI stands for Odontorium Products Inc. Originally a dental supply company in Los Angeles, California, OPI was purchased by George Schaeffer in 1981. Schaeffer decided to pivot to make nail lacquer after nail technicians started buying OPI’s dental porcelain to make acrylic nails. Shortly after, George Schaeffer was joined by Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, credited as OPI’s co-founder and brand ambassador.
Suzi is in charge of the naming of the shades and is behind some of the brand’s best-loved hues, including “A Grape Affair”, “A Butterfly Moment” and “I’m Not Really a Waitress”.
What is OPI nail polish?
OPI is well known for its ever-expanding range of products and nail systems. They aim to stay on top of trends and have previously released special collections, including one for Legally Blonde 2, which was featured in the film, as well as collaborations with the likes of Ford Mustang and 2010’s Alice in Wonderland.
Let’s take a look at OPI’s most iconic formulations.
Nail Lacquer
OPI’s landmark formula pushed them to the forefront of nail innovation. Nail Lacquer has won multiple awards for OPI, and comes in a vast selection of long-lasting, high-shine shades. The formula is thick, making it more chip-resistant and giving a similar finish to gel without curing under a UV lamp.
Gel Color
The Gel Color series is a professional gel polish line by OPI. The gorgeous shades in this line require curing under a UV or LED lamp for a glossy, durable manicure. This range also features classic base and top coats to ensure your nails remain strong and your manicure lasts up to 21 days.
OPI Gel Color - “Edinburgh-Er Tatties”
Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquers
The Axxium range is a flexible formulation applied like standard gel and can last even longer. The difference is that Axxium doesn’t have to be sanded down for removal. Instead, it can be soaked off, minimising damage to the natural nails.
OPI Axxium Soak Off Gel - “Brisbane Bronze”
Nail Care
As well as products to create beautiful manicures, OPI takes nail health seriously. Among their selection of nail care products, you will find patented formulas, including Ulti-Plex Technology™ in their Repair Mode™ bond building nail serum and Tri-Flex Technology™ in the Nail EnvyⓇ nail strengthening liquid shield.
OPI Repair Mode™ Bond Building Nail Serum
How long does OPI take to dry?
If you are using a gel polish that requires curing, your nails will be dry and ready to go in a matter of minutes. For regular polish like the OPI Nail Lacquer, it will take a little longer.
There are a number of factors that play into how long your nails will take to dry. For example, did you know that some colours dry faster than others?
Glittery polishes tend to dry fastest, while yellow shades require the most drying time due to the large colour pigment particle.
Tips for drying your nails faster
While some nail polishes will dry faster than others based on their formulation, there are some steps you can take to help get your nails dry and ready for action quicker.
- Choose a glittery shade. As we mentioned, glitter shades are the quickest drying option, so choose some sparkles if a last-minute mani is on the cards.
- Grab the hairdryer. Using your hairdryer on the cool setting will significantly speed up your drying process. Ensure you leave your nails for around 30 seconds before blasting them to avoid smudging.
- The iced water method. To step it up from cold air, leave your nails to dry for a minute before dunking them into a bowl of freezing water. If you can endure the cold, a two-minute dip should be enough to dry your nails.
- Keep coats thin. Ensure your coats of polish are nice and thin to speed up the drying process. Three thin coats will dry much faster than two thick ones, and give a smoother finish.
Explore leading nail brands at The Nail & Beauty Link
Along with our OPI collection, we have an unrivalled list of leading brands to explore at The Nail & Beauty Link. Master the art of Gel-X with Apres Nails, browse modern shades from CND and bolster your professional kit with Kiara Sky. Discover all these excellent brands and more in our full collection at The Nail & Beauty Link.