OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

Don't Bossa Nova Me Around was recently released by OPI as part of the Brazil collection for spring/summer 2014. It's a desaturated pink-toned neutral with grey undertones and a drop or two of lavender in it. Depending upon lighting and skin tone, it can appear as a whitened rose, a greyed-out lavender, an off-white or a pale nude. The delicate mix of colors with white produces a look that is clean and sleek with a softness that keeps it from being too stark.

Application was very nice. The consistency is fluid, creamy and dense with excellent flow over the nail. Pigmentation is also excellent -- with the right touch and a generous brushload this could be a one coater. Although a whitened color, there is almost no streakiness and the self-leveling properties are exceptional. I used one thin and one medium coat for even opaque coverage and my prodigious nail ridges were completely tamed, very impressive. Cleanup is easy and straightforward. Don't Bossa Nova Me Around dries naturally in average time to a smooth glossy finish.

Photos show two coats of Don't Bossa Nova Me Around over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around

This polish immediately put me in mind of Zoya Portia, from my post of two days ago. Both are whitened cool-leaning neutral colors and although similar, Don't Bossa Nova Me Around is a stronger, more pigmented polish. It's formula is denser and more user-friendly than Portia's, and it has the stronger grey undertone that makes it a tad more neutral than Portia. They share the delicate pink touched by lavender coloring, but in Portia it has a daintier, more ephemeral feel. Don't Bossa Nova Me Around seems more sophisticated and proficient in comparison, less demure. It really depends upon your skin tone and preferences as to which would serve you best.

As with Portia, I wish Don't Bossa Nova Me Around liked me half as much as I like it. Despite the lovely grey undertone it has, it still looks and feels a little cool to be a perfect neutral for me although I think it comes out ahead of Portia in that respect. I also preferred its formula. 

love,
Liz