Limited Edition Mariah Carey by OPI Liquid Sand Nail Polish Collection Spring 2013

The Mariah Carey by OPI collection for Spring 2013 is a two-parter: Four 'studio' shades, and four 'stage' shades.  The Stage shades are my favorite part of the collection for one predictable reason: glitter.  Except these aren't just any glitter polishes, they're OPI's brand new Liquid Sand finish, which are glitter polishes meant to be worn without a topcoat to give "a never-before-seen look with a pebbled finish that lightly shimmers with fine glitter particles. Worn without top coat, Liquid Sand lacquer gives nails a unique textured matte finish."

I'm a fan of wearing certain glitter polishes without topcoat because of the sparkly sugary look they have, so I was excited to try out these OPI ones.  Here's how they turned out:

OPI Liquid Sand Polish in Can't Let Go.  This is a heavily blue-toned purple base with purple and blue microglitter, medium sized silver hexagon glitter and bumpy, sandy grit.  The base on this one seems just a touch too opaque to let all the glitter shine through, but I think that's the effect they were going for.
 OPI Liquid Sand Polish in Get Your Number.  A sheer cool blue jelly base with opalescent microglitter and small, round hologram glitter.  This one works pretty well both matte and glossy, but it is the sheerest of all the shades.


 OPI Liquid Sand Polish in Stay The Night.  A black creme base with small hot pink glitter and added sandy grit.  I think this one would have more impact if it dried to a less-glossy finish.  It looks good with topcoat, but without it, it just looks like your average lumpy glitter polish.



OPI Liquid Sand Polish in The Impossible.  A bright pink-orange coral jelly base with silver, pink-red, and purple iridescent microglitter, medium silver hexagon glitter and large holographic star glitter. This one is my favorite.  It has lots of depth from the combination of bright jelly base and multiple sizes and colors of glitter, plus it has the added kick of holographic stars to make it even prettier.  I think the 'liquid sand' finish comes across the best on this one as well.  It's matte enough to look sandy when it dries. 

Here's how they look with topcoat: