Swatch Comparison - OPI DS Original vs. Milani Hi-Res

Hey guys!

After my comparison of OPI DS Coronation and Milani HD, I started to think about my other DS polishes and wondered if there are any other shades from the Milani 3D Holographic Collection that are suitable alternatives to any of my other DS polishes.

The first similarities I noticed were between OPI DS Original and Milani Hi-Res so I'll be showing you that comparison today. I've also got one more OPI DS/Milani 3D comparison lined up to keep on the lookout for that.



Keep reading for the comparison!



OPI Designer Series Original, Milani Hi-Res


OPI DS Original


Milani Hi-Res


OPI DS Original, Milani Hi-Res


Milani Hi-Res, OPI DS Original

So while these are not dupes, they're definitely similar.
First of all, the base colours are almost identical - a light shimmering lilac. The differences lie in the holographic effect/particles.

The Milani 3D Holographic polishes all have bigger, chunkier pieces of silver holographic glitter pieces that the OPI DS polishes do not have, which makes the Milani polishes look a little more bling-y.

The holographic effect is very evident in both shades and although Hi-Res is one of the most holographic of the entire 3D Collection, DS Original still wins in the intensity of the holo effect. Hi-Res is more of a scattered effect with just a touch of linear holo while DS Original is very clearly linear.

One of the major differences between these two polishes is the pricing. OPI Designer Series polishes are more expensive than regular OPI polishes and will run you anywhere between $10-15. However, because DS Original has been discontinued, it'll run you even more than that from places like eBay. For example, my bottle of DS Original cost me $23 (including shipping) on eBay and it's currently the polish in my collection that I've spent the most money on.
On the other hand, the Milani 3D Holographic Collection polishes are $3.99 on the Milani website.

In the end, a choice between these will really come down to personal preference and budget. Hi-Res is a good alternative to OPI DS Original, especially considering the price difference and some people will prefer Hi-Res because it's got that extra bling-y quality. For me, DS Original has a special place in my collection and my heart so that one wins out for me.

My friend Rebecca also did a comparison of these two shades so you can check out her post for another look.

Do you have either of these? Both? Which do you prefer? Is Hi-Res similar enough to DS Original for you to cross that lemming off your list and opt for the more cost efficient option?

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Swatch Comparison - OPI DS Coronoation vs. Milani HD

Hey guys!

While swatching all of the DS polishes I own, I noticed that the scattered silver holographic polish DS Coronations looked very similar to Milani HD from the 3D Holographic Collection.

I've already reviewed and swatched the Milani collection (check it out here) but I thought it would be useful to swatch these shades side-by-side to determine if they are dupes.



Keep reading for the comparison!



OPI Designer Series Coronation, Milani HD


OPI DS Coronation


Milani HD


OPI DS Coronation, Milani HD


OPI DS Coronation, Milani HD


Milani HD, OPI DS Coronation

As you can see, these aren't total dupes but they're super close. The only difference in the actual polishes is that HD has bigger holographic particles which make it more prismatic and more holographic looking than DS Coronation. Besides that, the base colours are almost identical with DS Coronation having just a touch more grey than Milani HD.

Additionally, there is a significant price difference in these two polishes. OPI Designer Series polishes are more expensive than regular OPI polishes and will run you anywhere between $10-15. On the other hand, the Milani 3D Holographic Collection polishes are $3.99 on the Milani website.

In the end, if you have either one of these, I wouldn't say that you need to run out and get the other one. However, if you don't have either and you're in the market for a scattered silver holo, I'd recommend Milani HD over OPI DS Coronation. The chunkier pieces of holo make HD a little more special than DS Coronation in my opinion and the price is much more wallet friendly.

Do you have either of these? Both? Which do you prefer?

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Swatch Comparison - A Few Purples (featuring Orly Frolic)

Hey guys!

Tonight I have another comparison for the Orly Happy Go Lucky Collection for you, this time featuring the purple shade - Orly Frolic.

I already did a comparison featuring the light teal of this collection (Frisky) and determined that there was no dupe for it, at least in my stash. Check that comparison out here.

Nail polish comparisons is currently in the top 3 answers of my poll of what you would like to see more of on my blog so I hope you guys are liking all the comparisons I have been working on lately. :)



Keep reading for the comparison!



China Glaze Spontaneous, Milani Rad Purple, Orly Frolic, FingerPaints Heavenly Hydrangeas, Orly Purple Pleather


China Glaze Spontaneous (permanent)


Milani Rad Purple (from the Neon Collection)


Orly Frolic (from the Happy Go Lucky Collection)


FingerPaints Heavenly Hydrangeas (from the Palette of Petals Collection)


Orly Purple Pleather (from the Plastix Collection)


China Glaze Spontaneous, Milani Rad Purple, Orly Frolic, FingerPaints Heavenly Hydrangeas, Orly Purple Pleather


China Glaze Spontaneous, Milani Rad Purple, Orly Frolic


Orly Frolic, FingerPaints Heavenly Hydrangeas, Orly Purple Pleather


Orly Purple Pleather, FingerPaints Heavenly Hydrangeas, Orly Frolic, Milani Rad Purple, China Glaze Spontaneous


Orly Purple Pleather, FingerPaints Heavenly Hydrangeas, Orly Frolic


Orly Frolic, Milani Rad Purple, China Glaze Spontaneous

As you can see, there is definitely no dupe for Orly Frolic here. In fact, none of these even come close and believe it or not, these are the closest shades to Frolic that I had in my stash.

In my original review of the Happy Go Lucky Collection, I mentioned that I thought Frolic was a lighter version of Purple Pleather from the Plastix Collection of last year and while that may be a little true, it's only because the finishes are a little similar; after seeing them side-by-side, there are far too many differences between them to call them close.

I think the closest shade to Frolic would be Milani Rad Purple but that's a pretty big stretch since they're really not that close at all and it's just the more pinkish base of both that makes them more alike than the others.

I honestly thought that this shade would be much more dupe-able than it turned out to be so if you like this shade at all, I'd recommend picking it up since it does seem to be more unique than I originally thought.

What do you guys think of Orly Frolic? Are there any other shades that you think might be closer to this than the ones I've tried?

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