DUPE ALERT: OPI Nicki Minaj Collection VS. Sinful Colors

Earlier this year, OPI launched a collaboration collection with Nicki Minaj, for Spring 2012. When I spotted it at my local Lawton's drugs, I was really interested in the three creams in the collection, which would have rung up at $29.97CAD before taxes. But before heading to the register I headed over to the Sinful Colors section and noticed that they were on sale 2 for $6, (regularly $3.99CAD each here, I know you lucky folks in the US can get these for as low as $1.99USD and even cheaper on sale). As you can guess by the title and the above photo, I walked away polishes, just not the ones I had expected.



At the Sinful Colors display my eyes quickly fell to the shade Innocent, which when held next to the OPI shade, looked pretty much identical to the OPI Nicki Minaj polish in Did It On 'Em. This chartreuse polish was the one I was most excited about, and I was thrilled to see it full-sized (15mL) for $3 as opposed to the $9.99 for the OPI (15mL as well). It was still the cheaper buy when compared to the mini OPI set, which averages $4.50 for each tiny 3.75mL polish in the set of 4, (which is a mere 1/4 the size).


Next, I spotted Sinful Colors Star Fish, which looked very similar to OPI Pink Friday, a bubblegum pink with a slightly muted quality. So of course I had to search and find something to dupe the last cream in the Nicki Minaj Collection which is called Fly. Honestly it took some looking, but I finally settled on Sinful Colors Ocean Side, it was the closest in their range, and while it's similar and gives the same kind of feel, a pretty cerulean blue, it's not exact (it's missing the hint of teal that Fly has), but it was definitely close enough not to need the OPI shade (at least for me).


Take a look below for plenty of photos, my swatches, and the press photos from OPI for comparison, but for a better idea of how close they are, also take a look at the swatches of the OPI shades over at Scrangie (one of my favourite nail blogs, love her!)

(Sinful Colors Innocent, Ocean Side, Star Fish)

(OPI Press/Promo Photo Nicki Minaj Collection 2012)

(Sinful Colors Star Fish, Ocean Side, Innocent)

(Sinful Colors Star Fish, Ocean Side, Innocent)

(L-R Sinful Colors Star Fish, Innocent, Ocean Side, Innocent)

(Sinful Colors Innocent)

(Sinful Colors Innocent)

(Sinful Colors Innocent)

(Sinful Colors Innocent, Index & Ring)

(Sinful Colors Innocent, Index & Ring)

(Sinful Colors Ocean Side)

(Sinful Colors Ocean Side)

(Sinful Colors Ocean Side)

(Sinful Colors Ocean Side, Middle)

(Sinful Colors Ocean Side, Middle)

(Sinful Colors Star Fish)

(Sinful Colors Star Fish)

(Sinful Colors Star Fish)

(Sinful Colors Star Fish, Pinky)

(Sinful Colors Star Fish, Pinky)

For the sale, I picked up a forth Sinful Color polish in a shade I was fond of, and walked away with 4 full-sized polishes for only $12CAD, instead of $17.99 for a set of 4 minis, or $29.97 for the 3 full sized OPI Creams I was eyeing. I was super happy and proud of myself for getting the fun colours I wanted at a much lower price point.


While this post isn't meant to be a review of these, I will definitely give a little info. The formula here was on the thick side but not unwieldily, one benefit was that all three polishes were opaque in only one coat. Sinful Colors formulas can be hit or miss, but the pigmentation on these was great. 


All in all, if you liked the OPI Nicki Minaj collection but haven't been able to find it, would prefer a less expensive alternative, OR if you simply want a fun manicure with great spring colours, check out these shades by Sinful Colors. 


Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed! What are your favourite nail colours this Spring? Let me know in a comment below! 


Till next time!