OPI New Orleans Collection and the Juiciest Watermelon

I always anticipate OPI's spring and summer collections, because it always means bright, bold, and different. If you're like me, then I know you've been eagerly looking forward to this one - the New Orleans Collection.

Now I've never been there, but New Orleans is a hot, humid environment rich in history and debauchery. OPI celebrates each of those pieces of New Orleans, but what I liked most about this collection was the nod to its foodie culture. Southern food is the stuff of my dreams - deep fried, rich in flavor, and readily available at all hours of the day and night. For that reason, and because the colors of New Orleans screamed inspiration to me, I created what I call "The Juiciest Watermelon".

The Juiciest Watermelon

I used two colors from New Orleans here (including I'm Sooo Swamped! which I'm holding, and She's a Bad Muffuletta!), plus an OPI Hawaii shade That's Hula-rious from last year and Black Onyx. 

Ready to see the colors on their own? (Don't forget to click the jump link farther down to see all 12 shades.)

OPI - Crawfishin' for a Compliment

Crawfishin' for a Compliment (2 coats) is my new favorite orange sherbet creme, and the first of several food or drink-named colors from New Orleans. 

OPI - Humidi-Tea

Humidi-Tea (2 coats) is a blush shimmer, and it reminds me a lot of one of OPI's Designer Series, Reserve. It's more blush than pink, but the shimmer effect is similar. I surprisingly love this, even though it's a very muted neutral tone in a bright collection.

OPI - I Manicure for Beads

In addition to food references, OPI got cheeky with the naming of a few of their colors, like I Manicure for Beads (2 coats). This pretty, warm, purple creme shade references the make-yo-mama-proud tradition of flashing your chesticles to anyone with beads, for the sole purpose of obtaining said beads. Keep it classy girls.

OPI - I'm Sooo Swamped!

Not everything's glitz, glamour, and tits in New Orleans. That muggy part of the country is also home to swampy ecosystems where gators'll getcha! Referencing that is I'm Sooo Swamped! (2 coats), which thankfully isn't a gross green, but rather a pretty kelly green, grass shade. (This was also the stripes on my juicy watermelon nail art up there.)

OPI - Got Myself into a Jam-balaya

Got Myself into a Jam-balaya (2 coats) is a bright, but still pastel, coral creme.

OPI - Let Me Bayou a Drink

Let Me Bayou a Drink (2 coats) is a baby pink (almost white) creme with rainbow shimmer in it. Another interesting neutral that I actually quite like.

OPI - Rich Girls & Po-Boys

Rich Girls & Po-Boys (2 coats) is a rich periwinkle blue creme referencing food...again. Probably the pedicure color of the season. Watch.

OPI - She's a Bad Muffuletta!

 She's a Bad Muffuletta! (2 coats) is almost a neon red, but probably more accurately a super bright pinky red. Like Dutch Tulips got a makeover.

OPI - Show Us Your Tips!

Show Us Your Tips! (3 coats) is the only polish with formula I struggled with for this collection. It was patchy at 2 coats, so I did 3. Regardless, the periwinkle purple with rainbow shimmer is beautiful. And the name might be my favorite.

OPI - Spare Me a French Quarter?

Spare Me a French Quarter? (2 coats) is a very royal, punched up magenta creme.

OPI - Suzi Nails New Orleans

Looking for a pretty bubblegum pink creme? Suzi Nails New Orleans (2 coats) is exactly what you need then. It's bright, but it's not neon.

OPI - Take a Right on Bourbon

Last but not least is Take a Right on Bourbon (2 coats) - a pretty whitish silver chrome. I thought for sure this would be more of a gold or yellow, but it just wasn't.

New Orleans is available now where OPI is, and it's a good one!

Now...let's hear your tales of debauchery at Mardi Gras.

The products in this post were given for review purposes. The reviews are based entirely on my experience with the products and were in no way influenced by anyone.