1st Post: Intro, OPI JP Series Buying Guide

First off, an explanation for the blog name is appropriate here, if ever. It's Japanese, tamamushi, an insect with an iridescent color. The term, however, can also be used to describe anything with a prismatic effect, which incidentally is the case for holographic nail polishes. You will be seeing a lot of holos in this blog, as you may well have guessed by this point.


I would like to take this opportunity to write a bit of information on the Japanese DS Series. There are a few swatches out there (the best I have found are at KrisInPhilly's My Lucid Bubble blog) plus a few from Japanese bloggers if you know what to type into Google (hint: the name of this blog will also produce some lovely holographic TiNS, the Winmax's, and Canmake. Canmake makes holos?! Noooo!) However, there isn't a comprehensive shopping guide of sorts out there for those of us over here (i.e. not in Japan). This is an attempt to provide more info, so that you can choose more wisely before shelling out good money on these (I know, I know, ~$30 isn't a lot, but you can buy multiple bottles of ETF's for the same amount).

Here is the insert that comes in the box with the 12 standard shades:

(Click for full size)

There are, apparently, more than these (e.g. DS Royal.) I have not, however, come across any sort of press/seller/blogger photos from Japan that have DS Royal or anything beyond these twelve, unless they are selling the regular US versions. Based on the Sterling Nails photo, I think a good substitute for it would be the JP DS Original, one of the core shades.

Actually, I'm kind of hoping that it is DS Original, since it is a mini, so it has no label and they were confused. Plus, they look remarkably similar. OPI should have made a real holo (linear) with a blue/purple base like the real DS Royal. That would have been genius, I'm sure people would have been all over that. But no, instead we got a foil duochrome. And now we have those glitters. That's just insulting. The DS series used to be special. Even those weak scattered holos were still at least holo. Ok, ok, /rant.

I have to level with you at this point and say that I do not own all the Japanese Designer Series. I do have most of them, with at least one polish of each finish, and so I can compare these for you without having them all. Honestly, I don't have any intentions of owning all of them, and the main reason for me writing this is so that you too can save your $$$ and not purchase the ones that are not all that interesting/not worth the extra money/are a pain in the ass to find/dupes are available.

Before I go on to the finishes, I think this is a good spot to mention that the JP series is B3F. The formula is quick-drying, and shiny, so top coat is optional.

Finishes:

DS Luxury (Click to enlarge)

1.   Scattered holos with large particles

These are the ones that get all the love. They look like the China Glaze Kaleidoscopes, but with larger, super holo particles. They are finer than the ones in OPI Paris Couture for Sure, and have some finer particles thrown in as well for that sparkly effect the DS series is known for. First coat is very sheer, by the second coat is it almost completely opaque. Won't chip as quickly as other holos. Can take top coat (DS top coat).

Polishes with this finish: Divine, Luxury, Exclusive, Shimmer, Couture

 

DS Design (Click to enlarge)

2.   Soft semi-scattered linear holos

A cross between a linear holo, which has a prismatic effect, and a scattered holo. The particles are larger than those in a standard linear holo, so they are more visible individually.

These don't get quite as much love, but they are beautiful nevertheless under the right light. The base colors for these are very similar, same tone, but because the prismatic effect is not as strong, they appear lighter. The finish is not quite as smooth (not texture-wise), it looks as though it had some sort of superfine glass fleck. Will need at least two coats. Top coat is not recommend, as it will most likely kill the holo.

Polishes with this finish: Original, Vintage, Elegance, Signature, Design

DS Sapphire (index & middle)

3.   Scattered holos with fine particles

Very little love for these, and with good reason (for holo lovers anyway). The effect is almost none, extremely subtle. No prismatic effect. Individual particles shine alone.  If you ever wanted the Designer Series finish but you hate holos, these are for you. Bearing that in mind, whether or not to put a top coat on is probably not a problem, unless you do care about the little holo these polishes have.
Polishes with this finish: Sapphire, Chiffon.


With all that said, I would recommend buying all the polishes in category 1 and DS Original, and possibly Signature and Vintage.

I will probably update this post later when I've reread it and realize I've missed some info or I come back with new stuff.