OPI is a premium nail polish brand which has once again remained at the fore with the advent of a hot new matte nail polish trend. Going back to old faithful shades which customers have already proven devotion to, OPI has released a range of six favourites in a special matte effect formula.

1. You Don't Know Jacques

A rich mushroom / Taupe brown, You Don't Know Jacques (or 'YDKJ' to enthusiasts ... yes, really..) was one of many major hits for OPI from the FRANCE collection. This strange, deep neutral with its slightly sombre cast became the sophisticated shade of the season which had everyone talking. Sparking a trend toward weird mushroom tones, YDKJ sits with Sephora for OPI's Metro Chic and Orly's Country Club Khaki as 'must have' shades.

2. Russian Navy

A deep blue which passes for black indoors. The high shine and sparkle of the original give it a deep, sultry quality but in the matte formulation its inkiness has an odd effect; as if the nail had been coloured-in with a black texta. I couldn't quite manage the black texta look, so.. (close your ears OPI) I added a few drops of the matte white shade in the range to reach an acceptable level of blue-ness. It is still very dark and frankly: my version is better.

Ok, OPI - you can take your hands away from your ears now.

3. Alpine Snow

Where Russian Navy strives to replicate permanent marker, Alpine Snow is holding down the fort for liquid paper (tippex / whiteout). I am fair as fair as fair (FAIR) already ... this is doing me no favours except that it did rectify my problems with Russian Navy. I call us even.

There is a white nail polish trend on the go. I'm sure it suits some skin tones but white on white is certainly a challenge to wear with any real success.

4. La Paz-itively Hot

SO hot - radioactive hot, in fact. Somehow, in a matte formula this shade is deeper as well as more fiery. It's a rich, loud pink that here develops a matte satin finish like silk. Gorgeous and perfect for summer on the toes. I couldn't manage it on my fingertips all day (probably go blind with all that hot pink flashing in front of my face) - but I can attest that it makes for a winning pedicure colour.

5. Lincoln Park After Dark

I have this in the normal creme formula and it is sex on a stick. Dark, dark, uber-dark eggplant that shines like water in the pitch black night. In the sunshine, there's a hint of purplish-wine... but all I really noticed is dark shine. It's an amazing shade and an absolute cult classic (it has a following ... in the same way that Harry Potter has a following). This was one shade that flew off the shelves and could not be found for extended periods until someone popped up with a stash on ebay.

The matte version sucks (in my opinion). It has the black texta effect - but you know those black textas that have a reddish purple base (which you only notice when water hits the marker and it bleeds)? Good shade for goths and vampire afficionados but not my personal cup of tea. As I mentioned though, I LOVE the original - so you really need to test matte vs shiny for your very own self.

6. Gargantuan Green Grape

The first thing you should be apprised of here is that there is a green nail polish trend afoot. Don't argue - just take my word for it: it's the truth. I should know, I have like half a dozen bottles of varying shades of green. Not this shade though.

The matte version of Gargantuan Green Grape has a flat, toothpasty / Mylanta quality that is just not my flavour of green. I have deep racing green and shimmery lime, oceanic teals and cheeky olives but this is almost the colour you see in hospitals and other institutions. Chalky green. Again, just my opinion - and the creamy version of this and others of its ilk was a popular trend.

I will endeavour to come back and add some swatches as I know people like to see the effect with their own eyes. Two obstacles there:

a) I currently have one respectably long nail - left hand ring finger; and

b) I don't know where the camera is.

Both are surmountable, but I make no promises.

On the whole, I actually really like the matte effect - more than most people it seems. I have managed to procure through the wonders of online shopping a bottle of matte top coat. This amazing stuff turns any of the many bottles of polish I already own into flat, velvet sexiness. It's a great product.

Tonight, I painted my nails with OPI's Shower Together, a deep creme teal shade which is the kind of colour that belongs in a peacock's tail. The shiny version was - loud. It caught the light too much and I just felt like my nails were showing off far more than they had any right to be given their current state of affairs. So I painted them with a single coat of the matte top coat and they are now a-maazing. My finger tips are like deep turquoise velvet drapes. The finish is soft and silky rather than plastic and shiny.

Experimentation is key - you genuinely cannot tell whether the matte version will be nicer or displeasing, black texta / white-out style. I've tried other mattified colours and they looked terrible. The flukes, when you happen onto a winning matte / gloss combo, mean few people will have stumbled across the exact same shade and felt the very same inspiration to make it matte.

PRO:

If you like the matte look - you will have loads of fun making all your nail polishes flat and velvety. It dries faster than regular polishes and requires no top coat.

CON:

No top coat means more chipping and OPI warns that matte formulations will not wear as well as other nail polish types. Fast dry time is a huge plus once you get the hang of the application but it can all go horribly wrong if it dries while you're still trying to smooth it all out. The application is thicker, slower moving and dries in moments (like quick set cement).