OPI Nail Lacquer: the stories behind my favourite shades

Scratch’s Emma reminisces on the OPI Nail Lacquer shades that remind her of relationships, summer holidays and job interviews…

The shade that reminds me of my relationship: Tickle My Francey

This shade was gifted to me by my ex’s mum back in 2015, who absolutely loved doing her nails. She would paint her nails every week without fail – sometimes more than once a week. She was constantly looking at new designs and following nail techs on social media, and was the person who taught me how to create a marbled effect on my nails, which I was thrilled with.

On many a summer evening, we would sit together on their living room floor with the doors open into the garden and paint our nails together on the coffee table. My ex’s mum was a huge fan of OPI, and had an impressive array of colours, which she kindly painted my nails with.

I worked in Pandora at the time, and as our hands and nails were always on show showcasing Pandora jewellery, we had to have pretty-looking nails in a professional shade, that wouldn’t easily chip when helping customers choose their bracelets, charms and rings.

My ex’s mum ended up gifting me Tickle My Francey as I wore it so much. It was the perfect chic nude shade, which I loved – and I go back to it now when I want a classic nude.

The shade I wore for job interviews: Italian Love Affair

Italian Love Affair was a nail polish I spontaneously bought for a little pick-me-up, and I soon discovered that the baby pink shade goes with everything, offsets a job interview outfit nicely and isn’t too in-your-face that an interviewer would feel inclined to notice it, or detract from you selling your best self. Whenever I had a job interview, Italian Love Affair would come out – and I also like to think it’s a little good luck charm!

The shade that reminds me of teen summers: Elephantastic Pink

Back in the long, balmy days of summer during sixth form and university, all I wanted to wear on my nails, and especially my toes, were loud and bright shades: fuchsia pinks, neon purples, electric blues and zesty oranges. Elephantastic Pink was my go-to shade and I wore it religiously – to me, it summed up being young, fun and free, and I still have a love of wearing hot pink shades on my toes.

OPI products are available in the UK via www.opiuk.com