OPI in La Paz-itively Hot Matte + Comparisons

Direct sunlight

This is maybe my favorite matte polish. I just really like the juxtaposition of this girly pink with the slight edginess of the matte finish. It's the same fusion I see from my favorite designer, Marc Jacobs. 

OPI in La Paz-itively Hot Matte was released as part of the Summer 2009 "OPI Matte" collection. This was the only winner from that collection for me, but it does not have the easiest matte formula. It flows nicely, but this is the fastest drying matte I own - giving you about 2 seconds of play time before it gets goopy! You can see that my application is not completely smooth in 2 coats. Scrangie (of course!) has some application tips here (scroll down). 

I used the Stickey sandwich method, using CND Stickey base coat in between my two color layers to improve wear time, and I only experienced some tip wear (definitely more than a polish with top coat, but not bad). 

This is a warm, deep pink with blue-pink toned shimmer, which makes it wearable for all skin tones. The shimmer isn't visible in low light, but keeps it from looking flat and lifeless like the rest of the OPI mattes. Worn July 20 - 24, 2012.

Indoors, indirect natural light

Direct sunlight

Flash

Diffused flash, indirect natural light

Flash

When you add top coat to La Paz-itively Hot Matte, the shimmer really comes out, making the polish look significantly cooler-toned:

Left to right: OPI in La Paz-itively Hot Matte, OPI in La Paz-itively Hot Matte [with top coat]

Left to right: China Glaze in Fuchsia Fanatic, China Glaze in Heli-Yum, Icing in Sexy/Ecstatic, Chanel in #519 Rose Exubérant, China Glaze in Wicked Style, OPI in La Paz-itively Hot Matte, OPI in La Paz-itively Hot Matte [with top coat], Chanel in #541 Tentation, China Glaze in Ahoy!, China Glaze in Fly

To get an idea of the difference in finishes, click on the pictures to enlarge! I don't own many cooler pinks, so many of these are just for context rather than dupe comparison. Compared to La Paz-itively Hot Matte with top coat, to the right, are shimmers. Chanel in #541 Tentation is a bit deeper and warmer with no blue-pink shimmer, China Glaze in Ahoy is deeper and warmer with gold glass-fleck, China Glaze in Fly has the same blue-pink shimmer, but is lighter and more magenta than fuchsia. (By the way, this post marks the first time I can finally spell "fuchsia" correctly the first time out! Triumph!). Compared to La Paz-itively Hot Matte, to the left, are cremes. China Glaze in Fuchsia Fanatic is the closest, but still a little warmer and lighter; China Glaze in Heli-Yum and Icing in Sexy/Ecstatic are warmer and a bit lighter than Fuchsia Fanatic, with Heli-Yum being warmest; Chanel in #519 Rose Exubérant is like a lighter version of Heli-Yum and looks a bit dusty compared to China Glaze in Wicked Style, which is the warmest (a deeper salmon pink) and brightest. Chanel in #541 Tentation is closest, although I'm not sure what it would look like with matte top coat (sorry I forgot to check).

You can see more swatches from Scrangie, Lacquerized, Polish or Perish, All Lacquered Up (+ comparisons), and Vampy Varnish.

Do you like matte finishes? Are there any polishes you like better matte?