sightseeing nail polish colours

Travel Beauty :: Q&A With OPI's Founder

[trip style = any]

{Editor's Note :: Between chipping nail polish on your suitcase handles or nicking nails on hotel elevator buttons, YOU know, I know and YOUR MOM knows it's hard to keep painted nails looking like the hood of a mint-condition, 1966 red Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider Duetto on the road. That's why we're really excited for Lauren, our travel beauty columnist, to snag an EXCLUSIVE interview with OPI's founder about their best product and polish colors for jetsetters.}

This week I was lucky enough to talk nails and travel with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Founder, Executive VP & Artistic Director. Ps - "Cajun Shrimp" is my all-time favorite pedicure shade, keep reading to get inspired! - Lauren, Travel Beauty

What was the inspiration behind GelColor? GelColor is a great match for today’s woman and her fast-paced lifestyle. The salon-service manicures and pedicures are long-lasting and chip-resistant {yay, perfect for travel!}, with OPI’s highest shine to date. It's easily removed at the salon in 15 minutes with individual soak-off sleeves, without nail or cuticle damage.

Any tips to keeping your gel manicure looking perfect while traveling? The great thing about GelColor is that no maintenance is required! However, I always recommend using a cuticle oil like OPI’s Cuticle Oil To Go to keep your fingers looking as nice as your manicure.

What colors do you recommend for the following trip styles? [trip style = beach] - I suggest wearing a bright color on both fingers and toes---after all, you’re on vacation! Try a bright pink like GelColor by OPI in Pink Flamenco on toes, and the coral-hued GelColor by OPI in Cajun Shrimp on fingers.

[trip style = urban] - For a city trip, try wearing a bold, statement teal blue like GelColor by OPI in Suzi Says Feng Shui on short nails. This color works well when paired with a trendy neutral, like GelColor by OPI in You Don’t Know Jacques!, on toes.

[trip style = sightseeing] - Wear a rich, plum hue like GelColor by OPI in Bastille My Heart on toes; pair this color with a complementary dark purple like GelColor by OPI in Lincoln Park After Dark on fingers.

What are your go-to, pre-vacation shades? Some of my favorite GelColor shades for vacation include Malaga Wine, Lincoln Park After Dark and A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find.

PS - How do you come up with your fabulous color names? --> All OPI lacquers are named by a team of six, who go behind closed doors to brainstorm. We even order food and bring in props and images for inspiration, while channeling each other’s creativity to come up with unique and interesting names for each collection.

{Want more travel beauty? Get your fill the third Wednesday of every month. Lauren, our travel beauty expert, is already whipping up her next concoction post!}

More Travel Beauty Heather's On-The-Road Beauty Must-Haves Shaffali Ayurvedic Skincare On-The-Go Teeth Cleaning St. Tropez’ Celebrity Tanning Expert’s Self-Tanning Secrets Q & A With Dr. Murad

[photos sourced online]