OPI Black Tie Optional

OPI Black Tie Optional was released with the 2001 World Collection, and it's one of OPI's best. BTO has a deep purple base, but it flashes brown and goldish-green. It was hard to photograph, but I think I caught every color. This is two coats, no topcoat.









I got this polish from a local nail salon, along with OPI NYPD Beet and China Glaze Grape Crush (those swatches are forthcoming). I had to haggle with the young lady who worked there. She outright refused to sell them to me several times, but I wore her down (or maybe it was the $20 bill I pulled out). I almost hate to even use them because I'm scared I'll run out. Crazy, right?

Initially, the formula was super thick. There's no telling how long the bottles had been sitting on that shelf, so that wasn't surprising. I used thinner and gave it a good shake and it was fine. Actually, it was better than fine. It applied like butter and there was no chipping.

Overall, BTO is as close to perfect as a polish can get. I can see why it's so coveted.

Happy painting!