Behind the Scenes: Matte About You

A nail tech for 11 years, Bobbie Inthaxay has been working at the corporate offices of OPI as technical support/special events coordinator for the last five years. “As a member of OPI’s technical support team I am working with nails daily. Every day brings new product testing, quality reviews of new production batches of our existing products, and meetings with OPI’s marketing and research and development teams,” says Inthaxay. “I also provide technical support via phone, e-mail, and letter response to consumers, salon owners, nail techs, and cosmetologists. I also coordinate logistics of nail technicians for our charity, fundraiser, and red carpet PR events.”

And while that sounds like a pretty full plate, Inthaxay spends her spare time doing some salon work and house calls for long-time clients. “It allows me to keep my skills up and stay fresh with current trends,” she says. So what’s her number-one hotline request? “People looking for their favorite retired nail lacquer shades!”

With the new matte polish craze this fall, we used OPI’s matching matte and shiny versions of the same color to create a monochromatic French look. It’s a great understated but fun look for the holidays.

Here’s how you can do these nails:

Inthaxay started by doing a waterless manicure using OPI’s Avoplex Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment. She pushed back the cuticles and removed the residue, before filing and smoothing out the nails.

1. Cleanse the nails. Apply a first coat of OPI Matte La Paz-itively Hot nail lacquer. It dries quickly, so you need to be fast but steady with your application. Allow it to dry.