OPI Make 'Em Jelly Summer 2025 Nail Polish: A Comprehensive Review

Updated at: 03/06/2025

Dive into the shimmering world of OPI's Make 'Em Jelly Summer 2025 nail polish collection! This comprehensive review explores 13 captivating shades, a delightful mix of creamy and jelly finishes, promising a summer of vibrant nail artistry. From delicate peach blushes to striking hot pinks and unexpected forest greens, this collection offers a diverse range to suit every style and preference. We'll delve into the application, pigmentation, and overall performance of each shade, highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses.Prepare to discover which shades deliver the perfect sheer wash of color, which boast exceptional opacity, and which might require a bit more patience to master. We'll analyze the "jelly" effect – that mesmerizing translucent quality – and determine whether the collection lives up to its summery hype. Get ready to uncover the best shades for nail art, everyday wear, and those perfect for a "naked nails but better" look. This review will be your ultimate guide to navigating the vibrant hues of OPI's Make 'Em Jelly Summer 2025 collection.

Pros And Cons

OPI Make Them Jelly Collection (Summer 2025)
  • Variety of colors (cream and jelly finishes)
  • Easy and beginner-friendly application (self-leveling)
  • Good quality jelly formulas (not too sheer or patchy)
  • Some shades may appear patchy (Daffodil Duckwalk)
  • Jelly shades in warmer colors might stain nails (Prideful Peach)
  • In-store purchases may lack clear indication of jelly vs. cream finish
  • Pastel pink shade lacked opacity and smooth application

Read more: 10 Must-Have China Glaze Nail Polish Shades

Sheer Perfection: Pearl Clutching Behavior

This incredibly sheer polish, Pearl Clutching Behavior, offers a light peachy blush tone. It's perfect for achieving a 'naked nails but better' look, softening the visible nail line and creating a smoother, cleaner appearance. This versatile shade also works beautifully as a base for French manicures.

Close-up shot of Pearl Clutching Behavior nail polish on a nail, showing its sheer, peachy tone.
Close-up shot of Pearl Clutching Behavior nail polish on a nail, showing its sheer, peachy tone.

The sheer nature allows for buildable coverage, adjusting intensity to individual preference. It's a surprisingly sophisticated choice that adds a touch of understated elegance to any look.

Showcase of Pearl Clutching Behavior applied in multiple coats demonstrating the buildable coverage.
Showcase of Pearl Clutching Behavior applied in multiple coats demonstrating the buildable coverage.

Pink Perfection: Cotton Candied Claws

Cotton Candied Claws, a light pink jelly, provides a sheer wash of color with the first coat. The formula applies smoothly and evenly, making it ideal for single-coat application or layering.

Cotton Candied Claws polish shown in the bottle and being applied on the nail.
Cotton Candied Claws polish shown in the bottle and being applied on the nail.

Building up to two or three coats increases color intensity, while still maintaining that beautiful translucent jelly effect. It's incredibly summery and reminiscent of nostalgic jelly furniture designs.

A close up shot of Cotton Candied Claws after three coats showcasing its translucent jelly effect
A close up shot of Cotton Candied Claws after three coats showcasing its translucent jelly effect

Vibrant Hot Pink: Drive Magenta

Drive Magenta, despite its name, is a striking hot pink cream rather than a magenta. Its formula is almost neon in application, drying to a slightly deeper hue.

Bottle shot of Drive Magenta showcasing its vibrant hot pink color
Bottle shot of Drive Magenta showcasing its vibrant hot pink color

While initial application might appear uneven, the polish's self-leveling properties ensure a smooth, flawless finish. This makes it a beginner-friendly option, even for less experienced nail polish users.

Drive Magenta nail polish drying with self-leveling action.
Drive Magenta nail polish drying with self-leveling action.

Coral Dream: Blush and Pride

Blush and Pride surprised me; the bottle suggests a pink, but it applies as a warm coral. The unique formula falls between a cream and a jelly, with a pleasant semi-sheer, semi-opaque effect.

Bottle shot of Blush and Pride polish, and swatch on the nail after the application
Bottle shot of Blush and Pride polish, and swatch on the nail after the application

Two coats provide excellent coverage, obscuring the nail line while retaining the jelly-like look. This is a truly gorgeous summer red alternative.

Close-up showcasing Blush and Pride's coral hue and unique formula.
Close-up showcasing Blush and Pride's coral hue and unique formula.

Jelly Red: Make Them Jelly

Make Them Jelly, initially appearing red in the bottle, is the jelly counterpart to Blush and Pride. Its application is slightly sheer, requiring three coats for optimal opacity.

Bottle and nail swatch of Make Them Jelly.
Bottle and nail swatch of Make Them Jelly.

Despite the sheerness, it achieves that fun, signature jelly look. Three coats are ideal for even coverage without losing the playful translucent effect; it almost gives a watermelon vibe.

Three coats of Make Them Jelly displayed with its watermelon vibe.
Three coats of Make Them Jelly displayed with its watermelon vibe.

Golden Orange Jelly: Prideful Peach

Prideful Peach, a golden orange jelly, presents a challenge. While cute on the nail bed, it can stain the free edge, making it potentially less desirable for some.

Bottle shot and nail swatch of Prideful Peach, showcasing the golden orange shade.
Bottle shot and nail swatch of Prideful Peach, showcasing the golden orange shade.

Three coats offer better opacity, minimizing staining and enhancing the overall look. This shade is best suited for nail art, possibly with gold glitter gradients.

Prideful Peach on the nail after three coats, to show the improved opacity.
Prideful Peach on the nail after three coats, to show the improved opacity.

Undecided Yellow: Daffodil Duckwalk

Daffodil Duckwalk, a cream finish, falls somewhere between cream and jelly, making it a disappointment. The formula lacks the expected opacity; two and three coats still leave a patchy appearance.

Bottle shot and nail swatch of Daffodil Duckwalk, showcasing the inconsistency of the opacity
Bottle shot and nail swatch of Daffodil Duckwalk, showcasing the inconsistency of the opacity

Despite its gorgeous bright yellow with white undertones, the inconsistent opacity is an issue, particularly noticeable on longer nails.

Daffodil Duckwalk applied in multiple coats, highlighting its patchy look.
Daffodil Duckwalk applied in multiple coats, highlighting its patchy look.

Surreal Green: Pose and Ivy

Pose and Ivy, a cool-toned forest green jelly, is a stunning shade. Its sheer nature applies smoothly, without patchiness, creating a uniquely captivating appearance.

Bottle and nail swatch of Pose and Ivy, a cool-toned forest green jelly.
Bottle and nail swatch of Pose and Ivy, a cool-toned forest green jelly.

It's a beautiful standalone shade, but also provides endless nail art possibilities. The sheerness might not be ideal for those with uneven nail lines.

Close-up showcasing the unique, almost surreal quality of Pose and Ivy on nails.
Close-up showcasing the unique, almost surreal quality of Pose and Ivy on nails.

Sky Blue Beauty: Blew Them All Away

Blew Them All Away is a breathtaking sky blue cream with periwinkle undertones. Two coats achieve perfect coverage, and its self-leveling formula ensures a smooth finish.

Bottle and nail swatch of Blew Them All Away showing the striking sky blue color.
Bottle and nail swatch of Blew Them All Away showing the striking sky blue color.

The color is vibrant and summery, almost neon, and its application is remarkably easy. It strongly resembles an older OPI shade, making it a nostalgic yet updated choice.

Close up shot of Blew Them All Away after application, showing its smooth, even finish.
Close up shot of Blew Them All Away after application, showing its smooth, even finish.

Deep Blue Ocean: Indigo Off

Indigo Off, a deep sheer jelly, inspires endless nail art creativity. Similar in sheerness to the green, but in a deeper tone, it's ideal for layering.

Bottle shot and nail swatch of Indigo Off.
Bottle shot and nail swatch of Indigo Off.

The deep blue color is reminiscent of the ocean and works beautifully with flakey toppers for a unique oceanic look. It also stands alone as a beautiful, vibrant shade.

Close up shot of Indigo Off, highlighting its deep blue color and suitability for layering.
Close up shot of Indigo Off, highlighting its deep blue color and suitability for layering.

Warm Purple: Vogue and Violet

Vogue and Violet, a warm, light to medium purple cream, boasts excellent opacity. Two coats provide complete coverage, and the self-leveling formula compensates for any application imperfections.

Bottle and nail swatch of Vogue and Violet, a warm purple cream shade.
Bottle and nail swatch of Vogue and Violet, a warm purple cream shade.

Despite some initial application unevenness, it dries to a smooth, polished finish. It's a solid, opaque choice that stands out in the collection.

Vogue and Violet nail polish drying to even coverage, demonstrating the self-leveling formula.
Vogue and Violet nail polish drying to even coverage, demonstrating the self-leveling formula.

Pastel Pink: Baby Pink Again

Baby Pink Again, a pastel shade leaning towards white, has a slightly sheer formula. Three coats are required for full coverage but the formula isn't the easiest to work with.

Bottle and nail swatch of Baby Pink Again, a pastel pink polish.
Bottle and nail swatch of Baby Pink Again, a pastel pink polish.

While pretty, it falls short compared to other high-quality pastel creams available. Its application is less beginner-friendly than other polishes in the collection.

All the polishes from the collection shown together in a row.
All the polishes from the collection shown together in a row.

Overall Conclusion

The OPI Make 'Em Jelly Summer 2025 collection offers a delightful mix of cream and jelly finishes, in mostly pink and red shades, with some unexpected colors. The jelly formulas are generally impressive, applying smoothly and building coverage well; some standout colors like Pose and Ivy and Indigo Off were particularly stunning.

All the polishes displayed together
All the polishes displayed together

While some cream shades underwhelmed in terms of opacity and application, the self-leveling nature of most OPI polishes remains a strong point. Overall, this collection is a worthwhile addition for those who enjoy experimenting with both cream and jelly polishes; however, the lack of clear distinction between jelly and cream formulas on the packaging might lead to initial frustration for some shoppers.