#31DC2013 Day 4: Green Nails

Day 4 means green nails - one of my least favorite of the polish colors. I started with a base of Cult Nails Get It On followed by 2 coats of Zoya Meg, a shimmery apple green polish. Next I added dots using Ruby Wing Birdie and outlined them with ORLY Instant Artist striper in Jet Black. I did not add a top coat but voila - we have instant cheetah print... in wild colors.

Simple - not overly complicated! The toughest part was outlining the dots as my hand isn't as steady as I'd like but I think it went over okay!

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

#31DC2013 Day 1: Red Nails

Let me start by saying I got overambitious.

The first of the #31DC2013 is "Red Nails." I was thinking "Hey, I'll be cool - just paint my nails red." I'm still weaning into nail art, trying to stay cool about it all. But then I just got overly excited and was like "DO ALL THINGS."

I started with a base of Cult Nails Get It On. I always wear base coat, even if I'm wearing nothing else that day.  It helps protect my nails and they always look healthy.  (Note I said look, hah.)

Then I put on one coat of Layla Softouch 7 Queen Bourdeaux. This is a lovely firey red that dries to a matte look but as with all Layla Softouch polishes, a top coat will not make it shiny.

But then I was like - I need nail art. I grabbed my striping tape and made a couple of lines, and then a couple more and was like "HAH I made a hashtag."  I painted over my nail with Zoya Bobbi and then pulled the tape off.

Mistake #1: Not waiting long enough to pull the tape off.

So a little came off with the tape and then I realize my hashtag was off centered of the nail.  I used my top coat from Digital Nails hilariously nailed "Ain't Nobody Got Time For That" and looked back at my hands and said...

LET'S ADD RHINESTONES.

Back when I was really interested in making a custom rhinestone iPod case (ahem), I figured out that I could buy tons of rhinestones super cheap on eBay. So I did. And they have sat on my desk ever since.  I have literally only used them once. 

So back to the beginning. I got overambitious.  I also am using my really big DSLR to take photos, and since I haven't been blogging lately, it felt really bulky in my hands and then I couldn't get the right lighting.

Have you figured out that I'm stalling before showing you pictures? Then again, most people skip the writing and go straight FOR the pictures so without any more rambling.

Day 1.

Ta da. Or something. Well - challenges are all about improvement, so here's to improvement!

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

2013 Zoya Nail Polish Exchange

The rumors are true! Zoya Nail Polish will be having another "Earth Day Nail Polish Exchange" where you can send in your old, unwanted polish and receive brand new Zoya at half price. Please read below for instructions.

Hooray for Earth Day! Once again, Zoya is helping you do a little spring cleaning with the return of the Earth Day Zoya Nail Polish Exchange* for 2013. Clean out your nail polish wardrobe and get rid of old nail polish that may not be BIG5FREE (Free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, DBP and Camphor) and exchange it for a greener alternative - long lasting, award winning, healthy Zoya Nail Polish bottles! 

Now's the perfect time to make the switch to an eco-chic beauty routine! From April 19, 2013 - April 26, 2013 (11:59PM EST), exchange your old, unwanted nail color for toxin-free ZOYA Nail Polish for only $4 per bottle plus shipping and handling fees. Rest assured - ZOYA will properly dispose of your old polish. 

Here's all you need to do! 

1. Go to www.zoya.com and pick out the polishes you would like (excludes all Zoya PixieDust™ Collection shades) and add them to your cart. You must select at least 6 bottles and no more than 24 bottles of polish (Salon accounts minimum 12 maximum 48 bottles.) 

2. Apply the code (copy and paste for best results): ZOYAEARTH2013 

3. Your order value will be adjusted to reflect a 50% discount (we use these funds to properly dispose of the old nail polish). 

4. SUBMIT your order!

Then Zoya will ship out your NEW polish! HOORAY! This is how your order should look like...

Once you get your order 
Here's where the exchanging* happens... 

1. Ship back the equivalent number of bottles you received to the return address below (ie. If you ordered 6 bottles of Zoya – you would send us 6 NON-ZOYA polishes). Please check with your carrier on the proper way to ship nail polish. 
2. Include a copy of your order. To clarify the exchange: You do not have to send us the exact amount of bottles that you are ordering. You can send any quantity up to that amount. You can also donate. If you decide you don't want to do either, it's ok "Offer is not contingent on customer returning polish" we will still love you and will send the Zoya polishes... we'll just send you on a guilt trip for a while :) 

Ship Your Old Nail Polish To: 
Art of Beauty, Inc. c/o Polish Exchange 
5060 Taylor Rd, Unit D 
Cleveland, Ohio, 44128, USA 

Once we receive your polish, we do the rest! It’s that simple! 

IMPORTANT! 
The bottles you send in cannot be Zoya, Qtica or Nocti polishes (but they can be any other brand). We are using the honor code here folks! We want to make sure you get your Zoya Nail Polish! We send you the polish first then you send your old polish back to us! If you do choose to send us your old polish we promise to properly dispose of it according to EPA guidelines. This offer is only good for 1 week so hurry – Don’t Wait! 

*Offer valid online at www.zoya.com only. Offer expires on 4/26/2012 at 11:59PM EST. Continental US ONLY. Not valid with any other codes, coupons or promotions. Shipping and handling fees apply. Consumer accounts must exchange a minimum of 6 polishes with a 24 bottle maximum. Salon accounts must exchange at least 12 with a maximum of 48 bottles. Polish can be from any brand EXCEPT Zoya, Qtica or Nocti and can be exchanged for in-stock .5oz Zoya Nail Polish. Excludes all Zoya PixieDust™ Collection shades. Offer is not contingent on customer returning polish. Zoya Exchange code is unique and non-transferable. One code per account. Art of Beauty is not responsible for incorrect addresses, credit card entry errors or errors associated with declined credit cards. Please allow standard time for processing and shipping, however if volume is higher than expected please allow up to 6 weeks for shipping and processing. Art of Beauty, Inc. reserves the right to remove any polish that is out of stock from your order. You will not be charged for this polish. Backordered polish is not included in this promotion. 

________________ 
CONNECT WITH ZOYA: Make sure to tagTwitter, Instagram and Pinterest posts with @ZoyaNailPolish and hashtag posts with #ZoyaNailPolish and #ZoyaEarthDay. Website, Blog and YouTube links can be shared on our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/zoyanailpolish).

Zoya Stunning & Irresistible

So the original embargo date for this release was 4/1/2013 but because someone leaked it online, Zoya allowed all media to display it early. All images courtesy of Zoya.


JUST LIKE THE SUN, YOU ARE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION!

STUNNING & IRRESISTIBLE

Twelve new Sun Inspired Colors for Summer 2013.

Summer brings the sunniest colors to nails! Including six super shiny creams and six fresh foil metallics to put all the focus on the brightest shining light in any room - YOU!

Zoya SUMMER 2013: STUNNING Collection
• Darcy (ZP663) - Sunny Yellow Cream - Full Coverage.
• Thandie (ZP664) - Citrus Orange Cream - Full Coverage.
• Micky (ZP665) - Amazing Coral Cream - Full Coverage.
• Yana (ZP669) - Rubine Red Cream - Full Coverage.
• Josie (ZP667) - Grassy Green Cream - Full Coverage.
• Rocky (ZP668) - Serene Blue Cream - Full Coverage.

Zoya SUMMER 2013: IRRESISTIBLE Collection
• Kerry (ZP684) - Yellow Gold Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Amy (ZP670) - Red Orange Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Tinsley (ZP671) - Rose Gold Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Bobbi (ZP672) - Hot Magenta Pink Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Hazel (ZP673) - Blue Green Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Rikki (ZP674) - Fern Green Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.

Shipping April 15, 2013

Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com.

Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.
ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!
$8.00 ea. (US)
Available on Zoya.com

Zoya PixieDust Summer 2013

I've been obsessed with this new "texture" polish and it's been coming out from almost every brand! I have more information on those coming but today this came in from Zoya! Since I'm wearing Zoya Chyna (and have been since Tuesday), I felt it was appropriate! (Image courtesy of Zoya)

 

REALLY BIG NEWS!!!
INFUSED WITH SUMMERY MAGIC AND WONDER
ZOYA PixieDust - Summer Edition

Because everyone wants more of it...

the color experts at Zoya went back to the lab and created six more beautiful, long-wearing textured, matte and sparkling Zoya PixieDust Colors!

This incredible and best-selling formula is sure to captivate with a magical sparkle and sugary finish like no other.

Zoya PIXIE DUST - sUMMER edition

ZP683 - Solange: EXCLUSIVE PIGMENT!!! Gold Metal sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

ZP677 - Beatrix: Tangerine Metal sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

ZP676 - Destiny: Coral Metal sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

ZP682 - Miranda: Rose sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

ZP675 - Stevie: Violet sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

ZP681 - Liberty: Blue sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

 

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

 

PixieDust Application: For BEST RESULTS apply 1-3 (for full coverage) thin coats of polish. Allow product to dry completely for full effect. Do not use a base coat or top coat.

 

Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com. Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.

 

ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!

$9.00 ea. (US)
Available on Zoya.com

 

SHIPPING APRIL 1, 2013 (no joke)

Zoya Lovely

I have this collection sitting next to my desk and can't wait to try the cremes especially - sometimes it's great to have a nice palette cleanser on the nail!  All images courtesy of Zoya.

Zoya Lovely
Beauty is a lovely state of mind

Lovely, just LOVELY!

Spring is awash in six soft and lovely new Zoya shades including three dewy metallics and three fresh blooms of cream. Poetic in nature, this collection is sure to capture the beauty of the season like no other....

Zoya Lovely – spRING 2013

Piaf (ZP652) - Fresh Forsythia Yellow Metallic - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Fashion Designer Zang Toi)

GeiGei (ZP651) - Blushing Cherry Blossom Pink Metallic - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Zang Toi/SS13).

Julie (ZP650) - Soft Wisteria Purple Metallic - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Zang Toi/SS13).

Blu (ZP653) - Lucky Hyacinth Blue Cream - Full Coverage

Neely (ZP655) - Earliest Spring Green Cream - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Peter Som/SS13).

Jacqueline (ZP654) - Perfect Magnolia Nude Cream - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Peter Som/SS13)

Shipping January 01, 2013

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Zoya Lovely $8 (US)

Follow the Zoya Nail Polish and Treatments Blog and stay tuned on Twitter (@Zoyanailpolish) and Facebook for release date updates.

Hashtags: #ZoyaLovely and #nailpolish.

Zoya Pixie Dust

The rumors are true!  Zoya is also coming out with a "texture" nail polish this year, affectionately called PixieDust.  In case you haven't seen my article about nail trends in 2013, check the article out here.  (Small plug!)  Please enjoy the following press release - all images courtesy of Zoya.

Zoya PixieDust
Infused with Magic and Wonder!
Featuring the latest “must-have” nail polish finish – Textured, Matte & Sparkling.

This newly developed formula is sure to captivate with a magical sparkle and sugary finish like no other. The color experts at Zoya have created six, long-wearing stunners for the introduction of this look...

Zoya PIXIE DUST - special edition

Dahlia (ZP656) - Black Beauty sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Chyna (ZP657) - Red Dazzle sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Godiva (ZP658) - Soft Nude sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Vespa (ZP659) - Mint Kiss sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Nyx (ZP660) - Perfect Periwinkle sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

London (ZP661) - Fog Gray sparkle, exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Shipping January 15, 2013

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Zoya PixieDust $9 (US)

Follow the Zoya Nail Polish and Treatments Blog and stay tuned on Twitter (@Zoyanailpolish) and Facebook for release date updates.

Hashtags: #ZoyaPixieDust and #nailpolish.

Zoya PixieDust

Gradient Manicure

Where on earth did April go? I feel like I've been pretty out of the loop lately, but one thing that I've loved seeing is the Gradient Manicure, popular on Pinterest and among bloggers. I have yet to see this hit mainstream America (magazines etc), and a friend even said that she asked a nail tech if she could get this look, and was told "No, I don't know what that is or how it's done." To quote Scrangie:

You know what I'm not disappointed in?  The Nailasaurus.  Not only has she had amazing nail art since, oh forever, but she did this gradient nail tutorial (with tons of pictures) that had even me saying "I can do this."

Then I was reading Twitter when I came across this from The PolishAholic:

I knew that I had to try this NOW.

I decided to use Zoya Zuza and Carly from the Summer 2012 "Surf" Collection.  I didn't have any makeup sponges but I had eyeshadow brushes which are the perfect width of my nail.  I had a plastic paper sheet protector (like the one from the Nailasaurus tutorial).

I learned some quick lessons.

1:  Don't skip steps.  I tried to just sponge on Carly and I ended up with this weird LINE of polish.  Then I put the colors side by side and swirled with a toothpick and all was right in the world.

2:  When in doubt, add Spectraflair.  More on this later, but let's just say it took my manicure from awesome to AWESOME.

3:  Get photographs next time.  (oops)

Here are some iPhone snaps that I did get of my experience!

Now with Spectraflair!

And in horrible light!

I ended up wearing this manicure for 4 days before it started to show tip wear on my right hand so I removed it.  I used Poshe base coat, 2 coats of Zuza, sponged Carly, and 2 coats of SpectraFlair mixed with Seche Vite.  I did have a little bit of blue staining from Zuza, but a quick scrub under soapy water and a nail brush fixed me up.  I can't wait to try this again!

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Zoya Beach & Surf

I was at work when Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom emailed me saying "YAY NEW ZOYAS!".  During lunch, I downloaded the email so I could see and man, I'm excited!  Zoya has had some fantastic collections all year long (and then some) and these look like some seriously complimentary polishes up in here!

Announcing Summer 2012 nail color by Zoya Nail Polish!

BEACH and SURF dive into the color...

New nail color - coming soon to a salon near you and Zoya.com!


Summer 2012 is going to be a super stylish season for nails with the latest offering of nail polish collections, Beach and Surf, from the new color of fashion, Zoya! This new splash of color, designed by the Zoya color experts, is kissed by sea and sand translating beautifully onto the nail in the famous, full-coverage Zoya formula.


Dive into the creamy shades of the Zoya Beach Collection or the shimmering sea foils of the Zoya Surf Collection. The choice is yours – this color palette is sure to be a splash!


Zoya BEACH Collection
• Reagan (ZP614) - deep cerise pink cream
• Lara (ZP615) - vivid cerise pink cream
• Shelby (ZP616) - soft pinky pink cream
• Arizona (ZP617) - soft coral orange cream
• Tracie (ZP618) - sea grass metallic
• Wednesday (ZP619) - soft aqua cream


Zoya SURF Collection
• Rory (ZP620) - lotus pink foil metallic
• Carly (ZP621) - thalia purple foil metallic
• Kimber (ZP622) - magenta pink foil metallic
• Myrta (ZP623) - coral orange foil metallic
• Meg (ZP624) - mermaid green foil metallic
• Zuza (ZP625) - aquamarine foil metallic


Zoya is the new color of fashion...


The Zoya BEACH and SURF collection was designed and inspired by resort runways and tropical get-a-ways.  Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.


Find Zoya BEACH and SURF as well as over 300 other ultra high-fashion Zoya shades at www.zoya.com. As always, each and every Zoya color is made for women so we name them after women.


BEACH and SURF by Zoya Nail Polish - 12 new colors:
Available April 1, 2012 (USA)
www.zoya.com
Sug. Retail $8.00 per 0.5 fl.oz. bottle (US).

Zoya True

I was hoping 2012 would be the year of the holos but it looks more like year of the flakies!  Please enjoy the following press release from Zoya!  (You can click on the images to see them larger)

Oh lookie!

Zoya Pandora

Finishing up the Zoya Touch collection is Pandora, a mauve beige cream with a metallic kiss.  I wasn't too sure what I'd think about this color - it's so office safe...  Plus one thing I adore about Zoya is how vivid their colors are (when I look at my folder of pictures, they are just so beautiful!).


I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of polish and Zoya Armor as a top coat.  The formula was smooth.

Here it is in the sun - look how close it is to my skin color!  Mannequin hands anyone?  The shimmer is very slight as well.

In the shade the shimmer is mostly lost but the color is still quite alive.  Like I said, not a bad color - just very neutral... which was kind of the point of the collection.

Indoors with the flash kind of made my hands look yellow... not sure what's up with that.  Anyway, nice nude - not really for me but great if you work in an office or like - if your relatives would go crazy if you wore bright yellow...  


So there you have it!

Zoya can be purchased on their website for $8/bottle.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Zoya Feel

Happy November!  This is a big month for me, and while I wish my fellow NaNoWriMo blogger Destany a great success this year, I'm actually sitting out for the first year in three.  While I jump start my blog again (with all these pretty fall and winter collections I have!), please start off by enjoying this press release from Zoya!

2011/12 NAIL POLISH MUST HAVE

FEEL

Six full-coverge winter cream neutrals

FEEL Beautiful!
Every season the color experts at Zoya create dozens of new color collection options. This year, one of those “secret collections” just had to be seen now rather than later. FEEL by Zoya Nail Polish delivers six new, highly pigmented, full coverage neutrals for right now!


Zoya FEEL Collection
• Kristen (ZP591): Full coverage, gull gray cream
• Carey (ZP592): Full coverage, periwinkle gray cream
• Megan (ZP593): Full coverage, taupe gray cream
• Kendal (ZP594): Full coverage, rose quartz beige cream
• Kennedy (ZP595): Full coverage, pale french beige cream
• Avery (ZP596): Full coverage, blonde beige cream


Zoya is the new color of fashion...


Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.


Find Zoya FEEL as well as over 300 other ultra high-fashion Zoya shades at www.zoya.com. As always, each and every Zoya color is made for women so we name them after women.


FEEL by Zoya
Sug. Retail $8.00 per 0.5 fl.oz. bottle (US)
www.zoya.com


Available November 15, 2011.

Zoya Shay

Going back a few months to the Zoya TOUCH collection, this is Shay, a desert rose sand beige cream with a metallic kiss.  This collection was quite interesting - being such a nude when we ended up seeing a lot of color in this last season of fashion week (did you miss me while I went through all the press releases?).  I used a base of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of polish and a top of Zoya Armor.  I had to wipe my brush a few times because the polish was a bit thick for me, but it may be from the horrible weather here messing with my polish.

Still in need a manicure, I know.  :|  This color does compliment my skin well but since I don't have to wear nudes (office appropriate or anything), it's so boring to me!  But it's a good way to skirt some nail polish rules if your office has them, I would think.

Not much else to say in the shade.  I don't see much "metallic kiss" to the polish but it doesn't come across as much as a creme than I thought either.

Indoors with the flash... Oh man my "bell" shaped ring finger is making me laugh like crazy.  I feel like I should put some nail art on it to make it look like a bell.  :]  You can almost see a metallic sheen to it, but it's still pretty creme-like at the same time.  I'm calling it a creme.  Overall, a nice nude but I'd probably pass it up on the shelf since I'm not into nudes.

Zoya can be purchased on their website for $8/bottle.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Zoya Gems & Jewels

I got to see these at Cosmoprof last month but wasn't allowed to talk about them until now!  Please enjoy the following press release from Zoya!

Gems and Jewels 

jewelry for nails!

Holiday 2011 by Zoya Nail Polish

Zoya Nail Polish presents 3 new jewel toned metallic shimmer polishes
and 3 glitzy, glitter glazes (featuring unique bar glitter) for an extra special holiday and winter 2011 season!

Zoya Gems and Jewels Collection

Rina (ZP576): Gorgeous green glitzy, glitter glaze (with unique bar glitter).
Holly (ZP577): Full coverage, rich green metallic shimmer.
Kissy (ZP578): Vivid pink glitzy, glitter glaze (with unique bar glitter).
Izzy (ZP579): Full coverage, party pink metallic shimmer.
Twila (ZP580): Bold blue glitzy, glitter glaze! (with unique bar glitter).
Noel (ZP581): Full coverage, icy blue metallic shimmer.

Mix it up... The Zoya Gems and Jewels color assortment allows
for multiple layered nail polish looks! Have fun…

• Wear the full coverage, jewel toned shades alone for a classic metallic shimmer look!
• Wear the glitzy, glitter glazes alone for a hint of glitz.
• Wear several layers of the glitzy, glitter glazes for a unique textured glitz nail look.
• Layer the glazes over the shimmers to a totally glam nail jewelry look.
• Layer the glitzy, glitter glazes over other colors to create a totally unique look that is
all your own (hint - hint: silver, gold, white and black totally rock under the glazes!).

Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Find Zoya Gems and Jewels as well as over 400 other high-fashion Zoya shades at www.zoya.com.

As always, each and every Zoya color is made for women so we name them after women.

Zoya is the new color of fashion...

Shipping September 15, 2011
Sug. Retail $8.00 ea.