First Zoya came out with Kym, now here is Kimmy, a "gleaming metallic candy apple red brightened by gold sparkle. Not your usual red shimmer- this one has a fiery attitude." It's has a darker red base than Rica, but the same gold/red shimmer as Reva. I used a base of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Kimmy and a top of Zoya Armor. The formula was smooth, the color was nice and opaque.
I mean just look at this color in the sun! Candy apple red for real. It's so lovely - very pigmented.
In the shade, the firey nature of this color really shows off - the gold in the bottle is more pronounced as a shimmer on the nail but it's definitely there.
Indoors with the flash you can see the orange/gold shimmer as well as just just how opaque this color really is. Also, interestingly enough - my bottle looks like a tiny bit was poured out or something in the beginning of filling. Lots of love for this color - definitely going to be showing up on my hands more this summer.
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.
I'm not sure how many times I can say it without sounding like a robot, but Zoya does glass fleck/sparking metallics REALLY well. Next today is Rica, a "warm light coral with pink and orange tones and heavy gold metallic sparkle. An alternative to flat corals for when you want to shine." Coral is one of those colors that I have a love/hate with - sometimes I can't get enough of it and sometimes I can't get rid of it fast enough. This color is also very reiminescent of China Glaze Strawberry Fields for me although much more orange.
I used a base of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Rica and a top coat of Zoya Armor. Formula was smooth, pigmentation was nice and opaque.
In the sun, it almost has a duochrome effect because of the orange sparkle against the pink base. Very beautiful and unique in my collection.
Not just one shade picture, but two! I really love this color - it's just so different ... light and airy looking at the same time. I think it's just the whole pink/orange thing that really hits me as being beautiful. A must have for me!
Indoors with the flash - you can see that it's a nice opaque color without any balding.
This is probably my second favorite collection ever (second only to the China Glaze OMG! collection)... two coat opacity, glass fleck/sparkling metallic finish, unique colors. There's only a few left to share and there are a few surprises in them.
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.
Moving on down the line, here is Tanzy, the "light, bright tangerine orange with yellow gold metallic sparkle. A sunny orange that's easy to wear year-round." I was very iffy about this color because while orange has definitely been a hot color for 2011, I'm not 100% into this new trend. I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 caots of Tanzy and a top of Zoya Armor.
The first coat of Tanzy had me very worried because it was much more sheer than Reva, but as you can see in just two coats, it was full coverage and opaque. I'm still not loving orange against my skin tone, but as a polish, this color and formula did not disappoint.
As with Reva, this color looks much better to me in the shade - the sparkle really shows up better. Also I'm getting used to this squoval shape now - it's still not something I can seem to do myself, but pampering myself once a month with a manicure is totally okay by me. :]
Indoors with the flash and man it's like sparkle OVERLOAD, but in a good way. Remember, I do love glitter! ^_^ As for as the color, it's a cross between orange and gold, and I'm happy with that uniqueness.
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.
Kicking off the other half of the Sunshine and Summertime Summer 2011 collection from Zoya is Reva, a cool toned strawberry red with glowing golden metallic sparkle - a very rich and luxurious looking gilded red. You say metallic sparkle, I say glass fleck, either way it's gorgeous. Easily my favorite "easy" look to wear (flakes and glitter are still #1 but take time to apply and take off) - and Zoya does it quite well.
I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Reva and a top of Zoya Armor.
In the sun, metallic sparkle/glass fleck just never looks as pretty as it really is. It's hard for the camera to focus properly when there is so much going on.
But then you put it in the shade and BAM. This color reminds me a lot of China Glaze Strawberry Fields except this has much more red to it. Such a beautiful color - I really didn't want to take this off at all.
Indoors with the flash just kind of shows you how much shimmer/glitter/glass fleck whatever you want to call it is in the polish - very even coverage.
If you love this type of finish, I highly recommend getting this color. Very nicely pigmented and smooth formula.
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.
The last on the list of Zoya's 2010 Fall Collection Wicked and Wonderful is Edyta, a fern green sparkling metallic. I've said before, I feel like this is Crystal's older sister... same swirling glass fleck. :]
I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of polish and a top coat of Zoya Armor. Formula was a dream.
Bare with me - this is a very dark green - it looks almost swampy on the nail in the sunlight.
Same story in the shade though really - the prettiest picture is the bottle... that is what it looks like on the nail in certain lights - promise!
Indoors with the flash - you can see the blue and gold micro shimmer/glitter/glass fleck goodness.
Actually took this picture by accident - the flash didn't go off... but you can finally see the moss/fern green color without all the swirling gold/blue specks. A very unique color that I don't really like for summer but is amazing in the fall/winter. I also used this in my Christmas Manicure last year.
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.
It's like I'm raining in Zoyas! Finishing up the Fall 2010 Collection "Wicked and Wonderful" - almost done! Today is Kym, the "cardinal mauve sparkling metallic" (glass fleck). I don't know if I can say enough times that I LOVE this finish so much. While it doesn't photograph perfectly, it looks stunning on the nail. I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of polish and a top coat of Zoya Armor.
Can you say saucy red? It's almost a dark blood red - perfect for True Blood time! ^_^ I love how vampy this looks on the nail. (This is a sun picture by the way.)
Even in the shade, this color kicks. It's just a very in your face, deep red color - very lovely for all seasons. I actually marbled this for my Christmas manicure with Zoya Edyta.
Finally indoors with the flash you can see that this color is nicely opaque - no bald spots on the nail.
This is definitely a great deep red sparkle which I know I'll be wearing again.
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.
So you know Zoya names all their nail polish after women - I've never met an Alegra yet, but you're out there - I know it. Going back to the Summer 2010 "Flash and Sparkle" collection (Alegra was in Sparkle), this is a fuchsia pink sparkling metallic (glass fleck).
I used a base of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Alegra and a top of Zoya Armor. Formula was superb.
Fuchsia? Glass fleck/sparkling metallic? Slight duochrome in the bottle? LOVE IT.
Super smooth formula? Buttery look on the nail? YES PLEASE.
Purple sparkles?! Okay, just slay me now. I'm in love with you Alegra. LOVE.
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.
Yay reds! Power reds! Today from the Wicked side of Zoya's 2010 Fall Collection Wicked/Wonderful. First is Carrie Ann. My Mom loves Dancing with the Stars, and I always love the way the announcer says "Carrie Ann Inaba!" This is a lovely "venetian red sparkling metallic" (glass fleck). Venetian Red was first recorded as a color name in 1753 and is a darker shade of scarlet. (Thank you Wikipedia!)
I used a base of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Carrie Ann and a top of Zoya Armor. Formula was amazing on this color. I really do love glass flecks/sparkling metallics because they have the look of glitter without the problems of glitter.
No sun for these (BOO!) but look how this color just glows! So amazing.
Indoors with the flash - not the best picture but shows that you don't see my nails (like with Zoya Cola). Really love this color though, I must say. While not the most unique, there is definitely a difference in each one. I can't wait until my major project is done and I can show how each one is different.
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.
Okay seriously? I cannot STOP thinking about Zoya coming to life, ever since this hilarious post from The Daily Nail. I literally just bust out laughing especially at the very end, when Gemma goes to sleep. LOVE it.
Today's Zoya red is Karina from the Wicked/Wonderful Fall 2010 collection - Wicked side. It's a salsy little garnet red sparkling metallic (glass fleck, whatever) and it's pretty hot. I used a base of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Karina, and a top of Zoya Armor. Formula was pretty perfect.
LOVE this color - love sparkling reds! I like that glass fleck/sparkling metallics look like glitter but don't wear like glitter. Big thumbs up.
I especially love how this looks in the shade - just look how it sparkles and shines!
Ending off with indoors and a flash - still just lovely as ever... a must have in my collection because it's just definitely a winner.
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.
Just like OPI Black Shatter, China Glaze has Black Mesh, a black crackle polish. Like other shatter/crackle polishes, they do tend to get thick over time, but you can add a little bit of nail polish thinner to break up the clumps. I decided to go over my Lighthouse from earlier. On my ring and pinkie finger, I applied Black Mesh but was irritated at how watery the formula was. Well, since this has been sitting on the shelf for a bit, I decided to cap it and shake the bottle and apply over my middle and index finger... MUCH better as you can see.
Watery = bad.
Sorry the focus on this is off - not sure what happened. So which is better? Honestly, they both applied the same for me. I know China Glaze Black Mesh has been hard to find in my area, but I've seen racks upon racks of OPI Black Shatter.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Once again going with "finals" and once again, here's a yellow... the final color from the China Glaze 2011 Spring "Anchors Away" collection is Lighthouse, which was a multi-dimensional bright yellow glass speck or glass fleck. It actually reminded me a lot of OPI Simply Smash-ing! but Lighthouse is more yellow.
I used a base coat of Seche Natural, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite. This is a bit of a messy polish because of all the glitter stuff packed in there. I had to do quite a bit of cleanup and still missed some in my cuticles.
You can still see a bit of VNL but it's not too bad.
I do like this color in the shade but not enough to wear it alone... more on that later.
Finally I have the indoors with flash - you can really see the VNL here. Thankfully there was no staining with this color (something I always worry about). Nice color but not my favorite.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
This color is not a fun one to photograph, but super fun to wear! From the Anchor's Away collection, China Glaze Ahoy! is a raspberry red with a glass fleck pink/gold particles in it. Lovely! I'm actually wearing it as a pedicure right now.
I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Ahoy! and a top of Seche Vite. Despite the above picture, it is definitely not a creme or jelly or neon.
You really can't see the glass fleck in the sun either and in case you're wondering, the index finger has a coat of China Glaze Crackle in Crushed Candy. Reviews on that later.
Finally in the shade you can see this color's true colors - literally. Now these pictures were taken before I had to chop off my nails, but in an effort to get better pictures of this color, I put it on again yesterday.
Feel free to click on my pictures to see them larger. Boy, my nails look so small being nubbins.
Overall, I love the glass fleck in this polish - I love glass fleck in general... It's my second favorite finish next to holographic. ^_^
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Remember this post? Now it's time to check it out!
Serena Williams is one of the only tennis players I can name, but not only is she an amazing player, she always has had some amazing nails! I thought it was pretty neat that OPI paired with her for the Gram Slam collection which was this - Simply Smash-ing! and a Black Shatter (ooh, coming soon!). It is a glitter without the grit, yellow-green leaning towards gold. I'm tempted to call it glass fleck because it wore just like Zoya Sparkle's collection or the China Glaze Summer Days. Removal was similar as well, leaving behind microglitter on my hands.
I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 2 coats of Simply Smash-ing! and a top of OPI Top Coat.
In the sun, you can see a few bald spots on my nails where the color didn't stick as well. However, you can also see a bit of green in the polish. I'm happy to say my nails did NOT stain after application - always a fear of mine.
Indirect sun picture - again you can see the smooth application with glitter but no grit of glitter. I do love the OPI Pro-Wide brush - it helps get the polish in one stroke instead of 4 or 5 mini strokes.
Finally - shade. You can really see the olive greenish coming out now. I don't think this color flatters me that well, but when you add the Black Shatter... well let's just say it spices things up!
OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Serena Williams is one of the only tennis players I can name, but not only is she an amazing player, she always has had some amazing nails! I thought it was pretty neat that OPI paired with her for the Gram Slam collection which was this - Simply Smash-ing! and a Black Shatter (ooh, coming soon!). It is a glitter without the grit, yellow-green leaning towards gold. I'm tempted to call it glass fleck because it wore just like Zoya Sparkle's collection or the China Glaze Summer Days. Removal was similar as well, leaving behind microglitter on my hands.
In the sun, you can see a few bald spots on my nails where the color didn't stick as well. However, you can also see a bit of green in the polish. I'm happy to say my nails did NOT stain after application - always a fear of mine.
Indirect sun picture - again you can see the smooth application with glitter but no grit of glitter. I do love the OPI Pro-Wide brush - it helps get the polish in one stroke instead of 4 or 5 mini strokes.
Finally - shade. You can really see the olive greenish coming out now. I don't think this color flatters me that well, but when you add the Black Shatter... well let's just say it spices things up!
