Autumn Alternative French Manicure

I love cream finish polishes. Some think its boring, I like to think it's classic. That being said, sometimes I paint my nails with a polish and get bored. Sometimes a plain cream finish is enough, other times you yearn for a little more pizzazz. This manicure started out completely satisfying me. I wore it for days on its own. It complimented my outfits, made my nails look lovely, and was an understated classic. Then I wanted more. I added a metallic tip and gave this manicure new life.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen So much Fawn and Gilty Party

Gilty Party might be my favorite fall metallic. What do you do to spruce up a manicure that you're tired of?

Autumn Gold

I was sitting there staring at my polish hoping inspiration would strike. I love autumn nail polish colors. The deep, richness of the colors always appeals to me. I dug out Barielle Wool You Marry Me? a polish I chose initially for its name (not something I do very often). Its a great fall color so I painted it on my nails. After wearing it for a bit, I realized it needed something else. What pairs better with rich autumn colors that a metallic? Not much. So I chose Barielle Gold Digger. I "dry brushed" it onto the tips to achieve this effect. I'm pleased with the result. I think these colors are quite lovely together.

Polishes used: Barielle Wool You Marry Me? and Gold Digger

What colors/finishes do you like to pair together in the fall?

Playing with Polish--Contemporary Color Block Edition

Yesterday Zoya announced a new feature on their website, a trend guide. I was very excited since it also boasts of tutorials for each trend. The trends are inspired by none other than the runways of New York Fashion Week. While perusing this new feature I was intrigued by the "Contemporary Color Block" manicure mentioned. I began conjuring up other fabulous trios to try. Below you will see three other ideas (along with the original color suggestion). I came up with a red, mint/sage, and ivory/neutral version. I haven't decided which one to wear for a full manicure yet. I might just have to try something new! I could have created so many other pairings, I might have to have a sequel to this post sometime!

Polishes used: (base, moon, stripe)
Index: Neely, Bevin, Vespa
Middle: (original) Genevieve, Ryan, Dahlia
Ring: Jacqueline, Jules, Bar (Godiva or Tomoko would also look gorgeous with this. I had trouble deciding)
Pinkie: Livingston, Pepper, Oswin

I do realize that I forgot to make the "moon" portion curved, maybe next time:)
What other combinations would you like to see? What do you think of this trend?

Check out Zoya's new Trend Guide for Fall 2014!
Also check out their new promotion/sweepstakes #MyNameMonday

Zoya Entice

Press Samples

My favorite season began yesterday and I am just itching for cooler weather, cozy layers, and rich colors. Zoya's fall collections usually get me in the spirit for the season and this year is no different. 

Zoya promised a "palette of lush, deep color including wines, browns, navies and greys" that was inspired by the "classic wools, textured brocades and metallic accents of the season." The Ignite Collection did a fabulous job conveying this and the Entice Collection continues in this vein.

Nyssa is a "milk chocolate brown" and in two easy coats has me yearning for a cup of hot cocoa. Brown polish is on the rise again and this shade makes the summer/fall transition a breeze. A friend of mine wore Nyssa as a "transitional" manicure. She looks lovely with a tan or against richer skin tones. 

Claire is referred to by Zoya as a "warm, rich burgundy." She reminded me of a dark, brownish red or classic oxblood shade. She applied smoothly in two easy coats. 

Veronica, a "brilliant red wine," is a darker berry hue. She may not be the most unique berry shade ever, but she is perfect for the transition from summer to fall. Probably the most wearable color for everyone. In two easy coats, she transcends generations and heritages to look rich and classic on everyone.

Margo, described as a "modern red plum," took two easy coats for full coverage. This dark, fuchsia plum may not be the most unique color but it is lovely nonetheless. I'm currently wearing this beauty as my pedicure color. She transitions from summer to fall beautifully while giving a nod to the color of the year, Radiant Orchid.

Ryan, a "classic indigo," did not stain! This dark indigo seemed to have a touch of teal in its base. She applied smoothly and evenly in two flawless coats.

Genevieve is a "cool leather grey." This "blurple" dark grey appears to have a fine pearl shimmer in the bottle. This shimmer does not appear as a a shimmer on the nail but adds subtle dimension and highlightsto prevent the color from being too heavy. The shimmer also helps with a smooth application. This was the thinnest polish of the bunch, requiring three coats.



The Verdict:
Per usual, I am a sucker for cream polishes. I just love the classic feel of a cream finish. Zoya has delivered once again with six beautiful, richly pigmented cream polishes. Each one applied like a dream! My favorites of this collection are Claire, Ryan, and Genevieve.

ZOYA IS THE HEALTHY COLOR OF FASHION!

$9 (US) Available on Zoya.com and at finer salons and spas. 

We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

Yesterday's post inspired me to try my hand at some nail art. I mentioned that Oswin reminded me of Dorothy's ruby slippers so I decided to channel that into a Dorothy manicure. I almost tried to choose something about each character and showcase that in each nail, but I quickly realized I had bitten off more than I could chew. Truth be told, this was my third attempt at this manicure! I was pretty pleased with the result. This might make a great Halloween manicure if you're going as Dorothy...or just drench your tips in Oswin:)

Polishes used: Zoya Oswin, Darcy, Purity, Rocky, and Song

What have you been inspired by lately?

Zoya Ultra PixieDust

Press Samples

Zoya has brought us a variety of textured polishes under the guise of PixieDust. First was the original sparkly texture, then came the Magical PixieDusts with hexagonal hologram glitters. Now we have Ultra PixieDusts which have Mega Hex particles thrown into the original PixieDust formula. The Ultra PixieDusts which are "a gradient of red, wine and plum hues" will have you filling your glass of red wine and watching sappy romantic comedies.

Oswin is a "true red textured PixieDust with crimson Mega Hex particles." Of the bunch, this polish has the most matte finish. This dark, ruby red polish reminds me of Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz. I can see this being a gorgeous pedicure, especially if you want to channel your inner Dorothy or have dreams of visiting Kansas. 

Arianna, a "blue-toned red wine textured PixieDust with Mega Hex particles," has a brighter base than Oswin. She is a more raspberry red, and like Oswin has tone-on-tone matching glitters that float within its base.

Noir is described as a "deep, vampy plum textured PixieDust with red Mega Hex particles." This dark plum is the only one of the collection without tone-on-tone glitter. Her glitter takes on more of a raspberry hue (although I would not be surprised if all three really contain the same glitter).


With topcoat (1 coat, same order as above)...

The Verdict:
For the optimal effect you MUST follow Zoya's directions on PixieDust application as seen here: http://youtu.be/Sm5ZTEtYZmI. These applied with ease in 3 thin coats. They do take longer to apply as they need to dry completely between coats. I loved them with a topcoat as well. If you're into the textured trend, I highly recommend these glamorous, romantic red hues. They are the best red textures I have seen. The nail art/design opportunities with these gradient hues are endless!

ZOYA IS THE HEALTHY COLOR OF FASHION!

$10 (US) Available on Zoya.com and at finer salons and spas. 

Zoya Ignite

Press Samples

The weather is getting cooler and soon we will be enjoying everything that the cooler weather brings. Enjoying cozier clothing (like sweaters, boots, and scarves), colors, and foods while admiring the changing foliage. It's my favorite season and many times fall collections are my favorites.

Zoya's autumnal collections Ignite and Entice do a beautiful job channeling the upcoming season. More often than not, Zoya also includes a couple of shades that are that perfect transition between seasons. Today's beauties are the shimmering, liquid metal metallics of the Ignite collection.

Autumn a "varnished copper" was the only one of the collection that seemed a little frosted. While this burnt orange with copper and pink flecks is stunning in all lights, it does appear a touch streaky/brush strokey in some. This seasonal shade took two smooth coats for full coverage.

India is "a deep, luxurious red with a gold liquid metallic shimmer." This burgundy, wine shade glows from within when its copper (and pink?) flecks catch the light. Shown is two smooth coats.

Teigen, described as "a pink toned cranberry with a copper liquid metal," also took two smooth, flawless coats. You can see, however, that this could have used three coats. The copper flecks in this plummy fuchsia appear to take on pink hues in the light.

Sansa is "a deep eggplant with a gold metallic sparkle." I thought that this blackened, royal purple looked truly elegant with its gold flecks. Again two, smooth coats for full coverage.

Remy a "brilliant indigo with copper and gold" had NO STAINING! I was shocked that two, buttery coats of this dark teal indigo did not stain my nails. I know that some found it to be staining, however I had absolutely none. Also the copper and gold flecks appear to give this polish a mermaid turquoise glow from within.

Yuna is "a warm grey with copper and gold liquid metal." This reminds me of slate however the juxtaposition of the warm golden and copper flecks make this polish something unique and special.



The Verdict:
One thing Zoya is always good at is glass-fleck polishes. These lit-from-within polishes always apply buttery smooth and tend to be more unique. This collection follows suit and has some true stunners in it. I loved the application and formula of these, most were completely opaque and streak-free in two easy coats. They seemed to dry rather quickly as well. My favorites of this collection are India, Sansa, and Yuna.

ZOYA IS THE HEALTHY COLOR OF FASHION!

$9 (US) Available on Zoya.com and at finer salons and spas.