Zoya PixieDust Fall Edition

Press Samples

New sparkly, textured nail polishes in rich autumn colors? 

Yes, please!

Top: Tomoko, Chita, Sunshine; Bottom: Carter, Arabella, Dhara

Zoya continues to impress us with their PixieDust formula that features just enough sparkle to make those tips twinkle, while showcasing this trendy finish. This collection is a smorgasbord of fall color, with a great variety. I think that it includes a little bit of something to please nearly everyone (provided that you are a fan of textured finishes)!

Tomoko is described as "a romantic champagne silver." It falls somewhere between silver and gold but it quite captivating in all lighting. This is one metallic that will flatter all skin tones  The swatch shown is two thin, smooth coats.

Chita, "a forest green ," was opaque in ONE coat! The swatch shows one coat of this pigmented blue leaning forest green (no staining). The "glitter" in this polish is a light gold/silver that resembles the color of Tomoko. It kind of evokes feelings of Christmas because it reminds me of frost covered pines. I think this one is a fabulous variation of the Pantone Color of the Year, emerald.

Sunshine has such a perfect description of "a "Van Gogh" navy blue." I love this description of this dusty blue that falls somewhere between sapphire and denim. This polish was also very pigmented and was nearly a one coater, but two coats were used above. There is a silver shimmer/glitter/pixiedust throughout. Also this baby barely stained. Meaning that I don't think it stained but it did take a little extra effort to remove the blue pigment but it did remove with cotton and remover.

Carter is "a royal purple" and looks fit for a king! This polish appears to have an indigo base and is packed with bright purple pixiedust glitter. I was surprised by how elegant this purple was once on. This swatch shows two easy coats (no staining).

Arabella sounds like the name of a little girl whose dream is becoming a princess. How fitting that it is "a rich fuchsia pink." This baby appears to have both hot fuchsia and silver pixiedust glitter. It kind of looks like Arabella could be Bobbi's cool-toned sister (Irresistible, 2013). This was another nearly one coater. Two coats are shown in the above swatches.

Dhara is "a firey orange copper " that reminds me of pumpkin picking, pumpkin spiced lattes, jack-o-lanterns...you get the picture. This pumpkin orange has coral undertones and is lit from within by lots of gold glitter. The above swatch shows two coats. AND I am convinced that she is Amy's textured twin sister (Irresistible, 2013)!

The Verdict:

I love everything about autumn and these are making me long for everything that the season brings. These colors are lovely and I cannot wait to wear them again. If you like textures, these are perfection! They had no problems with application or drying time. The ones that stood out the most to me were Tomoko, Carter, and Chita.

Zoya nail polish is available for purchase through their website. PixieDust polishes retail for $9.00 each.  Sign up for a Zoya account today and receive points that can be redeemed for promotions and discounts.

Barielle Summer Brights COMPARISONS

When Barielle released their Summer Brights collection, there were many who speculated that these were newly named past polishes. Additionally, I received a few emails about a comparison post to show the differences between these polishes and past collections. Below you will find comparisons between Barielle polishes except for Blue Capri, which I had no comparable Barielle polish.

To see the original swatches of the Summer Brights collection check out this post.

Sweet Addiction vs. Central Park (New York Style Collection)

L-R: Sweet Addition, Central Park, Sweet Addiction, Central Park

The similarities: Both are dusty, creme greens with a touch of blue, they were both easy to apply and very pigmented

The differences: Central Park is darker

Lemon Drops vs. Banana Drop vs. Sunshine

L-R: Sunshine, Banana Drop, Lemon Drops

The similarities: Well, they're all yellow...
The differences: Sunshine is a cool-toned bright yellow with shimmer, Banana Drops is a pastel creme, and Lemon Drops is a bright yelllow with a touch of warmth. Lemon Drops is the friendliest to apply (although, none of these are exceedingly difficult).


Pink Flip-Flops vs. Allie's Lace Cover Up vs. Pink Quartz

L-R: Pink Quartz, Allie's Lace Cover Up, Pink Flip-Flops

The similarities: They're all creme pinks.
The differences: Pink Quartz has a touch of orange, Allie's Lace Cover Up leans lavender, and Pink Flip-Flops has a distinct brightness reminiscent of Barbie. Allie's Lace Cover Up and Pink Flip-Flops are definitely more cool-toned than Pink Quartz. Choosing between these is a matter of preference and skin-tone.


Cosmic Kiss vs. Eli's Magic vs. Life of the Party

L-R: Life of the Party, Eli's Magic, Cosmic Kiss

The similarities: They all qualify as pigmented, easy to apply, bright pink, creme polishes.
The differences: Eli's Magic is what I would call a true bright pink. It's probably the color most think of when they think of a neutral hot pink. Life of the Party is still very vibrant but it has more coral (warm) undertones. Cosmic Kiss is the coolest of the three.


The only comparison that is not exclusively Barielle, Blue Capri vs. essie Butler Please

The similarities: Both are an on-trend bright, electric periwinkle blue. They both have a glossy creme finish.
The differences: Blue Capri is dustier and a touch darker than Butler Please. Blue Capri is a touch thicker and more pigmented, making application faster and easier.


The Verdict:
There are no duplicate polishes here! However, it is not completely necessary to own ALL of these. It's a matter of deciding which ones fit your skin-tone best.  Everyone has their own preferences so pick whichever one works best for you. Some do have better formulation than others making for easier application. If I HAD to pick I would choose: Central Park, Banana Drop (but maybe Lemon Drop), Allie's Lace Cover Up, Life of the Party, and Blue Capri.

"The Stripe" Nail Art

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the single stripe nail art that popped up at past fashion weeks. This is easy, classy nail art that leans more minimalist than past nail art ventures. To recreate the single stripe nail look, I used coordinating shades from Barielle's Some Like it Hot (summer '12) and Sweet Treats (spring '13) collections.

This is a great way to transition from season to season by bringing pastels and brights together. Here they are from in-your-face to subtle (also least favorite to favorite).

Green Apple Chew with Lily of the Valley stripes.

Banana Drop with Sunshine stripes.

Orange Parfait with You Gotta Have Fate stripes.

I really like this concept. I must also say I really don't like the green combo above. I am not sure if it is the mix of finishes, the extremes of the colors, or if the colors are just unappealing together. Also, I'm still not loving Green Apple Chew. You win some you loose some;) The coral combination is definitely my favorite but the yellow one is pretty too. I cannot wait to try this with other colors.

Have you tried this easy minimalist nail art yet?  What are your favorite colors to use?

Barielle's Some Like it Hot Collection

Press Samples

Last week you saw the Dazzling Diamonds Collection Barielle sent me.  Here is the other one, Some Like It Hot.

Please ignore the stray glitter in some photos, these were swatched immediately following the glitter swatch fest that was Dazzling Diamonds.  I also apologize for the condition of my hands & nails.  I had spent a week at the beach and they were dry to say the least from sunscreen, salt water, sand, and also from remover after swatching.  

This collection consists of bright summery colors in 2 finishes, cream and shimmer.  ALL swatches show 2 coats.

 Life of the Party is described as an "opaque pink with a touch of coral."  This is a pretty accurate description of this hot pink.  The coral brightens it making it perfect for summer.

 Gotta Have Fate is a coral!!!!!! It is described as just that an "opaque creamy coral."  Perfect tangerine leaning coral that adds some warmth to any summer ensemble.

 Sunshine is the first true yellow I have EVER tried.  It is perfectly described as a "warm yellow with shimmer."  The shimmer is subtle, but beautiful.  It makes the polish apply nicely and also gives it a glow so it isn't too flat.

 Lily of the Valley is, well, GORGEOUS.  The perfect emerald green that is shimmery but not streaky or frosty.  Barielle calls it "Irish green with shimmer" which is accurate, but I prefer to call it emerald:)  Lovely gemstone inspired color, perfect for any season.  I am actually really excited to wear this one again, even though I usually don't wear green polish.

 Surf's Up is "deep Caribbean blue."  I really love this color and I have nothing like it.  The blue is lovely and bright.  I must warn users that you MUST use a base coat that prevents staining or you will become smurf-ified!


The Verdict:
I love this entire collection.  As usual I have favorites:)  Due to my coral obsession, Gotta Have Fate is perfection.  I also adore Lily of the Valley, I have always loved emerald greens, but never had a polish that was emerald before.  I also loved Surf's Up against my skin tone.  If your collection is lacking in these colors or finishes I would suggest snatching them, however you might have some similar polishes already if you're a die-hard polish-aholic;)

This collection can be found at the Barielle website and retails for $25.00.  You can also purchase the polishes individually for $8.00.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the manufacturer or their PR company for consideration.  For more information please visit the tabs below the header.