Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Zoya Dree

   I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving week/weekend and didn't get caught up in any of the dangerous Black Friday craziness.  I'm almost recovered from it.  Not that I did a lot of shopping, but because I had to work all weekend and I had a mild cold.  Thankfully my store was busy but not crazy.  Anyway, on to polish...
   Continuing my Zoya Smoke collection reviews I bring you Dree.


   Dree is a very yellow based green and a little on the moss side.  I like Dree better dry, as the final color is a little darker than the bottle color.  I used 1 thick coat in the following pics but you could do 2 thin coats instead.  I had no issues with application or formula and used the usual suspects for top and base coat- China Glaze Strong Adhesion and Barielle Manicure Extender.  The Sun was playing peek-a-boo with me so these were mostly taken with the sun behind cloud cover.

 Sun

Indirect Sun

Indoor


   Dree is a nice color, but probably not one I'll wear a lot.  I like the mossy green colors, but I think Dree is too yellow for me personally. 

Disclaimer: The product(s) in this post were sent to me by the company for consideration.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Zoya Anja

   Ah fall.  Time to watch the leaves change for about 2 weeks then all fall off the trees at once while the weather goes from 70s one day to 50s the next.  Oh, you mean that's just here in the south?  Hmm.  I may live in the wrong region.  But no matter where you live fall is the time to break out the dark colors.   Zoya Anja from the Fall Smoke collection is perfect for this. 


   Anja is a nice plum shade.  She dries darker on the nail to more the color of a very ripe plum- a blackened red/purple.  The formula on this one was just a little on the thick side so I recommend making sure your base coat is completely dry before applying the polish.  I didn't and my index finger is a bit patchy because of it.  On the positive side, Anja is pigmented enough that she's a 1 coat polish.  I used my standard Zoya base and top combo of China Glaze Strong Adhesion and Barielle Manicure Extender.  However because of the strong pigmentation there was a bit of staining on my skin from clean up.  So you might want to be really careful with application to try to minimize clean up needs.  Not that I'm one to talk about that.

Direct Sun

Shade

Indoor


Friday, November 18, 2011

Zoya Petra and Jana

   Petra and Jana are both from the Zoya Fall Smoke collection.  I'm combining them into one post because they are both in the grey/purple/taupe family and wanted to let you see them close to each other.
   With both polishes I used a base of China Glaze Strong Adhesion, 2 coats of polish, and a top coat of Barielle Manicure Extender.  Application and formula are what you expect from Zoya, smooth and not too thick or thin.

Petra

   Petra is the darker of the two colors.  She looks very purple in the bottle, but once dry she is a few shades darker and more grey.  

Direct Sun

Shade

Indoor


Jana

   Jana is obviously lighter in the bottle, but again dries a tad darker and greyer.  On the nail Jana is right on the line of grey/purple and taupe.  It really depends on the light which way she falls.

Direct Sun

Shade

Indoor


   Both Petra and Jana are lovely, smooth cremes and fairly neutral so should be office appropriate for most places.  

Disclaimer:  The product(s) in this post were sent to me by the company for consideration.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

China Glaze Eye Candy Press Release

   Please enjoy the following press release from China Glaze about their new Winter 2011 3D Glitter Collection Eye Candy:


 3-D GLITTERS ARE A GIRL’S NEW BEST FRIEND

China Glaze Introduces Six New Innovative Glitter Polishes for Winter 2011

Los Angeles, CA – (October 2011):  Forget diamonds!  This winter China Glaze introduces a nail industry first: utilizing 3-D glitters in its new “Eye Candy” collection.  Inspired by Marilyn Monroe and her timeless allure, this innovative new glitter technology provides a knock-your-eyes-out, super sparkly effect to your manicure.   Multi-sized and differently shaped glitter particles are cleverly combined to create a sexy, super decadent, 3-D finish in six bright, eye-popping shades.  Whether you prefer gleaming gold or glamorous smoky grey, China Glaze’s “Eye Candy” collection adds a dazzling finish to your holiday look with a glimmer that is sure to catch everyone’s eye!  Colors in this collection include:

·        Love Marilyn: Vivacious Red with Shimmering Silver Particles

·        Blonde Bombshell: Glistening Multidimensional Gold Flecks

·        Lorelei’s Tiara: Sterling Silver Infused with Blue Sprinkles

·        Material Girl: Posh pink with Holographic Bubblegum Glitter

·        Some Like It Haute: Graphite Gray with Holographic Glitter

·        Marry A Millionaire: Alluring Amethyst with Multi-tonal Fibers


Celebs like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Ivanka Trump, Rosario Dawson and Emmy Rossum regularly rock China Glaze and now you can get your bling on with “Eye Candy.” 

The China Glaze “Eye Candy” collection will be available in an amazing 3-D 12-piece counter display and as open stock colors.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries
For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women.  Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks,  Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Zoya Codie

   Ready for some actual swatches and reviews again instead of press releases?  Well this post starts my reviews of the Zoya Smoke collection for Fall 2011.  
   Codie is a dark brown creme polish.  I mean DARK brown.  Like a good cup of expresso dark brown.  Hmmm, now I want more coffee.



   Anyway, Codie is very deeply pigmented.  I used 2 coats in the below photos.  But, if you do use 2 coats, make sure they are THIN coats.  Otherwise just use 1 thicker coat.  Application was great with the typical Zoya formula.  My base coat was China Glaze Strong Adhesion base.  I did not use a top coat in these photos so you can see just how shiny this polish is on its own.  A majority of Zoyas are this shiny on their own, especially the cremes.  Wear time went down a bit because of the lack of top coat though, so keep that in mind.

Direct Sun

Shade

Indoor


   Just look at that shine.  It's amazing.  This is a great fall color and would look good on a lot of different skin tones.

Disclaimer: The product(s) in this post were sent to me by the company for consideration.

OPI Spring 2012 Holland Collection Press Release

   Please enjoy the following press release from OPI for their upcoming Spring 2012 Holland Collection.  The promo pics show potential shimmer to some of these that has me intrigued.


Color with a Touch of Dutch


OPI Launches Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012


OPI celebrates color with the Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012. Inspired by the country’s range of stunning shades – as seen in vivid tulips, windmill-dotted hillsides and bustling canals – the collection’s twelve shades offer a mixture of sophisticated neutrals and highly-pigmented brights. 
“Holland has a very unique, vibrant beauty to match its open-minded nature,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Spring is the season of color, and the Holland Collection provides an array of pink, coral and orange hues that capture this energy. The bright lacquers are married with neutrals in new variations like red clay and sea green.”
            A sequence of electric brights, including a sun-lit orange (A Roll in The Hague), a hot coral-red (Red Lights Ahead…Where?) and two perfectly pretty pinks (Kiss Me on My Tulips and a light-catching Pedal Faster Suzi!) complement their cooler counterparts in hues of glistening purple (Dutch Ya Just Love OPI? and Vampsterdam), while elegant neutrals (Gouda Gouda Two Shoes, Did You ear About Van Gogh? and Wooden Shoe Like to Know?) meet two shimmer-laced blues (I Have a Herring Problem and I Don’t Give a Rotterdam!) and a creamy sea green (Thanks a WindMillion).
“Wearing these colors on fingers and toes will accessorize the season’s hottest trends,” remarks Suzi. “The varied palette of colors accentuates the looks that walked the runway, from colored pants and ladylike frocks to long, blousy-sleeved tops and dramatic patterns.”
            Holland by OPI includes the following shades:

A Roll in The Hague
Take advantage of this frisky little orange.


Red Lights Ahead…Where?
This coral-packed red is the hottest in the district.


Kiss Me on My Tulips
A smooch-worthy shade of hot pink.


Pedal Faster Suzi!
This pink lavender shimmer will have you “wheeling.”


Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI?
All of Holland hollers for this crowd-pleasing plum.


Vampsterdam
A deep purple for a divine diva.


Did You ’ear About Van Gogh?
Rumor has it…this sandy bisque is a work of art.


Thanks a WindMillion
You totally deserve this breezy sea green.


Wooden Shoe Like to Know?
It’s no secret…everybody loves this shimmery chocolate-brown.


I Have Herring Problem
What’s that you say? I need to “sea” this shimmery green-blue?


I Don’t Give a Rotterdam!
This sassy steal-blue shimmer means business!


Gouda Gouda Two Shoes
Take a walk on the wild side with this robust rose.


Holland Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide Brush for the ultimate in application.
Holland Collection by OPI will be available February 8, 2012, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($9.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. 
            For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!
###


ABOUT OPI
As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

Zoya Feel Press Release

   Please enjoy the following press release from Zoya announcing their upcoming Winter 2011/2012 Feel Collection:



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 coverge 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)

Available November 15, 2011.

 
polished & frosted title image brushes by Obsidian Dawn