Zoya PixieDust Collection: (Top L->R) Nyx, Vespa and London
(Bottom L->R) Dahlia, Chyna and Godiva
I think Zoya did great on this collection, colors for everyone!
Left (T->B): Zoya Godiva, Chyna, Dahlia
Right (T->B): Vespa, London and Nyx
The amount of sparkle I saw from the bottle gave me good hope for these! Not familiar with textured polishes - let me introduce you!
Textured polishes are the newest trend. You can find different brands popping up with their own lines of textured polishes, brands from Zoya and OPI to Milani at the drugstore level. The idea of a textured polish is to have a finish with a bumpy, sandy like feel and look to them. To achieve this look they dry matte and rough, you're not supposed to add a top coat. Of course, if the feel is too much for you (or you just want to create a different look!) just simply add a top coat - well a few coats of top coat hahaha!
Here are the instructions for the Pixie Dust polishes as per Zoya:
- Do not use a base coat or top coat.
- Apply 1-3 (for full coverage) thin coats of polish.
- Allow product to dry completely in between layers for full effect.
- The PixieDust textured formula may take up to 10 minutes to dry down completely matte. Once dry, the textured finish is long lasting, matte and ultra-glittery!
Let me introduce you to Zoya PixieDust :]
Zoya Dahlia - NO top coat
Zoya Dahlia - NO top coat
Zoya Dahlia - Top coat on middle and pinky fingers
Zoya Dahlia - Top coat on middle and pinky fingers
I think that was the best textured polish to show you first if you haven't seen any yet! Crazy random - BUT PERFECT - happenstance haha. Zoya Dahlia is described as a "black beauty with a sugared sparkle". And it's exactly that. It kind of reminds me of Zoya Storm matte, and textured of course haha. I did 3 coats for full coverage, application was smooth and great. I'll have to agree with Zoya on these, wait between coats - if you don't it becomes a lumpy mess! And the 10 min full dry time is VERY accurate.
This was the first textured polish I swatched ever. I was a lot more pleased with the look and feel than I thought I would be. I can't speak for all textured polishes but, these weren't overly textured as I was thinking. Yes, they do feel sandy and gritty. But they are a smooth sandy feeling... lmao does that even make sense? I think I finally found the perfect item to describe these polishes as - EMERY BOARDS! If you're looking for a more specific description (as per husband) "220-240 grit sand paper", so take that for what it's worth. LMFAO!!!!!!
Zoya Chyna - NO top coat
Zoya Chyna - NO top coat
Zoya Chyna - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya Chyna - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya Chyna is "described as a red dazzle with a sugared sparkle". I'm sensing a trend in these descriptions hahaha... This color actually reminds me a lot of China Glaze Ruby Pumps. This is a gorgeous red color, I think this is one of my favorite PixieDust polishes. I love how the red and the texture works together, very cool look! This one took 2 coats with a smooth coverage. Again, same dry time and layered application processes as noted by Zoya to get the best finish.
Zoya Godiva - NO top coat
Zoya Godiva - NO top coat
Zoya Godiva - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya Godiva - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
When I see/feel Zoya Godiva I think: sparkly (dry) sand. Zoya describes the color as a "soft nude". This one was probably my least favorite color, but I can appreciate the beauty of it. It's very soft, sparkly and yet has some spice (the texture) at the same time. This was 2 coats for opacity, great application as per usual... the last 2 haha! Again, mind the layers and dry time.
Zoya Nyx - NO top coat
Zoya Nyx - NO top coat
Zoya Nyx - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya Nyx - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
THIS was my favorite PixieDust polish. But I love blue polish, so it wasn't a surprise :P Zoya Nyx is a dusty, periwinkle blue textured polish. I think I found this one being my favorite because it reminds me a lot of Zoya Caitlin, which is one of my favorite Zoyas. I'm also TOTALLY in love with the amount of sparkle this one has. I found this one to be on more of the sheer side than the others. It took 3 coats to kill the visible nail line.
BTW, I'm sorry if it's insanely impossible to tell that there is top coat on 2 fingers in the last two pictures lol, it was hard to tell in real life too!
Zoya London - NO top coat
Zoya London - NO top coat
Zoya London - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya London - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya London is described as a "fog grey with sugared sparkle". TBH if I heard sugared sparkle one more time I'm going to slap myself haha. Anyways, this is a true concrete grey. Very similar to China Glaze Recycle that I posted on Thursday. Not so sure about fog, well... maybe if you live somewhere with air pollution lmao. Okay, I'm done knocking on Zoya's descriptions haha. This one is my least favorite, I think mostly because I associate the texture and the color with a sidewalk lol. I DID like it with top coat though. I did 2 coats of London, smooth application but again, mind dry time.
Zoya Vespa - NO Top Coat
Zoya Vespa - NO Top Coat
Zoya Vespa - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya Vespa - Top coat on pinky and middle fingers
Zoya Vespa is described as a "mint kiss". This one kind of made me sad, the picture Zoya has is a LOT more green, I didn't see that much green in real life... or in these pictures lol. It's green, just not as much green as I was hoping for. C'est la vie! This one was also on the sheer side, it took three coats to build up opacity. You can kind of still see my nail line on my pinky too, boooo! I'm on the fence about this one, just not sure what to think haha.
I teased you guys the other day about doing "something" with the PixieDust polishes. I've been so antsy to show you! I think it turned out REALLY neat and it's SUPER easy to do.
Zoya PixieDust gradient using Nyx
Zoya PixieDust gradient using Nyx
Zoya PixieDust gradient using Nyx
No, no, no! Put your sponges down! There's no need for that mess here! ;] As I was swatching these, I noticed how they are slightly sheer on the first coat and need to be built up to reach opacity. It hit me RIGHT after I swatched 1 coat of Dahlia to try this out. Have ya'll heard of the jelly/jelly syrup technique? It's where you start with 1 coat and build up coats as you get to the tip. No need for a fancy nail art brush or a sponge. That's what I did with this!
Here's a short tutorial to explain, and if you have the PixieDust polishes you can try this too!
Step 1: Apply your first coat, the lighter the better since this is a gradient. Allow it to dry.
Step 2: Move up, apply your 2nd coat and allow to dry.
Step 3: Move up, apply your 3rd coat and allow to dry.
Step 4: (This is optional if you'd like it more opaque at the tips or you have longer nails) Lastly, move up, and apply the 4th coat and allow to dry. Apply optional top coat if you prefer a shiny finish instead of a textured matte finish.
Rather have a video tutorial? Check here!
It's THAT easy guys! If you try this, show me on Instagram and tag me @lacerz :]
Overall I am very impressed with all these polishes. Of course I have my favorite colors and my not so favorite colors. I enjoyed the textured finish more than I thought I would. However, I think these are less textured than other textured polishes on the market. I think the crazy amount of glitter and sparkle also makes me enjoy these and allows me to find the grit to be acceptable haha. If you're on the fence about these (like I was), totally give them a chance!
Don't have a Zoya account? You can sign up HERE! When you sign up under that link you earn a free Zoya polish. If you add 2 more Zoya polishes to your cart, you earn free shipping :] Your coupon code can be found under the My Account -> My Promotional Codes tab.
Happy Walking Dead Day!
These items were sent for review. My opinions of the brand are my own and are not influenced in any way. Please read the disclaimer tab for more information about my reviews.
Great review, and wonderful gradient idea! :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'll take Godiva off your hands for you! ;) That's the only one I really want. :D
Great swatches!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you didn't have the same problem a lot of us did with Chyna not being properly mixed. Lucky you! Love your description of the texture. I have such a hard time convincing people that it LOOKS more textured than it FEELS. :p I just tried one of the Milanis and it's about the same, except not sparkly which is cool.
ReplyDeleteNow I must get some!
ReplyDeleteThat gradient is totally cool! Gotta try it!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered how hard it is to take this polish off!
ReplyDelete