Zoya Jolene

Here's another from the Summer 2010 Flash and Sparkle Zoya Collection - it's really nice to get these all out there, because I feel like I really missed them last year being flooded with my house purchase and family issues.  Oy.


Total shout out to my friend Jolene - I miss you friend - get back in touch!


Jolene is a "summer pink cream" - kind of Barbie pink link with a bit of hotness to it.  It's not a neon and does have a slight blue tint to it.


I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Jolene and a top of Zoya Armor.

Sorry for the lame cloudy pictures.  I swear, every time I get a "swatching day" to myself, there's no sun.  Days that I have way too much to do?  It's like 100 degrees.  However, check out how sweet this polish applied.  Love how soft it is.

Indoors with flash, you can see what I mean about the neon look but this isn't really a neon.  :]  

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.

Zoya Alegra

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.

Zoya Carrie Ann

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.

Zoya Karina

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.

Milani Nail Art

I have never been good at nail art.  I try but I just don't have the patience I guess.  Milani has come out with 10 different nail art lacquers each with a precision brush that actually helps you make those fine lines.  Above are Black Sketch, a black creme and Art of Gold, a gold glitter.

Check out that brush tip!  It's definitely to the point.


I went over my existing Milani manicure of Bijou Bronze (which had a top coat) and just drew whatever came to mind.  I ended up with this (sun then shade).

On the far left (pinkie), you can see that Art of Gold didn't work well by itself as a line burst like I did with Black Sketch on the ring finger.  On my middle finger was a crown in Art of Gold and I just filled in the rest with the Black Sketch, although in the shade it appears I did a horrible job.  The best use of Art of Gold was actually OVER Black Sketch on my index finger - go figure.  Overall these nail art lacquers were GREAT.  I'd actually go get the others based on this experience.


Each Nail Art Lacquer is $4.99.

You can visit Milani on their website and purchase directly or buy it in stores like CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens.  You can Like them on Facebook, follow their Twitter and subscribe to their YouTube Channel.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Milani Bijou Bronze

Small break from the Zoyas to give you another brand - Milani.  They are currently having a giveaway for a Flip Camera on their Facebook page.  Just "Like" them, and then enter on the left hand size where it says "Flip Camera Sweepstakes."  Contest ends June 10 at 12 noon PST (which they mean PDT but whatever... I always forget).


I can purchase Milani at CVS/pharmacy and Walgreens but the ones in my town NEVER get new collections.  I've been waiting for the 1-coat glitters since December with no avail.  :[


Bijou Bronze is a brownish red, slightly metallic finished polish (who'd have thought) and applied well.  I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Bijou Bronze and I finished with Milani Quick Dry Top Coat.

Oh look, more cloudy weather.  BOO.  I do love how firey this looks though - very nice.

You can definitely see my ridges when not wearing a ridge base.  I also apparently got something stuck under my middle nail.  And these were all taken before I got a manicure - oops.


Overall for my first experience with Milani, this was nice.  Good coverage, nice price at $4.50 a bottle.


You can visit Milani on their website and purchase directly or buy it in stores like CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens.  You can Like them on Facebook, follow their Twitter and subscribe to their YouTube Channel.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Zoya Cola

Secret - I LOVE Dublin Dr Pepper.  I literally buy a case every time I have the chance to.  When I'd order online, I'd get it from Old Doc's Soda Shop.  They are having their 120th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, June 11th, and I REALLY wish I could go, but the 370 miles is a bit much of a drive (about 6.5 hours).  Oh Texas, WHY do you have to be so big?!


Back to the polish!  Cola is a "desert sand red creme" from the Wonderful side of the Fall 2010 Wicked/Wonderful Zoya collection.  I'm determined to blast through these beauties (and this is the last from the Wonderful side), but I have to say, they had a LOT of reds in this collection - 9 out of 12.  It was very overwhelming to me at the time, but honestly, each one was different!  I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Cola and a top of Zoya Armor.

Boo clouds.  You really see a lot of the brown but there's a bit of red poking out especially on the pinkie finger.

Same story in the shade, to be honest - just not a very exciting color for me.

Now here's the killer - check out this color indoors with the flash - streak city!  I don't get it, it looked so nice above!  I guess three coats would be better for this one.

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.

Zoya Kristi

Also from the Fall 2010 Wicked/Wonderful Collection (the Wonderful side) is Kristi, a crimson red creme.  Thankfully I had some pretty sun for this one!  I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of Kristi and a top of Zoya Armor.  The formula on this polish was a little too thin for my liking but not unmanageable.  

It definitely pops out at you!  I also am LOVING Zoya Get Even... you know how bad my ridges show in pictures - and this really smoothed it all out.

In the shade, I feel that there's a tiny bit of blue undertones, but I've also been looking at a monitor for hours.  >_<

Finally indoors with the flash - look how smooth it is especially on my ring finger!  Lovely color.

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.

China Glaze Metallic Crackles

Please enjoy the following press release from China Glaze!

THE HOTTEST METALS GET CRACKLED

China Glaze Introduces Six New Crackle Glaze Polishes in Sparkling Metallics for Summer 2011

Los Angeles, CA – (June 2011):  Set your summer style to “sizzle” with China Glaze’s new Crackle Glaze Metals collection.  The pioneer in crackle technology, China Glaze takes the beauty phenomenon to the next level with this second-generation polish that pairs the edgy innovation of crackle with the elegant beauty of metals.  The China Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals collection features six sparkling metallic colors including:

·         Tarnished Gold: Warm, honeyed hue

·         Platinum Pieces: Shimmering silver

·         Haute Metal: Pale pink

·         Cracked Medallion: Bold bronze

·         Latticed Lilac: Soft lavender

·         Oxidized Aqua: Deep aquamarine blue

Create dramatically different looks with just one sweep of China Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals.  Layer over different base colors to create bold styles.  Use a lighter coat to create a fine crackle, a thicker coat for a deep shatter effect.  As versatile and edgy as China Glaze’s biggest celebrity fans (Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Nicole Ritchie and Kelly Osbourne, to name a few), Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals is sure to be this summer’s hottest beauty trend!

The China Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals collection will be available as open stock colors and 12 piece counter display with a unique Crackle Glaze screen and including an instructional hang tag.

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. 

Zoya Burke

So this is unrelated but I noticed it as I was editing pictures... I have a LOT of white cat hair in my pictures.  I have one long haired cat that I adore but UGH she get her fur EVERYWHERE.  Sigh.


So while I had this "lovely" patch of cloudy weather, I decided to get through this backlogged polish.  I have like 10 Zoyas to go through?  And mostly red.  So bring on the reds!  First up from the Fall 2010 Wicked/Wonderful collection (and this is from Wonderful) is Burke, a sienna red creme.


Because I'm sick of my ridges, I decided to use Zoya Get Even, available individually on their website or as part of the Color Lock system.  One coat of Get Even, 2 coats of Burke and a top of Zoya Armor.  I don't know if I mentioned this before but I prep ALL my manicure by swiping my nails with Zoya Remove+.  I've been through over a gallon of it in the past year, and I'm getting close to having to buy more.

A small patch of sun and I grabbed a picture.  I always thought sienna red was supposed to be more brown but this definitely came off more red for me.  Then again I have seen 12 different reds in a few days time, so I don't know.  ^_^

Maybe you can see more of the "smokiness" in the bottle here in the shade.  The formula was quite lovely.

Finally indoors with a flash - you can see the polish applied smoothly and evenly.  This was a lovely red from Zoya, but not necessarily unique.  

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.