Tag: Zoya
Damn Fine Coffee
Maybe not so much like a cup of damn fine coffee, but a pile of damn fine coffee grounds?
That’s because I used Zoya Matte Top Coat – it really brings out the gold flecks in “Damn Fine Coffee” from the Twin Peaks Collection by Hare Polish. I kind of wish that I had used Orly Bonder instead of Sinful Colors Base Coat. I got a chip within an hour of application….because my husband made me load the dishwasher. Just because he cleaned the kitchen, made dinner and baked me cookies. He’s so MEAN!
Lael & The Zoya Color Lock System
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Since I was off on New Year’s Day, I had time to relax and try out the full Zoya Color Lock System, which I received in Zoya’s Cyber Monday Mystery Bag.
I started with Zoya Anchor Base Coat. It quickly dries absolutely clear and smooth. I then tried out 2 coats of Zoya “Lael” – described by Zoya as a deep, saturated red-toned plum purple with a shiny creme finish. It’s not quite as dark as Julep “Padma” or “Logan”, but it’s pretty dark. It’s shiny on its own, but once I added a coat of Zoya Armor Top Coat, it was almost a mirror finish. I did NOT try the Zoya Fast Drops – even though Armor isn’t a fast dry, I felt like it dried really fast. After 30 minutes, I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher and scrubbed some dishes and they were still flawless. Unfortunately though, I managed to get some sheet impressions and slight dents in my nails while sleeping last night. *sigh*
I also did my toes. My toenails were getting so long that they were hurting my feet! I cut em back and painted away. My toes will be the real test of how well the Color Lock System holds up…
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
My son demanded that I do fireworks on my nails for New Year’s Eve. I couldn’t leave him disappointed.
After Sinful Colors Base Coat, I started with 2 coats of Sinful Colors “Starry Night” for the night sky. I made the fireworks with a few quick swipes with one of my dotting tools. I chose my shimmeriest shimmer polishes for the fireworks: Nicole by OPI “On A Gilt Trip” (this one has been seeing a lot of action lately), Zoya “Bobbi”, Julep “Dahlia”, Zoya “Cassedy” and Julep “Tin Man”. Sally Hansen Diamond Flash made my nails super shiny.
Logan was very proud of my nails and was sure to tell everyone last night that he was my inspiration. Love that kid!
Noir Mi Amor
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This is THE best PixieDust from Zoya – “Noir” Ultra PixieDust.
Zoya describes it as deep, vampy plum textured PixieDust with red Mega Hex particles…but I say it’s FUCHSIA.
Instead of starting with a naked nail, I started with a coat of Orly Bonder. It didn’t do shit, because after a round of pots & pans, I have significant edge wear on my right hand. Oh well, I was going to repaint tomorrow anyway.
C’est la vie.
Merry Xmas to Me: Part Deux
Ostensibly, I only went to Ulta yesterday to pick up one thing. Zoya recently announced that they are retiring ALL of their Pixie Dusts. Even though they are BOGO on their site right now, I didn’t feel like buying enough ($55) to qualify for free shipping. So I figured I could use my $5 off $10 coupon to make my own BOGO. The only Pixie Dust I really HAD to have was Zoya “Noir” – a black and fuchsia mix.
But then I remembered that my sister has been repeatedly recommending the Freeman Beauty “Black Sugar & Charcoal” Mask/Scrub. Wouldn’t you know that they’re BOGO right now? So I also picked up the “Dead Sea Minerals” Clay Mask. But as I was walking around, I was the Ultra Chi Holiday Display…
I made an executive decision to put my husband out of his misery and complete his Xmas shopping for him. Normally listed at $149.95, the Holiday Ultra Chi Tourmaline Flat Irons were $99.95. With another 20% off coupon, that’s $79.96. I know the holiday irons will go on sale after Xmas for $79.95 anyway, so why not buy it now? I also had a $10 rebate debit card from buying heartworm pills – thanks Dottie!
They even had one that perfectly matches my car! The box says Magenta, but whatever. It also came with a free Rose Gold carrying case. Nice.
I didn’t even bother wrapping it – I brought it to my BFF’s last night and had Loo show me how to use it. I looked like Donna from “That 70s Show”. It made my hair straight, so I guess it worked!
Zoya Cyber Monday Mystery Bag
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I am such a sucker for mystery bags & boxes! Of course, I ordered the Zoya Cyber Monday Mystery Bag – it was only $15.
I received a Mini Color Lock System ($20 value) – I had been wanting to try their base and top coats; Qtica Natural Nail Growth Stimulator ($20 value); Zoya Matte Velvet Red Lipstick ($12 value) – too bad, I already have it; and Mini Trio of polishes ($12 value) – “Willa” (AKA “Black Swan”) – a full-coverage, densely pigmented onyx black cream, “Lael” – a deep, saturated red-toned plum purple with a shiny creme finish, and “Rekha” – a bold medium blood red with a glossy cream finish.
$64 worth of goodies!
Merry 20% off Xmas to Me!
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My husband and I have a unique arrangement. We tell each other exactly what we want for gifts and then go buy it. We occasionally surprise each other, but for the most part, we know what’s coming. He wanted a breadmaker, so I ordered it from Amazon, got it 2 days later and started making bread. I REALLY wanted the Urban Decay Vice3 Palette…and wouldn’t you know it, I just got a 20% off at Ulta coupon!
Since my husband is out of town fishing, I decided to “be nice” and go pick up my own gift today. I say “be nice”, because it really benefits me. I get to use my 20% coupon AND I get the Ultamate Rewards points. Of course, the first Ulta was out of stock. So I got to use my $5 off $10 coupon on Zoya Remove+ and some headbands.
I found success at the second Ulta though – they had at least 20 vice3 palettes. (I wonder if I have to wait until Xmas to use it? I bet I can use it tomorrow, since he already got to use his breadmaker…) I also picked up a 4 pack of $10 gift cards for teacher gifts. Since both Logan’s teachers complimented my nails during my last parent teacher conference, I think they’ll enjoy it…
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I had to hit Bath & Body Works – I couldn’t resist $2.50 Hand Soaps, especially since they were only $2 with my 20% off coupon. I showed restraint and only picked up 16…which I will be sharing with my little sister.
I also hit Bed Bath & Beyond to use a 20% off coupon on a new ceramic skillet for my husband’s birthday. (I totally hoard those coupons. My sister and BFF even save theirs for me…let me know if you need one – I have plenty extra this year.) How lucky am I that he always wants kitchen stuff for gifts?
Merry 20% off Xmas to me!
The Supreme
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So, since Daylight Savings Time ended, it’s dark when I get home and I have had to get creative to find good enough light to take nail pictures. My husband switched all of the bulbs to LED, which saves money…but LED lights SUCK for pictures. I get so-so results in my bathroom, but this time I used my son’s desk lamp. It’s better, but not ideal. Nothing beats sunlight, but I guess I’m screwed until March.
This is Delush Polish “The Supreme” from the “Scream Supreme Collection”, inspired by American Horror Story. It’s a blood red jelly, filled with different sizes of red glitter. The red is so deep that’s hard to see all the glitter. Orly Bonder for the base coat and I used Sally Hansen Diamond Flash for the top coat…except for my ring finger. I hadn’t tried out Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat yet and OH MY GAWD. I love it so much more on this polish than the shiny shiny. It dries super quick, too – almost like a quick dry!
Only three more Delushies to try!
Gambit
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Zoya “Remy” is so beautiful that it changed my plans.
I had intended to just use “Remy” on my toes and continue with the Delush Polish “Scream Supreme Collection” on my fingers…but no…I saw it on my toes and changed my mind. Sorry Delushies, I’ll have to get my freakshow on later.
Zoya’s site describes “Remy” as brilliant indigo with copper and gold liquid metallic. It’s from the Fall 2014 Ignite Collection. Like all Zoyas, the formula is absolutely perfect. I used Orly Bonder for the base coat and Sally Hansen Diamond Flash for the top coat.
I looooooooove it.
Hemi Harlow
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I found it…after trying maybe a zillion polishes…the perfect polish to match my car!
This is Zoya Matte Velvet “Harlow” – not to be confused with Julep “Harlow”. Zoya “Harlow” originally came out in Winter 2009 (along with “Veruschka” and “Savita”), but they’ve re-released them all! Zoya describes “Harlow” as a rich, saturated rose plum packed with sparkling metallic shimmer in a velvety MATTEVELVET finish. Fancy!
I didn’t read the site first – like the Pixie Dusts, you aren’t supposed to use a base coat or a top coat with the Matte Velvets. Oops. I used Orly Bonder first. It seemed to work okay – no bubbles and it dried really quickly. The site also warned that it’s not as long wearing as regular polish…Oh snap!
I can claim that this is a Halloween themed manicure, since my fingers are dressed up like my car, right? The only thing missing is the racing stripes (sorry, Dave).