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Friday, January 11, 2013

Zoya - Lovely Collection - Review & Swatches

Until I started really getting into nail polish I always respected pastels but wasn't overly moved to purchase any. As I've watched my collection evolve and be exposed to more and more brands that I never knew about I've also watched my color tastes broaden. Specifically in the direction of pastels. This year there is no shortage of lovely pastels offered up from our favorite brands. I am very happy to have a review of our favorite Ohio based nail polish company, Zoya, and their spring release, the Lovely Collection.

When I saw a photo of the Lovely Collection by Zoya my interested was definitely piqued. The collection as a whole is a nice set of basic spring staple colors. Those of you that aren't into nail art can enjoy the beauty of a lovely color alone. Those of you into nail art will enjoy this collection as it has some deeply pigmented cremes perfect as a base or use in nail art. I love the duality of the color choices they're offering in this collection for that reason alone. I mean to me that's a major reason to pick up the 6 color set immediately. However, if you need more convincing here are my swatches with reviews for each color in the Lovely Collection.

Zoya - Julie
Light box lighting, 2 coats w/top coat

Julie is by far my favorite of the shimmer set. I like shimmers in general but usually find myself reaching for cremes more often than not. However, I really love this soft lavender shimmer. The only downside for me is realizing it is the same shimmer combination/recipe as Zoya - Zuza. I am NOT a fan of Zuza and was disheartened to see that it was the same shimmer. I wish they would re-work the amount or type of shimmer they use. It is not clean up or sloppy painter (ahem, like ME!) friendly.

Zoya - Piaf
Light box lighting, 2 coats w/top coat 

This is Piaf, a lovely yellow that I would call a soft "mustard" yellow. I don't think it works for my skin tone, but I can see a lot of other lovelies wearing it and totally rocking this sweet spring color.

Zoya - Gie Gie
Light box lighting, 3 coats w/top coat

I really love the soft and dainty Gie Gie. I would love it even more if it was just a tad less sheer. I do not like VNL (visible nail line) and unfortunately on me I needed 3 coats of Gie Gie to reach an opacity that I felt comfortable with. I do love the color though, in fact it's currently on my toes! It probably doesn't hurt that the Mr. & I are hoping for a little girl this time around... so I've naturally been gravitating towards pink in all it's shades and variations ha!


The Lovely Collection's cremes are truly the stars of this collection. They are pigmented enough to easily use in nail art, are good color bases for most any occasion, and alone are simply perfect pastel shades.

Zoya - Blu
Light box lighting, 2 coats w/top coat

Blu is my absolute favorite out of the entire Lovely Collection. It is the most perfect powder blue I've ever seen and is just an easily wearable blue. Some people feel self conscious about wearing blue, but honestly I think even if you're self conscious Blu is a good color to try breaking through those feelings. It is soft enough that it isn't in your face but blue enough to say "Hey! I'm a lovely shade of blue, you should love me!"

Zoya - Neely
Light box lighting, 2 coats w/top coat

I have to say at first I was not excited about Neely. I was afraid that it wouldn't look good on me and might look like a "sick" green not a lovely pastel green against my skin tone. Oddly enough from the first swipe of the brush I knew I was totally wrong. I really like Neely and can see me wearing it this Easter with some cute nail art. Yay! I love when I'm wrong about a color!!

Zoya - Jacqueline
Light box lighting, 2 coats w/top coat

This is another color I was super unhappy about at first. In some of the photos Jacqueline looked like a nude to me. I haaaaaate nudes. I can't stand them, they get on my nerves. I honestly feel like what is the point if you're going to use a nude. However, I know that not everybody feels that way and that's ok too. Either way, once I actually saw the bottle in person I thought, well there's something I like about it but I'm still not convinced. WELL! Let me tell you... I was wrong not only once but twice!! This is soooo not a nude! It is more a very soft yellow or what I'd imagine the nail polish equivalent would be to aged white walls. Very antiqued and soft. It was difficult to truly capture the color accurately but I feel like the above photos are pretty close. This color, oddly enough, lightens up once painted. So don't go by the bottle. I really liked this color and feel like it is a perfect nail art base. It's a very soft spoken and unassuming color. Very lovely for a spring wedding day or maybe a stroll through the park.

I mentioned that these colors are prefect for nail art and here are two quick examples of some nail art only using Zoya - Lovely Collection colors.

Zoya - Julie as a base with Zoya - Blu polka dots
I was feeling very Mod and thought large dots would be cute lol

Zoya - Jacqueline as a base with Zoya - Julie, Blu & Neely fan brush marks
I didn't want to do another polka dot design and felt like adventuring a little with the fan brush in my MASH brush set. This is my first fan brush mani, definitely not great but you can see how pretty the colors look together. 

I hope that you enjoyed my review and swatches of Zoya's Lovely Collection. These colors are available for purchase on Zoya's website or direct link to the collection HERE for $8ea.

xo,






This product was provided to me for free and in no way impacts my review.
 The views and findings expressed are my own and to the best of my ability.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Incoco Nail Polish Applique Review

Have you ever wanted to look cute but just didn't have the time? I mean I love taking the time to do my nails, along with my hair and make up, but there isn't always time for a full mani. I've been loving all the different designs that have been coming out with these nail polish appliqués. I've even tried a few and had fun with them. Well with all the things a busy mother and wife has to do during the holidays I've found myself with less and less time to do a mani, much less keep a cute one fresh.


The perfect opportunity arose when I was sent some Incoco Nail Polish Appliques for review. I mean these are perfect for the season and ridiculously cute! I really loved the snow flake designs, I mean they're simple and pretty as well as all holiday celebration appropriate! 



While reading about the brand I found out that they've been in research and development of non-liquid nail polish for over 20 years. WOW!! It makes sense because I have to say this nail applique was the best I've used yet! The colors are vibrant, clear and on trend! 



Application was a breeze, I just followed the directions that were included. They applied easily and cleanly. The only down side for me is that my nails are unusually shaped and wide so the applique doesn't quite cover my entire nail, leaving a bit uncovered on the side. While that was an issue for me it was the only issue and a very minor one. The nail appliques cover enough of my nail that a little bit of nail showing on the side wasn't problematic or embarrassing. 



Beyond the cute design and easy-breezy application, my other favorite part about the Incoco nail polish appliques is that included in the set is a way to securely reseal the bag! That way you can save any unused appliques! Hello money saver!!


Besides the obvious things that I loved the really amazing BONUS to this kit is that the polish remover pad is a felt like material! I mean wow easy on and easy off!! They really thought of everything and I have to say for this mother and wife on the go during this especially busy holiday time this was the best and most relaxing mani yet! You can't really go wrong with a product that such amazing and fashion forward celebs like Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez & Vera Wang wear! At $31.99 a set, these can easily become part of that special night out with that special someone and hey it's easier, faster and cheaper than getting your nails done at a shop!

Stay tuned for your chance to win a set of the amazing Incoco Nail Polish Appliques!







This is a free sample given to me by TRIB3 Chic. Reviewing this sample in no way impacts my review of the product. My views are my own and are expressed accurately and fairly to best of my ability.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Short Break!

Hey all! We wanted to give you a quick update on our lives and explain the lack of posts as of late! With it being Christmas time and with the kids and husbands and all that fun stuff our hobbies have been shoved to the wayside! Not good, we know, but life. We also had some life changes that have kept us both busy and away. Dom is currently looking for gainful employment and E is preparing and handling another deployment. Unfortunately, those are major and have taken up so much of our time!!!

We promise that we have not forgotten about all of you and we plan on resuming posting ASAP. We have continued to acquire some amazing polish would love to get them on the blog! Stick with us, we  know that you will not be disappointed!






P.S. A bit of positive news... E's family is multiplying! SHE IS PREGNANT! So, let's all take a moment and congratulate Chris & E on the amazing news!

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