Blue Year 2008

Okay, so it wasn’t really a “bad” year, just difficult in the last month or so. But I’m glad it’s almost over anyways – time for a fresh start!

For some reason, New Year’s just screams out “blue” to me. So this year, I snapped up this China Glaze “Blue Island Iced Tea” for the base (2 coats), and I’m completely in love with it, and all the little silver sparkles infused in the polish. It's slightly lighter than the picture shows - I had to use a flash for both pictures to get the "bling" though. My tips are two coats of CG “Tinsel”, another new favorite, and appropriately “bling-y” for ringing in 2009, I think. I swiped a light coat on the undersides of my nails as well, just for a little “extra” (keeps the tips nice longer too). A few little shiny silver stars that really pick up light from all the way across a room, and I’m ready for New Year’s Eve.

Base and top coat are Zoya, as usual.

A quick tip to end the year with: I was having problems getting the clay cane images off my nails without them taking part of my natural nail with them. Most annoying. But when I went to remove them this week, I simply swiped over each nail just a couple of times, enough to remove the top coat, but not the polish underneath. Then I took my metal cuticle pusher, and gently pried off the cane disks with the pointy end before removing the polish. I think what must have happened earlier was that the canes sunk onto my nail bed too far when I was removing the polish (softening w/remover) around them, and ended up sealing to the tissue. Needless to say, taking the canes off before the rest of the nail polish left me with intact nails once again. Much better.

To nail fanatics everywhere (and everyone else too): Best wishes for a healthy and happy new year, filled with bright colors and many sparkly nail jewels!

More about → Blue Year 2008

CHINA GLAZE Kaleidoscope Him Out

This is China Glaze's Kaleidoscope Him Out from the Kaleidsoscope collection, also Katee's signature colour :D

This is three coats and you need it. It applied very unevenly for me, same as Sexagon, but as you can see, the end result is worth the hassle :)

I wore this manicure for two days and I only got two chips, which I thought was pretty amazing as these appeared on the second day. Most of my chips appear on the first day.

You better hurry and buy this one before they're all gone! This KHO isn't even mine, so I need to order one lol, but I will be ordering a few NFU-OH's and I will be comparing this to NFU-OH's blue holo.

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OPI Ink

What a fantastic present from Santa, OPI Ink. Ink is from OPI's Night Brights collection, I am not too sure with what they are doing, being discontinued or what... But I have seen Ink in almost every store, so easy enough to find :D

I found Ink's application to be really good, definitely one of my better OPI's. Ink is a very streaky horrible mess on the first coat, very sheer too, but this is what it looks like on coat number two. Insta-awesome-blurple-shimmerness.

Ink's base colour is a navy blue with a hint of purple, most people call it a blurple. The shimmer in Ink is really something special, it's almost like it has 'layers' of shimmer. At first you can see purple and pink in the bigger pieces, then if you look deeper (lol) you can see a fine dark purple shimmer! :O

I think I can confidently say that OPI's Ink is a keeper :D

I hope you find some great boxing day sales today!

More about → OPI Ink

OPI Cool in the Pool NLS58

From the Summer Splash collection 2005, a very nice baby blue for summer :D

Oh I decided that I will put the polish number/code thing in the header as well just in case it makes it any easier for you :)

This took three coats to achieve the bottle colour, Cool in the Pool is a little sheer. You can still see my tips at three, I would have done four but my sister was concerned at how much I would use and it already took a lot of bribing to even swatch it lol.


You get two photographs today :) One is in sunlight, the other is in the shade. Do you prefer having two photos? Not necessarily sunlight/shade but I could do a close-up or something as well?

More about → OPI Cool in the Pool NLS58

OPI Curry Up! Don't Be Late

This is OPI's beautiful gold Curry Up! Don't Be Late! from their India collection released earlier this year.

I really hope this gets added to their Classic collection, CUDBL is a pure gold at four coats. It takes four coats to make it completely opaque, I didn't want my tips to be visible for my date.

Curry Up! Don't Be Late is still very pretty at two or three coats, just your tips are visible. The application side of Curry Up was excellent, although it was very difficult to remove it on my cuticles (using remover) for some reason... Maybe it was just the four coatings of it building up?

I have some exciting colours for you shortly and Merry Christmas Eve!

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Zoya Color Lock System - New Extended System Kit now available!

Zoya Color Lock System introduces it's New Extended Color Lock System Kit!

This cute "all in one bag" kit includes all of the systems best sellers plus two NEW items; Zoya Get Even and Zoya Renew. A must have for every nail color loving fashionista - keeps nail color going strong for 7 - 10 days.

Zoya's NEW Color Lock Kit includes 1 ea. of the following:

• 8 fl. oz. ZOYA REMOVE+ in "big flipper" spill proof container
• 0.5 fl. oz. ZOYA ANCHOR - Basecoat
• 0.5 fl. oz. ZOYA NEW GET EVEN - Ridge Filling Topcoat
• 0.5 fl. oz. ZOYA ARMOR - Topcoat and UV Blocker
• 0.5 fl. oz. ZOYA HURRY UP - Polish Drying Drops (includes dropper)
• 0.5 fl. oz. ZOYA NEW RENEW - Polish Rejuvenator Drops (Thinner for toluene,
  formaldehyde and DBP free polish, basecoats and topcoats)

ZPCLS02
Sug. Retail $48.00

More about → Zoya Color Lock System - New Extended System Kit now available!

Zoya introduces two new products to it's exclusive nail Color Lock System: Get Even and Renew!

BIG BEAUTY NEWS... Zoya introduces two new items to it's best-selling Zoya Color Lock System to extend the beauty and wear of Zoya Nail Polish; Zoya Get Even - Ridge Filling Basecoat and Zoya Renew - Polish Rejuvenator.

Zoya Get Even: Ridge Filling Basecoat
Transforms The Natural Nail Surface! Think of it as grip and hold mortar that creates a perfectly smooth surface on ridgy, uneven natural nails. Zoya Get Even smoothes out the natural nail surface with a dense fiber-like compound and polyurethane which combine to create the perfect (durable & flexible) surface for nail polish application. The bonding fibers in Zoya Get Even help to prevent nail plate flaking and insure maximum polish wear on natural nails. Zoya Get Even's milky texture creates the perfect foundation for easy french manicures and nude polish shades, which saves both time and money. Toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and camphor FREE formula.
ZTGE01
0.5 fl. oz. bottle
Sug. Retail $8.00 (professional size refill also available).

Zoya Renew: Polish Rejuvenator
Brings nail polish back to life! Zoya Renew is a unique thinner specifically designed to resolve thickening of complex toluene, formaldehyde and DBP free formulations of nail polishes, top coats and base coats. As polishes are opened and closed, vital solvents evaporate causing thickening and reduction of product efficacy. Now there’s no need to throw away thickened polishes, top coats or base coats. Let Zoya Renew make them just like NEW again. Zoya Renew is better than traditional thinners, because traditional thinners were designed for outdated polish formulas that were loaded with toluene, formaldehyde and DBP. If you use a traditional thinner to thin out your polish, you may actually be destroying your polish. Using Zoya Renew saves your polish and saves you money by making your polishes base coats and top coats last up to 50% longer. Toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and camphor FREE formula.
ZTRN02
0.5 fl. oz. bottle with dropper
Sug. Retail $8.00 (professional size refill also available).

More about → Zoya introduces two new products to it's exclusive nail Color Lock System: Get Even and Renew!

Santa Canes

Santa Claus is coming - are you ready? I hope he brings me some fun new nail art stuff...

This week's manicure is all about China Glaze and clay canes. I started with CG "Emerald Sparkle", and topped it with a thin coat of CG "Tinsel" for that frosted, sugary look. Then just a coat of top coat to set the cane Santas and candy canes in, and another top coat to finish. Unfortunately, I didn't get the clear clay in the crook of the candy canes pressed down tightly enough, so you can still see them if you look close enough. But I did get them sliced fairly thin - they stick up less than a regular rhinestone does above the polish. I wish I could have gotten the Santas sliced a bit thinner - it's hard to see where to slice on the white cutting board I've been using. Time for a colored board, maybe?

Here's a flash picture - in the right light, these are very sparkle-y nails (though for some reason, the flash makes the clear clay around the Santas stand out more - that doesn't actually happen even in bright light):
I *will* get the hang of cutting the cane slices thinner - it's a resolution for the new year!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Have a safe and happy holiday... and beautiful nails, too!

More about → Santa Canes

Zoya Nail Polish Wins Best Nail Polish Award

Zoya Nail Polish - Named Best Nail Varnish Lifescape Beauty Awards 2008

"At Lifescape our guiding principle is to live thoughfully without harm to people, animals and the planet. Nowhere is this more apparent than with beauty products. Lotions and potions that we've come to think of as necessities are best viewed as luxuries. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon us all to be conscious consumers and think before we buy. Thankfully, there are now so many excellent products available that this is a pleasurable and rewarding process. In our awards we celebrate brands we think really stand out in this area and hope to leave you with a lasting reference point for the best ethical, natural, cruelty-free and effective beauty products."
Lifescape Magazine (UK) - Beauty Awards (2008 Winner)

Zoya, ultra Long-Wearing, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Camphor and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) Free, Nail Polish can be purchased online in the US at www.zoya.com or in the UK at http://www.nailcareclub.com

More about → Zoya Nail Polish Wins Best Nail Polish Award

The Zoya Nail Polish Nail Color Finder is here!

Now available - The Exclusive Zoya Nail Polish Nail Color Finder

Nail polish lovers rejoice - selecting your favorite Zoya fingernail polish is super easy at the Zoya online store. With over 300 long-wearing fashion shades to choose from Zoya has made online shopping for nail color easier than ever. Just select your color range, Reds/Burgundys, Pinks, Corals, Purples, Mauves, Browns, Blacks, Blues, Greens, Yellows, Golds, Silvers/Grays, French or Whites and the finish you want (creams, frosts/metallics or both), your preferred method of sorting (by names or numbers) and the way you want to view them (swatches or bottles) and click Find My Colors. The Zoya Color Finder will generate a list of every shade in that range for you - voila!

More about → The Zoya Nail Polish Nail Color Finder is here!

Subscribe to Elle UK and get Free Zoya Nail Polish

The super stylish Brits love Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer - so much in fact that Elle (UK) is offering FREE Zoya with new subscriptions in the January 2009 issue. Now that's a fashionable deal! Subscribe online or by phone (01858) 438846

Zoya nail polish lovers in England who already suscribe to Elle (UK) can shop online at www.zoyapolish.co.uk. US fingernail polish addicts can find zoya at www.zoya.com.

"Fantastic on-trend colours, from neutral to vampish"
Victoria Riedi, Elle (UK) Beauty Editor

More about → Subscribe to Elle UK and get Free Zoya Nail Polish

Zoya is the top pick of in demand editorial manicurist!

The beauty of today's top fashion and style magazines lies as much with the people behind the scenes as with the well known starlets and supermodels that grace the covers each month.

One such beauty maker is Jackie Saulsbery (aka: Jacqueline Renee' of All Star Nails). Known for her dynamic personality as much as for her incredible manicures and pedicures, Jackie is a familiar face on editorial fashion and beauty sets, at fashion week (see 2009 spring RTW Diego Binetti show story here), backstage and in the private sanctuaries of celebrities. She is also a huge fan of all products Zoya and Qtica. When asked to describe her Secret Weapon's recently she said... "For pedicures, I’d have to say the Qtica Smart Spa line. The sugar scrub takes off any ground in dirt and really smoothes skin … clients/models alike love the scents and the results. With Manicures, I use a lot of Qtica Nail Growth Stimulator, which many of my celebrity clients swear by – that stuff really gets nails into shape quickly for me. When it comes to color, I’m proud to use Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer because the polish itself is great. The formula glides on easily, covers and doesn’t chip for days." A peak inside her kit shows all her favorite Zoya and Qtica products.

Harper's Bazaar, November 2008 (UK): "Creating a cover (Peter Blake photographer) that makes you look twice is every magazine editor's dream - and challenge. The November 2008 cover of Bazaar is a real dream cover. All the elements come together - from the jewel-encrusted masthead to the swishy movement in the main image of 40-year-old supermodel Stephanie Seymour. The colour palette is both cool and elegant, the main coverline - The Icon Issue - jumps out and promises an issue packed with things you want to read about and look at. Bazaar is aimed at a sophisticated, discerning readership who know exactly what they want from a magazine and won't be fooled by gimmicks. Regular readers will love this cover - and I expect they'll pick up more than a few new fans this month too."

Elsa McAlonan - Former editor, Woman's Own when asked about the best magazine covers of 2008

All Zoya nail polish shown here (including Harper's Bazaar), Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer. All manicures and pedicures by Jackie Saulsbery.

More about → Zoya is the top pick of in demand editorial manicurist!

OPI Tangerini Bikini

I needed something to brighten my mood today, so I picked Tangerini Bikini. I had completely forgot I had this, found it in my bedroom when I was cleaning...

Tangerini Bikini is from the Summer Splash collection 2005. Some great colours in that collection, sadly the two I sought after most are the hardest to get. You will get to see Cool in the Pool shortly :D

This is three coats, very easy to apply. Went on so smoothly and it looks so pretty in the sun, the gold and orange shimmer really comes out. It makes me want a fruju every time I look at it....

Tangerini Bikini looks awesome when it is paired with navy blue... That sounds like an interesting manicure :D! Although TB is such a fantastically bright colour, I am not sure if I would wear it much as orange tends to look a little odd with my skin tone.

More about → OPI Tangerini Bikini

OPI Day at The Peach

This is Day at the Peach, a peach holographic with iridescent gold shimmer. Beautiful! Day at the Peach is from the Summer for Shore collection released in 2003. I am so kicking myself for not being into nail polish earlier!

This is two coats, very similar to Bay Bridge Sunset and Vintage. I will have to do a comparison when the sun comes out! The holoness in this polish is like nothing I've seen before. The holographic pieces are finer than what OPI usually does.

Day at the Peach also has a beautiful gold iridescent! If its got gold, I love it. Also a similar characteristic to Bay Bridge Sunset.

More about → OPI Day at The Peach

Zoya delivers the Red Nail for Elle Canada

Red Hot Nails for the Holidays!

Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer in Alix takes center stage in the December 2008 issue of Elle Canada (featuring the best in red nail polish) and gives great tips for at home manicures when you just can't get to the salon in time for that big holiday event. Add Zoya's Raven to tips after painting nails with Alix to get the look shown in Elle.

More about → Zoya delivers the Red Nail for Elle Canada

ZOYA Richelle

Here is the lovely Richelle from Zoya's Flourish collection.

I love love love looking at Richelle in the sunlight, well even indoors! It looks like gold bullions :D I think this may be the closest colour to those Minx nails, for that chrome look. I personally am not really a fan of Minx nails...

Any who, this is two coats. The first coat is a little sheer so you need the second to build up the colour and a third coat wouldn't really be any different, unless you do really thin coats of course :) The application of Richelle was really nice, the brush, the formula, everything was just extremely easy to use.

Don't forget the MUA holiday, 'Happy Holo-days!' is on the 19th! So 20th for us southern hemispherer's :D

I will also be holding a few competitions next year, Valentines will be the first. I'm really excited!

More about → ZOYA Richelle

Peppermint Gifts

I know, it's not Tuesday...but I was going to try to get a better picture of these before posting. Doesn't look like that's going to happen (the better picture) - just no time, so I'll just post them as is.

I had grandiose ideas for swirly peppermint red on white designs, with the clay cane peppermints on top. Things have been a little crazy around here lately though, so I had to go for "quick and easy" instead. They still turned out pretty well, I think...

The base is China Glaze "Ruby Pumps" - one of the most popular polishes ever, and also one I just got finally after months of watching other people wear it! It's very sparkly, a bright blue-toned red that is perfect for Christmas. The white stripes are just Sinful "Snow Me White" using a striper brush, and of course the peppermints are from a clay cane that I sliced. I'm very proud of myself for slicing them super-thin this time...they barely stick up off the nail at all (less than a decal/sticker would). Woohoo! I'm getting better...

Next week, full-on Christmas nails for the holiday.

More about → Peppermint Gifts

Holiday Gift Ideas from Zoya - Zoya Color Cubes and Treatment Trios!

Finish off your holiday shopping with great gift ideas from Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer. ORDER NOW to get it there in time!

Try a Zoya Treatment Trio. Zoya's best selling base coat; Anchor, top coat; Armor and speed dry drops; Hurry up in mini sizes that are perfect for travel or just trying out the system.

Don't forget to remove old polish, clean and prep nails for color with Zoya's professional and consumer favorite, Remove + before every manicure/pedicure. Try the Zoya Remove + big flipper (8 fl. oz) bottle for the ultimate in convenience. Easy to use flip top lid makes single handed application a breeze.

Also available: Zoya Color Cubes - Zoya nail polish mini and coordinating Zoya Hot Lips gloss in one cute little, ready to gift exchange or stuff stockings with box! Zoya Pretty in Pink Color Cube shown.

More about → Holiday Gift Ideas from Zoya - Zoya Color Cubes and Treatment Trios!

The quality nail polish buzz for Zoya is getting louder...

Every day more and more nail care professionals, beauty editors, stylists and consumers make the switch to quality nail color from Zoya. With over 300 ultra long-wearing, award-winning, high-fashion, nail colors and counting... all at the incredible price of just $6 ea., it's easy to see what all the beauty buzz is about. It's like getting your splurge at the steal price!

Check out this posting from Fashion Ethic.

"We've found that Zoya polish simply can't be beat for color selection, value, ease of application, and staying power. This line has it all."

Fashion Ethic

More about → The quality nail polish buzz for Zoya is getting louder...

There is HOPE

I kind of feel like an idiot posting this because I know Katee just posted something like this already...

I did have this planned for you though because on Christmas day it will be one year from the first day I started to care for my nails, Santa got me a nail kit in a flash silver box with my first OPI.

I use to keep ALL of my nail stuff in this box, it could fit 8 OPI's down the bottom and my nail stickers/treatments/base coats and top coats on the two shelves. I now use this box for travelling LOL. I have come a long way from being a chronic nail biter to where my nails are today.

I was a chronic nail biter for almost 17 years, but I had always wanted long and beautiful nails. My sister always had these wonderful nails, she hardly has to try. Well, six months ago when my family was on vacation in Australia, we came across a huge chemist that stocked heaps and heaps of Sally Hansen treatments. We stocked up, and the strong nails began to grow.

I also found Burning Love in the chemist, as you can see in this picture I was thrilled with how my nails were coming along (they always used to be quite a bit shorter, never had tips before).

• If you would like some quick tips:

- Use cuticle oil at least once a day, and just whenever you remember throughout your day.

- Use a strengthener as your base coat, one that suits your nails. For example; peeling, soft, brittle etc.

- Always wear gloves when doing housework using chemicals, they can dry out your cuticles making your nails dry in the long run.

- Alot of places/people will tell you not to use remover more than twice a month or something ridiculous like that. I use it sometimes six times a day when I am swatching, but always at least once a day I use acetone remover. I don't think it really matters how often you use it as long as you are pumping the moisture back in that you are taking out with the remover.

- Buffing: Only do this once a month, otherwise you will make your nails thinner and thinner causing them to break. If you have minor ridges, just use a ridge filling base coat :)

- Last but not least, use a fast drying top coat. Seche or Poshe work wonders, but do need thinning when they are less than half way. This will save you alot of anger after waking up to find sheet stains all over your pretty manicure :)

I know they aren't perfect yet, but it shows that anyone can have pretty nails n_n

More about → There is HOPE

ZOYA Nina

We have a different type of photo today.... Lol, this is what Nina reminded me of when I was making my toast this morning, Marmite. (Mo-mite was for Mo-vember). Plus the picture looked better than the ones holding the bottle :)

If I were to ever create nail polish, I would definitely make one after Marmite... maybe Vegemite too....

Anyway this is Zoya's Nina from the autumn collection, Vibe. Two coats were needed for complete opacity. Very easy to apply, like butter! Also Nina is a very glossy polish on its own, but it is coated with Poshe here because I didn't want to ruin it before I was able to take pictures this morning :)

I have only tried two colours from Vibe and I am very impressed, can't wait to try the others!

Here's a little bit of Marmite history:

The Sanitarium Health Food Company obtained sole rights to distribute the product in New Zealand and Australia, in 1908. They later began manufacturing Marmite under license in Christchurch.

In the 1930s, Sanitarium began experimenting with the ingredients, which are now present in quantities different from the British version. Labels on the products show that the New Zealand version also has high levels of potassium, which the British version does not. This New Zealand product is now considered to have a somewhat sweeter flavour than the British spread. It is widely distributed through Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Since 1923, New Zealand Marmite has been locked in a battle with Vegemite, an American-owned Australian spread with a similar appearance but markedly different flavour.
In recent years, Unilever has sold British Marmite on New Zealand supermarket shelves, replacing the name "Marmite" on the jar with "Our Mate", as Sanitarium has exclusive rights to the name in the country. "Our Mate" tastes considerably more salty and less sweet than New Zealand Marmite.

- Wikipedia

More about → ZOYA Nina

Seasons' Greetings

The Nail Status warmly wishes everyone Merry Christmas and Bright Year Ahead~!


glitter-graphics.com

More about → Seasons' Greetings

Zoya's Gossip Collection 2008

I finally swatched a whole collection! Hooray! Weather was overcast, but I have discovered that creme polishes work well with this kind of weather, yay <3

These colours are super bright, excellent for summer. Almost neon, but not quite... The polishes in the Gossip collection are all cleverly named after the girls from The Hills.

Audrina - Quite possibly my favourite Zoya and character from The Hills, but most definately my favourite of the Gossip collection. A bright purple with pink undertones. Opaque in two coats, super glossy and it dries quickly.

Whitney - My second favourite from Gossip. A hot pink. This photo was taken when my nails were little nubs :) Opaque in two coats, super glossy also. Very similar to OPI's In-dia Mood For Love.

Lo - A very cute peach-pink. Opaque in two coats, very glossy without top coat. Very similar to OPI's Elephantastic Pink.

Elodie - A bright peach with orange undertones. Opacity and glossiness is the same throughout the Gossip collection. Very close to OPI's Cajun Shrimp, maybe a few shades lighter.

Heidi - The slightest bit more orange than Elodie. Opaque in two coats, super glossy like the others. Similar to OPI's Mod-ern Girl. A tinge oranger.

LC - My most hated character on The Hills, but I do love this shade of red. Nothing really unique though, similar to China Glaze's Revolution, OPI's Lunch at the Delhi and a whole ton of Essies.

More about → Zoya's Gossip Collection 2008

ZOYA Cyma

Another beautiful Christmas red! Cyma.

This is two coats, applies wonderfully. Cyma was very surprising at how it didn't stain my nails. Usually all reds tend to hang around for a few manicures after, but Cyma just came off in one go. Who doesn't love reds that do that? :D

I love how Cyma has magenta shimmer throughout out, it makes the red seem to be brighter and warmer. Cyma is also from Zoya's Flourish collection. A very festive red from Zoya.

When a collection has been fully swatched, I will re-post it into one convenient post for you :)

More about → ZOYA Cyma

OPI South Beach 2009

Here are the promo pics for OPI's Summer/Spring collection 2009, South Beach.

I will be getting my hands on all of these as soon as I can! They will be released on the 4th of February.

Click on the pics to see them better :D

More about → OPI South Beach 2009

Get your RED on with Zoya for the holidays

Zoya has your perfect RED nail polish!
Nothing compliments a LBD (little black dress) like perfectly polished red nails.

Dark red, bright red, blue red and light red... the best red is your red!
Try a Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer manicure in RED to get your holiday season off to a fashionable festive start. With more reds than any other brand to choose from - we are sure to have your perfect shade (and the perfect price too - Zoya polishes are just $6.00 per long-lasting, award winning color bottle).

More about → Get your RED on with Zoya for the holidays

Yokohama!

Here is a good reference if anyone wanted to know what some Yokohama's looked like, their names, numbers etc. I made this up today :D I am very pleased with it hehe!

I am very happy with OPI's display charts. I can't wait to have another almost full collection so I can fill up my other one :D Please enlarge the photos so you can see the writing more clearly :)

Also, last day for entering!

Enjoy~<3

More about → Yokohama!