Month: May 2020

Zoya Nail Polish Bridal Bliss Collection | Swatches and Review

Today I’m excited to share with you a full review of the Zoya Nail Polish Bridal Bliss Collection. This is a 12-piece nail polish collection that was originally released in January of 2018. Bridal Bliss is a curated collection, meaning that Zoya hand-picked nail polishes from its existing product line to showcase the perfect polishes for brides. In addition, Zoya created one brand new shade to add some holographic bling to the range. The Bridal Bliss Collection is unique in that it is marketed to the bridal industry and not the average consumer. I personally find the nail polishes in this collection to be a bit hit and miss, so let’s jump into the review.

The products in this post were provided for my review. This post includes affiliate links.

I am wearing base coat and a glossy top coat from Pacifica in all of the swatches in this post. As always, Zoya is a Logical Harmony Approved cruelty free brand, and all of the brand’s nail polishes are vegan.

Leia

Zoya Leia
Zoya Leia

First up in the Bridal Bliss Collection is Leia, a sheer opalescent white with flecks of fuchsia, green, and gold. I am wearing three coats of Leia in the above swatches. Leia has a sheer finish when worn on its own, but it is also a stunning topper. I will show you what Leia looks like when layered over the other polishes in this collection at the end of this post. If you do wear Leia alone, I recommend thin coats.

Brighton

Zoya Brighton
Zoya Brighton

Next up is Brighton, the one brand new nail polish in this collection. Zoya describes Brighton as a full coverage, diamond holographic soft nude. Unfortunately, I had trouble with this formula. I am wearing three coats of Brighton in the above swatches, and I did not achieve opacity. Brighton’s formula is quite streaky, sheer, and patchy for me. I tried to use it as a topper since it is so sheer, but it didn’t work since it’s so streaky. Brighton does look nice in the photos, but because the formula is so difficult to work with I cannot recommend it.

McKenna

Zoya McKenna
Zoya McKenna

The first shimmer in the collection is McKenna, described as a refined pearl in a soft almond. I am wearing two coats of McKenna in the above swatches. This polish has an excellent formula, and I really like the subtle shimmer. I think McKenna is a great nail polish to add to your collection. The shade is work appropriate, but the hint of shimmer adds a nice touch.

Chantal

Zoya Chantal
Zoya Chantal

Chantal is the first cream polish in the collection. Zoya describes this polish as a delicious, full coverage French nude vanilla cream. While Chantal does look stunning once dry, I had a lot of issues with this formula. It is very streaky and messy, and required some cleanup in order to get a nice manicure. My glossy top coat really helped to even out Chantal. I applied two coats to achieve opacity. While the shade is beautiful, the formula was too tricky for me to recommend.

Loretta

Zoya Loretta
Zoya Loretta

The Bridal Bliss Collection contains some nail polishes that are designed for a French manicure. While you wouldn’t necessarily wear these polishes alone, I did regular swatches so you can see what the polish looks like on the nails. Loretta is described by Zoya as a light beige with a sheer creme finish. I am wearing three coats of Loretta in the above swatches. What’s interesting about this polish is it gives my nails a high gloss finish with just a hint of beige color. However, you can see my natural nail underneath, and if you have any marks or imperfections, they will be visible. Loretta reminds me of a ridge filler base coat, but I can see its use in French manicures for sure.

Erika

Zoya Erika
Zoya Erika

Next up is Erika, described as a soft, girly pale baby pink with lots of fine gold shimmer. Erika looks more like a peach shade with my skin tone. I am wearing three coats of polish in the above swatches, and this polish is still very sheer. This is not my cup of tea because I like an opaque manicure, but Erika is a beautiful polish. I recommend three thin coats with this one.

Bela

Zoya Bela
Zoya Bela

Bela is the other French manicure polish in this collection. Zoya describes this shade as a ballet slipper pink in a sheer, milky creme finish. I applied three coats of Bela in the above swatches. I was surprised at how white this polish appears on the nails since the polish looks quite pink in the bottle. If you prefer a more pigmented French manicure, Bela is a great option.

Avril

Zoya Avril
Zoya Avril

Next up is Avril, a soft neutral pink with light brown undertones. Avril has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. This polish is so close to my pink-toned skin shade that it gives me a “my nails but better” look. Avril is perfect if you want just a hint of warm pink on your nails!

Rue

Zoya Rue
Zoya Rue

Rue is one of my all time favorite Zoya polishes, and I’m excited to see it in this collection! Zoya describes Rue as a full coverage boudoir, blush cream. I used my original bottle of Rue for these swatches, and I’m happy to report the formula has not aged a bit! Rue has a stunning finish and is opaque in two coats. It is very similar to Avril, but leans more mauve.

Abby

Zoya Abby
Zoya Abby

Another favorite of mine is Abby, a light lavender cream polish. Abby is opaque in two coats and has an amazing formula. This purple shade is a spring staple for me! I think it looks stunning on everyone, and it’s a nice color for a bridal collection.

Blu

Zoya Blu
Zoya Blu

If you want your “something blue” to be on your nails, look no further than Blu! This is described as a soft and delicate pale baby blue creme. Blu also has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. This polish is definitely a great staple for any nail polish collection!

Snow White

Zoya Snow White
Zoya Snow White

The last polish in this collection is Snow White, a pure white creme polish. Unfortunately, this polish has a troublesome formula for me. I found Snow White quite streaky and patchy. The top coat helped to smooth it out a bit, but I’m disappointed in this polish. I remember when I first started blogging, Snow White was the go-to white shade for many nail polish lovers. Perhaps I got a bad batch, but I would not recommend this polish.

What Leia Looks Like as a Topper

I also wanted to show you what Leia looks like when layered over the other polishes in this collection. I layered one coat of Leia over all of the polishes (except Brighton) and added a glossy top coat. I absolutely love the effect that Leia gives to the nails! The first photo above starts with McKenna, and continues with Chantal, Loretta, Erika, and Bela. The second photo shows Leia over Avril, Rue, Abby, Blu, and Snow White. The moral of the story is Leia is a stunning polish that can transform your manicure!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I think the Bridal Bliss Collection was a great concept for Zoya. It’s an all-encompassing line of nail polishes that salons and bridal boutiques can have on hand for any wedding party. Unfortunately, the execution of this line left a little to be desired. Zoya is one of my favorite nail polish brands, and I feel like they had other options in their line with better formulas. In the end, my top picks and must haves from the Bridal Bliss Collection are Leia, McKenna, Avril, Rue, Abby, and Blu. The polishes I would not recommend are Brighton, Chantal, and Snow White. When it comes to Loretta, Erika, Bela, and Avril, I think these polishes have nice formulas, but they are not my own personal favorites. Thus, instead of purchasing the entire Bridal Bliss Collection, I recommend picking the shades that you like best.

You can purchase the Bridal Bliss Collection on Zoya’s website. Individual polishes are $10.00 each.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil Review | #EmptyProductReview

After a few bad experiences, I avoided using facial oils for quite a while. But as I got older and my skin got a bit drier, I decided to try The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil. This cruelty free and vegan facial oil is not only one of The Body Shop’s best selling skincare products, but it is formulated to deeply moisturize the skin and provide anti-aging benefits as well. I recently used up my bottle, and wanted to share my thoughts on this product with all of you.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil Review

This post includes affiliate links.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil is a unique blend of three precious nut seed oils: Black Cumin Seed Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, and Rosehip Oil. In the past I had used Argan oil based facial oils, and no matter which brand I tried, my skin would break out quite badly. I have combination skin that can overproduce oil while being dry and flaky at the same time. It can be tricky to find what products work best for me, but I’ve learned that moisturizing products can help to restore my skin’s hydration and reduce the added oils when used regularly. Thus, while I was hesitant to try the Oils of Life facial oil, I’m so glad I did! My skin never had a bad reaction, and instead loved this product’s hydrating properties.

I use this product after applying a facial serum. I take about 3-4 drops and gently massage the oil over my face and neck. Upon application, my skin does look greasy. However, once I go in with my moisturizer, the oil sinks deeper into my skin and the shininess goes away. I don’t use this product every day, especially in the summer months, but I know whenever I reach for this oil my skin will look and feel more hydrated. The Body Shop also claims this product can help with anti-aging and make the skin look firmer. I find that my skin does look firmer when using this oil, because any lines that appear due to dehydration are not as visible.

Overall, I absolutely love The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil! Not only do I really enjoy the formula and product effectiveness, but I think the price point is fair. It took me about two years to completely use up a 1.7 fluid ounce bottle that retails for $55.00. While that is a large investment up front, comparable products from other high end brands begin at around $72.00! Plus, you can often get this product on sale. I recommend using Rakuten (formerly Ebates) to earn cash back on your purchase as well. I will absolutely be repurchasing this oil once I work through what I already have in my skincare stash!

You can purchase The Body Shop Oils of Life Facial Oil directly from the brand’s website.

Zoya Nail Polish Thrive Collection | Swatches and Review

Spring may be coming to a close, but I’m excited to share with you swatches and a review of the complete Zoya Nail Polish Thrive Collection. This collection was originally released in Spring 2018, and I finally tried all six polishes. Spoiler alert: I’m really impressed with this collection! It comes with two metallics, three creams, and one sparkly topper. Plus, all of the shades work really well together. The Thrive Collection is the perfect option if you’re looking for nail polishes that can take you from the office to a night out! I think there is something for everyone in the Thrive Collection!

Zoya Nail Polish Thrive Collection | Swatches and Review

The products in this post were provided for my review. This post includes affiliate links.

Zoya Nail Polish is a Logical Harmony Approved cruelty free brand, and all of the brand’s nail polishes are vegan. In the swatches below I am wearing a base coat, two coats of nail polish (unless otherwise noted), and a glossy top coat from Pacifica.

Darby

Zoya Darby | Thrive Collection
Zoya Darby | Thrive Collection
Zoya Darby | Thrive Collection

The first polish in the Thrive Collection is Darby, what Zoya describes as a dusty gray metallic. In the bottle Darby appears to be a light blue polish with royal blue shimmer. Once applied to the nails, Darby’s gray tone was much more visible. I wish the shimmer effect was a bit stronger, but I was pleasantly surprised with this polish! The formula is opaque in two coats, and it’s a unique take on a gray nail polish. Darby is one of my favorites in the collection!

Trudith

Zoya Trudith | Thrive Collection
Zoya Trudith | Thrive Collection
Zoya Trudith | Thrive Collection

Next up is Trudith, described as a muted, wisteria purple cream polish. Trudith reminds me of the Natural Collections that Zoya released in the past. This polish reads very mauve on me, and I’m loving it! The formula applies well and is opaque in two coats. Trudith is the perfect polish to wear to work, as it can pass as a muted neutral, but has that nice pop of purple.

Brandi

Zoya Brandi | Thrive Collection
Zoya Brandi | Thrive Collection
Zoya Brandi | Thrive Collection

Brandi is the first pink polish in the Thrive Collection. Zoya describes this shade simply as a blush pink cream. Brandi is the only polish in this collection that had a bit of a troublesome formula for me. It is on the thick side, but it was also runny at the same time. I had to do a bit of clean-up with this polish, which is unusual for me. I also had an air bubble on my manicure. Nonetheless, Brandi is a beautiful pink color, but I recommend thin coats with this formula.

Monroe

Zoya Monroe | Thrive Collection
Zoya Monroe | Thrive Collection
Zoya Monroe | Thrive Collection

The other pink in this collection is Monroe, described as a glamour pink cream. I am obsessed with this nail polish! Monroe has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. I love how pigmented and bright this polish is. It is so much fun for the summer months, and great if you like a flawless pink nail that is nearly red.

Leisel

Zoya Leisel | Thrive Collection
Zoya Leisel | Thrive Collection
Zoya Leisel | Thrive Collection

Next up is Leisel, a sheer, sparkling topper. I applied three coats of Leisel in the photos above, and you can see this polish is still not opaque. However, I think it’s great that you can wear this polish alone or layered on top of other polishes. I didn’t think I would like Leisel, but is surprised me! I love how it shifts from pink to purple to gold to blue depending on the light and the base color. I wouldn’t wear Leisel on its own, but I cannot wait to wear it layered!

Haruko

Zoya Haruko | Thrive Collection
Zoya Haruko | Thrive Collection
Zoya Haruko | Thrive Collection

Last but not least is Haruko, a soft violet metallic polish. Haruko is a very pretty lilac shade with purple shimmer. The formula is a bit streaky, but that is common with metallic nail polishes. I am wearing two coats in the above swatches, and while the coverage is good, I would need a third coat for opacity. If you like subtle shimmers, Haruko is a nice option!

What Leisel Looks Like as a Topper

Zoya Leisel Topper | Thrive Collection

I wanted to show you how stunning Leisel is when used as a topper! I am wearing one coat of Leisel over all the other polishes in this collection and a glossy top coat in the above photo. From left to right, the shades are: Darby, Trudith, Brandi, Monroe, and Haruko. I am blown away at how stunning Leisel is! My favorite manicure is the one with Darby, but I also love Leisel with Brandi and Monroe. I also need to try Leisel over black and white. Let me know if you would like to see that test in a blog post!

Overall, I am loving the Zoya Thrive Collection! Not only do all six nail polishes compliment each other extremely well, but there is a little something for everyone. Plus, I love that I can dress up any polish in this collection by topping it with Leisel! Individually, not all of these polishes are unique. However, if you are looking to grow your nail polish collection with some go-to shades, I think the Thrive Collection is a great option. This would also make an amazing gift!

You can purchase the Thrive Collection on Zoya’s website or on Amazon for $60.00. Individual shades retail for $10.00 each.

What’s your favorite polish in the Thrive Collection?

Derma E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask Review | #MayMaskChallenge

This month I’ve been participating in the #MayMaskChallenge hosted by Lisa Stevens. My goal is to use a face mask at least once each week, and so far I’ve really enjoyed giving my skin a bit of extra TLC. One of my favorite masks is the Derma E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask. I’ve used up almost an entire tube of it, and I already have a back-up ready in my mask collection. That being said, this mask can be a bit tricky to work with, so I thought it would be helpful to share my tips for using this mask.

Derma E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask Review

The product in this post was provided for my review. This post includes affiliate links.

The Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask from Derma E has a dual-action formula that deep cleans the pores and exfoliates the skin to leave it fresh and glowing. The mask contains Activated Charcoal, which helps to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from the skin. Derma E recommends application as follows: “Apply generously to clean face, avoiding eye and lip areas. Leave on for five minutes or until mask is dry. Moisten fingertips, then massage gently in a circular motion to activate exfoliants” prior to rinsing off the mask and patting the skin dry. I mention the instructions written on the tube because, after using this product multiple times, I slightly alter the application to make the mask work better for me.

Derma E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask Review

This mask can be a bit intense since it is such a deep-cleansing mask. One time, I left the mask on my skin a bit too long, and my skin was a little red and irritated when I washed it off. I realized that instead of generously applying this mask, it is best to apply a very thin layer to the face. That is because the mask can take several minutes to dry. In the photo above, I show what the mask looks like upon application, and what it looks like after it dries. It took over 12 minutes to dry, and you can see there is a small patch where it is still wet. Thus, I now use a small amount of this mask, and wash it off immediately after five minutes has passed even though it may not be completely dry. While I do not follow the brand’s directions, I still get a great result from the mask! A little definitely goes a long way with this product.

I absolutely love the Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask because my skin not only feels vey clean and smooth, but I feel like I can visibly see a difference after each use. Of course, any dry skin is exfoliated away, but my pores are less noticeable and my complexion appears more even. I also love that this mask removes added dirt and oil, but it does not leave my skin feeling dry. It’s one of my all-time favorite masks to give my skin a deep clean!

The Derma E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask is available for purchase on Derma E’s website for $19.50 HERE. You can also purchase a sample packet for $4.00 if you want to test the mask prior to investing in the full size.

DERMAE

Zoya Nail Polish Jelly Brites Collection | Swatches and Review

Today I have swatches and a review of the Zoya Nail Polish Jelly Brites Collection. This trio of nail polishes was originally released in 2018, but I finally got around to testing them myself and watched to share my thoughts with you. The Jelly Brites Collection contains three special edition polishes in a jelly formula. Jelly nail polishes are sheer and have a shiny finish. They are great for layering and nail art, and work well in the classic jelly sandwich manicure. Zoya is also a Logical Harmony Approved cruelty free brand, and their nail polishes are vegan friendly!

Zoya Nail Polish Jelly Brites Collection (Swatches and Review)

The products in this post were provided for my review. This post includes affiliate links.

I swatched all three nail polishes in this collection over a base coat and finished with a glossy top coat from Pacifica. I applied two coats of polish in the swatches. As you will see, these jelly polishes are not opaque in two coats, but that is to be expected with this sheer formula. I recommend applying thin coats of this polish and letting it dry completely between layers, as jelly polish can drag easily when tacky.

Molly

Zoya Nail Polish Molly (Jelly Brites Collection)
Zoya Nail Polish Molly (Jelly Brites Collection)
Zoya Nail Polish Molly (Jelly Brites Collection)

The first polish in the Jelly Brites Collection is Molly, what Zoya describes as a red/pink jelly. Molly is the brightest of the shades in the collection. This polish applies well to the nails and dries to a shiny, non-streaky finish. Molly is such a great shade for the summer months!

Paris

Zoya Nail Polish Paris (Jelly Brites Collection)
Zoya Nail Polish Paris (Jelly Brites Collection)
Zoya Nail Polish Paris (Jelly Brites Collection)

Next up is Paris, what Zoya describes as a fuchsia jelly polish. I’ll be very honest when I say that Molly and Paris are nearly identical nail polishes. I will show you a side-by-side photo later in this blog post, but the only difference is that Paris is slightly darker in shade and leans a bit more purple than pink. Paris does apply well, and the coverage with two coats is nice.

Alia

Zoya Nail Polish Alia (Jelly Brites Collection)
Zoya Nail Polish Alia (Jelly Brites Collection)
Zoya Nail Polish Alia (Jelly Brites Collection)

Last up is Alia, what Zoya describes as a plum jelly. Alia is definitely the most sheer polish in the collection, which surprised me because it looks like a deep purple shade in the bottle. I also found Alia to be a bit streaky. I recommend adding a third coat of nail polish to Alia to even out the finish and increase the pigmentation.

Ombré Skittle Manicure

Zoya Nail Polish Jelly Brites Collection Ombré Skittle Manicure

Since jelly polishes are great for layering, I decided to create an ombré skittle manicure using the three shades. I applied three coats of nail polish on each nail in the above photo. Note that the polish is still not opaque in three coats, but the coverage is good. Here is how I layered the polishes in the manicure:

  • Pinky: 3 coats of Molly
  • Ring: 2 coats of Molly topped with 1 coat of Paris
  • Middle: 3 coats of Paris
  • Pointer: 2 coats of Paris topped with 1 coat of Alia
  • Thumb: 3 coats of Alia

I really like the way the Jelly Brites Collection works together in this manicure! The shades are very complimentary, but I will reiterate that the difference between Molly and Paris is marginal. Overall, I think this is a nice trio of jelly nail polishes, but unless you are looking to add a lot of jellies to your nail polish collection, I would pick the shade you like best. My top pick is Molly!

You can purchase the Jelly Brites Collection on Zoya’s website or on Amazon for $30.00.

What’s your favorite shade in the Jelly Brites Collection?