Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Zoya Nail Polish Metora | Review and Swatches

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Adventures in Polishland

When I created my nail polish “to be worn” pile for January, I thought it would be fun to wear a garnet red shade to go with January’s birthstone. I immediately gravitated towards Zoya Nail Polish Metora from the Hypnotic Collection released for the Winter/Holiday 2022 season. After wearing a glitter combination for the last several weeks, Metora is a nail polish that can truly stand on its own.

The product in this post was provided to me for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Metora is a metallic nail polish in a deep red shade. The formula is fantastic and applies easily in two coats. I really love the beautiful dimension in the subtle shimmer. I don’t normally reach for metallic polishes, but Metora is an exception! It looks stunning on the nails, and this red shade is a good compliment to my skin tone.

If you are looking for a dark and vampy nail polish, I definitely recommend Zoya Metora. I’m impressed with the formula, and surprised with how much I enjoy the metallic finish. I will be keeping this nail polish in my collection as I curate it this year. I’m also inspired to try more of the metallic shades in my stash to see how they compare!

Snow Day Manicure featuring Zoya Abigail

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Adventures in Polishland

This weekend we got our first big snowstorm of the winter season, and I decided my manicure would match the weather. At the end of December, I chose a few polishes from my collection to wear this month in January. I posted more about my nail polish “to be worn” pile on Instagram, but my plan is to share my manicures here on the blog weekly. While I wore a bright and fun look last week with Nail-Venturous Floam, this week my inspiration was a neutral shade from my nail polish stash in Zoya Abigail. I took this gray polish and added a bit of sparkle to create a snow day manicure!

Zoya Abigail is a cool-toned gray cream polish. The formula applies very nicely, and is opaque in two coats. I normally photograph all of my swatches in natural light, but this week I had to use artificial lighting due to the storm. Abigail is from the Toasty Collection released this time last year. I wouldn’t normally reach for a gray nail polish, but this one actually compliments my complexion nicely.

Different Dimension Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock

I then reached into my stash for a glitter topper from the indie nail polish brand Different Dimension. This shade is Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock from the Big Bang Theory Collection. The polish has a slightly blue tinted base, and is full of silver hexagonal glitters and white microglitters. I think this shade really mimics the snow that was falling outside!

I completed the look by adding two coats of the Zoya Naked Manicure Glossy Seal Top Coat. The result is quite beautiful! I like how the glitter topper really elevates what would otherwise be a neutral cream polish. I really enjoy putting different nail polish combinations together!

Abigail is available on the Zoya website for $12.00. You can use my referral link to save $5.00 off your first Zoya purchase. While you can no longer buy Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock, the brand Different Dimension is still in business on their website. Different Dimension was one of my favorite indie brands back in the day, and I’m glad the polishes I still own apply beautifully even years down the road. I’ll have to see what is currently available the next time I’m in the market for some new polish!

Blue Glitter Nails featuring Nail-Venturous Floam

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Adventures in Polishland

When I first discovered the nail polish community in 2012, Pinterest was all the rage. One of the earliest nail polish Pins that I saved was this one featuring Floam from the indie brand Nail-Venturous. At the time, I had no idea that indie nail polish brands were a thing, and I was just finding out about nail polish bloggers. I soon realized Floam was one of the most coveted polishes in the community, and it was not easy to purchase! At some point, I was part of a nail polish Secret Santa, and received a bottle of Floam as a gift. I was so excited, but for some reason, I was afraid to use it. I finally decided 2024 was the year I would wear Floam.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I began my manicure with a base color of Zoya Ling. This is a bright blue shade that is opaque in two coats. I wanted to use a cream polish as a base so that my natural nail did not show through the glitters in Floam. Ling is very similar to the blue glitters in Floam, so I knew it would combine really well. This is one of my favorite nail polishes in general, so I always like using it!

It was then time to add Floam! This polish has a clear base filled with blue and yellow glitters, just like the slime product many of us loved as kids! I applied two coats, and am impressed with how nice the formula is even though this polish is over a decade old at this point. The glitters spread out evenly, but I’m definitely glad I had Ling as a base, because a lot of it does show beneath Floam.

Floam itself dries to a matte finish, so I completed my manicure by adding two coats of Zoya Naked Glossy Seal Top Coat. The first layer evens out the glitters, and the second adds a high gloss shine. I am so thrilled with the completed result! I feel like I’ve finally achieved the Floam manicure of my dreams that I first saw on Pinterest twelve years ago.

I hope that you enjoyed this story time and little adventure back to my early days in the nail blogging world. It’s a bit sad to think that the blog I’m Feeling Nail-Venturous no longer exists, and if its creator Amy ever reads this, I hope she knows I’m still loving the polish she created to this day. While Floam is no longer sold, someone does have a bottle for sale on eBay right now for $42.50 (I told you it’s hard to find!).

Join me on Instagram @adventuresinpolishland to see more nail polish content!

Merry and Bright Holiday Manicure featuring Holo Taco Freezer Burn

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Adventures in Polishland

I recently reorganized my entire nail polish collection, and in the process found the Zoya Nail Polish Beachy Brights Collection. This collection of six neon nail polishes was released in the summer of 2023. I was really drawn to the red and green shades, and thought they would make a fun holiday manicure. I also wanted to try Holo Taco Freezer Burn, which I recently got on Black Friday. I thought these polishes would combine well to create a merry and bright holiday manicure!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I began my manicure with Zoya Alora and Avani. Alora is a bright red nail polish with pink undertones, and Avani is a neon lime green. Unfortunately, neither of these polishes is currently available on the Zoya website for purchase. I hope they get restocked, because the formulas are great! Both shades are opaque in two coats, and they applied really well. I alternated red and green on each nail for this look.

I then topped my manicure with one coat of Holo Taco Freezer Burn. This is an iridescent blue shimmer polish. I am thrilled with how Freezer Burn looks on the nails! I wouldn’t normally call myself a shimmer manicure fan, but this polish really adds a fun touch to the nails. Plus, it works perfectly to give this holiday nail polish look a frosty and sparkly finish.

This will likely be my last Christmas manicure this year, and I am loving the result! It’s so much fun to do bright colors in the winter months. Something about the neon shades really cheer me up whenever I look at my nails! If you are looking for an easy holiday manicure that looks super festive, I highly recommend alternating red and green nails and adding a special effects topper from your collection.

Zoya Nail Polish Vienna | December Color of the Month

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Adventures in Polishland

Today I am excited to share the Zoya Nail Polish December Color of the Month, Vienna. Each month, Zoya is offering a limited edition nail polish that is only available for purchase during that calendar month. What I really like about this promotion is that you can get free shipping on your entire order when you purchase the Color of the Month and use the dedicated coupon code. Plus, it’s great that there is no subscription service involved. As soon as Vienna arrived in the mail, I couldn’t wait to get it on my nails!

The product in this post was provided to me complimentary by the brand. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Vienna is a gold metallic nail polish with holographic glitters. Zoya describes Vienna as being full coverage in two coats. However, I did begin my manicure with a base of Zoya Evan, a warm brown shade (see swatches HERE). This allowed the gold glitters in Vienna to really pop, and I didn’t have to worry about any of my natural nail showing through any gaps. I completed the look with the Zoya Naked Manicure Glossy Seal Top Coat.

I am really loving Vienna! The mix of gold with the holographic glitters adds so much dimension to the nails. Plus, this polish is the perfect pick for the December Color of the Month as it is on trend for the holiday season right through New Year’s Eve. Gold nail polish seems to be having a moment, and I am here for it! If you love blingy nails, I definitely recommend purchasing Vienna while it’s available this month from the Zoya website for $12.00. You can use code CTD88 for free shipping on your entire order!

Red and Gold Holiday Nails featuring Zoya Nail Polish Cherri and Holo Taco Gold Flake Taco

Posted on December 9, 2023 by Adventures in Polishland

The holiday season can be a busy time of year, so I like to keep my manicures quick and easy while still being festive. One of my favorite ways to dress up any cream nail polish is by adding a glitter top coat. This week I wore a beautiful red and gold combination featuring polishes from Zoya Nail Polish and Holo Taco. Let me show you how I got a holiday look with just two nail polishes!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes a referral link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I began my manicure with Cherri from the Zoya Magical Collection. This is a red cream nail polish that is opaque in two coats. This is a nice Christmas red, as it has blue undertones making it pigmented and bright. You can use any red nail polish in your stash, but if you would like to buy Cherri, you can use my referral link to save $5.00 on your first Zoya purchase.

I then added one coat of Holo Taco Gold Flake Taco. This is a clear base with gold tone metallic flakes. Back in the day, I owned a similar polish from the now defunct line Sephora by OPI. I even wrote an entire blog post about it in 2012 after finding it on sale! I must have decluttered that polish at some point, but really wanted a similar option. I’m really loving Gold Flake Taco! It may not be real gold, but it looks just as stunning.

As you can see, the Gold Flake Taco really dresses up my red nail polish base of Cherri. This manicure is simple to apply, but gives a festive look for the holiday season. Whether you are headed to a Christmas party, or staying cozy at home, your nails will look absolutely fabulous! Plus, I’m excited to try out more combinations using Gold Flake Taco during all seasons of the year.

Broadway | Aladdin

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Adventures in Polishland

Aladdin

Playing at New Amsterdam Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery available through Broadway Direct

What I Paid: $83.00

Official Website: https://aladdinthemusical.com/

Disney’s ALADDIN is a dazzling and extravagant showcase of special effects — including a flying magic carpet during “A Whole New World” — as well as glittering-gold costumes and art deco-style sets that mirror the grandeur of a Busby Berkeley musical. One of Broadway’s most popular musical comedies, the show opened at the legendary New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014, and has since broken numerous house records (grossing over $500 million on Broadway). Eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken composed the show’s music. The lyrics are by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), as well as three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice and six-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin. The book is by Beguelin and direction/choreography is by two-time Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw.

REVIEW

Aladdin has been a Disney staple on Broadway since 2014. As a huge fan of the animated classic, I’ve always wanted to see this show. I attended for the first time in October, and overall really enjoyed this family friendly performance. I purchased tickets from TKTS the day before the show for the Sunday matinee, and got 50% off for Orchestra Left on the aisle. We had an excellent view of all the action! Unless you are going with a large group that wants to sit together, I highly recommend getting tickets last minute, as Aladdin is regularly available at TKTS.

The show itself is based on the movie Aladdin, but has some notable changes. I was disappointed that there was Abu and Rajah! were cut from the musical. Instead, Aladdin has a group of three human friends that have a substantial role in the show. Similarly, Iago is a human sidekick to Jafar rather than a parrot. The music is also a bit different. There are songs we know and love from the movie, with the addition of new songs written specifically for the stage show, and a few that were cut from the film as well. Despite these changes, the overall story remains the same, and is filled with Disney magic.

My absolute favorite character is Genie, currently being played by Michael James Scott. Genie honestly carries the show. He is hilarious, has great rapport with the audience, and his stage presence is fantastic. Scott’s performance in Friend Like Me truly stole the show! The other cast members were all talented, and had wonderful performances, but Genie really stands out amongst the performers.

Moreover, I was surprised with all of the different elements present in Aladdin. There are big dance numbers (including a tap dance!), ballads, extravagant costumes, special effects, and more. There are also funny moments where other Disney movies and television shows are referenced. Disney can use its vast intellectual property library to its advantage! I like that Aladdin can incorporate so much into one performance, making the show enjoyable to a wide audience.

I did want to touch on audience behavior for a bit in this post. I’ve heard a lot about bad behavior on Broadway since theaters re-opened after the COVID-19 closures. Luckily, while I have heard a lot of cell phones ringing during shows this year, I haven’t experienced anyone else acting too poorly. Unfortunately, the audience behavior at Aladdin was the worst I’ve encountered. I was worried about all of the children in the audience being disruptive during this Sunday matinee. However, the adults were the culprits! People sitting behind me were singing, adults ran into the aisles to pick up streamers for their kids mid-song, but the worst offenders were taking photos and videos during the show. As soon as A Whole New World began, the phones came out from multiple directions. The ushers did a fantastic job of shutting this down as soon as possible, but it was very distracting. I was disappointed that my favorite song of the show was tainted because of others. Parents, set a good example for your children and show them how to properly behave at a Broadway show!

Now that I’m off that soapbox, I will conclude my thoughts on Aladdin by saying that I overall enjoyed it! Aladdin tends to have a mediocre reputation in the online Broadway communities, but I think that’s because the excitement surrounding the show has worn off since it’s been running for nearly a decade. That being said, I think Aladdin is a great option if you are looking for a family friendly show with a lot of classic Broadway elements. The show is fun, heartwarming, and based on a story that many of us love from our childhoods. I am glad I finally got to see it!

Top 5 Christmas Nail Polishes for the Holiday Season

Posted on November 24, 2023November 21, 2023 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Black Friday! Today I am excited to share five of my favorite cruelty free and vegan nail polishes to wear during the holiday season. Whether you like to stick to traditional cream formulas, or add some sparkle and shine to your manicure, this post will have a polish for you! All of the products featured in this post are currently available on the Zoya Nail Polish website. You can save $5.00 off your first order using my referral link here.

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. This post includes a referral link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

First up is Venus from the new Enamored Collection from Fall 2023. This beautiful red nail polish with holographic glitters is what inspired this blog post. I absolutely fell in love with Venus as soon as I put it on my nails. The formula applies beautifully in two coats, and I just love how sparkly it is! This polish screams holiday season to me, and I cannot wait to wear it again in time for Christmas.

Next up is Wyatt, a green cream polish from the Urban Grunge Collection. I really like this deep shade of green. It feels a bit more elevated, and this nail polish will look fabulous with many holiday outfits. Wyatt has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I wore it last year on Christmas with another polish on this list!

If you’re looking for something other than red and green, I highly recommend Alicia, also from the Urban Grunge Collection. This is a silver linear holographic polish. The formula is a bit sheer, so I applied three coats for an opaque look. Alicia is the perfect polish to take you right through New Year’s Eve!

Of course, many of us love reaching for the perfect red nail polish during the holidays. My go to choice is Mila from the Nostalgic Collection. Mila has a cream formula and is opaque in two coats. The deep shade is a bit different than the classic bright red, but I like how sophisticated this more vampy shade looks on my nails. Mila is the other polish I wore with Wyatt last Christmas!

Last but not least is Elphie, a PixieDust formula from the Enchanted Collection. This emerald green shade has a textured formula that is opaque in two coats. It also has a hint of sparkle and dries to a matte finish. Elphie is a unique polish that looks really fancy without any added effort during the manicure process. Your friends and family will most likely ask what’s on your nails when they see this stunning polish!

I hope you found this post featuring five of my favorite Christmassy nail polishes helpful. These polishes can be worn alone, or you can mix and match to create fun nail art designs. The holidays are a busy time of year, but having festive fingernails always puts a smile on my face!

What are your favorite Christmas nail polishes?

Let me know in the comments!

Zoya Nail Polish Amaris | November Color of the Month

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Adventures in Polishland

Zoya Nail Polish launched a new initiative in June 2023 called the Color of the Month. Each month, Zoya releases a brand new nail polish shade that is available while quantities last. If you purchase the Color of the Month for $12.00 and use the dedicated promo code, you also get free shipping on your entire order. To my surprise, Zoya sent me the November Color of the Month, Amaris. I immediately put it on my nails, and am excited to share my thoughts with you!

Zoya Nail Polish Amaris November Color of the Month

The product in this post was provided to me complimentary by the brand. This post includes a referral link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Amaris is what Zoya describes as a swirling nebula of blue and green with holographic glitters. I applied two coats to achieve opacity. The formula is on the thick side since it is so packed with glitters. I applied a healthy amount of polish to the base of my nail, and then carefully spread it out with the brush to get an even layer. I finished the manicure by using two layers of the Zoya Naked Manicure Ultra Glossy Seal Top Coat. The first layer helps to even out the glitter, and the second gives more of the glossy shine. The above photos were taken in artificial light, and you can still see how dimensional the holo glitters are!

Here is a photo of Amaris in natural lighting after a few days of wear. I love the celestial look of this nail polish! I definitely recommend wrapping the tip of your nails to extend the wear of this glitter nail polish. That means painting slightly over the edge of your nail to the underside. Wrapping the nail helps reduce chipping, allowing your manicure to last just a bit longer.

Amaris is available on Zoya’s website through the month of November. You can use code CTM77 to get free shipping on your entire order when you purchase Amaris for $12.00. If you are a new Zoya customer, you can use my referral link to save $5.00 on your first purchase. I think the Color of the Month is a fun way to try out new nail polish shades from one of my go to brands, and I’m excited to see what will be released in the coming months!

Broadway | Moulin Rouge!

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Adventures in Polishland

Moulin Rouge!

Playing at Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery available through Lucky Seat

What I Paid: $250.45

Official Website: https://moulinrougemusical.com/

Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

REVIEW

After hearing great things about Moulin Rouge! The Musical, I made sure to see the show on Broadway during a recent trip to New York City. I purchased full price tickets directly through the Moulin Rouge! website, and sat Orchestra Center, Row Q. This seat was further back in the orchestra, which meant that some of the set, specifically the windmill and elephant on the sides, was not fully visible. However, all of the onstage action could be seen quite well. I would not recommend sitting in the Can Can seats towards the front, as you will miss a lot of the show even though you’ll feel like you’re a part of it. If you can splurge for premium seats or the very front of the mezzanine, you will get the best view.

Moulin Rouge! is a jukebox musical that tells the story of Christian, a young American composer traveling to Paris. In an attempt to sell his music, Christian visits the cabaret club Moulin Rouge where he meets, and instantly falls in love with, the club’s star, Satine. What follows is a dramatic love story told through some of our favorite pop songs from the last few decades.

What makes Moulin Rouge! stand out from other jukebox musicals is the unique way the songs are mashed together to fit the story. As a first time viewer, part of the fun was recognizing the music as each song began. In fact, I really enjoyed it whenever there was an audible reaction from the audience whenever a song started. It’s very impressive how the pop songs we know and love get woven together in this show. While the music may not be original, the way it is presented in Moulin Rouge! is certainly very creative. I cannot even fathom how difficult it must have been to find just the right lyrics, orchestrate the mash-ups, and secure the licensing rights for this soundtrack.

That being said, the book in Moulin Rouge! was a bit weak for me. I rolled my eyes when Christian and Satine fell in love on the first night they met. It also felt like some songs didn’t really fit into the storyline, especially when you consider the 1899 timeline. I found myself absolutely loving the big production numbers with the full cast of dancers, but wanting more during the scenes that advanced the plot. There were also a few side stories that felt a bit thrown in, but overall the music and dancing made up for what was lacking in the book.

As for the cast, I was most excited to see Tituss Burgess as Harold Zidler. Burgess did an incredible job, and it really felt like he was made for this role. The audience had a great reaction to him, and he owned the stage as the energetic host of the Moulin Rouge. Courtney Reed is currently playing leading lady Satine, and she is certainly a highlight as well. Her voice is stunning, and she easily portrays the different facets of this character. Unfortunately, Casey Cott struggles as Christian. He just couldn’t hit many of his notes, especially in the higher register. Thankfully, he has good chemistry with Reed, and does capture the character of Christian well. I also wanted to give a shout out to Clay Rice-Thompson in the ensemble, who I’ve followed on Instagram for years. It was so fun to see him perform!

Moreover, one aspect I really loved about Moulin Rouge! is the atmosphere. As soon as you enter the theatre you feel as if you’ve been transported to the club in Paris. The lighting is dark with a red tone before the show beings and during intermission. The performers also slowly enter the stage before the opening number, and they are immediately in character. The set is intricate and beautifully built to capture the mood of the show. It’s really no surprise that Moulin Rouge! won the Tony awards for Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design. The Al Hirschfeld is truly transformed, and I love when Broadway feels immersive.

Overall, Moulin Rouge! is a fun and magical night of musical theater. Without giving anything away, the ending sequence of the show alone was worth the price of my ticket. While I wish the book and our leading man’s voice were stronger, I otherwise really enjoyed the show and understand why it has such a loyal fanbase. I only wish I saw it with Aaron Tveit, who originated the role of Christian! Nonetheless, I definitely recommend Moulin Rouge! It’s a great choice for those new to Broadway, due to the captivating ambiance and recognizeable music. As for me, I would certainly see this show again, but I will likely wait for a cast change.