Tag: Candy

Zoya Nail Polish Candy | April Color of the Month

I was a bit surprised when Zoya Nail Polish announced that its April Color of the Month is a pink cream nail polish called Candy. For the last several months, these limited edition shades have been glittery and quite unique. I was a little disappointed to see a standard pink cream, especially when the Bloom Collection for Spring 2024 contains three pink-toned polishes in a cream formula. Nonetheless, I do love pink nail polishes, so I reached for Candy as soon as it arrived in the mail.

Zoya Candy

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

Candy is a vibrant pink cream nail polish that uses both neon and pastel pigments. The formula is a little tricky to apply. I recommend thick coats, because if the layer of polish on your nail is too thin, the brush will create a plethora of streaks. Candy is opaque in two coats, and dries to a semi-matte finish. I applied the Zoya Naked Ultra Glossy Seal Top Coat for a shiny finish.

Zoya April Color of the Month Candy

I absolutely love how bright Candy is on the nails. The formula really does balance a pastel shade with the pop of a neon. I like that Zoya adds white to the base so we no longer have to layer a white nail polish under neons! Unfortunately, I am really disappointed that my manicure began chipping after just two days of wear. I typically go 5-6 days before my nail polish chips, but every once in a while there will be a nail polish that just doesn’t last on me. Since I used the same top coat I usually do, I think Candy’s formula may be prone to chipping.

Zoya Nail Polish Candy

All in all, while I absolutely love the bright pink shade of Candy, I am a little sad that the Zoya Color of the Month for April is not more unique. I already own a lot of similar polishes in my collection, and since this one is tricky to apply and tends to chip quickly, I do not know that I can recommend Candy. That being said, if you would like to purchase this nail polish, it is only available through the month of April 2024. Use code CANDY at checkout to get free shipping, and 25% off your purchase.

Zoya Perfect Lipstick | Swatches + Review of Full 12-Piece Collection

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to bring you swatches and a review of the complete Zoya Perfect Lipstick Collection. This line of 12 lipsticks is created with a hydrating formula designed to last 4-6 hours without drying or cracking. The Perfect Lipsticks are also vegan and environmentally friendly, and have a wide shade range to fit any skin tone. Let me share this lipstick collection and my thoughts on it with you!

The Perfect Lipstick Collection contains nine cream finishes, two mattes, and one frost. All of the lipsticks are unflavored and unscented.

First up is MatteVelvet Red, a cool-toned red with a matte finish. I am pleasantly surprised with how comfortable this lipstick is to wear. Even though it is matte, it feels very smooth and creamy on the lips. Plus, MatteVelvet Red is a classic red shade that I think is a staple in any lipstick collection. 

Next up is Cameron, a light beige lipstick with a cream formula. Cameron has a great pigmentation for a lipstick that is so light in shade. It makes me look a bit washed out because of my very fair skin tone, but I otherwise really like how it wears. I can see this being an everyday color for many people!

One of my favorite lipsticks in the line is Paisley, a purple-toned mauve with a cream finish. Paisley does require about two coats for opacity on the lips, and it is a bit messier to apply. Otherwise, the shade is beyond gorgeous, and I can see myself reaching for this lipstick regularly.

If you’re looking for a red lipstick with a cream finish, Frankie is the pick for you! Frankie is a bright, true red, and it feels really comfortable to wear. It reminds me of my days as a competitive dancer when we were required to sport red lips at our performances. Whether you’re hitting the stage or simply running errands, Frankie is a stunning red!

Next up is Georgia, a bright berry shade with purple undertones. Georgia is a bit outside of my comfort zone, but it is a beautiful lipstick. It has a cream formula, and I do recommend about two coats for an opaque look. Georgia is a great shade to take you from winter to spring!

The next matte shade in the line is Maxwell, a deep plum shade with fuchsia glitter. Maxwell has a great formula, and it is surprisingly comfortable to wear despite containing glitter. However, it is one of my least favorite lipsticks in the collection simply because I don’t like wearing glittery lip colors. Maxwell is also a bit troublesome to remove, as the glitter gets all over the place without coming off my face. That being said, if glitter lipstick is your thing, Maxwell is a nice option.

The other glittery shade in the collection is Brooke, a mauve shade with pearlized glitter. Brooke is more of a tinted lip balm than a lipstick. Unlike the other shades in the collection, this one is not pigmented at all, and it barely shows up on my lips. Brooke does have a cream formula, but I’m not a big fan of it because it just makes my lips look oddly glittery.

Wren is another favorite for me in the collection. This is a pinky-peach shade with a cream finish, and I think it’s another everyday shade. Wren is a lipstick that can be worn any season of the year, and it’s a great choice if you are just getting into makeup and hesitant to wear bright colors.

Next up is Candy, a blue-toned bright pink lipstick with a cream finish. Candy is a Barbie pink for sure. It is extremely pigmented, and I know this will be a spring and summer staple for many people. I’m usually hesitant to wear bright pink lipsticks, but I’m excited to have this in my collection for sure.

Mellie is a the next cream lipstick that is somewhere between a red and pink shade. I think Mellie is a very wearable color, and it also feels really hydrating and comfortable on the lips. Mellie is a great lipstick for any skin tone, and it is work appropriate as well. This is a must have for your lipstick stash!

The one frost formula in the collection is Belle, a blue-toned pink with a golden frost finish. I do not like frost lipsticks, so Belle is not the shade for me. However, Belle is nicely pigmented and is a pretty color for those of you who do enjoy frosts. It reminds me a bit of cotton candy!

Last but not least is Jasmine, a deep plum lipstick with a cream formula. Jasmine is absolutely beautiful and extremely pigmented. This shade is a bit outside of my comfort zone, but I think this is one of the best lipsticks in the collection. Jasmine feels so creamy and hydrating on the lips!

All in all, I think Zoya’s Perfect Lipstick Collection contains a great variety of shades and formulas. The majority of the line is well pigmented, and they all feel very comfortable to wear. My personal favorites are Paisley, Wren, and Mellie, but I recommend all of the shades except for Brooke. You can purchase the Zoya Perfect Lipstick Collection on the brand’s website HERE for $12 each. Make sure to follow Zoya on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for sale information and discount codes.

Which Zoya Perfect Lipstick is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

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

Zoya Hydrating Cream Lipstick Review & Swatches | Mellie & Candy

Happy Monday! Today I am completing my reviews for the Zoya summer releases with the new Hydrating Cream Lipstick shades. I’ve been a fan of Zoya Nail Polish for four years now, but this is the first time I am trying the lip products the brand also offers. Zoya released both Mellie and Candy just in time for the summer season, and both are bright and pigmented shades perfect for the warmer months. Let me share my thoughts on these lipsticks with all of you!

Zoya Hydrating Lipstick Review & Swatches | Mellie & CandyEach lipstick comes in a black cardboard box and then in sleek black packaging. I really like the rounded tube, and the classic look to these lipsticks. The lipsticks do not have a fragrance, but they do have that typical ‘lipstick’ smell. It brought me back to my days of a dancer where we wore bright red lipstick for each performance!

IMG_4335Zoya Mellie | Adventures in PolishlandFirst up is Zoya Mellie, a bright red lipstick. Mellie is extremely pigmented and it does feel very creamy and comfortable on the lips. I do recommend using a lip detailer brush to apply these lipsticks, as I had some difficulty getting a clean application. Mellie is a staining lipstick, which I like because even if it wears off you will still have a nice wash of color on the lips. I have not done a true wear test to see how these lipsticks wear over time, but they felt very nice on my lips.

Zoya Candy | Adventures in PolishlandZoya Candy | Adventures in PolishlandNext up is Candy, a bright pink lipstick that I would call a fuchsia shade. Candy also has a rich pigmentation and glides onto the lips well. I don’t like how it looks with my fair skin tone, but I think it will look amazing if you have a darker complexion. Of course, it is all personal preference! I will say that Candy does tend to make the teeth a bit yellower than they actually are, so keep that in mind. Nonetheless, it is a great summer shade with a nice formula.

All in all, I’m so glad I finally tried the lipsticks offered by Zoya. I really love the formulas and the texture of these lipsticks, and I want to check out the other shades in the range for sure. These lipsticks retail for $12 each on Zoya’s website HERE. I definitely recommend the Hydrating Cream Formulas! Make sure to let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any Zoya lipsticks and which ones you recommend.

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

Keep the Stress at Bay with Holiday Essentials from Duane Reade! #DRHoliday

CB-sponsored-post-black-600Happy Monday! While the holidays are my favorite time of the year, they can also get a bit stressful. You may know that I am only a part time beauty blogger and a full time law student. That means I’m in the midst of finals, but still trying to enjoy the holiday season as much as possible. When I learned about the amazing items the Duane Reade holiday section has to offer, I couldn’t wait to get some goodies! I definitely needed a few things to get me in the Christmas spirit!

#DRHoliday #shop #cbiasI went to Duane Reade with the mission of buying a few holiday decorations for my bedroom, and some candy to enjoy while studying for finals. I was so surprised to find a great array of options at the store! My tip is to look not only in the holiday aisle, but all around your local store. There were decorations, wrapping paper, and gift items all around! For instance, I spotted tinsel on the lower floor of my Duane Reade location. Here’s how beautiful the aisles looked!

#DRHoliday #shop #cbias #DRHoliday #shop #cbiasAs for decorations, I decided to grab some silver tinsel and a cute Merry Christmas sign. Both were very affordable, and I knew even these small touches would brighten up my bedroom at home. I decided to drape the tinsel around my bedroom door, and put my glittery sign near my makeup collection. While sitting at my desk, I can see both, and they put a smile on my face!

#DRHoliday #shop #cbias

#DRHoliday #shop #cbias

#DRHoliday #shop #cbias 

#DRHoliday #shop #cbias

I also couldn’t say no to some holiday candy! I mean, snack breaks are an important part of studying for finals! I decided to go with some Sour Patch Kids and Reese’s Peanut Butter Trees. Maybe if my friends are lucky I’ll share with them!

#DRHoliday #shop #cbias

#DRHoliday #shop #cbias

I’m so glad that Duane Reade supplied me with some holiday essentials at great prices. My total for all of these items was just under $15 with tax! The decorations and candy may be a small touch, but it’s making my holiday season and finals much better. Of course, the Duane Reade Seasonal aisle has more than just decorations and candy – you can be sure to stock up on wrapping paper, gifts, stocking stuffers and more! Make sure to get yourself a little treat when you’re there as well.

Let me know how you keep the stress at bay during the holidays in the comments!