Nail Polish Review – Page 2 – Adventures in Polishland

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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!

Holo Taco Build Your Own Bundle Review & Swatches | #HoloTacoCombo

Posted on January 16, 2022 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! I recently made a purchase from the Holo Taco website, and thought I would share the experience with you. After digging at the bottom of my base coat bottle for a while, I knew it was time to order a new bottle. Since I was also out of my favorite top coat, Super Glossy Taco, I decided to order the Holo Taco Build Your Own Bundle. This option on the brand’s website allows for customers to choose a base coat, creme polish, topper, and top coat for a discounted price of $42.00 (a $4.00 savings off the regular price). I also had a $5.00 coupon from being subscribed to the Holo Taco newsletter, so I snagged mine for $37.00 plus shipping. Let me share with you the polishes I picked out, and also let you know about the amazing customer service I received from the brand.

The bundle I built includes Long Lasting Base, High Tea Hibiscus, Aurora Unicorn Skin, and Super Glossy Taco. When I placed my order, the invoice let me know that the brand was moving warehouses and there would be a delay in shipping. That was not a problem for me, and I fully expected to receive my order when it was ready. I was pleasantly surprised when about a week later I got an email apologizing for the delay in shipment, and a refund for the $6.99 shipping fee, as well as another $5.00 coupon for a future purchase. I really appreciated this great customer service, even though it was completely unnecessary. It’s rare for a company to go above and beyond when it comes to customer service these days, and I thought it was absolutely worth the mention in this post.

Now let’s jump into my thoughts on the polishes! I’ve just tried the Long Lasting Base for the first time, so I will report back after I give it more of a test drive. The creme polish I chose in my bundle, however, is High Tea Hibiscus, a deep magenta polish. I was quite surprised with how thick the formula is. I recommend getting a good amount of product on the brush during application, because otherwise the polish will streak onto the nails. I applied two coats for full opacity. High Tea Hibiscus is a beautiful polish, and I’m interested to try more creme polishes from this brand to see if the formula is typically this consistency.

Next up is Aurora Unicorn Skin, the special effects topper I chose for my bundle. This is an iridescent flakie top coat that color shifts depending on the base shade over which it is layered. On this manicure in particular, it added a stunning pink to purple color shift. Aurora has been on my wish list for a very long time, so I’m excited to add this polish to my collection. I look forward to testing it out in different manicures to see how it will transform on the nails!

Holo Taco High Tea Hibiscus and Aurora Unicorn Skin

Lastly, I topped off my manicure with Super Glossy Taco. I love this top coat because it gives the nails a high gloss shine while also drying very quickly. If I’m wearing a glittery manicure, I will often apply two coats. The first coat will even out the texture in the glitter, and the second gives it that smooth, glassy finish. This is the second time I’m purchasing this top coat, and I’m so happy to have a new bottle!

Holo Taco Aurora Unicorn Skin Natural Sunlight

Here’s a quick look at my completed manicure in natural sunlight (please forgive my dry, winter skin in these swatches by the way!). I’m really happy with this manicure, and I found myself looking down at my nails a lot throughout the day. I even elevated my manicure by adding the Flakie Holo Taco a few days later for added bling!

All in all, if you are looking to try out Holo Taco nail polishes, I think the Build Your Own Bundle is a great option. You save a few dollars, plus you can stock up on the necessary top and base coats we use with every manicure. The Build Your Own Bundle is available on the Holo Taco website. The brand represents that their entire line is cruelty free and vegan.

Have you tried Holo Taco nail polishes? Let me know in the comments!

Zoya Nail Polish Cosmic Pop Limited Edition Trio | Swatches & Review

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

Today I am excited to share with you swatches and a full review of the Zoya Nail Polish Cosmic Pop Limited Edition Trio. This trio will be available for pre-order on June 15, 2021, and will only be available for a limited time. The collection features three nail polishes in holographic shades inspired by the unique star clusters of outer space. The Cosmic Pop line has a unique formula packed with glitters that look stunning on the nails. This post will share individual swatches of each shade, as well as a quick look at what the polishes look like as a nail polish topper.

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

Before I jump right into the swatches, I want to share how Zoya describes the Cosmic Pop nail polish formula. The brand states that these astral shades have a blend of metallic glitter and holographic particles in five different sizes to give a dynamic effect. The polishes dry to a soft textured finish. Zoya suggests using the Ultra Glossy Seal top coat for a high-shine and smooth finish. I swatched these polishes over the Holo Taco Peely Base, and I used the suggested Ultra Glossy Seal to complete each manicure. As always, the photos are taken in natural lighting. I found it difficult to get sharp images of each polish because they are so glittery!

Celestia

First up in the Cosmic Pop Trio is Celestia, described as a silver-pearlescent rainbow holographic. I applied three coats to achieve opacity, and sealed it with two coats of Ultra Glossy Seal. I typically use two coats of top coat with any glitter or textured nail polish, as the first layer evens the manicure and the second gives it the glossy look. Celestia is a stunning nail polish! The holographic glitters really pop, and I love how the manicure looks reflected in the sunlight.

Polaris

Next up is Polaris, a rose gold holographic shade. I applied three coats to achieve opacity, and I love the beautiful rose gold base. Polaris really surprised me! This polish has a very subtle duochrome effect, and shifts to a purple tone in the right sunlight. I love how it looks more subtle in the shade, but really pops when the light changes!

Eradani

Last up is Eradani, a magenta densely packed holographic polish. Eradani is the most pigmented nail polish in this line, and I applied two coats to achieve opacity. This shade does not have the same holographic effect as the other two Cosmic Pop polishes. In fact, the glitters are mainly magenta and blue, and I have to really stare at the polish in the sunlight to find the holo glitters. Nonetheless, Eradani is just stunning on the nails!

The Cosmic Pop Trio as Nail Polish Toppers

I also tested out each Cosmic Pop nail polish as a topper over Darla from the Zoya Dreamin’ Collection. Since each of these holographic shades is sheer in one coat, they can definitely be used as a manicure topper to add some sparkle to any polish. I recommend applying a very thin coat. You can even triple up and layer all three Cosmic Pop shades for a really blinged out look! I think it’s so fun that you can use the Cosmic Pop Trio in a variety of ways.

All in all, I am really enjoying the Zoya Nail Polish Limited Edition Cosmic Pop Trio. I have not used a holographic glitter polish in quite some time, so I think this trio is a lot of fun and perfect for the summer. Pricing information for the Cosmic Pop Trio has not yet been released, but visit Zoya’s website HERE starting June 15, 2021 for more information and to pre-order this collection.

Zoya Nail Polish Dreamin’ Collection | Swatches + Review

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

Today I am excited to share with you swatches and a full review of the Zoya Nail Polish Dreamin’ Collection for Summer 2021. This six piece collection contains a variety of shades and finishes that can be worn individually, or in a multitude of combinations for a bright, fun manicure perfect for the summer season. Zoya is a cruelty free brand, and all of their nail polishes are vegan. Let’s jump in and talk more about these polishes, and stay tuned to the end of the post for a simple nail art look!

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

I swatched all of these nail polishes over the Holo Taco Peely Base. I decided not to wear any top coat in these swatches, as this collection contains a few different finishes. I was also really impressed with how glossy the cream formulas are without a top coat! As always, these swatches are photographed in natural lighting.

Desi

The first polish in the Dreamin’ Collection is Desi, what Zoya describes as a vibrant geranium coral cream. Desi is opaque in two coats, and I’m loving the bright pop of color. The cream polishes in this line have easy to work with formulas that are self-leveling. I can see Desi being a staple polish in the warmer months!

Polly

Next up is Polly, described as a lush fruit-punch pink cream. Polly is opaque in two coats and has a smooth formula that applies well. While the color is beautiful, I find it brings out the red undertones I have in my fair skin. Nonetheless, this is a pretty polish and Polly would look great on many people!

Darla

The last pink shade in the collection is Darla, described as a Gerber Daisy pink cream. Darla is also opaque in two coats. This polish has some blue undertones to it. I do have a few similar shades in my nail polish collection, but I definitely recommend Darla if you’re searching for this type of pink!

Skipper

Next up is Skipper, a milky purple neon. This polish has the EasyNeon formula introduced earlier this year. You can read my full thoughts on the original EasyNeon Collection HERE. Skipper is opaque in three coats, and has my favorite EasyNeon formula thus far. I’m loving this purple shade, and the matte finish looks cool. Of course, you can apply a glossy top coat if that is more to your liking.

Mateo

One of my favorite polishes in the collection is Mateo, described as a cool-toned pacific blue cream. Mateo is opaque in two coats, and looks just stunning! I love blue nail polishes, and this one is no exception. Most of my bright blue nail polishes are not this cool-toned, so Mateo is a welcome addition to my collection.

Summer

Last but not least is Summer, a mermaid shimmer featuring flashes of green and gold with a blue base. Summer is opaque in three coats, and has a super smooth formula. This is surprisingly my favorite nail polish in the Dreamin’ Collection! I usually prefer cream formulas, but Summer is so beautiful and absolutely perfect for the summer season.

Nail Art with Mateo and Summer

I loved Summer so much I decided to break out my nail stamping supplies. I used Born Pretty Store plate BP-L027 to add some wave designs using Mateo. The result ended up being really subtle, but I like the beach vibes! I finished off the manicure with Holo Taco Super Glossy Taco to seal the stamp in place. You can use code FZL91 to save 10% off your order at Born Pretty Store.

All in all, I’m loving the Zoya Nail Polish Dreamin’ Collection for Summer 2021! I did not have any issues with the formulas, and I am pleasantly surprised with my love for Summer! I like that this collection contains three different finishes. My only critique would be that I wish we had a bit more shade variation versus the three pinks that are included. Otherwise, I highly recommend all of the Dreamin’ polishes, and I look forward to using them more myself!

You can purchase the Dreamin’ Collection on Zoya’s website HERE. Individual polishes are $12.00 each.

Zoya EasyNeon Collection | Swatches & Review

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

Today I am excited to share with you swatches and a full review of the Zoya EasyNeon Collection for Summer 2021. I love wearing neon nail polishes (evidenced by my fifth blog post ever in April 2012!), so I couldn’t believe my eyes when Zoya announced the EasyNeon Collection. This line contains six cruelty free and vegan nail polishes with a frustration-free formula. These polishes are designed to bring you the neon vibes you want without the difficult application process of the neons of the past. Let’s jump in and talk about this collection a bit more, and my experience with the polishes.

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

Each EasyNeon nail polish comes with the Zoya Z-Wide Brush to help with an even and streak-free application. In addition, Zoya states that the polishes are designed to be opaque in two coats. All of the polishes in this collection dry to a matte finish, and you do not need to wear a base coat. The idea is that the EasyNeon Collection simplifies a bright, neon manicure.

Before I share swatches of each individual shade, I did want to discuss my experience with the EasyNeon formula. Unfortunately, none of these polishes were opaque for me in two or three coats. I had visible nail line with all of these polishes, which is a bit disappointing seeing as the opacity claim is part of Zoya’s marketing with this collection. Nonetheless, I am very happy with the application process. The polishes are all smooth, fast-drying, and easy to apply. I did wear Holo Taco Peely Base while swatching, but I also tested the polishes without a base coat and did not experience staining. I do recommend applying thin coats, as a thicker coat can lead to streaks if you are trying to layer too much product on the nail at once. That being said, I am still in love with the neon shades in this collection, and I can’t wait to rock them this summer!

Oakley

The first polish in the EasyNeon Collection is Oakley, a fiery bright orange polish. I am wearing three coats in these swatch photos. Oakley is the perfect neon orange! I can see this shade being used in a lot of Halloween nail art, but it also makes a great manicure on its own.

Zelda

Next up is Zelda, described as a beaming coral-pink polish. Zelda is one of my favorites in this collection! I love this loud pink shade, and I am wearing three coats in the swatches. This shade is what comes to mind for me when I think of neon nail polish. Plus, look how smooth my nails look with this matte formula!

Janie

The other pink in this line is Janie, a hot fuchsia pink. I am wearing three coats of Janie in the swatches. If you’re a longtime follower of mine, you’ll know I love pink nails. Thus, it’s no surprise I adore Janie, too.

Banks

Next up is Banks, described by Zoya as a vivid violet polish. I am wearing two coats of Banks in the swatches. This polish does not pop as much as I would like for a neon, but I still like the rich, matte purple. Banks is a great transitional nail polish to take you from summer to fall as well.

Echo

Echo is the blue shade in this collection, described as a deep lagoon polish. I am wearing two coats in the swatches, and I’m loving the result! Echo reminds me of a blue raspberry slush, which definitely screams summer to me. I love the matte finish with this shade!

Link

Last but not least is Link, an electric, kelly green shade. I am wearing two shades in the swatches, and this is the most coverage I achieved from a polish in the collection. Link would look awesome in some slime nail art come Halloween! Of course, it looks nice on its own as well.

The EasyNeon Collection with a Glossy Top Coat

If you like neon nails but prefer a glossy finish, you can apply a glossy top coat to your manicure! I did a quick nail art look using the entire collection, and sealed it using Holo Taco Super Glossy Taco. I’m happy to report that these polishes work very well together. They layer nicely, and you can achieve a fun manicure quite quickly since the polishes are fast-drying.

My Final Thoughts

All in all, I think the Zoya EasyNeon Collection is a great summer collection for everyone looking for a bright and sunny manicure. While the polishes did not look opaque on my nails, that does not prohibit me from loving the shades and easy-to-use formula. Say goodbye to layering your neons over a white base and to the streaky application process! The EasyNeon Collection truly lives up to its name, and I’m excited to add these polishes to my collection.

You can purchase the EasyNeon Collection on Zoya’s website HERE. The polishes retail for $11.00 each.

Max Dona Nail Polish in C22 | Born Pretty Store Macaron Collection

Posted on November 23, 2015November 13, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of a new nail polish from the online store Born Pretty Store. The shop has an eight piece collection called the Macaron Collection because of the shade range available. I got one of the polishes to review for all of you in a gorgeous purple color. The polish is from the brand Max Dona, which is new to me. One cool thing about Born Pretty Store is you get to try different brands from around the world! Let me show you this beautiful polish, and stay tuned for a coupon code at the end of the post!

The Max Dona polish I received is shade C22, a lilac creme polish with silver shimmer. The formula is good, but it is on the thick side so I recommend thin coats. I accidentally applied a thick coat on my middle finger, and you can see how it turns goopy with too much polish on the nail. However, with two thin coats I achieved a beautiful look! I really like the combination of this purple with the silver shimmer. It’s perfect for the winter months, but can carry into the springtime seamlessly.

All in all, I’m really liking this purple polish from Born Pretty Store! I think it’s definitely worth a pick-up if you think the color is as pretty as I do. It is a fabulous and affordable $4.84 on the Born Pretty Store website HERE. Of course, when you shop on Born Pretty Store’s website, you will always get free international shipping, and you can use my coupon code FZL91 for 10% off your order. Stay tuned for more reviews of Born Pretty Store products in the coming weeks!

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

The Perfect Fall Nail Color | Milani Cosmetics in Canyon Country

Posted on November 13, 2015November 9, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! One of the polishes that I’ve rediscovered in my nail polish destash project is Canyon Country from Milani Cosmetics. I typically reach for dark polishes in the fall, but I’m so glad I took the opportunity to swatch Canyon Country! I think I’ve found the perfect fall nail color, and I’m excited to share it with you. It’s been a couple years since it first appeared on the blog (see that post HERE), so it’s definitely time for another post!

Canyon Country is a burnt orange nail polish with a creme finish. It has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. I am obsessing over the smooth finish! I’m not wearing a top coat in these photos, and my manicure looks awesome. Plus, Canyon Country is a color that I think will look great on anyone no matter the skin color. It’s warm and cozy, and will go perfectly with your fall sweaters and boots. Plus, Canyon Country will work really well in nail art. It’s an all-around great polish!

All in all, I’m so glad I took the time to swatch Canyon Country before I destashed it. Some polishes just don’t look as exciting in the bottle as they do on the nails, and this is definitely one of them. While this particular Milani polish is retired, it can still be found on Amazon HERE for a reasonable price. I highly recommend picking it up for your collection!

What is your perfect fall nail color? Let me know in the comments!

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