Zoya Nail Varnish Review
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free skin care · Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:13 am

A few weeks ago, I read in this forum about Zoya Nail products. I was attracted to them as they contain neither formaldehyde nor toluene - both of which can be harmful and drying to the nails.

After finding a site that sells the varnishes for £3 each and ships to the UK, I went ahead and bought 4 of them. (Couldn't really resist at that price!) The shades I got were Emmanuelle (metallic deep reddy pink - love this!), Venus (metallic pretty lilac), Fawne (metallic beigey pink) and Sabrina (very, very pale matte pink).

I had previously been using OPI varnishes, with the formaldehyde-free version of Nail Envy as a base coat and Sêche Vite as a top coat. This had usually lasted for 3 weeks on my toes.

So I applied the Zoya with my usual base and top coats. The varnish was much thicker in texture than the OPI and, with a deep colour such as the Emmanuelle, I had to pay a little more attention than usual to making a neat finish. The plus side was that it took only 1 coat to get the colour I wanted instead of the 2 coats required with OPI. However, Zoya also took longer to dry.

I found the Zoya not to be quite so long-lasting as the OPI - 2 and a half weeks instead of 3, but this included a couple of hourly swimming sessions which is never very good for keeping varnished toes in pristine condition. Given the bonus of no nasty formaldehyde or toluene with the Zoya, I think a couple less days of chip-free finish is fine by me.

The Zoya seemed slightly easier to remove with nail varnish remover than the OPI. My nails were still a little dry condition-wise afterwards, but not quite as much as with the OPI. Maybe continued use might improve this even more.

I love the fantastic range of Zoya colours and, being pleased with its performance, so I'll definitely be sticking with it.

I see that Zoya also make their own remover, base and top coats and am very tempted by them. Am currently awaiting a reply to my e-mail, asking whether these are also toluene and formaldehyde-free. If so, these will definitely go on to my (embarrassingly long) "to buy" list. Embarassed

free skin care · Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:11 am

The zoya anchor basecoat is amazing. If you use it on the toes the nailpolish will pretty much grow out before it flakes off!! I'm not sure where my box is so I can't tell you about the ingredients.

free skin care · Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:58 pm

Thanks for that, Lianne. I think I'll probably end up buying it. Very Happy

free skin care · Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:23 pm

The lady that does my moms nails uses it and it's amazing. She just bought herself a bottle that I've been using. lol...poor mom

free skin care · Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:28 pm

Thanks

free skin care · Sat Apr 08, 2006 4:47 am

What a great review!! Very Happy

I have always been an OPI addict ( cant tell you how many I have ... incl the special OPI stand for them! lol) and Ive been dabbling in Zoya of late too. ( both are sold at our shopping channel in Australia, TVSN) I am really impressed with them too! The colours are creamy ( cover well) and dont seem to chip ( Ive got natural nails which are long but I type a lot) for a good week ( on par with OPI for me) .... but they do seem to wear off the tips quicker, rather than chip than OPI. Still... I seriously recommend them, especially knowing the ingredients are a little less "toxic" if one is concerned about that.
I love the colour range... Amber.. Piper... Mia.. ohh so many of them.
Having said that I have just gotten 9 of the 12 Mexican collection colours of OPI! Tut tut... Smile

free skin care · Sat Apr 08, 2006 4:50 am

Forgot to say.... I am also becoming a big fan of Zoya's Hot Lips lipgloss.... they are beautiful! They last well, good amount of pigment, not sticky and taste/smell yummy!

free skin care · Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:27 am

Oooh, the lipgloss does sound good. After my good experience with the varnishes, I'm definitely willing to try more of the range.

Thanks for the tip!

free skin care · Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:05 am

I wish I could find a local retailer that sold Zoya nail products because it’s so bloody difficult trying to choose a shade based on color swatches on the computer screen. I have a weakness for peachy/corally/orange-y nail polishes (for my toes – this is the same fetish I have for lip glosses/stains!) and I’ve been eyeballing the “Willow” shade to try as my initial foray in to Zoya polishes, but I’m scared the color won’t turn out to be what I think it is based on the color swatch online.... Confused

If I can’t find someone on MUA who is willing to swap for it, I guess I’m going to have to bite the bullet.

I can say that I bought three of the new OPI Designer (read: “holographic”) shades and was completely underwhelmed. They look a little too sophomore-ish for me....if anyone wants to swap for them here, just PM me. The shades I have are “Vintage,” “Couture,” and “Chiffon” (somebody lied on MUA and descibed it as a “peachy pink” but there ain’t nothing peachy about it! Mad

)

free skin care · Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:15 am

Was just reading about the OPI Designer range yesterday, what's the difference apart from being more expensive? I know they're supposed to have diamond dust in but does that make them last longer or just make them more holographic in colour?

Thanks

free skin care · Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:14 am

sarahb wrote:

Was just reading about the OPI Designer range yesterday, what's the difference apart from being more expensive? I know they're supposed to have diamond dust in but does that make them last longer or just make them more holographic in colour?

Thanks

Just their new state-of-the-art use of holographic glitter (these polishes don't feel "lumpy" and are easier to remove then previous generations of glitter polishes) and a re-designed bottle and brush with wider bristles. To be honest, I wasn't impressed with them at all.

free skin care · Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:46 am

I love Zoya nail polish. I'll always continue to use OPI as well, but love the Zoya shade selection of pinks...soft and bright. Zoya is about equal in staying power as OPI. I'm tough on my nails, but if I apply a good base coat and top coat, and reapply a quick layer of top coat on my nails every two or three days, my finger nails will stay nice for about seven days, especially the lighter shades, and three weeks on my toes.

free skin care · Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:44 am

carekate - If it's any help, this site gave a pretty good idea of the colours I bought. They look more true-to-life than any of the other Zoya swatches I've seen on the Internet.

http://www.beverlybeaute.com/zoya_uk.htm

BTW I tried Zoya on my fingernails over the last few days and it lasted for 3 days without chipping (that's with an under and over coat, though). Usually varnishes only last a single day on me, so that's pretty good! Very Happy

My fingernails don't feel at all dry after removing the remains of the varnish. Can't tell you how pleased I am with it.

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