28 May, 2016

OPI SOFT SHADES (PASTELS) 2016 - SWATCHES & REVIEW

OPI have just released their 2016 Soft Shades collection and it's not like any typical "Soft Shades" collection we have become accustomed to. Instead of the expected sheer and muted look, OPI have chosen softly shaded, seriously opaque and gorgeous pastels that add a "mod" element to their annual soft shades collection, without diminishing it's refinement.

I have all 6 shades from the 2016 Soft Shades (Pastels) collection to share with you today :)



STOP IT I'M BLUSHING!
Stop it I'm Blushing! is a pastel blush pink nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


IT'S A BOY!
It's a Boy! is a pastel baby blue nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


IT'S IN THE CLOUD
It's in the Cloud is a beautiful milky *slightly* off-white nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


I AM WHAT I AMETHYST
I Am What I Amethyst is a soft pastel lilac purple nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's a slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


THIS COST ME A MINT
This Cost Me a Mint is a soft pastel mint green nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


ONE CHIC CHICK
One Chic Chick is a soft pastel yellow nail polish shade.
The formula of this polish is good and it applies nice and easily. 
It's slightly patchy, but it builds up to full opacity beautifully in two-three thin coats. 


*  *  * 

I am amazed with the colour selection in this OPI collection - the shades are all so beautiful and perfect for spring.

The formulas of all six of these polishes were generally the same and kind of have the typical "pastel nail polish formula" - streaky and patchy - (I am yet to come across a pastel polish with a fantastic formula). But, unlike other pastel nail polish, their thin, smooth and creamy formulas make them pleasantly easy to control and make application a breeze. They also build up to full opacity relatively well. They could all be considered opaque in two coats, but I personally think they look better with three coats as it eliminates any of the streaks or patches that are evident on close inspection - in other words, if you don't have OCD like I do, two coats should be okay. Regardless of the formula, when completely opaque, these polishes look so delicate and feminine and are definitely worth the application effort.

APPLICATION TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS - 

  • use the three-stroke method of application to prevent streaks
  • do not over manipulate each coat of polish that is applied onto the nail
  • wait for each coat of polish to completely dry before commencing the next coat

I appreciate that OPI has come out with a pretty opaque pastel collection this year for their annual Soft Shades collection. I really like every single polish in this collection but my personal favourites and picks are "I Am What I Amethyst" & "It's a Boy!". 


*  *  *

RRP: $19.95 each (AUD)

Available at selected Myer and David Jones stores and selected Salons nationally (Australia). 
For details on retail stockists please call 1800 812 663
For details on salon enquiries please call 1800 358 999


*  *  * 

*Disclaimer: Coty PR Australia kindly sent me these products for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this Blog post are mine based on what I have experienced through trialling these products.




Thanks for taking the time to read this review
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask :)
Have a fabulous day
Doni x


Follow me on Instagram for more nail swatch pics & nail art - @donsnailobsession 

14 May, 2016

ZOYA PETALS COLLECTION 2016 - SWATCHES & REVIEW

Zoya has just recently released their Petals nail polish collection; "a flourish of beautiful blooming colours" inspired by the gardens of spring. This fresh and vibrant collection invites you to revel in the beauty of the spring season with six beautiful nail polish shades.The collection includes beautiful shimmers, pinks and corals that are just perfect for spring.

I have all six polishes from the Zoya Petals collection to share with you today :)


LEIA
Leia is a super sheer opalescent white nail polish shade with stunning fuchsia, green and gold shimmery flaky glitters throughout it. 

The formula of this polish is pretty good. It applies nice and easily and glides onto the nail. It's a little patchy, but it self-levels really well. 

This polish is really sheer, but it builds up nicely on its own. 
I personally like the look of one single coat on the nail as it just looks so ethereal and dainty, but it could also be layered over another polish to give a beautiful shimmery effect. My nail swatch above shows three thin coats.. 


ASTER
Aster is a beautiful periwinkle purple nail polish shade with stunning fuchsia, blue and silver shimmery flaky glitters throughout it. 

The formula of this polish is great. It applies nice and smoothly and easily glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels really well. 

It builds up to full opacity in two thin easy coats.


AZALEA
Azalea is a lovely hot pink nail polish shade with stunning fuchsia, blue and silver shimmery flaky glitters throughout it. 

The formula of this polish is great. It applies nice and smoothly and easily glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels really well. 

It builds up to full opacity in two thin easy coats.


ZAHARA
Zahara is a tangerine orange-peach nail polish shade with stunning fuchsia, blue and silver shimmery flaky glitters throughout it. 

The formula of this polish is good. It applies nice and smoothly and easily glides onto the nail. It isn't streaky or patchy and it self-levels really well. 

It's a little sheer, but builds up to full opacity in two - three thin coats.


TULIP
Tulip is a coral-salmon nail polish shade with a subtle silver shimmer running throughout it which is only really visible in direct sunlight. 

The formula of this polish is okay and it applies nicely.
It's quite sheer and patchy but it builds up to full opacity in three thin coats.


LAUREL
Laurel is a coral pink nail polish shade with a subtle silver shimmer running throughout it which is only really visible in direct sunlight. 

The formula of this polish is okay and it applies nicely.
It's quite sheer and patchy but it builds up to full opacity in three thin coats.


*  *  * 

Although the colour range of this collection is heavily mono pink-coral toned, the colours are super pretty and I do quite like them. I really love how unique the polishes with the shimmery glitter flakes look. The formulas of the polishes in this collection were generally pretty good and not too difficult to work with which is awesome. 

My personal favourites and picks from this collection are "Leia""Aster" "Azalea"

These are the first Zoya polishes I've ever used and I can't wait to try some more!


*  *  *
RRP: $19.00 each (AUD)

For more information, head on over to www.zoya.com.


These polishes (and more) are available on  www.zoya.com.au & www.sabeauty.com.au (Australia).


*  *  * 
*Disclaimer: I won this collection recently in a giveaway. I was not asked to review these polishes. All opinions expressed in this Blog post are mine based on what I have experienced through trialling these products.


Thanks for taking the time to read this review
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask :)
Have a fabulous day 
Doni x


Follow me on Instagram for more nail swatch pics & nail art - @donsnailobsession