Zoya Dawn

Okay my friends,

I have returned from my stint AWOL, and am completely inspired by this color: Zoya Dawn. It's pink--there's really no way around it, but it's such a perfect color for right now, that it's share circle time.

Zoya Dawn, shade, outdoors

I'm beyond excited about the new summer collections from Zoya that are coming out, but I think this is the perfect shade for both spring and summer. It's also shockingly appropriate for either toes or fingers, too, which is something I don't frequently say about a cream finish polish. Honestly, I'm not usually one to have a cream finish keep my attention for more than a hot minute, but Dawn really has. Another notable exception is one I'll be talking about later--Zoya's Perrie.

Zoya Dawn, outdoors, sun

I have to admit--I almost flounced the color after the first coat. Let's just say that there was a reason I started singing "The Electric Slide," and doing the dance in my room. Boogie-woogie-woogie. It was beyond hot pink on me, which I found alarming, but I convinced myself to wait until I did a second coat, because I really don't like giving up on a color before really giving it a chance.

Zoya Dawn, flash. This is not terribly close to how it looks in real life--it's almost at the electric side in this photo.

I'm so glad I didn't. Seriously. In and out of shops and offices in Boston/Cambridge today, I received tons of compliments on my mani, and it was warranted, if I do say so myself. Just as an FYI, all of these pictures were taken three days into the mani, so I'd say Zoya's formula is as amazing as always. Definitely no chips--not even tip wear yet, and I abuse my fingers pretty thoroughly.

Onto the description. Zoya says it's "a soft dark pink-berry with purple and mauve tones in a smooth creme base." Despite the first coat, I think it's a pretty accurate description. I don't know if I find the purple in it, or even mauve, but Dawn does manage to be both soft and dark simultaneously--at least in so much as it is NOT electric pink. It mellows a bit on the nail when dry, which is also very nice.

Zoya Dawn, indoors, natural light. Probably the closest to how I think it always looks.

I have to admit, when Zoya had the flash promos near Christmas, I sort of went a bit crazy in the purchasing department. Dawn was a product of that frenzy. I got some amazing deals, which Zoya is incredible about, and so far, I've been happy about most of them. Some of the neutrals I bought were a bit on the yellow or orange side, and were given to either my mother or my neighbor. I have a very unusual skin color--it's very pale with a lot of pink. Yellowy neutrals just look like I'm wearing bananas on my fingers. Some pinks can be way too bubble gum on me, as well, or too dusty in tone.

Zoya Dawn, indoors, artificial light. Kind of makes it look a little coral in this pic, but it really isn't.

Dawn is bright and fun, which I love for warmer weather, while not making me think I turned into a teenaged girl from 1986. It's happy, but sophisticated enough to wear to an office. It also is unique in its ability to look good in any light...just look at the pics.

Okay, kids.

I'm heading off for now, but will be back soon--likely with a review of Zoya's Perrie. I hardcore love that color--so lovely. I also want to post on the three Magical PixieDusts from the Spring, as they're all super adorable shades. Holo+textured=HappyEmily.

Until next time, my darlings,
Emily, the Manic Paintress

A soft dark pink-berry with purple and mauve tones in a smooth creme base - See more at: http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Dawn.html#sthash.GrbHynyG.dpuf

A soft dark pink-berry with purple and mauve tones in a smooth creme base. - See more at: http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Dawn.html#sthash.GrbHynyG.dpuf

A soft dark pink-berry with purple and mauve tones in a smooth creme base. - See more at: http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Dawn.html#sthash.GrbHynyG.dpuf"

Zoya Sarah

Zoya Sarah, outdoor, bright sun

As I mentioned on my post about Zoya's Godiva PixieDust, painting with interior latex paints can be disastrous on a girl's manicure. Godiva's ride was cut tragically short. However, being the nail polish addict that I am, I figured I could make lemonade with those lemons, and start fresh with a new manicure. Thus, I bring you, Zoya's Sarah. I'll put up a disclaimer to start with: this post is really pic-heavy. It seemed different every time the light changed a bit, so I went a little click-happy.

Zoya Sarah, shade, outdoors

Zoya Sarah, shade, outdoors

 Sarah is described on Zoya's website in a surprisingly detailed manner. They say it's "pearls of dark fuchsia, red-violet and ruby tones in a bright sparkle finish.  A very rich and different shade of cool red sparkle that will stand out in a crowd." I probably would have gone with ruby red, myself, but their description is actually vastly superior to my own. It's a jeweled red, to be sure, but it also is very bright. It's cheerful. I would say that it's the perfect color for the holidays, but it's so vibrant that you could definitely pull it off in the summer, or even fall when it would match the autumn leaves.

Zoya Sarah, outdoor, sun, closeup

Zoya Sarah, outdoor, shade, closeup

There are times, particularly in lower or artificial lighting, when Sarah can almost appear more raspberry in color than in direct lighting. In the bottle, there is an almost coppery glitter in Sarah's formula, but I haven't noticed it on my nails.

Zoya Sarah, indoor, artificial light

Zoya Sarah, flash (see what I mean about the raspberry tone?)

I really love Zoya's dark red holographic polish, Blaze, and I tend to reach for that first. This is actually my first time putting Sarah on my fingernails, because I reach for Blaze first. Although they don't look that different in the bottle, Sarah is actually a few shades lighter than Blaze, which makes it more versatile, in my opinion. It lacks the holo glitter that Blaze has, but Sarah has a remarkable amount of depth. I think it's that the glitter is multi-colored; fuchsia, copper, and red all make up Sarah's overall bright ruby tone.

Zoya Sarah, outdoor, sun

Zoya Sarah, indoor, natural light

The finish on Sarah is metallic, and there are multiple times when I look at it and think it's a foil. I have to apologize for my camera's shortcomings; it simply doesn't accurately capture Sarah's finish on the nail. It comes through on the bottle really well, though, so it should give you am idea that way. As with Zoya's polishes, the glitter never gives a strange or bumpy texture (unless it is a PixieDust), and is well-incorporated in the polish.

Zoya Sarah, oudoor, shade

Zoya Sarah, indoor, bright natural light near window

This polish is definitely in my wheelhouse for autumn and winter. I'm also wearing it right now in September, which I sort of view as really late Summer in New England. It's a bright, cheerful, and interesting red. I'll have something new up for you all in a few days, I'm sure.

Until then, my friends, keep painting.
Emily, the Manic Paintress