Lady Godiva in the cabana

If you read my last post, you know that I was very unhappy with essie's in the cab-ana nail polish. I wanted to like it. Really, I did. It just looked odd on my nails, and they were driving me nuts. So I did what anyone who hates to waste nail polish that costs $8 a pop would do: I painted over it and hoped to make it palatable.

I was seriously successful. I present to you Lady Godiva in the cabana!

Lady Godiva in the cabana, indoor, natural light

After deciding that I didn't want to look at in the cab-ana for a couple or few days, I looked into my stash. I could have put a glitter polish over it. I had a couple of contenders lined up: OPI's Lights of Emerald City, Pirouette My Whistle (which are two of my all-time favorite glitters), and Gone Gonzo all had possibilities. Essie's pure pearlfection was a definite option. I debated whether Zoya's holographic top coat Maisie, or their new iridescent blue glitter top coat Mosheen (available in winter, 2013) would be nice, but I really wanted to tone down the blue, not add a ton more. I should note that Maisie is no longer available on Zoya's website, but I did find a bottle for sale on Amazon.com. Then I looked at Zoya's PixieDusts in my arsenal. The Spring 2013 collection of PixieDusts tend to be more sheer than the Summer 2013 collection, so I gravitated towards them. I wasn't sure if Vespa would be too much of a clash with the bright blue, and Nyx is a bit too purple since in the cab-ana is almost teal-like. Then I looked at Godiva.

essie pure pearlfection

O.P.I glitters: Lights of Emerald City (left), Pirouette My Whistle (center), Gone Gonzo (right)

Zoya PixieDust in Godiva (left), Vespa (center), Nyx (right)

Zoya Mosheen (left), Maisie (right)

One time, I decided to layer Godiva over Zoya's Crystal, and was quite happy with the results, so I tried to see if Godiva would work its magic once again. It really did. I think that Godiva is the cure for any nail polish that you aren't terribly fond of. It's a bit sheer, so you still get the character of the original polish shining through, but it's not too overpowering. Godiva is amazing on its own, but it plays well with others. After this, I've decided that Zoya's Godiva PixieDust is the cure for any nail polish that I don't like. I may have to get another two or three bottles.

Lady Godiva in the cabana, outdoor, sun

The combination creates a twinkly, sparkly, textured polish that is less blue than in the cab-ana on its own, but becomes a really pretty teal color. I think that Zoya should create a PixieDust that is teal. It's really gorgeous, particularly in the light. And Zoya fairies, if you're reading this, if you DO make a teal PixieDust, Emily is a fantastic name to use, and you've yet to make an Emily. Just saying.

Lady Godiva in the cabana, closeup, shade

I have to say that I really do love essie nail polishes. They generally have a great formula, and I like a lot of their shades. Most of the essie in my stash are more winter colored, with the occasional fall inserted. I'll be posting about them later, when they are more seasonally appropriate.

Lady Godiva in the cabana, artificial light

Lady Godiva in the cabana, natural light

Okay kiddies, I'm signing off for now. Go and take advantage of the Zoya buy one get one free promo that they have going. It's amazing beyond words.

Until next time,
Emily, the Manic Paintress