O.P.I. Vesper and Zoya Maisie Fix-Up

OPI Vesper and Zoya Maisie, outdoor, sun

You all may be surprised, but I actually decided to try and improve a nail polish with something OTHER than Zoya Godiva. I know. Heart attacks may happen.

OPI Vesper and Zoya Maisie, outdoor, shade

I was really unhappy with O.P.I.'s Vesper Liquid Sand. It just was... blah. It was vampy, but flat. Not my favorite. I decided a glitter would be fun to put over it, hoping it would work. I settled on Zoya's holographic mylar "Fleck Effects" polish, Maisie. I need to put out the disclaimer that I didn't buy this from Zoya directly--they don't sell it any longer on their website, so I sought other venues. Amazon magically found this for me.

OPI Vesper and Zoya Maisie, indoor, natural light

Maisie is really a top coat polish, or what Zoya calls a glaze. Alone, it can read a bit strangely, as the base is a blue-tinted translucent jelly, with mylar holographic glitter. The holo flecks in the polish are actually green in color, despite the fact that the polish looks blue in the bottle. You can still get Opal directly from Zoya. Honestly, based on my experience with Maisie, I think Opal will have the same results. Particularly over other polishes, Maisie simply looks green, and loses the base color.

Unlike with Blaze and Aurora (and, I assume, Storm) from the Ornate Collection, Maisie's holographic glitter really only reads monochromatic. Even in the bottle, Maisie looks like a blue polish with green holo flecks.

Zoya Maisie, shade

Zoya Maisie, sun

On Vesper, I have to say that Maisie did just what I wanted. It transformed it from a dark purple (almost black) polish to a dark polish with funky green glitter on top. They're very appropriate for Halloween, or even just autumn. It's not a look for the faint of heart, but it really works for a funky pedicure. It was a success in that it is certainly better than Vesper alone, but I still don't think Vesper is something I'll be wearing much. It's just not for me.

OPI Vesper and Zoya Maisie, indoor, artificial light

 
If you have any successful experiments, feel free to share them. I'd love to hear your thoughts! I'll be back with you guys soon with a new manicure.

OPI Vesper and Zoya Maisie, flash

Until later,
Emily, the Manic paintress

Zoya Aurora

"Hail to the king! Hail to the queen! Hail to the princess, Aurora!"

Zoya Aurora, full sun, closeup

Yeah. I love Disney movies--particularly Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora has such a fantastic voice, and Maleficent is by far the most badass of villains. Then, there's the music that's based on a Tchaikovsky ballet. I even liked the crazy fairies who couldn't agree whether her dress should be blue or pink.

The fairies at Zoya have managed to solve that crucial dilemma: make it purple! Seems so obvious in retrospect, doesn't it?

Zoya's Aurora is from their Ornate collection for Winter 2012/2013. It's a really pretty red-based purple, that definitely can lean more grape in certain lights, and almost mauve in others. Best of all? It's a holo. I'm addicted to holographic polishes, and I don't think anyone does it better than Zoya does. I have Blaze from the same collection, and think it's one of the most beautiful polishes I own. I even bought a bottle for my neighbor. She's always used Chanel nail polishes, but after I gave her Blaze, she bought Drew and Grace. I'll make a convert of her, yet!

Zoya Aurora, outside, shade

I can't even describe how amazing Aurora is. The holo flecks give it such incredible depth. It shimmers in the light, but the different colors make it seem illuminated and fiery. It's just... gah... so lovely. It's a little on the darker side, but since it catches the light so beautifully, I think it's totally summer and fall appropriate. I'm not sure if I would wear it in the spring, but I think it's beautiful enough for me to not care and wear it anyways. Seriously. It's just fantastically gorgeous.

Zoya Aurora, inside, natural light

Indoors, Aurora reads as a more straightforward purple, with the holo flecks looking more white and sparkly than it does in brighter lighting. The effect is still pretty dazzling. I can't even say how much I love this polish. My sister-in-law has a thing for purple in any form. Aurora might actually turn me into a purple convert.

Zoya Aurora, inside, artificial light

In the light, Aurora really gives a stunning rainbow-effect. There are definite blue, pink, orange, and green highlights. I think the holo comes through even better than they do in Blaze, and I LOVE Blaze. When I'm allowed to buy more nail polish, I think Storm will be a definite purchase.

Zoya Aurora, full sun outside

I really am in love with Zoya's holos. The formula is incredible--this is two thin coats, and it stays on for a very long time. The coverage is even and not at all goopy or streaky. The finish is super-smooth, even though it looks like you've layered about 20 different iridescent glitters on a pretty purple. Seriously--I don't know how they manage to get this much depth into a polish, especially with the coverage you get in each coat.

Zoya Aurora, flash.

Zoya Aurora, inside, flash

Zoya fairies, if you can grant me one wish, can you please come out with more holos? I promise I won't mind if you make them pink, blue, green, or whatever strikes your fancy. Perhaps in lighter and brighter colors that I can wear in the spring and summer? I think my nails would be in Heaven if you did. It can be my Christmas present and birthday present all in one.

Come on fellow polish addicts! Who's with me?


I'll leave you all with some advice: go watch Disney's Sleeping Beauty, and buy Aurora by Zoya. (If you do, you really should save yourself some time and grab Blaze and Storm while you're at it.) You'll be glad you did on both counts.

Zoya Aurora, outside, shade, closeup

I'll be hoping that Zoya comes out with more beauties like this one. Until next time,

Emily, the Manic Paintress