girlintheglasses

Rating System:  Poor, Okay, Average, Good, Excellent

Brand:  Zoya

Collection:  Pixie Dust Special Texture Edition Spring 2013 

Finish:  Matte, Glitter, Texture

3 Free:  Yes

Cruelty Free:  Yes

Animal Tested:  No

Vegan: Yes

Formula:  Excellent

Application:  Excellent

Durability:  Excellent

Coats:  3

Base Coat:  Essie Sensitivity Base Coat

Top Coat:  *No top coat

Price: $8 – $9 USD, $8.75 CAD, €6,30 – €12,95 EUR, £5 – £8.95 GBP

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Availability:  I was lucky to have snagged my bottle from Ulta during my U.S. visit (Zoya nail polish is not available on the Ulta site). However, you can order direct from Zoya, Amazon, Nail Polish Canada and Ebay.

My Two Cents:   I am really loving the matte texture trend and Zoya has done a superb job with their Pixie Dust range.  While I appreciate other companies take on the trend, I just really like how Zoya has done them with finer particles and glitter making them easy to apply, wear and remove.  The formula is great, there is a variety of colors that seems to be expanding with each new seasonal release and once I paired them with my  good stand by base coat, they seemed to be really durable and long lasting.

Tips:  I know I must sound like a broken record, but I swear by a good base coat and after having to use a lesser base coat initially while traveling, I will never stray from my favorite base coat (Essie Sensitivity Base Coat).  *Also, please be aware that Zoya advises that you not use a top coat with these.  Most top coats provide a glossy finish which will render the natural matte finish of the Pixie Dust polishes null and void.  However, if you’d prefer a high shine finish, go for it.

Something Similar:  No dupes for this one just yet.  If you’d like to get the look on a budget though you could always try experimenting with a matte top coat combined with a lighter green glitter or by sandwiching a more sheer light green over a silver glitter depending on what you have on hand.

I’m having such a difficult time getting motivated still, I think it has everything to do with the weather as we are still waiting for the warm sunny weather to make an appearance for more than just a day at a time here in the upper Franconian region of Germany.  In the mean-time we taking each opportunity we have to get out on our bikes and hole up in the house with the Incredibly Bullie Duo during the frequently cold and often rainy days.

If you’ve not entered my “Blogiversary Giveaway” yet then click the link for more information and get on it.  As always, thanks for reading and check back soon.