Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Paloma

Hello again!!

Zoya Paloma. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

We've come to the end of September and the end of Zoya Month. Bringing up the rear is Zoya Paloma from the Gloss Collection.

Zoya Paloma. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Paloma is a gorgeous, bright berry jelly. This is my favorite of the three (you can see Katherine and Frida here and here, respectively).

Zoya Paloma. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today are a base of Sally Hansen Nail Protix, one coat of Paloma on my pinky finger, two on my ring finger, three on my middle finger and thumb, and four on my index finger. These jellies are shiny all on their own, so I skipped on the topcoat. The formula is excellent and this color is stunning!

Zoya Paloma. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

See you tomorrow for a change of pace! More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Frida

Hello again!!

Zoya Frida. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

First of two posts to finish up Zoya Month on this very fine, last day of September, and we have Zoya Frida from the Gloss Collection.

Zoya Frida. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Frida is a dusky, teal jelly--the green version of Katherine, in my opinion. Dark and mysterious in the bottle, but gorgeous and shiny on the nail.

Zoya Frida. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today are the usual build up of coats--over a base of Sally Hansen Nail Protix I have layered one coat of Frida on my pinky finger, two on my ring finger, three on my middle finger and thumb, and four on my index finger. No topcoat today since this is all kinds of shiny on its own.

Zoya Frida. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Katherine

Hello again!!

Zoya Katherine. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Today I've got the first of the Gloss Collection trio to show you. This is Zoya Katherine.

Zoya Katherine. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is a deep, dusky plum jelly. It's very sheer at first but builds nicely. Like the Birchbox Blogger Trio before it, the Gloss Collection is made up of three fantastic jelly finish polishes that are fun to layer or super shiny worn on their own. I realize now that I've miss-counted my Zoyas and have one more than the number of days in September, so I plan on ending Zoya Month tomorrow with a double post on the remaining two polishes from this collection!

Zoya Katherine. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today are a base of Sally Hansen Nail Protix, one coat of Katherine on my pinky finger, two on my ring finger, three on my middle finger and thumb, and four on my index finger. I wanted to show you how buildable this polish is and how shiny it is on its own (so no topcoat today). The formula was great -- no complaints here.

Zoya Katherine. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

More soon!! ^_^

Liebster Award!!!

Hello again!!
 

 I was nominated/tagged for the Liebster Award by Micki over at Lacquer Nirvana!! Thank you, Micki! I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to 'accept' this award and play the game. I received her email two days before we left on vacation, and life has been crazy since we returned. I finally did get some time to put this post together, so here goes:

From what I can gather from the Internets, the Liebster Award is for up-and-coming blogs/bloggers. It provides a chance to get to know the blogger behind the blog, and the tag 'game' is a fun way to discover new blogs and to get your own out there some more. I think it's a great idea. Let the fun begin~!

The rules as put forth for me for this award are:

1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.

2. They must also answer the 11 questions the 'tagger' has set for them.

3. They're no tag backs.

Here are eleven random things about me:

1. I am fiercely proud of where I come from. I'm from a small town in Southeast Minnesota. Minnesota rocks! And so does my family! My parents are awesome, as were/are there parents before them.

2. I have an awesome fiance and we're getting married one year from today!!

3. I have used vacation time to just stay home and play video games (no skipping out on work--it was planned).

4. I like rocks. I have a B.S. in Geology.

5. I always thought I was a dog person. I currently have a cat. She adopted me. Her name is Grace.

Isn't she a cutie?

 6. Together, my fiance and I have three cats. He adopted brothers, Oscar and Oliver. Aren't they adorable?
 

 

 7. I love snow! I can't wait to move back to somewhere that has a real winter.

8. Even though, I love snow, autumn is my favorite season.

9. I can't ever make a decision without looking at ALL the options, and then picking what seems 'best'. This is why I need to compile a list of Indie polish sellers with ALL of their polishes, so I can pick my very favorites! I wish Etsy's format let the sold out items still be shown so I could see what I may have missed.

10. I have a desk job. The job itself, I like. I just hate being stuck behind a desk for 9 hours a day.

11. I must not be that interesting, this part of the post has taken me the longest, and I've run out of things to say. So onto the questions!

Here are the eleven questions Micki asked:

1. What is your guilty pleasure?
 
Nail polish! The definition of 'guilty pleasure' according to Wikipedia is as follows: "A guilty pleasure is something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. The "guilt" involved is sometimes simply fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes. Fashion, video games, music,[1] movies[2], and junk food can be examples of guilty pleasures.[3]" {source} This certainly applies for me because nail polish is not something I need, I certainly have more than a reasonable amount of it (and still want more!), and I spend more money on it than I care to admit (seriously, ladies, how do some of you do it?! I see your hauls and know that was some major $$!!). It is a luxury I choose to continue purchasing and spend my time using. Sometimes I do feel guilty for buying when I should be saving money for other things *cough*wedding*cough*. Not to mention, I spend at least a full weekend day swatching or organizing blog stuff or doing nail art rather than spend that time with my family or doing something more 'productive'. So to sum it up, I love nail polish but feel guilty for enjoying it as much as I do.

2. When do you usually blog, morning, noon, or night?

I'd like to have my posts scheduled ahead of time, sometimes that happens, but weekends are usually dedicated to swatching. So, I end up writing posts from my notes during my lunch break.

3. How did you choose the name of your blog?

I wanted something that wouldn't necessarily limit me to one topic. I chose NeverWithoutPolish because, while yes it very definitely can be related to nail polish, I wanted it to also be able take on the idea that each day is an opportunity for good--to add a little extra effort or thoughtfulness somewhere to 'polish' an aspect of each day into something greater than it otherwise would have been. The 'paying it forward' idea, if you will. For now, I'm quite happy for my little slice of the internet to revolve around nail polish, but who knows what possibilities await in the idea?

4. Whats your favorite store to shop at?

Brick and mortar store? Ulta!
Online? llarowe! with Head2Toe Beauty a close second for prices and access to older collections.

5. Are you on Pinterest?

I am SO on Pinterest! I love it... follow me here!

6. Are you frugal?

I am not really (see answer #1)... it depends on the purchase... I save money where I can, but will splurge on certain things (there are definitely things in this world that the saying "you get what you pay for" applies to and others that the generic or store brand will do just as well).

7. What other hobbies do you have other than blogging?

Video games! I have boxes of old console games ranging from the NES on up through current games to play, but World of Warcraft is currently taking up my free time outside of this blog.

8. What is your favorite restaurant?

Famous Dave's!!

9. What is your favorite article of clothing?

I have a North Face TKA 100 Masonic hoody in white that I love. I'm quite impressed with it after all these years. It's survived three years of camping, cross-country travel, and normal every day wear. It gets rather filthy camping and traveling, so I bleach the heck out of it and it's stood up over time with no visible wear or tear. It's also incredibly warm for how light it is. So, all things considered, I don't leave home for extended trips without it!

10. What is your favorite social media?

Pinterest! I LOVE it--so many fun and interesting discoveries!

11. What do you never leave the house without?
My phone. And mascara.. I ALWAYS wear mascara.

And here are my questions:

1. What is your favorite blog to read/follow (doesn't have to be nail polish related)? And is there a blog that inspired you to start your own?

2. Who is your go-to swatcher? You, know, that one blog you always look for when looking up reviews for potential polish purchases...

3. Name your top five favorite nail polishes of all time (so far).

4. What is it about nail polish that made you a polish addict?

5. Let's pretend you are being gifted 1 million dollars. The catch: You have to spend it in 24 hours in order to keep it. How do you do it?

6. Coffee or tea?

7. Is there a nail art technique you find difficult or always fail at and wish it wasn't so hard to accomplish?

8. If you could be anywhere else that where you are right now, where would it be?

9. Got any nail polish or blogging tips to share?

10. What book are you currently reading? (I need suggestions!!)

11. This was asked of me, but I thought it was interesting. I'm curious to see other responses: What is your favorite article of clothing?

I'll edit this post to add the bloggers I nominate once I get my final list of tag-ees together this weekend!

Have fun!!

More soon!! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Rose

Hello again!!

Zoya Rose. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Today I have the subtle Zoya Rose from the Spa Essentials Collection for you.

Zoya Rose. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

Rose is a sheer, milky nude with subtle green shimmer. This is a polish meant for use in a french manicure, I believe, since it would take quite a few more coats to get it to opacity alone. It's an extremely subtle effect and gives the look that your natural nails are perfect and are slightly pearly. I have used this for a french manicure before, and I thought it was the perfect base. While polishes like this are nothing exciting to talk about, they're certainly necessary and have a beauty all their own. My favorite way to wear this with a french tip so far has been to add a topcoat of INM's Northern Lights for a little extra oomph.

Swatches today are a base of Sally Hansen Nail Protix, three of Rose, and a topcoat of Orly Sec n' Dry. The formula was great, as usual with Zoya.

Zoya Rose. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

Zoya Rose. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

I've got a special post for a little later on today... so more very soon!! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Elisa

Hello again!!



Zoya Elisa. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.



Zoya Month is winding down, but I've a got a shiny red for your viewing pleasure today. This is Zoya Elisa from the recent Diva Collection.

Zoya Elisa. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is stunning in person. It's a gorgeous, glowy red shimmer. The formula is superb. It's super pigmented. What you see is only one coat! You need this one!

Zoya Elisa. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

As you can tell, this polish was a huge hit for me. I'm in love. It reminds me of Christmas ornaments.

Zoya Elisa. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches today are only one coat of Elisa over a base of Sally Hansen Nail Protix and topped with Orly Sec n' Dry.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

Zoya Elisa. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

More soon! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Penny

Hello again!! And happy fall! The weather has finally turned cooler out here on the east coast, and I couldn't be happier about that!

Zoya Penny. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

It's my favorite time of year, and today we have the very autumnal, Zoya Penny from the Truth Collection!

Zoya Penny. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Penny is a gorgeous orange-leaning, copper metallic polish. This is my 'Fall-in-a-Bottle' shade.

Zoya Penny. Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Swatches up to this point today are a basecoat of Sally Hansen Nail Protix, two of Penny, and a topcoat of Orly Sec n' Dry. The formula on this is nice. As to be expected of a metallic, this one shows brushstrokes, but they are not very apparent. Still, I like my metallic polishes to be even and brushstroke free, so I have found a solution! Using a make-up sponge to dab on a final, light coat of a metallic polish will eliminate the brushstrokes. I love taking the time to do this little extra step because it also has the great side-effect of bringing out the sparkle and shimmer in a polish as well. See what it did to the China Glaze Lusterchromes here. Here is Penny after I sponged a final light coat and added another layer of topcoat over the original swatch.

Zoya Penny (final coat of polish dabbed on with a make-up sponge). Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

And outdoors--see how it brings out the sparkles?! I love that!

Zoya Penny (final coat of polish dabbed on). Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

Zoya Penny (final coat of polish dabbed on). Outdoors, sunlight, no flash.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

Zoya Penny (dabbing method not used here). Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon!! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Nikki

Hello again!!

Today Zoya Month continues with my namesake polish! This is Zoya Nikki from the Classics Collection.

Zoya Nikki. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Nikki is a dusty, pinky-beige with hidden shimmer. Swatches today are one coat of Sally Hansen Nail Protix, two coats of Nikki, and a topcoat of Orly Sec n' Dry. As I've come to expect from Zoya, this has a good formula and leveled out nicely. Nikki is perfectly named, in my opinion, because it's my perfect neutral. It's crazy, but Nikki mimics my skin tone pretty well! The camera picked up on this a little bit, but it is even more apparent in real life.



Zoya Nikki



Before I started blogging, I used this in a half-moon manicure that I loved. The moons are done with Orly Rage. Enjoy some cell-phone camera action and office lighting!





Zoya Nikki with Orly Rage half-moons.

 

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

Zoya Nikki

More soon!! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Chloe

Hello again!!

Zoya Chloe over Zoya Shelby. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Here is Zoya Chloe from the Fleck Effect Collection.

Zoya Chloe over Zoya Shelby. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is a flakie topcoat!! Chloe has mostly yellow to orange flakies but I see some green ones in there as well. The base is a sheer pink and hardly noticeable on the nail. My favorite way to wear this so far has been over pinks. I've layered one coat of it over yesterday's Shelby swatch. The formula is great, however, it does take awhile to dry.

Zoya Chloe over Zoya Shelby. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Not that this polish is meant to be used this way, but I wanted to show you it on it's own so you could get an idea of how sheer the base really it is. Like it's sister, Maisie, I think the colored base is just there so it looks pretty in the bottle. This is one coat of Chloe on my pinky finger, two on my ring finger, three on my middle finger, and four on my index finger.

Zoya Chloe. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is a fun addition to any stash with lots of possibilities for layerings. If you are lusting over this pretty, don't hesitate to grab it. Zoya has said (via a Facebook) that the Fleck Effect Collection isn't a part of their regular line-up and won't likely be reproduced once they're gone. Chloe's blue sister, Maisie, is already gone!

Zoya Chloe. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

More soon!! ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Shelby

Hello again!

Zoya Shelby. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

Today I have a shortie post featuring the lovely Zoya Shelby from the Beach Collection.

Zoya Shelby. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Shelby is a great bubble gum pink creme. It's bright and clean. I love this! I just can't help it, pink is my favorite polish color. Not much to say about this one, it's pretty tame, but a great pink nonetheless. This has a no issue formula, which is to be expected from Zoya. Swatches today are a base of Sally Hansen Nail Protix, two of Shelby, and a topcoat of Orly Sec n' Dry.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

 

Zoya Shelby. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon!!  ^_^

Stash Swatch Initiative: Zoya Rory

Hello again!!

Zoya Rory. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

Zoya Rory is up from the Surf Collection today.

Zoya Rory. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

This is a creamy light pink with silver shimmer. It's so packed with shimmer that it almost looks like a foil. Swatches today are one coat of Sally Hansen Nail Protix, two coats of Rory, and a topcoat of Orly Sec n' Dry. This has a great formula and is pigmented well enough to be a careful one coater.

Zoya Rory. Indoors, artificial light, with flash.

 Before I started this blog, I used my picks from the Beach and Surf Collection for a fun french mani. This is Zuza, Carly, Rory, Arizona, and Myrta with China Glaze Fast Track. I loved the way this looked. Enjoy this poorly lit photo taken on my phone!

Fun French with Zoya Beach and Surf. Indoors, artificial lighting, with flash.

As I've said before: I bought my bottle from Zoya's website. They offer a lot of great deals, especially if you're plugged into their social networking, so like them on Facebook! They also offer deals to their existing customers (those who have an account set up at their website) on occasion. If you don't have an account and want one, you're welcome to use this link to make a new account. It's my "Share the Love" link, which if you do sign up by using it, I'll get points to use towards more deals on polish and, as a first time customer, you'll get a free bottle of polish when you order! Awesome! My link takes you to the seasonal collections page; you can create a new account by using the link at the top of that page that says "Create An Account". Once your account is set up, if you go to "My Account" then click "My Coupon Codes" you'll see the code for a free bottle of polish. I believe you have to order more items to use it, so it's not a total freebie.

Zoya Rory. Indoors, artificial light, no flash.

More soon!! ^_^