Takko Lacquer Xocomil & Kitsch

Good morning!  Hope your Monday is going well.  I've got a pretty light schedule today, just want to get in a short run today (and this whole week) so I don't over exert myself before I run the half marathon on Sunday.  I also need to make sure I am drinking tons of water this week so I don't dehydrate myself and pull a muscle.  Other than that - I'm looking at a regular week.  How about you?  So let's start this week off with some lovely Takkos!  I briefly met the maker of Takko Lacquer and she's seriously adorable and really sweet - I probably scared her because I am loud and just jumped into a conversation to meet her.  While we were sitting in a group we also asked her how to pronounce Takko and it's "taco", so there you have it, mystery solved!  Well I have some of her polishes to share today - one from the Summer 2015 collection and the other is the CosmoProf 2015 color!  Both will be available at the upcoming restock on 9/3 at 8pm EDT.  Takkos are $13 USD each.  So let's check out some polish!

*press sample*

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Up first I have Xocomil, a "periwinkle purple filled with actual silver dust."  Sheryl says that Xocomil is inspired by the Mayan legend El Xocomil.  I enjoyed hearing about this legend as much as I enjoyed wearing the polish!  Xocomil is really a purple beauty and that's a lot coming from me because I don't love purple polish.  But this blue toned purple is unique and gorgeous.  The silver dust is a special addition that I don't think I've seen in any other polishes (at least none in my stash).  The formula and application of Xocomil were both fantastic.  I loved the length and size of the brush, it was kind of short and squat and so easy to work with.  Xocomil was very creamy and opaque - I had full coverage in 2 coats.  I finished with a layer of topcoat.  As a side note - I wore Xocomil for 3 days with no chipping and the most minimal tip wear on only one nail!  

I deiced to try out the CosmoProf color, Kitsch too!  First off how adorable is this mini bottle?  The minis are called Takkitos (tacquitos).  Kitsch is a "glittery party filled with multi pink glitter and holo shimmer and holo flakies in a clear base.  Once dry it smells like pink sugar cotton candy."  Ok it was totally cute and I loved the scent!  So sweet and yummy!  I found myself sniffing my nails through the day.  The scent diminished once I showered and didn't last longer than a day.  The glitter came out in abundance and covered perfectly.  I used 1 layer of Kitsch over Xocomil.  You can layer it over anything really or you can build it up in a few coats and wear it alone.  I finished with a layer of topcoat.   

Zoya Paradise Sun, Summer 2015

Hi there!  It's Monday, boo.  Are your kids (or you) back in school yet?  Mine start Wednesday and they are very excited.  I am excited for them too!  But the Summer was so much fun I will miss having those little buggers home every day.  With school starting it feels like Summer is gone even thought the weather seems to have a different idea (hai 90+ scorching heat for the last few days!).  You know that means I have Fall polish to share and I am super excited to delve into that pile.  BUT I still have Summer polish queued up and ready to go so hang in there with me while I plow through these last few posts and then I promise I will have Fall polish up on my blog!  Today I have the Zoya Paradise Sun collection.  This is a 6 piece set of fun shimmers!  Honestly I am thankful that there aren't any neons in here and several of the shades can transition into the Fall!  The Paradise Sun collection is available on the site now and they are $9 each.  So are you ready jump in and see the Paradise Sun collection?  I am!  
*press sample*
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Genesis is a "crystalline white with a micronized metallic pearl finish."  I love that Zoya put a white in their Summer collection.   It's so fresh and so clean!  I did find the formula a bit streaky and chalky.  It took me 3 coats to even it all out and get full coverage.  But that won't deter me from using this lovely shimmer white again.  I finished with 1 layer of topcoat.  

 

Aphrodite is one of my favorites in the Paradise Sun collection - of course.  I love reds.  Aphrodite is described as a "vibrant summer red with micronized pearl metallic finish and multi-hued flash."  Didn't even notice the multi-hues until I saw my macro!  Hullo pretty!  I can easily see Aphrodite being worn in the next few months.  I found the formula to be almost a jelly finish but it covered great.  I used 2 coats and 1 layer of topcoat to finish.  

Selene is a "true teal with a micronized metallic pearl finish."  This is another fantastic color that is multi-seasonal.  It's kind of jungle-y and tropical which ties in perfectly to the popular palm print that we saw this Summer.  The formula and application were both great.  I used 2 coats and 1 layer of topcoat.  

Oceane is a "true turquoise with a micronized metallic pearl finish ."  This is another really lovely color and it reminds of of vacation.  Looking out over shimmery, sparkling water.  WAH, I'm gonna miss you Summer!  The formula and application were both nice.  The only issue I would mention is that Oceane is a possible stainer.  So use a great base coat, or a peel off base coat.  I used 2 coats and 1 layer of topcoat.  

Mae is the most "Summer-y" borderline neon color of the bunch.  But as I said, I appreciated that Zoya went out of the box and didn't do neons like everyone else.  That's what made this collection unique and fun.  But back to Mae!  Mae is a "warm magenta pink with a micronized metallic pearl finish."  I loved the color and had zero complaints about the formula or application.  I used 2 coats and 1 layer of topcoat.  *apologies for no macro, I swore I took one but I can't find it anywhere!*

And finally there is Isa.  Isa is a "deep blue-based purple with a micronized metallic pearl finish."  There are some pretty colors at play in this polish, you will see them best once you get to the macro!  I loved the color of Isa, unique and pretty.  The deep shade will be easy to pull off in the upcoming months as well.  I used 2 coats of Isa and 1 layer of topcoat.  

Zoya Island Fun, Summer 2015

Good afternoon lovelies!  I'm about to head out for a run, hoping to get in longer than 3 miles today.  But my middle little wants to go with me so he'll be riding his electric Razor scooter.  I think the charge doesn't last that long so we'll see how many miles I can get in before we have to turn around.  Anyhoodle, I wanted to quickly share some of the Summer Zoyas with you.  I know these have been out for a while now and plenty of bloggers shared them already, but it's technically still Summer and I figured it might be nice to spread out the shares over the entire length of the season rather than bombard you with another post that you've already seen.  So here's the Island Fun collection, a set of 6 creme finish polishes in great colors.  Island Fun is available now and each bottle is $9 USD.  If you haven't picked any up yet you probably want a few, the formula alone makes them worth it and several of the colors will easily be wearable in the Fall.  So here we go...Island Fun!

*press sample*

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Up first is Serenity.  This is a gorgeous purple with a perfect formula.  Very creamy and opaque.  I love how shiny the Zoya cremes are, they don't even need topcoat and they look fantastic.  I used 2 coats of Serenity for full coverage and no topcoat.  

Jace, a tropical green creme is very on trend with this season's fashion.  I'm sure you've noticed all the palm trees/fronds that are on clothing and jewelry right now and this polish will accompany those items perfectly.  I'm a fan of the trend so I really fell in love with Jace.  I found Jace to be a bit thin with the first layer but it built up great with the second coat.  No topcoat used.  

Nana is another one of my favorites from the collection, because it's pink of course!  This color is reminiscent of fragrant, tropical flowers.  Oh how I wish I was still in Hawaii.  Nana was super creamy and super opaque.  Look at the gorgeous shine!  I used 2 coats of Nana and no topcoat.  

And now we have Cecilia.  I'll admit I had heard the rumors of the stainers and that also played a factor in my procrastination in swatching these.  Sadly I have to report that Cecilia is indeed a stainer.  The skin around your fingers will surely take the brunt of the staining upon removal.  Maybe use a peel off base coat to avoid that?  Cecilia is a creamy teal.  Aside from the satining the formula and application were very nice - right on par with all the others in this collection.  I used 2 coats and no topcoat.  

Demetria is my jam.  I love this color.  It's like a blood-orange creme.  PERFECT!  You can ever so slightly see my nail line with this polish so it might be a bit thinner than the others but the formula and appreciation were both the same as all the others.  I used 2 coats of Demetria and no topcoat.    

And here's Talia.  This is a full coverage turquoise (that looks blue in my pictures.  I saved Talia for last.  Not because I disliked the color but because it was an even worse stainer than Cecilia.  Sad panda.  My nails looked pretty bad after I took this off.  I can only hope that a peel off base will keep from any staining, but my nails and skin were blue tinted for a day after, even after a buff and a scrub.  Regardless of the staining, the formula was creamy and opaque.  I used 2 coats of Talia and no topcoat.