Hey guys! Today I've got the three new textures from Zoya called Ultra PixieDust for you to look at! Zoya says these feature "both fine micro glitter and mega hex particles for tone on tone 3D effects."
First up, here is the truest red in the collection, Zoya- Oswin:
Oswin has a cool-toned base (almost a berryish red tone) filled with warm, true-red hex glitters of various sizes. When you build up the second layer, the crimson/ berry nature of the base is mostly obscured, and the overall look is of a true, (slightly cool-toned, imo) Christmassy red.
Artificial light, two coats:
Outside, shade:
Sun:
With topcoat:
These are a little bit "thirsty." For the top coat shot above, I needed two coats of Gelous, and a third might have even been in order. You can see I did get some bubbling. Whether that is applying the layers of top coat too quickly, or an actual issue with the polish application, I'm not sure.
Up close:
Formula: It applies more like the Magical sets of PixieDusts than the original sets of PixieDusts. It's full of glitter, but the biggest particles aren't so large that they gum up the works. The base carries everything well, and spreads fairly nicely. This dries down super quickly, so building coats is a breeze. Two coats were easily opaque for me!
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Next, here is Zoya- Arianna:
Arianna has an even cooler-toned base than Oswin- a true berry, or almost a warm purple- and has the same theme of a tone-on-tone glitter mix.
Artificial light, two coats:
Outside, shade:
Sun:
With top coat:
I don't know why, but this one looks way more incredible than Oswin did after adding a glossy top coat! Look at it!
Up close:
Formula: Either the base is thinner or the glitter mix is not as dense as Oswin, but the consistency is overall much thinner, and can pool at the sides of your brushstrokes. It dries down just as quickly, though, and the second coat is nearly opaque, feeling thicker. Overall, very nice; I just had some thin coverage at the tips of my nails.
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Finally, here is the deepest, and least red in the set, Zoya- Noir, which is a very warm purple filled with red glitters that sometimes appear to flash fuchsia.
Artificial light, two coats:
Zoya describes it as a "deep, vampy plum...with red Mega Hex particles." Compared with the other two, this one is somewhat less tone-on-tone; there's more contrast between the base and glitter.
Outside, shade:
Sun:
With top coat:
Also gorgeous with a glossy finish! I feel like it's much, much sparklier.
Up close:
Formula: It has basically the same thinner consistency as Arianna. It tries to pool a little at the sides, but if you know to expect that, it's really no problem. Dries fast, and two coats were a decent opacity for me (aside from the nail tips).
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Overall: Hmm, I don't love these as much as previous iterations of the PixieDust finishes. They are not as sparkly as the original sets of PixieDusts released in Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2013. I think they don't contain as much of the micro glitter that really helps carry off the textured look. The final textured finish seems to be the same level of grit as the newer Magical PixieDusts, but these three do not contain holographic hex glitter. I like the idea of tone-on-tone glitter and base combinations, actually, but it would have been nice if the particles were more light-catching- and, possibly, if the particles were smaller overall.
That said, I thought the formulas were decent, and to me, Noir and Arianna are gorgeous, luxurious colors. I do wish there were a little more color variety offered here. I think that Oswin and Arianna, while definitely different tones of red, are too similar to each other to be released simultaneously. (Although that may be a nail blogger speaking, and not a general consumer.) Also, these three together read more as a Winter collection than a Fall collection. My fear, though, is that Zoya will continue to expand the color range of Magical/ Ultra PixieDusts, and never go back to producing the original PixieDust finish, which I love so much!
Bottom line, if you like texture polishes in general, you'll like at least one of these. I personally preferred all three with a glossy finish!
What do you think?
Do you guys like these chunkier PixieDusts or do you prefer the original versions?
Disclosure: these polishes were provided to me as press samples for honest review, and all opinions are my own.
I wish they would go back to the original even-textured Pixie Dusts. These larger glitter versions don't do it for me, though I love the colors.
ReplyHmmm...I liked the original Pixie Dusts much better. And for my taste, I would rather have those original finishes in Carter and Arabella than these in Noir and Arianna.
ReplySigh, not feel these as much either. They looked gorgeous in the press release but in real life, I feel like they're missing something. :( Although Arianna with the topcoat is just WOW. I think I would like these more if they were in a jelly, glossy base. Bring back the micro glitter!!
ReplyThese are nice textures for the fall. I do prefer the sparkly ones a bit more though.
ReplyYour photos are stunning!
ReplyHaha, thank you!
ReplyMe too!
ReplyThe weird thing is that I think Arianna and Noir are in a more jelly-ish base. They don't dry completely matte like Oswin, and others have mentioned that. Kinda odd! I am itchin' for some real Zoya jelly finishes though!
ReplyYes! Excellent comparison there! I love Carter, and that original texture is much easier to wear. :)
ReplyMe too! *sigh*
ReplyI thought that too! I think that's why I liked them much better with top coat.
ReplyI saw these on a different blog, but after I see your pics, I definitely need both in my life. So beautiful! I'm salivating over here!
ReplyI love, love, love the original, hate the chunkier pixies. As a non nail blogger, I'd also agree that the two shades are too alike for a simultaneous release.
ReplyI just found your blog and I love it! :)
ReplyGood to hear from a different perspective- thank you! Here's hoping for more color variety in the Pixie Dusts in the future. :)
ReplyHi! Thank you, Kellie!
Reply