I always feel two warring impulses when it comes to summer nail fashion: I crave brights, but I also want nudes. I understand the thirst for color, but I can’t quite explain the desire for shades of beige. Unless it’s because summer is also wedding season? Your psychoanalysis is welcome here.
Anyway, I must not be alone in my color cravings, because Zoya released a mini collection of three whispering summer neutrals, the Touch collection.
All three shades are opaque, with a deep, subtle shimmer that gives them a “satin ribbon” finish. Minka was my favorite, a shell-beige cream (it reminds me of women’s suit material). Shay is a pale warm peony pink. Pandora is pastel purple, a soft orchid.
These polishes are also a bit thicker than other Zoyas I own, which made executing a perfect manicure slightly more difficult. Also (presumably a result of the polish consistency), my manicures tended to crack, vertically, at the edge of my nail after a few days of wear.
Until I tried these on my nails, I hadn’t consciously thought about the fact that when I choose neutrals, I tend to choose sheerer shades. The opacity was weird at first, but I got used to it.
I think Minka could launch my hand modeling career. It’s just so professional.
I didn’t like Shay as much, on me. Maybe the pink is too close to my skincolor. Sorry my too-late-in-the-day photo probably over-represents that shimmer (it’s really only visible in sunlight).
I also didn’t instantly connect with Pandora. It’s a complex and interesting color, but my skintone turns the shade into a pale, dusty beige-rose (which borders on “lifeless” in some lighting). Pandora is unquestionably purple next to Shay, but on its own, it’s more of a Volvo-beige.
I think the darker your skintone, the more easily you’d be able to wear any of these three shades.
Zoya polishes are $8 each, and if you’re not sure about a color, you can order a “spoon” (a nail-shaped plastic color swatch) for 50 cents. Not only does this let you “try on” a color before you buy it, but it also puts a 50-cent credit in your account, good toward a future purchase. Zoya is also sold in Ulta and Whole Foods.
zoya color spoons are very accurate. zoya sent me free color spoons because I placed a large order and the touch collection was in there.
it was too light for my skin tone but its still very very pretty.
zoya is an excellent line. I really like minka on you.