This is the color I used in a gradient on my tips a little bit ago. Such a gorgeous neon color. The neon-ness that I see in the bottle doesn’t really translate to my nails, though. But I do like the true berry color. I love to wear colors like this.
Update on my Love/Hate relationship with Zoya
I adore the color range of Zoya polishes. Just can’t get enough of them. However, I’ve always had two kinds of trouble with Zoya: bad shrinkage with my favorite top coat Seche Vite ( I can only really wear the polish for one day before the perfectionist in me demands new polish), or lots of bubbling. When I try to not use Seche Vite and therefore have to wait an interminably long time for the polish to dry, I always get awful bubbling. This occurs whether I use the Zoya Anchor base coat or not.
However, I think I may have discovered a clue when it comes to bubbling while I was painting Charisma. I usually always use Nail Magic under my base coats in order to strengthen my nails. This time I skipped it all together and put the Zoya Anchor base coat straight on my naked nails. That seemed to help quite a bit. However, this polish does dry to a more matte finish (like neon polishes usually do), so it might be the quicker dry formula that prevented the bubbling, not the fact that I used only Anchor. More testing will be needed. :)
I used Zoya’s top coat Armor on top of Charisma as well.
The fact that I continue to strive for a bubble-less Zoya manicure shows how much I love the color range. Oh, Zoya, I want to love you but you make it so hard. Still trying, though. :)
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7 Responses to Zoya Charisma
Heather May 16, 2012
Love the new nail blog, Kristina! Thanks for sharing your “obsession” with us! I have the same love/hate relationship with Zoya. I don’t typically have bubbling issues, but I can’t stand not being able to use a quick dry top coat. Keep us posted if you find a solution! :)
Inoka May 16, 2012
sometimes when you paint your nails under a fan, or some kind of ventilation, it causes bubbles too. It’s happened to me before, with another brand of nailpolish…
I love this nail obsession blog! Becoming quite nail obsessed myself!
Priscilla May 16, 2012
have you tried “capping” your nails? i usually cap off and it seems to work okay for me.
kristina May 16, 2012
You mean painting over the edges? Yes, I usually do that, but when it shrinks, it just wraps back up around. Boo.
Wendy H May 18, 2012
Is bubbling also where it makes a crinkled looking line under the topcoat? I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m getting that also and not sure why.
Wendy L May 18, 2012
I also have problem with bubbling. Glad to know i am not the only one!! I dunno how many times I’ve repainted my nails because I cannot stand the bubbles!! I look forward to see how your testings go.
Thank you Kristina!
la_florecita July 8, 2012
Found your blog by searching Zoya Charisma. I bought it last summer, then returned it because I hated the thick, matte formula. Just bought it again last week because dear GOD, that color!! Now I love it.
I’ve always had bubbling issues until recently. Zoya Anchor + polish (2-3 coats) + Essie Good to Go is what I use for everything. No bubbles.