Zoya Isabel and Hare Polish Rusty Hearts

In one hundred polish posts, I haven't done even one dark red! Well that's about to change. Not because I have a superabundance of dark reds, on the contrary. I really only have one, and you're about to see it.

I never used to be a wearer of reds. When I would paint my nails in college I always chose pinks. My favorite polish ever back then was a Revlon pink called Cocoa Pearl. It was a rich warm medium pink with a shimmery gift-wrap-ribbon look. *nostalgia* I've looked for that Revlon now that I've been wearing polish again, but it's long gone.

Right now I have a red from Zoya called Isabel. Zoya describes Isabel as a "rich, autumnal medium wine red with flickers of warm copper and gold frosty shimmer." Hmm. I agree with the autumnal part... maybe. Overall it's a cool-toned red and there's no frostiness to it. To my eye, this is a medium bright crimson with deep coppery red shimmer. It's an interesting synthesis of cool and warm elements resulting in a crisp cool saturated red brightened by a warmer gleaming heart. 

Isabel has Zoya's lovely balanced formula with a liquid consistency that is easy to control. I had no issues with the application. It cleans up easily -- although I noticed some spots I missed in the photos *shock* -- and dries to a shiny finish.

Photos show two coats of Isabel over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Zoya Isabel, bottle shot

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

at the window...

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

Zoya Isabel

This is bright and swingy with a bit of smoldering shimmery sex appeal. It reminds me of a kiss thrown from red lips with a wink. *grin*

Hare Polish's Rusty Hearts is my one lonely deep red polish. It has a dark red jelly base with coppery brown undertones carrying lots of shimmery goodness in copper, orange, red, green and gold. It's lovely, and has an equally lovely formula. The jelly base is smooth and fluid though it can become sticky if overworked. Rusty Hearts dries to satiny smooth finish and wants a nice glossy topcoat to show off the beautiful sparkling shimmers.

Photos show two coats of Rusty Hearts over the Zoya Isabel manicure above plus a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel on the nail, Rusty Hearts in the bottle

ditto

ditto

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

Hare Polish Rusty Hearts over Zoya Isabel

In low light, this combo throws the most beautiful coppery sheen ever. It feels very glamorous and sophisticated. As you see, sunlight picks up the sparkling shimmer.

Rusty Hearts is well-pigmented and could easily be used without layering. My intent with this combination was to brighten and cool Rusty Hearts' deep warm toned coloring just a little without loosing it's depth and I'm happy with the results. This is an eminently wearable combo for me. Next time I'll try it over a red creme and see what that's like.

Can you dig it, Miss B? Sure, I knew you could. *wink*

love,
Aunt Liz