Zoya Chyna

Chyna was released last year as part of Zoya's PixieDust collection for spring 2013. This collection was the debut of Zoya's PixieDust line of polishes, which they've since added to considerably, and their foray into the granulated texture trend. I'm a fan of these PixieDusts, I think their exploration of the nuances of and boundaries between literal and visual texture is worthy, interesting, beautiful and fun.

Zoya describes Chyna as "a red dazzle with a sugared sparkle, in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula." It is a medium blue-toned red with red microglitters and texture particles that produce a matte granulated look shimmering with red sparks when dry. It is a complex and mysterious look. The textured finish is sandy but not overly abrasive to the touch, like fine grade sandpaper.

Chyna applies easily but it's much different than applying one of Zoya's non-textured polishes. The consistency is liquid but full of texture micro particles that splay the brush. It is best applied in thin coats and built up by layers. Chyna is relatively opaque in one coat, but develops a richer color with two or more. PixieDusts have a long dry time, and the full beauty and characteristics of the polish is not reached until it is perfectly dry. The surface texture develops very quickly and can deceptively lead you to expect that the polish is dry when it isn't, so there's a small learning curve with this formula. 

I read lots online reviews of this Zoya PixieDust collection before settling down to write this and found two that I felt were especially detailed and insightful. One is by Leslie Henry at her excellent blog, work | play | polish and the other is by Amy at her NYC-based blog Gotham Polish. These blog posts include photos and descriptions of all six PixieDust polishes including Chyna, as well as application tips, layering alternatives, answers to frequently asked questions and well-thought-out, interesting opinions about the impact of textures on the polish microcosm.

Ok, I gots some photos for you of the lovely Chyna, two coats over treatment and basecoat with no topcoat to show the celebrated (by some but not all because texture isn't for everyone) textured "matte sparkle" finish.

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna -- looks like velvet, no?

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Zoya Chyna

Love this dirty red look! Due to the literal dimensionality of this polish, it's difficult to capture in photos what Chyna is like in person. The best I can come up with is that it's kind of like sandy velvet. Doesn't sound appealling, but it is! My whole hand photos show this best. 

The red glitters are especially effective, sparkling from the matte textured depths of this polish the way sand sparkles on the beach.

Chyna reminds me of the character Lady Heather from CSI (Las Vegas), enigmatic, empowering and a little dangerous while also feminine with a touch of graceful felinity.
 
Very cool polish!

love,
Aunt Liz