Gemma was released by Zoya as part of its Intimate collection for spring 2011. Zoya describes it as a "light muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer," which is spot on. The only thing I would change is the "light" part -- this is really a medium toned hue. The green is in the artichoke/laurel/olive family with enough grey in it to give a slatey look. The duochrome overlay is really special and adds a delicacy and softness to the look that is just beautiful to see.
Application was a little nerve-wracking, but that's just me. The consistency was very fluid, light and sheer and I had a little difficulty controlling how much polish went onto the nail with the inevitable result of applying coats that were too thick for my liking. Completely opaque even coverage required three coats and Gemma dries naturally in average time to a glossy finish.
Photos show three coats of Gemma with a topcoat of HK Girl.
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This is another Zoya that had been on my wishlist for the longest time before opportunity and circumstance coincided to allow a purchase. I'm so glad to have it at last! As a green, it does have an edginess to it but it is a soft, soulful edginess. Gemma looks good with so many different kinds of colors that you can wear it with all kinds of things you might not have thought you'd be able to. In fact, it's a green that looks so nice on my pinkage that I would wear it with anything. It just plays that nicely with my complexion.
I think it's the blue/violet duochrome shimmer that floats above the base green that makes this polish as forgiving, colorwise, as it is. I love polishes with this kind of shimmer, but you rarely see it with green. Do you have a favorite green creme at the moment? I have several from Sinful Colors, but Gemma tops them all!
love,
Liz
Light
muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer.
- See more at:
http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Gemma.html#sthash.4VdROrbH.dpuf
Light
muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer.
- See more at:
http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Gemma.html#sthash.4VdROrbH.dpuf
Light
muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer.
- See more at:
http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Gemma.html#sthash.4VdROrbH.dpuf
Light
muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer.
- See more at:
http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Gemma.html#sthash.4VdROrbH.dpuf
Light
muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer.
- See more at:
http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Gemma.html#sthash.4VdROrbH.dpuf
Light
muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer.
- See more at:
http://www.zoya.com/content/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Gemma.html#sthash.4VdROrbH.dpuf
I love greens like this! The shimmer in it makes it so unique and interesting. Your swatches make me wish I had more Zoya in my collection. I'm thinking I'll grab some when they have their next sale.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I would absolutely advocate for more Zoya in your stash. Zoya has its big BOGO Earth Day Nail Polish Exchange at the end of April/beginning of May when all the polishes are essentially half off and you don't have to "exchange" any polishes to take advantage of this. Make your list, woman!
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