Zoya Yuna

Yuna was released by Zoya as part of the Ignite collection for fall 2014. It shares with the other polishes in the collection the inclusion of flaky golden shimmers that Zoya calls "gold and copper liquid metal." This time they are paired with a deep grey base that has dark blue overtones to it, especially when viewed in bright direct light. The shimmers read in degrees of bright yellow-green as they rise through the base color to the surface, where they sparkle like all get out in direct light. In indirect light and shade, they offer a cloudy golden green patina to the smooth slatey grey, which to me is the ultimate star of this show. 

I have to admit that I wasn't very taken with Yuna at the outset. Despite the raves and praise it received in the polish enthusiast webworld, I didn't see the appeal. Neither did it strike me in the bottle. But now that I've got this sophisticated, elegant color on my nails, I find it very impressive indeed.  Sleek and soulful, this dark grey emanates a certain sort of perfect natural beauty, like the back of a manta ray, that manages to be cosmopolitan at the same time. It's the charcoal grey men's suit of nail polishes, with a subdued but profound gracefulness that is immensely flattering.

Application was lovely. The consistency of Yuna is fluid, creamy and smooth. It has a fluent, silky glide over the nail, excellent self-leveling properties and is easily manipulated with Zoya's round flexible brush. Pigmentation is very good, with even opaque coverage reached in two coats. I found it easy to apply thin coats with this polish, rare for my heavy-handed tendencies and made me feel deft and nimble, which I loved. Cleanup is easy and straightforward, although the pigment will run with acetone and I should have taken a little extra care there. But overall it was a most enjoyable application experience. Yuna dries naturally in very good time to a silky smooth, shiny finish. 

Photo show two coats of Yuna over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite. I've decided that my current nail length's days are numbered. The shape of my patched left middle finger nail detracts too much from the polish that's on it, so it's time for a return to nubbins. Sad star! 

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Zoya Yuna

Photo don't do this polish justice, they just don't accurately communicate what it feels like on the nail. Trust me on this. I've seen any number of reviews of the Ignite polishes, but I had no idea that Yuna would be my favorite of them all. I love it even more than Autumn, and I LOVED Autumn! In person, for me, Yuna conveys a sense of spare elegance that is head and shoulders above the other polishes in this collection, beautiful as they are. Think open grand piano in a large room filled with natural light. If I'd picked and chosen from Ignite instead of buying all of them, I doubt I would have bought this one and I'm thrilled with it! It is the surprise standout of the Ignite polishes for me.

You never know, sometimes, what a polish will do for you until you get it on your nails. I need more dark greys in my life. OPI Nein Nein Ok Fine and Essie Cashmere Bathrobe, I'm looking at you!

love,
Liz