Friday, September 10, 2010

Zoya Color Lock System Test

Recently, I won the Zoya Color Lock System giveaway hosted by Pretty In Dayton.  I wanted to use the system up against my normal base coat/top coat combo of Salon Sciences Fiberglass Network and Nubar Diamont.  I have been getting great wear from this combo...usually at least 4-5 days with nothing more than tip wear.  Now, up until the time when I did this test I have only been using Diamont for a few weeks.  It's a great topcoat to use for this, because unlike my former HG (Seche Vite) it doesn't bubble like a bitch with Zoya nail polish.

For the first stage of my test, I used a non-Zoya color.  (You can tell I'm a science person).  I used Nubar Peacock Feathers.  On my index/ring fingers my Diamont/Fiberglass Network combo were used and on my middle/pinky fingers Zoya Anchor and Armor were used.

Day 1

Day 5
In the Day 1 image, for some reason it already looks like some nails were chipping...they weren't.  I think that's some sort of reflection.
As you can see, there wasn't a terrible difference between the two combo's with the Nubar polish.  There is a small chip on my index finger, besides the tip wear...but it was pretty much even.  My pinky looks REALLY good, but usually my pinky nails don't chip.

The second stage of my test was done using Zoya Raven.  I used the same set up:  On my index/ring fingers my Diamont/Fiberglass Network combo were used and on my middle/pinky fingers Zoya Anchor and Armor were used.

Day 1
Day 5
Now, let me explain something about the day 5 picture.  I dropped something on my middle finger, RIGHT before taking the image, so a bit of polish chipped off.  I was REALLY irritated because in my opinion the test showed some REALLY interesting results with the Zoya polish.  The fingers using color lock (middle and pinky) had a bit of tip wear and that was it.  My index finger had the Fiberglass Network/Diamont combo and was terrible looking. 

The result?  With non-Zoya nail polish, the Color Lock System gives me the same result as my normal combo.  With Zoya nail polish, the Color Lock System is HANDS DOWN the way to go.  They are formulated to work together, so it just makes sense. 

Do you agree?  Do you think I should try this again using a different top coat?  Seche will bubble (at least in my experience), so what do you recommend?

Thanks for stopping by!

3 comments:

Erin said...

That's awesome! Would you ever say that using a base/top coat is ok or should you always use a separate base and top coat?

styrch said...

Great review! :)
I do use Seche on a regular basis and it's not bad - there are some things I don't like though. But I agree with you. If using Zoya polishes, their system is the BEST to use with their formula.

Drooling over Peacock Feathers again... darn it! I have to try Nubar. Haven't done that yet. :)

Jen said...

Erin - I've never really used a combination base/top coat. In my opinion they each have a different purpose, so they should be different. There may be other people who think differently though!

Styrch - I've ALWAYS used Seche Vite. I recently got Diamont during the Nubar sale and fell in love with it. I don't have the shrinkage issues with it like I do with Seche Vite.

Veve - Thanks! I'll be sure to check out your blog!