Zoya PixieDust Texture Nail Polish Swatches & Review
The cynic in me assumed that all “textured nail polish” would be created equal. After seeing it happen with the mattes, crackles, foils, etc. it has become harder and harder not to pre-judge a trend or fad. Well, color me proven wrong. And all of you are to blame!
After reviewing the OPI Liquid Sand polishes, I kind of wrote off the whole textured nail look as different but kind of “meh” and then I started reading comments about how you prefer the Zoya PixieDust polishes. So, I decided to give this collection a whirl and I’m so glad I did. Pat yourself on the back, Fanatics!
Formula & Application: Zoya Pixie Dust nail polish is 5-Free (free of DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor). Their signature Italian glass bottles have a tapered, matte black cap that rests comfortably between the thumb and index finger while polishing. The brush is short, round and medium in girth with flexible bristles that allow for ease of control.
The Zoya PixieDust formula is smooth and easy to control in spite of the glitter in the base. The base colors are all sheer and jelly-ish but build-able. I found that three coats are ideal with the lighter shades while two coats are all you need for the darker shades.
Because these are polishes designed to be worn matte, you should not apply top coat. According to Zoya, to achieve the perfect sugar crystal finish, “apply 1-3 (for full coverage) thin coats of polish. Allow product to dry completely for full effect. Do not use a base coat or top coat.” Personally, I used an Elmer’s glue base coat to make removal easier but, on their own, they wear really well. Like most glitters, this formula adheres strongly to the nail.
Zoya Chyna PixieDust is a ruby red sand texture nail polish with tonal glitter. When applied, it looks a lot like Dorothy’s slippers from the Wizard of Oz but dries down deeper.
Zoya Dahlia PixieDust is a black sand textured nail polish with black and silver glitter. It reminds me of the black sand beaches of Hawaii. As though thousands of volcanic rocks broke down to become the crystals in Dahlia.
Zoya Godiva PixieDust is a nude sand textured nail polish with tan and silver glitters. It’s a very office-friendly cafe au lait (heavy on the lait) and a great way, if you’re hesitant, to introduce texture to your nail wardrobe.
Zoya London PixieDust is a graphite sand texture nail polish with grey and silver glitters. If you crystallized a pencil lead, you would get London.
Zoya Nyx PixieDust is a soft periwinkle blue sand texture polish. It’s whimsical and dreamy.
I wanted to see what Nyx would look like glossy so I applied one coat of Gelous and two coats of Seche Vite. One coat was good but still left texture. With two coats it was full on glossy. Pretty but soooo many layers to get the look.
Zoya Vespa PixieDust is a pastel grass green sand texture nail polish with mint and silver glitters. It’s like the underside of a leaf being kissed by silvery moonlight.
I’ve seen some fun nail art looks with textured polish, including this PixieDust ombre from Lisa Logan. I “attempted” to create something similar but it’s nowhere near as chic. I originally tried sponging, DON’T, but I gave up and just painted the stripes. But with London as a base it took too many layers to get Nyx and Vespa to show up so it’s just a mess. File this under #NailFail.
Bottom Line: The fine grit of the glitter in the Zoya PixieDust polishes gives a more sugary and crystal-like appearance than OPI’s Liquid Sand. Plus, the chunkier particles (sequins & stars) made them a bit garish. I prefer the more refined look of PixieDust. Personally, I’m drawn to the softer hues (Godiva, Nyx, Vespa) as they make the textured nail more accessible but the black and grey (Dahlia & London) are perfect for an edgy, downtown type of girl. The red, Chyna, is the only color I’m not a fan of. It is SO gorgeous glossy that it becomes a let-down as it dries.
The Zoya PixieDust nail polishes are available now on Zoya.com and at salons and spas nationwide, including ULTA. The lacquers retail for $9/ea for a .5oz bottle. ps the “sampler” includes full size bottles even though the name suggests otherwise.
Oh and get ready for more PixieDust, kids. Zoya is launching a summer edition with six new shades. Liberty (blue), Stevie (violet), Miranda (rose), Destiny (coral), Beatrix (tangerine), and Solange (gold) go on sale April 1st (no joke!).
Are you digging PixieDust? If you were on the fence about texture before does PixieDust change your mind? Which of these shades are going on your shopping list? If you already have them, which shade is your fave? And have you created any nail art with them?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by Zoya. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
you don’t need the glue base for these. they come off almost as easily as regular polish. another plus for this fab collection!!
i love them! i think Zoya’s line turned a lot of nay-sayers around. i’m going to try the jesse’s girl frosted gumdrop collex next and hopefully milani glitter-free version if i can find them with a little discount.
I really like the nude one!
i want to hear more about the elmers glue. why do you do it and how do you apply? does the polish just peel off?
Hi Sandi! A mixture of water and Elmer’s glue (or similar non-toxic glue) can be used as a base coat for glitters. I use an empty bottle, fill it 2/3 with glue, 1/3 with water and mix. Apply it very thin to the nail and wait for it to completely dry (it will become clear). When you go to remove the polish, use an orange wood stick to start to lift the polish and then it comes right off with remover. So easy! Your polish doesn’t wear as well but it makes removal a breeze.
I love the nude, too, but Chyna is also awesome!
yay! i’m so glad you gave them a whirl! i love them.
That black-and-silver: LOVE!
I too prefer the lighter shades especially Godiva and Nyx. The IPI Liqiud Sands leave me flat, although I haven’t tried What Wizardry is This?,( I love the color brown.) I want the new Pixie Dust for sure . Beautiful brights!
I like the same ones you do.. I think this finish lends itself better to light colors, but I am curious to see Liberty.
Great swatches! I haven’t tried any of the Zoyas yet.
Was kinda on the fence about the whole texture polish thing!!
Did not want my nails looking like stucco. Went ahead and got the Zoya pixie dust and am really liking it!! Right now am wearing Godiva on my toes!! It’s neutral but with a little extra to it!! Did order the gumdrops collection!! Seems like the texture should be more sugary texture otherwise looks like spackle…
I was not a fan of the OPI Liquid Sands, but I must admit that this collection looks more, well, polished! I like them all but I’d probably only buy a couple since they’re not exactly appropriate for my work.
One thing I’ve been wondering is… if you took a regular glitter polish and built it up to full opacity, then put a matte top coat over it, would you get the same liquid sand/pixie dust effect?
I think you would loose the sparkle if you put a matte top coat over a glitter so it wouldn’t quite look the same. Plus the texture of the PixieDust is pretty dramatic. This is a formula unlike traditional glitters.
Actually tried that with nails inc sweets way and Essie matte top coat. You are absolutely correct…it’s not the same. However, I bought sweets way thinking it more of a matte glitter which I prefer and it isn’t…totally sparkly. So adding the matte topcoat improved it for my liking at least.
Okay, well that satiates my curiosity! Thank you!
I’m with you. I saw the Liquid Sands from OPI and thought “NO WAY”, then I saw the Pixie Dusts from Zoya and thought “maybe”. Once I actually tried it on I ran to my nearest Ulta and bought myself Vespa. I’m debating on getting Godiva and Nyx next. The darker colors are meh, to me.
I’m actually OBSESSED with Pixie Dust. I’m wearing Vespa right now; I own all of the currently-available colors and will be purchasing the new ones the SECOND they’re released:). My fave from this first release is probably Nyx. Though Godiva is also special to me because it’s the first “nude” polish I’ve ever actually considered interesting enough to look at and wear without feeling boring:).
I agree that this textured polish is unlike any other. I love that these don’t catch on clothing or your hair and don’t feel overly scratchy on skin.
I never heard of the Elmers glue/water trick! I’ll have to try that with my more stubborn glitters. I actually use two coats of Nail Envy Matte or other nail strengthening treatment under this and every other polish. These glitters are the easiest I’ve ever removed either with my oily polish removers or Zoya’s Remove+.
This was a super fun read – THANK YOU!
Excellent discussion of using Elmer’s glue as a base coat for glitters. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing the Elmer’s glue trick! My faves of the collection are Vespa and London. I would have naturally say the nude but I have so many nudes already ;). Also, really looking forward to the April 1 release of Destiny and Beatrix. They look like great shades for the summer! As for the textured nail trend, the only reason I’m not on board is because I don’t want glitter or dust everywhere, plus the removal must be a pain. But since you and readers say it’s easy to remove, I’m in! Do you find pixie dust everywhere or does it stay on the nail pretty good?
It’s not an actual dust so it doesn’t go anywhere but your nail. It’s not like the caviar or flocked nail where you shake something on the nail, the glitter is in the polish. So no mess!
I love the colour nyx
I’m wearing the Milani texture cremes right now and I’ve got the Jesse’s Girl Julie G on their way to me. I’m really looking forward to Zoya’s Liberty, and possibly Miranda.
These are really nice! The red really does look like Dorothy’s slippers. Why wouldn’t OPI put a ruby-slipper red in their “Oz” collection? Or a brick-road yellow? In any case, these Pixie Dust polishes are more attractive than the Liquid Sand!
Must get some!
I agree, using the “soft shades” for the Oz movie made no sense to me.
I have used these without the basecoat as Zoya says and they remove super easily – not like a chunky glitter at all. Also, I’ve found that if you put a thick top coat on the next day, it doesn’t eat through. I just did two days of the matte vespa and now I have shiny vespa!
I can’t wait to get the new colors!
I mean. I just don’t understand OPIs thinking. Who wants their nails to have the texture of sand?? “Pixie Dust” is much better marketing but…I just don’t get it :/.
I definitely like the glossy effect that you created with the 4 coats though!
Love, love, love it! Bought the liquid sand to do my tween daughter’s nails, but just didn’t feel like I could pull any of it off at my age. Maybe because of the lighter shades and texture, I feel like I can wear the pixie dust. I absolutely adore Godiva and have been wearing it for a new personal record without getting bored. Sounds silly, but when I look at my nails I
It fulfills the little girl’s desire in me to put Elmer’s glue on my nails and roll them around in really fine craft glitter without looking like that’s what happened. My daughter is a beach volleyball player and thinks it looks like sand. Everyone who’s commented has a personal analogy for it. I want Vespa, Nyx and Chyna next. I would probably only wear Chyna for a specific occasion though, however I love it without a topcoat. I feel like top coat spoils the whole idea of this…sorry. I would have worn London in the fall, but not now. Dahlia seems to dark for me being older, but my daughter liked it. Just feel like liquid sand stay the night close enough although it has a touch of red. She did an accent nail with topcoat on that one and it looked good. Anyway, something different!
Love these! Will you be swatching the Summer collection? I’m dying to see Stevie and Miranda
Yes, I will be. I’m just waiting for them to arrive
Yay!
I’m dying to try Godiva, but since I’m always late with nail and cosmetic trends, the Ulta stores in my area are out of stock.
Great photos!
They are still available on Zoya.com
They all look so nice! I
I’ve only tried 3 so far and I love them all! Liberty is a gorgeous blue and I’m a sucker for blues, so it’s my overall favorite. I just had a pedicure today and I chose Chyna. It dried a little more matte than I like, but it’s still pretty. I bought a bottle from the salon because my collection is seriously lacking in reds. Last, but not least, I also bought Stevie. I love lavender so this is my go to color for the moment. I’ll be fleshing out my collection as time goes on. Gotta get my hands on a bottle of Liberty for my very own!