No, you haven’t stumbled upon the wrong blog. It’s Swatch And Learn. Hehe, but you probably just aren’t used to seeing such a soft shade on my nails too often, as I tend to reach for dramatic colours.
However, with all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the holiday season, I’ve been starting to crave something more demure for my nails. It’s a palate cleanser.
It was great timing when the Zoya Whispers Collection came my way in December.
The first nail polish from it that I chose to wear was Zoya April, and it was exactly the simple and pure shade that I wanted to start 2016 off fresh with.
What’s interesting about it is how it’s almost like a chameleon. Yes, it’s a standard creme, and no, it’s no multi-dimensional, but when I photographed it in artificial light and natural light (as per my usual routine), Zoya April revealed a different personality, as you will see further in this post.
Zoya April Pictures
Artificial Light
Natural Light
Artificial Light
Natural Light
Zoya April Swatches
All swatches have:
- OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener – Maintenance version (Used as a base coat)
- 2 coats of Zoya April
- Pretty Serious Aqua Coat Top Coat (Provided by Pretty Serious Cosmetics.)
Artificial Light Photos
Natural Light Photos
Claim: TRUSTED
- A light, rosy toned neutral that is a modern take on blush (Yes)
Key Notes
- Name: Zoya April
- Collection: Zoya Whispers Collection 2016
- Press Release: Click here to see the official Zoya Whispers Collection press release!
- Quick Look: Click here to see my Zoya Whispers Collection preview!
- Colours Available in the Collection: Cala, April, Eastyn, Misty, Ireland & Lake
- Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
- Retail Price: $9 USD
- Disclosure: This was provided as a press sample by Zoya.
- Where to Buy: Zoya website (It will probably be coming soon to Nail Polish Canada.)
Zoya April Review
Colour
As I mentioned in the introduction of this post, April by Zoya seemed to look different when I photographed it in artificial light compared to natural light.
Sometimes, the polish can look faintly peachy on me in very bright light, but unless you’re a star on a stage, you probably aren’t being followed by a spotlight. 😉 Most times, the polish looked how it does in my natural light photos.
It’s a docile nude against my skin tone that has some beige, but with a hint of baby pink. It certainly fits into the ‘Whisper’ theme of the collection.
Nudes aren’t usually my thing because I like contrasting hues. Also, it can be challenging for me to find a nude that doesn’t clash or make my fingers look like they’re covered in Band-Aids!
That being said, Zoya April was flattering on me because of the slight pink and how it was light enough to distinguish itself from being too close to my skin tone.
I like this more than I thought I would, and I’ll be wearing it again as a palate cleanser or maybe when I want to stamp on some white lace nail art on top.
If your skin tone is much richer than mine, don’t rule this baby out because it would absolutely pop yet look clean at the same time!
Finish
April by Zoya has a creme finish, which goes very well with the muted colour. It’s a soft-spoken shade that makes your nails appear healthier and clean. That’s why I love it!
Also, since it has a creme finish, that also means you won’t be struggling to remove it later on. (Plus you obviously won’t get any nail staining with a shade like this.)
Application & Formula
With colours like Zoya April, I never expect them to be super pigmented. They’re usually on the more watery and milky side. This one was no exception.
As long as you’re prepared to work with the formula (which isn’t difficult to paint with), you can get even coverage with just two coats.
Even though my tendency is to paint with medium coats, I purposely used thin coats with this. (Milky formulas tend to bubble on me when I apply them too thickly. Maybe it only happens to me.)
Also, when you use thin coats, I find that the finish is less streaky (if at all).
I was very happy with how my manicure looked because it wasn’t streaky, and the coverage was decent enough for me to skip adding a third coat.
Ingredients & Vegan-Friendly
Zoya’s vegan-friendly nail polishes don’t contain any Toluene, Camphor, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, or DBP.
Pros
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Cons
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Final Verdict: 7.5/10
I like Zoya April because it has a refined and simple look about it that doesn’t leave my nails looking one dimensional. For me, this is an ideal nude that doesn’t wash me out or make my nails look dirty or alien-esque.
When I take breaks from the typical louder shades that I tend to sport, this will be a wonderful option to cleanse my nail palate!
What’s the most flattering nude nail polish you’ve worn? Do you wear softer shades more often or bolder shades? Are you starting 2016 off with a soft nail polish?
This is a very pretty color but I can’t wear polishes in this shade. It always makes my hand look weird. LOL Thanks for sharing. It looks great on you!
Hey Melissa!
Haha, I know what you mean. Finding the right nude is tricky because it’s so easy to choose a clashing shade or one that matches too closely to your skin tone. (I usually like to choose something that’s a touch lighter with a little pink.)
That polish looks great on you. I love the way if shifts to a whole new color in different lighting. That is my kind of polish indeed!
Hey Cindi!
It’s interesting how artificial lighting can bring out a different personality of the polish, compared to the natural light. Hehe, sometimes it’s a challenge to get the right shot in the morning when the natural light in the winter is dim. (Can’t wait for summer to come back…hehe! I loved those sunny mornings.)
Mine! Mine!! Gimme!!
Even though I can’t polish my nails right now, I still definitely want this one 🙂
Joyce recently posted: Happy New Year!
Hey Joyce!
Hope it joins your beautiful nail-polish family! 😉
These kind of calm neutrals are really speaking to me this year. It won’t be long before I’m back to sporting my bold colours again, though.
That polish looks nice on you, Mary, are you warm or cool-toned? I’m very fair and cool-toned and have never found a nude I like (um, polish that is, tee hee). Not that I’m looking very hard, I much prefer bold colors like blues, reds, purples and greens over neutrals. When I do want a “palate cleanser”, I tend to go for greys or browns over nudes. I guess they all make me feel like I have Mannequin Hands.
Hey Mary!
I have a warm undertone. (I found out by using the trick I learned a few years ago, where you look at the colour of your veins. If you’re warm, the veins appear greenish, and if you’re cool, the veins appear blueish.)
Hahahaha, your “nude” joke made me giggle! Thanks – I needed the laugh today! 😀
Nude nail polishes are tricky for me, too. Ones that are more on the beige or yellow side can make my nails look anemic. I find that nudes that are a bit lighter than my skin tone and with a hint of pink make my nails look healthy instead of flat and Band-Aid-like.
Hmm, but if you’re cool-toned and fair like me, maybe those beiges with yellow would work better on you! (Sometimes, it’s just trial and error. There are so many nude polishes I’ve tried that I didn’t think twice about when I saw them in the bottle, but on my nails, it worked.)
Happy hunting for a flattering nude polish!
SO PRETTY. Normally my nails are LOUD but ever since the Zoya Naturel Collection…ever since I put Rue on and was like *GASP* over the loveliness… I’ve been keeping my eye out for neutrals that will works with my very fair skin tone. All of the Naturel Satins managed their way into my stash along with a few other neutral shades. ITA – I love a great “palette cleanser”! I love the touch of blushy pink in April! It looks perfect! *SOLD* XD Glad they have a sale going on, hehe! Zoya really takes care of their fans. <3
Hey d3athbyglitter!
We sound like two peas in a pod. Loud nails are my thing for sure, but after experimenting with softer colours and more cremes, I’m growing my appreciation for them. There’s something elegant about them, and it sharply contrasts with colours that scream for attention. Still, I enjoy a wide variety, and it’s fun to mix it up!
Agreed – Zoya has so many promotions and an assortment of collections. There’s something for everyone’s taste!