Zoya Color Lock SystemA MUST for my Mani Tool Box!
Now that I`m using "3-Free" polishes (Formaldehyde, Tolulene & DBP free), I find that you have to put in a bit more prep work to get a good, lasting mani. Thanks to ZOYA and their Color Lock System, it`s a breeze. Some may balk at the cost (currently $48 dollars) but it is WELL WORTH IT.
Zoya`s Remove is called 3 in 1 because it is a polish remover, nail cleaner and nail prep. If I don`t use this right before polishing, I do a good handwash. But most of the time, I`m removing one color anyway. This stuff ROCKS. Not only does it not stink like traditional removers, it actually smells nice! It`s also very gentle on my nails. And the huge bonus--their Flipper bottle is such a unique design--you twist the top cap, hold your cotton ball over the hole and gently pump. Twice soaks a large cotton ball--plenty to take off most polish jobs. If there`s lots of glitter, sometimes a bit more is needed. I haven`t figured out how to get enough out for a q-tip to clean up my nail edges without spraying my freshly-painted nails--but so far, no damage. Zoya does sell a large refill bottle. This definitely gets an A from me!
My next absolute favorite item is the Get Even Ridge Filler. Despite buffing I still have ridges. Between my age, my chronic illnesses and medications, I have ridges. But beyond filling, this is an amazing base coat. It`s a light milky white, so it doesn`t really affect any color you`re going to paint with. One quick coat on each nail is all I need. It dries so fast that by the time I`m done with my other hand, the first hand is nearly dry. I actually prefer this to the Armor Basecoat--I don`t know if the fibers really do help keep my polish strong, but I think it makes my nails stronger in general.
Finally, the Renew is excellent and does just what it says. I`ve gotten some polishes that despite some good shaking, really didn`t go on smoothly. I add a dropper of this stuff and WHAM good as new! A word of caution--even though the included dropper CAN screw on the bottle, I strongly advise you do NOT leave it on. My bottle must have tipped over or wound up evaporating. So--lesson learned, keep the original cap ON.
As for the Anchor and Armor, they are just fine. I have no complaints. I`ve just found that the Ridge Filler dries faster than Anchor, and sometimes I find the Armor "dulls" the shine of some of my glitters. In addition, since I love mattes, you can`t add a topcoat or it defeats the purpose of the matte finish.
All this comes in a handy bag with complete instructions on how to use each product. They are also sold separately, but of course it is cheaper to buy them as a set than one at a time.
Happy camper--happy nails!