Monday, December 2, 2013

Zoya for Rolando Santana Event + a HUGE Giveaway!

As you all may remember, a little over a week and a half ago, I live-blogged the awesome Zoya event at the Rolando Santana showroom to celebrate the collaborative "Alegre" collection. It really was an awesome event and I had so much fun!

Here's a recap of all the awesomeness and some exclusive photos from the event, as well as a look at the visionary behind Zoya Nail Polish.




When I walked into the show room and got to meet one of the amazing Zoya fairies, Danielle, the lovely Zoya nail technicians were setting up their stations. Of course, one of the first things I noticed was the famous Zoya rhinestone tee. 



Also in these pictures, you can see the Zoya Color Lock system, Rolando Santana trio, and the Cashmere, Satin, Zenith, and Fall Pixie Dust collections. But more on that a little later...
 


There were also lovely swag bags that we got to take home...


What's in the bag, you ask?


A mini Zoya color lock system AND a Rolando Santana trio!

 

 Another look at the colors...

Then after some cupcakes...


(Did you guys really think I wouldn't indulge your sweet tooth and skimp out on cupcake photos?)


And some champagne...


It was time for a manicure!


This is how the manicure stations were set up, completely with the color lock system and mandarin citrus lotion from Qtica. It smelled DELICIOUS, for the record!


Drinking champagne after my manicure!


And here's a better shot of the design. This is an alternate version of the design created by Sunshine, one of the members of the Zoya nail team, for the Rolando Santana runway show back at NYFW. The yellow is called Sara and the fuschia color is Maria. The nude is called Natasha.



And here are everyone's nail art designs! There was a competition as to who could come up with the best nail art designs with the trio, with yours truly voted by the fans on social media as the winner! You guys are awesome... thank you so much! More on just what I won a little bit later!

One of the best parts of the whole night was meeting Zoya Reyzis, the founder of Zoya. As the evening was winding down, all of us wound up in a circle, listening to her tell the story of how she came to the United States after moving from Ukraine in 1978.



(Photo courtesy of Zoya)

Zoya is a classically trained pianist who considers dead composers such as Bach and Chopin (her current favorites, which change constantly) to be amongst her best friends and confidantes. She didn't care that the government took her passport from her when she left, but that they took her diploma from the Moscow Conservatory, which she had studied and trained tirelessly to earn.

She studies yoga… and not the kind that's trendy at your local gym these days. She's a proponent of its teachings, mind, body, and soul, though she admits she'll never be able to stand on her head, nor does she care. It is what relaxes her and keeps her focused.

When she and her family arrived in the United States and settled in Ohio, it was difficult for her to find a job. She found that positions as a manicurist were available at the time and had to go through classes and pass the boards in order to receive her license. Because she worked in a hair salon that had nail stations, as most did in the 1980's, she could not obtain health insurance due to the companies' unwillingness to insure someone who worked in an environment filled with toxic fumes. This was part of the reason she was inspired to create products that were better for women and is proud of the fact that Zoya was the first company to go 3-free.

Her dedication to products that are safe for consumers is why she says the company will not manufacture gel nail polish or other similar products. She loves the fact that packaging of the collections is labeled baby safe, though as a mother and grandmother, she doubts you can get a toddler to sit long enough without smudging them or getting the polish all over the place.

The company started with the development of Zoom Dry while Zoya was still working at the nail salon and lamented often to her chemist husband that her clients would constantly smudge and ruin their nails because they were unwilling to stay still after their manicures. Certainly, with our phones virtually attached to our hands at all times, most of us are guilty of the same. And it's part of the reason the Qtica quick dry drops, a natural progression from Zoom Dry, is always on hand after I get my nails done.

(Photo courtesy of Zoya)

She recognized that most nail technicians aren't just of one profession. Rather, they are friends, confidantes, and psychiatrists. "Oh, the things women would tell me," Zoya said with a slight laugh. "One woman told me she was having an affair with a friend's husband. She was one of my clients, too, and I was always afraid one day, I might slip!"


But, perhaps, the most fascinating part of Zoya's experience as a nail technician came when she began to share her mistreatment by customers and salon owners alike. The owner of the salon was never receptive to any of the technicians' requests for new products, viewing hair as the main and more important side of the business and nail services a mere convenience. Clients would talk down to her, treating her more like a servant than a nail technician. And while this has certainly changed in the world of beauty as time has passed, as the Zoya team of nail techs agreed, it's still a problem at salons and spas across the country.

I was very excited to meet Zoya for the first time that evening, as an admirer of her as an entrepreneur and a lover of her products, but I had no idea that there was such depth to her, that there was so much more to her than the namesake and founder of Zoya and the rest of Art of Beauty. She is truly an inspirational woman that we should all aspire to be a little more like in our lives.

And for those of you who were wondering, because of course you nail addicts were, Zoya's nails were natural that evening, but she was excited to show us that she was wearing Zoya Chyna on her toes!

When asked if any artist inspires her, as a portrait of Frida Kahlo inspired the Rolando Santana Spring '14 collection, Zoya had a very poignant answer: "Whatever is beautiful is called art.”


On the subject of art, and backtracking for a moment, you may recall that I won a fabulous prize pack as part of the Nail Art Competition.

To celebrate this awesome event, I'm giving away the Cashmere, Satin, Fall Pixie Dusts, and Zenith Collections to four lucky winners! Each collection has a retail value of $54 and they're all up for grabs!

To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is open to all residents of the United States and Canada! Good luck!


267 comments:

  1. I would be excited to win any of them, but I would be most thrilled to receive the Pixie dusts! Thank you!

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  2. The zenith collection, but they are all amazing!

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  3. I hope to win the cashmere collection.

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  4. They are all so awesome! I think I would say the Pixie Dust would be my favorite!

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  5. I hope I get the cashmere collection!

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  6. the pixie dust collection,I love the dark colors!

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  7. The Cashmere collection. Gorgeous colors!

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  8. I love the Pixie Dust collection

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  9. LOVE Zoya's story! It is SO SINCERE and has helped all of us be healthier while painting our nails! Thank you for sharing your magical day! :)

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  10. id love the cashmere collection the others are gorgeous but i own majority of the other collections. thank you for the amazing giveaway :)

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  11. The Zenith collection, for sure!!

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  12. I love all of them, but I think I'd want the cashmere collection :)

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  13. I have a ton of Zoya polish already so anything new is always welcome.

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  14. I would love to win the Zenith Collection!

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  15. I would LOVE to win the Pixie Dust Collection! Thank you for such a fantastic giveaway!

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  16. So jealous you got to experience this!

    Of course I'd love the Pixies most!

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  17. The Zenith collection since I have a few from each of the other collections already. ;) Thank you for the giveaway!

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  18. Eeeeeek! What a great... no, FANTASTIC giveaway! Good luck everyone!

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  19. I would really like the Fall Pixie Dust Collection.

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  20. I'd say the Zenith collection has the most of my kinds of colors :)

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  21. I would love the Zoya Satin collection :)

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  22. I think I would love the Zenith collection the most.

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  23. The Cashmere Collection! But for any, I would be grateful!

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  24. I'd love the Pixie Dust Collection. Those polishes last forever. I get close to a week of wear with those polishes.

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  25. Cashmere is my favorite, but they're all beautiful! :-) Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

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  26. The Zenith collection. Just bought some Pixie Dusts!

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  27. Id say cashmere collection. I own so many and this would be a perfect way to top them all off. ♡

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  28. satin collection. i have some of the pixie dust and it is AMAZING!

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  29. I am obsessed with all of these collections! They are sooo pretty

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  30. I would be excited to win the Zenith collection. Payton is beautiful, and I am just starting to get into the color purple. I looooove Zoya, but it's SO hard to find in Canada without ordering online, and I'm located in Toronto!

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  31. Oh la la loving the Zenith Collection, but all collections are so so pretty!

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  32. I love all of them! Probably zenith collection though

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  33. I love them all, but would really love the Pixie Dust collection! :)

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  34. i would love to win the satin collection!!! love zoya!!

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  35. Definitely the Cashmere! It's so pretty.

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  36. Definitely want to get my hands on some more Pixie Dust! They are so sparkly and last a long time on my nails.

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  37. The Cashmere collection! I have most of those on my wishlist and currently only have two! :)

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  38. I love them all! I would be happy and excited to win any one of them. :)

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  39. Would love to win the Cashmere collection.

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  40. Pixie dust! I'm so in love with them!

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  41. Zenith, but the Pixie Dust collection would be great too!

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  42. I would love to win the Cashmere collection! I am in love with Zoya's creme polishes!

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  43. I want the Cashmeres but I love them all!

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  44. I would love to win the Zenith collection!

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  45. I love the Zenith Collection! xx

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  46. I especially love the Zenith and Satin collections, but I love Zoya polish in general! There aren't any stores near where I live that sell Zoya and I didn't know what I was missing until a friend mailed me some for my birthday this year. I have ordered a few bottles online since then and I love each of them!

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  48. I want to win the zenith collection! I've been eyeing them for months!

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  49. Wish I was there :) Cashmere is my fave!

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  50. They are all so wonderful. Zenith, Cashmere, then probably Satin in that order!

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  51. Amazing collections! I'd love to get the Zenith collection!

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  52. Thanks for this amazing giveaway ! I love the fall collection soooo much :)

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  53. I would love to win the Fall Pixie Dust Collection. So gorgeous!

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  54. Would love Pixie Dust, thank and Merry Christmas!

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  55. Love to win the Zenith collection! I'm dying to see what Mosheen looks like over Dream and Belinda!

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  56. Would love to win the satins collection, it looks beautiful!

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  57. Thank you for this opportunity, I would be excited to win any of them, but if I had to choose, it would be the Fall Pixie Dust

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  58. I love Pixie Dust and the Zenith collection :) but I prefer... Zenith collection :)

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  59. Thanks for hosting such an awesome giveaway!

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    1. Oh and I would love to win all the collections, but particularly the Cashmere ones :)

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  60. Oh my gosh. Do I have to choose? They're all amazing. But the Zenith really stands out.

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  61. Omgsh, they are all so beautiful! I think I'd love the Cashmere or Zenith set for winter though! Or even the Satin set! Ah, they're all wonderful!

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  62. They are all great collections! It's too hard to choose just one! I'd be happy with any of the collection honestly, but if i had to choose my top pick would have to be the zenith collection. =]

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  63. Hard to decide. I don't have the cashmere's so that will be first. Then the zenith as I have some. Thanks for the contest!

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  64. I'd love to win the Cashmere collection!

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  65. I've got eyes for the Satin collection!

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  66. I LOVE ALL of them! I do not have anything by Zoya, and would love anything . I Love the Pixie Dust Collection. This would be an awesome win!

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  67. I would love to have the zenith collection!

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  68. The Pixie Dust collection is so gorgeous! I was really hating the textured trend but then I saw swatches of Tomoko and Carter! I hope they are as beautiful in real life! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  69. cashmere collection! or the satin collection!

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  70. I'm not picky at all when it comes to Zoya!! Since I have almost all of the zenith collection, I would hope to win the satin collection! Thank you for sharing your experience with us! It would make my life if I were to ever meet Zoya! She seems like an amazing woman!

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  71. It is so hard to choose. I love so many of them from all the collections. I think I'd go with Cashmeres and Satins

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  72. My faves are a toss up between the zenith and pixie dust, but I love them ALL!!!!

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  73. Great post and great giveaway! I'm hoping for Pixies ::)

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  74. Any of them...Pixie Dust would be first preference.

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  75. I would really love to win any one, but Zenith would be the best probably because I don't have any of those and two of them have reallllly caught my eye.

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  76. Hmmm I'd say Satin collection but ALL are so beautiful!

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  77. I have the swatches for the Satin collection, and each color is divine!

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  78. I don't care...great polish is great polish!

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  79. I wanna win the Zoya Satin collection

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  80. Zenith or Satin!! I am so jelly you were able to have this amazing experience, congrats! And thank for giveaway!

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  81. I would love any of them but the Pixie Dust would be my fav :)

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  82. Pixie Dust is the one I have been drooling after. But all of the collections are beyond gorgeous! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!

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  83. Definitely the Zenith Collection!

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  84. I would like to win any of them but the two that are more my style is cashmere or satin collection

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  85. I love them all, but Zenith is my favorite

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  86. I would love to win any one of them *but* if I have to choose one, the cashmere collection!

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  87. What a fabulous event! Looks like you had a great time!

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  88. Zenith and Fall Pixie Dust are my favs

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  89. Ooh what a tough question to answer! I love them all!

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  90. Hard to choose...pixie dust or zenith

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  91. The Zenith collection, for sure!

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  92. Satins or Pixie! :) Thank you for doing this giveaway!

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  93. I would love to win any collection! I'm tired of toxic nail polishes :(

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  94. The cashmere collection has been my lemming for sooo long! Thank you for the giveaway!

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  95. Any of the Zoya Collections are amazing! My first preference would be the Pixiedust collection :) Thank you for hosting this!

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  96. Definitely want to win the fall Pixie Dust collection!

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  97. ZENITH!! ZENITH ZENITH CASHMERE ZENITH :-D

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  98. The cashmere or satin collection. Live them both.

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  99. I've seen so many people talk about this line of polishes, I've never tried them..but seeing the beautiful colors in your pics, I'm dying to try them! lol I'm not really familar with the collections & their names other than the pixie dust collection...which looks gorgeous, I'd love to be able to try that! :) I'm a girly-girl at heart & love glitter/sparkly polishes. <3

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  100. Any of them! Zoya is my favorite polish. :)

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  101. What a fabulous experience! You know... The service industry is a weird thing. Whether you work in fashion retail, salons, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. there are always those people who treat you not as an equal human being but as a lowly servant.

    I would be ecstatic to win anything! I'm tied between the satin, cashmere and the zenith collections. While zoya's pixie dusts are nice I don't have the same love for them as I do for opi's liquid sands.

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  102. I'd love any of them! But I think my favorite is the cashmere collection!

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  103. Any of them would be great if I won it!

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  104. Love all the collections :) Couldn't ask for better colors and quality! Satins or Pixies would be my pick!

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  105. Love the Pixie Dust collection... glitter is my favourite! x

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  106. Pixie Dust collection - how can anyone possibly resist? Love them all!

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  107. I love the pixie dust collection. SO sparkly.

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  108. Hi! do i have to live on the US ? i dont live there but i have a PO box at miami FLorida. I wonder if i can enter. thanks!

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  109. Fingers crossed for the Satin collection!

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  110. I would say Cashmere or Pixies!! I just love Zoya, so it doesn't matter for this one!

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  111. I would most like to win the Fall Pixie Dust collection! The Zenith collection is a close second though. Thanks for the giveaway and congrats on your win!

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  112. Zenith or Cashmere! But I LOVE THEM ALL!

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  113. I would absolutely LOVE to win the Satin collection! I've been dying for "Mason" since I first saw it. My favorite color AND my last name, how can I resist? Plus I've been dying to try Zoya. It's at the top of my wish list!

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  114. What a fun event!! Loved your mani :) I think I'd say either the Cashmere or Pixie collection. So hard to chose!!

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  115. I would love to win the Pixie Dust collection, but any of them would be just as beautiful to own. Bonus is that they would be my first Zoya polishes, finally!

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  116. I'd love to win any of them but the Satin or Cashmere would be nice! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  117. I would love to win the Satins! SIGH.

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  118. Any would be amazing, but I am more partial to the PIxie Dusts! Thank you for the chance to win!!

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  120. All of them! But the cashmere is looking very nice. But I do not have a mobile phone so I can not register for an instagram account. Guess Im out of this win then.

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  121. The Pixie Dust Collection!!!

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  122. I would love to win the Fall PixieDust colors. I totally need back up bottles! Thanks for hosting this giveaway :)

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  123. Pixie dust! I hope I win! What an amazing story!!

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  124. The Fall Pixie Dust Collection is the one I'm hoping to win!! They are beautiful!! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!!

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  125. I love all of them and would be happy with any...but my heart is set on Satin Collection.

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  126. I guess I'll go with the Zenith collection. Although I think the Cashmere collection is really pretty too. ^_^

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  127. I want to win the Zenith Collection to give to my sister :)

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  128. I would love to win the Zenith Winter Collection! Thanks so much for the giveaway :)

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  129. This is a great post, Danielle! I got to meet Zoya at CPNA this year and it was a fan girl moment for sure. Your visit was much swankier! What an amazing opportunity!

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  130. I would be excited to win any of the sets but I think the cashmeres or the Zenith collection are my favorites, those cremes are so pretty and I love the variety in the Zenith

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  131. I love them all, but Zenith or Pixie Dust would be at the top of my list! :)

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  132. I'd love either the Cashmere or Satin collections!

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  133. I'd love to win the zenith collection!

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  134. Thanks for sharing your great day with us - very inspirational! And as much as I think ALL the Zoya collections are beautiful, I think I love the Satins the most.

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  135. I'm such a dork - I meant Cashmere Collection! But maybe the Satins want to come live at my house, LOL.

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  136. Any of the collections would be great as I don't have any of them but I am a sucker for the Pixie Dust!

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  137. To be honest I love all of them and would be thrilled with any of them. Best of luck to everyone and thanks so much for the opportunity. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

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  138. They are all gorgeous but Satins are my favorite. Thank you for the opportunity! =)

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  139. It looks like the Rolando Santana Zoya trio was limited to the event only. None of the colors are on the Zoya site. I would LOVE to get my hands on the trio but especially Natasha and Sara.

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  140. Everything is beautiful and the event looks like it was so much fun! My favorite to win would be the pixie dust :)

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  141. i love zoya! id love to win anything from them!!!!

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