Zoya Tao and a Comparison

Since it feels like a fall day here in PA, I thought I would try out one of my new fall Zoya colors on my super short nails.  Tao is from the Mirrors Collection from Fall of 2011 and has been on my wishlist for the last few months.  I picked it up during Zoya's Back to School BOGO sale at the end of August.


Tao is on the Index and Ring, Slate is on the Middle and Pinky

Zoya's description is pretty spot on, and is perfect for fall.  Tao is a light smoke grey with blue undertones and a muted, softened metallic finish. A cool metallic machine shade for a rock'n'roll look. I love gunmetal colors and I'm obsessed with grey polish right now.  I've picked up quite a few in the last few weeks.

Tao is a perfect alternative to silver, which tend I find to be streaky and shows every blemish on my nails.  I'm growing out some damage, which is why my nails are so short.  Tao doesn't show any of the damage and isn't streaky at all.  I love to wear colors like this on my toes too.  This is going to be a go to for me for a long time.  Two coats got me full coverage and almost no clean up.  I'm a messy polisher so that says alot.  The formula was great, and dry time was quick.

A similar color is Sinful Colors Slate.  They aren't exact dupes, but they are similar enough to get the same look for less.  Slate was released as part of their Start a Phenomenon Collection and I picked it up in July or August during the last Walgreens 99 cents sale on Sinfuls.  I got Slate and a few other that reminded me alot of Zoya's Fall 2011 Colors. 

In the bottle shot they look like they'd be the same.  You can tell Slate is lighter as soon as you open the bottle. 

Zoya Tao on the Left, Sinful Colors Slate on the Right

Slate is a just tad lighter on the nail after 3 coats.  They aren't dupes, but they are pretty close.  Depending on the light you can't tell, but up close you can definely tell Slate is a shade lighter.  If my husband can tell they are different you know they are different.

Tao is on the Index and Ring, Slate is on the Middle and Pinky

Slate is thinner than Tao in application.  It isn't hard to work with, just thinner.  You have to watch for pooling in the cuticle area.  Slate is pretty sheer on the first coat, while Tao is almost opaque after 1 coat.  I needed 3 coats of Slate for full coverage.  Dry time quick on the 1st coat of Slate, but was a little slow for the 2nd and 3rd coat.

The verdict, Slate is good but Tao is better.  If you are on a budget Sinfuls are a great alternative to the more expensive brands, and are available at Walgreens and Target for $2 or less.  Zoya is always running promo's on Facebook though so go like them and check out Tao and set up and account.  If you use my link you'll get a coupon for a free Zoya.  Add a second color to your cart and you'll get free shipping.  The coupon code will be in My Coupons/Promos in the My Account Section.

I purchased these with my own money and the opinions are my own.