PUPA Deep Ruby VS Zoay Jem

October 28, 2012

Recently I bought a new addition to my collection - PUPA Deep Ruby. I saw it in a store and I knew I had to have it. When I arrived home, I realized I had something similar to it but I was surprised to see that it was quite a perfect dupe for the lovely Zoya Jem.
In the bottle PUPA looked kind of a deep burgundy, so that what "deceived" me. I remembered that Zoya Jem is more purple, but that was a deceiveing memory because I forgot that Zoya didn't look the same on the nails as in the bottle.

Zoya Jem and PUPA Deep Ruby are surprisingly identical, the only difference I could see is that Zoya Jem has little flakes as PUPA has only shimmer. The shimmer is golden, red and blue.
In the bottle it look kind of burgundy, deep plum color, and on the nails (in direct sun light) they look more purple. The color is defiantly gorgeous, rich and beautiful.

PUPA Deep Ruby VS Zoay Jem
Zoya Jem & PUPA Deep Ruby

Zoay Jem
Zoya Jem

PUPA Deep Ruby
PUPA Deep Ruby 619

I really couldn't see the difference when I applied them on the nails, they look identically to me. In the bottle there is some difference but on the nails, the same!
I did see a bit more of blue shimmer in PUPA but it's a slight difference.

As for application and formula, PUPA was a delight! I like the long thin brush, and it was SO opaque in one coat that I could leave it like that (actually for this swatch I applied two coats but on the right hand I used one coat only. Shh... don't tell anyone). When I applied it I said to myself outloud "What a rich color!" lol so that's how great it was!
As for Zoya, it needed two generous coats for good coverage. It's formula is thinner but also good.
Another difference I've noticed while I applied them, is that the base color of both polishes was different - I'm not sure how to explain this but Zoya was more red toned, and PUPA was blue toned, which is pretty weird considering the result is the same (I can see this clearly if I raise my hand against the light, so I can see that the distal edge has a different color).
The last thing - PUPA was a bit more shiny and Zoya was kind of dull, before I applied the top coat (Poshe), but once with a top coat - Zoya sparkled a bit more in the sun and showed it's flakes.

Overall I like them both, I can't decide which I like better because they are so similar. I can say that if someone else would have made this comparison before me, I probably wouldn't buy PUPA as well because I already had Zoya and I'm not a big fan of identical dupes, but I could live with them both. I'm thinking that PUPA might be better for traveling and such, because it's small and convenient. But I swear - I do LOVE them both! :)
PUPA Deep Ruby VS Zoay Jem

PUPA Deep Ruby VS Zoay Jem
direct sun

PUPA Deep Ruby VS Zoay Jem
shade

PUPA Deep Ruby VS Zoay Jem

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31 Comments

  1. it's difficult to tell the difference.. pretty shade :)

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  2. They're so so similar but you can tell the difference I think I prefer PUPA looks more sparkly :)

    Jazz x

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    1. It's really hard to see it, and in real life it actually looks like Zoya has a bit more sparkle to it, but they are both beautiful!

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  3. Wow they are pretty much match for match! I've never heard of PUPA do you recommend them? I used the wonderful NC01 plate again today :D

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    1. Yes they are! I was quite surprised :)
      I only have 4 of PUPA's polishes but I love them (the rest are gorgeous holos). They can be pricy and the bottles are small, but here it cost me $5 per bottle after a discount so I guess it's ok :)
      Let me know if you need any help getting these for you :)

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    2. Thanks lovey :) I will let you know if I can't get hold of them, I was interested from your post.. then you had to say holos! I LOVE holo's! :) Have you tried those 'hits' polishes? They sell them in Australia and its impossible to get them here but they look amazing (their holo range) Thanks again!

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    3. I've seen swatches of Hitls holos and they are stunning! I don't have any but they are certainly on my Wish List!

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  4. You really can't tell the difference and both are such gorgeous shades x

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  5. I am so glad you showed us this. When you posted your stamping post this morning I wanted it so bad but we don't have PUPA here, at least as far as I know! Yay! I can get Zoya.

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  6. I love Pupa's formula, most of their polishes are one coaters and that's great, plus when you add the second coat it adds depth to the colour - double great! These are dupes for sure! I own Jem so I can skip the Pupa, which number is it btw?

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    Replies
    1. Oh you're right, I forgot to add the number! It's 619 :)
      They are def the same in my eyes :)

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  7. Both are beautiful, I love the color.

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  8. Can't really tell the difference! They look great, such an interesting color, perfect for autumn!

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  9. שניהם מאוד יפים! בהחלט יכנס לויש ליסט שלי
    תמיד שמחה לראות השוואת!

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    1. באמת חייב להיות ב-WL :)
      לקים מעולים!

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  10. Gorgeous color!! Not sure which one to put on my wish list! <3

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  11. Woah, what a gorgeous color (both of them)! It looks so good on you! I have Jem, and I haven't worn it yet, if you can believe that. I will have to break it out and wear it soon. :-)

    ~ Yun

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    1. Thanks so much dear! It's truly such a gorgeous color, so should try this :)

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  12. this is sooo gorgeous!!! soo fall! me like

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  13. These polishes look great with your skin tone.

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  14. The polish is looking great with your skin tone

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