Press Sample
Let's talk cuticles. There are so many different products out there to help soften, cut, clean up and remove your cuticles. There are just as many techniques. No matter how you do it, cuticle care helps keep your hands clean, soft, and healthy. Today I have the newest addition to the Weleda family: Pomegranate Nail Care Pens.
Now, please note that the press samples I received were in the German packaging. The products launching this month here in the USA are written in English.
This is a two part system that can be used alone or in combination with the Weleda Pomegranate Firming Hand Cream. You can also just use the Cuticle Softener Pen or the Nail Care pen independently of each other.
First I have the Weleda Cuticle Softener Pen ($17, 0.1 fl oz). This is a hard wedged shape sponge that is automated soaked with the cuticle softener (you do not "pump" the tip like some softener pens). The pen contains a rich blend of plant oils featuring 98% organic ingredients to help condition and remove cuticles. Apply the pen to your cuticles, allow to absorb briefly and then carefully push your cuticles back using the tip. Again, it's a hard wedge so feel free to apply a bit of pressure. The pen includes 3 replacement tips on the bottom that are covered by a protective see-through cap. Replace as needed.
No doubt about it, my hands are in rough shape. I normally get a professional manicure once a month but with the holidays, my Dad's illness, and work, I just haven't had time. Instead, I'm left to my own devices and so this is my before photo. I don't have incredibly overgrown cuticles but they are definitely there.
I followed the directions and carefully pushed back my cuticles. Can you see a difference? While some of my cuticle is still attached to the nail, it did help - especially on my middle finger which was overgrown.
Next is the Weleda Nail Care Pen ($17, 0.07 fl oz). So this is an easy-to-use brush application with 91% organic ingredients including vitamin-rich plant oils and moisturizing shea butter, as well as chamomile extract and beeswax.
To use, twist the bottom end of the pen until you see a bead of oil, massage into your hands and cuticles until absorbed.
After application - shiny happy hands! I was surprised that the Nail Care Pen was more of a wax oil than an oily oil. That's good for me because I don't like oily hands. As the hour went by, I noticed that my hand really did look healthier - because I compared it to my Cinderella hand (you know, the hand that does all the work but never gets photographed?) which is still dry, rough, and without nail care.
Now, at $17 each, this is a little pricey for a nail care system but considering how little you have to use at each application, I can see that these pens will last you at least a couple of months if you're applying daily, and then the price point becomes more manageable. I especially feel that these are great to keep at work because it requires little maintenance and dries without being oily.
Weleda products can be purchased on their website. Join the conversation on social media by subscribing to their YouTube, follow their Instagram, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow on Pinterest.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Nothing To Disclose
So if you didn't know, China Glaze was my first love with nail polishes. I started with the Summer Daze collection back in Summer 2009 and just went wild. In fact, this blog was almost called "China Glaze Galore" until a dear friend advised against it. Now, one thing I love/hate about China Glaze is they put out some massive big collections each year, and a lot of them. It's a lot to keep up with! The Holiday 2015 Cheers! collection is one of those massive collections with 12 lacquers ranging from pearls, to cremes, shimmers, and of course, glitter. Today I have Better Not Pout, a berry pearl.
I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 thin coats of polish, and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. Formula was a little thin so I had to be careful not to glob the polish on and take my time instead. I still ended up getting some on my cuticles because I have to retrain myself with the China Glaze brush which is round and thin vs flat and wide.
Okay, seriously? Look how pretty this is. Now originally, I thought this was a shimmer but there's not really any shimmer inside - it's more of a pearl like their PR has suggested but thankfully there's no crazy pearl brush strokes. That's the #1 reason why I hate pearls normally... the brush strokes tend to look like Grandma pulled out a streaky polish from the 70s. But nope! China Glaze somehow figured out how to have the pearl consistency without the gross brush strokes. I'm glad I bought this polish and I can see myself using it throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
Press Sample
Happy Wednesday! Today I have a nail care product to share with you that is my happy answer to another "nail cream" that I do not care for.
Nail Butter is an all natural, zero preservatives, FAMILY SECRET! butter for nails. Yes, really. Founder Christina Cole's grandmother was a dental hygienist who had weak, thin nails and dry cracking cuticles due to frequent hand washing. So Christina's dad Frederick developed a proprietary blend of natural ingredients that both enhances nail growth by stimulating circulation to the nail matrix while also restoring moisture to nail beds and cuticles.
To use, apply a small amount to each of your nail beds and massage with an upward motion for 30 seconds. Now, for best results, you are to apply Nail Butter twice a day for 30 days, and then once a day after that. I currently don't have a set schedule of when I apply but it would be good to get on board with this.
Not only is this all natural, but it's also made in the USA - homemade on the Cole farm in Athens, Georgia! It's also cruelty free, is NOT tested on animals, paraben free, sulfate free, phthalate free, free of artificial dyes and you can even recycle the packaging.
Nail Butter comes in a frosted glass pot, naturally scented with either Gardenia, Lemongrass or Lemon + Gardenia.
I received the Lemongrass scent. Now, there's a certain "flutter" out there that comes in a black pot that nail bloggers have RAVED about for years. I was really excited to try that stuff but MAN to me, it smells like old bandaids inside of a garage. I can't get behind it. Nail Butter, on the other hand, isn't nearly as offensive to me with their lemongrass scent. Good news for those of you super sensitive to any fragrances... they are working on a fragrance free version. Their alternative right now is to stir your pot, leave it open for a few hours and the scent should start to dissipate.
This is an older photos (hence the long nails) taken 5 minutes after applying Nail Butter. You can see that my hands are slightly shiny but not overly oiled. After about 15 minutes, I feel safe to type on my keyboard again and do not leave any residue behind. This is more of an "at home" product for me, particularly when I'm headed to bed.
Nail Butter is available on their website for $24.00 with free shipping located in the USA but international shipping is available as well for a cost. You can also check their Retailers tab on their website to see where else you can purchase both in the USA and Internationally.
Keep up with Nail Butter on social media: Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Follow on Instagram and Follow on Pinterest.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
So last week I showed you the "Rose Quartz" inspired polish by Milani called Pink Beige. Today I have the "Serenity" inspired polish named Peri-Wink.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. The formula on this polish was a little thinner, a little streaker, and that's why I needed three coats. Also this polish has this teeny tiny blue shimmer that it's really hidden but also makes the polish dry slightly matte. I always wear top coat unless the polish is supposed to be matte like with Zoya or some of the China Glaze polishes. Typically even then, I will put top coat and a final coat of polish to give the matte effect without compromising in long lasting polish. However for this polish, I felt like it needed top coat for shine and to allow that shimmer to MAYBE show through.
This is definitely a more baby blue than I expected originally but it's still pretty. I think I can get away with wearing this in the office as it's not too in your face. I do wish the shimmer came across more.
You can visit Milani on their website and purchase directly or buy it in stores like CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens for around $3.99. You can Like them on Facebook, follow their Twitter, follow on Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube Channel.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Nothing To Disclose
Last year, I decided to purchase a mystery grab bag of indies, not knowing what brands or colors would be included. In my bag was Pretty & Polished Rust Have Red, a brownish red holographic polish. At first I didn't want to keep it but I swatched it on a nail wheel and was pleasantly surprised.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. Even though this is listed as a "jelly", I didn't need more than 2 coats of polish to be opaque on the nail.
This photos is from my light box, and it's how it looks most of the time - a rusty red. It's pretty unique in my collection, as I can't think of any other colors like it off hand. I wonder if this was inspired by the Marsala, the 2015 Pantone color of the year, or if this was more of the 2012 trend of oxblood red. Either way, it's a pretty little thing and office appropriate for me.
This polish also needs a shot in the sun to show off all the holographic sparkle - scattered if you will. Overall this polish ended up staying with me, and I'm looking forward to wearing it more often.
Pretty & Polished is available through their website where she also has bath & body products for sale. Follow Pretty & Polished on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
