Press Sample
Are you suffering from dry hands this winter? Our weather has been all over the place - 30s in the morning and then jumping to 70s in the afternoon. All that equals havoc on my hands and nails. Today I'm trying Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Cream in Coconut Lime.
This hand cream has a list of natural ingredients to help repair the skin, moisturize, promote elasticity, promote anti-aging, reduce sun damage, polish, condition and rejuvenate the skin. Whew. That's a lot coming from a hand cream. But with Certified Organic Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Lime Extract, Coconut Extract, Avocado Oil, Safflower Seed Oil and Chamomile Extact, it's easy to see how they can pack so many claims into a 3 ounce bottle. Did I mention the cost is only $5.99?
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Lotion is also paraben free, no DMDM (a preservative), made in the USA AND doesn't test on animals.
But let's be real, I wonder "Does it smell good?" and "Is it greasy/oily"?
From the above photo of the cream on my hand, you may be worried.
Amazingly, this is definitely a non-greasy, non-oily hand cream while giving a feeling of moisturizing and conditioning. I was able to type within 10 minutes of applying. And the smell? Pure Heaven. Now, I love both coconut and lime, so that helps but it doesn't smell fake or artificial. It's also not so strong that you just smell like sunscreen and a margarita. A+ in my book.
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Lotion may be purchased in retail stores found through their website in three scents - Coconut Lime, Moroccan Rose and Tropical Mango. Because of the price point, I'm seriously looking and picking up the other two. And if you check out the retail store locator, you may be surprised - I'm able to find this hand cream at my local Wal-Mart! I didn't realize it was so readily available.
Tree Hut has lines of scrubs, butters, sun protection, lotions, soakd and washes/soaps in a variety of scents. Join the conversation on social media by Liking them on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest and Following on Instagram.
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
I feel like I should call this series "Red-y For Monday"! Well, technically two weeks ago I posted a lavender that leaned a little pink so not really red. Regardless, today I have Morgan Taylor A Touch of Sass from the Fall 2015 Urban Cowgirl collection.
I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. I am absolutely obsessed in love with the wide flat brush that comes with Morgan Taylor. It's perfect for my nails. In fact, on my shorties, I'm able to pretty much cover my pinkie in one stroke. The formula on this polish was pretty fantastic but because it's SUCH a deep red, pay attention to your cuticles. It won't stain your nails but it will leave a red pigment behind that just needs a good hand washing.
I love this red. I love this type of red. It has a level of sophistication that's office appropriate but is also one of those colors that I'm sure my Grandmother would have whispered about. Lovely staple to pick up if you don't have one like it.
Morgan Taylor [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube] is available at CosmoProf for $8.50 a bottle. Online, non-professionals can purchase Morgan Taylor at Ulta Beauty.
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
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.
