On the Road to Recovery...

After a rookie mistake, I find myself needing to start over. I must remember to follow my own rules, "Do not over buff!" I am often asked about my nail care routine, so I find this a great time to re-document my nail care routine. I first shared my process over 8 years ago. I will share that original link here. My process, as well as my products,  have changed over the years. This will be my routine to bring my nails back to a healthy state. I will, at a later time, share my maintenance routine. 

Also, one disclaimer. I am not a nail professional. This is just what works for me.

Tools: These are some of the products I use, but use what you have available.

• Cotton Rounds: to remove any old polish

• Clippers: to remove any major length

• Cuticle Pusher: this is a personal preference-metal, ceramic, plastic, wood, whatever you like

• Nail Files: to smooth edges. I have several types of files in my arsenal, each has a purpose

• Cuticle Nippers: used to clip hangnails and any dead skin

August 15th--National Relaxation Day...How Do You Relax?

Press Sample

My day usually starts at 5:00 AM and normally doesn't shut down until 11:00 PM. Its no wonder, that when my head hits the pillow, its only a matter a minutes before I'm fast asleep. A certain amount of stress is normal, too much stress can be harmful to both your physical and mental health. Thanks to our British mates, we have National Slacker Day, which those of us in the USA changed to the politically correct National Relaxation Day-August 15th. Yes, today, Friday, August 15th is National Relaxation Day. Probably wish you had taken today off from work, right? Oh well put it in your calendar for next year.

SERIES: Progress-2 Weeks After My "Big Chop"

Two weeks ago, I posted about my forced "Big Chop". I had an incident that was beyond patching on my swatch hand so I went ahead and cut back all my nails. As promised I would post a growth update every two weeks. And since tomorrow marks 2 weeks I'm showing you my progress.

If you follow my blog or follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you will remember the break I experienced. My entire free-edge had to come off. That was the evening of 3/13/13. As I explained, I would continue to follow my moisture regimen. I  continue to use my Nail Life Nail Revitalizer as treatment. The only additional product I added was Hand Perfection which is an anti-aging hand care system I'm reviewing.  I have continued my at least twice daily moisture process.  

 

My nails are making good progress.  Baring any other "issues" it won't be long before they are back to the length I prefer.  The main reason I am posting this blog is to show the importance of caring for your nails and cuticles. We spend so much time and money on our nail polishes, it only makes sense to care for their "foundation and frame".  

 What is your nail care regimen? What are your go-to products for nail care?

 Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: There is one product mentioned within this post that was sent for review as noted. All others products were purchased with my own money. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

SERIES: Nail Care-My Top 5 Cuticle Removers

3/13/2013

Just under a week ago, I shared with you the "Big Chop" I went through after experiencing a severe break on my swatch hand.  I also mentioned that I would be doing a Nail Care Series, sharing with you my nail regimen and the products I use. So today, I am starting with the Cuticle Removers I have used throughout my nail care journey.  Of all the cuticle removers I've used, these are my Top 5 Cuticle Removers. I realize that there are still many others on the market but since I have not used them, I can't comment on them.

3/19/2013

5. Develop 10 Creamy Cuticle Remover ($6.99 for 4oz): Claim-"This gentle cream softens your cuticles to the point where they can be gently pushed back or removed." I purchased this product from Ulta and found it to be effective but a bit messy.

4. Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser + Balm* ($6.99 for 0.28oz): Claim-"Combination remover and creme quickly eliminates excess, ragged cuticles & hangnails as it conditions nails and cuticles." I received this product for review. At first, I wasn't absolutely keen on it, because I don't like the container. But I gave it a try and overlooking the container. I like the results and love its clean, fresh scent. I started using it daily before my last hand washing of the night. I massage the product into my cuticles, push them back and follow-up with a hand-washing.

3. Blue Cross Cuticle Remover ($5.99 for 16oz): Claim-"Lanolin enriched. Removes cuticle safely without cutting. The choice of professionals since 1933."  This is by far the most cost effective product. You get 16oz for less than $6. I found it to be effective by extremely runny. I transferred the product to a smaller bottle with a squeeze top and applied the product with a cotton swab. I found the scent to be less than pleasing.

2. Sally Hansen Smooth Cuticles Now* ($6.49 for 1oz): Claim-"Fast-acting formula softens rough cuticles for easy removal." This is another product I received for review consideration. When I finally gave it a try, I was very pleased with the results.  Applying a bead of the product to each cuticle, massaging it in, and then pushing back my cuticles. I found it very effective, and moisturizing.  I like that it also contains Vitamins A, C, E, and Pro-Vitamin B5-each are beneficial to nail health.

1. Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover ($4.97 for 1oz): Claim-"Cuts manicure time in half. Revolutionary gel formula melts away and breaks down excess cuticles. With regular use, helps prevent cuticle problems before they start." This is absolutely my favorite cuticle remover. It's readily found, inexpensive, but most important effective. I have been using this product for years, but it wasn't until recently that I noticed in the directions, that it states that  you should also apply it under the nail tips. I find this helpful in preventing that skin build-up that sometimes occurs.  Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover is my #1 Top Cuticle Remover.

So as one of the first steps in your manicure process, it is imperative to care for your cuticles.  Some might ask what's the big deal about caring for your cuticles?  A well done manicure is far more than just polishing your nails. It also requires caring for your cuticles.  Having healthy nails and cuticles is more than just the look, dry, and cracked cuticles are prone to hangnails, and possible infection.  Some Steps to having Healthy Cuticles are as follows:

3/19/2013

1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize.  I have been beating that drum long before I started blogging. You must keep your cuticles hydrated. I moisturize throughout the day. I have shared with your my cuticle oil mix. Natural oils are excellent for moisturizing.
2. It's often said not to cut your cuticles.  I agree with this 95% of the time. I use my nippers for hangnails and the occasional difficult cuticle. But this MUST be done with care. If done incorrectly, you could do more damage than good.
3. Use a Cuticle Remover when pushing back your cuticles; never push back dry cuticles. I use an orange-wood stick or my rubber-tipped cuticle pusher. Also, throughout the day, when I was my hands, since my cuticles are already soften, I gently push them back again.
4. Caring for your cuticles really isn't that difficult. Just handle them with care because damaging your cuticle could lead to damaging your nails.

These are the steps I follow for maintaining healthy nails and cuticles.  I have several other posts planned to help with your nail care regimen-moisturizers, base coats, top coats, tools, and supplements.  If you have any other posts you would like to see, leave them listed in the comments and I will get to them as soon as possible.  As my good friend and a former owner of a nail salon always said, "Treat your nails as Jewels, not Tools."  

Caring for my nails, it won't be long before I'm back to the nails I'm used to. 

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* Those products noted with an asterisk (*) were sent to me for review consideration by the PR department of the Manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company. 

SERIES: Big Chop...No, not my hair...

I had just finished doing several swatches for St. Patrick's Day and was about to finish up for the night and BAMM! The nail on my middle finger of my swatch hand was barely hanging on. It wasn't down in the quick, so it didn't physically hurt, but anyone who enjoys length on her nails knows the pain I felt. 

Oh well, so fate has decided for me to do a big chop.  I usually file my nails back a couple times a year so it's not totally devastating. I actually enjoy the freedom of short nails.  I have cut back all my nails and will be blogging my regimen and progress.  Here is my starting point.

My regimen will pretty much stay the same, moisturizing at least twice a day with my cuticle oil mix. To read about my cuticle oil mix, feel free to read that blog post by clicking, HERE.  If you are seeking a commercial cuticle oil mix, I recommend Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil. To read my review, click HERE.  

In addition to my cuticle oil, I will also be using my go-to nail treatment. I have been using Nail Life Nail Revitalizer for years.  It is available at Sally Beauty. While I use the Original Formula, there is also a Formaldehyde-Free formula. I will apply one coat daily. Once a week, I'll remove it during my manicure process and start fresh.

In addition, I'll also take my 5000 mcg Biotin.  So while, I will be posting for St. Patrick's Day, remember those pictures were taken before my little incident. In addition, I'll be posting my progress every 2 weeks. More frequent is like that watched pot adage. 

If you are interested in sharing along with my nail care journey, feel free. I would love some company.  If you are, what products will you be using?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own money. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.