This post is all about my favorite nail, cuticle and hand products. I am not being sponsored in any way. I have tried a lot of products over the last year and these are the ones that I keep going back to over and over again.
First off, Julep Hand and Cuticle Stick. This looks like a very large lip balm, and I pack it around in my bag to moisturize on the run. It has a very light scent, which is nice, and it is not oily at all, so that makes it perfect for my cuticles when I am on the go.
Julep Essential Cuticle Oil comes in a rollerball applicator. It smells sooooooo good and is the ultimate for "before bed" application to keep my cuticles soft and healthy. I also like to massage this stuff into my cuticles while watching The Vampire Diaries. Keep Calm and Moisturize On?
This is my new favorite hand cream. Julep Rock Star. Again, it has a very pleasant but light scent. This stuff really soaks in and lasts even through hand washings. I use this at work where I wash my hands a bajillion times a day.
To keep my nails strong and break-free, I alternate between Julep Oxygen Nail Treatment and OPI Nail Envy Matte. I LOVE the OPI Nail Envy, but sometimes I like the look of the Julep, which gives your nails a very faint pink color. Sort of like foundation for nails. I use the OPI Nail Envy as a base coat for all my manis, and it really keeps your nails strong. Worth every penny. If I am not wearing polish, I always have one of these products on my nails.
To soften my cuticles and to remove any polish stains, I use Orly Cutique. Before I polish, I put this all over my nails and cuticles and then push back my cuticles with an orange stick. Then I wash my hands with soap and water to remove any product before I start to polish.
My favorite polish remover is the Zoya Remove +. I always wipe my nails with this before I polish to remove any soap or oil on my nail. I buy it in a HUGE bottle and then refill my pump as needed. It has a chemical/lavender scent to it that is sort of weird, but it really removes polish well without damaging my nails.
On my nails, I use OPI Nail Envy as a base coat, but on my toes I use CND Stickey. It dries rather tacky and polish really sticks to it.
After doing my post on QDTC's here, I now use Sally Hansen Insta-Dri QDTC on all my manis and pedis. It works great and the bonus is that it is inexpensive.
To file and shape my nails, I use a crystal nail file. I got mine on eBay for $8 but you can really get them anywhere. They are a very fine grit which is perfect for natural nails and they never wear out. They do break though (as I found out in my suitcase) so they are probably not the best for travelling. My nails are much stronger since I started using this with fewer peels.
There is one last product that I want to share with you. Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter. This is super greasy and smells like a mixture of gasoline and lemons, but it works amazingly if you have super dry cuticles and lots of hangnails. Smear some of this mess on your cuticles before bed and you will wake up with model hands. No joke. Be prepared to sleep alone though. It even repels my cats.
Well, that is it. My favorites. I would love to hear from you about what products you love and cannot do without. Feel free to post in the comments about what you are currently loving!
My one year Blog-aversary is coming up quickly! A year has gone by so fast! What do you think we should do to celebrate? Giveaway? I will keep you posted!
Til another polish...
saucyabby ~
