Zoya Naked Manicure Rescue + Repair Kit Review

*Sent for review*

Oh my word, an actual post on this blog 😲. Sorry for the total radio silence here, but I got a side job over the winter and it was a rough schedule. I am back and have several posts in the pipeline, starting off with this review of the Zoya Naked Manicure Rescue + Repair Kit. This is a great set for any manicure enthusiast and would make an excellent gift. The set comes in a nice quality pink zippered pouch and contains Zoya Gelie-Cure Rescue Serum, Genie-Cure Repair Base, a double-ended wooden cuticle pusher, and a file with different grit options. The pink bag is a really nice one, I plan to use it for my nail supplies while traveling (so happy traveling is a thing again!).

There are instructions included on how to prep your nails for the treatment using the file and cuticle pusher. After nails are prepped, you apply a small amount of the Rescue Serum to each nail and then a layer of the Repair Base. You don't wipe or wash off the serum before applying the base. In the drier months, I usually oil my nails before base coat, so this is sort of a similar concept.

I began using this kit in the dead of winter while working two jobs, both of which required me to use a lot of disinfecting products and hand sanitizer. My nails were not in great shape and my thumb nails were both peeling a lot (see below).

The next picture is the same nail after using the Rescue + Repair kit. Instantly about a million times better. I used this set so many times in the winter when I didn't have enough time to actually do a whole manicure but couldn't stand my bare nails anymore. It immediately makes my nails look healthy and shiny. It also seemed to prevent breakage and keep my nails feeling stronger and less dry.

I don't really have true before and after pictures for you with this set, due to the crazy schedule I was living. But I can honestly say that I used this set over and over again this winter. I am pretty sure I wore the repair base and rescue serum more than regular polish! Based on my experience, I can definitely recommend the Zoya Naked Manicure Rescue + Repair Kit if you want to instantly improve the appearance of your nails, as well as improve them in the long run. I will be giving some of these out as gifts to my friends who love manis, they are a great little set!

The Zoya Naked Manicure Rescue + Repair Kit is available now on Zoya.com. 

Zoya Rescue & Repair Kit Preview!

 

ZOYA RESCUE & REPAIR KIT     The first ever micronized nail treatment for strong, healthy-looking nails is made from natural oils, fibers & fillers, and pH conditioners to be rubbed directly into the nails and sealed with a clear nail polish. It mimics the nail's natural sebum to reinforce the strength and flexibility of the nail's keratin fibers, so you can lock in the benefits up until your next manicure change. See and feel the difference in your nails with increased polish wear.     So, if you need a solution for nails that are damaged, breaking, peeling, or need to recover after years of gels or acrylics, consider yourself lucky! The Naked Manicure Rescue Repair will stop your nails from being sucky!  Nails can suck for many reasons. Sometimes it's damage from constant application, scraping and removal of gels or acrylics, or sometimes it's because your environment, activities and climate can destroy the keratin that gives your nails their strength and flexibility.     No matter the reason, we can fix it and instantly improve the appearance and condition of your nails. Best of all, this PATENTED system makes it simple.    ----

ZOYA.COM – AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW   *10 FREE FORMULA: FORMULATED WITHOUT FORMALDEHYDE, FORMALDEHYDE RESIN,  DIBUTYL PHTHALATE, TOLUENE, CAMPHOR, TPHP, PARABENS, XYLENE, ETHYL TOSYLAMIDE and LEAD.

Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab Strengthener Review!

*Sent for review*

I am really excited about the product I have to tell you about today! This treatment gave me visible results after just 2 weeks of use. This miracle treatment is the new Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab. Sally Hansen has always had good nail treatments, but I think this is the best one yet for my nails. My nails get extremely dry and brittle, especially in the winter, and then the dryness leads straight to peeling and breaking. Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab takes aim at that exact problem, drenching your nails in moisture to prevent brittle, dry, breaking nails. According to Sally Hansen, the formula contains a "blend of black orchid, açai and algae actives and humectants" and  "helps hydrate and rejuvenate severely dry or weak nails". 

I have been using Moisture Rehab for about 3 weeks total now, and after the first 2 weeks, I was sold. My nails are typically really short at this time of the year, thanks to the cold temperatures and tons of hand washing. But thanks to Moisture Rehab, I have managed to maintain a nice length for the past 3 weeks! And aside from the length, my peelies are drastically reduced and my nails just look and feel better. I have been applying this at night, even over polish. If I have bare nails, I will also apply it several times during the day. I apply a good amount to each nail, let it soak in for a minute, and then massage the rest into my nails. It really sinks in and provides immediate relief to my dry nails. I would highly recommend Moisture Rehab to anyone with dry, brittle nails!

Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab should be available in a drugstore near you now! For more Sally Hansen products, check out http://www.sallyhansen.com.

Sephora Aloe Vera Hand Mask Review

 *Purchased by me*

Sorry for the radio silence around here, but our regional Irish dance championships are coming up this weekend and it's been non-stop for the last week or so. I promise things will get back to normal next week and I have lots of goodies to post. Being so busy, I definitely haven't been moisturizing my hands and nails enough and they were showing the wear. I decided to try out this Sephora Aloe Vera Hand Mask last night to see if it would help. This is a one-time use mask, with disposable gloves filled with a moisturizing cream/gel. You simply slip the gloves on, leave them on for 15 minutes, and then rub in the excess product. The cream inside is lightly scented with a fresh scent. So did it help with dryness?

I think it did! My hands felt better immediately after trying this mask and for quite some time after using it. I plan to repurchase this mask and to also buy the other two varieties (Avocado and Argan). I have liked the Sephora sheet masks for my face and am very pleased with this hand mask as well. Next I want to try the foot mask!

Sephora Aloe Vera Hand Mask is available at Sephora.com and in Sephora stores.

Two Shades from the new Barielle with ProSina Collection!

*Sent for review*

Hope your weekend is going well so far! Mine is nice and relaxing, the first weekend I've had without work in quite awhile! Today I have two shades from the new Barielle with ProSina Signature Collection. Barielle selected some popular shades from their core collection and infused them with a hydrolyzed keratin they call ProSina. They say that "ProSina is a polypeptide that works with the keratin in the nail to improve the overall durability and elasticity of then nail plate". It also promises to provide hydration to repair damaged nails. I haven't worn these shades enough to test these claims yet, but a full test is in the works. I could use some nail repair right about now. The winter has killed my nail health! Moving on to the colors, Barielle Orange Parfait is a pretty bright peachy orange creme. It's a perfect juicy orange coral for spring and summer.

This is two coats of Orange Parfait. It was really easy to apply and has a fantastic formula. If it improves nail health too, I will be thoroughly impressed!

Barielle Pretty Woman is a dusty deep blue creme, like a cross between navy and a deep cornflower. It's not as dark as navy, but has some brightness peeking through. This is a great color for any time of year!

This is two easy coats again. I hope all of the ProSina-infused colors have this great formula!

*Sent for review*

I love the easy glide-on formula of these two polishes and their rich colors. I will be testing them out to see if I notice any improvement of my nail condition after wearing them!

The new Barielle ProSina Collection is available now on barielle.com.

OPI Nail Envy Strength + Color Swatches!

 *Sent for review*

Tinted nail treatments are a big thing right now. OPI Nail Envy is a hugely popular strengthening treatment, so it makes perfect sense for OPI to release some tinted versions! I am testing out the strengthening properties over a period of time, but enjoy these swatches while you wait for my thoughts on the treatment properties.

OPI Hawaiian Orchid is a pretty pink creme with purple/mauve tones. It has a warm cozy feeling to it. I don't own this shade in the regular OPI polish, but I see why it's so popular. It's probably work safe for a lot of people, but it still manages to be a lively looking pink.

This is three thin coats. Hawaiian Orchid was the most pigmented of the Nail Envy tinted treatments. It was a tad sheer on the first coat, but built up very well, as you can see. It had a lovely smooth formula.

OPI Bubble Bath, another very popular shade, is a sheer whitened pink. It gives such a soft creamy glow to the nails.  This palest pink wash is an OPI classic, so I'm not surprised they picked it for this collection.

This is three coats of Bubble Bath. I think it might be more opaque than the regular polish version. It is very sheer on the first coat, and still has some VNL at three coats. But this is part of the appeal of this polish for a lot of people. It was easy to apply.

I've been meaning to get the regular version of OPI Samoan Sand for ages. It looked like it would be a great nude for me and it is for sure. Samoan Sand is a warm-toned beige with hints of creamy pink. It's not my mannequin hands shade for sure, but it's a really nice looking nude polish on my skin. I think it would be a flattering nude for a lot of people.

This is three thin coats. Again, it was sheer at one coat, but built up well at three. It was very easy to apply and had a great formula.

 *Sent for review*

The fourth shade in the collection is OPI Pink to Envy. This is a shade exclusive to the Nail Envy line (i.e. not found in the regular polish line). This is a verrrry slightly pink-tinted clear polish. On the nail, it mostly looks clear. This is three coats and I do think it made my nails look slightly pinker overall. Like the others, it was easy to apply. All four of these were very glossy looking without top coat. I did not use top coat for these swatches. Just to note- I believe these do contain formaldehyde resin if you are looking to avoid that.

The OPI Nail Envy Strength + Color collection is available now at Ulta, Ulta.com and other professional salons.

OPI Nail Envy, now in color!!!

INTRODUCING NAIL ENVY “STRENGTH IN COLOR”

IDEA: Strengthening treatment plus coveted color in one  WHAT IT IS: The fortifying power of OPI’s Original Nail Envy Nail Strengthener is now combined with softly tinted color in four gorgeous OPI shades. The trusted formula you love—from the world’s number one salon brand, OPI—has added delicate, subtle color for the very first time. Infused with hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium, the new Nail Envy “Strength in Color” delivers maximum strengthening aid to transform weak, brittle, damaged nails into stronger, longer, harder nails shining with bold, true-to-bottle color. WHAT IT IS: The fortifying power of OPI’s Original Nail Envy Nail Strengthener is now combined with softly tinted color in four gorgeous OPI shades. The trusted formula you love—from the world’s number one salon brand, OPI—has added delicate, subtle color for the very first time. Infused with hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium, the new Nail Envy “Strength in Color” delivers maximum strengthening aid to transform weak, brittle, damaged nails into stronger, longer, harder nails shining with bold, true-to-bottle color.   Inspired by of-the-moment creamsicle hued and pink quartz spring runway looks, this first-of-its-kind collection includes classic OPI favorite shades like Hawaiian Orchid, Samoan Sand, and Bubble Bath, plus a Nail Envy-only exclusive offering, Pink to Envy. Simply apply this innovative two-in-one nail strengthener plus color lacquer directly onto nails to add some much needed muscle to your manicure. NEW Nail Envy “Strength in Color” ($17.95 US retail, $22.50 CAN retail): Hawaiian Orchid: A tropical pink with hints of light purple Samoan Sand: A warm beige-pink Bubble Bath: A sweet candy pink Pink to Envy: A Nail Envy exclusive shade in sheer light pink

Review of the 4 New Nicole by OPI Top Coats and Treatments

 *Sent for review*

I always love to try new top coats and treatments, so I jumped at the chance to review Nicole by OPI's 3 new top/base coats and cuticle oil. I've been testing them out for a few manis now and think I'm ready to give a verdict. Were they as good as my current holy grail combo? Let's see.

In accordance with my new mani method, I started by applying Nicole by OPI Oil To Go cuticle oil to my nails and cuticles. I love the idea of a cuticle oil in a to go package. My cuticles get very ragged when I'm traveling and maybe this will help prevent that. The consistency of Oil To Go is much thicker than that of an actual oil. But it does seem nicely moisturizing, probably more so than my old standby China Glaze oil.

I then applied one coat of Nicole by OPI 3-in-1 Base, Top Coat & Strengthener. This is the product I was most interested in, because I love the idea of a 3-in-1 product, but I feel like sometimes they don't deliver. Either they are not good as a base coat/top coat and your mani chips quickly, or they do nothing to strengthen your nails. As a base coat, this works as well as my old standby Nicole by OPI Base Coat Plus. I was already really happy with Base Coat Plus and this seems to have all of the same staying power and stain prevention. I probably need some more time to really test the strengthening aspect of this product, but I can say that my nails did look healthier when I removed the couple of manis I did with this so far. They also felt really strong while wearing the product, even though it is very cold and my nails tend to fall apart in the winter.

After applying my polish, I added another coat of the 3-in-1 Base, Top Coat & Strengthener, and then finished it all off with a coat of Nicole by OPI Quick Dry Top Coat. This top coat is definitely not as fast drying as the gold standard Seche Vite, but I did find it to dry all the layers of my mani fairly quickly (maybe about 3 minutes for dry to the touch and 15 for dry all the way through). I prefer this top coat to Seche Vite for several reasons- it has no disgusting smell that makes me feel like I'm getting cancer, I got absolutely no shrinkage with this top coat (I get HORRENDOUS shrinkage with SV), and much better wear time (I get less than 24 hour wear time with SV, this wore nicely for 4+ days).

Here is one mani I did with these products. The Quick Dry Top Coat is nice and shiny, as you can see, so that's another great plus! This mani was done with the 3-in-1 as a base coat, two coats Nicole by OPI Tink's In the Pink, one coat Nicole by OPI Confetti Fun, one coat of the 3-in-1, and one coat of the Quick Dry Top Coat.

I was also pretty excited to try the Nicole by OPI Matte Top Coat. You'd think by now I'd have enough matte top coats, but noooo, I love mattifying everything!! I am always looking for another great, inexpensive, and readily available, matte top coat. This one happens to be an excellent choice! One layer of this mattifying potion is enough to take out all the shine from your typical mani. Below you can see my Tink's In the Pink/Confetti Fun combo with one coat of Nicole by OPI Matte Top Coat.

A lot of drugstore matte top coats are really more like satin top coats. They leave behind some level of shine. As you can see, this one does not. I am in love with this matte top coat. Nicely done Nicole by OPI!

*Sent for review*

Overall, I think I have found a new set of favorites to use under and over my manis. I'll definitely be using the 3-in-1 as a base and top coat, and the matte top coat is my new go to for matte manis. The 3-in-1 and the Oil To Go will also be staples in my travel bag for sure. If I am in a serious hurry, I may still use Essie Good to Go over the Quick Dry top coat, as I think it dries a hair faster. But overall, I am very pleased with these products.

These treatments will be available January 2014 for $7.99 each at retailers including select CVS, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Duane Reade, Kroger, H-E-B.  In Canada these treatments will be available for $10.99 each at select Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Loblaws and London Drug.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

My Manis Are Lasting Longer Than Ever-- Here's How!

 *Some items sent for review. See end of post*

I've mentioned before that I almost never comment on the wear time of polishes because nothing wears very well for me personally. Wear time is a very individual thing and it depends on a lot of factors- your nail health, your nail type, hand washing, etc. I have very dry nails and wash my hands constantly, so polish very often chips on me within 24 hours. HOWEVER, I recently found my magic combination that has been allowing me to wear polish for 4+ days with very minimal tip wear and no chips!!! *cue triumphant trumpet sounds* I do want to preface this by saying that your own results may vary, due to all of the factors I listed above, but if you have wear problems like I used to, this may be worth a try!

First of all, and I think this is the most important step here, instead of cleaning the nail plate prior to applying polish, I have been oiling my nails! This seems counter-intuitive, and I know we've all read the magazine articles where the nail professionals tell us to wipe the nails with acetone or white vinegar before applying base coat. But, if I already have dry nails, does it really make sense to dehydrate them more before applying polish? I've been reading others say that applying an oil before a mani has really helped prevent chips and reduced peeling in their nails, so I had to give it a try. It has worked beautifully for me. I can now wear a mani for 4 days with no chips and when I remove my polish, I have noticed that my nails appear much healthier. I've been using China Glaze Peppermint Cuticle Oil or Orly Argan Cuticle Oil, but I've heard that just plain coconut oil or any variety of oil works just fine.

 I apply the oil to my nails and let it absorb for a few minutes. Then I rub any excess oil away with a cloth (or the edge of the shirt I'm wearing, depending on my laziness) and then apply my base coat WITHOUT RINSING the oil off! You will be tempted to rinse, but you must resist. The oil will not interfere with the polish application, just apply base coat as usual. I've been using Nicole by OPI Base Coat Plus with great results.

*Some items sent for review. See end of post*

I also discovered that I really love the OPI Top Coat. It's nice and glossy and has helped to increase wear time for me. However, it takes a while to dry and I have no patience, so I've been using Essie Good to Go to top the whole thing off. It dries all the layers quickly and I don't get the shrinkage I always get with Seche Vite. I think the oiling is probably the step that is making the most difference for me, but I am so happy with this whole system. I don't want to change a thing! I have tried so many base and top coats over the years, so I'm thrilled to have found the combination that works best for me. Have you found your magical combo?

*OPI Top Coat and Nicole by OPI Base Coat Plus sent for review. China Glaze Cuticle Oil and Essie Good to Go purchased by me*

Nicole by OPI Launches 4 New Top Coats and Treatments!

Pampered and Polished!

Nicole by OPI Launches 4 NEW Top Coats & Treatments for 2014

Nicole by OPI announces four new Top Coats & Treatments for 2014 – essentials for a perfect at-home manicure.  Developed and inspired by OPI’s in-salon favorites, the line includes Oil to Go; 3-in-1 Base, Top Coat & Strengthener; Quick Dry Top Coat; and Matte Top Coat. 

Packaged in a leak-proof tube, Oil to Go keeps cuticles soft and smooth on the go.  3-in-1 Base, Top Coat & Strengthenerencompasses nail care must-haves in one convenient bottle.  Matte Top Coat can be layered over any Nicole by OPI hue to instantly transform shiny finishes to matte. Quick Dry Top Coat reduces drying time and adds shine and protection.

“I recommend using Oil to Go daily for healthy nails,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Top Coats are important for maintaining perfectly painted fingers and toes.  Nicole fans can achieve high quality results without breaking the bank!”

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality.  These treatments will be available January 2014 for $7.99 each at retailers including select CVS, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Duane Reade, Kroger, H-E-B.  In Canada these treatments will be available for $10.99 each at select Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Loblaws and London Drug.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

About Nicole by OPI:

Nicole by OPI offers a salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s heritage is based on OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.  Known for its celebrity collaborations and partnerships, the brand invites consumers to be creative and confident by expressing themselves through color. Currently, Nicole by OPI range boasts over 120 shades, including retailer-exclusive lacquers, and serves as the color authority for the younger demographic.

L'Occitane Extra-Gentle Lotion Reduces My Resemblance to a Lizard!

I am all for using heavy hand creams and cuticle treatments at night. I love that. But, I have found that trying to make up for a lack of moisture during the day by piling on heavy creams at night does not leave my hands and nails feeling optimally moisturized. However, I HATE using hand cream and then touching anything. I am always running around during the day and I just can't take 10 minutes to wait for my hand cream to absorb. What's a girl supposed to do?

I found the answer recently in the form of L'Occitane Extra-Gentle Lotion for Hands & Body. Sure, everyone knows about the classic L'Occitane hand cream in the pretty tubes. I myself have at least 6 of those and use them at night. I hadn't heard about this fantastic lotion until just a little while ago! This lotion absorbs super fast, leaving no greasy residue. It has shea butter, just like the L'Occitane cream, but in a lighter format that I think works perfectly for day.

My other favorite thing about this lotion is that it comes in a giant 10.1 fl. oz. pump dispenser! I have a weird aversion to taking off the cap of a tube, applying cream and then having to put the cap back on with my freshly cream-covered hands. So I really love the pump!

Ingredients for the ingredient buffs ^.

I got my L'Occitane Extra-Gentle Lotion on Apothica.com.

This product was purchased with funds provided to me by Apothica.com. For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.