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Hi loves! It's been awhile since I made an updated list of my favorite cuticle and nail care products(probably about 8 years now lol) so figure it was time to redo a post on the most current products I have been using and love! Read on for pics, info, purchase info and a quick video!
CeraVe | Moisturizing Cream
I apply this on my hands frequently throughout the day, especially after hand washing/dishes/showers.
I have 3 bottles on hand, one in the bathroom next to the hand soap, next to my bed and at my nail desk. I do that to constantly remind me to apply as much as possible.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Info:
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that helps hydrate the skin and restore its natural barrier. Formulated with 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skins moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier. MVE technology encapsulates ceramides to ensure efficient delivery within the skin’s barrier and slow release over time. Supporting your protective skin barrier, long after you’ve finish applying. The daily moisturizer leaves the skin feeling comfortable and is gentle on the skin as it provides 24-hour hydration.
Purchase:
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Cuticle Oils & Balms
I try to apply cuticle oil/balm at least a few times a day. I carry the Glisten & Glow oil pen in my bag to have on hand at all times. The Bluebird Balm I apply at bedtime and the DRK Nails Wonder Oil is the one I use at my nail desk between swatching sessions.
DRK Nails | Wonder Oil!
A 10ml tube that contains Jojoba Oil, Lavender oil, lemon oil, cantor oil, apricot oil and vitamin E
Glisten & Glow | Cuticle Oil
A twist style 2ml pen with a brush applicator. A custom blend of jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, argan oil, castor oil, acai berry extract, tree tea oil and fragrance. This oil is said to hydrate cuticles, nail plate, eponychium, hyponychium and proximal nail fold. Soften and protect all of the above areas . Stimulate nail growth. Improve texture of all of the above areas. Increase nail flexibility and helps prevents breakage.
Bluebird Laquer | No More Uglicles Cuticle Balm
Contains shea butter, apricot oil and cocoa butter.
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Nail Polish Removers
Zoya 3-in-1 Remove Plus
This is my all time favorite nail polish remover. It still does contain acetone but it doesn't leave your hands and nails feeling dry and thirsty and doesn't have an extremely harsh scent like pure acetone does. It does cost a lot more then most removers but for me is worth every penny. I purchase in bulk whenever they have good sales which is usually a few times a month!
Zoya Remove Plus is an award winning, gentle, yet highly effective 3-in-1 nail polish remover, nail prep and nail conditioner. It cleans and preps nails while moisturizing, nourishing and fortifying the nail plate for guaranteed extended polish wear. Nails are left without a trace of nail lacquer, without streaking or staining, hydrated and ready for a base coat.
ONYX Professionals 100% Acetone
I mainly only use pure acetone when soaking off gel polish, soaking off heavy glitter nail polish and for cleaning my stamping plates.
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Sally Hansen | Instant Cuticle Remover
I use this once a week, usually every Monday before I start swatch work for the week. I apply it a couple nails at a time, let sit for 15-30 seconds then gently push my cuticle back and remove any dead skin/cuticle from the nail bed with a glass file cuticle pusher(pictured below)
This remover also contains moisturizing Aloe and Chamomile to condition and soothe. Do not leave on your skin long and wash off excess product immediately and thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
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Nail Files
Glass Cuticle Pusher
I use this to clean push back my cuticles and along with the Cuticle Remover above to clean my nail beds of any dead skin/cuticle.
This fine quality glass cuticle pusher is brought to you from Mont Bleu. It comes with both a slanted and pointed edge that allows for the gentle pushing of cuticles. The fine grit texture can be used as an exfoliator and even a file in a pinch!
Glass Nail File
Authentic glass nail file made of tempered glass and laser etched. Glass nail files leave your nails smooth and allows for precise filing.
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Base Coats
KBshimmer | PH Nail Prep
KBShimmer Nail Prep is a liquid nail preparation that is used before applying a base coat. This nail prep helps adjust the pH of your nail to help the base coat bond to your nail better. Just brush on, let dry for 30 seconds, and apply polish as desired.
Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate, Aqua, Ammonium Hydroxide.
Vapid Lacquer | Commitment Issues
This is the only base coat I will use for swatching daily. It's mental on my nail beds when peeling off and perfect to quickly go from one swatch to the next. Dries super fast, smooth and clear.
This product does contain latex which you can smell until it dries but it's ammonia-free. If allergic to latex do not use this product!
Rogue Lacquer | Empowering Base Coat
A nail strengthener base that creates an almost invisible, strong, protective shield over the nail. Vitamins B5 and C nourish, hydrate, and protect the nails. Biotin helps stimulate the formation of the nail's keratin.
Anchor & Heart Lacquer | Iron Anchor
A strengthening base coat that contains garlic extract which is known to be an antibacterial/antiseptic and works against bacteria and fungus - often the culprit of peeling and brittle nails.
Glisten & Glow | Sticky Base Coat
A sticky base coat that allows nail polish to better anchor itself to the nail plate. It improves the long lasting nail color wearability because of its extra adhesive properties and it aids in preventing staining on your nail plate.
I use this a lot with stamping nail art as well. If you apply this over your nail polish and let dry for a minute or so and then stamp, the image has an easier time adhearing to the nail and I get less chance of missing parts of the image.
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Top Coats
Glisten & Glow | Fast Drying Top Coat
A clear, shiny and fast drying top coat. Dries to the rental touch in 2-4 minutes and when fully dry(about 10-15min)your nails will dry, durable, long lasting for days or weeks of no tip wear, or chipping. Dries with a crystal clear, shiny, glossy “wet/gel like" appearance. Seals and evens most glitters and flakie polishes. If you float a bead of this over your nail art then you will achieve a non smearing look unlike other top coats which smear a lot of stamping polish.
KBshimmer | Clearly On Top
A fast drying top coat that dries super shiny, doesn't cause shrinkage with glitter nail polish, and does not yellow. Like the G&G above, they have very similar qualities and are both my go to fast dry top coats.
Bluebird Lacquer | Hey Matter Matter
My go to matte top coat! It applies super smooth and doesn't streak like some matte top coats do. I first apply one of the fast dry top coats above and once fully dry I then apply 1 coat of this to achieve a chalkboard type matte finish.
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That's it! I hope you find this blog post helpful! Thanks for stopping by! XO
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