Chirality Polish: Soften Your Tips | Nourishing Cuticle Oil

*press sample*

Hi guys! This past weekend was the Raleigh Pen Show, so I didn't have to travel and I got to sleep in my own bed! It's the little things, you know? Other than that, I've just been swatching on some upcoming polish collections, working, and making things with polymer clay. Tonight I have a brand new (sort of) cuticle care product from Chirality Polish to share with you. Soften Your Tips is Chirality Polish's cuticle oil, which is now available in a mini 3 mL size. The full-size version of Soften Your Tips has been available for a while now (including in PPU), but this is a new, travel-friendly size. Both the full-sized ($9) and mini ($5) versions are available now in the Chirality website. 

Here is some more information about the cuticle oil, including the ingredients, which is always important in your beauty products. 

Soften Your Tips is a Nourishing Cuticle Oil that was formulated with only the most skin-loving oils. It has been handcrafted to be super nourishing and will sink into your skin quickly without being greasy. Packaged in an elegant tube with a doe foot wand for easy application.

NEW more convenient size: 3 mL

Instructions: Apply to clean cuticles as often as needed to reduce dryness and improve skin's appearance. Rub oil into skin and nails after applying. Use at least 3 times a day, and especially after washing your hands, to get maximum benefits. Can apply to bare or polished nails. Use within one year of purchase.

Skin-Loving Ingredients
Jojoba Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E. May contain fragrance.

Soften Your Tips leads with Jojoba oil which is a liquid wax that has small molecules that closely resembles our own natural oils. This allows it to actually penetrate your skin and nails deeply to nourish and repair from within. The remaining light and medium weight oils come together and are high in fatty acids and vitamins to help soften and condition your skin. Vitamin E is then added as a boost of skin conditioner and antioxidant. No preservatives added in this luxury cuticle oil.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba Oil- A liquid wax that most closely resembles our own natural oils which allows it to penetrate the skin deeper and faster. Very nourishing while providing a soft silky feel to skin. Mimics collagen. Naturally contains Vitamin E and is an antioxidant.

Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot Kernel Oil- A lightweight oil that is excellent for all skin types, but particularly skin-loving for dry sensitive skin. It is high in Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, and Vitamin A. Very moisturizing and has antioxidant properties.

Rice Bran Oil

Rice Bran Oil- A skin conditioning oil that is great for dry or mature skin. High in fatty acids. Conditions and softens the skin very well.

Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil- A medium weight oil that penetrates the skin very well. Good for dry skin. High concentrations of Vitamin E. Very moisturizing. Also has antioxidant properties.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E- A moisturizing skin conditioner. It is an antioxidant and a skin protectant. Contains skin healing properties that help to improve dry skin.

First things first, my favorite cuticle oil applicator is the doe foot wand. I find that rollerballs are unpredictable, sometimes adding a ton of oil, while at other times not applying anything at all. The brush applicators are nice, but they often don't hold as much product (usually 2 mL). Dropper bottles are fine, but I find they dispense too much product so I end up with greasy hands. That leaves us with the doe foot which is perfect on all fronts, IMHO. 

It felt very nice going on the nails and cuticle area. Don't forget to put some of that oil underneath your nails! It does take a few minutes to sink in, but I find that to be the case with most cuticle oils. I've been using this exclusively for the past couple weeks, and I can say that I haven't had any breaks or peels in my nails at all! The only thing I think could make this oil even better is an added fragrance. I know fragrance doesn't add anything to the efficacy of the oil, but I like to smell nice. I love this oil, and I plan on purchasing the full size ASAP and will keep this mini size in my purse or at my desk at work. Heck, I might get another mini for work and a full one for my house so I have one everywhere. Doesn't everyone do that? You can find out more about Chirality Polish on their website, Facebook page, Facebook Fan Group, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

*These items were provided by the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*

2X Super Chip Resistance Review

*press sample*

2X Super Chip Resistance Used as Basecoat and Over Top Coat (Day 0)

Index and Ring Finger: With 2X

Middle and Little Finger: No 2X

2X Super Chip Resistance Used as Basecoat and Over Top Coat (Day 4)

Index and Ring Finger: With 2X

Middle and Little Finger: No 2X

Hi guys! So there are 2 weird things with tonight's review. First, this is the first time you've seen my right hand (aka Cindy hand). I've been photographing my left hand for around 8 years, so my right has no idea how to old a bottle properly. Please forgive my weird hand pose for this review. The second weird thing about today's review is that it's a longevity test and not just some swatches. I was given a brand new treatment to help the longevity of your nail polish. 2X Super Chip Resistance is to be used before base coat and polish, and after top coat. I received a promotional bottle with a temporary label, so the bottle you'd get looks different and professional.

2X was invented by Dr. Norman Polston, who was also on the Dupont team that created water-based house paints during the 1980s. Dr. Polston is also the man who invented water-based nail polish as Piggy Polish which is sold at various stores. I tried getting the MSDS to see what the ingredients are, but I was unable to get that information from the PR representative. Luckily, The Polished Hippy was able to get that info, and found it contains propylene glycol methyl ether. I will say that the scent is nothing like any other nail product I've ever used. If you are sensitive to chemical scents, then this probably isn't a product for you. The scent stays on the nail until I washed my hands, and then it finally dissipated. The formula was watery, and dried very quickly on the nail and added no extra time to my manicure.

The first time I used the product, I used a layer under my normal base coat, and then a layer over my top coat. I used the same products and nail polish in the test, with the only difference being the addition of 2X on my index and ring fingers. The nails with 2X started chipping about 2 days after application, while my other nails had no tipwear or chips. I contacted the PR representative, and she recommended not using a separate base coat. The second test is shown above in the photos. The polish is from Zoya which often wears well on my nails. I used 1 coat of 2X, followed by 2 coats of polish, 1 layer of Vapid Lacquer's Get Your Shine On! Quick Dry top coat, and then another coat of 2X. I saw tipwear on the nails with 2X starting on day 2, and the chipping started on day 3-4. As you can see above, I had no tipwear or chips on the nails without 2X.

Unfortunately 2X did not extend my manicure, but body chemistry is a weird thing. It seems that this product worked for some bloggers, so it may be worth it to test out a bottle. It retails for $7.99 in their store, so you won't be out too much if you want to try it. To find out more about 2X Super Chip Resistance, check out their website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages.

*This product was provided by the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*

Lauren B Beauty Botanical Nail Care Reviews

*press samples*

Hi guys! I was in Atlanta for the past 4 days or so which explains my long absence. No worries, I've got lots in store for you for the rest of April, so stay tuned. Remember Nibs & Nails? Well, I've got another post (and giveaway!) with Cameo Colours Lacquers with another popular fountain pen ink.

Tonight I have a new brand on the blog called Lauren B Beauty. To be honest, before I reviewed these, I didn't know too much about the brand. After reading the About Me section on the site, I learned a lot about Lauren's story and how the brand came about. I could totally relate as someone who grew up loving polish. I'll be up front in saying that this is a luxury nail care brand. While I think everyone should splurge on themselves once in awhile, I can understand that not everyone will be able to go out and get the entire set. With that said, shall we see how these products stand up?

Right on the Nail ~ Nail Care Products from Cricket Beauty Hardware and Phuse Beauty

Phuse Cuticle Pusher (left) and Cricket Beauty Hardware Pro Cuticle 1/2" Nippers (right)

Phuse Beauty Push It Stainless Steel Cuticle Pusher ($13.00)

Cricket Beauty Hardware Pro Cuticle 1/2" Nippers ($38.95)

*press samples*

Tonight I have a very important post on products that don't get talked about enough on blogs: nail care and implements. Cricket Beauty Hardware and Phuse Beauty were kind enough to send me these products to try out, so I've been using these the past several weeks. 

Phuse Beauty sort of reminds me a little of Jamberry in that they have parties where you can learn more about their products and purchase anything you're interested in. They have a wide variety of beauty products that include haircare and makeup brushes. The Push It Cuticle Pusher is now my holy grail cuticle product. I have always used plastic or wooden orange sticks to push my cuticles back, but they tend to wear down after a couple of uses. Sure, they are cheap, but if they don't work perfectly and I have to continually buy more, what's the point? This stainless steel version has a squared off end, and a rounded edge that will never dull and can easily be sterilized. When I use this with the Blue Cross Cuticle Remover from Sally's Beauty Supply (which comes in a HUGE container...I will never run out of this stuff), my cuticles stand no chance. My cuticles grow fairly quickly, so I have to use this pretty often. You don't necessarily need to have a Phuse Beauty Representative (but you can host a party yourself if you are interested) to order online. You can find out more on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. 

The next product I have to show is a bit pricey, I understand. I bought a cuticle nipper from Revlon last year, but the clip that allows it to close broke off about a month before I received the Cricket Beauty Hardware one. In other words, it was perfect timing. I know that many people who do their own manicures at home do not use cuticle nippers because you can easily get infections from over-nipping. I happen to use one when I have a hangnail or a piece of dried cuticle that needs removed. One thing that really sets this cuticle nipper apart is how sharp it is. I can easily get close to the spot to cut, and I have had no issues with cutting my skin. So these are around $39, but even the cheapest ones will be over $10 from the drugstore. You only need one pair, and I'm sure these will last much longer than the Revlon ones I bought. The spring on the Cricket nippers are much sturdier and are made with stainless steel. You can find these at select Ulta stores, as well as other beauty locations in your area. Just stop by their website and enter your zipcode to find a full list of stores. You can find out more about Cricket tools on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. 

Are you in the market for new nail tools? What products do you use?

*These products were provided by the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*