Cuticle Cure

I can't stop looking for products that enhance the appearance and strength of my nails. Nail Magic remains a staple, so when I was home in DC last weekend, I stopped by Sally Beauty Supply to restock. Of course, I ended up looking for other nail-related products as well and came across this amazing cuticle cream, Hoofer's Choice Nail and Cuticle Cream by European Secrets. I was initially enticed by the name, carried it around the store in my basket, became a little skeptical, put it back, went to check out, and ran back to grab it at the very last second. I somehow knew that the $3 I was going to spend was a risk well worth taking. Boy am I glad I did! I don't know the product's back story, but I think anything that purports to help condition even a horse's hoof is a product that will work wonders for a human nail.

It is amazing. After a week of using it, my formerly dry, noticeably flaky cuticles are smooth, hydrated, and intact. If you recall from my post below, one of the major drawbacks about Nail Magic is that it zaps the cuticles dry, almost to the point where they are painful. A perfect product to cure the dryness had thus far eluded me. With Hoofer's Choice, my cuticles are no longer cracked and no longer require regular maintenance with cuticle nippers, even while using Nail Magic. The rough spot on my third knuckle (developed as a result of apparently gripping my pen really hard, since we're not allowed to use computers in most of my classes) is no longer cracked and white, but healthier and healing, blending in with my skin. I have fewer hangnails, and most excitingly, my nails feel even stronger than they did with Nail Magic alone. Using the two in conjunction seems to be the true recipe for fabulous, peel-free, strong nails. Applying a coat of strengthening product is a vital component of the regimen, but to optimally fuse the layers, nails must be well-hydrated, which was a result that I had thus far been unable to achieve with other hand creams, cuticle oils, and cuticle waxes (and believe me, I have been scouring the market). Hoofer's Choice is the real deal, and my quest for the perfect complement to Nail Magic is over. I recommend applying to nails and cuticles at nighttime, on bare nails or over polish.

To purchase:
http://www.sallybeauty.com/Nail-Cuticle-Cream/SBS-705060,default,pd.html

A final word about older posts. I feel compelled to note, far overdue, that the three mascaras I wrote about some time ago are no longer my favorites, with the exception of my old faithful, the Almay One Coat Lengthening. The Clinique and Max Factor are still fine mascaras, but there are others that are better for one reason or another. Since I am averse to editing old posts (for the sake of posterity), I have to just put it out there in the cosmos that I no longer support the mascaras I previously endorsed. Similarly, the Cover Girl Advanced Radiance tinted moisturizer that I once wrote about is no longer in existence, and even before it was discontinued, I had an epiphany wherein I realized that the original formula, the Cover Girl CG Smoothers, was far superior anyway. It's oil free! I will update about current mascaras later.

Amazing Nails

Well, this update certainly is long overdue. I've developed a whole new beauty regimen since I last posted, but I'll have to discuss that later. This post will be about an amazing nail hardener that I recently discovered! It's simply called "Nail Magic," and it lives up to its name and certainly exceeds my low expectations, which are the result of an endless string of disappointing so-called strengthening products.

I purchased Nail Magic a few months ago at Sally Beauty Supply but stashed it away and forgot about until two weeks ago. For the past couple of months, I've become really lazy about polishing my nails, so I've found that a few coats of clear polish on buffed nails is my staple look. Up until I rediscovered my new bottle of Nail Magic in my nail polish box, I had been regularly switching between two Sally Hansen clear strengthening treatments. When I switched to Nail Magic, the difference was almost immediate! My nails are prettier, stronger, and whiter than ever before!

The only time I got comparable results was when using a three-part system from QVC.com, Pro Strong or something, which worked very well but was expensive, time consuming, and cumbersome, not to mention that it required bare nails for optimal performance. Nail Magic, however, serves as a clear polish, a base coat, and a top coat, so you can wear it alone or with polish and achieve the same results!

Many people know that my obsession with polish and perfect-looking (key word: looking) nails stems partly from my trouble with my nails -- weak, peeling nails, aggravated by my habit of splitting them further for fun or out of boredom. A recipe for thin, weak nails that can't grow too long. I've realized that at the least, I need a clear coat on my nails at all times not simply to give the appearance of nice nails, but especially to prevent such destructive behavior; hence the clear Sally Hansen products. Unfortunately, the superficial protection and cosmetic effect seem to be the only discernable benefit of the Sally Hansen products. The Nail Magic is the best of all worlds, because it's a protective layer to prevent me from picking at any peels, a mask for any existing flaws, AND the kicker -- a successful hardener that penetrates the entire nail. Today when I removed my polish to reapply it fresh, I noticed fewer peels, and the few there were were much harder to split (yes, I admit it, I attempted -- I had to test it!). All of which leads me to believe that while my nails look glossy and natural during my daily routine, the Nail Magic is secretly working overtime to fuse the layers of my nails together!

I will mention a few drawbacks about this product. First, the instructions are careful to note that it is to be applied on nails only, not on skin, not under the nail, and only at a certain frequency. After a few weeks of use, I can see why: my cuticles have gotten slightly dry, creating a few painful and annoying hangnails. I will definitely begin using cuticle oils and creams from here on out (which I should be doing anyway) to prevent any further damage while I use Nail Magic.

Second, this product contains formaldehyde, which might be the cause of the above phenomenon. I read an article in Allure a while back about how terrible formaldehyde can be in hair and nail treatments. The highlighted cases of potentially fatal (!) exposure to toxic beauty products seemed to be a result of illicit importation or idiotic usage, but just because Nail Magic is available at Sally Beauty Supply doesn't mean it's completely safe. I know formaldehyde is found in other more common polishes and treatments, so I think the key is being aware of how much of it you're exposing yourself to. I will definitely be careful with the fumes and application, including taking care not to over-apply and making sure never to apply it in an enclosed space.

Enjoy, and report back with any comments!

Nail Magic: http://www.nailmagic.com/
Sally Beauty Supply (my Ithaca, NY staple, also to be found in Arlington, VA): http://www.sallybeauty.com/

The Perfect Planner

It's a new year, and I am going to diverge from my regular makeup posts to share one of my all-time favorite items: my planner. Planners in general are somewhat of a passion of mine. I eagerly anticipate each new year because it means a fresh start in a brand new planner, often with a predetermined color scheme. Each year, starting as early as August, I search high and low for The Perfect Planner. I do online research, visit stores, and take all options on the market into account before making a purchase. I am pretty discriminating; I won't use just anything, and I have certain features that I'm looking for. For three years running, the same planner has emerged as the clear winner, even though each year I do a fresh, diligent search of everything available. Since 2006, I have been using a Gallery Leather Weekly Desk calendar.

I love a weekly format, and I do not like formats that confine you to keeping a schedule with numbered timeslots or that split the day into two columns (two columns would only be helpful if I was using one side for timeslots, which I wouldn't do). I need plenty of blank space for each day, since I use my planner not only for appointments but also to keep a record of my activities after the fact. It has proved helpful a number of times to be able to look back and know exactly what I was doing on a given day -- without my records, I think the weeks and months would slip by in a soon-forgotten blur. I have done this for years, since long before I discovered my current planner, and it's so nice to pull out an old planner and peruse my goings-on. I also look for a monthly calendar section, which I enjoy using to document larger events such as trips, holidays, birthdays, and other major events of note (of course, I also note those in the weekly section as well -- it's nice to have them laid out in a consolidated spread too). I look for a substantial Notes section, so that I can list doctors' information, easily-forgotten account numbers (not passwords!), packing lists for trips, pool hours in case I feel like going for a swim, and more. I enjoy having a section of information such as area codes, time zones, dialing codes, and toll free numbers. Although I don't often use that section, when I need it, it's invaluable. Enticingly, my planner of choice added a color maps section for 2008, which, although it won't be used on a regular basis, definitely adds some excitement. The beautiful leather cover, brown ribbon bookmark, and gold edges are a fabulous final touch.

In 2006 I wrote in my orchid pink planner with only a pink Pilot V5 pen. In 2007 I chose an eggplant purple planner and wrote only in black Pilot V5 and black Pilot VBall grip. Pilot rollerball pens, clearly, are my favorites. This year I have just started using a bright apple green planner, but I'm trying something new and writing with a rainbow of colors, with felt-tip pens -- namely, the PaperMate Flair, an old classic. I have already begun to fill my planner, and I am excited to write more with each coming day!

The picture I am posting is a classic brown because that is the clearest picture I could find, and I'm including a picture of the interior format. I can no longer find the green I chose on the Barnes & Noble website, which must mean it was popular! Below are links to a bright pink one from B&N and the pictured brown one from Crane. It comes in a wide variety of colors, but I'm not sure what the availability is anymore, since both Crane and B&N are sold out of many of the colors they previously had. The Gallery Leather website, strangely, has said "Our website is coming soon" for at least two years, by my count. This year, I gave the planner to three family members as Christmas gifts after all the compliments I received on mine, and at least one other friend has chosen the same planner for herself. It's truly The Perfect Planner.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781598173871&itm=17

http://www.crane.com/prdSell.aspx?NavName=NavShop&DeptName=JournalsandBooks&SubDeptName=DateBooksDeskDiaries&Name=11228_BrownBondedLeatherDeskDiary2008