Empties: October 2024

A Certain Becca Lacquer Toasted Marshmallow Cuticle Oil | I really like the formula of the oils from this brand. The scent was smoky, sweet and while I'd repurchase her oils I'd not this scent.

A Certain Becca Lacquer Sugar Plum Acetone Additive | I liked this, it was nicely scented of sweet and fruity, it makes acetone less drying. I don't think I found enough benefit to repurchase.

Sinful Colors Courtney Orange | I didn't finish this, I kept trying it but even with QDTC it wouldn't fully dry. I'd repurchase this finish and shade but not this one even if the brand still existed [swatch].

Prism Polish Glaze Top Coat | This was a nice quick dry top coat, I would repurchase.

Barry M Plumpy Top Coat | This was slow drying, it did leave a thick coat on the nails to create that 'gel like' plumpness. I'd not repurchase.

Garnier Hair Food Papaya and Amla Conditioner | A good thick conditioner, scent was strongly of papaya and left my hair scented as well as deeply conditioned. I would repurchase this.

Lush Good Karma Shower Gel | Scent is the typical Karma scent, strongly scented of patchouli. I'm not sure if I would repurchase this it is very expensive for shower gel but I do like the scent.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Face Wash | Scent is lightly of peaches, it does a good job at removing face make up, but not around the eyes. I'd not repurchase as I prefer one to do the whole face.

Soap and Glory Fruitigo Body Spray | Had a nice spray action, the scent was vaguely coconutty. The Fruitigo scent has been discontinued but even if it hadn't I'd not repurchase.

CurlSmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm x2 | A curl cream which is very moisturising and as such too heavy for my fine hair. I'd not purchase this full sized.

Wild Deodorant Sandalwood and Patchouli | I like the idea of refillable deodorant, this worked and had a very light patchouli scent. I'd not repurchase this scent but would others.

Wild Deodorant Coconut Dreams | On my body this scent did not work, I used up the patchouli one up and went on to use this but it just didn't do anything. Didn't work in the summer and didn't work in the autumn. I have other scents so will use those but not this scent.

Dirty Works Vanilla Lipbalm | While I used this up I didn't like it, it was more Vaseline like in texture, felt like it sat on my lips without doing anything. I'd not repurchase.

  

Empties: September 2024

Finished a matte topcoat and a cuticle oil;

Barry M Matte Topcoat | I like the Barry M version of the matte topcoat, I thought I had a back up but I couldn't find one so it is something I will be repurchasing [review].

A Certain Becca Lacquer Frosted Pine Cuticle Oil | I like the formula from Becca, the scent to me was more of a pine bathroom cleaner so while I would repurchase from her again, not this scent. I struggled with the rollerball applicator as it meant I couldn't oil under my long nails, it would be fine for shorter nails so won't be repurchasing a rollerball style applicator.

The Ordinary Multi Peptide Serum for Hair Density | This does work if you use it consistently, I don't know if I would repurchase.

CurlSmith Bonding Oil | I found this too heavy for my fine hair, I can't say if it helped the bonds within my hair or not as I used it more as a pre poo treatment. I'd not repurchase.

Soap and Glory Clean On Me Body Wash | A thick, creamy shower gel. The scent is Soap and Glory's signature pink scent and it does linger on my skin. I liked this and probably would repurchase.

Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Wash Shampoo | This is very thick shampoo, I needed a lot of water to get this to spread and suds up. It smells the same as the scrunching jelly. I found this okay but probably wouldn't repurchase.

   

Topic Tuesday: Favourite Nail and Hand Care Products

Below are some of my favourite nail products;

Intense Hand Cream | L'Occitane 25% Shea Butter

Typical Hand Cream | L'Occitane Amande

Cuticle Oil | A Certain Becca cuticle oil, various scents

Cuticle Remover | Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

Nail File | Orly Crystal File

   

Review: Baroness X - Vegan Matte Cuticle Balm - Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

I've tried many cuticle moisturising products over the years but not one that claims to be matte. This particular one has been known to be called 'swatchers balm'. While I do swatch nail polish I actually wear it for a few days rather than swatch - photo - remove - repeat.

Claims to be:

- Cruelty free

- Free of common allergens

- Vegan, no beeswax

- 85% organic

I had been applying it with my finger as the heat from my finger melted the balm enough to use however because I have longer nails it will become harder to apply like that and so I will be using a small brush.

This particular scent is Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls described as "soft salted caramel cinnamon rolls with chopped toasted pecans". I found it smells very sweet, with a slight nut scent. The scent reminded me of the smell you get hit with when you walk in to a candle shop, particularly that of Collectables.

The balm is less oily looking than a normal cuticle oil, the scent lasts for a couple of hours on me even with hand washing and sanitising. It sinks in quickly which means you remove the white cast left by remover and so you can photograph the polish. Overall I like the product, and will continue to use on a day to day basis. For an overnight product I will continue using a traditional cuticle oil for intensive moisturising.

  

Topic Tuesday: Favourite Cuticle Oil

Over the past decade I have used a lot of different cuticle oils and creams. While my new years resolution has been to DIY my own, I want to use up the ones I already have first.

The Barry M So-Cuticle cuticle oil was nice, but it changed consistency during the winter to be thick and clumpy. Which is to be expected in a product containing so much coconut oil.

At the moment I really like using Rainbow Connection cuticle oil. The bottle is skull shaped which is a bonus, however the product itself is really good. It comes in various scents as well, I have tried Honey I Wash The Kids which is a scent dupe for Lush's Honey I Washed The Kids, and Comforter which again is a scent dupe for Lush's The Comforter.

  

Review: Born Pretty Store - Cuticle Pen - Pineapple Scented [#39329]*

Born Pretty Store have a range of cuticle oil pens in various scents, almond, lavender, coconut, peach and this one which is pineapple oil.

It comes packaged in a cardboard box, and the pen itself is silver. To use this pen you have to twist the end in order to make the oil come down in to the pen bristles. The first time it takes a lot of twisting to make it happen.

I've brushed the cuticle oil around my cuticles in the below picture, I also use it under the length of my nail. This one is scented of pineapple, sinks in to the skin quickly and the scent doesn't last.

I use a cuticle oil at least once a day, it helps to increase the circulation around your nails, which helps your nails to grow. I think it also helps the cuticle area look a lot more visually appealing.

I have a 10% off discount code if you would like to use it;

Born Pretty Store - 2ml
$4.99

  

Review: Barry M - So Cute-icle (Cuticle Oil)

After using up my Leighton Denny Slick Tips pen I needed a new cuticle oil. As you can't see how much you have left of that pen I needed something I could buy in store, so I ended up buying Barry M's cuticle oil.

So Cute-icle comes in a 10ml nail polish style bottle

The brush is flat, wide and rounded at the tip

Coconut scented

What did I like?

+ See through packaging so you know when you will run out

+ Convenient packaging

+ Liquid-y formula so gets in to the cuticle areas

+ Heavy and moisturising oil

What did I not like?

- The black writing on the lid comes off really easily leaving black smudges on your hands

- The brush bristles are quite stiff, which is good for polish application but not so much for oil

- Very strong coconut scented

+ Not the right packaging for on the go

+ Intense formula which isn't good for on the go

Overall

This is an okay cuticle oil, I like to use it while I am sitting not really doing much as it can get everywhere. I still need to use a cuticle cream for more heavy duty moisturisation but with those they have to be used before bed as they are so intense. Not one for on the go but serves its purpose. I like it enough to use it all up and I think I would repurchase this again if it came in a different scent.

Something to note

After owning this and using it for some time I noticed that the formula changed, it went from a clear runny oil to a thick and chunky one. I think the reason for this is the colder weather, because as soon as it was warmed it turned back in to a smooth oil formula again. This must have a high concentration of coconut oil in it as this happens with any other branded coconut oil.

 

Review: OPI - Avoplex Nail and Cuticle Replenishing Oil

 OPI - Avoplex Nail and Cuticle Replenishing Oil

I like to use a cuticle oil 2 or 3 times a day around my cuticles and underneath the nail length. I had been using Leighton Denny's Slick Tips. I use a cuticle oil to help my cuticles be moisturised as well as to help my nails to be able to bend, the ideal is strong nails but nails which can bend somewhat without breaking.

Avoplex smells fresh and clean, I'd like to say it smells of cucumber but it doesn't say in the ingredients it has this in.

The texture of this is thicker than slick tips, feels quite silicone like although it doesn't list this as in the ingredients.

It sinks in to the skin quickly and doesn't leave a sticky or oily residue. I also find this doesn't aggravate my eyes if I get it near them, not that I would recommend putting it in your eye but for accident prone people like me it does happen.

Collection 2000 - Electric Dreams // Jacava - Vanilla Slice

Avoplex contains vitamin E, avocado, sunflower, sesame and kukui nut oils.