Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

I know Eight Hour Cream isn’t a cuticle treatment but it is a multi-purpose balm and I think it works fantastically on cuticles. I apply this pretty much everyday and it makes the skin around my nails really smooth and better in appearance. This isn’t going to help nail growth or strength but it will improve the appearance of the skin around the nail and I really recommend putting this on the skin but if you’re looking for a specific treatment with nail benefits there are better options out there.

Beauty Products Worth The Hype #1

Beauty products have a tendency of so becoming incredibly hyped up, that no-one can even murmur a criticism. However, there are some products which deserve their hype and more.

1. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, many companies try to copy this multi-purpose healing balm but nothing comes close. Since the first tube I bought, I’ve never been without it. I use it for everything – cuts, blisters, chapped lips, dry cuticles. I know a lot of people hate the smell (I use it that much, I don’t notice it anymore) but it’s now available in fragrance free.
2. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers, I have long, reasonably thick eyelashes which are so straight, they point downwards. I’ve tried dozens of eyelash curlers, both normal and heated and none of them worked until I got these, now I have perfectly curled eyelashes.
3. Revlon Lip Butters, some tinted lip balms are just lip colours with no moisturising benefits and others are just lip balm with no colour but this is everything in one – moisturising, good colour pay off, available in tons of colours and they won’t break the bank.
4. Nails Inc is my favourite nail brand, the Kensington top and base coat is the only one I use and most of the polishes in my collection are Nails Inc. During the summer I mostly wear Shoreditch or St James Street on my toes and if I can’t decide on a fingernail colour, I’ll wear Basil Street or Elizabeth Street.

Keeping Your Nails In Tip Top Condition

I’m quite obsessed nail and hand care, I have a ridiculous amount of nail polishes and treatment.

I love looking after my nails and painting them, I don’t find it a chore like some people or unenjoyable. I’ve had manicures in the past and they’ve been nice but it’s something I love having, partly because it’s a bit of a waste of money because I change my nail polish really often and partly because my nails are in good condition.

This is my nail routine and how I do a “manicure” at home.

General Nail Maintainence

• At night, I massage a little bit of Elizabeth Arden Eight Cream into my cuticles and skin around the nails and trust me this makes all the difference – it keeps the cuticle in good condition and the skin soft and well hydrated.
• If I have nothing to do, I will massage a cuticle oil onto my cuticles. Oils absorb quicker than the Eight Hour Cream and provides quick hydration and just keeps the nail area looking more polished. My personal favourite is Essie Apricot Oil.
• I also really like nail treatment products for on the go, Burt’s Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter and Leighton Denny’s Cuti-Lips are brilliant for keeping in your bag incase you have a spare minute.
• Once a week I use Leighton Denny’s Renovate. It’s an amazing product, especially if you have really damaged nails and are trying to get them into good condition. The treatment is meant to be everyday but nails aren’t damaged but this just keeps them strong and healthy.
• I buff my nails with just a normal three/four way buffer, about twice a month.
• When my nails aren’t painted, I always have OPI Nail Envy on, it gives a shine and helps them grow.

Manicure

1. I don’t do the whole soaking the nails and massaging handcream. I start just by filling my nails with the Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File, this is simply the best investment if you want nice nails. I never clip my nails, I hate using nail clippers on fingernails. In terms of shape, just do what you like.
2. The next step is the cuticle area, I use a cuticle dissolver which makes it easier to push the cuticle back and remove horrible bits off the nailplate. Sally Hansen does a great cuticle dissolver, as does Leighton Denny and Nails Inc.
3. Third step is to wash my hands to get rid of any products. Then I sweep nail varnish remover over the nail this dehydrates the nail removing any oils which means the nail polish goes onto a super clean surface and it means your nail polish will last longer without chipping or peeling.
4. Last step is to actually paint the nails. First the basecoat, my absolute favourite basecoat of all time is the Nails Inc Kensington Cavier Basecoat. Then apply nail polish in two thin layers, leaving a tiny gap at the cuticle. Finally, finish off with a topcoat, my favourite is the Nails Inc Kensington Cavier Topcoat.

Links

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/crystal-nail-file–in-aluminium-case–

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/cuti-lips-10g

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/remove-and-rectify-12ml

http://www.nailsinc.com/nailpolish/kensington-caviar-top-base-coat-duo/822/

http://www.nailsinc.com/nailpolish/striptease-cuticle-remover/333/

http://www.boots.com/en/Burts-Bees-Lemon-Cuticle-Cream_52134/

http://www.boots.com/en/O-P-I-Original-Nail-Envy_12618/

http://www.lookfantastic.com/essie-apricot-cuticle-oil-15ml/10553725.html

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Eight-Hour-Cream-Skin-Protectant-50ml_9783/

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/renovate-10ml

http://www.boots.com/en/Sally-Hansen-Cuticle-Remover-Gel_1261177/