GERmanikure Cuticle Nippers & Crystal Glass Nail File Review

Hi cookies! Have you missed me? I decided to take a mini-break to concentrate on some home and work stuff, and it just so happened that I had a bad nail break on my swatch hand the other day, so I figured it was a convenient time to take some time off. I'm back today to tell you about some products from GERmanikure. I first heard about them on my friend Deborah's blog, Love Varnish. She reviewed their cuticle nippers and crystal glass nail file and I commented about how lovely they sounded. Later on I got an offer from the company to try out the same products and of course I jumped at the chance!

Press Sample

The company Zamberg.com based in Florida is the exclusive seller of GERmanikure products. I read on Deborah's post that these products are made under ethical conditions in Germany, and the nail files are made in the Czech Republic. Zamberg is dedicated to selling products created by skilled and reliable craftsman and reject the practice of products produced in third-world countries to underpaid and/or underage workers. At the beginning of this year they donated a portion of their sales to families in Pakistan and Vietnam who were victims of child labor. Knowing the company has such high acknowledgment of the ethical issues that surround this market gives me confidence in working with them.

The cuticle nippers I was sent are high-carbon stainless steel, which means they are harder than traditional steel while retaining rust-proof properties. They also feature "crush stoppers" that prevent over crushing of the blades, which can make them dull over time. These came with a protective leather case to cover the blade ends, which is perfect for me because I'm pretty klutzy and have been known to scratch myself on the sharp ends of manicure tools.

My cuticle story has been documented on my blog several times, so I won't go into too much detail, but long story short, I don't "cut my cuticles". What most people think of as their cuticles is actually eponychium, living skin around the nail. I only cut the occasional hangnail or dry skin around my nails that could snag or rip further. In order to do this safely, strong and sharp nippers are essential. I'm very happy with my experience with these nippers so far, I have had no issues with them and find them to be comfortable to use, sharp, and easy to clean.

The second product I was sent for review is a GERmanikure crystal glass nail file. The surface is fully uniform  and resistant to dulling because it's chemically etched unlike other cheapy files that use sprayed on texture. Because the unique etched surface results in a soft rounded texture, it does not harm your nail edge, while other types can snag or tear them. These are resistant to breaking too, which is good for clumsy folks like me. This also came in a luxe leather case for extra protection. I have used Czech made crystal glass files for years, and this one has the same excellent quality and performance that I've come to expect.

You can purchase these products at Zamberg.com. Do you use nippers or crystal glass nail files? If you do, I definitely recommend checking out GERmanikure. And if you don't, I recommend checking them out even more haha. I know not everyone has a need for nippers, but I bet all you nail enthusiasts use nail files and these really are the best for your precious tips. Thanks for coming by today and I'll be back with more nail polish soon!

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

Baroness X Cuticle Care Review

Hi folks! I apologize for the slim posts the last little while, my poor mountain town has been experiencing a lack of sun lately which makes it hard for me to take swatch photos. I don't know if I'll ever figure out how to get good indoor photos of my nails that I don't hate or have to edit the colors for an hour to get them to show up correctly. *le sigh* Anyway, I thought I'd do a review of some skin care items from indie brand Baroness X for you today!

Press Sample | Purchased by Me

I heard about a new product from Baroness X from my blogging friends Jenny from Lavish Layerings and Nichole from Bedlam Beauty a while ago and had to purchase it immediately when it became available. It's their Matte Cuticle Balm aka "swatcher's balm". It's designed to give you hydrated skin but leave a low sheen finish on your skin. Most oils, balms and lotions leave your skin looking greasy and too shiny, a problem mostly for people taking photos of their hands and nails (like me!). I have had trouble with this for a long time, because I take my photos in the sunlight, my camera picks up every bit of moisture on my skin and makes it gleam like crazy, which can be distracting and unattractive. This balm has great ingredients for moisturizing your thirsty cuticles, like jojoba oil, mango butter, and aloe, but also powders that leave your skin satiny instead of shiny.

Before they were offered for sale, I offhandedly mentioned that I wished it to be made with the scent Pink Sugar on their Facebook page, because it's my favorite, and the maker totally delivered! How cool is that? Demi from Baroness X generously threw in another scent of the balm in addition to the one I purchased and a Pink Sugar cuticle oil for review.

I've been using this balm every time I swatch now. It's a better alternative than the oil I was using before, then using lint-free wipes and water to help it soak in. It does need to be rubbed in well or it can kind of stay on the top of your skin. I would say this gives you a perfect matte finish if you take indoor photos. But since I take outdoor pics in the sun, my camera can still pick up a bit of shine after I use it. To fix this, I run a dab of nail prep (basically watered down rubbing alcohol) around the edges of my nail after applying the balm, and it works like a charm. Matte but moisturized skin! And the scents are terrific! Their Pink Sugar scent smelled a bit different than the one I am used to, but it still is lovely. The Peppermint scent is my favorite that I've tried so far.

The Royal Oil hydrating and healing cuticle oil she sent is in a pen sized container with a brush on one end and a pump on the other to push the oil up. The blend of quality oils she uses for this formula is vegan and contains such oils as jojoba, apricot kernel, avocado, kukui nut, and argan. (Full list of ingredients on the website.) I've been using this for more than a month and really like it. It sinks in easily and moisturizes my cuticles really well, which is what we all want right? I love the pen style of applicator too, it's very convenient! And I love that is refillable

You can buy these on the Baroness X website. The Matte Cuticle Balm is available in 10g for $5.50 (on sale now for $5), and 20g for $9.50 (on sale now for $9). The Royal Oil comes in a either a refillable 4ml pump brush pen for $8 (on sale now for $6), a 15ml bottle w/ brush for $11 (on sale now for $9), or a 15ml plastic dropper for $11 (on sale now for $9). They are available in a ton of different scents and also unscented. Their sale ends on 12/26. And a little bird told me they have a new polish collection up for pre-order!

What do you use to keep your cuticles moisturized and healthy? Cuticle care is essential to my routine and I am happy to have found these items!

❤ Kellie

Some of the products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

Fortune Cookie Soap Cuticle Butter Review

What's up folks? I know I just reviewed a cuticle butter the other day, but I actually have another one to tell you about already! The company it's from is called Fortune Cookie Soap, you may have heard of them because they're pretty popular online, but I just discovered them. They're a bath & body company whose signature product is soap shaped like fortune cookies! They have lots of amazing scents with really fun themes like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Alice in Wonderland, etc. They have tons of products like bath bombs, shampoo bars, body wash, bath salts, leave-in conditioner, perfume oil etc.

Affiliate Link

image via FCS

Fortune Cookie Soap puts out a subscription "soap box" previewing the different themes of their major collections every quarter of the year; their most recent was the Spring "Wonderland" box. I had just heard of them from a YouTube video before the box came out and was lucky to be able to sign up for it before they sold out. I'll have to do a full review of the next box I get, let me know if you'd be interested in that!

The cuticle butter I purchased comes in a 0.8 oz jar for $8.95. The ingredients are: "Shea Butter, Beeswax, Organic Coconut Oil, Lanolin, Soya Oil, Cold Pressed Avocado Oil, Mango Butter, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, and Fragrance." It seems like a very little amount in the jar, but you seriously only need to touch your finger to it to get enough for a few fingers so I know it will last a long time. It's thick and stiff at first touch (heh heh) but melts instantly into a rich oily texture when applied. It does stay greasy for longer than I would normally care for, so it might be better suited for a nighttime treatment.

image via FCS

I got it in the scent Twisted Tea Party, from the Wonderland collection. It's described as "a light, refreshing, green tea with notes of sweet herbs, vanilla bean, cucumber, golden amber, and hints of neroli and geranium, stirred with a bright sprig of spearmint." I am addicted to this scent, so I end up using it all throughout the day even though it's more oily than I prefer, just so I can smell it! I usually rub it in, wait a few minutes, then rub it in again, which helps it sink in faster. I just placed another order to get one in the Off With Their Heads! scent, which smells like roses and lemons :D

They also do lots of little collections in between the large ones that the "soap box" previews; their newest is an Easter theme. You can purchase their products from www.fortunecookiesoap.com. Stuff sells out fast but they do lots of restocks. Let me know if you've ever tried this brand before, I think it's just the coolest!

A special treat if you are ordering for the first time, you can get $5 off a minimum order of $30 using my referral link: http://r.sloyalty.com/r/u3Swp30VtTsE. You must using the special coupon code the website shows you to get the $5 off. (I only get points if you use the link, not money. :) )

Until we meet again!

❤ Kellie

Some of the above links are affiliates.

Nail Butter - Nail Treatment Review

Hi super friends! Today I have for you a review of a nail treatment that I've been trying and testing for about a month called Nail Butter. I had heard about this product from a few of the blogs I read and some of the folks I follow on Instagram so I was eager to try it.

Press Sample

This product is supposed to soften and fortify all types of skin. It's all-natural and contains essential oils and lanolin. Nail Butter is used to "strengthen and rejuvenate nails by enhancing growth and maintaining optimal moisture levels for your nails and skin". They say to rub on a small amount twice a day for 30 days and then once a day thereafter. It comes in a round glass jar that is classy looking and feels substantial.

I quite like the texture and consistency of this product, it really is butter-like. I was happy to find out that it sinks in relatively quickly so you aren't left greased up for more than a few minutes. The scent is very different. It's gardenia scented, which I usually like, but the mix of the other ingredients with it makes it smell odd to me and it's quite strong. I really didn't care for it at first, but found it dissipated in strength after I used it a few times.  I still wouldn't say I like the scent to be honest, but I got used to it quickly. I have heard inklings that the maker is coming out with an unscented version soon though.

I have not included before and after photos because there's not really a visible difference to show you. My nails and cuticles were in great shape before I used this product and they remain so after. I normally use cuticle oils and lotion all day long, so adding this product into my routine morning and night really just reinforced the moisture and healthy appearance of my nails and cuticles. I like the product and feel it is a luxurious and worthwhile treatment that I look forward to using. If your cuticle game needs some help, I would definitely recommend Nail Butter to help get you on track!

You can purchase this product at NailButter.com for $24 for a one-ounce jar. You only have to use a small amount for each application so it should last you a long time. You can follow Nail Butter on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest to keep up with product news. So what do you think? Have you tried this product yet or are you interested in trying it? What do you use to keep your nails and cuticles healthy and on point?

Talk to you again soon!

❤ Kellie

The products mentioned were provided for an honest review.

Bliss Kiss Pure Nail Oil Review

I first told you about Bliss Kiss Pure Nail Oil in a picture I posted back on January 10th (if you're following me on Instagram). Then I mentioned it in my Nail & Hand Care Essentials post at the beginning of February. I have to talk about it again. It's that good!

If you have been a reader of mine for a while, you might know that I have cuticle issues. They've always been thick and hard and rather ugly. I've tried everything, chopping them off, dissolving them away, basically trying to get them to disappear. I tried to quit cutting them because apparently that creates a cycle of thickness and hardness that only exacerbates the problem. Plus you can get infections hella easy when you cut live skin. The cutting has slowly but surely crept back into my life lately so I decided to look for another solution. My previous cuticle oil of choice, Famous Names Dadi'Oil had run out and being a professional product, wasn't easy for a non-professional like myself to get easily.

Another problem I have with my nails is splitting. My nails have always been pretty hard and are prone to splitting due to that. My beloved Duri Rejuvacote has formaldehyde resin in it which can contribute to the brittleness/dryness issue that can cause splits in hard nails. Major sad times. So even though it helps my nails grow long, I've stopped using it for now. They do make a formaldehyde free version, so I might try that in the future.

Anyway, in looking for a readily available, affordable solution to my issues, I found Bliss Kiss Pure Nail Oil. Basically it hydrates the nail to a ideal level of moisture for flexible healthy nails. Brittle nails don't have enough moisture, while thin and soft nails have too much. This oil has the ability to penetrate the nail plate and seal together the keratin fibers making your nails strong but flexible. It also helps cuticle skin become healthier and more hydrated because it creates the perfect blend of our body's natural oil (sebum) and moisture.

Here are the ingredients: Jojoba Wax Ester, Grape Seed Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Vitamin A Oil, Essential Oil Blend. Notice there is an absence of any nut oils because owner/creator Ana is allergic to them and with them being prevalent in many cuticle treatments, she created her own.

I have been using the nail oil daily for the past two months and I am insanely impressed. My cuticles and the skin around my nails is incredibly healthier, softer, and more moisturized than I can ever remember them being. The skin on the corners of my fingers have NEVER been anything but hard and thick, but now they are soft and feel so healthy! I have also never had visible eponychium that actually look healthy and natural before! My instinct was to always cut that part away. My nails are still a work in progress, but since I've stopped using a treatment with formaldehyde resin I expect them to become even better soon.

If you haven't tried Bliss Kiss Pure Nail Oil yet and you have some nail and/or cuticle issues you're struggling to remedy, it might be just the ticket. You can order it through their website NailCareHQ.com starting at $5.99 for a click-able pen. I recommend their Starter Kit or Refill Kit, you're going to get more for your money and if you try their 3-Day Hydration Challenge, you're going to use up the entire pen in those three days for sure.

I really love this product and am so happy with my results that I wanted to share it with all of you! Let me know if you have tried this product and what your results were, or even if you're just interested in it. Take care and I'll be back soon with more nail polish, I've been incredibly busy this month!

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My Cuticle Story

I have gorilla cuticles. At least, that's what a sassy manicurist told me one day as she cut them, a few years ago when I was getting a mani, before I had gotten into doing my nails myself. The rest of the manicure was less than relaxing. Needless to say, I have a bit of a complex about my cuticles as a result, even now. I have always had dryish skin around my nails and my cuticles grow like weeds. Apparently, more so than anyone that manicurist had ever seen.

When I really got into photographing and blogging about my nails, I was always searching and experimenting with new products to try and combat this problem. Ragged and cracked cuticles in up close and personal photos = no fun for anyone. It got to the point where I would cut my cuticles almost daily to keep them tamed. If you didn't know, cutting your cuticles is pretty much the worst thing I could do for my problem. It was a vicious cycle, I cut them so they would look better, they would grow back harder, uglier and more ragged, so I had to keep cutting them just to have them appear presentable. More than once I've sliced too deep and created a wound, ouch.

No amount of cuticle remover would work to totally eradicate them like cutting did. Oils, creams, and balms didn't help me. I have some OCD tendencies, and whenever I saw the slightest bit of extra cuticle or skin, I'd cut. I thought I would be doomed to be a slave to my nippers forever. Then about a month ago, I decided I was strong enough to quit my habit. Having normal, healthy cuticles was my right and I was going to have them dammit!

On the advice of some of my fellow bloggers and nailphiles, I quit cold turkey and started using a gentle cuticle remover about every other day, pushed them back often, and started using rich cuticle balm morning and night. I had just gotten a sample of Famous Names new Dadi'Oil, a cuticle oil with avocado, jojoba, vitamin E, and olive oil that is non-greasy and absorbs quickly. All the oils I'd tried in the past kept my hands yucky and greasy for hours and never came close to softening my skin. Dadi'Oil is truly a miracle worker for me and I believe is a big part of my success of not cutting for the past month. I applied it basically whenever I thought about my cuticles. Unfortunately, it is a pro-only product, so you need a license to be able to buy it. I used Blue Cross Cuticle Remover from Sally's, orangewood sticks from Walmart, Qtica cuticle balm from Qtica, and Dadi'Oil from Famous Names.

Press Sample

It has taken this long, about a month, for them to finally be in semi-fighting shape. The first week was brutal, but it got easier. Not that they are technically perfect or even close to, but they do look more natural and normal. And I no longer have such an intense urge to cut them, though I don't know if that will ever go away completely. I don't know if it's terribly apparent in my photos to you as a reader, but it was a huge sense of anxiety for me and now I am happier with them than I thought I could be. And it's only going to get better :D

Some of the products mentioned were provided for consideration.