Review | Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

A few days ago, fellow Maltese blogger Davi posted a review on this Instant Cuticle Remover from Sally Hansen. I always steered clear of cuticle removers before as you should never ever cut or completely remove your cuticles as they are there to protect your nail from infection. However, we all know how unsightly thick and dry cuticles can be, especially when they grow over the nail plate. For more information about cuticles and how to properly take care of them, please check out this post.

 

Back to the original subject, I bought this product from the hospital convenience store as Davi's review really convinced me to get it. Basically, the product is supplied in a white carton box with Sally Hansen's logo and product information and ingredients all around...pretty much like all Sally Hansen Nail Treatments.

 

 

The actual cuticle remover comes in a light blue plastic squeeze bottle and it has a gel-like texture but it's more on the watery side. It is clear in colour. The nozzle through which the product comes out is the perfect size to control the amount of product and it fits comfortably on the cuticle and nail wall areas.
 

 

Basically, what you do is just squeeze out an adequate amount of cuticle remover onto the cuticles and under your nail tips, wait 15 seconds and gently push back the cuticles and the dead skin and true cuticle (cuticle left overs onto the nails) are dissolved away. Be careful not to leave it on for more than a minute then just wash away the excess in warm, soapy water.

 

I have tried this on my own nails the other day and I was amazed at how much cuticle was removed from my nails! Cuticles on the nails can be the cause of gel extensions lifting away and nail polish not lasting long enough or peeling so this product is definitely something each one of us should have in their nail care stash!

 

My boyfriend was kind enough to volunteer to have his excess cuticles removed for this post. So what you will see in the pictures are actually his nails. Just a little disclaimer here; some pictures can be gross and just to make it clear, he had trimmed his own fingernails and dead skin surrounding the nails by himself moments before. So here goes!

 

Left: Where you should apply the product
Right: Before applying the cuticle remover

Scraping off the dry cuticles

All the scraped off dry cuticles from one nail!

Result! Nice and free from dry cuticles and callouses!

Pretty amazing right?! Even Johan himself was amazed! This is definitely a product I wouldn't want to be caught without! Way to go Sally Hansen ;)

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover retails for €7.40 for 29.5mL of product.

NOTW | Chevron Half-Moon Manicure

Hey all :) Hope your Sunday has been great! Here is the nail art tutorial for this week where I took a modern take on the half-moon manicure with a classic colour combination...nude pink and gold. Read on for the tutorial!

1. Prep nails with a base coat to protect your natural nails and help the polish last longer.

 

2. Paint two coats of a gold nail polish onto the ring fingers making sure to allow enough drying time for each coat. I used Essence Colour & Go 140 Go Bold. For the other nails, apply two coats of a nude pink polish. I used Essence Nude Glam 02 Iced Strawberry Cream. It is imperative to leave the nails to dry thoroughly before proceeding. 10 minutes should be enough.

 

3. Using striping tape, adhere two strips at the base of each of the pink coloured nails, forming a triangle and paint this triangle with the same gold polish used for the ring fingers. Wait for a couple of seconds and gently peel off the tape. Remember to take off the last piece of tape first.

 

4. Seal your design with a top coat and you're done!

 

 

 

 

Review | Wjcon Bi-phasic Waterproof Makeup Remover

Apart from an extensive makeup range, Italian brand Wjcon also have their own skin care range. However, it is more of a general skin care range rather than targeted for specific skin types. I decided to try their Bi-phasic Waterproof Makeup Remover.

The product is supplied in a conveniently sized 150mL bottle. Being transparent, it enables me to see how much product I have left and with me, that is always a plus. Ingredients and product information are printed on the back of the bottle.

Most of the time, I favour makeup remover wipes over bi-phasic makeup removers as they tend to leave an oily film on my skin, even though I cleanse my face thoroughly afterwards. This is surely not the case with the Wjcon Bi-phasic Waterproof Makeup Remover! It effectively removes all makeup, even the toughest, waterproof makeup and I do not have to worry about any oily residues being left on my skin. I did notice that there seems to be more of the aqueous element rather than oil so I guess that might be reason why it doesn't feel that oily.

 

Typically, I would use 4 cotton pads soaked with this makeup remover to take off all makeup including foundation; I use 1 for each eye, so that's 2 already, then I use the back side of one of them to remove lipstick and an additional two to remove foundation. I then cleanse, tone and moisturize skin before heading to bed (full updated skin care routine to be posted this week). I also use one q-tip to remove any left-over traces of mascara but most of the time, it isn't necessary...that's how effective this makeup remover is.

 

I have never had any issues with skin irritations or breakouts while or after using this product and I will therefore award it a full 5 star rating!

 

Wjcon Bi-Phasic Waterproof Makeup Remover is available from the Wjcon shop at Naxxar Road, Birkirkara or for Italians across Italy or online from www.wjcon.com. Retails price is €5.90 for 150mL.

 

Have you been to Wjcon yet? Any favourite products?

NOTW | Blue & Green Watercolour Manicure

This is the nail art I have proposed for you this week...watercolour nails! It's very easy to do and of course you can choose your own colour combinations, the effect is simply beautiful! Read on for the tutorial!

1. Prep nails with a base coat and leave to dry.

2. Paint two coats of a white nail polish on the fingers you want to do the watercolour effect on and paint a French tip on the others. Here I used Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear 300 White On. Leave to dry thoroughly.

3. Seal the French manicured nails with a top coat and apply one coat of a fast drying top coat to the all white nails.

4. Pick the colours you will be using to create the watercolour effect with. I chose Catrice Cruise Couture Limited Edition Ultimate Nail Lacquer C04 Feel The Yacht Beat and E.L.F. Mint Crème. Put a couple of drops of each nail polish separately on a piece of aluminium foil and with a pointed or square tipped nail art brush dipped in nail polish remover, thin each colour out.

5. When satisfied with the colour, just touch the brush onto the white nail in random areas. Repeat for all the colours and when totally dry, seal with a top coat!

Review | Wjcon Body Draining Oil

As you know, last month I had the opportunity to try the Italian make-up brand Wjcon after they opened their first store outside Italy right here in Malta.  One of the products which intrigued me at the bloggers' night was this Body Draining Oil that helps to eliminate fluids retained by our bodies.

The oil comes in a pink spray bottle that holds 200mL of product. I am actually a bit disappointed with the packaging as the cap doesn't close tightly at all and some product leaked through; but other than that, I like the spray nozzle and the fact that the bottle is transparent so I can see exactly how much product is left in the bottle.

The oil feels very silky to touch and is rapidly absorbed by the skin. I like to use this oil as a means of a massage for my thighs right after I shower as that is where I experience water retention. I take my time to massage the oil in circular motions towards the heart to improve circulation and boost the body's fluid and toxin eliminating mechanisms.

 

I usually employ 5 minutes on each thigh and I have been using the oil religiously every day since I got it; that's approximately two weeks and I have already seen a difference in the way my skin looks and feels. Having said that, I am also keeping a regular toning exercise routine as the oil is only intended for cosmetic use.

 

I have to admit that the oil does a very good job in helping the body get rid of excess fluids as I have to reach for the toilette soon after I massage it in! It contains 4 kinds of oils, namely, sweet almond, olive, macadamia and sesame, all of which are known for their beneficial actions to helps the body flush out toxins as well as nurture the skin, leaving it soft and supple. Lemon, lavender and rosemary essential oils are also part of this concoction and we all know that they aid the fight against cellulite. In fact, I would describe the scent as rosemary based with a hint or citrus and olive oil. The combination of oils and the massage movements help to re-activate the superficial micro-circulation, thus busting surface cellulite. 

I would recommend this oil to anyone who has started to notice the very first signs of cellulite or simply for anyone wanting a good massage oil that will last a long time. 

Wjcon Body Draining Oil retails for €14.50 and is available for sale in the brand's shop in Naxxar Road, Birkirkara or from any of their stores across Italy.