Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle & Nail Treatment

This is a really fantastic nail product and convenient to carry around in the handbag, as it’s no bigger than a pen. Its’ very effective against dry and brittle nails and helps keep nails in good condition during the winter months, when nails seem to suffer the most. Have you ever noticed how healthy your nails look on holiday? Well that’s because the Vitamin D from sunlight is beneficial to the nails.

Ingredients
It’s a combination of:-
Vegetable oils - Safflower seed, apricot kernel, wheat germ, coconut oil
Synthetic oils - paraffin liquid and cyclopentasiloxane
Vitamins – E, A, C, pro-vitamin B5 and Aloe

Application
The fluid mixture is applied via twisting the base to dispense the mixture through the brush so it can be brushed onto nails and cuticles. It’s then massaged in until completely absorbed, would also be effective if a nail hoof was used to push the cuticles back.

Effectiveness
The vitamins and vegetable oils are effective because the cuticles are softened and the gently massaged back, so you won’t see dried, cracking cuticles, the nails absorb the oils and become healthier and less brittle. I’ve personally found this more effective than paint on nail hardeners as me and nail polish tend to part company within hours! However this product could be improved by adding something like papaya extract as this would “eat away” the dead cuticles more effectively.

Rating
Value for money – good costs £5 - £6 and is available from Superdrug, Savers, Boots and anywhere with the Sally Hanson nail range, it also lasts a very long time.
Effectiveness – because the nails are less brittle, and cuticles are not cracking and stuck to the growing nail, stronger, healthier nails are achieved which are less likely to split and break off
Pampering factor – because it is so small and easy to carry in the handbag, its convenient to whip out and use on a train, stuck in traffic, waiting room etc, and give yourself a bit of nail massage
Recommended

How to Choose a Good Mascara

Out of the 6 mascaras that I possess, only 1 is less than 2 years old!  So I’d thought its time to buy a new one but what to get, there is such a variety out there.  Is there anything that compares to the lash extensions that I have now become addicted to?

Ingredients

Mascaras are straight forward consisting of black iron oxides, waxes and extras such as:-

Waterproofing agents for tear proof mascara
Silica spherical spheres that sit on your lashes to volumise
Cellulose or nylon fibres to extend the length of your lashes
Keratin and panthenol for condition – as the lash life cycle is around 4 weeks, I’m sceptical about this
Ingredients for curling lashes – bit sceptical about these too
Ingredients and coatings to make the formulation as hydrophobic as possible and hence give waterproofing and longer wear
Lash lengthening – that’s another blog!

I’m amazed that anyone pays over £10 for mascara, seeing as they contain almost identical ingredients. 

It’s all about the Brush

Fact:  A poor formulation will be greatly improved with a good brush, unfortunately a fabulous formulation will be sorely let down by a mediocre brush.  With this in mind it does help select good mascara, as one can automatically dismiss any brands that do not have a variety of different brushes or do not regularly bring out new brushes.  So a brands like Maybelline and Max Factor, for example offers many different types of brushes, regularly bring out new ones, some of which they even patent (which usually means they are onto a good thing!)

Application

Two coats will give a good effect, especially if the first coat is a primer containing the volumising and lengthening ingredients.

How men can be useful

Take a man along with you when choosing a new mascara and trial different mascaras on their hairy forearm to see which gives the best effect, as its not hygienic to try the testers on our lashes.

 Insider Tip

I’ve worked with ingredient suppliers all over the world and can share with you that most technologies for colour cosmetic comes from New Jersey and Japan, and there is a high concentration of the best colour cosmetic brands in the New York/New Jersey location ie Elizabeth Arden, Maybelline, Max Factor, Clinique etc who get shown these technologies first.

There are also opthamology approved mascara's, so good for contact lens wearers, but its usually mentiond in small print on the pack, or its worth calling the consumer help line. 

So to conclude I would select a mascara that comes from one of the US giant brands, with a new improved or patented brush, that of course volumises, lengthens and is waterproof etc.  I tend to look and see what Maybelline have to offer, they are always very innovative and excellent value for money.