Hello lovelies, 

It has been quite a while since I shared with you the products I use to keep my nails in shape and healthy so here's a new update with some new products you might not have seen before. 

I take my nail care very seriously because it has proven it has a real impact on my nails. When I stop caring for my nails, don't apply nail oil several times a day and don't use hand creams, my nails feel dry, brittle and they break easily. It really pays off for me to spend few minutes a day caring for my nails - what about you?

Let's have a look at the products that I currently use on regular basis:

1. Yardley London English Freesia Hand Cream* - This is the hand cream I currently use most of the time and it's part of the new Yardley Spring release. It has a fresh freesia flower scent with hints of citrus. It soaks into the skin fast which I really appreciate. I don't like to use greasy or sticky hand creams during the day and that's why I love this hand cream. It leaves my hands lovely smooth and nourished. It contains "freesia extract combined with shea butter, peach kernel oil, antioxidant vitamin E and chia seed oil" - all that and 100ml of cream for under £4.50.  Also, it's a British brand so let's support British businesses, right?

2. All That Jazz Cuticle Oil - I've been using various All That Jazz manicure range products for the past years and I've always been very happy with all of them. They are marketed for both consumers and salon professionals which tells me that if they are good enough for professional use, then they're definitely good enough for regular consumers at home. Their cuticle oil in the Captivate scent (musk and coconut oil blend) is one of their products I use the most. I still have the original vintage-style packaging. They've recently changed into more modern black packaging just so you know. Just a bit of the oil goes a long way and it leaves my nails nourished and flexible again. It contains "fractionate coconut oil, vitamins A, C and D and carotenoids".

3. Mont Bleu Crystal Nail File - These Czech crystal files have been my staple for years and I'm not giving them up anytime soon! If you're still using cheap disposable nail files/emery boards, STOP! Stop and try a good quality crystal nail file and you'll see the difference. My natural nails love crystal nail files! It keeps the edge smooth and sealed and it helps in preventing splitting and breaking. 

4. SpaRitual Cuti-Clean Cuticle Remover - I keep coming back to SpaRitual Cuti-Clean as my favourite cuticle remover because it just works so well and fast! It has a little glass dropper that helps with putting the product exactly where I need it. As soon as I finish putting it on my last nail, I can start working on the first one. It makes the cuticle removing process very fast and easy. Sometimes my nails start to get a yellow staining after painting my nails with dark colours so I really appreciate the stain removing properties. What's your favourite cuticle remover?

5. Sally Hansen Moisture Rehab* - This is a surprise product because I never thought I would like it as I'm a big fan of nail oils. Moisture Rehab is and overnight serum but truth to be told, I use it at any time of the day. It has gel-like consistency that soaks into skin and nails fast when massaged in. For especially effective overnight treatment I massage the Moisture Rehab into my nails and then apply cuticle oil over it. My nails and cuticles are in top form in the morning! It contains a "blend of natural actives including black orchid, acai and algae to deliver deep moisture and nutrient rich actives". Sounds good to me!

6. The Little Book of Nail Art by So Nailicious* - This little book is not a nail or hand care product as you've probably guessed but it is my go-to product for sketching and planning nail designs. This pink design has template for round nails but almond and square nail templates are also available. I often get nail art ideas just before I fall asleep so I keep one of these on my night stand. We all know that those ideas are gone and forgotten in the morning unless we write them down! And lastly, this book is an idea and product from a fellow blogger Maria aka So Nailicious so even if you don't plan on buying yourself this Little Book of Nail Art, at least check out Maria's blog, she's an amazing nail artist!

I hope I gave you little insight into my favourites and also inspired you to try something new. What are your current fave products?

Have a lovely day! Lucie x

*Post contains products previously sent for consideration, my honest opinion was given regardless. 

Hello lovelies,

Today's review has been over 6 months in the making and after all this time I'm ready to tell you what I think about SpaRitual Cuti-Clean Cuticle & Stain Remover. I got a bottle of Cuti-Clean gifted by the Czech SpaRitual distributors last November when I visited their salon in Brno for a chat and a SpaRitual pedicure. I wasn't obligated to write about the product but it ended up being my go-to cuticle remover for the past 6 months and I like to show you products that I like.

About

SpaRitual Cuti-Clean Cuticle & Stain Remover softens the cuticles and removes stains and dead tissue. It works great for pedicures as well and it is vegan, free of synthetic dyes, fragrances, preservatives, parabens, petrochemicals and is biodegradable.

Directions

Shake or roll before using. Apply to cuticles and gently push them back with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher. To remove stains, saturate cotton and dab area until stain disappears. Do not leave on nails for more than 5 minutes as it can soften nails too much. Wash off with warm water straight after. CAUTION: Do not use on sensitive skin and very thin nails.

I usually put a small drop in the middle of my cuticle area (Eponychium) and then spread it around the nail and about a 1 mm onto the nail to cover the dead skin (cuticle) stuck to the nail plate. Cuticle removers are usually very effective and shouldn't stay on nails for long so as soon as I finish putting the product on the last nail (one hand at a time!) I go back to the first nail and start pushing the skin back and removing the cuticles. First I use an orangewood stick or hoof stick and then I go in gently with a metal pusher and make sure the nails are nice and clean. Once the first hand is finished I wash off the remover with warm water and scrub the nails and underneath them with a nail brush. Towel dry and do the other hand ;)

I like to test hand and nail care products for a while, not just once or twice so that I can give you a good feedback on the product. As I've mentioned above, SpaRitual Cuti-Clean has become my go-to cuticle remover since I got it. It comes in a 15ml frosted glass bottle (yes please!) with a glass dropper for easy and precise application. The product itself has gel-like consistency which has to be spread around the nails but on the other hand it stays where you put it and doesn't drip off the nail like liquid removers.

Does it work?

Yes, it does. I found it to be working very fast and effective. It dissolves the dead skin well and it also removes light staining where it's been applied. The cuticle removing is much more effective than the stain removing part. It seems to be working to some degree - light staining is removed easily but bright pink or blue/green staining is only lightened, not removed completely. So all in all, I really like this cuticle remover because it works great for me.

SpaRitual Cuti-Clean is available at Sparitual UK, SpaRitual US and SpaRitual Czech Republic.

Have a lovely day! Lucie x