Hema-Free Nail Products: Unveiling the Healthy and Beautiful Future of Nail Care

We all know that nothing beats the feeling of flaunting a fresh set of beautifully manicured nails. But did you know that some of the nail products we use could potentially have adverse effects on our health? You may have seen some extensive coverage of this recently and, consequently, many more people are becoming conscious of what goes on their nails. Thankfully, the beauty industry is evolving, and hema-free nail products, like builder gel and gel polish, are leading the charge towards a healthier and more vibrant future for nail care.

What is Hema?

Hema (short for hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is a common ingredient in many nail products. It is used to help the product adhere to the nail surface. While it may be effective, it is also known to cause allergic reactions in some people. These allergic reactions can range from mild skin irritation to severe contact dermatitis, which can be both painful and unsightly.

A large number of the cheaper nail products available in the market, often produced in less regulated markets like the Far East, contain hema. This means that although these products might be more wallet-friendly, they could pose potential health risks. As awareness about the importance of clean and safe beauty grows, the industry is responding by offering healthier alternatives, such as hema-free products.

What are the benefits of hema-free nail products?

Hema-free nail products, like builder gel and gel polish, offer a multitude of benefits, especially if you are worried about allergies. Hema Free products reduce the risk of allergic reactions, but they also provide improved nail health and durability. Brands like Glitterbels have been pioneers in offering these fantastic hema-free options, which cater to the needs of those who want both stunning nails and peace of mind.

Another wonderful aspect of the hema-free revolution is that it reflects the larger growth in the nail and beauty industry. More and more people are becoming conscious of the ingredients in their beauty products and are choosing to make informed decisions. This shift in consumer behaviour has led to an increasing number of brands offering safer, healthier alternatives that cater to a wide range of preferences and requirements.

As the nail and beauty industry grows, we can expect to see even more innovation in the realm of clean beauty. The rise of hema-free products is just the beginning, and we can look forward to other advancements that will make our beauty routines safer and more enjoyable.

So, the next time you're browsing for nail products or booking a nail appointment, consider going for a hema-free option. Not only will you be making a more informed choice for your own well-being, but you will also be supporting a larger movement within the beauty industry that prioritises health and sustainability.

In conclusion, hema-free nail products, like builder gel and gel polish, offer a healthier and safer alternative to traditional nail products. Their popularity indicates the positive changes happening in the nail and beauty industry, which is becoming more conscious and responsible towards the well-being of its consumers. Embrace the change and choose hema-free options for a future that is as beautiful and healthy as your nails!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Elegant Touch Luxe Looks Glitter False Nails Collection

When it comes to wearing false nails, Elegant Touch is one of the brands who always spring first into my mind and they are a brand I have used for years, long before I turned to blogging. What I love about Elegant Touch is that as well as being really affordable, they have every kind of pattern, colour, shape and type of nails you can think of and better still, they have some amazing seasonal nails too.

I been kindly gifted a selection of nails from the Elegant Touch Luxe Looks Glitter False Nails Collection, they are all really wearable, they feature glitter and as well as being really easy to apply, they are priced at just £6.50* each.

The first set of Elegant Touch Luxe Looks Glow Getter Nails are called Glow Getter and I was immediately drawn to these because of their squoval shape (squared oval), the shape I always have my nails filed to whenever I have a manicure. 

With their light pink, pastel shade which features a really pretty iridescent glitter accent nail, as I've shown above, they are perfect for everyday wear and suitable for any occasion, plus they are said to last for up to 10 days of wear.

Next we have the Elegant Touch Luxe Looks Rosé All Day Nails, and they have an almond shape to them in the another shade of pastel pink the difference between these nails and the set above is that every nail has a gradient glitter effect over the tip.

Again, designed to last for up to 10 days, these nails also need to be applied using the adhesive glue which can be found within the pack of nails.

The final set from the Elegant Touch Luxe Looks Glitter False Nails Collection that I have, are the Prosecco Poppin’ Nails.

These nails once again take on that squoval shape, like Glow Getter above and they are a really pretty light shade of Mauve and are described as having a duochrome gold glitter effect which is perfect for creating that accent nail. 

All three sets of these nails are described as being 'Ping Proof' and they come in 12 sizes with the nail glue that you need for the application, as well as a set of really easy to follow instructions, perfect if you have never used false nails before.

You can find Elegant Touch nails on sale in Superdrug, Feelunique and Lookfantastic and via their own website here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Elegant Touch Don't be Sheepish Nails

I have only recently become obsessed with false nails, so when Don't Be Sheepish landed on my doorstep, I was overwhelmed by how cute they are. Whenever I do use false nails, Elegant Touch are my go to nails because I find them easy to apply, they suit my nail shape and they re incredibly purse friendly.

The Elegant Touch Don't Be Sheepish nails are an online exclusive and are the perfect designed nails to wear not only for the Easter weekend but for the whole of Spring. Within each pack of nails you will find nail glue, a buffer, an instruction leaflet and 24 nails in 10 different sizes all compactly packed so you have everything you need to get going and make those nails pretty and they last for up to 10 days without chipping or peeling.

My own nails are currently going through a bit of a bad time and are all cracked, broken and peeling, so I am currently applying products to get them back to their former glory so I have only tested one or two of these nails, that said, they are really easy to apply. The nails are an almost squoval shape, which doesn't different too much from how I shape my own nails.  Once I have washed and dried my hands, I always apply handcream and then cuticle oil before buffering my nails.  Once I am happy with that, I select the right sized nails and then begin to apply the glue, then apply and press down on the nail.  They stick immediately and I have never found a need to remove and reapply before a week.  

As there are two designs within this set, you can choose whether you want more lambs or more daisies or an equal mixture of the two. The Elegant Touch Don't Be Sheepish Nails retail for £6.95 and are available from the Elegant Touch website - HERE.

Nailbox - A new kind of Subscription Box

It's no lie that I am a huge fan of subscription boxes, I love the excitement (and sometimes disappointment) of what you might find in the box and equally there is usually something you would probably never buy or have come across if it wasn't in your box, which for me has been true on numerous occasions.

So when I was asked if I would like to try a Nailbox**, I was intrigued. I love nail polish as much as everyone else and am always bamboozled by how much choice there is out there. I am one of those people who is awful at making a decision, so picking a new nail polish is just often beyond me and I always seem to opt for the same sort of shade - a dark purpley red/black and I often chastise myself for not trying something new.

Anyway, Nailbox is a brand new, monthly subscription box full of the hottest nail polish and essential nail tools.  The contents of the box are kept as a total surprise, all you know is that each month you'll receive a nailbox with three or four nail colours, and one or two nail tools or treatments. Occasionally they may send other beauty or cosmetic items instead of a nail tool or treatment.

So how does it work?  Well, there are four different subscription plans which you can read more about here, that said costing just £15 per month (inclusive of packaging) and is an absolute bargain when you see the contents, I think you will be pleasantly surprised too. Once the payment is taken, your box should arrive around 21st of each Month and it comes via Royal Mail.   When it arrives, it comes in a brown cardboard box which is nothing fancy or over the top, but the contents inside are really securely wrapped.  So here are the contents of my box:

So as you can see in my box, I have four stunning shades of polish which are most definitely summery shades and they are from some amazing brands - Essie, OPI, Rimmel and Orly.  I really like each of the shades which are as follows:

• Orly - Fiery Orange and within it, it has chunks of glitter which looks great on their own or over other polishes. It has an rrp £9.50
• Essie - Status Symbol which is a fiesty hot pink shade which I really like and is perfect for the summer. It has an rrp £7.99
• Rimmel - Lucky Lilac is a lovely lilac shade and it literally does dry in 60 seconds and ive only used one coat. It has an rrp £4.99
• Nicole by OPI - Alex by the books which is quite a cool name is a minty seagreen shade once it has dried. It has an rrp £7.95

Add to that to the Elegant Touch Cuticle Pusher and nail cleaner which has an rrp £9.50 and is used to tidy up those cuticles and help with cleaning underneath nails.

The total value of this box is just under £40 which is absolutely amazing value for money and I just love the whole concept.

Is this something you would like to subscribe too?

NEW from Models Own – DIAMOND LUXE – containing real Diamond Dust!

Every now and again, an email pops into my inbox which I immediately want to read, this is one of those. At the minute, I am obsessed with nail polish, particularly as we move from Summer to Autumn and then to winter. Whilst the weather is still undecided about what it wants to do, there is still a chance to wear those lovely bright colours before morning to the Berry and Black shades.

Then I saw these!

With 10 brand-new opulent polishes that are Luxe by name and Luxe by nature, each polish contains real Diamond Dust to deliver a completely unique, multi-dimensional super-sparkly finish and some serious bling appeal!  The shades from left to right are called Princess Pink, Trillion Taupe, Heart Red, Pear Purple, Marquise Maroon, Carat Coral, Asscher Blue, Radiant Pink, Emerald Green, Oval Plum     

The ultra-fine diamond dust glides smoothly onto nails, giving a hint of sophisticated shimmer, coupled with the colourful shades for year-round grown-up glam. They are quick-drying, achieve a long-lasting, ultra-smooth sprinkling of sparkle for the most glamorous manicure.

Price at just £4.99 each, they launch EXCLUSIVELY online at www.modelsownit.com on September 19th in all UK Models Own Bottleshops from September 20th and in Superdrug stores nationwide from September 24th. I will most definietly be looking up these shades and trying them out for myself.

Will you be trying them out?

Stylfile with Tom Pellereau

When I was asked if I would like to attend a blogger event and sit down with The Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau, I jumped at the chance. One because I am a HUGE fan of the show and two because I was chuffed when Tom won, as he was my favourite candidate in that particular series of the show and my favourite candidate of all time.

Tom is the inventor behind the brilliant Stylfile brand. The S-File was the original product made and it came about when Tom has watched his sister file her nails.  

The S-file has been designed to follow the natural curve of your nail edge to centre, for me the product is simple yet genius. For hours I have spent my life trying to round off the corners of my nails and always ended up making a complete mess of it and now I can manage to do this task in a matter of minutes instead of hours.  I am quietly miffed that I hadn't come up with this idea myself!  

The event itself which took place in a lovely quaint little tea-shop called Drink, Shop and Do in Kings Cross and there was 5 of us in attendance for our little meet with Tom over tea and cake.  The event was put together to introduce us to some of the new products from the Stylfile range which are soon to be introduced to the market and to give our first impressions on some prototypes that Tom is currently working on and it was quite something to see a product in its initial stages, some parts held together quite literally with blue-tac.  

Now to say Tom is passionate about his products wouldn't be a lie, it was so refreshing to meet someone who had clearly put a lot of thought, time and effort into everything he does and in fairness he was bombarded with questions, comments and one or two criticisms, all of which I hope he did take on board and find useful.  

Within the Stylfile range you might recognise The S-Buffer which looks similar to the S-File in shape but its function is to make the 4 stages of buffing your nail easier.   Then there is the emergency file which is cocooned inside a protective spring which protects the file and prevents it accidentally scratching items that it comes into contact with.

Nailfiles aside, the Stylfile range also includes nail clippers - Nipper Clipper for babies and children and then the two I also think are genius inventions are the S-clippers which come in a mini version and a normal sized version and the slogan "Trim without the Ping" tells you everything you need to know in one clever slogan.  

Have you noticed that every time you trim your nails with clippers they ping everywhere? Well not with the S-Clipper which has been so cleverly designed with curved blades to stop that pinging, instead ensuring that clipped nail quietly drops or remains within the body of the clippers.  

They are really lightweight and easy to hold not to mention easy to use and unlike conventional nail clippers, they actually cut or clip in a straight line.

Then comes the S-Ped range, see Tom has thought of everything! The S-Ped is curved to follow the natural contours of your feet.  The stainless steel micro file gently remove unwanted skin leaving your feet soft and smooth.  

Now I hate feet and I cannot bare to look at the ped-egg it fills my stomach with dread and makes me feel quite nauseous, so the S-Ped has really tested me when using it and I've managed it without heaving because to me it looks exactly like a nail file, so in my mind, I am not grating my feet.  It doesn't hurt to use it and it does do an exceptional job at removing the dead skin cells.  

There is also the S-File X Exfoliator which is one of my favourite tools, you can use it as a stand alone product or clip it onto the S-Ped, which for me makes it much easier to grip, and then you can finish exfoliating your feet with the abrasive side, then flip it over to the less abrasive side to finish off your foot pampering with a bit of a polish and a final look to see if anything was missed.

Now those products in themselves are amazing but just when you thought Tom has covered everything, you thought wrong!  

All I can say is watch this space because there are some fantastic new products about to hit the shelves from July onwards and I have had the pleasure of using them before anyone else and I have to say, I am really impressed, so watch this space for a review coming soon.

If all of that isn't enough, here is a brief clip of Tom himself introducing the Stylfile Range

Have you tried any products from the Stylfile range? 

Do you think there is a product Tom could invent that he hasn't yet? 

Things I love having done!

Do you ever sit back, daydream, think wishfully that you could just pop into your local spa/hairdressing salon or even spend the day with your closest and mostest for some pampering?  I know I do.  I have gone from hating strangers touching me, fear of the hairdressers to absolutely loving being pampered, though please stay away from my feet, that is one phobia I cannot deal with.

This is a post about some of the things I absolutely love being done to me and why, honestly it isn't as rude as it sounds.  As a beauty blogger, you won't be surprised to find out what they are and why.

I have quite a busy and stressful job, at times all I want to do is sit back or indeed lay back and escape from that world and just do something for me, sadly I don't get too many opportunities to do those very often, but if I did, well this is what I would want.

Someone washing my hair for me

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One thing that I absolutely love having done whenever I go to the salon for a haircut/trim is having someone else wash my hair.  Not a chore in itself and it is something I actually don't mind doing, but it is just so relaxing when someone else does it for you and combined with a head massage, hair brushing and temple rubbing, I am almost snoring in minutes.

Having a facial

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I haven't had many in my life, well two actually but I do love having a facial.  Both times I have been lucky enough to have one, it has been totally amazing, relaxing and de-stressing not to mention that feeling of total cleanness afterwards is something I can never repeat at home.

Having a manicure

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This is something I have recently started to really really enjoy.  I had a bad experience of a manicure when I was at University and the manicurist at the time, instead of filing my nails, used scissors to cut them, slipped with the scissors and anyway... needless to say I have had a fear since. 

 Now having been to a few blogger events and met some absolutely lovely manicurists, this is something i had begun to enjoy and something I look forward to having done.

Hand and arm massage

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This is another treatment that I find really relaxing, though it has been a while since I have had it done.  It is incredibly relaxing to have something massage both your hands and your arms using many lotions and potions.  The last one I had was at a beauty event with Debenhams last year and the lovely ladies of Elemis were on hand to do this exact treatment and it was pure heaven.

Back and Shoulder massage

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This is possibly one of the best treatments ever, though again, a bad experience when I was at Uni for a spa day with my housemates terrified me.  The masseuse was so rough with massaging my shoulders that I screamed in pain for her to stop because it was utter agony and for weeks it hurt like anything to move.

Then a few years ago, I took the plunge having had chronic back-ache for weeks to go and have a massage and honestly it was the most amazing thing ever, so relaxing and de-stressing and something that almost had me in a deep sleep.  I find that with having a stressful job my shoulders are usually always quite tense and having them massaged literally cures everything for me.

So there you have, the top 5 things I love having done.  

Do you have a favourite treatment you like to have? is there anything you absolutely swear by?

Nailing it with Ted Baker

Spring has arrived and summer isnt too far away and now is the time to ensure hands and feet are in the best condition we get them in so we can be wearing cute sandals and flip flops with toenails being painted some amazing shades and the same for our fingernails as the darker winter shades are final stored away and out come the lighter, happy bright colours.

With that in mind, Ted Baker have a list of beauty tools exclusively available in Boots that we need to use to achieve that beautiful manicured nail and pedicured foot look.

Teds New Buffer* which is a clever four sided nail file, comes encased in the beautiful foxglove packaging and it allows you to file, smooth, buff and polish in 4 quick steps.  This file is so handy, since I got my hands on it i have used it a lot and for £5 it is an absolute bargain.

Next comes Ted's nail clippers* which again have the same print packaging as the nail buffer and they have been designed for accuracy and ease to leave your nails looking trim and beautifully neat. Priced at £6 these clippers are a lot smaller than ones I am used to using, that said they fit perfectly in my make-up bag.

No Ted Baker collection is complete without some stunning nail polish and this time we have a set called Delightfully Dusk* which are described as being an iridescent pair of precious metals , Silver lining is a lustrous shimmer that when coupled with the prettier-than-pretty Delightfully Dusk, is designed to make you shine.  The photo below shows Delightfully Dusky which is such a beautiful dusty pink colour and when it catches the light, not only is it really sparkly, but there are also hint of silver too.  This duo is available for £8.50

What do you do to ensure your nails are in tip top form for the start of summer? Do you have any hints, tips and secrets we should all know about?

Snails for your Nails!

I have no little people, but I am a mummy of three fur-kids whom most of you now know are my cats. Child issue aside, I was asked if I would like to try some nail polishes designed for little princesses called Snails, which stands for Safe Nails, a French-made chemical-free brand of kids nail polish.

Snails was started when Jeanette Sklivanou, a mum of two, scoured the market for safe non-toxic nail polish to add colour to the imaginative play of her little ones. She quickly found that such a product just didn't exist — so she created SNAILS**.

A brief description

"SNAILS Kids nail polish is unlike any other you will find. You’ll delight in our simple natural nail polish formula which is optimally safe and child-friendly. Our revolutionary patented formula contains just three main ingredients: water, acrylic polymer and non-toxic colorants and is paraben free. This sets us apart from other products. The toxic trio of Dibutyle Phythalate (DBP), Toluene and Formaldehyde dominate many children’s nail polishes currently on the market. Such chemicals are banned in Europe due to their links with cancer, birth defects and other illness. So you will not find a trace of these harmful substances in SNAILS. Just pure ingredients that are kind and gentle on little nails".

Some of the highlights of this brand:

• Revolutionary formula — containing just water, acrylic polymer and non-toxic colorants, SNAILS is safe in its simplicity. 
• Totally water soluble — SNAILS washes off easily with simple soap and water, making harsh solvent-based toxic remover a thing of the past.
• Environmentally friendly — from biodegradable packaging and lead-free bottles, to a strict no animal testing policy. 
• Hypoallergenic — SNAILS is chemical, Paraben and toxin free, so little nails are kept safe and sound and splendidly coloured.
• Vivacious colour choices — every SNAILS polish delivers glorious high-quality gloss and a deliciously gentle fragrance.

Here are the products:

These polishes come in a cute little bottle with a white lid and a pretty little bow to match the shade of polish, almost like a childrens version of Ciate in many ways.  The polish itself is smooth and is really easy to apply, more so than some of my adult brands, a few of whom could learn a thing or two here!

The two shades:

• Raspberry Pie - Glossy purple. Wear purple when you want to encourage fantasy, mystery and imagination
• Gingerbread - A hot, sun kissed orange shade, summer sunset in a bottle!

Raspberry pie I absolutely love, it would fit in perfectly with the whole pantone of the year "radiant orchid" theme.  Once applied it dries in just over a minute, which is perfect for little ones because I know they are not going to sit and wait much longer.  Last-ability is also quite impressive, I managed to wear mine all day without too much wear and tear but when it came to removing it properly there was no need to nail polish remover, I simply used soap and water and rubbed each nail and the polish came off and there was no staining to my fingernails and no trace of colour left on my nail.

Available from safe-nails.com polishes are €8 each, the site also shows all the countries they are for sale.

What are your thoughts on washable nail polish?

Biosculpture Spa Range Nail Care

One of my goals for 2014 was to to take better care of my nails because they have become quite weak and brittle not to mention prone to peeling and snapping which is really annoying when you finally manage to get your nails to a length you are happy with.

Apparently the cold weather can be harsh on your nails because the change in weather means they have to as the change in continually adapt to dealing with either the freezing cold outside or the warm centrally heated indoor environment much like your skin which can also turn dry, flaky and be in need of a little more TLC.  The constant cold and change in temperature can cause your nails to weaken, crack and split easier, more so in the winter because dry air destroys keratin, the protein that keeps them strong and flexible.

Biosculpture have just introduced a new Spa Range of manicure and pedicure products and I have been lucky enough to try them. I have the handcream, Executive Base, Cuticle Oil and Top Coat. However there are quite a few more products within the range and you can go along to your nearest salon to have the products used and manicures start from £25 please visit www.biosculpture.co.uk for further information and to find your nearest salon.

Described as:

Bio Sculpture supports healthy nail care as the treatments nourish and protect the natural nail underneath. An application keeps nails well conditioned throughout use whilst ensuring manicures and pedicures are long lasting and maintenance free. Vitamin Dose and Executive Base, infused with vitamins & essential oils, are products used in the treatment preparation in order to nurture nails and protect nails. No primers or bonders are used that might de-hydrate or damage the natural nail; and unlike other treatments, the natural nail is not buffed prior to application, again ensuring maximum protection is maintained.

The Cuticle Oil which is enriched with Vitamin E, helps to re-hydrate cuticles and it is formulated with Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil and Avocado Oil. This products retails for £5.40.  The brush within this oil makes application so much easier to do and once on the nail bed it feels absolutely lovely and only takes a few minutes to sink in.  If like me you apply a little too much, you can of course rub it into your entire nail for a extra bit of TLC.

Executive Base which is described as being multifunctional strengthening base which compresses the nail keratin to strengthen soft, weak nails.   This product retails for £8.00.  Again the brush within this base coat makes application really easy because the brush fans out across the nail.  Once applied, it takes less than a minute to dry and then you can apply your nail polish.  What I have found by using this is that my nail polish glides onto the nail so much easier.

The final product I have been using is the Top Coat.  I have found that this is a really fast drying top coat which leaves your nails with a lovely gloss finish as you can see from the photos below, I have been wearing Essie Luxedo for the last week and it has yet to chip, so I am really impressed with this top coat.  

I think you can tell that I am really impressed with these nail products, more so given the extra length of time I have been able to wear my favourite Essie nail polish. My nails are less brittle though not quite yet near perfect, but my cuticles do look so much better and are in a far better condition now than before I used the cuticle oil.

For me these are a worthy investment and something I am going to continue to use. Hopefully in a few months time my nails will stop being brittle and weak and become the strong nails they once were.