img{width:100%; height:auto;} Things you need to know about nail polish? Gosh, could this be another post offering warnings about all of the toxins found in this must-have beauty product? Relax, we’re not going to go there! There are plenty of things you need to know about nail polishes, though, and I’m talking about info that could help you get the most out of your mani, not scare you away! But take a look and see for yourself.


Most major brand nail polishes nowadays are either three or five-chemical free, meaning that you don’t have to worry about Toluene, Formaldehyde, DBP or, in case of a five-free formula, Formaldehyde resin and camphor as well. Is this one of those super important things you need to know about nail polish formulas? Absolutely! Nail polish is generally considered to be one of the most toxic beauty products and we now have a chance to reduce our exposure to these dangerous ingredients.
And while more and more both high and low-priced brands are doing their best to appeal to the customers by switching to less toxic formulas, some are doing all they can to resist this trend and keep their original nail polish formulas. A real nail polish junkie might even recognize an old formula by smell alone, although you really shouldn’t use that as a guideline or go around sniffing nail polishes! They all stink the same to me, to be honest! Check the ingredients and, should you decide to use a polish that contains these chemicals, always make sure you apply it near an opened window or air the room well after application.
Nail polish refresher is a magical thing indeed! It will turn the clock on all of those fabulous nail polish colors that have dried out and became unusable, helping you get the most out of your money and nail polish collection. A few drops of this magical liquid will replenish evaporated wet ingredients, turning the gooey polish smooth and easy to apply again.
If you have plenty of both chemical-free and classic nail polish formulas, you should definitely get a refresher for each group. It may look like a waste of money but will keep your nail polishes in mint condition for a long time and help you avoid formulas mixing. Refreshers for three-free polishes are lacking the same harsh ingredients and may, therefore, prove to be too weak for your standard polishes, while standard refreshers could taint a three-free formula since they contain all of those chemicals the polish alone doesn’t.
Well, well, isn’t this another interesting thing to know about nail polishes! Ever bought a polish that kind of drags and leaves bald spots? It must have been a defective one, right? Well, no, some polish formulas are like that. It usually happens with holographic polishes but I have other, way less special-looking ones that act the same way. The solution is pretty simple – get a water-based base coat or apply any clear matte nail polish to achieve a smooth, stress-free application.
Understanding the presented basic nail polish information is a foolproof way to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want even when shopping online! Now, as you know, most polishes need two coats to look best but you’ll often find some being called “one coaters,” meaning that the formula is so rich that it needs only one coat for full opacity. Jelly nail polishes have a very glossy, slightly transparent finish and often require a third or even fourth coat to reach full opacity. Frosty and foily formulas are quite brush-strokey and can make ridges and dents seem more visible, while formulas containing large flakes of glitter may require a coat or two of top coat for a smooth finish.
Last but very important – one of those things to know about nail polishes you shouldn’t dismiss too easily! You see, regardless of how popular, convenient or budget-friendly it is, the idea of using a nail polish remover to save a polish gone dry is definitely not a good one. Nail polish remover contains different chemicals and will destroy your polish in the long run.

There you go, ladies! These are some pretty useful yet still quite basic nail polish information that ought to help you understand your polishes better, care for them properly and manage to get the most out of your money, nail polish collection and manicure! Is there anything I’ve forgotten to mention? Do let me know.,

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img{width:100%; height:auto;} Ways to keep nails healthy I’m going to mention here are definitely not too special nor too time consuming for anyone’s nail-care routine! You can be the busiest person in the world and still manage to squeeze them into your schedule in which case you’ll become the busiest person in the world with really good nails. Lol! But seriously ladies, take a look at these tips for long nails I have in store for you today. They are a piece of cake, I promise, and your one way ticket to Greatnailville!


Wearing protective gloves while handling various nail-unfriendly household chemicals and washing dishes is one of the best ways to keep nails healthy! Water will turn your nails soft which is, as we all know, a state in which they are the easiest to mess up - and don’t even get me started on things products such as AJAX, Clorox and Mr. Clean will do to your nails! A good pair of rubber gloves will make all of these problems disappear, keeping chemicals at bay and making sure your nails don’t spend eternity soaked in water.
Nail polishes, top coats, base coats, nail polish removers… but what about care products? Well, I know you’re very eager to try as many nail polish shades as possible but you should let your nails breathe and regenerate at least once a week. Invest in a nail treatment/cream of choice, remove your nail polish in the evening, wash your hands, then get ready for bed and lastly massage the cream into your nails and cuticles. Let it work its magic overnight and it won’t be long before you start seeing the first results!
A small side tear can be filed down easily with the help of a right tool! All you have to do is have it at hand in times when it’s really needed! Keep your spare nail file in your purse so you can take care of those rips, chips and tears the moment they occur and you won’t have to suffer looking at your nail getting worse and worse every hour thus manage to have, not only longer nails but less damaged clothes as well!
Reshaping and emergencies are one thing, over filing the surface another and while first definitely is something you should do, second is the thing to stay away from! You can buff the surface of your nails to give them shine, scrub them with some toothpaste or lemon juice to remove surface dirt, stains and excess oil but never ever use an abrasive file. These things are great for shaping and may seem like a perfect way to smooth a few ridges you’re not particularly proud of but will actually remove the top layer of your nail making it weaker and more susceptible to infections! Opt for a ridge filler instead and watch your nails go from weak and short to long and strong in a matter of weeks.
Ensuring enough nutrients for proper nail growth is a fool proof way to keep nails healthy and shiny! Get enough sleep, eat right and consider supplements in case your busy lifestyle doesn’t leave much room for a really admirable eating regimen. A lot of girls here have only the best words for Biotin – I’ve never tried that myself but hey, all that praise by all those different women, it must be pretty awesome!
In case you’re a fan of gel and acrylic manicure or love those gel nail polish thingies, you might want to consider making a break every few months. These things require a lot more filing and will close the nail off, providing ideal environment for infections. Giving your nail a month to rest and breathe will do wonders in terms of nail quality and I even know a girl who is a living proof that this truly works.
Most drugstore and high ends brands have changed their nail polish formulas with three or five-free ones, meaning that you won’t need to worry about formaldehyde, toluene, DBP and maybe even camphor and formaldehyde resin. You can take this even further, start using only green brands and kick even more nasty chemicals out of your life and makeup bag. But why stop there? Opt for acetone-free nail polish remover, too!

Hope you’re going to take these tips for long nails into your consideration, lovelies! So, tell me – which are you planning to embrace starting now?,

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img{width:100%; height:auto;} I love getting my toes done and if you do too, I’ve rounded up some simple ways to make your pedicure last longer! Let’s face it, pedicures can be costly and it’s rare that we have the extra time to get to a nail salon on a regular basis. So, let’s do our part to make sure our pedicure lasts as long as possible! Join me as I show you eight easy ways to make your pedicure last longer!


Before we get into the ways to make your pedicure last longer, let’s not forget to keep up on the upkeep of our feet! Having a nice polish job always can make our feet look more presentable, but not if you have dry, callused skin! Use a pumice stone to regularly slough off dead skin from your feet to keep them soft, smooth and sandal-worthy!
This might be another pedicure tip that I don’t need to remind you of, but let’s review it just in case. If you’re not already moisturizing on a regular basis, it’s a must that you start! Moisturizing your feet not only helps your pedicure look better by keeping your skin and cuticles soft and hydrated, but it also helps your feet stay smooth and look great in between trips to the salon!
Another way to make your pedicure last is to carry a cuticle oil and keep your feet soft, moisturized and prevent the polish from chipping. Having rough or dry cuticles can mean painful hangnails and unsightly rough skin. Keep a small bottle of cuticle oil in your bag or at your desk to apply on your cuticles and nails one to two times a day to prolong the life of your pedi!
Another easy pedicure tip that we often forget to do is to top off our pedicure with a top coat! If you want your toes to maintain the high shine and luster, you’ve gotta reapply a top coat. The top coat that the manicurist applied in the salon typically wears off in a couple of days, so prevent your polish from chipping and keep your toes looking fresh with a touch-up!
This next pedicure tip might go against the whole point of getting a pedicure but it’s one to think about. Although we get pedicures in order to show off our well-groomed feet, constantly exposing them to the elements can lead to chipped or faded polish, or dry and rough skin. Of course it’s okay to wear open toed shoes and sandals, but make sure you protect your feet and keep them covered on days you can.
You know what else kills a pedicure-heat! We might think that once we get our fast-dry top coat on our nails, we’re pretty much good to go, but not quite yet. Nail polish takes about 12 hours to harden so if you get your pedi and run to the sauna or jump in a hot tub, you’re running the risk of ruining your pedicure!
If you’re unsure whether your nail salon carries new bottles of polish, why not bring your own?! Many salons use nail polish thinners to prolong the shelf life of polish, so if you want to ensure you’re really getting a fresh coat, bring your own nail color. This way, you can do your own touch-ups if you need to and you’ll know you’re not wearing old polish!
If you like to use scented body lotions, the fragrance in the lotion might not be great for your pedi. Synthetic fragrances have been known to make nail polish crack, so when you’re moisturizing your feet, go for unscented lotions or use essential oils to keep skin soft!

There are many ways to make your pedicure last longer and save some money and time in between! Even if you do strictly at-home pedicures, try out these tips to keep your toes looking pretty and professional for days or even weeks! Do you have any of your own tips that you use to keep your pedicure looking new?,

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img{width:100%; height:auto;} I’m a huge fan of lip balms, and while I’ve always wanted to try the high-end, luxury lip balms, I could never justify paying the high price tag! I did some research on these lavish, designer lip balms that I keep seeing and dug up info on them. If you’re also thinking about trying out one of these babies but are unsure whether you should take the plunge, check out this list of seven luxury lip balms that are worth the money!



Luxury lip balms don’t just moisturize your lips, they’re also a decadent treatment for our pucker! Sisley’s Confort Crème is described as an emergency treatment for the lips. At $75, you would expect it to do hundreds of things, right?! Well, this balm is said to relieve discomfort, rehydrate, repair and form a protective barrier to protect lips from the environment!

Upscale lip balms really go all out when it comes to high end ingredients. This rose balm by by Terry contains 26 anti-aging ingredients to rejuvenate and redefine the lips. It also contains 24 karat gold, rose phyto-molecules and shimmer to give lips shine, regenerate lips and give them a healthy dose of moisture! At around $70 a pop, I would expect all those benefits and more!

The next lip balm on the list comes from French jack-of-all-trades Serge Lutens. Known primarily for his photography and perfumes, Lutens also dabbled in the cosmetics industry when he teamed up with Japanese makeup brand Shiseido in the '80s. He now creates a range of cosmetics in addition to this luxury lip balm. Lip Comfort runs about $65 and purports to heal dry, cracked lips.

This upscale lip balm also retails for about $65 and describes itself as a unique treatment for the lips that immediately softens and leaves behind a soothing, refreshing feeling. If anyone knows about indulgent treatments, it’s this luxury spa brand! This luxury lip treat is also said to plump up the lips while restoring their young and fresh appearance.

Hoards of celebs go bananas for Crème de la Mer, so it’s no wonder that their lip balm also has the masses going crazy! The Lip Balm, which can be yours for a mere $50, is made with their infamous Miracle Broth, which is said to soften rough lips on contact and heal and hydrate dry lips.. It’s also said to protect our puckers with moisture and prevent further damage.

Diptyque is known for their high end candles so you know their lip balm would also be scented! This luxuriously scented lip balm is said to be an exotic skincare ritual from the Mediterranean. It’ll melt on your lips and nourish and revive them with moisture and suppleness while protecting them! This lip balm will run you about $35.

Fresh’s lip treatment is actually a “bargain” compared to the others on this list of luxury lip balms. At $25, it’s still very pricey but it’s a little more affordable than its extravagant counterparts! I was always wary of such a high priced lip balm but I’ve tried it for myself and see why so many people love it. It’s light, moisturizing and nourishing so it feels great on and your lips feel good after you take it off.

If you’ve been thinking about trying out a luxury lip balm, you’ve got seven of the best around! These extravagant beauty products are quite pricey but they do a lot of work compared to the average drugstore lip balm! What do you think, would you ever try any of these luxury lip balms?,

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img{width:100%; height:auto;} Obesity is one of those topics that everybody has an opinion on, so it’s no wonder that there are so many obesity myths! While being a controversial topic keeps obesity on the front pages, it can also make it difficult to sort out the facts from the fiction, and makes fighting obesity more difficult. A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine aimed to crush the top obesity myths: here’s what it revealed.


We’ve all heard that sex is great exercise, and that proves true time and time again. Getting hot and sweaty with your partner is a great way to use muscles and expel energy, and you are sure to get a mood boost too – but the study found that some calorie claims were very exaggerated. One weight loss website claimed that a roll in the hay burnt 300 to 400 calories – but the study found that “average” sex lasts six minutes and burns 21 calories. This has to be one of the saddest obesity myths to bust…
Many of the popular diet programs insist that by making small changes to your diet and lifestyle and then prolonging them over your lifetime, you’ll keep the weight off. But while small changes are a good start, you do need to keep pushing your body. The human body is so adaptable that small attempts to cut calories don’t have the same impact over time. So why all the incorrect claims? The scientists put it down to the frequently quoted “3,500 calorie” rule. The fact is, 3,500 doesn’t always equal a pound, and you’ll need to continually push your body to keep seeing results.
Thinking that school gym classes will keep your child in shape? Don’t. The aim of these classes is to get kids moving, burn energy and teach them new sports – but the lessons are typically not long enough, frequent enough or intense enough to have a real impact on obesity. It’s up to parents to find activities that will keep their children moving, and feed a balanced diet that’ll stop weight gain.
We’ve all seen those stories – a dieter finds motivation and determination they didn’t know they had, and loses a ton of weight all at once. And then come the invariable comments about gaining it all back, and that losing modest amounts over an extended period is more successful. But it seems that’s not true – the study found that while 80% of dieters regain some weight regardless of how they lost weight, those who lost weight quicker tend to settle at a lower weight than the slower dieters.
The study looked into the results of a number of studies that were said to suggest that snacking will lead to weight gain. They found no suggestion that the act of snacking itself did lead to a higher weight, or that it slowed weight loss – although what you are snacking on, and how much you consume, will alter the results here. The study concludes that no “high-quality” studies could be found that back up the feeling that snacking is bad.
This one’s always been a biggie – do you take ten minutes extra in bed, or drag yourself downstairs to eat cereal? While it’s always been an easy meal to skip, it’s long been reported that not eating breakfast leads to weight gain. Two recent studies, cited in this journal, found that eating breakfast had no effect on weight. One study concluded that this could be dependent on whether someone is used to skipping breakfast or not.
Whether they are exercise goals or weight loss targets, we are always being told to set small, achievable and trackable goals. Why? Well, big goals are harder to achieve, and require a great deal more effort. Smaller goals are easier to achieve, and that success will spur you on to keep going…or that’s the theory. The New England Journal of Medicine found that setting big goals can actually motivate and boost success, and that bigger goals weren’t necessarily more likely to fail.

Of course, this type of study doesn’t come without it’s criticisms. Some of the authors have close ties with fast food companies and weight-loss products, which has caused concern. In fairness, though, the report does recommend exercise (for a whole host of health reasons, as well as for weight loss) and medical professionals such as Dr David Ludwig, a prominent obesity researcher from Boston Children’s Hospital, agreed with the points. Do you know any obesity myths you’d like to see publicly busted? Let me know!,

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