YSL
La Laque Couture Nail Lacquer
6/27/13

I have a confession. I've been cheating on my beloved Chanel polish for about a year now, and I've decided we can no longer be exclusive. I'm seeing other polishes, and I'm loving them. YSL has stolen my heart with some of the most incredibly rich pigments I've seen on the market. From the perfect red, to deep fuchsia and sexy golden hues, I can't get enough of these polishes. 

I've been a Chanel polish devotee for well over 15 years, and have zero guilt about my betrayal. A girl needs to keep her options open, and YSL knows how to create perfection in a bottle. A gorgeous bottle, to boot. The array of colors offered is stunning, particularly their seasonal, ltd. edition releases. This is where YSL really casts a large shadow on Chanel. Chanel has the disadvantage of mass appeal, and their ltd. edition colors tend to reflect that. Light blue, endless shades of rosy pinks, and sparkle. Always some offerings with a glittery sparkle. I just don't do glitter. 

(click photo to enlarge)

YSL's ltd. edition releases tend to skew bolder. Richer. More luxurious. What you see in the bottle is what you get on your nails with two coats. I've had some trouble with Chanel's darker shades lately (like Taboo), where you really don't know what you're getting until it's mani/pedi time. With YSL, I know exactly what my nails will look like. Better still? They're $2 less than Chanel polishes. My current favorites are Corail Colisee (above left), Violet Baroque (above right), and Dore Orfevre (a Neiman Marcus Exclusive). From what I'm told by manicurists near and far, the YSL brush is far easier to work with. 

My verdict? I'll never completely call it quits with Chanel.There are several favorites I can't live without. But my YSL crush is strong, and I don't see it fading (or chipping) anytime soon. 

- YSL La Laque Couture Nail Lacquer is $25 a bottle. 

- Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color is $27 a bottle.

Both available at Nordstrom. 

Hand, Nail, & Cuticle Treatments
5/30/13

Since I'm generally wearing nail polish, my poor nails have a tendency to become dry and weak. I've recently started allowing my nails a chance to breathe, and try going about a week a month without my beloved mani/pedis. It was then I realized that my regular hand creams simply weren't enough to nourish and heal my tortured nails and cuticles. I began trying various lotions and creams, and struggled to find a product that was effective. 

I first tried h20+ Spa Hand and Nail Cream. I'd read some positive blog posts about the brand, and was excited to try it for myself. It comes in both large and travel sizes ($16/$6.50). A total steal. I first used it at bedtime, with little success. I reapplied the cream several times throughout the night and didn't notice any benefit or improvement to my nails or cuticles. In fact, my hands were craving more moisture than this cream delivers. Unwilling to toss the two creams I'd purchased (I'd also picked up the travel size version), I've taken to using it throughout the day. The scent is very pleasant since it's from a spa collection. 

My next purchase was Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, which also comes in both large and travel sizes ($30/$10). I'd already been using their Age Control Hand Lotion with SPF 15 for years, and love it. I immediately found this cream to be far richer than the h20+ treatment, and loved how it leaves my hands feeling moisturized without being greasy. I also noticed an immediate improvement in nail strength and appearance. The scent is light and pleasant. It seems a tad pricey, but a little goes a long way and my first tubes have been going strong for nearly two months. I love the travel size, and always keep one in my handbag. TSA-friendly to boot!

As I mentioned in a recent post, I'm currently getting my feet wet with Aēsop and purchased their Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm ($25/$95). It promises to "effectively soften and hydrate hands, cuticles, and feet." That's a big promise! It definitely has the texture and feel of a lotion and not a cream, and the scent is...earthy. Almost medicinal. The ingredients highlighted include mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, and cedarwood atlas. Unfortunately, my hands felt dry within 15-20 minutes after application. That and the scent make this a no-go for me. Strike two, Aēsop. 

Now that I've found the perfect hand cream, I decided to give my cuticles a little extra love. I tried Melt Away Cuticle Eliminator by butter London ($18) and all I can say is, IT ACTUALLY WORKS! The product aims to break down and soften dead skin cells. I chose to ignore the instructions and am glad I did! I simply apply liberally to my cuticles, wait a couple of moments for it to dry, and finish by rubbing in the Clarins Cream. My other secret weapon is one of my favorite lip balms. At bedtime, I apply By Terry Baume de Rose to my lips and cuticles, and finish with a more heavy duty hand cream (post to come). This regimen has left me with soft, youthful hands and healthy cuticles. A less expensive option for added nighttime cuticle care is L'Occitane Certified Organic Pure Shea Butter ($40/$12), followed by a rich hand cream. The small tin is perfect for travel, and the large tin is also excellent for use on feet and elbows at night. Gotta love great, multi-purpose products!

My verdict? Clarins is far and away the best treatment I've found. Combined with butter's Melt Away, your hands, nails and cuticles will be healthy and beautiful. Adding the By Terry or L'Occitane products at bedtime will provide extra TLC while you sleep. 

- Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment is $10 for 1.7 oz. & $30 for 3.5 oz.
- h20+ Spa Hand and Nail Cream is $6.50 for 2 oz. & $16 for 6 oz.
- Aēsop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm is $25 for 2.5 oz. & $95 for 16.67 oz.
- butter London Melt Away Cuticle Eliminator is $18 for 0.5 oz.
- By Terry Baume de Rose is $60 for 0.35 oz.
- L'Occitane Certified Organic Pure Shea Butter is $12 for 0.6 oz. & $40 for 4.9 oz.

Clarins, butter London, & L'Occitane are available at Nordstrom. h20 is available at beauty.com. Aēsop & By Terry are available at Barneys.