Tag: nails

HUM Nutrition Hair Sweet Hair

I was facing a double duty beauty hazard: broken strands and destroyed nails. I had resorted to buns for most of the winter. And gel manicures too. Both of those habits leaves me with broken, weak hair and thin, damaged nails. I knew I needed a supplement and a break from beauty treatments to get back into fighting shape.

HUM Nutrition Hair Sweet Hair is designed for a strong, healthy mane. The ingredients are a combination of nutrients including biotin, zinc, PABA, folic acid and fo-ti (a root used in Chinese medicine). Biotin and folic acid help with hair, nails and skin. PABA helps maintain hair color (yay!). And Zinc promotes hair growth (double yay! – went too short last time).

Fo-ti, this Traditional Chinese Medicine has a history of promoting hair growth by strengthening organs of elimination – think the liver. And increasing circulation which makes sense in helping with blood flow and healthy hair follicles.

These little guys were actually a nice treat after dinner. They have a strong fruity taste. And the texture was more substantial than a regular gummy but still pleasant. I have a hard time swallowing supplements so I love to see all these gummy options! Not to mention my nails are completely healed after a bottle of Hair Sweet Hair and a break from gel manicures. My hair appears to be growing faster and my baby hairs around my face have started growing out to substantial real hair!

The formula is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, GMP certified, and sustainably sourced with no artificial colors or preservatives.

Available at Sephora.

HUM Nutrition Runway Ready Supplements

Between some travel and summer fun (plus pure laziness), I had fallen down on my vitamin routine. And my hair and nails were showing the damage. My locks were not quite as lustrous. And my nails, frankly, were weaker than their usual strong selves.

So I incorporated HUM Nutrition’s Runway Ready formula along with a pre-natal multi. While there are no children in my near (or far) future, the pre-natal formula I’ve found gives me more energy. And the boost of Red Carpet + Killer Nails (both included in Runway Ready) amps up my hair and nail game.

Red Carpet contains GLA, ALA and Vitamin E from bio-available nutrients like black currant and sunflower seeds. The fats help add fullness and shine to hair. Along with adding a glow to skin, moisture is retained. Killer Nails contains biotin which is a water-soluble B-vitimin that boosts cell growth. Bonus points for the travel-friend packets – no excuses on the vitamin routine next time I hit the road.

Up next, I can’t wait to try out the Daily Cleanse with Organic Algae and Cleansing Minerals – perfect for the clean-living, cooking-at-home kick I am on.

The products are gluten-free, vegan and sustainably sourced. Available at Sephora.

PR SAMPLES AND AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE POST

image via humnutrition.com

Nails Inc + Victoria, Victoria Beckham

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I have to admit this was a welcome blog break – sorry for my sudden disappearance. I was in a bit of a holiday funk. Don’t get me wrong – I had a lovely time with family. I just wasn’t as jazzed about sharing looks or routines. And having analyzed my 250-ish posts in 2014, I can safely say those are your favorites, dear readers. So rest assured, you will see more in 2015.

But for now, let me share a new mani that is supremely chic. I admit to being a huge fashion admirer of Victoria Beckham and am thrilled that she has made some starts into the beauty industry. Her latest is my favorite yet.

The London-based Nails Inc. and Victoria worked together to create two limited edition bottles to sit with the label’s spring collection. Bamboo White is a sophisticated nude that I cannot stop wearing. I get an opaque and bone ivory with three coats and it lasts a good three days (a New Year’s Miracle on my little nails).

The other shade is Judo Red – think a deep tomato red inspired by Japanese culture. I might just have to nip this holiday funk with a manicure in this cheerful shade for New Year’s Eve.

The shades are housed in Venetian glass by art director Fabien Baron and customized by Beckham herself. They are truly a collector’s item for the 2015 beauty buff.

Available at NET-A-PORTER and Nails, Inc.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Holiday Gifting – NARS Vault

I figure we might as well start out Belle Belle’s holiday gifting series with a bang. I am absolutely lusting over this offering from NARS – perfect for the true beauty buff. And I have been meaning to share with you guys how much I love these two new formulas from the brand that both were released earlier this year.

The NARS Vault in a curated collection of Audacious Lipsticks and Nail Polishes. The lipsticks have quickly become a favorite – their creamy texture last forever but don’t dry out lips. Their colors are rich and pigmented – I have been wearing Rita, the perfect cool winter red. And Audacious comes in perfectly developed range of classic shades. This set includes: Raquel, Anita, Jane, Claudia, Michiyo, Grace, Lana, Carmen, Vivien and Sandra.

The nail polish really blew me away – I would be in heaven to have these the shades (Ecume, Ithaque, Orgasm, Trouville, Schiap, Hunger, Dovima, Jungle Red, Purple Rain and Back Room). I can’t get over how perfect their black, Back Room, is on nails – opaque, rich and still classic. Their new brush design in a breeze to use. And I was delighted to find that my manicure lasted a full week – somewhat of a miracle with my nails.

Both collections are housed in a wooden box with the signature NARS soft-touch finish and over-sized interior mirror. Don’t miss out on this true collectors item. I know it is a splurge but this has major wow factor.

Available at narscosmetics.com, Saks and Barneys.

Probelle Touch N’ Grow Plus Nail Strengthener

I’m on this endless cycle of a couple gel manicures in a row followed by a break in which my nails heal themselves. While I don’t think gels are necessarily bad for your nails, for some reason, my nails become super weak after a couple gel manicures. It can be a necessary evil if you are traveling or have a big event. But I just know I’ll pay for it in the end.

So at the end of June, I decided to go bare and regain long and strong fingernails. A new product was in my rotation to review so the timing couldn’t be better. Probelle was born out of founder and CEO, Leon Kohn’s concern for his mother who suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis and was on medication that caused stunted nail growth.

This two step system is comprised of two products: Touch N’ Grow and Touch N’ Grow Plus. Touch N’ Grow original formula cures and strengthens nails while the Touch N’ Grow Plus maintains healthy nails. I was intrigued by the Plus formula as it has a green shade and contains lime and garlic (two of my favorite cooking ingredients – great… now I am hungry for Vietnamese food). Touch N’ Grow whipped my nails into shape in a jiff… the peeling and weakness was remedied in a couple weeks. Touch N’ Grow Plus ensures that my nails aren’t discolored from polish and prevents bacteria growth caused by prolonged nail polish wear. And Touch N’ Grow Plus is totally transparent despite the shade in the bottle.

If you are concerned about nail strength or just want to ensure healthy nails, I can’t recommend this duo enough. These guys will be part of my at-home manicure kit permanently. Available at Pro-belle.com and Amazon.com.

“Summer-ize” Your Makeup Routine On FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

There are so many factors that play into changing up our makeup routine as the months warm up. Depending on where you live, humidity can play a huge factor. And to an even greater degree, lifestyle changes. We spend our summer evenings wearing breezy maxi dresses and a messy bun. This calls for a tone down in makeup (with some glowy and bronzy wattage).

Personally, I like switching to a more subtle eye and using a few more liquid formulations. My favorite of these liquid gems actually come from a brand new line from Perricone MD that I am wild about. Launched just this month, Perricone MD No Makeup Skincare restores skin’s health, protects from environmental factors and uses pigments to enhance facial architecture. This makeup doesn’t cake on coverage but adds radiance. My favorite of the bunch is the new No Foundation Foundation Serum which just subtly adds pigment with a suede finish and nourishing formula. No Mascara Mascara contains anti-aging lash treatment. And No Lipstick Lipstick not only smells amazing but adds a natural color with SPF 15.

If you are anything like me, you’ll log some serious pool time (with lots of SPF of course). Some days, we proceed immediately to a BBQ dinner or casual Mexican fare straight from the pool. To add just a bit of glam, I love the newest of lip formulas – Lip Crayons. Boots No. 7 Lip Crayons not only offer a budget price point but also a conditioning shine. I love Berry to compliment post-pool sun-kissed tan.

I can’t really think of a summer color collection that does glowy bronze better than NARS. A new launch coupled with a newly discovered classic is now a permanent staple in my rotation. First, I admit to being a Laguna devotee. But I was gently coaxed to try the slightly slightly deeper and more golden Casino and I am smitten. There is something about the formula that is so authentically bronzed that I can quickly sweep over my cheekbones, temples and nose and hit the road. And talk about a launch with a splash from their summer ‘Adult Swim’ collection: Hot Sand Illuminator is a limited edition peach champagne liquid that provides a shimmery blush. I also love to use it on brow bones and if you are feeling indulgent, add a dab to your decolletage.

Who said dark polish is only for cooler months. This summer, change things up with inky digits but swap out vampy blacks and browns for navys like Essie’s After School Boy Blazer or a deep purple like Sally Hansen Vanity Flare. If you are a diehard light shade buff, opt for a classic white (my current choice is Deborah Lippmann in Amazing Grace).

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