By Liz Thompson •
February 3, 2009
This season can be particularly hard on nails. Dry, cold weather and central heating all work to sap us of vital moisture, which takes a toll on skin, hair and nails, too. Brittle nails crack and break more easily and dried out cuticles can become torn and tender.
Special care needs to be taken to soften and strengthen nails in winter months. But before you run out to the nearest beauty supply store, take a look in your kitchen cupboard. “Soaking your nails daily in almond or olive oil strengthens the nails better than any conventional nail hardener,” says Julie Gabriel, author of The Green Beauty Guide. Simply soak for a few minutes, wipe hands and massage gently.
To moisturize and smooth hands and nails try a mixture of equal parts (a tablespoon or so) brown sugar and grape seed or olive oil mixed with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Scrub hands and cuticles gently then rinse under warm water and pat dry for an instant manicure. These should both be used on clean, bare nails and you should see immediate results.
By Liz Thompson •
January 24, 2009
Although nail polish is not a necessity, many girls love it and miss it when trying to cut down on toxic exposure. But most conventional nail polishes contain extremely hazardous chemical ingredients and since nail polish is left on for relatively long periods (unlike soap or shampoo, which are rinsed off immediately) these toxins have a nice long time to soak into our system.
Listed below are the three main ingredients we look to avoid in nail polish and why*:
- Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) – neurotoxin, reproductive/developmental toxin, endocrine disruptor.
- Formaldehyde – human carcinogen, developmental/reproductive toxin, neurotoxin.
- Toluene – developmental/reproductive toxin, neurotoxin.
So what is an eco girl who likes a good mani to do? That is where Acquarella comes in. Acquarella water based nail polishes are free of the top three offenders, virtually odorless and come in a variety of gorgeous colors.
When my nails are freshly manicured, it somehow makes me feel more, well, polished. I hate walking out of poorly ventilated shops with a headache though. We all know that the ingredients in traditional polish is not good to inhale on a regular basis, but we slather it on anyway - guilty! I am totally guilty…
Until recently when I discovered the SpaRitual line at a little body shop, called Mountain Body, in Park City, Utah. With flavors like, Strawberry Fields Forever and Paradigm Shift (which I am currently admiring as I type!), you not only feel good about wearing the nail lacquer but empowered.
By Emma Henderson •
April 11, 2008
My fingers are like dried up sausages wrapped in sand paper and the skin on my hands is so rough, dry and cracked I look like I’d be more at home on the beach amongst the barnacles. If its true that you can tell a person’s age from their hands I must be about due for retirement.
I love my job but sewing and handling fabric all day long can be really tough on your skin so I think it might be time to try my hand at something a little more rejuvenating.
