Review: Pedi Princess Flip Flops

This is one of those ideas you can file under "how-has-no-one-thought-of-this-already": flip flops with toe dividers built in! I'm a pretty tidy painter on my fingernails, but I'm considerably more sloppy on my toes--don't have as much practice, I guess--so anything that makes application easier and keeps me from smearing my pedi is something I want to try! These would be perfect for bringing to the salon too!

Pedi Princess offers these flip-flops in a ton of different designs. A lot of them are blinged out or have fun little accents on them, like flowers. I decided to give these lime leopard print ones a try. I like that they're a little saucy-looking. ;)

They feel very sturdy--definitely better than the cheap, flimsy pairs they give you at the salon! Plus they're re-usable. Once you're done wearing them, the flip-flops come with a small plastic tote so that you can stash them away at home or keep them in the car between salon visits.

Here's how they look on, with a freshly applied Butter London Jaffa pedi! WARNING: FEET! JUST SAYIN'.

They're very comfortable to wear and do a really good job of keeping your toes separated, both during application and walking around afterwards.  I loved being able to cook dinner and walk around my apartment without having to worry that my pedi was going to get smeared or dented.

I decided to see how long I could wear these without the toe dividers starting to bug me and it was almost 90 minutes until I felt like I should take them off, which was more than ample drying time for my pedicure. I highly recommend these and will be using them with all of my future pedicures!

You can purchase Pedi Princess flip-flops through their website. Hit them up on Facebook and Instagram if you want to learn more and see some additional pics.

Last but certainly not least, Pedi Princess is offering 20% off to Nailed readers with the code CHELSEA20. If you pick up a pair (or already own one), I'd love to hear what you think!


Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. It does not impact the content or nature of my review in any way. As always, this product was sent for my honest review and all opinions shared are my own. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Review: Dr.'s Remedy Nails And Skin Vitamins

Last week, I showed you all some polishes from the brand Dr's Remedy and today, I've got something else to share with you from them that's a little different from what I normally talk about here on Nailed: nails and skin vitamins! I'm always looking for ways to improve my nail care routine, so I was really excited to try these! I'm sure most of us have heard biotin touted as great supplement for brittle nails and hair. These daily vitamins have not only 1000% of the daily recommended value of biotin, but a ton of other potentially skin and nail-aiding ingredients.

Before we get started, I want to note that obviously, I'm not a doctor or medical professional, so you should talk to yours before you start this or any other type of multivitamin regiment to make sure it's right for you and your body. We all have different needs and reactions when it comes to supplements. This review is just me sharing my personal experience. Your individual results may vary. Okay? Okay! :)

That being said, let's get to it! Here's a complete list of everything you get in these tablets:

So as you can see, you get a ton of potentially beneficial ingredients here other than just biotin. Of course the best way to get these ingredients into your system is through a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, but a good multivitamin can certainly help fill in the gaps with what you're not getting in your regular diet.

Let's walk through a quick "highlight reel" of some of the ingredients here. You've got Vitamins C, E and Selenium, which can help protect your skin against sun damage. Vitamin C is also said to help fight against hair loss and assist in skin's collagen production. Vitamin A helps repair tissue damage and is a recognized anti-aging nutrient. B vitamins help with circulation, to ensure your skin tissues are receiving enough oxygen. They are believed to help prevent acne, as well as impart skin with a healthy glow. 

Each bottle contains 90 pills and retails for $20. As an aside, the packaging is really professional. I like that the bottle came safety-sealed, with both a plastic wrap around the outer cap as well as a protective cover over the actual bottle opening.

The instructions say to take 3 per day, preferably with meals. I'm bad about remembering to take pills, so I just take all three at once each day. They're standard-sized tablets, so it's not like they're huge horse pills that are difficult to swallow. They have an herbal scent, but no discernible taste going down.

When I started taking these, my boyfriend asked how quickly I would see results and I told him that I honestly I had no idea. So I was shocked when I saw some positive changes after only a few days! The first thing I noticed was that my complexion seemed visibly brighter. It looked healthy and a little more radiant than it normally does. I'm not sure it's dramatic enough that anyone else would notice it, but I saw a difference, so that counts for something! :)

My nails weren't exactly unhealthy to begin with, so if you're trying to come back from a fungus or particularly damaged nails, it might take you longer to notice any results.  But my nails felt thicker and stronger after a week or so. I tend to fidget with my nails a lot when my hands are idle. Lately I've been keeping them pretty long and I've noticed that when I press down on my nails, they don't flex as much as they did before, if that makes sense. 

As I've mentioned on here a couple times, I'm in the middle of a big move. There were countless times during the move-out process when I'd hit my hand on something or get it caught. Instantly I'd think, "Ugh, there goes my long nails!" But then I'd look down and even if my manicure hadn't always made it through the scuffle, my nails themselves were no worse for wear! I honestly think that's a direct result of the biotin. 

In addition to feeling stronger, my nails also look better. We've all got that one problem nail, right? For me, that's my right index finger. It's gotten a lot healthier now that I stick to a daily routine of using nail cream, but it still likes to peel or flake every now and then. After I started taking these biotin pills, all of my nails--including my little problem child--are smoother and more hydrated.

Overall, I was super happy with the results I saw! There really isn't anything I didn't like, except that eventually I'm going to run out! When I do, I could easily see myself purchasing another bottle.

You can purchase these vitamins from Dr.'s Remedy's website.

Disclosure: This product was sent for my honest review. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Review: Mont Bleu Beauty Tools

Today I've got a pretty big post, with some awesome beauty tools from Czech company Mont Bleu! Mont Bleu is perhaps best known for their crystal glass nail files and over the years, they've expanded to other areas of the beauty market, such as tweezers, hair brushes, compact mirrors and jewelry.

We'll kick things off with the product Mont Bleu is famous for: their files. Made from Czech tempered glass and decorated with Swarovski crystal elements, they're as pretty as they are practical. They have a huge variety of colors and styles to choose from. Mine are in my two favorite colors: pink and blue!

Some close-ups of the beautiful crystal patterns on the files. They were hard to photograph because they were so crazy reflective!

These crystal files have a fine grit to them but they also feel very durable, so they're perfect for someone like me who tends to get a little overzealous when using files. They should last a good, long time without getting all scuffed and scratched up like traditional files do.

Next up we've got a set of eyebrow tweezers. Like the files, the tweezers are also decorated with Swarovski elements. However, Mont Bleu also offers plain tweezers, if crystals aren't your thing. Personally, I think everything should be as bejeweled and bedazzled as much as possible. ;)

The tweezers have a nice balance to them, making them easy and comfortable to hold and use. The surface of the tweezers is rubberized to prevent them from slipping out of your hand.

The stainless steel slant-tip is very precise and sharp, so you can grab even fine, short hairs without a problem. I've got a pair of Tweezerman tweezers and these easily match those in quality.

Next is a crystal glass foot file. You can't really tell in the picture, but the blue end has a smooth portion, to make the file easier and more comfortable to grip. 

Have you ever used a foot file where it's like, "Well, this isn't so much filing as it is ripping apart the skin on my feet?" Yeah, this isn't like those at all. The grit's obviously coarser, since it's designed for feet, but it's still very fine at the same time, allowing for precise and effective filing. This is easily the best foot file I've ever tried!

Then last but not least, we've got a lovely set of Swarovski crystal earrings:

I wore these to work and they were nice and comfortable throughout the day. They're a good size for studs--big enough to be noticed but not so large they take over your whole ear. Plus I love how shiny and reflective they are! They really catch the light!

So overall, some great products here that marry beautiful presentation with impressive quality. Any of these would make a fantastic gift for the beauty lover in your life or a nice treat for yourself! ;)

You can purchase Mont Bleu products from their website. They ship internationally and for me, the deliver process went off without a hitch.

Have you tried anything from Mont Bleu before? What beauty tools could you not live without?


Disclosure: These products were went to me for my honest review. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Review: Barielle Intensive Nail Renewal Oil

Image Source

Ever wish your nails had a "reset" button? A way you could start fresh and be done with all the cracks, peeling and brittleness? Well, Barielle's Intensive Nail Renewal Oil may be the treatment for you!

This oil is designed to restore the nail's natural lipids and oils that are stripped by soap, water and countless other things we expose our hands to throughout the day. It uses ingredients like keratin, sunflower oil, coconut oil, Vitamin E and calcium to help increase nail strength and flexibility to prevent breakage.

This oil can be used over polish or on bare nails. Simply brush it over your nails and cuticles, then let it go to work. I find it works best to use it right before bed, so you can allow all of those beneficial ingredients to soak in overnight. When I wake up in the morning, my nails feel smoother, stronger and more hydrated. Areas where I'd noticed initial signs of peeling are visibly smoother and no longer look brittle. This is such an easy and effective treatment--you're basically sleeping your way to healthier nails!

The Intensive Nail Renewal Oil and Barielle's equally awesome Nail Strengthener Cream have made my nails feel stronger than they've ever been. I cannot believe how long they're growing, yet they still feel very healthy! My nails have never looked or felt this good! I'm seriously impressed and would recommend both of these products in a heartbeat. I use the Nail Strengthener Cream during the day then bust out the oil as a nightly treatment, so my nails can be nourished 24/7!

You can purchase Barielle from their website, where a 0.5 oz bottle retails for $12.50.


Disclosure: This product was provided to me for my honest review. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Review: Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream

I think most of us have at least one "problem nail"--that one trouble-maker that just loves to peel, break or crack. I'd had ongoing issues with breaks and peeling on my right index and middle fingers, which would force me to either trim down my other nails to match or make do with two out of place short nails. Frustrating!

So I turned to my blogging friends for help and the lovely Lakeisha suggested Barielle's Nail Strengthener Cream as a remedy for weak, breakage-prone nails. Lakeisha was kind enough to send me a tube to try and I was hooked straight away. So I was very happy that Barielle sent me some of this miracle cream to review!

But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here. Before I talk about results, let's start off with a quick rundown of what the Nail Strengthener Cream is designed to do. Originally developed to protect and condition the hooves racehorses, this cream became a popular product at the world-famous Belmont Park Race Track in New York, where the jockeys noticed it produced similar results for their own hands and nails. Barielle reformulated the product for human nails and launched the company we know today on the strength of this one product. (I love neat trivia like this!)

The cream itself contains three key ingredients to help strengthen nails and provide protection against splits, peels and breaks. It has glycerin, which acts as a humectant to help attract and retain moisture, Vitamin E to nourish nails and vegetable protein to build strength. (Nails themselves are mostly composed of proteins, after all.)

You can use this cream on bare nails or over polish. When I'm changing up my mani, I apply it as soon as I remove my polish. A little bit goes a long way yet it doesn't feel thick or greasy at all. I massage it in and try to give it at least half an hour to absorb into my nails before I go ahead and apply polish. It's also a great product to keep on your nightstand so you can slather some on before bedtime to let everything soak in overnight.

Now that you've got the skinny on what the cream does and how I like to use it, the biggest question of course is whether or not it delivers on its claims. Well, after over a month of using the Nail Strengthener Cream, I've been able to form some solid opinions on it and let me start by saying one thing: it really works! Since I started using it, I have yet to break a single nail, which is pretty amazing! Even my two problem nails are still going strong and growing out more than they have in a very long time. I actually had to file them down because they were getting too long, which is crazy!

I'm absolutely thrilled with the results I've had with this cream and would recommend it to anyone looking for a solution for weak, brittle nails. My nails feel so much stronger and more flexible than ever before. I love that I've been able to grow out all of my nails without compromising their strength. I'm going to be using Nail Strengthener Cream for a long time to come!

You can purchase Barielle at retailers like Beauty Brands and Sally Beauty or through Barielle's website. They offer this cream in in both a 0.5 oz tube for $10 (great for keeping in your purse) and in a 1 oz container for $17. Or they currently have a special on their website where you can buy both the tube and the container together for $14.99.

Have you ever tried this cream? If so, I'd love to hear what your results were!


Disclosure: This product was provided to me for my honest review. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Twinsie Tuesday: My Nail Care Routine

We're doing something a little different for this week's Twinsie Tuesday. Rather than sharing manis, we'll be sharing our nail care routines!

As I was writing out my whole routine, I was afraid I kinda sounded like a complete crazy lady, detailing all of the different steps I do and products I use. But it's a ritual that I enjoying doing and while it might sound like a lot of work, it's also very relaxing for me. I use it as a way to decompress and take some time for myself. So without further ado, here's how I take care of my nails!

A few of my nail care favorites: Essie Feed Me, Deborah Lippmann 2-Second Nail Primer, Barielle Nail Strengthening Cream, Seche Vite & Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil

Polish Removal & Nail Upkeep

First thing's first: removing my old manicure. For remover, I recently bought my first bottle of Zoya Remove+ and it absolutely lives up to all the hype! It works wonderfully but doesn't leave my nails feeling as dry and stripped as traditional removers do.

A few times a week, I follow up with Develop 10 Nail Whitening Scrub. I have some bad staining on my nails from polishing them so often and one of my nail care goals this year is to whiten them up. I've only been using this scrub for about two weeks, but there has been a visible difference so far! I know getting the stains to go away will be a gradual process but I'm encouraged by the initial results I've seen with this scrub.

 My essentials for cuticle removal: Blue Cross Cuticle Remover and a Sally Hansen cuticle pusher

As needed, I'll also use a cuticle remover after taking off my polish. My favorite is made by Blue Cross. You can get a jumbo bottle for super cheap at Sally Beauty. After applying my cuticle remover, I use a metal Sally Hansen cuticle pusher to get everything looking nice and tidy. I like this Sally Hansen pusher because the other end of the tool is designed for cleaning underneath your nails, so it's a two-in-one.

Prepping For Polish

Once or twice a week, I'll give my nails a good buffing and do some light filing, all with my Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator 4 Way Buffer. I'm working on an in-depth review but in short, this is a great buffer if you're like me and tend to get a little overzealous. Deborah designed it so that it won't damage your nails, even if you like to put some extra pressure on.

After buffing, I massage Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil into my cuticles. This is one of my absolute nail care must-haves and I'm obsessed with it! Lush Lemony Flutter is another favorite cuticle rescue product. At this point in my routine, I may also slather on some Lush Handy Gurugu Hand Cream if my hands are feeling dry or rough.

Then I apply some Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream. My fellow Twinsie Lakeisha kindly provided me with some of this cream to try and I'm hoping it will work wonders for me like it did for her! My right index and middle finger nails always seem to peel or break and Lakeisha recommended this as a remedy. I haven't been using it for too long but so far, so good!

Next, I usually go mess around on the computer or watch a show or something like that, just to give all the creams and oils time to really sink in. When I'm ready for my actual manicure, I bust out my Deborah Lippmann 2-Second Nail Primer. This is a newer addition to my routine and I thought it sounded like kind of a gimmicky product at first but now that I've been using it, I really like it! What it is, is a primer that you brush across your nails to dissolve any grime and oils on the nail surface, ensuring you have a smooth, clean nail to help your polish go on easier and stay on longer. It's the same general concept as applying primer to your face before putting make-up on and it's a handy little product to have around.

Polish Time!

When I first started getting really into polish, I never wore--or even owned--a base coat. I only started wearing one after I got a free bottle of Seche Clear as part of a promo at Sally. Of course, now I know it's important not to skip base coat, both to lengthen the life of your manicure and to prevent staining. I haven't really committed to a base coat, but two of my favorites are Essie Feed Me and Deborah Lippmann Fast Girls. For glitter manis, I can't live without Nail Pattern Boldness Glitter A-Peel.

Current base coat go-tos: Glitter A-Peel & Fast Girls

As for top coat, I have tried several different ones, but I always seem to wind up back with the ever-popular Seche Vite. It has its annoying quirks (thickness, shrinkage, etc.) but I can't deny how shiny it makes my nails and I love how quickly it dries.

So yeah, that's about it! This is a much longer post than I'd originally anticipated but hopefully I didn't come out of it looking too cray-cray. My personal routine has definitely changed and evolved over time so I'm looking forward to hopefully learning about some new products and tips from my fellow Twinsies' routines!

Alaina at The Little Canvas

Amanda at Amandalandish

Amber at Nails Like Lace

Anna at Going to the Showing

Anne at Grape Fizz Nails

Casey at CaseyLane Loves Polish

Chelsea at Nailed Blog

ChiChi at I'm Just Me...ChiChi

Elizabeth at Did My Nails

Erin at Paint Those Piggies

Heather at Peace, Love, & Polish

Kelly at Tuxarina

Lakeisha at Refined and Polished

Maribeth at Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite

Marisa at Polish Obsession

Rachel at Top Coat It

Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les

Stephanie at A Little Polish

Tiffany at Polished To Precision

Traci at DrinkCitra

Review: Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil

One of my newly discovered manicure essentials is Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil. This stuff kicks so much ass that I just had to tell you all about it!

I actually received this as a surprise freebie from an Ebay seller after I bought DL Lara's Theme from her. I used it on a whim one day and...WOW. Just wow. I was blown away by what a huge, instant difference it made on my cuticles, which tend to become hard and crusty-looking, especially during the winter months.

Photo Credit: HSN

The bottle I have appears to be a trial size (looks to be about 0.25 oz), but it should still last me a good long time. I've been using it for about two months now and my bottle is still almost full. You really don't need much oil. I can usually do one whole hand with just a single brush dip. My cuticles stay nice-looking for around a day or so until it's time to re-apply and I am always amazed at how big of a difference just a smidge of oil makes. My cuticles look and feel so much softer and healthier.

Here's a before and after for you of the magic this stuff works on my gnarly winter fingers. Warning: Grody cuticles ahead.

Before (AVERT YOUR EYES, CHILDREN):

After (*nail polish angels singing*):

Coconut oil is one of the main ingredients (along with jojoba oil and Vitamin E), so this has a coconut scent to it, but nothing heavy; it vanishes within a minute or so of rubbing the oil in. Personally, I like the smell--it reminds me of the beach--but if you cannot stand anything coconut-scented, then this may not be for you. The oil itself absorbs quickly and is very nourishing without feeling heavy or greasy.

A full size bottle retails for $20 and also comes with an eyedropper, if you prefer that to a brush. That may seem like a lot for cuticle oil, but based on how long this stuff lasts and how well it works, I know I'll be buying another bottle as soon as my little one runs out!

Have you tried DL's cuticle oil? Love it or hate it? What are some of your favorite cuticle products?