Throughout my whole life, I've struggled with unhealthy nails. They've always been unable to grow very long without breaking, peeling, or cracking. At the beginning of 2016, I stumbled across Simply Nailogical's nail art videos on YouTube and was amazed to see how long and healthy Cristine's nails looked. Cristine often praises Bliss Kiss Simply Pure™ cuticle oil for her healthy nails. If you check out Bliss Kiss' Instagram page, they're regularly reposting pictures of successful improvements after using their cuticle oil.

I'm always looking for ways to help my nails grow and remain strong and healthy. So when I saw an article about how Khloe Kardashian keeps her nails long and strong I was tempted enough to click it. As disinterested as I am in the lives and exploits of the Kardashian clan, I'm not one to pass up on learning about new ways to help benefit nail growth.

The article (or ad, depending on how you look at it. The Kardashians get paid to advertise a lot of stuff through social media) went on to discuss how Khloe uses Barielle Nail Strengthening Cream to help keep her nails long and healthy. The product was originally designed to condition horse hooves to prevent splits and cracks when it was discovered to have the same effects on human nails. It sounded like a miracle cream, so I had to give it a try.

Of course, in addition to having nail art and nail care as hobbies, I also appreciate a good ol' bargain hunt. A quick look on Amazon told me that 1oz of Barielle cream was selling for $20.99 CAD with free shipping, and Nailpolishcanada has a .5oz squeeze-tube version of it for $10 + $4 shipping. After a bit of research, I scrapped Barielle's brand due to cost reasons, and went for European Secrets Hoofer's Choice Nail & Cuticle Cream. I easily found Hoofer's Choice in a shop near my residence, it was the same amount of product as the tub by Barielle, and was more inexpensive. I bought a 1oz container at Sally Beauty for under $5, but I've seen it at Trade Secrets as well (it's notable that Sally's had it a few dollars cheaper).

I'd have to say that it's a great moisturizer for my nails to use in addition to my cuticle oil. I like to keep it in my purse because it's great for when I'm on the go. I like to use cuticle oil pens when I'm out and about, but apparently oil pens aren't a very common device. I can't seem to use them in public without someone asking me what they are and what I'm doing with them! I wanted to be a bit more low-key, so I think that this cream is great because it looks like a normal tub of moisturizer... minus the horse logo and name. Be prepared to explain to friends what you're using on you nails, because whenever I use the product it seems to turn heads! I try to explain it to my friends as "Mane 'n Tail but for my nails."

The product itself is of a thick consistency, similar to Vaseline. I personally find that it doesn't make my skin feel very greasy which is great. However, the smell is really peculiar! It kind of reminds me of Vicks VapoRub. I hated the smell at first, but after awhile it grew on me. I also find that a little goes a long way. A tiny dollop can be spread across all ten fingers. It's recommended that this product is used once or twice a day, but depending on how dry my hands are, sometimes I'll use it more frequently. This means that one small and inexpensive tub can last me awhile. This product, in addition to cuticle oil, has helped me combat flaky nails and reoccurring splits on my thumbnails. Overall, I'd say that this product is great for anyone with dry and brittle nails in need of a little bit of TLC. That is, as long as you can handle the smell!

So everyone at my work has been telling me about how great the True Blue Spa 60-Second Manicure Scrub from Bath & Body Works is, and I finally decided to cave and get it for myself. It retails for $13 CAD, and the True Blue Spa and Aromatherapy selection of the store is 99% of the time Buy 2 Get 1 Free (The only time when these selections aren't for this promotion is when there is a special on these products).

This product is a sugar based scrub that helps your skin feel baby-smooth. It's a pink sugary goop that smells pleasantly like grapefruit. The website promises that the product will "make quick work of dull, dry skin and ragged cuticles to give even the most mani-deprived hands a taste of soft, smooth, spa manicure perfection- in just one minute." This product is incredibly easy to use. I start by scooping out a small dollop of the sugary goop and massage it into the skin. You'll notice the scrub start to change consistency from the sugary goop into a rich, thick white lather as you massage your hands. Be sure to pay special attention to the rough areas of your skin.


I bought this product to help repair my cuticles. This past weekend was Black Friday and my cuticles were beyond damaged from opening so many boxes of product at work (ayy, retail life!). This product made my hands feel absolutely amazing after application. Like the name of the product suggests, it is literally a 60 second manicure. I counted to 60 while massaging my hands, and at the 60 mark, all of the sugar crystals had been dissolved. After rinsing, my hands felt incredibly soft, and my cuticles looked as if they'd been repaired almost entirely after the weekend's box-opening ordeals. However, although the product creates a baby-softness for your hands, you can feel that some of the skin's moisture has been stripped away from the application. I would strongly recommend using your favourite moisturizer after this product's use. My favourite products to recommend after usage are Bath & Body Work's Ultra Shea Body Cream or True Blue Spa's "Look Ma, New Hands" Super Softening Hand Lotion. The True Blue Spa lotion is a great way to top off your perfectly pampered hands because it is formulated with paraffin, olive, avocado, and apricot oils as well as antioxidant vitamin E. This product is a fantastic scrub that effortlessly reveals hands that look and feel as though they've spent all day at the spa. Another great thing about this product is that it's not tested on animals!

If you feel as though this product is getting a little 'up-there' in price range, there are also usually coupons that you can use on top of the Buy 2 Get 1 promotion. You can get these coupons from previous purchases, through your email subscription with the store, or via their Facebook page (remember though, if you're in Canada, make sure that you are subscribed to the Canadian emails or that the coupons are from the BBW Canada Facebook page). The most common coupons that you will probably receive are $10 off a $30 purchase. Occasionally, there are also 20% off your purchase coupons. If you find that the product is a little too expensive for your taste, using the coupons is a great way to shave back some of the price and make it a little more affordable. This is an especially comforting note because the product container is only 5oz, and a recommended usage is once day. I chose to use this product sparingly and treat myself to the treatment once every couple days.

All in all, I really enjoyed this product and would highly recommend it to anyone who needs assistance in repairing damaged hands and cuticles. My hands feel soft and my cuticles look repaired! If you still need some persuading before divulging in this product, you can read the testimonies of other users here, on the Bath & Body Works product page.