Review: Dr LeWinn's Renunail Nail Strengthener

I swear there once was a time when I could grow my nails into lovely, long talons, but it really is a distant memory! I don't mind having shorter nails necessarily, but it would just be nice to have nails that didn't break or split so easily so I could actually choose! Step in Dr LeWinn's Renunail Nail Strengthener, which I tried as part of their "Nailpril" campaign (however I started and finished a bit late due to having Shellac). Renunail Nail Strengthener is an intensive treatment that promises longer and stronger nails in just 4 weeks. It contains calcium to strengthen weak, brittle nails and camphor to soothe sensitive nails. It retails at £17.50.

How to Use

The first thing that instantly impressed me was the size of the bottle - it's 30ml, which is gigantic compared to your average sized nail varnish. You use Renunail by applying two coats on the first day and then one further coat everyday for 5 days. On the 7th day you remove it and repeat the whole process again for another three weeks. You can wear nail varnish during the programme, but it is not recommended to use if you have recently had gels or acrylics removed. Due to the intensity of Renunail, it is only recommended to complete the programme a maximum of 4 times a year.

My Experience

Renunail looks and feels just like a clear nail varnish when applied. For the first few weeks I was very well behaved and applied it every day, but for the last two weeks I do admit I did miss about three or four days in total. Within just 2 weeks though my nails were stronger than before - they felt stronger and I had no breakages or splits. I applied nail varnish at the end of the second week and this didn't seem to affect the product working. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Renunail made my nail varnish last longer. Some of you may know that my nail varnish normally peels off within 1-2 days, but with Renunail my nail varnish lasted for 4 DAYS before chipping, 4 WHOLE DAYS!!! I had a couple of splits in the last two weeks, though one was because I caught my nail on my house key when getting them out of my pocket, and the second I noticed after a big housework session. Things like this are going to happen; I didn't expect Renunail to perform miracles!

Post Programme

Two weeks after finishing the programme I'm still experiencing the benefits of Renunail. I've also experienced less peeling, which I was getting on a couple of my nails before. I have used it as a base coat since though, which is probably helping to prolong the effect. Instead of using this again as a four week programme, which is a bit of a challenge to stick to, I may just use it once or twice a month as a base coat. However I will tread carefully, as over using this product can actually have the opposite effect. There is a sensitive version of Renunail, which is recommended as an ongoing maintenance treatment, so I may purchase this instead if necessary.

To view Dr LeWinn's Renunail Nail Strengthener on their website, please click here.

Do you use any nail strengthening products? If so, please share below!

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains a PR sample.

Nails Inc You're a Peach NOTD - Instyle Freebie May 2013

I absolutely love the colour peach, so I just had to pick up Instyle magazine's current freebie - Nails Inc You're a Peach (there are also two other shades to collect - Totes Pink and It's Red, Babez). You're a Peach is a milky, pastel peach that just screams summer time. On my nails below I finished it off with a top coat of Nails Inc Glamour Glitter, which was a Glamour freebie last year.

One of my favourite ever nail varnishes is Peach Melba by Barry M, so I thought I'd see how these two compare. The Nails Inc is much more orange toned, whereas Barry M's peachy offering is more pink toned. However they're both beautiful shades and it means Nails Inc You're a Peach fills a nice gap in my nail varnish collection.

Did you pick up Instyle magazine this month? Are you a fan of peach nail varnish?

Beauty Bird xx

Spending Ban Update #1

So I'm nearly two weeks into my beauty spending ban and am pleased to announce that I have not bought any new beauty products! Woop! The only thing I intend to purchase shortly is some cleanser, as my bottle has nearly run out, which is allowed as part of the ban. 

I've found it surprisingly easy so far. I've been deleting any beauty related newsletters/emails very quickly, especially if they have a discount in the title! I also don't work or live in or very near to the town centre, so it's not easy for me to pop in and wonder around Boots or Superdrug, which I think has really helped! Especially as these little babies have been released and I am in total blusher lust! I'm normally a powder blusher girl, but these Bourjois cream blushers are just calling to me! I particularly like the look of 01 Nude Velvet and 03 Rose Tender. These will definitely be one of my first purchases post spending ban.

I think as time goes on the spending ban is only going to get harder! Can I stay away from Boots and Superdrug for another six weeks?! Eek!

If you're on a spending ban let me know how you're getting on!

Beauty Bird xx

Skincare Splurgin'

Having had terrible skin for years I've always been obsessed with skincare, however I'm very fussy with what I use and don't tend to chop and change my skincare products. Recently though, as you can see, I have done some serious skincare purchasing to overhaul my routine (pre spending ban)! It basically started with my skin going through extremes - really oily, to the point where I was using three blotting sheets in one go just to mop up the oil and then on other parts so dry it was showing through my makeup. I also had some awful breakouts on my chin, including some horrible cyst-like ones.

I ordered the Pixi Glow Tonic after seeing it raved about on Caroline Hiron's blog. It's an "oxygenating, exfoliating facial glow tonic" that removes dead cells and helps tone, firm and tighten the skin. I intend to use it instead of an exfoliating scrub; Caroline points out the beads can spread around bacteria on the face, which isn't great when my skin is so breakout prone! I've only just received this so haven't used it yet, but can't wait to. (Just a point that you can't order Pixi Glow Tonic online - I rang up the London store and ordered it over the phone on 0207 287 721.) 

Again influenced by Caroline's blog, I decided to introduce a hydrating toner into my routine to use after cleansing, which should re-balance the skin and aid the absorption of serum/oil. Step in Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer! I chose this one as it contains lots of natural ingredients and includes vegetable derived glycerin for moisture, plus it's quick and easy to use. It can also be used over makeup to refresh and revitalise. I'm still making a judgement on this; but my initial thoughts are very positive.

To try and manage my oily skin and breakouts, I purchased the Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Mattifying Moisturiser. It contains Salicylic Acid to mattify and balance skin, but also elderflower for added hydration. My skin has definitely been less oily since using this, but it's not a miracle worker and I still need to use blotting sheets. It's also a bit drying on my cheeks, so I've only been using it on my t-zone.

Finally I made two separate purchases from Antipodes - the Divine Face Oil and Aura Manuka Honey Mask. I bought the face oil mainly to target my blemishes and scarring. I've been using it every other day, alternating with my Estee Lauder ANR serum. I've only been using it a week but absolutely love it - it makes my skin looks so healthy, bright and plump! I swear my scarring has slightly improved too. The mask I've used a few times as a hydrating treat - it's especially perfect for those hungover days! It smells absolutely divine. I really should start using it more often and think I will do so in conjunction with my Origins Out of Trouble mask - the double threat facial (I don't have enough for the triple threat!).

What skincare purchases have you made recently? Do you use any of the above products?

Beauty Bird xx

Introducing Studio 78 Paris Natural Makeup

Studio 78 Paris is a natural makeup brand created by Margareth Halfon, an ex Assistant Product Manager for Guerlain, in order to provide a solution for those who want to combine health and beauty. Certified by EcoCert, the Studio 78 Paris ingredients range from 99% - 100% natural and 10%-44% organic ingredients. This means none of their products contain GMO, parabens, phenoxyethanol, silicone, PEG, synthetic perfumes and dyes and animal-derivated ingredients. Plus 100% of their packaging is biodegradable and recyclable. I absolutely love the design of their packaging! I was lucky enough to be sent three of their products to try - We Evade Bronzing Powder, We Flirt Around Mascara and Off We Go Anti-Dark Circles Concealer.

We Evade Bronzing Powder - 01 White Sand - £27.00

The We Evade Bronzing Powder comes in a pretty round pot, which contains a mirror in the lid and a powder applicator. The baked formula contains natural mineral powders and organic vegetal oils, such as coconut, avocado and apricot oil. The shade 01 White Sand is suitable for light to medium skin tones and there is also a shade available for medium to olive skin tones called 02 Desert Sand. I'm more of a blusher than bronzer girl and this colour did scare me slightly as it looks so dark. It is very pigmented and I barely needed more than one swipe of a makeup brush across this to get a good shot of bronze. The colour also lasted really well, around 7 hours. Once I get to grips with bronzer (you can see I'm not very savvy by my terrible application!), I can see me getting a lot of use out of this, especially in the summer.

We Flirt Around Mascara - 01 All Nighter Black - £21.00

The We Flirt Around Mascara contains shea butter and jojoba oil to nourish the lashes and sage and jojoba seed oil for a volumizing effect. It claims to lengthen and curl while separating lashes one by one without clumping. It also claims to last all day without flaking. Unfortunately the We Flirt Around Mascara only lived up to one of these claims for me and didn't clump. My eyelashes went flat very quickly and the mascara found its way under my eyes by the end of the day. If you like the au naturel look and have naturally curly eyelashes this may work for you, but it may not stay put!

Off We Go Anti-Dark Circles Concealer - 01 At Dawn - £20.00

This concealer is designed to conceal dark circles and imperfections, containing nourishing anti-oxidant plant oils to moisturise, regenerate and revitalise the eye area. This shade is suitable for fair to light skin tones and there is also a shade available for medium to olive skin tones called 02 At Moonlight. I love the expensive looking packaging and the little mirror in the lid. I don't generally go for solid concealers as they tend to be drying, but the formula of the Off We Go Anti-Dark Circles Concealer is so creamy! I find it applies better when warmed up on my fingers, where it glides on and blends in effortlessly. The coverage is also really good - as you can see from the before and after photo of it applied under my eyes - and lasts about 6/7 hours.  This is my favourite of the three products by far.

Being a natural brand, the products from Studio 78 Paris cost more than your normal high street brand. My experience of their products have been a little hit and miss, but I've discovered a little gem in the Off We Go Anti-Dark Circles Concealer.

You can purchase Studio 78 Paris from the website Natural Origin here. If you fancy trying any of the above products for yourself, Natural Origin have kindly offered a massive 30% online discount for my readers off of each of the products I've reviewed! Just use the code BEAUTY30 - valid until 10th June!

Have you tried any products by Studio 78 Paris? Are you willing to pay more for natural makeup?

Beauty Bird xx