Monday, July 11
Watch Marilyn on Thursday!
Be sure to watch The Marilyn Denis Show on CTV this Thursday. I'll be in the audience with my hubby's three sisters (girls' getaway - yay!) and I'll be chatting with Marilyn after the show. You can catch all the behind-the-scenes info as well as my interview next week here at This Mom Loves!
Sunday, July 10
No More Sunscreen Excuses!
Recently, Prevention Magazine found that only 31% of women wear sunscreen, despite the overwhelming evidence that it should be applied every day. Many of those women who skip SPF said they feel guilty about it, so much so that 69% of women lie to themselves, saying they don’t need sunscreen.
Whatever your excuse may be about UV protectors, Prevention’s got you covered, with myth busting facts about common sunscreen misconceptions. In the June feature “No More Excuses” (see below); Prevention shows consumers that there’s really no good reason to skimp on sunscreen and with the F.D.A.’s new changes, it will be much easier to understand what to look for when buying sunscreen.
Reality Check:
· Studies show that many of the safety concerns are not well founded—they’re based on Petri dish or animal data that doesn’t relate to humans.
· For example, in one study, mice fed a whopping dose of oxybenzone, a UV-light absorber commonly found in sunscreen, exhibited estrogenic effects, which the researchers believe could cause cancer cells to grow more rapidly.
· But the truth is it would take more than 250 years for someone who uses sunscreen daily to be exposed to the amount of oxybenzone used in the study.
Still worried? Use a sunscreen like Beyond Coastal Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen ($16; beyondcoastal.com), which has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in lieu of chemical sunscreens.
Excuse # 2 – “I don’t get a lot of sun”
Reality Check:
· You don’t have to be on the beach to soak up rays. Most people rack up 14 hours of casual UV exposure per week.
· One study found that even short spurts of UVA light twice a week resulted in significant damage to the fibers that keep skin smooth and firm in just 12 weeks.
· Makeup and a daily lotion with SPF are great steps, but the protection is short-lived on hot, sunny says, use a swear-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on all sun-exposed areas to be safe.
Excuse # 3 – “It’s a drag to reapply sunscreen”
Reality Check:
· Five minutes every 2 hours—that’s all it takes to apply the 1 ounce (2 table=-spoons) of sunscreen recommended for protection when you’re in a bathing suit or outdoors for extended periods.
· And when it’s time to reapply, new sprays like Aveeno Hydrosport Sunblock Spray SPF 85 ($10; drugstores) makes it less of a hassle and even adhere to wet skin. Easy, right?
Excuse # 4 – “Sunscreen is too expensive”
Reality Check:
· As long as you pick one that clearly states it blocks both UVA and UVB rays, there’s no need to break the bank when buying. “
· Research doesn’t show any relationship between price and protection, try Banana Boat Ultra Defense SPF 30 Continuous Clear Spray ($10; drugstores)
Excuse # 5 – “I don’t need sunscreen because my skin is naturally dark”
Reality Check:
· Skin cancer is color-blind. In fact, skin cancer rates are increasing among Latinos—many of whom have dark skin.
· Hispanics are more genetically diverse than other groups, so even if they have dark skin, they could burn just as someone with fair German or Irish skin would
· Plus, those with dark skin may not recognize skin cancers as early in their development as people with light skin. (One study found advanced stages of melanoma at time of diagnosis in 18% of Hispanics and 26% of African Americans, compared with 12% of Caucasians.)
· Sun deepens dark spots common in all women of color. Try using sheer, nonchalky Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 ($10; Neutrogena.com).
Excuse # 6 – “I look so good with a tan”
Reality Check:
· Think long-term: Saggy, leathery skin is not pretty.
· Instead of opting for none, try the subtle sheen of Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect Lotion Sunscreen SPF 40 ($9; drugstores).
Excuse # 7 – “I haven’t gotten burned yet”
Reality Check:
· This is the skin equivalent of ‘I’ve never had a car wreck, so I don’t need a seat belt.
· Though a cavalier attitude toward sunscreen may not be a big deal when you’re young, skin loses its ability to produce melanin effectively as you get older, and that may actually make you more likely to burn.
· The fact is, sun damage—including wrinkles and loss of firmness—occurs whether or not you’re seeing red.
· And that’s a good reason to use a sunscreen like Avon Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30 ($34; avon.com); it prevents burning and helps to heal past damage with a blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals.
Excuse # 8 – “Skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer”
Reality Check:
· UVB rays lead to the development of the two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, triggering melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
· While it’s true that melanoma is usually curable when caught early, it still kills 8,000 Americans a year. And those who are lucky enough to recover from skin cancer aren’t necessarily unscathed.
· Take basal cell carcinomas, for instance: They penetrate deeply and slowly destroy health tissue. Both the biopsy and the surgery to remove the lesions can leave a scar or, in rare cases, disfigurement.
· Still not screaming for sunscreen? A number of studies also show that having skin cancer increases your risk of developing other cancers, including breast, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung, and kidney.
· Even a little UB light can weaken cells in the skin and compromise your immune surveillance; it’s like removing the security guards from a bank and allowing robbers to come in.
My thanks to Prevention magazine for offering to share this information with This Mom Loves readers.
On a related note, I also recently heard of Seasons UV, the makers of 50++ UPF swimwear, now offering a new line of kids Solar Guard swimwear, called LOL, designed to alert parents with a color change when UV rays are getting dangerous. The ‘LOL’ pattern has a big white smiley face in the ‘O’ that changes from white to blue when it’s time to apply sunscreen. Moms, you might want to check it out.
Whatever your excuse may be about UV protectors, Prevention’s got you covered, with myth busting facts about common sunscreen misconceptions. In the June feature “No More Excuses” (see below); Prevention shows consumers that there’s really no good reason to skimp on sunscreen and with the F.D.A.’s new changes, it will be much easier to understand what to look for when buying sunscreen.
No More Excuses!
Excuse # 1 – “The chemicals in sunscreen are probably more dangerous than sun exposure”
Reality Check:
· Studies show that many of the safety concerns are not well founded—they’re based on Petri dish or animal data that doesn’t relate to humans.
· For example, in one study, mice fed a whopping dose of oxybenzone, a UV-light absorber commonly found in sunscreen, exhibited estrogenic effects, which the researchers believe could cause cancer cells to grow more rapidly.
· But the truth is it would take more than 250 years for someone who uses sunscreen daily to be exposed to the amount of oxybenzone used in the study.
Still worried? Use a sunscreen like Beyond Coastal Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen ($16; beyondcoastal.com), which has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in lieu of chemical sunscreens.
Excuse # 2 – “I don’t get a lot of sun”
Reality Check:
· You don’t have to be on the beach to soak up rays. Most people rack up 14 hours of casual UV exposure per week.
· One study found that even short spurts of UVA light twice a week resulted in significant damage to the fibers that keep skin smooth and firm in just 12 weeks.
· Makeup and a daily lotion with SPF are great steps, but the protection is short-lived on hot, sunny says, use a swear-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on all sun-exposed areas to be safe.
Excuse # 3 – “It’s a drag to reapply sunscreen”
Reality Check:
· Five minutes every 2 hours—that’s all it takes to apply the 1 ounce (2 table=-spoons) of sunscreen recommended for protection when you’re in a bathing suit or outdoors for extended periods.
· And when it’s time to reapply, new sprays like Aveeno Hydrosport Sunblock Spray SPF 85 ($10; drugstores) makes it less of a hassle and even adhere to wet skin. Easy, right?
Excuse # 4 – “Sunscreen is too expensive”
Reality Check:
· As long as you pick one that clearly states it blocks both UVA and UVB rays, there’s no need to break the bank when buying. “
· Research doesn’t show any relationship between price and protection, try Banana Boat Ultra Defense SPF 30 Continuous Clear Spray ($10; drugstores)
Excuse # 5 – “I don’t need sunscreen because my skin is naturally dark”
Reality Check:
· Skin cancer is color-blind. In fact, skin cancer rates are increasing among Latinos—many of whom have dark skin.
· Hispanics are more genetically diverse than other groups, so even if they have dark skin, they could burn just as someone with fair German or Irish skin would
· Plus, those with dark skin may not recognize skin cancers as early in their development as people with light skin. (One study found advanced stages of melanoma at time of diagnosis in 18% of Hispanics and 26% of African Americans, compared with 12% of Caucasians.)
· Sun deepens dark spots common in all women of color. Try using sheer, nonchalky Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 ($10; Neutrogena.com).
Excuse # 6 – “I look so good with a tan”
Reality Check:
· Think long-term: Saggy, leathery skin is not pretty.
· Instead of opting for none, try the subtle sheen of Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect Lotion Sunscreen SPF 40 ($9; drugstores).
Excuse # 7 – “I haven’t gotten burned yet”
Reality Check:
· This is the skin equivalent of ‘I’ve never had a car wreck, so I don’t need a seat belt.
· Though a cavalier attitude toward sunscreen may not be a big deal when you’re young, skin loses its ability to produce melanin effectively as you get older, and that may actually make you more likely to burn.
· The fact is, sun damage—including wrinkles and loss of firmness—occurs whether or not you’re seeing red.
· And that’s a good reason to use a sunscreen like Avon Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30 ($34; avon.com); it prevents burning and helps to heal past damage with a blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals.
Excuse # 8 – “Skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer”
Reality Check:
· UVB rays lead to the development of the two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, triggering melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
· While it’s true that melanoma is usually curable when caught early, it still kills 8,000 Americans a year. And those who are lucky enough to recover from skin cancer aren’t necessarily unscathed.
· Take basal cell carcinomas, for instance: They penetrate deeply and slowly destroy health tissue. Both the biopsy and the surgery to remove the lesions can leave a scar or, in rare cases, disfigurement.
· Still not screaming for sunscreen? A number of studies also show that having skin cancer increases your risk of developing other cancers, including breast, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung, and kidney.
· Even a little UB light can weaken cells in the skin and compromise your immune surveillance; it’s like removing the security guards from a bank and allowing robbers to come in.
My thanks to Prevention magazine for offering to share this information with This Mom Loves readers.
On a related note, I also recently heard of Seasons UV, the makers of 50++ UPF swimwear, now offering a new line of kids Solar Guard swimwear, called LOL, designed to alert parents with a color change when UV rays are getting dangerous. The ‘LOL’ pattern has a big white smiley face in the ‘O’ that changes from white to blue when it’s time to apply sunscreen. Moms, you might want to check it out.
Disclosure: I received nothing for this post. Just passing along valuable info!
Thursday, July 7
Tell Me The Tooth...Quickly!
I'll be short and sweet: Frannie's first tooth (not counting her knocked out front pair - click for that "Bad Mommy Moments" post) will be falling out any day.
What is the going rate for the Tooth Fairy? When I was a kid, there were 2 quarters left under the pillow - one that I had to share with my younger brother. Of course, once he started to lose teeth, he wasn't forced to share his earnings with me, but that's another story...that I love to tell whenever the subject of the Tooth Fairy comes up.
Any special traditions, etc. for the whole loss-of-teeth milestone?
Comments would be greatly appreciated!
Wednesday, July 6
Nick Bland Kids' Books From Scholastic: Giveaway
Your kids would love Nick Bland's books. An Australian author and illustrator, he does fantastic work, with stories appealing to a range of ages. Three of my favourites, courtesy of Scholastic Canada:
A Monster Wrote Me a Letter:
The Very Cranky Bear (hardcover):
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...garbage? Why on earth would this book be about garbage? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...a horse? Seriously? How did that even get in here? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...parents? What is this world coming to? I don't want to be bossed around in my own story! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...snacks? Why would anyone want to read a book about snacks? That would so not sell! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...erasers? What the heck? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...magic? No, this book isn't about magic. Why don't you just poof away and be gone? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...school? No, this book is more interesting than that! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...grandparents? I'm sorry but you're just going to slow me down! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...over.
*******************
Of course, Scholastic is going to send one lucky This Mom Loves reader ALL THREE of these terrific Nick Bland books (retail value $37), and all you have to do is fill out the form below and click "submit". Your email address is required (if I can't contact you, you can't win!) with bonus entries if you follow This Mom Loves through GFC, email or Twitter, or follow ScholasticCDA on Twitter.
I have recently started using forms from Google Docs for my giveaways, which has increased the responses, and also provides privacy to entrants, as other readers are not privy to their email address or other information. All submissions are accessible to me through spreadsheet form, which I use to find the winner.
The contest will run until July 20th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.
Good luck!
Disclosure: Books were provided to me for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.
A Monster Wrote Me a Letter:
This is a great resource for teaching point of view. We can easily relate to the little boy's anxiety about a monster's upcoming visit...but did you ever stop to think what the monster might be feeling?
The Very Cranky Bear (hardcover):
"When four friends encounter a very cranky bear, Moose, Lion and Zebra all think they know how to cheer him up. But in the end it is plain, ordinary Sheep who might have the answer."
With Bland's trademark engaging illustrations and rhyming verse, this story is sure to be a hit with younger readers.
The Wrong Book:
While my daughters loved all three books, this one entertained and inspired my Grade 3 class the most. In fact, they each wrote their own version of "The Wrong Book" - the story of a child who keeps attempting to share his story, but getting interrupted on every page by unwanted characters!
With complete credit to Nick Bland (since the format is all his), here is our class version of "The Wrong Book":
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...garbage? Why on earth would this book be about garbage? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...a horse? Seriously? How did that even get in here? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...parents? What is this world coming to? I don't want to be bossed around in my own story! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...snacks? Why would anyone want to read a book about snacks? That would so not sell! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...erasers? What the heck? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...magic? No, this book isn't about magic. Why don't you just poof away and be gone? You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...school? No, this book is more interesting than that! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...grandparents? I'm sorry but you're just going to slow me down! You're in the wrong book!
My name is Sally Student and this is a book about...over.
*******************
Of course, Scholastic is going to send one lucky This Mom Loves reader ALL THREE of these terrific Nick Bland books (retail value $37), and all you have to do is fill out the form below and click "submit". Your email address is required (if I can't contact you, you can't win!) with bonus entries if you follow This Mom Loves through GFC, email or Twitter, or follow ScholasticCDA on Twitter.
I have recently started using forms from Google Docs for my giveaways, which has increased the responses, and also provides privacy to entrants, as other readers are not privy to their email address or other information. All submissions are accessible to me through spreadsheet form, which I use to find the winner.
The contest will run until July 20th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.
Good luck!
Disclosure: Books were provided to me for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.
Tuesday, July 5
Moms Deserve Options: The Business of Being Born
Executive Producer Ricki Lake and Filmmaker Abby Epstein follow their landmark documentary, The Business of Being Born, with an all-new, four part DVD series that continues their provocative and entertaining exploration of the modern maternity care system. More Business of Being Born, available on October 18, 2011, offers a practical look at birthing options as well as poignant celebrity birth stories from stars including Alanis Morissette, Gisele Bundchen, Christy Turlington-Burns, Cindy Crawford, Molly Ringwald, Ali Larter, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Melissa Joan Hart.
Inspired by their own unique birth experiences, Ricki and Abby teamed up in 2007 to provide a nation of mothers-to-be with insight into the process of childbirth and the various options available when preparing for life’s most special event. More Business of Being Born will be presented in four parts, each containing subject matters ranging from doulas and midwives to celebrity birth stories – all developed with the goal of empowering women by providing the necessary information to make the best birth decisions possible.
Ricki and Abby are proud to announce that they are using Kickstarter, the world’s largest crowd-based fundraising platform, to raise money for the completion and marketing of this upcoming, self-released documentary. Link to the Kickstarter directly at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/211982196/more-business-of-being-born-ricki-lake-and-abby-ep
(At the time of this post, they had reached $62,000 of their $100, 000 goal, with a deadline of July 14th.) There are some very cool rewards depending on your level of contribution, including your name in the credits, signed DVD's, books, t-shirts, phone call with Ricki, Skype session with Ricki and Abby, two tickets to a private screening of the film with Ricki and Abby, and more!
![]()
"Every dollar raised through this Kickstarter campaign will help us pay for the release of the film,” says filmmaker Abby Epstein. “More important, however, is that all of the money contributed to the campaign helps spread the word about the various options expectant women have when planning their births.” Simply, by pre-ordering your DVDs, you can be part of the movement.
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For more information, click here to check out Ricki's article for The Huffngton Post.
If you've been around since last summer when I wrote "In Praise of Epidurals" for Ingenue Mom's week of birth stories, then you know that I don't take huge issue with what Ricki calls the "highly medicalized climate of hospital births" (also important to note that I'm in Canada, and she's in the States). However, I'm definitely all on board with "honouring and empowering mothers" and enabling them to choose birth options that work for them.
Inspired by their own unique birth experiences, Ricki and Abby teamed up in 2007 to provide a nation of mothers-to-be with insight into the process of childbirth and the various options available when preparing for life’s most special event. More Business of Being Born will be presented in four parts, each containing subject matters ranging from doulas and midwives to celebrity birth stories – all developed with the goal of empowering women by providing the necessary information to make the best birth decisions possible.
Ricki and Abby are proud to announce that they are using Kickstarter, the world’s largest crowd-based fundraising platform, to raise money for the completion and marketing of this upcoming, self-released documentary. Link to the Kickstarter directly at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/211982196/more-business-of-being-born-ricki-lake-and-abby-ep
(At the time of this post, they had reached $62,000 of their $100, 000 goal, with a deadline of July 14th.) There are some very cool rewards depending on your level of contribution, including your name in the credits, signed DVD's, books, t-shirts, phone call with Ricki, Skype session with Ricki and Abby, two tickets to a private screening of the film with Ricki and Abby, and more!
For more information, click here to check out Ricki's article for The Huffngton Post.
If you've been around since last summer when I wrote "In Praise of Epidurals" for Ingenue Mom's week of birth stories, then you know that I don't take huge issue with what Ricki calls the "highly medicalized climate of hospital births" (also important to note that I'm in Canada, and she's in the States). However, I'm definitely all on board with "honouring and empowering mothers" and enabling them to choose birth options that work for them.
Winners: Cars 2 and Hallmark Recordable Frame
Congrats to my latest winners:
Virginia of Barrhead, AB will be receiving the Cars 2 Prize Pack, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Canada
and
Holly of Vankleek Hill, ON has won the recordable frame from Hallmark.
Enjoy your prizes, ladies, and thanks to all who entered! More fantastic giveaways coming up!
Virginia of Barrhead, AB will be receiving the Cars 2 Prize Pack, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Canada
and
Holly of Vankleek Hill, ON has won the recordable frame from Hallmark.
Enjoy your prizes, ladies, and thanks to all who entered! More fantastic giveaways coming up!
Sunday, July 3
Shian Naturals: Review and Giveaway
Contest open to Canadians.
I was recently introduced to a fantastic new Canadian company: Shian Naturals Health and Beauty Products, based in Burlington, ON. They make premium quality, all-natural, unscented, skin hair and body products sold exclusively in Canada.
They sent me a trial pack to sample, and I was very impressed. A few highlights:
Just...Massage and Body Oil: How very clever of a company to include an item which will put the reviewer in a relaxed, positive frame of mind...how can you find fault with a product then? A great foot rub was enough to prove to me that the oil works just perfectly! (Note to companies: no matter what you sell - books, clothes, whatever - throwing in some massage oil when sending your product out can't help but improve the review!)
Shian also makes (and their trial pack contains) Lip Balm, Body Butter and Glycerin Bar Soap, which I haven't gotten around to using yet.
Something else that really impresses me about Shian is their prices. Usually you have to pay substantially more for the clear conscience of "going green", but their products are quite reasonable. Full-sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizing lotion or massage and bath oil retail for only $13 each...much less than other "natural" products.
I was recently introduced to a fantastic new Canadian company: Shian Naturals Health and Beauty Products, based in Burlington, ON. They make premium quality, all-natural, unscented, skin hair and body products sold exclusively in Canada.
They sent me a trial pack to sample, and I was very impressed. A few highlights:
Just...Massage and Body Oil: How very clever of a company to include an item which will put the reviewer in a relaxed, positive frame of mind...how can you find fault with a product then? A great foot rub was enough to prove to me that the oil works just perfectly! (Note to companies: no matter what you sell - books, clothes, whatever - throwing in some massage oil when sending your product out can't help but improve the review!)
Just...Shampoo: The product feels a little different in hand (more of a gel consistency) but lathers up nicely and rinses well.
Just...Conditioner: Excellent
Just...Organic Body Wash: Nice texture, leaves that squeaky clean feeling
Just...Moisturizing Lotion: I used this as a hand/foot cream, and put on after my mani/pedi. It's not at all sticky or clumpy, and did the job well.
And by the way, when they claim to be unscented, they mean it. I have used other "natural" products with rather "unnatural" scents (in fact another brand that I didn't end up reviewing, because I told the company my overall take wasn't positive), but if you're someone who requires or prefers scent-free products, this is definitely the company to go with.
Shian also makes (and their trial pack contains) Lip Balm, Body Butter and Glycerin Bar Soap, which I haven't gotten around to using yet.
Something else that really impresses me about Shian is their prices. Usually you have to pay substantially more for the clear conscience of "going green", but their products are quite reasonable. Full-sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizing lotion or massage and bath oil retail for only $13 each...much less than other "natural" products.
Now is your opportunity to win the same "Just...Trial Sample Pack" (pictured above) that I received, containing a trial-sized version of every Shian product. These items are great for overnight bags, purses, or beach bag...and also an opportunity to sample the wares and decide if you want to invest in the full-size versions. The items arrive in a pretty gift bag, with a bath scrubby thrown in for good measure. The prize is worth $25 (before taxes and shipping, which of course are covered for the winner).
All you have to do to enter is leave your email address in the form below, and click "submit". That's it! (Do not leave a regular blog comment.) For additional entries, click "yes" if you:
- follow This Mom Loves publicly through Google Friend Connect (see sidebar)
- subscribe to This Mom Loves through email (see sidebar)
- follow This Mom Loves on Twitter (see sidebar)
- follow Shian Naturals on Twitter
The contest will close on July 18th, 2011 at 11:59 p.m., after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.
Check out the Shian Naturals website for more information or to place your order! You can use the code "momloves" to save 15% on all purchases between now and July 31st, 2011!
Thursday, June 30
I'd Like To Kiss the Inventor of the Shellac Manicure
I love nail polish, but I hate chipped nails. All year long, my ritual has been to sit down on Sunday nights in front of Desperate Housewives and give myself a manicure. And all year long, by about Wednesday or Thursday, the colour is chipping and I have to remove it.
Doesn't matter what I try: different brands, base coat, top coat, magic potions. I get four good days, tops. And I can't stand walking around with chipped nails. (Of course I can't. You know I'm weird about stuff like that.)
Then, a few months ago, a coworker showed me her incredible looking nails, and bragged that she was on week two of her manicure, with not a single chip! I was intrigued. She told me it was called Shellac, which I had heard of, but never actually seen in person.
Finally, for Mother's Day, I asked for a gift certificate to go see the same nail technician, and my husband obliged. It took me almost a month to get an appointment, but the results were so worth it.
What happens is this: a special type of polish is used (our technician uses the "Creative" brand; I've seen it described as a polish/gel hybrid) and after each coat, you stick your hand into a little UV light box. The light seals the polish, and it is virtually bone-dry after the last blast of light (not requiring evaporation time like regular polishes). Reach right into your pocket for your keys; your colour won't budge!
You still have your natural nails, but with a gorgeous, shiny polish that will last at least 14 days! (I made my next appointment for three weeks' time. Once you get new regrowth by your nail beds, it starts to look messy.)
The most stressful part for me was choosing a colour, since three weeks is a big commitment! Although I'm much more of a red girl, I went with a gorgeous pink that I couldn't resist. I've been pulling all the pinks out of my wardrobe for the last few days to go with it.
Here are my hands on Day 10 of the manicure...not a single chip or sign of wear! You can see a bit of regrowth, but that's it. (There's a bit of glare at the tips from the light, but in person they still look perfect.)
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Some people wonder if the UV lights are dangerous, and while the power is very minimal, there is no real research to answer one way or the other. Wearing sunscreen on your hands couldn't hurt.
It's possible to take off the Shellac at home by soaking in acetone, but it's recommended that you return to the salon. Removal takes about ten minutes and most of the time is free (of course, the technician is hoping that you're back for another treatment). There is no damage to the nails.
How much would you expect to pay (or be willing to pay) for the Shellac experience? Personally, I find it a bargain at $35. Now, to keep it up permanently would be a bit of a luxury (which at this point I intend to indulge in), but for any occasion that would normally send you scurrying to the salon, this would absolutely be worth it.
To steal from an old (if slightly inappropriate) expression: once you go Shellac, you never go back.
Note: In case this post sounds suspiciously like a paid advertisement, I'd like you to know that I'm not receiving a cent, just sticking with the original theme of my blog: sharing the things This Mom Loves.
Doesn't matter what I try: different brands, base coat, top coat, magic potions. I get four good days, tops. And I can't stand walking around with chipped nails. (Of course I can't. You know I'm weird about stuff like that.)
Then, a few months ago, a coworker showed me her incredible looking nails, and bragged that she was on week two of her manicure, with not a single chip! I was intrigued. She told me it was called Shellac, which I had heard of, but never actually seen in person.
Finally, for Mother's Day, I asked for a gift certificate to go see the same nail technician, and my husband obliged. It took me almost a month to get an appointment, but the results were so worth it.
What happens is this: a special type of polish is used (our technician uses the "Creative" brand; I've seen it described as a polish/gel hybrid) and after each coat, you stick your hand into a little UV light box. The light seals the polish, and it is virtually bone-dry after the last blast of light (not requiring evaporation time like regular polishes). Reach right into your pocket for your keys; your colour won't budge!
You still have your natural nails, but with a gorgeous, shiny polish that will last at least 14 days! (I made my next appointment for three weeks' time. Once you get new regrowth by your nail beds, it starts to look messy.)
The most stressful part for me was choosing a colour, since three weeks is a big commitment! Although I'm much more of a red girl, I went with a gorgeous pink that I couldn't resist. I've been pulling all the pinks out of my wardrobe for the last few days to go with it.
Here are my hands on Day 10 of the manicure...not a single chip or sign of wear! You can see a bit of regrowth, but that's it. (There's a bit of glare at the tips from the light, but in person they still look perfect.)
Some people wonder if the UV lights are dangerous, and while the power is very minimal, there is no real research to answer one way or the other. Wearing sunscreen on your hands couldn't hurt.
It's possible to take off the Shellac at home by soaking in acetone, but it's recommended that you return to the salon. Removal takes about ten minutes and most of the time is free (of course, the technician is hoping that you're back for another treatment). There is no damage to the nails.
How much would you expect to pay (or be willing to pay) for the Shellac experience? Personally, I find it a bargain at $35. Now, to keep it up permanently would be a bit of a luxury (which at this point I intend to indulge in), but for any occasion that would normally send you scurrying to the salon, this would absolutely be worth it.
To steal from an old (if slightly inappropriate) expression: once you go Shellac, you never go back.
Note: In case this post sounds suspiciously like a paid advertisement, I'd like you to know that I'm not receiving a cent, just sticking with the original theme of my blog: sharing the things This Mom Loves.
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