Water based nail polish versus regular polish

I've been meaning to write about this topic for a while now and today is the big day, I will explain for once and for all the difference between regular nail polish and the natural water based polish. What inspired me today you ask? Actually on my way to the store, in the metro, I noticed a young girl biting her nails. This seems like a pretty lame inspiration but for me this was big! I had to almost hold myself back from talking her out of doing this very harmful act. The reason why I was so affected is because this girl was wearing a very stylish dark purple polish. I have nothing against purple polish or those who wear them but I am pretty sure this was not a natural polish, and the thought of this poor girl eating all those toxic ingredients (along with some of her own nails and skin) made me really mad. And so here we are, I am going to explain why regular polish should be avoided at all cost! Here goes!!

Regular polish contains formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalates and FD&C colors. You wonder what this four syllable words are? I do not want to get into very scientific explanations but to summarize, these are harmful chemicals that the human body cannot get rid of, so it is accumulated in our system. What this accumulation can do? Well, we do not quite know, some people speculate by saying it might cause cancer and other ailments. But what I say is, why take the risk if it can be avoided or replaced by something else.

These harsh solvent-based nail polishes are simple solutions of nitrocellulose resins in strong solvents. Nitrocellulose is used because it forms a very hard film as the solvents evaporate from the base. These same bad smelling solvents are used to remove the polish by dissolving the film.

On the other hand, water-based polish, uses an emulsion resin in the form of billions of very small particles suspended in water. So as the water evaporated, the particles touch each other and form a hard film which is no longer soluble in water. It may seem like these two systems are similar but actually they as different as night and day. One cures by reversible solvent evaporation and the other by creating a tightly knit film. One can be easely removed while the other not so easily.

In a nutshell, here it is, the difference between regular and water based nail polish.

Testing zone: Manicouagan clay

Saturday I had a really long day and what I was looking forward to was the thought of a nice long bath waiting for me at home...
So when I got home you can imagine what was the first thing I did, set up my bath. Warm water, a few drops of rosehip oil with some orange blossom essential oil and a nice handful of mud! Actually, it was Manicouagan clay, this gray sandy mud that comes from the north of Quebec from the region of Manicouagan, where it gets his name.
It all started 215 million years ago when a big meteorite crashed in this region that created the unique set up for the development of this special clay. I will spare you the scientific details which can explain the many reasons why this clay is so great and go right back to my bath tub experience.
As I was saying...I placed a handful of this mud into the bath and went right in. Most of the mud got diluted into the bath but I kept a small walnut size dollop of mud to play with (I lost my rubber duck during my last vacation) and I spread the mud all over my face, chest, shoulders and my back.
First thing I noticed was that there are very small particles in this mud and as I rubbed it on my face I realized that this is like an exfoliation at the same time, those small particles were buffing away all the dead skin. After my bath, my skin was glowing. Not only did the clay cleanse and exfoliate but it felt as though my skin was rejuvenated, like a day at the beach or something.
I have to say that working in the cosmetic industry, I have tried a lot of products. Many have claims to do almost magical things, make you look younger and more beautiful. Well this product also has many claims, I cannot vouch for all of those claims but I gotta say that it definitely cleanses, exfoliates and revitalizes you skin all in one step. And you can see some results after just one use. That in itself, is already very impressive.
I give this product a 9 out of 10. The reason its not a full 10 on 10 is because you have to clean the bathtub after your mud bath, it leaves a gray dusty residue that has to be rinced away. But aside from the cleaning this is an excellent product. Try Argile Eau Mer's clay it's really great!

The sponges are here!!

I know a lot of you have been patiently waiting for our sponge order to come in. I am very happy to announce that we got a nice big shippment of natural unbleached yellow sponges and silk sponges at the boutique. Come in and be one of the first people to select your favorite shapes.

October workshop schedule

Here is the october schedule for our workshops:

Prenatal sophrology: Friday October 16, 2009 7pm-8pm
Soapmaking 101: Saturday October 17, 2009 9am-12pm
Cream making 101: Saturday October 26, 2009 9am-12pm
30 day detox cleansing: Thursday October 29 7pm

To find out more or reserve your place please call 514 842 3019