Giving It A Rest

Before the holidays, I went into a nail polish frenzy. I fell in love with all the colours. The sparkles.  I don't normally wear nail polish too often. Isn't natural and clean much prettier anyway? But it was the holidays... one reason you get to be super glamourous and fun. That's if you even need a reason.

But, the holidays have been long over. I'm allowing my nails to breathe again. While sipping on a 'Buck's Green Tea Latte and listening to Sam Tsui and Christina Grimmie's version of "Just A Dream" over and over again, I cleaned and trimmed my nails and did a bit of moisturizing my cuticles.

Ahh, so shiny. Soaking in all the oils.

The funny thing is trying to take these random photos for the blog. When both your hands are occupied, how do you use the camera without it sitting on a tripod with a timer? I'm not about to ask someone to take a photo of this for me. Although, what I ended up doing is probably not any better. I'll leave you to wonder how... :)

By the way, if you haven't heard of Sam Tsui and Christina Gimmie's version of "Just A Dream", go youtube it. It's worth a listen.

For the Winter

Those who know me have probably already heard me talking about this before. My day job requires me to make daily recommendations to over-the-counter products and a lot of times, our recommendations are more based on personal opinions and experiences than science. After all, everyone is different so what works for one person may not work for someone else. If there was cure-all, works-all kind of product that fits absolutely everyone, it would be flying off the shelves and you wouldn't need me to recommend it to you.

Anyway, one of the most common questions is to recommend a good moisturizer for dry skin. Especially during the dry winter season. I've lived all my life with eczema so I've tried every product under the sun to treat dry skin. From products with urea, vitamin E, shea butter, aloe vera, glycerin... to super expensive products behind the counter at the cosmetics department. Anything. Everything. Seems like I've done it all. I've been to the dermatologist and I've come out with hundreds of dollars worth of prescriptions and other recommendations... and most of the time, it seems to work just... okay. More often than not, products irritate my skin and I'll end up with red, itchy flare-ups. After 20 somewhat years, I stuck with what was okay but didn't bother to find better.

Until one day, I was in my family doctor's office asking for another refill on my corticosteroid creams when she handed me a small sample bottle of Curel. I thought, yah, okay... another one to add to the list of what doesn't work. The small bottle though made it really handy for me to whip out of my purse and use. And surprisingly, with its light and more liquidy consistency, it worked really well. (I was told so many times to use a thicker, much more moisturizing cream for dry skin because it sticks better). I got less flare-ups. I was less itchy. And my skin felt moisturized. It is so easy to lather on right after shower. (Try lathering petroleum like Vaseline... not so pleasant). And because it is light, I barely feel anything on my skin. And the best part? You can buy it at any drugstore. A carry-around size for $4. A big pump bottle for about $10. That's a deal!

I started recommending it to all my friends. I know it's not expensive and it's not fancy, but give it a try. And they all did. And they all use it now. (Which is great when we travel together... we know at least one person must have a bottle of Curel with them). I recommended it to some of my coworkers. I got the same feedback. Then, I started recommending it to my patients. And low and behold, I got people coming back telling me... hey, it works! The great thing is, I could tell them... if it doesn't work, it's only $4. I'm not sponsored by Curel, although it sure sounds like it. Haha. But hey, if it can work for you... then I've done my good deed for the day.