Products I'm Loving for My Hair, Skin and Nails

OK, so don't worry, you haven't stumbled onto the wrong blog. I don't normally write about my personal care routine and stick to home decor and DIY projects, but I thought I'd share some things that have been working well for me lately with my hair, skin and nails.

I mean, we're all women, right? We want to put our best foot forward, and that means taking care of ourselves and sometimes trying new things.

Products I'm Loving with my Hair, Skin and Nails

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It's so easy to get stuck in a rut with my personal care routine and not realize I'm headed toward a cliff. I've been known to use the same product for years, only to look up one day and realize it stopped working for me a loooong time ago, and I didn't notice because I was so used to it. Have you been there?

My self-care journey is far from a place of "arrival." It's more of a wobbly, stumbling start, but over the past 6 months I've taken steps to do a little more for myself.

And just a side note: if you know me at all, you know I'm a big fan of fewer toxins and chemicals in your home. I use an all-natural, toxin-free cleaner and I'm a huge fan of essential oils and homeopathics. But this isn't a chemical-free post. I use better, safer products when I can, but sometimes I still choose products that aren't. I just wanted to share so you're in the loop and don't wonder why I still use certain things when I love safer, less harmful products.

RELATED: 10 All-Natural Home and Beauty Recipes

Hair Care Products I'm Loving

Let's talk about the locks! After I had my second daughter, my hair pretty much rebelled against me. I've had naturally wavy, fine hair my whole life. I straightened it for years and years and used the same salon shampoo and conditioner since high school. It all worked fine until after my second daughter was born, and then it revolted! My hair became really dried out and straw-like.

One thing I realized was that my hair straightener was a fake. Yikes!! I've since learned not to buy hair tools from Amazon, because some third-party sellers pass off counterfeit tools. Instead, buy them from a store like Target or Walmart. They don't sell fakes. So I replaced my straightener with this one, and I saw an improvement right away. Quality hair tools are a must. I switched to this hair dryer too, which has been amazing. It dries my hair super quick!

Although my hair improved once I had an authentic straightener, it was still somewhat dry. Like tangle city! I finally asked my hair stylist, Ashley, which shampoo and conditioner she'd recommend for hair like mine.

She pointed me toward Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner. Y'all! It's amazing! I am completely in love with this shampoo and conditioner.

Ashley said I'd notice a difference before my next appointment with her. But I saw a difference after the very first use! I kept running my fingers through my hair because it was so smooth for the first time in years! I'll even go so far as to say it helps keep my hair from frizzing in the southern humidity. Seriously. Such a game changer!! I'll be out and about fully expecting a huge mop on my head when I finally look in the mirror, but nope! Still straight as ever.

Skin Products I'm Loving

As you know, age isn't our skin's friend. Again, after I had my second daughter, my skin seemed dull and just sad. What is it with pregnancy!?! Maybe it was the hormonal changes, but it wreaked havoc on my skin. I had major breakouts every month and huge pores, and the wrinkles started showing up quickly, too.

Just so you know, these skin products ARE some of my safer, toxin-free products that I love and use! I can't recommend these two companies enough for being both safe AND effective!

I was introduced to BeautyCounter products last summer, and I saw an immediate improvement in my skin when I started using the Nourishing Cream Cleanser every night before bed and the Nourishing Cream Exfoliator every few days. The exfoliator is my favorite skin product right now, because I can tell if I skip it for a week. It really buffs my skin and makes it glow!

I've noticed far fewer breakouts since I started using these two cleansers!

When I do get a small breakout (usually hormone related), which isn't nearly as bad as it used to be, I reach for my blemish roll-on, which I made with essential oils.

Who likes blemishes? Especially at 40 years old! This awesome blemish busting roll-on with essential oils! knocks them out in just a day!

I fill a glass roll-on bottle with equal parts Frankincense, Tea Tree and Purification oils. You can also add equal parts jojoba oil to the mix if you want to dilute it a bit. I seriously roll this on a zit and it's gone in a day or two. I just love it!

I only recommend buying pure essential oils from a reputable company, not just any drugstore brand. You can see where I buy my EOs here.

One more thing! The wrinkles aren't too bad yet, but I've talked to several friends in their 40s who wish they'd paid more attention to their skin in their 30s. I've been using this Rejuvenating Radiance Serum around my eyes and on my forehead under my daily moisturizer. I can definitely tell a difference in the tightness of my skin! And I know it's good for my skin with the vitamin C and algae.

Nail Products I'm Loving

At the start of summer I decided to treat myself to pedicures all season long. Do you like having nice-looking feet? I do, but I've let this care routine slide for several years. I used to give myself home pedicures and manicures, but they never lasted long and never looked very good.

Also, I never liked getting professional manicures, because they hurt! But like anyone else, I like nice-looking nails, just without the pain, please.

Recently I was thrilled to find a good way to give myself a manicure without going to the salon. It looks really good and lasts for weeks! I've gone a couple of weeks without any chipping. The nail just grows out and needs a refresh.

Here are the steps I've been using for an At-Home Manicure:

Shape and file your nails
Apply Julep Vanish Cuticle Softener and Remover, then push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. Trim stubborn cuticles with a nipper.
Buff your nail bed (kind of like sanding before painting) to remove any ridges or leftover cuticles. Then wash your hands!
Apply OPI's Bond Aid to really set your nails up for adhesion
Apply Essie's 3-Way Glaze as the base coat
Use Essie's Gel Couture nail polish to paint your nails the color of your choice. I used Fairy Tailor 40. Use 2 coats!
Finally, apply the top coat: Essie's Gel Couture Top Coat

Give the base, polish and top coats plenty of time to dry. Don't rush them! You'll end up with gorgeous nails without the price tag or the wait. And for me, no pain is always a win-win!

There you have it! I hope some of these tips help you take better care of yourself and show yourself some love!

What are your favorite routines or products that help your hair, skin and nails? Please share in the comments!