Products We Love that Get Discontinued- Nail Care

Hello everyone! We all have certain products that we have been using for a long time maybe even for years, then we run out of these products and we go to the store or online to get more of this item and we can't find it. 😭 Then we later find out this product is discontinued and we can no longer get this item, now what do we do? Today I will be going over some nail care products that I have been using for a long time and sadly I can not find these products anymore and what products I use instead. 

This sadly has happen to all of use, and with the pandemic happen there has been a lot of supply chain issues and small business that might have gone out of business. 

I am going to talk about the first item that I am very sad that I can't get this nail care item anymore. 

That item is Nail Butter. I have been using Nail Butter since 2014 or 2015, I found out about this product from a few YouTubers that I am subscribed to, they had said that it had really helped out their nails and cuticle area. This product you could only buy online on NailButter.com, it was a small business ran by lady name Christine that lives in Georgia. 

Nail Butter I felt did wonders for my nails, before the skin around my nails would have small pieces of loose skin that would keep showing up (I know sounds kind of gross, but it was not as gross as it sounds.) then after using Nail Butter it went away. At first you use this twice a day morning and night, then after a month you use it only at night. This in combo with the CND Solar Oil has done wonders for my nails. 

I am beyond sad that I can't get anymore after my last jar is gone. 😭 Nail Butter does last a very long time, a small jar last me about a year or even just a little longer. 

In 2020 In November I did order my last jar of Nail Butter and I kind of had a clue then that might be my last jar because it took a month to get to me and usually it doesn't take that long Georgia is not far from me. 

Once my last jar of Nail Butter is gone, I will try the cuticle butter from Lush the Lemony Flutter. I have heard that this product is good, so we shall see. I just would rather by Nail Butter to support a small business, but sadly Nail Butter is no more.

Here is my review of Nail Butter from 2016: butter-up-with-nail-butter

Next we have a Top Coat that I have been using for many years, that I can not find anymore.

The Revlon Extra Life No Chip Top Coat, I don't even remember how long I have been using this top coat it has been that long. Before this top coat I loved a topcoat from Sally Hansen called No Chip Acrylic Top Coat, then all of a sudden it just didn't seem to work as well, so I found the Revlon top coat. 

Revlon is mainly a makeup brand and for the past few years I have been having a harder time even find their nail polishes, I could only find the top coat at Meijer. Then once again at the beginning of 2022 I could not find this top coat. I am not sure if this was because of supply chain issues or if Revlon plains to not make nail polish anymore.

Now I have been using the CND Super Shine High Gloss Top Coat, the one with a pink tint to it. This one has been good so far, I use this with any polish and the CND Stickey Base for my base coat.  

That was the product that where just recently discounted for this year, really I am especially sad about Nail Butter.

As for some other products that I have loved over the years, that where discounted sometime ago.  

The Yes To Carrot Body Butter, I loved using this body butter on my hands day and night it didn't seem to thick or greasy. I had gone though so many jars of this body butter, then sadly Yes To don't make this anymore. 

As for lotion that I use now, it changes all the time. Right now I have been using the Cerave Moisturizing cream in the morning/ day because it is not to greasy and moisturizes well. Then at night I use the Gold Bound Aloe lotion, this lotion is thick and kind of greasy that why I save it for night time use. In the winter, at night I use the Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Nighttime balm, this stuff is very thick and great for dry winter skin. 

Before this I was using a lotion from Hempz the pineapple and melon lotion, this lotion smells amazing, then my hands started to not like it and I got a rash on my hands, so that why I have been using the Cerave lotion. 

Next we have a scrub that I used on my hand for a long time.

The Yes To Coconut Body Scrub, this was another product that I loved and used for a long that they stopped making. Now the Yes To line just makes face products no more body care. 

For hand scrubs I have tried Shea Moisture body scrub, that was more of dry scrub formula that was ok. Then I tried the Tree Hut Mango sugar scrub that one I felt like was similar to the Yes To Coconut. 

At first I would us this scrub all over my hands and nails (I use a brush just on the nail area only) after removing polish, then a few day later before applying polish. Then when my skin started to get intreated for the lotion I was using, I just us the scrub on my palms and finger/ nails after removing nail polish, so just once a week. 

Recently I found this scrub the Beloved Coconut and Warm Vanilla Whipped body butter. I feel like this one is great for the hands if you want to use a scrub, due to the whipped formula it has a lotion feel to it and a very little bit of sugar grit to it, plus it smell good too. 

Well that is all of the products that I can think of that I loved that have been discontinued, some products where easy to find new possible favorites(I don't want to say replacement, because I feel like that just sounds bad), other it is a on going search, like lotions.

Hope all of you enjoyed this post of product that I loved that I can no longer find. I know we all have been there. 😓 Hopefully a lot of product that we love will stick around forever, we can only hope. 😔

Also here is a link to my nail care routine that I did back in 2017, for the most part it is still then same, just a few product changes. updated-nail-and-hand-care-routine

See you next time for more nail fun! 

Updated Nail and Hand Care Routine

Hello everyone! Sorry I have not done a post in quite a while ( I only did one post for the month of August.) I ran into some health issues in the month of August that put me out of commission for a while, I had to take two weeks off of work because of this health issue, one thing about it made it hard for me to see that is one of the reasons why I only did one post last month. Now I am feel better and want to get back to posting to the M.M.M blog.

For this week I decided to an updated nail and hand care routine, it has been a while since I have done a post like this, and a few things have changed and some have stayed the same, so I wanted to update all of you on that.

 

Nail and Hand care routine

First we will start off with the cuticles. I do this step after I have cut and filed my nails.

 

Blue Cross cuticle remover  

For clean looking nails it is important to clean them up by removing the cuticles. My favorite protect to use is Blue Cross cuticle remover, this protect is runny so I put a little in a small dapppen dish (meant for acrylic liquid) and take a Qtip, dip the Qtip in the remover and then put it on all the nails, then staring with the thumb nail I a put a little more or the remover, and repeat for each nail.  

OPI Pusher Plus and Dexterity tool

Then I take my next favorite tools the Pusher Plus and gently (that's the tool that has a scoop on it) push the cuticle back. Once that is done I take the Dexterity tool (the tool with a point) and gently kind of scrap the cuticle off, with out scraping the nail (if that makes any sense?) Once you have all the cuticle off it is important to wash your hands well with soap and water to make sure all of the cuticle remover is off, other wise the product will keep working on your cuticles, which you don't want.

Just an extra step I do, once I have washed my hand, I take a orange/ wooden cuticle pusher and go over the cuticles again just to make sure I have got all the cuticle. This is just and added step I do, it is not necessary, sometimes well a lot of times I like to do extra things for my nails. 

I personal only give myself a manicure once a month (and do a polish change ever week), this includes removing cuticles/ pushing them back and cutting and filing my nails. I feel like that is all I need to do, I know a lot of people get manicures once or ever other week. This is just what I personally do.   

    
 *Very Important!!* 

The cuticles are dead clear tissue that stick to the nail plate and are okay to remove. A lot of people get the cuticle mixed up with the live tissue (technical nail is the eponychium) you should NEVER cut the live tissue this could cause an infection, which no one wants. If you do not know what you are doing when it comes to trimming/ cutting your cuticles, I strongly additive you not to cut them, just use a cuticle remover (like the one above) and push them back.  

I do know how to cut the cuticles (I am a licensed nail tech), but I pretty much don't cut my own cuticles only if their is a small piece that is being stubborn, other wise I just use cuticle remover and push them back. 

Blue Cross Cuticle Remover Sally Beauty  $5.99, 16oz This is a huge bottle that will last forever!

OPI Pusher Plus  Ebay $24.00 This is a pricey item, but you can really use any kind of metal pusher. 

I got my pusher plus from nail tech school, it came in our kits along with the dexterity tool.  

OPI Dexterity Tool Ebay $24.98 another pricey tool, you can always just use a wood cuticle stick as well.  

 

 CND Solar Oil

Another important part about cuticle care is moisturizing them, which I feel not enough people do. I probably moisturize my cuticles and hands a lot more then the average person would, but I feel like that is the main reason why my hands and nails looks so good.

My absolute favorite cuticle oil is CND Solar Oil, I love this stuff! I had the problem of my nails peeling very badly, I could peel the whole tip of my nails off. Then my nail tech teacher suggested CND Solar Oil and this stuff is amazing! my nails no longer peel. 

I apply this oil twice a day in the morning and at night, on the cuticles and under ever nail, then rub it into my nails.  

CND Solar Oil Ulta 0.25oz $8.50 and 0.5oz $12.50 

 

Nail Butter

This is another one of my favorite cuticle care items, I have told all of you about this product before, Nail Butter I have gone through quite a few jar of this stuff and it is amazing. If you have dry skin around your finger and cuticles this stuff works great for that. I do mainly have that issue in winter time, but I use this stuff year round.

In the spring and summer time (when the weather is warm) I apply this just at night time after the CND Solar Oil. All you need is a very small amount and you apply that to the cuticle area then rub it in. In the winter time I apply this twice a day in the morning and at night. 

Nail Butter.com This can only be purchased online. $24.00 in Lemongrass and Gardenia. Don't forget to sign up for their email updates at the bottom of the page for deals and discounts.        

 

   Yes to Carrots Body Butter 

I know what you are thinking you use three lotions! Not all at once, putting lotion on your hand is also very important in keeping your nails and hands looking and feeling nice. Lotion for me is one item that is always changing for me. I prefer using thick body butters on my hands. My all time favorite is Yes to Carrots body butter, sadly I can not find it at any store. I found it on Amazon but it an add on item only and Target.com sells it as well, but I feel like the shipping makes it cost a little more then it should.  

yes to carrots body butter  Amazon for $5.55 add on item

Yes to carrots body butter  Target for $5.89

 

 Bath and Body Works Coco Shea Coconut Body Butter

Another body butter that I have recently been try is the Bath and Body Works Coco Shea Coconut Body Butter. If you like coconut you will love this, it just smells like coconut not a million other things like Bath and Body likes to do with their products. It moisturizes well, which I was a little afraid it wouldn't because a lot of their lotions just have a nice smell and that is all.

Bath & Body Works Coco Shea Body Butter  $16.50 or buy 3 get 3 free or buy 2 get 1 free. I Always use a coupon when I shop at Bathe and body works! 

This also comes in honey and cucumber scent as well.

 

 Zoya Qtica luxury lotion

This lotion I only use every so often, this lotion was sent to me by Zoya, I do really like it it smells good and moisturizes your hands and skin well. This lotion comes in a variety of scents unfortunately Mandarin Citrus is not available on the website. The other scents are Guava passion, Lemongrass Ginger, Colada Sparkle, Mandarin Honey, Exotic Mango, Lime Zest, Lemon Dream, Grapefruit Surprise and Pomegranate Lime.

Qtica Smart Spa- Zoya   Zoya's website for 8.5oz $16 and 36oz $36

 

 Qtica Overnight Intense Hand Balm

This last lotion I have only used in the winter time when my hands get very dry. If you have very dry hand this lotion/ balm will be great for you. I would only use this at night time because it is a very thick lotion/ balm and would probably be to much for day time use. 

Qtica Intense Overnight Hand Balm Zoya's website for 3oz $22 8oz $30 

Also in the past few months since I have become a nail tech I think I have developed some kind of contact dermatitis on my hands because I keep getting rashes on my hands. So now I have been use a scent free lotion on my hands, Cerave. Which does work well and keeps your hand moisturized, so for all of you that have sensitive skin Cerave works will too. Also just because I love the body butters shown above I still sometimes use them on my palms and finger and Cerave on the tops of my hands, I know that is kind of weird.

 

Yes to Coconut body scrub

Last item on my hand care routine is the Yes to Coconut scrub. I have been using this for a while now and I still love this product. This helps to keep your hand soft and moisturized. Before I would put this all over my hands but because of the issue I stated above I only put this on my palms and finger, then with a nail brush I brush this into my nails and under the nails, then wash it off. I do this before I polish my nails only, I also use to do this after I removed my polish too but not any more.

Yes to Coconut Body Scrub Target 10oz for $3.57 

The last items are just some extra things.

CND Stickey Base and Revlon Extra Life No Chip Top Coat

Just thought it was worth mentioning again about the base and top I use. I have been using the Revlon top coat forever, which mean I love it, It helps to extend the life my polish. I only wear regular polish no Gel or Shellac because I like to change my polish every week and these products help my polish to last a week, even though I am a nail tech. I also have another tool that helps my polish last as well, when I am doing other peoples nails.

CND Stickey base coat is my favorite base coat, it does what it says it helps your polish to stick to your nails. Finding a good base coat was a struggle but I found a good one that I will stick with. 

As stated above my polish last for me about a week, but this may not be the same for everyone, it depends I how hard you are with your nails and just your body. I also touch up my nails at lest every other day to every day, with polish if needed and top coat mainly on the tips of my nails.

Last but not last is a little tool that helps me to look like I polish my nails perfectly.

     

Elf Angled Liner brush and Concealer brush

The Elf Concealer brush was my go to brush for cleaning up around my cuticles and sides of my nails after I polish my nails. But then they changed the way the brush was made (shown above) and I didn't really care for it as much. 

So then I found the Elf Angled Liner brush and this brush is amazing, mainly for cleaning up the cuticles and it helps to get a nice clean line. 

These brushes are meant for makeup and the bristles are synthetic which means they are plastic and with time acetone will melt/ eat away at them, but these brushes are very cheap so it really is not a big deal.

ELF Concealer Brush  Target for $0.69, I thought it was a $1.00 

ELF small angled brush Target for $2.99

TwinkledT Number 2 Clean up Brush  

 

    TwinkledT Number 6 Clean up Brush  

These two clean up brushes are very recent to my collection, I have only been using them for a few month and I already love them. These are actual clean up brushes mean for cleaning around the cuticles and sides of the nails. The bristles are Kolinsky which means they are acetone safe. Out of the two brushes I do use number 6 more then number 2. These brushes come in three sizes 2, 6 and 12. I do have all three, the largest brush number 12 I use a work to clean up polish on clients nails. 

 Twinkled T Clean Up Brushes  Amazon for $9.99 each

Out of all of the clean up brushes I use the TwinkledT Number 6 brush and the Elf Angled Liner brush the most. 

To clean up my nails I use pure acetone (the strongest one) I put it in a small dapppen dish dip the brush in the acetone, dab the excise, you need to make sure you don't have to much on your brush and then clean up near the cuticles and the sides of the fingers. I wait until my nails are fully dry to clean them up, this just seem like a better way because the polish is dry so it does not smear when you are trying to clean up your nails. But when I clean up clients nails I don't have time to wait for their nails to fully dry, so I go right in and clean them up. 

Also the leftover acetone I soak up in a small cotton ball and then throw that in the trash. You do not want to put acetone down the sink because the acetone will eat away at your plastic pipes. 

Now all of  you know all my searches, well for nail and hand care. I know this was a long post but I hope it was informative and hope all of you learned a lot and maybe even give these products a try.

Here are the links to my old hand and nail care post.

http://munchkinsmagnificentmanis.blogspot.com/2015/10/top-10-nail-care-items.html 

http://munchkinsmagnificentmanis.blogspot.com/2014/08/hand-cuticle-care.html 

http://munchkinsmagnificentmanis.blogspot.com/2014/08/nail-care.html 

See you next time for more nail fun!