Naked November: Week 3 Progress and Giveaway Announcements (x2!)

Alright, this will be a quick post since I'm getting to it so late!  I just wanted to check in with you guys on the progress of my Naked November Challenge!  So far, the results have been really very good.  

I've also determined, after some experimentation, that I'm going to have to use my Lush Lemony Flutter pretty much exclusively from now on.  Something in the other products is causing the skin around my nails to get tough, tear, and flake.  It's been something that I've had to deal with my entire life, and it's been a constant source of annoyance for me when it comes to editing my photos.  I don't edit out imperfections, so I have to make do with what I have.  

After just a few days of using Lemony Flutter as my only cuticle balm, the skin around my nails have made a remarkable recovery.  I, stupidly, took the photos below just after washing my hands, so the skin around my nails don't look as nice.  I promise you, though, they look amazing now!  I can't wait until this Sunday when we can look at the month in review!  Ok, here's what I've got going on now.

As you can see, the most damaged parts have grown out completely or are almost gone.  Even on my thumb, there has been remarkable improvement.  The moral of the story, I guess, is that your nails do in fact need a break.  I'll be incorporating a few days a month into my routine from here on out!

Ok, so now let's get down to the giveaway fun stuff!  The first giveaway coincides with the Naked November Challenge.  All individuals who took and posted daily photos PUBLICLY on their social media pages with tags #nopolishnovember #nakednovember @blueeyedlawyer will be entered into a random drawing to win a pretty awesome prize that includes: a glass file from Sephora, Lush Lemony Flutter, and 1 polish of the winner's choice from my Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Winter Collection!  You can't just add all of your photos at the end of the month, they must have been taken AND POSTED throughout the month to qualify for entry.  So far, I know of only 1 person who has been doing this challenge with me, but there may be a few others who just need to send me their links!  I'll choose a winner on Sunday 12/1.

The second giveaway is going to be all about the New Year!  I'll have more details next week, but I will say that my prize is going to be crazy ridiculously awesome and worth over a pretty penny.  :)  There are a few makers and other bloggers that will be joining me in this giveaway, so keep your eyes peeled for an announcement at the beginning of December!  Oh, and here's a sneak peek at one of my prizes...

Have a happy Tuesday!  Safe travels to anyone making any Thanksgiving treks this week!

Naked November: Week 1 Progress Report

So, I'm here with an update on my progress with Naked November.  As you'll see from the photos below, it's slow going.  I've filed them down once already, and most of the really damaged bits are close to being completely gone.

However, my index finger started to peel at the free edge.  I think it's from the way I filed.  I used my glass file, but that doesn't guarantee that you won't get any peeling.  I was a bit rough with my filing as I was in a hurry, so I'm not surprised about the peeling.

Moisturizing has really been helpful.  I can tell the difference in the new growth of my nails as well as on the super damaged parts of my thumb.  I've been using my 365 Days of Color Hand Creams and switching it up with my cuticle balms/oils/creams.  I've also used a body scrub on my hands twice since starting the challenge and try to use my CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser when I wash my hands when I'm at home.

As for the polish free bit, I can say that I've been pretty successful!  I've put on three quick manis for photos, but they came off the minute the photos were taken.  Otherwise, I've been polish-free.  I will say that it's been really hard staying on the wagon.  I'm only 11 days in, and I'm dying here!  I can't wait until I can put on some of the amazing polishes I've gotten in the past few weeks.

So, are you participating?  How's it going so far?  Are you seeing an improvement?

Naked November

No, that title doesn't imply that I'm moving to a nudist colony.  Nope, not me.  Just my nails.  It makes me so sad to do it, but I'm going to be taking a month away from painting my nails.  Last summer, my nails were great.  They grew long and strong and had minimal breaks.  I attributed that to using Rejuvacote.  Unfortunately, something in my body chemistry has decided that it no longer wants to play well with Rejuvacote.  My C-curve was becoming less pronounced.  My nails were separating from the skin underneath.  My nails were peeling.  And worse yet, I started to develop bubbles in between the sheets of my nails, which then cause my nails to peel in the middle instead of at the edges.  You'll see what I'm talking about in the photos below.  Another problem I have is that I'm a notorious polish picker.  Apparently, bubbles in your nails + picking off polish = losing several sheets of nail when normally my picking doesn't take off any layers.  So my solution?  To try and go a month without wearing polish.  Please note that everyone's body chemistry is different.  What doesn't work for me may work great for you and vice versa.  My routine isn't the gospel, so do what's right for you!  

I do plan to swatch new stuff once they get in respectable shape, but I won't have any polish on my nails for longer than it takes to get photos.  In the meantime, I'll be dredging up some wicked old photos from last summer, so my reviews may not be that great as it's been a long time since I've applied these polishes.  I'll do my best to accurately portray them, though!  Ok, let's take a look at my routine for this month and then discuss a few giveaways.

Here are my nails currently.  The damage is mostly prominent on my thumb and pinkie on my left hand and my index, middle, ring, and pinkie on my right hand.  There is an example of the bubbles I mentioned above on my thumb of my left hand.  I've INTENTIONALLY left them dry without adding lotion or cuticle oil so you guys can see exactly what they look like in real non-blog life.  I am embarrassed about the state of my nails, so please don't leave any not-so-nice comments, mkay?  I'm well aware that they are a hot freaking mess.

Until the damage grows out, I'll be keeping them cropped low.  The longer I allow them to get while this damaged, the more chance of getting really bad breaks below the quick.  To help curb peeling issues, I'll be using my glass files and sealing the free edge with the shine part of my three-way buffer.  For more information on that, check out Loodie Loodie Loodie's tutorials on how to correctly file your nails.

Glass file for home from Sephora; mini glass file for purse from Model City Polish; three-way buffer from Sally's.

Next up, I'm going to be moisturizing the crap out of my hands and nails.  They are so dry and brittle that they are in desperate need of some TLC, especially now that winter has finally arrived.  Below are some of the items I'll use to help keep my hands moisturized.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser; 365 Days of Color Sunny's Hand Cream, Sunny's Cuticle Balm, and Sunny's Cuticle Oil; Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter; Northern Star Polish Tangerine Honeysuckle Cuticle Oil; Model City Polish Candy Corn Cuticle Oil.

I've also got some random things I'm using to try and boost growth and help with moisture and strength.  Check them out below.

CVS 5000 mcg Biotin (two pills in the morning); plenty of water throughout the day; 365 Days of Color Sunny's Sugar Scrub; Julep Pomegranate Body Scrub; Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover.

So, there you have it!  I'll be showing you guys my progress every Monday through November.  In order to help me get through this month without going crazy, I'm going to hold a giveaway.  This giveaway is a participation giveaway not a like this like that one.  I'm asking that you guys take a photo of your naked nails every day, starting tomorrow, until the end of the month.  I want you to post those photos publicly every night on either Facebook or Instagram and tag it #nopolishnovember #nakednovember @blueeyedlawyer.  If you do it every day starting tomorrow, 11/5/2013, for this month, you'll be in the running to win a very special prize that will be a secret until I announce the winner at the end of the month!  You will be on the honor system.  Please don't disappoint me by cheating.  As Mr. Darcy says, "My good opinion once lost is lost forever."  I know I can't make sure you're all going naked all the time, but that is the goal and spirit of this giveaway.  Be honest and be honorable!  And good luck to everyone as we embark on this scary world that is naked nails.

Second giveaway information - yes, the Depression Awareness giveaway has ended.  HOWEVER, I am currently waiting for confirmation from I Need a Lighthouse on who has donated.  Tomorrow, I will be submitting the donations that were sent to my paypal account.  I'll have photos of that up on my Facebook page.  I appreciate your patience while I wait to get that confirmation in.  Trust me, you guys will be the first to know who the winners are as soon as they're announced!