Guest Author - Jill Florio
I have problem cuticles. I have to avoid washing my hands too much, lest they crack and tear down to the knuckle. My cuticles are so bad that I have to carry nail clippers everywhere to keep me from biting at my fingernails with my teeth and ripping long cuticle gashes down the front of my fingers. Ick, huh?
So I am always looking for that perfect cuticle cream: it must be 1. nice smelling, 2. made of natural ingredients with no animal testing involved, and - the big one - 3. works well; handles my cuticle emergencies, prevents future problems when used regularly, etc.
I found two very similar cuticle solutions to fit the above requirements, a lemony-scented thick and waxy product, one from Canada's Lush and the other by the US's Eclectic Lady.
While I very much enjoy the upscale Lemon Flutter cuticle cream made by Lush, I also enjoy the less expensive online alternative, by Eclectic Lady.
The Eclectic Lady Lemon Whipped Shea Butter smells like a lemon creme eclair. The butter is nicely thick, which you need for cuticle crisis care and maintenance. It's not bright yellow like Lush's creme, but works just as quickly to soothe irritated cracks and tears. Everything sold by Eclectic Lady is handmade and fabulous.
To Use:
Use a dab and rub well into clean fingernail and cuticle beds. Stroke more product down to the second or third knuckles, depending on how bad your cuticle situation is. Useful on rough elbow and knees, as well. Leave your lemon creme of choice right by the bed for nightime and morning application.
Which is better?
Eclectic Lady's lotion at $7 for 2 oz (or $4 for 1 oz) is a wonderful alternative to paying the $10.80 for 1.5 oz of product by Lush. Lush's is a bit more waxy/solid and Eclectic Lady's is more whipped creme-y. Which is better depends on how you prefer your texture. I have both products by my bedside. I use the Lush product on my cuticles and elbows, and then spread the Eclectic Lady butter over my arms and the backs of my hands. I wake up feeling soft and smooth.
Both are superior products from fairly-traded companies, full of rich shea butter and lemon scent, free from animal testing and harsh additives; either will do the trick and smell yummy.
