Simply Nailogical: Lady Speed Stick Nutra-Skin and nails to match

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

Lady Speed Stick Nutra-Skin and nails to match

Hi everyone! I am super excited to share with you today a review of a product that is actually NOT NAIL POLISH. Gah?! I know. Obviously included in the post are nails to match, so don't worry; your nail polish/art addiction will be satisfied by the end of this post.

The wonderful ladies at the Republic sent me a basket of goodies including the main attraction: Lady Speed Stick Nutra-skin deodorant. Taking care of our winter-parched parts including hands, feet and armpits makes up what has been termed the 'thirsty three'.

I was originally offered a spa day at one of the Ten Spot's beauty bars, but was unfortunately not going to be near any of their locations any time soon (they are based in Toronto, Canada). With the visit would have come an underarm wax and a mani-pedi. While that wax would have been nice, all my nail art fanatic friends out there know I'd probably rather keep my nails a neverending DIY project :)

Here's what I got in the mail a couple weeks ago [insert happy dance]:

Included were:
- Baléa warming foot balm
- Lady Speed Stick Nutra-skin roll-on deodorant
- Lady Speed Stick Nutra-skin deodorant
- Get Nailed nail polish in 'Watch the hair!' (lilac purple creme)
- The Body Shop Vitamin E hand & nail treatment moisturizer

I must say, what a nice surprise the foot cream, the hand lotion, and obviously the nail polish was. I'm already in love with the Body Shop's vitamin E hand cream, but more on that in a future nail care post.

Here's the promise of Nutra-Skin deodorant, as put by Kristen Wood, CEO and creator of the Ten Spot beauty bar:

"Winter is hard on our hands, cuticles, feet and even our underarms. Tight sweaters, irregular shaving, perspiration and dry air can really affect that precious underarm real estate over the course of the long winter. Before you bare it, prepare it! Nutra-Skin, a new product from Lady Speed Stick provides moisturizers to soothe and nourish your sensitive underarm area without sacrificing the protection you need and expect from your anti-perspirant. [...] Lady Speed Stick Nutra-Skin, with Vitamin E. This new product contains soothing emollients -- super moisturizers that help maintain silky smooth skin."

I can't say I noticed that my armpits were particularly dry this winter... well, at least in relation to more exposed body parts that bear the brunt of winter's harshest damage like hands, face or lips. But, after using Nutra-Skin for two straight weeks I can say that my armpits actually feel softer. Not that I'm feeling them up on a regular basis, but you know when you're waltzing around in your bedroom with a tank top or maybe an over-sized t-shirt as pj's, and the inner side of your arm by your armpit occasionally brushes up against the side of your body? That's where I feel a difference. It just feels softer against my own skin.

Now one of the biggest issues with trying new deodorants is the fear that you'll either ruin your dark gentle fabric shirts forever or will temporarily look like you dabbed your pits with baby powder. Neither of those is a good look. So, dark tank top to the test!

I wore this tank top all day for about 12 hours after applying Nutra Skin in the AM. As you can see there is a little bit of white residue on my navy blue tank top. To be honest I haven't used a deodorant that had zero residue anyways: they all leave something behind whether it's white and powdery or merky-clear and gel-like.

At the end of the day Nutra-Skin is not about preventing transfer onto your dark shirts but rather about ensuring your armpits are soft, moisturized, and nourished. Given that products marketed as having moisturizing properties are by nature going to include some sort of hydrant (generally in the form of a milky cream-like texture and colour), it's pretty good that this is the extent of the white-pit transfer that my tank saw.

Bottom line(s):
- Look: A white solid, with a little bit of transfer onto dark clothes after a full day of wear.
- Smell: A sweet apple-orchard mixed with florals.
- Touch: Feels soft to the touch when applied, and armpits feel soft immediately after application.
- Taste: I do not recommend this.

Should you buy Lady Speed Stick Nutra-Skin? If you're looking to change up your deodorant regimen and see what soft armpits actually feel like, give this one a go as we prepare for summer and will be exposing our underarms more often. Just stick with your trusted clear antiperspirant when you take that little black dress out for a night on the town.

Now, more nail photos (you can relax now).

I went with a semi-skittle look with three gradient purple-light pink nails that were reminiscent of Lady Speed stick's packaging. Baby pink half moon and swarovski crystal to top them off. On the middle two nails I went with a basic curved ribbon-like design, as I was trying to emulate moisture. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.