Here are some top tips for dry or splitting nails.

A combination of factors could cause your nails to be dry and start splitting. Some dryness can be caused by diet; some by medication, outside factors such as your working environment, the types of soaps, detergents and cleaning products you use can also affect the nails.

We always look to the health within first. Ensure you are getting enough ‘good fats’ in your diet, essential fatty acids from nuts, avocado’s, linseed, hempseed oil, olive oil. If you keep your nails trim with a glass nail file, maintaining a short neat length you’ll be less likely to catch the nails as you go about everyday life.

For our top tip, you’ll be amazed by the difference in your nails if you apply a cuticle and nail oil at night, rub a drop into and around each nail, rub firmly and get the blood flowing into the finger to nourish it from the inside. Green Hands have just won best nail oil in the 2009 Green Beauty Bible Awards.

The testers gave the product 8.61/10 and here is what they said:

Pleasant smell: my splitting nails are stronger, more flexible and less brittle I would buy this again’ : ‘nails stronger and did not split or flake once, more flexible and seemed much longer than usual; cuticles softer – I was surprised by how much difference this made’ : ‘I am a nurse and the cleaning products we use are so strong my nails suffer terribly; they now look better, are stronger and a lot smoother, and don’t break so easily – I would recommend this product to everyone’ : ‘improved condition of my nails, particularly cuticles’ : ‘my yellow nails are now white, with less ridging; it’s also cleared up the red, itchy skin at the base of each nail; nails now look lovely with no polish – it looks as though I have a French manicure’

More tips for rescuing and growing your own nails are:

• Re-apply cuticle oil during the day after particularly drying jobs.
• Avoid paint on nail strengtheners; they can make your natural nails more brittle.
• Try a gentler nail polish remover such as Suncoat Remover available from Green Hands 60ml for £12.95 made from Soy and Maize crops, it leaves your nails conditioned.
• Wear gloves and apply a good rich hand cream before household chores and gardening.

Green Hands are experts in natural products for hands and feet; you’ll find the products and more tips and articles on www.greenhands.co.uk

Article by Naomi Andersson

It’s easy to get hot under the collar about chemically-riddled sweat-inhibiting anti-perspirants and their questionable effect on the body, so check out the facts about the alternatives and enjoy the sweet smell of natural protection this summer.

Yesterday’s news

Deodorants and anti-perspirant are not the same thing!  Deodorants are responsible for masking the smell of sweat while anti-perspirants actually stop sweating from taking place, which interferes with the body’s natural way of controlling temperature.

Conventional deodorants and anti-perspirants can contain aluminium which not only clog the pores but can also enter the bloodstream increasing the levels of aluminium in the body.

The alcohol contained in these conventional products has a drying effect on the skin and can also transport other chemicals into the bloodstream.

The sweat free natural alternatives

Look out for natural products containing minerals such as ammonium alum or alunite and zinc ricinoleate from the castor oil plant.  This age old combination of minerals safely prevents the growth of bacteria responsible for body odour without irritation and without impeding the body’s natural and vital process of perspiration.

In fact, these days organic deodorants are so sophisticated that their naturally-scented formulations are truly effective and leave you smelling as fresh as a daisy (literally!) all day long.  Even if your job is physically demanding you can be assured of natural protection throughout the day by reapplying a couple of times.

Delicately scented deodorants from pioneering organic beauty companies, Green People and Lavera, use these tried and trusted minerals to effectively prevent body odour without inhibiting the essential process of perspiration.

The minerals are combined with aloe vera, olive leaf extract and gentle essential oils, which care for the skin rather than irritate it.

Rock on

Ever wondered how a natural crystal deodorant stone works?  It is simply made from mineral salts (potassium alum) and purified water.  Wet the stone and rub it generously all around the armpit.  It leaves an invisible layer of mineral salt protection which prevents the odour causing bacteria from forming.
Check out the extensive range of natural deodorant alternatives at www.lucyrose.biz or email the experts at info@lucyrose.biz if you have any questions, for your chance to enjoy the heavenly scents of summer for all the right reasons.

Article by Kristine Nudds www.lucyrose.biz

As you’ve probably noticed our weekly round-up was missing from GGG last week, making it ‘Eco Chic Two-Weekly’.

Apologies to those of you who missed the latest and greatest on eco fashion and if you’d like to contribute a green fashion post to Green Girls Global take a look at our Contribute page and get in touch!

Enjoy!…

Eco-Chick
Eco-Chick gets Eairth-y with some Fabulous Phillipino Eco-Fashion

Fashion, Evolved
Fashion, evolved interviews Sara Suemae, the founder and designer of the eco-fabulous line SPUN.

Green Cotton
Congrats to the D.C. Green Festivals for a terrific eco-fashion show and impressive recycling for 30,000+

Green Girls
The GreenGirls.tv tells us why knockoffs and fakes are a crime of fashion.

The Alternative Consumer
Natural Wrist Warmers- Tres chic and handmade, a yummy accessory for fall, winter and spring.

Green Grechen
No Leather Here! Chic Handbags for Vegans.

Victoria Everman
What Are You Tired Of? Tell the World and Make It Change! – An interview with I’m Tired Of co-founder Dan Hoffman

Meet Manson, Dylan and Ozzi aka ‘The Lovely Boys’ and my gourmet guests for this doggie biscotti review.

So, let me tell you about this special dog biscuit, cutely named ‘Barkotti’. The canine companion treat by Dr Harvey’s is handmade using only natural and organic ingredients. It boasts an impressive list of qualities which, it seems, can be attributed to all of Dr Harvey’s products:

• No artificial colours or flavours
• No preservatives – absolutely none
• No added sugar or salt.

This doggie treat is vegetarian too and contains a variety of vegetables, apple and herbs as well as organic oat and barley flour, honey, molasses and bee pollen.

OK, a healthy dog biscotti is all well and good but if it’s not tasty it won’t cut it, right? Of course I’m not the one to judge the yumminess of these treats but if my lovely canine assistants could talk they would tell you that they like them. I guess the proof is here in the pictures. Here’s Manson politely taking a piece of Barkotti and Ozzi helping himself:

And here’s Dylan nom nomming his way through one of the biscuits:

I like the ethos that runs through Dr Harvey’s which, as the story goes, came about through a genuine care for animals and animal health.

Founder of the company, Dr Harvey Cohen, has been making human grade food products for companion animals for over 20 years and is dedicated to educating owners about why pets need a healthy, natural diet. Being a teacher and a lecturer Dr Harvey is happy to answer questions about companion animals to help you understand your furry or feathered friend a little better.

Dr Harvey’s care doesn’t stop at the animals. He cares for the environment too by avoiding chemicals in his products and supporting the growth of organic trade as a member of the Organic Trade Association. The Barkotti packaging is even green, made from 100% recycled and recyclable card and printed with soy based ink.

As well as Barkotti Dr Harvey’s produces a variety of natural and organics foods, treats and supplements for dogs, cats, birds and horses.

Find out more about Dr Harvey’s, the products and where to buy them at www.drharveys.com