Reviews about the "Smart Enamel" company "French", which has an office in the US, are quite contradictory. Appearing on the pharmacy counters at the beginning of the century, it quickly became famous and gained incredible popularity. It was used to restore nails after building with low-quality materials, after improper removal of artificial nails, to improve natural thin and weak nail plates.
Many advised to use it in all cases - as a base, as a top coat and as a haze in French manicure. Even the masters of the salons had a bottle of Smart Enamel Restorer on the shelf. Feedback on the product has been excellent.
After some time, there were complaints about damaged nails from those who often used this remedy. It turned out that with prolonged use, the nail plate is depleted. What's the matter?
Is this enamel so smart
All products of this line are based on lacquer. In the composition of camphor, formaldehyde resin (tosylamide) and components common for cheap varnishes, for example, plasticizer trimethyl pentanyl diisobutyrate. Interesting,that vitamins, and calcium, and even mineral oil, as well as vegetable oils are included here. It is known that vitamins are not absorbed by the dead onychoblast cells that make up the outer layers of the nail. It's just a useless inclusion, designed only to impress the layman, like "cholesterol-free" vegetable oil.
The agreement of some countries on the production of cosmetic products without a threat to he alth provides for a ban on the inclusion of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate in nail polishes. Some companies have gone further by announcing a ban on camphor and formaldehyde resin in their products.
The presence of formaldehyde resin and camphor excludes Frenchie's products from the Big 5free agreement. However, it contains triphenyl phosphate, which is converted to diphenyl phosphate in the body and is a poison. Phthalic anhydride is also very dangerous. Like formaldehyde resin and diphenyl phosphate, it has a second hazard class. For comparison, the first (most dangerous) is formaldehyde.
Composition
Speaking of therapeutic formulations for nails, including Smart Enamel, reviews note the strengthening effect only in those that contain formaldehyde. True, this does not apply to allergy sufferers.
Oddly enough, formaldehyde is often found in medical varnishes. It greatly dries out the nails, and they begin to break and exfoliate. Apparently, therefore, oil is used in the composition - to soften. Along with this, the nail plates are compacted, which gives the impression of improvement. It is believed that the bodyincreases the thickness of the nail, trying to get rid of the harmful substance.
Reviews on "Smart Enamel" agree on one thing - the composition is harmful to fragile and brittle nails, as it dries them even more. But if the nail plate is not overdried, but simply soft and thin by nature, the product can be used. The main thing is not to use it constantly. In general, the products of this line do not differ from economy-class transparent varnishes both in composition and in the result of application.
To neutralize the effect of overdrying of nails, you should use a cuticle oil made from natural ingredients. In the latest editions of Smart Enamel, reviews note the presence of such oils in the composition of the product, but its amount is inferior to mineral oil made from oil.
Which ingredients are medicinal in the product
If a cosmetic product claims to be medicinal, it should reflect its composition. As part of "Smart Enamel" there really are useful substances: vitamins, oils, trace elements. But this is useless: the nail is made up of fifty layers of keratinized keratin cells, the top of which penetrate deeply into each other and create a barrier that prevents absorption.
Even if miraculously some vitamin penetrates deep into the keratin array, it will not enter the bloodstream, and the nails are fed through the blood vessels. It is the blood that brings all the necessary substances to the matrix, where onychoblasts are built - keratin cells. Oil is a useful element, but it is negligible in the composition of lacquerproduct. If you increase its amount, adhesion will decrease and the varnish will not hold. Therefore, it cannot moisturize or absorb.
Now, if the oil in number is applied to the cuticle, there would be an effect. And so - no. Nails do not get better if we wash and cut fruits and vegetables, pick berries? But in this case, they have much more contact with vitamins, and natural ones. Therefore, it must be recognized that these substances are nothing more than advertising.
Why nails deteriorate without polish
Many people have noticed that after removing the decorative coating (gel polish, gel or regular polish), it doesn’t even last a few days, when the tips of the nails begin to exfoliate and break off, the corners are lost and the shape of the nails changes. This is due to the contact of unprotected nails with an aggressive environment: solvents and detergents, earth, cement and lime dust and other things that have become common for a modern person.
If the nails are short, the effect on them is not so noticeable. Constant filing of the free edge does not allow the nails to grow, and they are less susceptible to mechanical deformation. But it’s worth growing a short length (usually it works with gel polish), as after removal, the tips break in the smile zone or a little closer to the middle, and you have to cut off all the nails.
In the same period, if you do not use varnish, the tips begin to exfoliate and the free edge crumbles. Urgently bought a remedy for the treatment of nails, often according to reviews - nail hardener "Smart enamel", and beginstreatment. The application of the coating immediately protects the nails from external influences, and they acquire a he althy appearance. The varnish continues to chip off from the tips, peels off with a film when washing dishes. But if you restore it in time, cut off the growing nail and seal the ends when painting, it will very soon be possible to restore the look of the nails that was before applying the gel polish. There is no therapeutic effect in this case, so you can restore your nails with any varnish.
When Smart Enamel doesn't help
Reviews that point out the uselessness of using this tool are quite common. Of course, everything is subjective: someone makes excessive demands on Smart Enamel, since the product is advertised in the pharmacy chain. Some people don't like it due to allergies. But there are other cases, and there are many of them.
After improper removal of gel polish, nails lose up to half of their natural thickness, exfoliate, have an uneven surface. Some try to treat them with the “Smart Enamel” exfoliating nail regenerator, and the reviews after such a procedure are sharply negative.
No lacquer-based coating can even out damaged nails, there is a biogel for this. The application of several layers of varnish only leads to its removal with a film after a few hours, and often it exfoliates from the cuticle. This does not mean that this particular product is not suitable - any, even the most expensive and respected varnish, will not work.
Nail injury and recovery
After the summer season of sandals, usually in September, ongirls with nail injuries come to the pedicure master. Long nails rest in shoes, bend and crack at the cuticle. Coated with gel polish suffer more often than others. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the fungus can penetrate the tissues, and then serious treatment will be required.
Not a single master will recommend the Smart Enamel strengthener in such a situation, and the reviews of enthusiastic admirers of this brand will not affect him at all. And the manufacturers themselves certainly did not create varnish for serious treatment. The name "strengthener" is nothing more than a commercial ploy.
It's sad if a girl goes to a pharmacy with such a problem and buys this remedy. Time will be lost and complications will appear. The lacquer will not stay in such a place, it will be removed with a film or chipped from the constant movement of a split nail. Overdrying the delicate nail bed will lead to improper formation of the nail plate in the future.
Burn of the nail bed
Among the negative reviews about the "Smart Enamel" coating, there are also complaints about the burn of the nail bed. As part of the "Diamond Base" - adipic acid, the effect on the body of which has not yet been studied. Hazard class II. It was she who was the culprit of the burn: apparently, too much concentration.
The use of a diamond base is contraindicated for injuries, thin nails and depleted after removing artificial materials. In medicine, it is believed that nails can absorb from 10 to 80 percent of the substance. Some compounds (for example, adipic acid) accumulate in the body and are excreted with greatlabor. In this case, an allergy develops.
According to reviews, an allergy to "Smart Enamel" manifests itself in the form of redness, peeling of the skin, itching, the surface of the nail forms blisters, there is a feeling of pain, tightening. The smell of means causes cough. Which substances in the composition are allergens in each of the above cases is unknown. Judging by the composition, there are enough of them.
Cuticle softener
Frenchie produces a cuticle tool "Smart Enamel", reviews of which call it not a "cuticle remover", but a "retractor". Indeed, the alkali included in the composition cannot dissolve the skin, since this will require a much higher concentration, which is fraught with burns. Yes, and this product is supposed to be washed off with water after use.
The active substance in the composition of the remover is sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). Its concentration is small, it cannot harm. But still, according to the instructions, it is supposed to remove it from the skin and keep it for no more than two or three minutes. According to reviews, fifteen minutes is not critical. The only negative is that the product is absorbed, and the cuticle dries up. Therefore, it is better to work with him one finger at a time.
If you hope that this product will soften and exfoliate all the dead skin cells of the cuticle after application, the result will not please. However, this product can successfully replace maceration - steaming hands in a bath for trimmed manicure. It is similar in composition to many alkaline removers in this price range.
Gel for thickening nails
"Smart enamel" in the reviews of some consumers is just a panacea. After its application, the nails gradually cease to exfoliate, grow back and recover. It is advised to apply it daily, in two layers, removing the old coating with nail polish remover. Any manicurist will say that this way improves any nail polish.
Some in order to let go of the length, use the following products from the Smart Enamel brand:
- thickening gel, reviews of which indicate a thicker consistency;
- 3 in 1 product - base, firming and top coat;
- nail restorer - no special effect;
- nail hardener (however, nails turn yellow from it).
In fact, it is possible to grow the length. But you should not be mistaken about the thickness of the nails: what it was by nature, it will remain so. In fact, no lacquer can fix naturally thin and soft nails. This is an internal problem, you need to improve the metabolism in the body, take vitamins, treat organs. And the name is another publicity stunt.
Apparently, due to the thick consistency of this particular product, marketers found it possible to use the word "thickening" in the name. But in fact, "Smart Enamel" for thickening nails (having enthusiastic reviews, but not from professionals) is a useless thing.
Colored polishes - are they smart?
It's tempting to strengthen your nails and wear colored polish at the same time. That's how nail polish was meant to be"Smart enamel". Reviews, however, speak of the absence of any strengthening, poor colors, unstable coating. In terms of the quality of the forming film, the varnish is compared with cheap counterparts.
This coating does not adhere to the nail base. According to the manufacturer, it is designed to strengthen the nails, which means that it is the base itself. According to the reviews of those who tried to use it in this capacity, another varnish is well applied to it, but it does not last long. Apparently, as a hardener, this product is supposed to be applied daily.
In one layer, the varnish looks bad, in two - it can lie unevenly. There were more cons than pros. All products are distinguished by rapid thickening in the bottle, after which they are poorly applied. But the brush of the Smart Enamel brand is very good, many people use it for applying other varnishes.
Recommendations from experts
No specialist in the field of medicine or nail service will send a client to a pharmacy for a bottle of "Smart Enamel" if the problem is in thin, flaky and crumbling nails. First, it can be a serious symptom of the disease. Then painting your nails is the last thing you can do in this situation. Secondly, both the doctor and the salon master know for sure: when a problem is serious, it must be solved from the inside.
Here are some tips:
- To strengthen nails, you need to follow the diet and get enough vitamins and minerals for the formation of keratin.
- All housework should be done with gloves.
- With a smallsea s alt baths help with detachment at the tips of the nails.
- You should regularly do a hygienic manicure and nourish the cuticle with special oil, preferably natural.
- Artificial coating should be removed correctly, without damaging the surface of the nail.
- If your nails are severely damaged, sealing with wax will help.
- Leaving nails uncoated for a long time is dangerous: it is too likely to be damaged by an aggressive environment.
And the last item on this list is suitable for using varnish, including Smart Enamel.
Placebo or Fake?
Reviews of "Smart Enamel" for nails note that the product used to be of better quality. Now he is increasingly upsetting his fans. There are speculations about a fake. But is that the point? The composition has been constantly changing over the years: first, formaldehyde was excluded and replaced with formaldehyde resin, later film formers, pigments were changed, oils were added. It can be seen that manufacturers are trying to find an effective formula that will protect and strengthen nails.
It's a little embarrassing that this product is bottled in Pushchino near Moscow, where Frenchy Products LLC occupies production facilities. And here the USA? Domestic production. But the product still has one positive property: if you take care of your nails, they will definitely become better. This enamel may be a placebo, but then it's definitely smart!
