Mont Bleu nail Tools: Glass Files, Nippers etc
Back in April, I was contacted by Mont Bleu to try out some of their nail tools. Now, you may not have heard of Mont Bleu, but I certainly have! I remember ages ago, reading raves about the brand for their remarkable glass files from nail bloggers that I admired (I’m talking 4 years ago, ahem) – and thinking that one day I will try them. and now I’m finally trying them!
Jeg mottok:
• set of 3 crystal nail files “Wave Color” in “Light Rose-Tanzanite” link
• Dual-end glass cuticle pusher in “Pink” link
• Mont Bleu Cuticle Nippers link
• original Foot Scraper & Callus remover in Teal link
I’ve been testing these out for about a month and here are my thoughts.
I made a point to try mainly their glass product because Mont Bleu specializes in Czech glass items… because they’re a Czech company! They pride themselves in old-fashioned skilled craftsmanship, top quality materials and modern designs.
Let’s start with the one non-glass item, the cuticle nippers (€13.99 / approx $15.60 USD / $21 CAD) in 3mm size:
I’d discussed in my “How I do my Manicures” post that I rotate between the conventional spring-loaded nippers and the manual scissor style.
The etched logo detail is a good touch.
I feel like I have much more control with the manual style but I do find spring-loaded kind to be sharper. and boy, are these ones sharp!
See how accurate the pointed suggestion is on the Mont Bleu compared to the Sally charm supply one?
The only small issue I experienced was that the screw wasn’t completely tight so the spring part had a tendency to shift while I was using it.
Nothing that a quick tightening with a screwdriver couldn’t fix.
Next, the foot scraper and callus remover (€16 / approx $17.90 USD / $24 CAD).
I’ve been curious about this type of foot file – I had tried a glass one ages ago from Sally charm supply and my foot actually filed the surface of that file smooth! XD (cue joke about how rough my feet should have been! I assure you, it wasn’t my foot, it was the file!)
Compared to the conventional pumice file, the glass file was much more gentle.
This one though, is genius. One side is grittier than the other – I choose the finer grit side. It files in a very gentle way – the best method is to use on slightly damp skin after soaking my feet in sudsy water, and file lightly in one direction. The excess skin will just fall away. and I’ve used this several times now, and the surface of the glass has not filed smooth whatsoever!
I took so numerous macro shots of this thing in an attempt to capture the texture – they all turned out looking like abstract art. XD
The file has a good weight to it as it is made of high quality tempered glass. This is available in 13 different colours / effects. One idea for Mont Bleu: offer an all clear version for the purists out there.
The dual-ended glass cuticle pusher (€5.49 approx $6.10 USD / $8.25 CAD) is the most distinct item out of all the items I selected. A cuticle pusher made entirely of glass:
The ends have a slightly rough texture, which makes them very effective in grabbing the lose cuticle skin and pushing them back (it’s also very sharp). The slanted end is wonderful for getting into the grooves on either side of the nail bed.
I’ll list this tool as a “back-up worthy” item. It is provided in 5 colours and I want them all! (I have the same idea as the foot file – a colourless, clear version would make a terrific addition to this range! )
Here’s how the ends compare to conventional cuticle pushes – the pointed suggestion is pointier than the metal counterpart.
I’ve honestly never seen anything else like it. similar to the glass foot file, it has a good weight to it and I don’t worry breaking it.
And the best for last – the glass nail files with Swarovski crystals!
Aren’t they pretty? At first, I was concerned that the crystal embellishment would make holding the files feel awkward. but that [turned out to be] not the case whatsoever because my grip is much more at the belly of the file, rather than at the very end.
I attempted to catch the sparkle of the Swarovski crystals in the light…
There are unlimited choices of nail file designs from Mont Bleu – you can opt for the bare minimalist look and opt for clear, or get zodiac signs, monograms, 3D effects, hand-painted designs, and of course, their specialty: Swarovski crystal embellishments. check out all the nail file collections here – I spent so much time in this section trying to choose!
As for the file quality – they are excellent! The conventional / medium size (135mm / 5.32″) offers the same level of course-ness as my elusive no-name 10 yr old glass file with the navy velvet pouch that I’d discussed in my other post! It has the ideal level of grittiness – not too fine and not too course. It’s like finding Cinderella to fit the glass slipper! Or Goldilocks finding the ideal porridge…
Compared against my 2 many reached for glass files. See how sharp the suggestion is of the Mont Bleu? Also, I recently realized that my OPI one has a chip at the tip!
I found the large size (195mm / 7.68″) one to have a finer grit which was ideal for smoothing over the nail edges and for fine-tuning my nail shape. And of course, the itty bitty small size one (90 mm / 3.54″) is now in my purse for useful touch-ups and emergencies. This set sells for €27 (approx $30.20 USD / $40.60 CAD) which I think is incredibly good value for 3 high quality files that will last for years. The files are also sold alone, in sets of 2 or 3 – the prices range from €4 up to €27 depending on the size, design, and quantity.
The Mont Bleu files come housed in sleek black velvet pouches.
The files also come with holographic stickers of authenticity to guarantee highest quality. I had some fun capturing the different colours of the holo…
I wished I hadn’t waited so long to try these nail files from Mont Bleu. I was hesitant because I couldn’t feel them in advancement of ordering them online – but let me tell you, these files are The One for me. And I’ve tried a ton of glass files in search of a worthy replacement for my beloved 10 yr old one. Now I can rest easy knowing I can get much more from Mont Bleu. Seriously, this is one of the best discoveries of the year and it’s only half way through the year!
Here are the various places you can find Mont Bleu products:
• Mont Bleu consumer online store
• Amazon shop
• Wholesale site – on this site, you can see a peek of their manufacturing process – it’s so neat:
Mont Bleu was kind enough to offer a discount of 20% off through their online store (first link above). just type in “BLOG” in the check-out and you’ll automatically receive the discount. And here’s the most essential question – would I purchase these items on my own? Ja jeg ville! I know that I’ll be getting much more of the glass files and the cuticle pusher for sure – they would make wonderful presents (to give to others or for yourself… )
Note: these items were sent to me totally free of charge and I evaluated them out thoroughly before forming my own thoughts and opinions about them. thank you, Mont Bleu!
Have you tried Mont Bleu nail tools? Are you a fan of glass nail files?
Dele denne:
Dele
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