A Closer Look: Hand Creams

I simply love hand creams and currently have a pretty healthy stash!  You can see what I had in my stash previously here.  I can honestly say it has just over doubled! Oops.

Lancome Nutrix Royal Mains Intense Nourishing & Restoring Hand Cream 100ml - a super rich and luxe cream which smells gorgeous and leaves the hands feeling deeply moisturised.

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina anti-ageing Hand and Nail Cream 50ml - I reviewed this hand cream here. This product has been discontinued and the brand has been re-launched as Barefoot SOS. The hand cream can still be purchased on Amazon or Feel Unique.

Chandler Farm Lavender Hand Creme 88.7ml* - this came in the Vegan Cuts box I reviewed recently see here. A rich cream scented with lavender. I like to use this just before bed.

sk:n Anti-Ageing Hand Cream 50ml - a nice cream which moisturises the hands and nails leaving them with a light floral scent.

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream 50ml - this was a magazine freebie a while back. A great hand cream scented with orange which helps save the bees. 

Nuxe Reve de Miel Hand & Nail Cream 75ml - smells of honey and deeply moisturises the hands and nails. One of my all time favourites.

Mavala Hand Cream 30ml - this came in a gift pack. Deeply moisturises hands and nails.

Lj's Natural Solutions Soothing Organic Handbag Hand Lotion 60ml - a lotion scented with Lavender, Rosewood and Ylang Ylang essential oils.  See my review here.

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Hand Creme 30g - this one smells lush! I keep this one in my handbag for moisturising on the go!

Neom Inspiration Violet, Chamomile & Cedarwood Organic Hand Cream 50ml & Neom Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Organic Hand Cream 50ml - love both these. My all time favourite hand cream.  See my review of Complete Bliss here.

Conscious Skincare Soothing Hand Cream for Hard Working Hands 50ml* - a deliciously rich cream which is perfect for use after gardening.  See my review here.

Living Nature Nourishing Hand Cream 50ml* - one of my current favourite hand creams. One I'll definitely purchase when I reduce my stash.  See my review here.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Hand & Nail Cream 125ml - love everything I've tried from this cost conscious organic brand. Smells gorgeous and is lovely to use. Another one I'll definitely re-purchase.

Apivita Moisturising Hand Cream with Aloe & Honey 50ml* - this has a light texture and smells gorgeous.  See my mini review here.

Have you used any of these?  What's your favourite hand creams?  Do you have an addiction to hand creams like me?

*PR samples

Samples #10

These are the samples I chose for #10 (I seem to have chucked a couple of them out with my empties - see second pic) but here are my thoughts on them -

Two bath bombs from Bee Fruitful in Honey, Peppermint & Rosemary* and Honey & Lemon* - these were complimentary with my order and were gorgeous. I'll definitely buy some soon.

sk:n Age-Delaying Cream 5ml - This was a nice enough cream but I didn't love it so wouldn't buy it.

Blend Collective Hydrating Hand & Body Lotion 5ml - gorgeous! Scented with Sicilian Lemon, May Chang, Myrtle and Lime.  A small sample but smelt nice and seemed quite moisturising.  Will maybe pick up full size.

Spa Fabulous Organic Heavenly Glow Exfoliator - a small sachet so unsure if it suited my skin.  It smelt gorgeous with a lemongrass scent.

Apivita Natural Serum - this seemed a nice serum. Definitely interested in trying out more from Apivita.

Clarins BB Cream 1.5ml - I'm unsure who exactly this shade suited! Was way too dark/orange for me!

Australian Bush Flower Essences Face Wash Serum 3ml - this was lovely and from a brand I'd not heard of before. Quite a small sample though.

Apivita Pink Clay Mask - simply love the Apivita masks - would definitely buy this one again.  I get two uses out of a sachet.

Melvita Ultra Nourishing Cream - this was too rich for my skin so wouldn't buy but generally love the brand.

NUXE 24hr Soothing & Rehydrating Fresh Mask 4ml - simply loved this mask and would consider purchasing.  It left my skin super soft.

NUXE Anti-Fatigue Moisturising Eye Cream 2ml - this was lovely to use and cooling around the eye area.

NUXE 24hr Moisturising Body Lotion 7ml - simply loved this.  Will definitely pick it up full size - smelt gorgeous and was super moisturising.

Nourish Hand Lotion - loved this. It nourished the hands and smelt nice. Definitely one I'm adding to my hand cream wishlist.

Formula Treatment Oil - this seemed ok but there are other oils I prefer.

Here's what I have chosen for week #11 -

Yes! Nurse Hand Formula 3ml 

Madara Sun Flower Golden Beige Tinting Fluid 1.5ml

Madara Moon Flower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid 1.5ml

Caudalie Divine Legs Tinted Body Lotion 5ml 

Anne Semonin Exfoliating Mask 10g

Rodial Bee Venom Moisturiser 1ml

Elemis Lime & Ginger Hand & Body Lotion 7ml

Elemis Tranquil Touch Creamy Body Wash 7ml

Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream 2ml

Weleda Wild Rose smoothing Capsules x 2

Australian Bush Flower Essences Intensive Hand Cream Evening Rose 3ml

Elemis Body Soothing Trio - Skin Nourishing Shower Cream 7ml, Quiet Mind Bath Elixir 7ml, Treat your Feet Foot Cream 7ml

I'm actually finally using my samples up although I still have plenty to do a few more of these posts!

Samples #9

You can see my last samples update here.  Here's my thoughts on what I used in #9:

I seem to have binned a few samples with my last lot of empties - oops!

Beauty Lab Micropolish Dermabrasion 1.5ml - this was a bit too harsh for my skin.  From a brand I've not heard of before.

Murad Rejuvenating Lift for Neck and Decollete 3.7ml - loved this! 

Elemis Pro-Intense Lift Effect 2ml - this seemed nice but quite a small sample.

Belnatur Oxy-Nutrigen Regenerating Cream - the whole range of these were nice. It was from a brand I've not heard of before.  They came from a Latest in Beauty Little Beauty Box.

Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser 5ml - not a huge Eve Lom fan - this was ok but nothing special.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm 5ml - loved this and would consider buying full size.  Liked how you can use it around the eyes and the lips.

Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator 3ml - this was lovely with just enough scrub. Don't think there is a Caudalie product I haven't enjoyed using.

Belnatur hydro-nourishing Comfort Cream - nice to use.

Sarah Chapman Dynamic Defence 2ml - I like every Sarah Chapman product I try! Must treat myself soon to a QVC set.

Laboratories Luzern Pure Cleansing Gelee 2ml - I didn't like this, found it irritated my eyes.

Belnatur Balance Cream - as above nice to use.

Faith in Nature Pomegranate & Rooibos Shampoo & Conditioner (both 7ml) - these were lovely.  My first try of this brand.  Definitely will look into it more.

Eve Lom Rescue Mask 15ml - I know this is a best-seller but I just didn't like it.  I hated the scent and felt it made my skin feel tight and dry.

Yonka Vital Defence Intense Hydration Cream 6ml - loved this. Really nice to use and I'd consider purchasing it in the future.

Here's what I've chosen for #10:

Two bath bombs from Bee Fruitful in Honey, Peppermint & Rosemary* and Honey & Lemon*

sk:n Age-Delaying Cream 5ml

Blend Collective Hydrating Hand & Body Lotion 5ml

Spa Fabulous Organic Heavenly Glow Exfoliator

Apivita Natural Serum

Clarins BB Cream 1.5ml 

Australian Bush Flower Essences Face Wash Serum 3ml

Apivita Pink Clay Mask

Melvita Ultra Nourishing Cream 

NUXE 24hr Soothing & Rehydrating Fresh Mask 4ml

NUXE Anti-Fatigue Moisturising Eye Cream 2ml

NUXE 24hr Moisturising Body Lotion 7ml

Nourish Hand Lotion

Formula Treatment Oil

Have you used any of these products?

*PR samples

Spending Ban - Update 11

Uh-oh my spending ban went completely off the rails in week 11 and I think it's now time to end it.  Ahhh...  I lasted 70 odd days with a few splurges - a lot less than I'd normally be treating myself to though.

I've been enjoying shopping my stash every week - so I'm going to keep doing this.  Here is what I bought during the spending ban period -

In Style Magazine for the beauty supplement in Week 3.

Sweet Cecily's Rose Body Butter and Mojito Lip Balm.  See my review here.  I bought these in Week 4.

In Week 6 I bought the Caudalie Set from Latest in Beauty and two Remedy..for organic body butter bars and an April Beautylishious bag (which I've still to receive).

See my review of the Remedy...for Organic Body Butters here.

In Week 7 I bought Good Housekeeping magazine which were giving away a free Balance Me Hand Cream and Marie Claire magazine which were giving away a Neal's Yard Bee Lovely Hand Cream.  These are both worth £10.

In Week 8 I bought a copy of Psychologies magazine.

Week 9 saw me really caving when I bought Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and the LIB Organic & Natural Box.  You can see my reviews here and here.

In Week 10 I bought Botanicals Anti-Age Hand & Nail Serum and two try-me size pots of cleanser and foot balm (you can get the try me sizes for free just paying p&p).  Reviews to follow.  I also bought a April SoukSouk little green beauty box.

Finally Week 11, I bought Beaute Chinoise Beauty Tea - a Oolong infused with organic rose.  It sounds simply delicious.  Still to receive this.  I'll be doing a mini review on it and of course my M&S and Boots haul.  

I'm quite relieved to have ended my Spending Ban.  It was an interesting experiment and I know I buy too many beauty products.  I'll do a post later this week listing my "Wants" from the 11 weeks - and letting you know which ones I'm going to buy at some point. 

How is your Spending Ban coming along?

M&S Beauty Hall (and a haul)

I met my friend Julie on Friday for a meet up and a look at the shops. Imagine my absolute excitement and delight when I found out that at the shopping centre where we were meeting there was an M&S Beauty Hall.

There were lots of offers of gift with purchase and there was also a special of 20% off (28 March - 2 April). We also got some samples.

2 x Formula Skin Care Treatment Oil, 8ml H20 Deep Sleep Recovery Cream, 4ml sachet NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil, 10ml sachet Apivita Propoline Women's Tonic Shampoo, 1ml sachet Apivita Natural Serum, 1.5ml vial Les Senteurs Gourmandes Musc Blanc EDP and 2ml vial Chantal Thomas EDP.

I did buy a few things too (oops Spending Ban fail again - more about that tomorrow!)

Tara Smith Feed the Root Trial size kit - containing - 50ml Shampoo, 50ml Conditioner and 20ml base coat serum.  I've been wanting to try this vegan range for a while.  The set cost £12.50.

Cowley Manor Awaken Soap 200g - a luxury soap scented with lemon myrtle, bergamot, willow and rosemary.  I just love bar soaps so looking forward to using it.

Apivita Pink Clay Mask 2 x 8ml sachets - love face masks and was keen to try another variety from Apivita.

I could quite easily have gone mad - the selection was fantastic and the range of free gifts with purchase very good.  With 20% off my purchases totalled £15.20.

In Boots I got colour matched for the YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation.  I was matched to shade B40.  I also got two sachets of Forever Youth Liberator Serum.  I simply love the foundation.

The sales assistant touched up my make up and used Rouge Volupte Shine in shade 9 (Nude in Private).  I just loved the texture and glossy shine as well as the luxe packaging. She chose well - I just had to have it!

My final purchase (before we headed off for lunch & wine) was Sk:n Hand Cream 50ml - which was £5.33 with a third off.  I'd used a sachet of this before and had simply loved it.

Have you used any of these products?  What do you think of the M&S Beauty Hall?

October Empties

It's empties time! Here is what I've been using up this month:

Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator 15ml - received this a while back in a Latest in Beauty Box.  I initially really liked it but then found it stung my skin a little so gave up using it.

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner Mini pot - love this gorgeous rose scented product.  I reviewed it here.

Noble Isle Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - love the gooseberry, orange blossom, moss and fresh cut grass scent of this.  I'll pick up a full size at some point though it is quite expensive.

A'kin Rose de Mai Day Cream 1.5ml sachet - tiny sachet but loved the scent and feel of this on my skin.  Would love to buy full size.

Dr Bronner's Citrus Orange Castile Soap pillow - nice and enjoyed using it but slightly prefer the peppermint scented one.

Matis Response Corps Miceur 5ml - this smelt lovely and I liked the gel like texture.  Too small a sample though.

Freyaluna Regain your Balance Facial Tonic 100ml - I loved this rose scented toner when I received it in my Freyaluna Selection Box.  I felt the full size just wasn't the same as the sample size.  I found it too heavily scented and couldn't actually finish the product.

Lolita Lempicka L'Eau en Blanc sample vial - didn't really like this scent it was too powdery for me so wouldn't buy it.  The first empty in my perfume sample challenge.

L'Occitane Divine Cream - small pot - love this cream but don't love the scent of it.  Probably wouldn't buy.

Suti Fabulous Foot Balm - small sample pot - love this.  You can see my review here.

STEAMCREAM 75g pot - this came in a Carmine box - I don't really know what all the fuss is about this cream! I quite liked it but wouldn't purchase.  Like the cute tin though!

Bamford Botanic Geranium Bath Oil 30ml - one of my favourite bath oils.  I will get round to buying the full size at some point.

Philosophy Miracle Worker Anti-Age Concentrate 29.6ml - this was a Beauty Bible testing product.  Nice to use but probably wouldn't buy.

Clinique Turnaround Overnight 7ml - a magazine freebie.  Really like this would consider buying.

Sk:n Hand Cream 3ml sachet - would consider buying this as I thought it was a brilliant hand cream.

Ole Henriksen sachets - Invigorating Night Gel, Sheer Transformation and Truth Serum Collagen Booster - didn't like the scent of these so would not purchase.

Dr Brandt Lineless Lines no more sachet - didn't see any difference in my skin.  Wouldn't purchase.

Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Conditioner 70ml - loved this.  Will definitely purchase full size at some point.

Giorgio Armani Regenessence Eye Serum 15ml - this was a nice eye serum and I liked the cooling tip to apply but didn't really see any major improvement in the eye area apart from hydrating.  Wouldn't re-purchase.

Mythic Oil vial - really like this, will purchase at some point but I've got loads of hair oils to use up.

Vichy Idealia/Idealia Pro both 3ml - liked the Idealia.  Will purchase at some point.  You can see my review here.

Comoshambhala Invigorate Shower Gel 50ml - love this eucalyptus scented shower gel.  Have a few to use still from swaps.

Rodial Glamtox Active Daily Moisturiser 2ml sachet - really liked this.  Would like to try more Rodial products.

Hyaluronan Hydrating Sheet Mask - love sheet masks and this one was especially moisturising.

Vaseline Essential Moisture Clean Feeling Lotion 50ml - nice to use but probably wouldn't buy as I've got so many body lotions to use.

Origins Ginger Burst Body Wash 100ml - this was a present last Christmas!  Love the Ginger range and this is a really nice body wash.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 2ml - love Caudalie products and this was nice to use.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 20ml - this was in the Selfridges Advent Calendar last Christmas. I found it a bit greasy on my skin and it contains mineral oil.

TRESemme Split Remedy Sachets 3 x 10ml - shampoo, conditioner, leave in treatment - I liked the shampoo and conditioner and would maybe purchase.  The treatment didn't suit my hair type.

Ancienne Ambiance Bath Salts in Amundula, Jasminum and Rosa.  You can read my post about the salts here.  I'd purchase the Rosa ones as they were my favourite.

Pai Kukui & Jojoba Bead Exfoliator 4ml - loved this gentle exfoliator would purchase.

Caudalie Vinexpert Eyes & Lip Serum 1.5ml - love this would perhaps purchase.

Thalgo Thalgomince Cream 5ml - from Latest in Beauty box.  Quite nice probably wouldn't purchase.

Melvita Fresh Micellar Water 35ml - this came from Latest in Beauty as a luxury sample.  Quite effective at removing make up would perhaps re-purchase.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair 1.5ml - like this product, have bought in the past.  Would maybe buy again.

Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint sample vial - love this scent and will buy full size in the future.

Alqvimia Rosewater Facial Tonic 6ml - a lovely toner scented lightly with roses.  Would maybe purchase as it was refreshing on the skin.

What have you been using up this month?  Have you used any of these products?

Samples #5

These are my samples for week 5 and my thoughts are below.  My little sample box is very slowly going down.

Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator 3ml sachet - have used this before and love this very gentle rose scented scrub.  It's one I'd purchase again.

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation in Wheat 1.5ml sachet - loved this, the texture, smell, coverage and feel on my skin.  The colour suited me too.  I'd definitely consider purchasing it.

Sanctuary 30 Day Thermal Transformation - two sachets - Peptide Transformation Serum 1.5ml and Thermal Rose Clay Mask 7ml - put the serum on your face and neck and then massage on the mask - which gives a warming sensation - its fab! I'd definitely think about buying this but at the moment got loads of masks to use up.

TRESemme Split Remedy 3 x 10ml sachets - shampoo, conditioner and leave in treatment - loved the shampoo and conditioner.  Found the treatment a bit heavy for my hair.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 2ml - love Caudalie products.  This was nice to use but as such a small sample hard to see if it had made a difference.

Sk:n Moisturising Cream SPF 30 3ml sachet - loved this.  Definitely want to look more into the sk:n range.

Thalgo Thalgomince Cream 5ml sachet - this came from the recent Latest in Beauty Box.  Seemed nice enough but too small a sachet to really test the product.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair 1.5ml sachet - again small sachet but I've bought this product before and really like it.

Caudalie Vinexpert Eye & Lip Serum 1.5ml - really liked this serum would perhaps purchase.

Here are my samples for week #6:

Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer 7ml

REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel 5ml

Sebastian Volupt Volume Boosting Shampoo 10ml 

Sebastian Hydre Deep Moisturising Treatment 10ml

Sebastian Potion 9 10ml 

Abahna Body Lotion 3 x 5ml - Mandarin & Sicilian Bergamot, White Grapefruit & May Chang and Lilac Rose & Geranium

Madara Deep Balance Toner 5ml

Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift Pro

I love....Coconut Face Mask 15ml

Samples #4

Here are my thoughts on this week's samples - 

Sk:n Hand Cream 3ml sachet - This was really gorgeous and I'd consider buying this full size. Made my hands really soft and it was lightly scented.

Sk:in Cleanse 3ml sachet - I chucked this out with my September empties - oops.  Again a lovely product.  Haven't used this brand before.  Definitely one I'm going to look into more.

Dr Brandt Lineless Lines no More sachet .5ml - I didn't really like this, didn't notice it doing much.

Dr Bronner's Citrus Orange Pure Castile soap - liked this but not as much as the peppermint variety.

Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders - Truth Serum Collagen Booster, Invigorating Night Gel and Sheer Transformation - I wasn't keen on the scent of these so wouldn't purchase although the actual products seemed nice.

Hyaluronan Hydrating Sheet Mask - love sheet masks, this left my skin super-hydrated.

Rodial Glamtox Active Daily Moisturiser 2ml - really liked this moisturiser would like to try more Rodial products.

Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt 4ml - another one I chucked out with my September empties - hated the scent of this so wouldn't buy.

A'kin Rose de Mai Anti-Oxidant Day Cream 1.5ml - this smelt gorgeous and melted onto my skin.  Only downside such as small sachet so only got one use.

Fudge OOMF conditioner 7ml - another great performer but I hated the scent of bananas (and another one which went out in the bin with September empties)

Vaseline Intensive Moisture 50ml - a nice budget body lotion.  I'd maybe buy in the future but got loads to use up first.

Here's my samples for week #5:

sk:in Moisturising Cream SPF 30 3ml
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 3ml
Thalgo Thalgomince Cream 5ml
Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator 3ml
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair 1.5ml
Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation 1.5ml
Sanctuary Spa Peptide Transformation Serum/Thermal Rose Clay Mask
TRESemme Split Remedy Shampoo/Conditioner/Treatment