Friday 13 April 2012

Hand Cream, Oh Hand Cream You Wonderful Stuff!!


My hands used to be lovely, they were soft and my nails were strong and I looked after them because they made it worth my while.  But times have changed and my hands and I have been going through a rocky couple of years really, they let me down and went all dry and my nails went all weak and decided it wasn't worth sticking around so the peeled off and split at the earliest opportunity.  As a result and a bit of an 'up yours' to these turn coat hands I decided to stop showering them with love and attention and gave them the equivalent of the silent treatment - rarely painting them, and never moisturising them even if they felt as dry as the Sahara. 

Despite this, I have come to the conclusion that something has got to give.  And it seems increasingly likely that my hands and nails are not going to cooperate of their own accord (I"ve given them a couple of years to change their ways but no, they're stubborn creatures) so it's down to me, and I am going for a military style attack.  If I place enough hand creams in enough easily accessible places then surely I will have to give my poor paws the loving they need to be my silky strong friends again?!

So the plan of attack is going to go something like this...

In My Handbag


Cath Kidston Honeysuckle Hand Cream

At 30ml, this is the perfect size for your handbag.  I got this one for Christmas (they come in a set of three, and were split between three of us as stocking fillers which was a lovely idea) and at first I thought it was going to be a bit too floral for my taste, (I don't think it really smells like honeysuckle, but my sense of smell is a bit sketchy at the best of times) but I actually think it's fine, quite delicate and light. It's quite a thick cream, almost paste like, but it glides on really nicely and soaks in well leaving no greasiness at all, and your hands really do feel soft and lovely after using it (is it wrong to stoke your hands in public coz you like the way they feel?!)

In The Bathroom


Soap and Glory Hand Food

I love the signature Soap And Glory scent so this is a winner for my nose, and luckily it's a winner for my hands as well.  Again it's quite a rich formula so you really feel like you're doing some good when you slather it on.  It claims to be a 'non-greasy hydrating hand cream with shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow' and to be honest I'll roll with that...except the marshmallow bit (can't smell them and thankfully don't have sticky melted marshmallow fingers either!).

On My Desk


Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail

This was the first ever hand cream I purchased (obviously not this exact one) when I was about 13, and I have loved it ever since.  It has keratin and vitamin E in it, both of which are amazing for skin and nails.  I really do feel like this is doing good when I put it on, no faffing around with fancy smells, just pure goodness for our hard working hands! I like to put a blob on each nail and cuticle and really massage it in and leave it to soak through and then apply a bit more and give it a good rub.  It leaves your hands feeling really smooth (again, stroking my hands just because I love the feel of them). 

In The Kitchen


Cath Kidston Intesive Hand Cream

What this product has to say for itself - 'This specially formulated cream with shea butter, cocoa butter, glycerin and sweet almond oil, will intensively moisturise and protect your hands.  Fragranced with a bouquet of green fruity floral with cherry blossom, honeysuckle and amber wood.'
I only recently got my sense of smell back (after 8 long years without it!) and when I smelt this in the Cath Kidston shop in Cardiff it was love at first sniff.  I literally wouldn't care if it made me feel as if I'd dipped my hands in tar, I'd still slather it on!! It's a really fresh and fruity smell and I simply love it! Thankfully it doesn't feel like tar, quite the opposite in fact.  It takes slightly longer to soak in but then it's and intensive moisturiser so that is to be expected and in no way does it leave your hands feeling greasy once it's been absorbed, just soft and smelling divine (smelling and stroking your hands...much weirder!)

And finally...

By My Bed



The Body Shop Almond Oil Hand Rescue Treatment

I have had this pot of hand cream for years and years but it's still going strong which has got to be a good thing! It's got quite a strong nutty smell, which I like but I guess if nuts aren't your thang you might not be such a fan.  It really is a 'rescue treatment', it's quite a greasy, heavy duty product but it really does work, and seems to penetrate the layers of hideous dryness!! This is why I like to use this at night because to be honest it doesn't really matter how much you've slapped on it's not going to cause you any trouble.  And also, it's not too oily, it does absorb well to leave lovely soft little mitts! 

Blimey, who knew you could waffle on about hand cream for this long?! 
I hope this hasn't been insanely boring, and that some of you made it all the way to the bottom of this post! 
I really hope that with all these hand creams strategically placed about my house I will finally give my hands the care and attention they need and they will show their gratitude by glowing and being the best looking hands out there! 

Here's hoping! 


Also - the gorgeous blanket that these photos were taken on is made by the incredibly talented Gabrielle Vary. Check her out, she truly is amazing. http://www.gabriellevary.co.uk/ or at Not On The Highstreet here.



xxx








5 comments:

  1. Day One of trying to be nicer to my hands has gone well - I have moisturised them a couple of times and have just massaged in some cuticle oil (review to come shortly)...go me!! x

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  2. I have the exact same problem as you ! I just have so many body butters in my bad -___- but I can't help it ! I don't like having dry hands! Thanks for sharing ^^ Maybe we can follow each other ?

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    1. Thank you for commenting :) I had a quick look at your blog last night and really like! I am on my phone so can't work out how to follow people when I'm not at a computer but I will do. If you'd like to follow me that would be lovely :) xx

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  3. Ooh I really want to try The Body Shop hand treatment it sounds brill xx

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    1. It really is lovely, just so luxurious! x

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