Top 4 Hand Creams That Soothe and Smell Great!

Seriously, I have a truck load of half used hand creams floating around my place and I just can’t seem to stick it out with just one. These are my top 4 right now, and I love slathering them all over my hands (and elbows, don’t forget!) as I sit at my desk writing or reading blogs.

 

The Jojoba Company make some rad facial products, and this is the first body product I’ve tried from them. The Lemon & Coconut hand cream* ($22.95/50ml) comes in the cutest pink squeezy tube, and even though I have the travel sized 20ml tube, I still think the regular size would be perfect to keep in your handbag. It smells just like lemon meringue pie to my nose, and I’ll be honest and say that is isn’t my favourite scent, though everyone I’ve shared it with has absolutely loved the smell so perhaps it is just me. Not too thick and sinks in fast, good job Jojoba Co!

For seriously dry hands or an overnight treatment, I reach for my Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Crème* ($19.95/57g). The crazy thick texture and sweet almond smell are highlights of this one, and though some might dislike the pot hygiene issue, I think the glass and cream labels look expensive and nice on my desk with my other night time goodies. Cute cow on the lid, too, how can you say no!?

The Sally Hansen Nails & Cuticle Hand Cream* ($9.95/96g) is fresh and citrusy, and feels quite velvety on the hands after it sinks in. I first used this during the racing season when I was in Federation Square getting a SH manicure (post here if you want to check that out) and I was enthralled by the smell of it. I think scents like this work all year round, either to perk you up on a chilly day at the office or to let you feel tropical on a warm summer day.

 

I've definitely saved the best for last, because although I enjoy the other hand creams for various reasons, my heart truly belongs to my Endota Spa Lavender and Alpine Pepper hand cream* ($34/90ml and $10/20ml). Amazing scent mix, best formula I've come across, classic and compact packaging...the list goes on. My original review is here if you want to check it out (a very old post indeed! but suffice to say that this cream is my very favourite.

 

Which of these scents tickle your fancy? Do you have a hand cream recommendation for me? I'd love to hear what hand creams you love most in the comments below, and also the ones that disappointed you!

 

 

*These products were provided for consideration and all opinions are mine. Honesty,always.

Favourites for January ft. Chanel, Haus of Gloi + more

 

An edit of the products I loved the most in January would be incomplete without the mention of my beloved Dermalogica Precleanse*. I feel as though my skin is happier now that I’m using this before my cleanser, so it is a definite favourite for me right now.

 

The Endota Spa Lavender & Alpine Pepper hand cream* is the best hand cream I’ve tried, and I’ve been loving popping this on as I watch YouTube videos at night time. I’ve been meticulous with moisturising my bod as well this year, and my Haus of Gloi pumpkin butter in Twice is Nice smells like amazing almond sugar cookies, and is thick and intense for my skin.

Despite it being summer in Australia and peach blushes being spruiked, my obsession with bright pink cheeks still reigns! Chanel Pink Explosion is naturally still in my everyday makeup bag, joined by the affordable Fierce Fuschia from BYS.

 

 

The YSL Touche Eclat* was something I didn’t think I would love as much as I do, but it really does work magic on brightening up my face, and I’ve found that throwing a bit on blemishes (not straight from the brush, don’t worry!) works wonders if I’m in a pinch. Barry M’s Toffee gloss is something I bought after seeing Ingrid (aka Miss Glamorazzi on YT) rave about it, and she was right! Smells amazing and is a great wearable nude, made better by the cheap price tag on ASOS.

Even though I tried to branch out with my eyeshadow choices during the first month of the year, all I could manage when I wasn’t doing a look soley for the blog featured these shades. L’Oreal's Infallible’s are one of my very favourite shadow formulations, and Metallic Lilac is fast becoming my colour of choice from the stack that I have. Paired with MAC’s Moth Brown=heaven!  Maybelline’s Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze finally got some loving on my lids, after I realised that I needed it smudged along the lower lashline for it to work on me.

What products did you love hardest in January? Anything new I need to check out?

 

*Marked items were provided for consideration, but are legitimate favourites. Honesty, always.

 

Nightly Beauty Routine

I tend to either hit a wall while blogging and fall asleep in no time, or enjoy taking my time to pamper myself before bed. If I can be bothered, these are the star products kept close to my sleeping quarters.



 

To be honest, The Body Shop Moringa body butter has been joined by the new Vanilla Bliss* fragrance, I alternate between festive and yummy or floral and summery to keep my skin soft. I can’t get enough of my Victoria’s Secret Amber Romance lotion, that stuff couldn’t smell better if it tried. Hands are treated to my all-time favourite cream, Endota Spa’s Lavender & Alpine Pepper*. Never would I have considered putting lavender with pepper, so I guess it is lucky there are places like Endota around!

 

 

I’ve been really loving my Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream, it has kept my skin soft and supple while helping out with the flaky skin issue as well. It smells good, is well-priced and the packaging is sexy- what more could I want?! My Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine is too milky pink for me to wear during the day, but I use it every night before bed and it soothes my lips and smells yummy.

 

 

I’ve almost used up my QV Heel Balm, and love slathering it on before I go to bed to keep my feet from getting dry and horrible. There is nothing worse (in my opinion) than seeing someone wearing a killer pair of shoes, with cracked and peeling heels. Avoid at all costs, prevention is better than cure in this scenario. My L’Occitane Lavande Cologne* smells too good, and relaxes me if I’m feeling anxious or having trouble going to sleep at night. This sits on my desk and I use it quite frequently to soothe my mind (and make myself smell good in the process) Huge bottle is a lifesaver! I tend to give myself a manicure before bed, so that I can sleep in a little later in the morning rather than having to do my nails then. Seche Vite is a topcoat I am trying out at the moment (and Sally Hansen Diamond Flash*, too) I’m leaning towards vampy nails right now (bottle pictured is from the essence Breaking Dawn Part 2 collection) I’m also loving festive nails, but summer is coming so I am sure brights will be gracing my nails quite often as well.

 

What products are in your nightly beauty routine? How often do you change your nail polish, or moisturise your whole body?

 

*Marked items were provided. Honesty, always.

June Empties

I am back this week, after university assignments and crappy Crazy Johns internet ruined my blogging time. I'm sorting out my internet this week, but until then I am in the university library finishing off assignments and writing away.

I managed to get through quite a few shower products this month, as I was determined to use the half empty bottles up so I could treat myself to new shower goodies (Lush, here I come!)

Here is what I used up in June!

*

Radox Soul Soother Body Wash

The cranberry scent of this suckers me in every time, even though the seeds get caught in the opening every single time I try to use it!

*

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush

Love Batiste, though this scent isn't my favourite.

*

Treacle Moon My Coconut Island shower gel

Adored this!

*

Rexona Girl mini deo in Tropical Energy

Massive favourite!!

*

Priceline wipes x2

I try new wipes all the time, but always come back to these. Faithful and work wonders for me!

*

Aveeno Shower Gel (mini)

Review coming shortly, this just wasn't made for me

*

Crappy brushes and a mini liquid liner

Super scratchy and I have no use for the liner, in the bin they go!

*

Endota Spa Lavender and Alpine Pepper hand cream

Reviewed here, loved this baby

*

Maybelline Powder

Was using this way back when I owned not a scrap of makeup, and happened to see it sitting cracked at the back of a cupboard during the week. There was hardly any left, shouldn't have hung on to it anyway. Liked this, will see how my Covergirl powder goes before I decide whether or not to repurchase.

On a side note, I explained to Chris the idea of Pan Pron, and how exciting hitting pan on a product can be. We were in Priceline last week and he sees that some testers had pan showing- he thought he was a king for pointing it out to me. Such a cutie, I'm teaching him well!

What have you finished up this month?

Will be reviewing the body wash/shower gels from this post and more of my favourites soon, in a soapy spectacular post!

emmabovary xx

Endota Spa Hand Cream- Lavender and Alpine Pepper

Alpine Pepper

+

Lavender

=

Endota Spa Hand Cream in Lavender and Alpine Pepper



A powerful scent that takes some getting used to, this non-greasy hand cream is a staple in my handbag. Takes a minute to sink in, and then I'm left with super-soft, gorgeous smelling mitts.

I'm not lavender's biggest fan by any means, but when it's paired with alpine pepper?

Muchos respect!

emmabovary xx

Product was also mentioned here!

(Product provided in Primped goodie bag 2010-

 which does not affect my opinion or review of the product)

(Alpine Pepper image taken from alpineology.com.au)

Desk Essentials + Link Love

I've spent the last  few weeks chained to the university library desk, and I've found that these products have been major players in allowing me to hold on to my sanity (or what is left of it...)

*

TYPO notebook

various styles, this being my favourite

it's actually my 'blog book' and it's got one page left!

*

Mentos lollies

the fruity ones

these are ltd ed. orange flavour, noms!

*

Yellow Highlighter

brightens up my studies, naw

*

Jack Black Lip Balm

vanilla and lavender

if I'm not rocking brights, I'm rocking this

*

Endota Spa Hand Cream

lavender and alpine pepper

wakes up the nose, soothes the hands

after a big writing session, this saves my life!

*

shout outs to my favourite distractions

fables in fashion

25flondon

CClarebear

Ponikuta

Shopping Intervention

Makeup and Macaroons

Pink Sith

emmabovary xx