Product Love: Kiehl's Hand Cream.

Having lived on both sides of the Atlantic I have to conclude that one thing that Europeans do better is hand cream! All of my favourites are European: Caudalie, Clarins Jeunesse de Mains, Crabtree and Evelyn, Molton Brown and even ones from The Body Shop.

Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is the one American hand cream that I have found to be very good indeed. Although it's aimed at severely dry active hands*, don't let that put you off, it's really an excellent hand cream for almost anyone. It is a thick rich cream that instantly absorbs making it moisturising yet not at all greasy and it is one of the few hand creams that leaves no residue at all on hands so you can handle papers or use a touch screen straight after use. 

Kiehl's claim that it creates a 'glove like barrier' on hands that draws and absorbs water from the atmosphere, I don't know if it does, but I do know that this is one cream that you don't feel you constantly need to reapply. My hands always feel soothed and don't itch at all when I use it.

Active ingredients include Glycerine, avocado, sesame and aloe and while it does have quite a strong (but not unpleasant) eucalyptus scent when first applied this soon fades. The tube has a flip top which is something I like in a hand cream and the tube is sturdy enough to transport about in your bag, the smaller tube (it comes in two sizes) is perhaps a little too large to be truly considered a handbag size but it's not overtly large.

It is a Kiehl's product so it doesn't come at a rock bottom price. Having said that it isn't wallet emptying expensive and a tube lasts a fairly long time as you don't need to use too much.

A 2.5fl oz tube costs $15.00 and a 5fl oz tube (which is huge) is $22.00.

I'm suggesting kiehls.com for online purchases as they often have online promotions and gifts as well as generous samples and a loyalty program for Kiehl's lovers but it's also available from most larger US department stores and Sephora.

*There's something about the wording and the design of the packaging of this that is quite masculine and I think that it is designed in such a way to make it appealing to the male market. Kiehl's sell a lot of product to men across all their ranges and I find this particular packaging is very reminiscent of that of the Facial Fuel range which is marketed to men. 

Cowshed Grubby Cow Hand Wash.

Luxurious hand washes are something of a special treat for me, most of the time I'm happy to use whatever I pick up at the drugstore - usually SoftSoap or Mrs Myers. Don't get me wrong I would love to have something fancy by my sink all the time but it's not often that there is. However, after having tried some face products by Cowshed I indulged myself and picked up a bottle of their Grubby Cow Hand Wash. 

The formula of this is very nice indeed, it is sulphate free so although it doesn't produce a ton of frothy bubbles it is gentle and non drying. My hands actually feel somewhat softened when I use this and they don't get as dry or itchy as they usually do which is a real bonus now that the cold weather is finally here.

The packaging is also very stylish. I love the black and white floral print, the simple graphics and the pump that works well dispensing just the right amount of product.

But the best thing about this is the scent! Cowshed describe it as 'zesty' - which it certainly is. Containing sweet orange oil and peppermint oil (which on paper doesn't sound like a match made in heaven) it smells divine! Vibrantly uplifting and refreshing, it smells fresh and clean but not in that rather generic soapy/ fabric softener way. The peppermint tempers the orange and stops it from being yet another citrus product and turns it into something special.

Great for the kitchen or bathroom, along with hand lotion this would make a lovely gift. 

Available at www.cowshed.com Grubby Cow Hand Wash costs $22.00 for 10.14 oz. Cow Slip Hand Lotion costs $25.00 for 10.14 oz or you can buy the two together in a set with a sink side caddy for $37.50.

The Joy of Perfume Vials.

In keeping with January's theme of economy let me share my love of perfume vials as they are almost always free!

Now I wasn't always a fan of these, when I received them in GWP's or had to check boxes to select samples they weren't the ones that 'sparked joy' as it were. But ever since I purchased the Etat d'Orange Libre Sampler I've come to see them in a whole new light...

Not only are they are a great way of trying a new perfume (states obvious, I know...) and educating your nose, you can see how they develop over a lengthy period of time and also if they last on you (Shout out to Jo Malone - yes, you smell divine for all of ten minutes on me).

As I don't have a 'signature fragrance' they are an ideal way for me to chop and change my scent without having to invest $$$ in a full sized bottle. 

When I go to work I don't like to wear overpowering fragrances but softer/natural/clean scents aren't something I would choose to buy as they aren't what I would wear by choice. With vials I can get a variety of these types of scent for nothing. 

  They are also so handy for travel as you can pop a few in your make up bag and have a selection of scents to wear on a trip rather than risking packing a large bottle and having it leak (which has happened to me).

If there's something that I do like I can select it and stockpile a few vials. If I get something that I hate or that smells odd on me I can always use it as a room spray. 

I have a lot and I'm going to be using them rather than letting them languish unloved in my sample box.

  Perfume vials - you rock!

Product Love - Oribe Cote d'Azur Hair Refresher.

It was quite a while ago that I received this as part of a GWP from SpaceNK and I have to admit that it sat on my shelf for the longest time untouched because I didn't really understand what it was supposed to do - it wasn't a dry shampoo, it was a 'refresher'.

I wash my hair daily and I do have dry shampoos but I use them solely for texturising... This 'refreshing' thing I did not get as it doesn't make any difference to the texture of your hair.

But then one day I had been in the kitchen all day and didn't have time to shower before going out so I picked this up, gave it a spray and saw the light. Not only did it totally rid my hair of cooking odors and make it smell amazing, it made my scalp feel cool and yes refreshed!

Personally I adore the fragrance of Oribe hair products - a gorgeous mix of bergamot, jasmine and sandalwood (and yes I have considered buying the Cote d'Azure EDT that they make) and the scent of this lingered in my hair for a good long time. Couple this with the fact that in the summer perfume disappears from my skin faster than you can say "Chanel No 5" and I found that instead of spritzing on perfume I was happy to use this and envelope myself in a longer lasting scent.

This also eliminates static which is a bonus if you have fine hair like myself and offers UV hair protection.

Now this isn't cheap its $24.00 for the handbag sized spray and it's absolutely something that you don't need but if having deliciously scented hair is your thing then its a really good treat for yourself.

You can find it at us.spacenk.com

Product Love: Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel - Extra Strength.

I love all of the Dr Dennis Gross range and believe that not only are they highly effective  but that they offer great value for money in terms of their price related to the exceptional results they deliver.

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads are something of a cult beauty product and central to the range (they are also the priciest product in the range but once you have invested in them they will last for a long while, especially if you buy the large 'economy' box).

The pads come as a two part treatment that work to maintain the acid balance of your skin (the PH of your skin should be slightly acid - which is why alkaline soaps are so damaging).

Pad #1 is loaded with AHA acids. These act as a chemical exfoliant, removing dead skin cells and declogging pores. Swipe the pad over your cleansed, dry face and wait for two minutes (I normally brush my teeth at this point) before wiping over your face with Pad #2.

Pad #2 not only neutralizes the acids from Pad #1 they also contain retinol and resveratrol and deliver them safely to your skin. If there are any parts of your face that are still feel tingly wipe over them again with the second pad until it calms.

Now you are ready to use your regular night treatment or moisturizer. Your skin is super clean and exfoliated,  your pores are unclogged and the rapid changes in the PH of your skin will help absorb your products better and so they will work better.

(Another great thing about these pads are that they come in individual packages so not only do they not dry out, they are super convenient for traveling with).

I've been lucky enough to have had several consultations and clinical strength peels with members of Dr Gross's staff over the last few years and whilst they recommend using these pads daily I find that just two to three times a week suits my skin. On the in-between days I still acid peel but use something that is not so strong (and also cheaper) such as Ren Clarimatte Toner or FAB Facial Radiance Pads.

I've honestly found that since using these my skin has been clearer - I just don't get breakouts these days - more radiant and glowing. They have totally changed my skin and my approach to skincare and are one of my HG skincare products that I cannot be without! 

Buy them at  www.us.spacenk.com, www.sephora.com or direct from Dr Gross at www.dgskincare.com  

  *If you are unused to using acids on your face you will definitely feel 'a bit of a tingle'. Newbies, those with sensitive skin or anyone who feels nervous about applying acids to their face may prefer to buy the regular strength pads first.