Helping Hands

Well I don't know what the weather is like where you guys are but here in pleasant Cardiff, Wales it is rather windy. This cold, bitter wind is playing havoc with my skin, not just on my face, which feels like a prune, but with my poor little hands. 

When I get dry hands it's like nails on a chalkboard, the feeling of dry hands makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. That is why I have a hand cream within reaching distance wherever I am. In fact I think I have one in every room, every pocket and every bag just in case dry granny hands should strike. It has taken me many years to sift out the lack lustre products from the Pièce de résistance of hand creams. 

On days when my hands are soaking up any moisture I give to them, I reach for the Neals Yard Bee Lovely hand cream. It can be a tad bit greasy so I tend to use this as a night hand cream. If you fancy a bit of luxury but need a non greasy formula so that you may go about your day, the beauty lover favourite L'Occitane Shea Butter hand creams smell absolutely devine and soak in quickly. For a quick shot of moisture, my most recent find is the Lush Dream Cream. This cream is for body and hands, it has a very spicy scent and soaks in super quickly. It isn't overly moisturising so I like to use this when I need a bit of added moisture throughout the day. And finally we have the affordable wonder. Soap & Glory Hand Food smells amazing and comes in a large or travel size tube. It isn't greasy in the slightest and soaks in quickly, perfect for storing in your handbag during a busy day.

What do you look for in a hand cream? Non-greasy, perfumed, un-scented?

Winter Skincare Essentials ❄

During the summer months my face turns into an oil slick, my cheeks always stay a little drier than my T-Zone, but generally it's fairly oily. When the winter months roll around, my skin gets super dry and flaky. This means I have to have some emergency products in my cupboards to pump my skin full of lovely moisture. 

The Mask

This year I've been loving the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. This not only smells heavenly, but really gives your face the moisture it's craving. I always wake up after applying this to plump and hydrated skin. It doesn't completely erase the flakiness, but it definitely helps.

The Night Cream

On days when I don't use the overnight mask, I love to use the Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Night Cream. This also smells amazing but is also nice and thick and nourishing, perfect to give your face a bit of night time loving. My skin drinks this up and my skin always feels happier in the morning. 

The Body Moisturiser

I make no secret of the fact that I am one of the laziest humans you will ever encounter, the Vaseline Spray & Go Body Moisturiser is therefore my body moisturiser of choice. I don't know about you guys, but I tend to get sleepier in the winter and therefore I need a quick hit of moisture before I collapse into bed. This smells amazing and gives my skin that little bit of extra moisture it needs. 

The Hand Cream

I'm a bit of a connoisseur of hand creams, I pretty much have a different hand cream in every bag and pocket and on every shelf. The L'Occitane Hand Cream in Passionate Jasmine has been the one I've been reaching for the most this winter, it smells divine and soaks in super quick, so no greasy hand issues. 

The Lip Treatment 

The Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Skin Protectant has been my choice of intensive lip treatment for about 2 years now. Elizabeth Arden also do a specific lip balm version in the 8 hour collection, but I love this for a really intensive night treatment for the lips. It's super thick but the next morning your lips look and feel more plump and hydrated.

What are your skin care essentials to survive the winter months?