An ode to our hands. The body parts that we sometimes neglect when it comes to moisturizing but that we regret immediately when they're all cracked and bleeding. I think we've all been there (I myself am a repeat offender, sorry hands). And February seems to be the worst month for that! Not to mention I was battling some serious dry patches on my face, but that's not for here.

I love hand creams. The act of applying it, the smell, and the feel of it afterwards. I do not mind applying it all day either, although I obviously prefer one that I don't need to apply often. And I'm sure I'm not alone in this. So I thought it would be useful to show you guys what I've acquired and been using and give you my 2 cents on these dry hand remedies. So, in no particular order, let's begin.

Heavy Duty Hand Cream

I thought I'd get this one out of the way first because I've already mentioned it in an earlier post (Winter Must Haves) and my opinion on it has not changed. It's thick, hydrating, and healing. This cream has obviously gotten a lot of love, from the beat up packaging. Enough said.

Elisabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Intensive Hand Cream

Disappointing. This came in a set with the original 8 hour cream and I had high hopes for it as I'm quite sure it's not cheap if bought on its own. Be warned, it has the same fragrance as the 8 Hour Cream, so if that scent does not sit well with you, don't try this, because it does smell up a 6 ft radius and lingers like an old fart. And it didn't even work! In fact, I think it made my hands even drier. It tricks you into believing it's going to be a miracle worker because it does feel really soothing the moment you put it on. But the only thing that lasts is the stank. And what's up with the 1 oz size? Is this a cream for ants?

True Blue Shea Cashmere And Sick Hand Cream

This cream is from the True Blue Spa line at Bath and Body Works. To me this smells exactly like the L'Oreal Cleansing Conditioner. To the T. And honestly, that's the only thing that stands out about this cream. It's not bad, it's not great, it's just okay. I'll use it, because I like the scent, but I'll probably enjoy it more in the warmer months, because it doesn't really cut it for me in the winter (even though it's got a warm wintery scent). It also leaves a false sense of security because it's so greasy and silicon-y but the back of my hands still feel chapped.

Camille Beckman Glycerin Hand Cream

For a product that has glycerin in the name, this cream didn't feel very abundant in glycerin. Glycerin gives a slippery feel and a translucent look to lotion, neither of which is a characteristic of this cream. It smells good, but is too thin to do really do anything. If anyone is still interested after reading that, can find them in little boutiques and online. But really, don't bother.

Natura Siberica Hand Cream

My lovely boyfriend gifted this to me as a souvenir from his travels just before the holidays. It has a masculine scent which I rather like. This lotion feels good going on, and stays on your hands for a while, not the most healing if you have severely dry skin, but will keep it moisturized otherwise. All in all, it's a fair hand lotion, but I did expect it to be a bit more intensive coming from a country that cold and dry. Oh well...maybe its their "summer lotion".... for all I know that's what it says on the tube. 

Hope this was helpful to some. To recap this long post,

Most Loved: Heavy Duty Hand Cream

Most Unique: Natura Siberica Hand Cream 

Biggest Disappointment: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Intensive Hand Lotion

All the best.

Hi Everyone,

I'm kicking off 2014 with a review and "my 2cents" on a product I discovered in 2013 and really fell in love with. I have not seen a palette this well executed in a very long time. Meet my PTG (Pro To Go, see how I'm trying to be cool there).

Coming in at 4.6 inches tall and 7.7 oz, what this contender lacks in stature she makes up for in absolute versatility, quality, and reliability. No, she is not a used car, at least not my lemon of a vehicle (seriously, I'm surprised I've still got 4 tires on there).

But seriously, the size is probably the best part of this product. It is very compact which makes it very travel friendly. No excess packaging here, yet it still houses a useable mirror, 6 eye shadows, a bronzer, 2 blushes, and 2 eye brushes. But it all fits in the palm of a hand! Pack this in your travel bag and you can get away with bringing ONLY your foundation, powder, mascara, and lipstick in addition.

It also goes without saying that it has the same great quality people have come to expect from LORAC with the Pro Palette (you might have heard of it).

The second great feature of this palette is that the shadow colors are truly basic, which doesn't have to mean boring. It fits all skin tones for that reason, and can provide a minimal look, a day look, and a night look. The other amazing thing that must be noted about the eyeshadow selection is that it really has everything people look for in an "all encompassing palette". By that I mean, a palette that does not need to be supplemented with additional colors:

1. A matte black (to use as an eyeliner or to darken an eyeshadow look)

2. A matte cream highlight (to wear on the eyelid as an allover color or as a highlight)

3. A "transition" shade (a little brown guy that takes your blending problems away).

Now, how many palettes in your collection actually have all of that? It's something a lot of brands overlook, the necessity of these shades to create an appealing look. That alone should be enough of a reason to have this palette around, to travel with or even to use at home.

The last thing I wanted to touch on was the cheek colors. For reference, I am an NC25 skintone, and all the cheek colors look great on me and I can see them looking great on paler tones to darker tones. I even use them on a day to day basis at home because they are just that easy to use. I also sometimes like to use the pearl eyeshadow as a cheekbone highlight. Works well in a pinch, and saves you from having to take another item with you on your travels. 

This palette costs 38 USD and can be purchased from Sephora, Ulta, and lorac.com.