Hand Creams I’m Currently Using

I love hand creams. Wait, I should rephrase that. I need to love hand creams because throughout my entire life, I’ve had cold, scaly dry man-hands. I’ve been called lizard hands by someone in the past. I can see why they said that. Painted a pretty picture for you, didn’t I?

I always have hand creams in various places of our home, my car, and my purse. Needless to say, I don’t always apply it. I really should.

Here are a few not necessarily top picks that I’ve been using since moving to California, where my hands are still going to continue being dry. That’s okay. I’ve learned to live with it, no matter how far away, or close I am, to an ocean.

4 hand creams I’m currently using

Must-have-hand-creams

Caudalíe

This hand cream is pretty great when and is the most reached-for cream on this list. I’ve purchased more than a handful of tubes of these creams. It’s the most lightweight feeling of the four shown above. I’ll definitely keep buying this. $19CDN // $15USD at Sephora.

Bobbi Brown Extra

A little luxury to my collection, I’ve recently added this one to my assortment of hand creams. The Bobbi Brown counter at Macy’s lured me in. Had no idea Bobbi made hand cream. I tried it out, loved the way it made my hands feel. Then left without purchasing. Thinking about it constantly the next few days, I popped into Sephora to see if they sold any, which they didn’t. A few days later I headed back to Macy’s and asked for it. Luckily they had some in stock. It flies off the shelves, apparently. I don’t really know why. It’s $31. It’s expensive. It just seems like a regular hand cream, just in some fancy name brand packaging. It’s nice though. I’d repurchase it. However, I’m going to use this sparingly because it was so costly. I want to enjoy it. Would I recommend it? Only if you’re a hand-cream addict like myself. $31USD at Macys.

 World Market Hand Cream

Ok. I have no idea who makes this since there’s a bunch of names spewed all over the packaging. I bought it at World Market, thus the title. It feels, not greasy but quite silky once applied. After a few minutes, it evaporates and keeps my hands from feeling dehydrated and gives it a healthy look. Comes in a variety of scents, but I love anything citrus so the Grapefruit & Tangerine went in my shopping basket immediately after I smelled it. $4.99USD at World Market.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

I’m not the biggest fan of the scent with this product. But it’s bearable. I’ve heard a lot of great things with this brand healing eczema prone skin, and I received a sample of this a long time ago. I only just found it in my hand-cream stash so I thought I’d keep it around to try it out. Not sure I’ll purchase it in full-size when I like other hand creams better. $15CDN // $12USD at Sephora.

Honourable mentions

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula

As much as I still dislike to admit it, Mothers are always right. The top pick I recommend to anyone who wants a non-greasy formula, that is incredibly powerful and keeps your hands moisturized after many hand-washes, is still Neutrogena Norwegian Formula. It’s like a thick ointment-like consistency and is scent-free. It’s just so hard to rub in, especially when your hands are really dry or chapped. A lot of my climbing friends back in Newfoundland still use this product. I haven’t looked for it here in the USA yet, but I presume it’s readily available at any drug store. Read more about my rave reviews on it from 2012. $7.99CDN on Well.ca // $5.29USD at ULTA.

Ahava hand cream

I never thought I’d be able to find it again. It was whisked off the shelves in Ontario, Canada. I went through 3 or 4 tubes of this. Hands down, my #1 splurge for a hand cream. It has the most spa-like smelling hand cream I’ve ever tried. When I had an office and I applied it, my old co-workers walked down the hallway, asking who sprayed on perfume, or who smelled so good. It was always my hand cream. Not one person who tried it, didn’t like it. I bought it for my boss before I left work to head down to the states here. I was surprised to find it at ULTA. For the Canadians who’d like to try it, you can get it for  $22CDN on Well.ca // $21USD at ULTA.

Everything was purchased by me.

What are your favourite hand creams?

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My Favourite Eye Creams

ikea working deskSkin care is an important daily activity of mine that I don’t like to skip. From applying sunscreen, facial moisturizers and eye creams. I’m a huge fan of taking care of my skin and by doing so I drink a ton of water throughout the day. Probably four water bottles. Which probably is just average. Whatever. That’s my Philosophy water bobble (that I scored from Blissdom).

I haven’t tried out too many eye creams, and lucked into a few that I’ve stuck with over the past 5 years or so. Probably because I went big and not home. #GoBigOrGoHome. Is hashtagging while blogging a thing? Is that fine, or weird? I can’t tell. Yet.

My-Favorite-Eye-CreamsLet’s get back to the subject of the day. My favourite eye creams I’ve tested, have and will still repurchase. These two? I’ll always repurchase.

Eye creams will last me anywhere from 6-8 months. I apply them definitely once a day, in the mornings and try to remember to use it at night too.

Miracle-Worker-Eye-CreamPhilosophy Miracle Worker retinoid eye repair ($66US / $78CDN) — it’s lightweight gentle eye cream that has HPR (retinoid) which supposedly targets fine lines and wrinkles. Gotta be honest, I don’t think any cream will cure skin problems. I just really want to keep my skin hydrated instead of sucked dry like it usually would be.

Miracle Worker sampleI use about 1/4 to 1/2 pump of this and recently opened a new bottle of it. It was hard to tell when I was getting low on product, but with the consistent half pump of product, it lasted me 11 months. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I do recall opening it up last February and raving about it at Blissdom to the Philosophy crew, telling them how long it’s been going! Buy it at Sephora!

sline

Bobbi-Brown-Extra-Eye-RepairBobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream ($69US / $80CDN). Not to be mistaken with the Hydrating Eye Cream that they sell at Sephora. I’ve had to buy this stuff at Holt Renfrew while living in Ontario, or at a Bobbi Brown counter in Macy’s from now on.

Bobbi-Brown-eye-cream-openThis is a bit on the thicker, and heavier side. Perfect for someone who wants to just use it as a night cream or has dry skin. This hydrates my eye area so intensely, I kind of want to open the new jar of it tonight. It feels much more luxurious but not as easy to use since you have to dip your finger into the glass pot. I haven’t used this since 2012 but I bought the Philosophy and the Bobbi Brown on the same day last February and I’ve just never really rotated for fear of one of the two drying out. So it’s still sittin’ pretty in its box. Patiently waiting for me to open it.

Do you use an eye cream?

What are your favourite eye creams?

Have you tried any of the eye creams I’ve listed?

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Weekend Recap

I know it’s Tuesday and a little late. But I still wanted to get up a weekend recap blog post for you guys. Seeing how I had a little more fun than usual this weekend.

Only shopping can get me out of bed at 6:30am on the weekends. That was my plan on Saturday. Dressed for the occasion. I love it when the weather cooperates and you can choose between pants or shorts and be comfortable either way. That’s my favorite kind of weather.

ootd-satOutfit deets: Smart Set cardigan, Dynamite tank, Cassis belt, Joe Fresh capris, Ardene sunnies, Zara handbag.

I got on the Greyhound bus and once getting to Toronto I did some damage at Holt Renfrew, Anthropologie, Sephora and Forever 21 (their $3.80 camisoles are now on for $1.80). All of my favorite stores. I filmed a YouTube video but when I replayed it back, my bra was showing the entire time. Awkward. I may still upload it. No shame here.

I was inside the Anthropologie store for a good hour and forty five minutes. At one point I had 18 items in the change room with me. If I had a gazillion dollars to spend, I would’ve bought this dress for $198. It was pretty on, but not worth it for that prize. I also had on a size zero which was kind of nuts seeing as I’m usually a 4. Have to admit, I loved seeing that tiny number on the dress and having it fit well. Paleo probably had something to do with it.dress at anthro

I bought two tops (first one in blue / can’t find the second)and this soap dish which I plan on using on my desk once I get it properly organized.

anthropologie-soap-dish

At Sephora the Philosophy crew were launching a new product. 5 weeks before any other Sephora, so I sat down and had a chat with the Philosophy rep’s that were there, explaining my favorite products by them all while learning about some new one’s too. I picked up a new eye cream. I was told the Miracle line is the next one to go to after Hope. I don’t want to discontinue my usage of Hope In a Jar, so I didn’t bother getting the face cream. Instead, I opted for the Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid Eye Repair. Mouthful. I also picked up the Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation that I’ve been dying to buy since I heard so many rave reviews on it in the last few months. I had a sample of it during my last visit to Toronto and really enjoyed the unusual texture. So I bought it.Giorgio-Armani

Funny little story. When I was at the cash register, the sales rep dropped the bottle of foundation on the floor and it smashed. Luckily it didn’t fly onto my white pants. But I thought I had picked up the last bottle in that particular shade (4.5), and I was getting a little worried. Thankfully another Sephora rep went out back and got me another new one. Whewf. Crisis averted. First world problems. Sephora-haul

Finally Philosophy is starting to do a gift-with-purchase, like all other brands (Clinique, and Lancome for instance). If I bought any Philosophy product that day, I got a pink satin bag full of Philosophy travel sized items. This made me a very happy shopper.Philosophy-gift

I went into Holt Renfrew shortly after that. I dread going in there because the sales associates work on commission and I always seem to get the same little lady. Always. Never fails. Out of the 5x I’ve been in there to buy this Bobbi Brown eye cream, I’ve had her 3x.Bobbi-Brown-Extra-Eye-Repai

I know her routine now. She compliments you, which lures you in — makes you in a better mood and perhaps opens your eyes to more purchases. I know so. Happens every darn time. Anyway, she wanted me to spend $35 on a bunch of high end samples. Like a gift with purchase. Except its a purchase with purchase. No thanks. Got my $$$ eye cream, and that’s enough. I must have a complex with eyes. I don’t know how I got into eye creams, nor why I bought two on that very day. But hey, I’m good for about 14 months now seeing how each bottle of this Bobbi Brown lasts a good 6-7mths. Only need a dab.  Bobbi-Brown-eye-cream

Afterwards I was due to meet some friends for lunch at Hot House Cafe down on Church Street. I already scoped out the menu before hand so I knew I was going to order the Warm Chicken Salad without onions. salad hot house cafe

It was as good as it looks. I’m pretty sure it was 100% paleo too. Success. This was grabbed from their online menu: Warm Chicken Chicken breast, orange wheel, cucumber, cherry tomato, pickled red onion, onion sprouts, mixed greens and a pear and guava dressing.

We had a great time catching up over the last three years, and I’ve never met Amy before, so that was fun! Amy, Noreen, Kaylee and myself freaking out. The usual.nancy freaks

Wait. Here’s a better picture. ;) We all met up again because Kaylee is from New Brunswick and flew up here with Scott and their two adorable and hilarious girls. Noreen is the first person to ever show me how to work the Toronto subway system when I first moved to Ontario. I met her back in 2006 when I was heading in for an interview in Toronto and we got lost together in the city, ha!blurry girls

I spent a good 12 hours in the city and by the time I was on the Greyhound back home I was definitely pooped out. My legs and feet were tired from walking the streets of Toronto all day long. But I had such a fun time! Let’s do it again next weekend, ha ha!

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