The Perfect Hand Cream: Korres Hand Cream with Real Thyme Honey

Is it a bit too early to announce in the infancy of this blog that I have already found the perfect hand cream? I was tempted to save this for later. You know, document a lengthy and perilous quest filled with hope and desperation, but the truth is I have already found it. My obsession with creams and potions started a good few years ago, which has provided me with a sufficient amount of time to try a multitude of hand creams and formulate snooty opinions regarding their relative merits. After much deliberation I decided the more civil thing to do is to reveal the identify of the item without further delay for the benefit of my (currently imaginary) readers. 

I therefore present to you, my dear readers, the Korres Hand Cream with Real Thyme Honey for Dry-Chapped Hands. 

Korres Hand Cream with Real Thyme Honey for Dry-Chapped Hands, 75ml

This is, in my humble opinion, the most exquisite hand cream ever (this is the word Frasier would use if he tried this cream). When I put it on, I am overcome by the urge to skip around a bit and belt out a Disney tune. OK I exaggerate, but I always feel rather chirpy after slathering it on my hands. That to me, is what skincare is all about, feeling good when I rub it on myself. Anyway, let's get into the specifics. First, the scent. It smells so good! The perfect amount of sweet without being sickly. I don't know what thyme honey is but it sure smells nice. Second, the texture. It is the perfect balance between richly moisturizing and refreshingly light. The consistently of hand creams can range from super thick balm (eg Burts Bees Beeswax and Banana Hand Cream) to a gel like formula (Shisheido Fine Toiletry Hand Cream). I like something in the middle leaning more towards the light side as I don't like getting greasy fingers. The texture of this Korres hand cream feels light like a body lotion when first applied but as I rub it in I can feel its richly moisturizing properties working its magic. No greasy film whatsoever either! 

 This is 3 times more than what you would normally need for both hands. I was a bit too enthusiastic when I squeezed the tube.

Lovely light yet rich texture when blended.

So, give this heavenly cream a smell next time you are in a Korres shop and your quest for the perfect hand cream too may come to an end!

Spring nails on a rainy day

The past few days have been rather gloomy here so I decided to cheer myself up with some spring colors on my nails and toes. Nothing beats a bit of pampering of the good ol' trusty digits!

Left: China Glaze "Re-Fresh Mint"; Right: Essie "Haute as Hello"

Three coats of Essie "Haute as Hello" + Sally Hansen Ultiimate Shield (base + top coat)

For my nails I chose Essie's "Haute as Hello", described as a "racy, scorching coral". It is a vibrant peachy coral shade that always manages to brighten my mood instantly. When I first went to buy it, I had Essie's "Tart Deco" on my shopping list but decided to pick up "Haute as Hello" after comparing the two colors in the shop. They are quite similar but "Tart Deco" leans more pink while "Haute as Hello" leans more peachy. Another color in the same peachy coral family is "Van D'Go" but it is much paler. I was in a peachy mood so "Haute as Hello" it was! I love the color but the formulation leaves much to be desired. The first two coats are often streaky and I usually need 3 coats to get an even finish. Also, the finish is matte. Not the chic-y mic-y kind of matte, but the "I just drew on my nail with a sharpie" kind of matte. Not very attractive. Fortunately, one can easily fix all of the aforementioned negative points with a shiny topcoat. In conclusion, this polish is not the easiest to work with but I am willing to overlook all its faults because it is just so darn pretty. 

Two coats of China Glaze "Re-Fresh Mint" + Sally Hansen Ultimate Shield (base + top coat)

Please excuse this picture of my feet. I realize the only quasi-acceptable type of feet-featuring-photo is when they are half-covered in sand on a beach but I hope an exception can be made here. Technically there is a beach in walking distance but I am too lazy and it is raining and gloomy outside. Disclaimer aside, behold the prettiness that is China Glaze's "Re-Fresh Mint"! It is a pastel mint color that is almost identical to Essie's famed "Mint Candy Apple". On comparison, "Re-Fresh Mint" is a truer mint while "Mint Candy Apple" is marginally bluer. I usually have better luck with China Glaze's formulation so I went with "Re-Fresh Mint". The formulation is easy and smooth to work with and two coats gives a nice even finish. As with other China Glaze polishes it tends to separate a bit during storage so I have to give it a good shake before applying. This is definitely another spring staple worthy of its place in my nail polish drawer.