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Best hand creams for dry/cracked hands

The best hand creams for dry hands

Hello! I wanted to do a post on my personal recommendation for the best hand creams out there at the moment for dry skin, cracked skin and general moisturising to heal and soften your hands. At a time like this, we are washing our hands more often, and even though most people have probably researched this, I wanted to give my personal opinion on the products I have used.

I actually work at the hospital, so for me I am washing my hands numerous times a day to the point I go home and have a rash on my arms and really sore hands. So I know some good products that I feel will help those sore hands and get you through! You can moisturise as much as you want throughout the day, just make sure you’re washing your hands regularly. I always use anti bag gel which really drys out your hands and especially my nails! So a nice softening moisturiser is a must.

Just a point to note!

As many of you know, the process of washing hands is throughly washing them with water and soap for 20 seconds, they say the amount of time to sing happy birthday is the recommend amount of time. I usually use anti bacterial gel after washing sometime, but this is not always necessary.

But you can use anti bacterial gel as and when you please, but washing with soap and water is the most important process to clean clean hands. If you have applied anti bacterial gel, it is absolutely fine to use moisturiser straight after, it does not effect the anti bac ! So lets have a little look at the best ones out there.

These are some of the more obvious ones. But they are very healing and soft on the hands.
Kiehls ultimate strength hand salve is especially formulated for ‘on the go’ dry hands. It helps protect against and repair the appearance of severe dryness caused by heavy work, neglect and exposure to harsh elements (excessive washing). Absorbs the water and creates a barrier against moisture loss. You can buy this for £15 on Kiehls website.

I’m a big fan go E45 lotions. I have always used them and use to use them for my eczema too. They are especially formulated for problem skin. This one is especially for dry skin, intensively replenishing moisture in this skin and restoring dry hands. Hands instantly feel softer after using this. The best thing about it, is its price for such a good product. This one is only £3.99 from Superdrug.

Aveda is another of my favourite products for moisturising. This lotion has a rich texture which soothes, dry, chapped hands leaving them incredibly softer. The cream contains vitamins and hydrating emollients which opt relief of dryness. Aveda products are especially for dry skin, so this one is particularly useful. You can currently buy this from feel unique for £17.85.
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I love La Roche-Posay products. I used to use La-Roche face wash which I loved, La-Roche posey is formulated especially for problems skin, so you can imagine how good their hand products are. This moisturiser soothes and repairs the skins protective barrier with a quick-absorbing texture and non sticky finish. You can buy this moisturiser for £6.35 on feel unique.

L’Occitane moisturisers are perfect for on the go application. They are cute little pocket moisturisers, but not just that, they are perfect for dry skin. They have different ones such as Shea Butter and Almond which have beautiful rich smells. Shea butter is an ideal ingredient for dry skin to protect skin which is enriched with honey and coconut oil. You can buy this moisturiser on all beauty.com at £19.35. It is more expensive, but so nourishing.

Caudalie hand and nail cream is an extra added effectiveness to sooth the dryness of nails as well as hands. This anti-oxidant cream makes your hands silky smooth and protects them from ageing. The moisturiser contains shea butter, grape oil, Polyphenols and Vinolevure resulting in nourishing softy hands and nails. You can buy this from feel unique for £12.

Something a little different!

These are special hand creams which are used by nurses and hospital staff! But everyone can use them, so this mean they are especially for those over-washed, over-worked dry hands. Nurseem is one of them. Developed to help combat the effects of continuous hand washing, this moisturiser has a non-greasy consistency and is designed to immediately soothe, hydrate and prevent discomfort in the skin. This can be used as many times throughout the day after each wash. It contains Honey and Omega 3,6 and 9, meaning it is the perfect hand cream for working hands. You can buy this for £9.95 on alittle find.com.

Dermol 500 is a popular one I have come across and have used myself within the hospital. It is infact especially targeted at problem skin such as dermatitis and eczema which is continuous skin concern within the nursing sector. So this lotion is extremely soft and gentle on sensitive skin. An emollient to soften and hydrate the skin, moisturising dry skin and preventing symptoms such as itching. It can also be used as a soap instead to protect dry skin against irritable soaps. You can buy this emollient on chemist-4-u.com for £10.99.

CeraVe is another popular moisturiser used by hospital staff. I have not used this one myself but have heard great reviews about it. This is rich moisturiser that delivers a surge of hydration to dry, cracked and sensitive skin. This moisturiser contains Hyaluronic acid which is a major skin component to skin moisture. It is very gentle on skin, preventing itchiness and dry patches feeling soft. You can buy this for £9 on lookfantasic.com.

Last but not least…

I wanted to point these products out as I use these 2 products regularly. I love Eucerin products and i always use this hand cream. This is a replenishing hand cream ESPECIALLY for extremely dry hands. My hands are super soft after using this. As I wash my hands so much, this hand cream protects my skins barrier to moisture loss. Eucerin intensive hand cream is infused with Urea and Lactate to soothe severely dry hands providing long lasting moisture and softness. You can buy this for £9 on feelunique.com.

I know this isn’t a hand moisturiser but I use to every day to moisturise my nails and keep them intact! You have to look after your nails too, as hand washing and anti bacterial hand gel can dry them out as well. Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil nourishes and moisturises dry nails and cuticles. The oil contains Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Apricot Kernel which are special agents to provide nails with moisture. You can buy this from SuperDrug.com for £7.99.

Hope this helps, Keep Safe!

Best Foundations for all skin types!

Finding the perfect foundation can be difficult, it took me ages to find the perfect foundation suited to my skin. Ever since I was in high school to now – 10 years later, I have tried so many different foundations, it has taken me that long to find the one I can happily say I can wear everyday, day and evening without being disappointed.

It can be tricky finding the perfect foundation, whether you want full coverage to sheer coverage, whether you want a matte finish or an dewy finish, or you just want something to cover those dark circles, blemishes and pink undertones. I won’t go through every foundation that I think may be suited to every skin type, because I’m no skin expert, neither beauty therapist. But I have tried enough foundations to recommend the best ones, and from friends and makeup artists reviews. Now, I have fair combination skin, I have pink undertones and I don’t suffer from blemishes often, but the foundations I am recommending can be suited to every skin type, so if they agree on my skin I’m sure they will agree on yours! Unless you want more or less coverage.

1. Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation

Huda beauty products I have always loved, I usually only use their eyeshadows and lipsticks but I heard so many reviews about their foundations I had to try it. I tried shade Shortbread 200B which was a nice summer shade for my fair skin, I would probably go a lighter shade for winter however. This foundation has a liquid consistency aiming for a full coverage matte finish. I feel the coverage is perfect for my face, but I have heard its not so full with other people, so it depends how full you want it. I felt it stayed majority of the day with me, but it may be slightly too matte for my skin as I like more dewiness, so it could be ideal for those oily skin individuals! This foundation is around £30, it really stays on all day and It is water resistant!

2. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

Next, this is my go to foundation which I absolutely love! I heard so many reviews about this foundation so I decided to try it and have used it as my everyday foundation ever since. This has a liquid consistency which is more aimed at dry skin, but I feel anyone could wear this. It provides a luminous finish giving that dewy effect but not too dewy too make your skin look oily. If you find it is too oily looking for you skin, just dab on some powder in the oily places! My skin looks hydrated in this foundation, and it lasts most of the day with buildable coverage. This foundation is around £33, I really recommened.

3. Estee Lauder Double wear

This used to be my everyday foundation until I found Nars Sheer Glow. This foundation can be suited to every skin type but I think it is a really good foundation for those oily skin individuals as this provides an matte finish. The coverage is amazing on this foundation, It also stays in place all day! Doublewear minimises the look of pores and blemishes leaving your skin with a glow! So many people love this foundation, and I know why, if you love a matte full coverage stay in place foundation, this is definitely for you. This foundation is around £34.

4. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

I love this foundation and I have bought it a few times, however its the price that puts me off so I haven’t unfortunately bought it anymore. But if this foundation is your holy grail then why not treat yourself, it is pretty worth it. This foundation is around £43 on look fantastic, but don’t let the price put you off. Its called silk foundation for a reason. Another liquid consistency foundation provides your skin with an radiant dewy look. Perfect for dry skin but also all skin types. A lot of celebrities infact use this foundation, as it blurs your imperfections away, it helps your skin look flawless and brighter with a medium coverage, so not too much, but enough to cover and make your skin look natural. This foundation actually reminds me of the Nars Sheer glow, what do you guys think?

5. Bare minerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Rescue Stick

If you don’t fancy a liquid foundation, why not try a foundation stick? Its bit like a concealer but you can apply it everywhere. I used to use this, but I prefer liquid foundations now, but everyone has their own preferences so you may love this one. This stick glides on to your face, so don’t think it will give you that cakey looking effect because it won’t. It is in fact very velvety making your skin appear radiant, perfect for all skin types. The good thing about the foundation stick is you can have it everywhere on the go, like a lipstick! This foundation stick is around £23.

6. Charlotte tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

I haven’t personally tried this foundation but I have heard so many good reviews about it so I thought I would mention it. This one is perfect for dry skin and oily skin but can be used on normal skin too. It is a full coverage foundation with a matte finish. This foundation makes you glow and hydrates your skin, what more can you ask for from a matte foundation? If you have oily skin and still want that dewy effect, this foundation is perfect for you. It is around £34.

7. Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation

The Kevyn Aucoin foundation is especially made for all skin type. This foundation has a medium coverage delivering a luminous liquid finish. Again I feel like this is similar to Nars Sheer glow, although this one is even more glow as it glides effortlessly onto skin and blends seamlessly to create a radiant glow. Because it contains Hyaluronic Acid, it leaves skin moist and feeling plumped. I got a sample of this foundation and really liked it, although the price has put me of buying it. But it is worth trying, it is very illuminating, so if you love dewy skin, this foundation is for you. It is around £46.

8. Bare Minerals Original Loose Mineral Foundation SPF 15.

This is a different consistinecy foundation, so if you don’t like liquid or foundation sticks, try a powder foundation. Powder foundation have a more natural finish like this one. This foundation provides a very natural finish, so if you don’t like a lot of coverage, the powder foundations are for you, but this one is one of the best. You can build the coverage from sheer to full but it still provides a natural finish that looks like you have nothing on your skin. I like liquid foundations and coverage so I choose not to wear this foundation but so many people rave about this. Another bonus is, it has an SPF of 15! so it protects the skin against damaging and effects of UV rays. Lasting for up to eight hours, the innovative powder foundation helps to create a clear, luminous and flawless-looking complexion. This foundation is around £24 on look fantastic.

My favourite fake tans for summer

Hey everyone, now the sunshine is approaching us, for us pasty whites (especially me) its time to fake tan! I wish I was one of them people who naturally tanned or who was naturally olive, but no, I sunbaved yesterday in the garden and now I regret it because now I have a very burnt chest. We need to look after our skin so always wear spf kids! not like silly ol me, I think I’m going to stick to tanning.

Any how! I’ve been fake tanning for ages, and no I don’t always burn, I do manage to grab a tan on holiday but that only lasts for a week then I’ve got pasty legs again, so fake tan is my saviour! I’ve been through many fake tans throughout the years, I’ve managed to find my go to tan, other tans I sometimes use and other tans I despise!! Let me share them with you, and it may help you find your perfect fake tan!

Firstly, application !

Its important to use a fake tanning mitt to apply your tan, you only need a cheap one. I use St Tropez tanning mitt, you can buy this one in boots, super drug, ASOS, look fantastic, anywhere really. Its about £4, so really cheap and this one lasts me a while without tearing like a lot of mitts do. Straight after tanning, just wash it with warm water and hang it up to dry.

Secondly, skin prep! I always make sure I shave before I tan! Its not a lengthy process before tanning, just make sure you shave your leg, I wouldn’t tan then shave your legs the next day because this make streak the tan. They say to exfoliate your skin, I would recommend doing this but I don’t always do this, because sometime I cant be bothered, but what I do make sure I do, is moisturise! Always make sure your skin is moisturised before tanning so your tan doesn’t stick to any dry patches! Wait until moisturiser is dry, then your ready!

Fake tan time!

Who ever used to use/uses these? These are some fake tanning products I despise! I used to always use gradual tanning products for my skin, I don’t like them anymore because (1) they take ages to develop the tan, (2) I feel like they smell more and (3) they don’t go to the colour I want! Now if you only like a subtle tan then yes, gradual tan is perfect for you, but if you want that instant tan which is a deep colour , then you want instant tan like a mousse. I used to to always use dove visible glow gradual tanner, it used to make me smell like biscuits and it always went streaky, never again! And who remembers st moriz? thats a throw back! You can get better fake tanners people! Let me tell you some

For those gradual tanners

If you do prefer a gradual tan, I have pieced together some of the favourite gradual tanners you may like!

1 – St Tropez Classic gradual tan. I love St Tropez products and they are my favourite, I actually used to use this one until I went of gradual tanners. You can choose different shades ; light, medium, dark for the desired shade you want. I feel like this tan is rather natural.

2- Vita Liberata gradual tan. This one doesn’t smell and gives you a deep desired natural looking tan, it also doesn’t streak! I have heard many people rave about this one.

3- Bondi Sands gradual tanning milk – This is another one I used to use. A lot of people love this one but I couldn’t get used to it. I felt like I had to keep applying more and more to get to a desired colour. So this one is very natural, so perfect if you want a natural subtle glow!

4- St Tropez gradual tan watermelon infusion- Again I love st Tropez, this one leave you streak free and it is another one with an natural looking effect. It is best to apply this one straight after an shower for it to build.

Now for the fake tans I love!

These are my favourite tans to wear!

1- St Tropez self tan classic – now this is my favourite tan ever! I use this one all the time! It can be pricey but it does last me depending on how much I use it. It says shower after 1 hour for a light application or 3 hours after for a darker application, but I leave it on over night for that deep desired look! This tan provides a deep, but not orangey look, looking tan, it doesn’t streak after I have showered, and it lasts a good colour for about a week until I have to re apply! I love this tan. This fake tan is around £20 depending on what ml you buy! I prefer to buy the big one and it lasts for longer!

2- St Tropez Express bronzing mousse. This one is similar, but I thought id express how much I love this one too. This advanced, fast-acting self tan is streak-free and glides easily onto the skin to create a healthy, natural-looking tan. This one probably is a darker consistency and develops the tan in an more efficient time. Depending what ml you buy this is around £30.

3- Vita Liberta Phenomenal – Now, I bought this once on a weekend away and I was surprised at how much I liked it. It is a more pricey one of around £32 but it is definitely worth it. It claims it lasts for up to 3 weeks, I feel like it doesn’t last that long until I need to re apply but it does last longer than a week! The light and airy mousse develops fully after three simple applications, and is perfect for applying to those hard-to-reach areas. With no tell-tale fake tan smell, it will leave your skin looking healthy and radiant.

4- XEN- Tan Classic dark lotion. Xen-Tan Classic Dark Lotion (150ml) is a natural-looking self-tan lotion with an olive undertone for use on the face and body. The enhanced lotion consistency, formulated with Shea Butter and natural humectants, ensures simple, streak-free application, whilst a light, Cherry Almond fragrance replaces the traditional chemical self-tan smell. This one helps your skin as well as provide it with a deep colour. This tan is around £28.99 but currently on offer on look fantastic.

5- Bondi Sands Self Tanning foam- Bondi sands is probably a lot of people favourites, for me it doesn’t beat St Tropez, but I still wouldn’t say no to this tan. This achieves an golden streak free tan and also develops quickly! I feel this one has a slight smell but doesn’t every tan? This tan is around £14.99 on look fantastic, so it is actually one of the cheaper ones, and is so worth it too!

So thats my favourite tans, what are yours? I hope you try out some of these tans and tell me what you love! Im now going to apply some of my classic gradual St Tropez mousse!

Just a little note:

I never forget to tan the face.. I wouldn’t personally use normal body fake tan on my face. So I use: Bali body face tan water. It is £26 for a medium sized bottle which may seem a lot, but trust me it lasts a while! I only apply this about twice a month also, or if I’m going out out! But if you want that regular tan on your face, I would say too apply it once- to twice a week! This is the only fake tan for the face I love, it is gentle and it smells nice! Be sure to evenly smooth it round the edges of your face otherwise when it drys it will leave tan lines! I use a cotton pad, about 5 pumps of Bali water and evenly apply it around the face, jawline and hairline.