Indulgent Intermission: (Mis)Adventures in Stain Removal and OrigiNails Bubble White

Since it's a rare day that you'll find my nails unpolished, I've never really bothered much with the staining that frequent polishing leaves behind. Sure, I faithfully use base coat. I even double up for colors that I know for certain will leave unwanted traces behind. But I've learned the hard way that not all base coats are created equal. My favorite still remains the Nail Tek Foundation II Ridge Filling base coat. I've gotten absolutely no staining at all when I was using it. The only problem is that it's not exactly cheap, nor is it readily available (as of this writing, you can only get it from the Shopping Channel or, with a lot of luck, at Winners). In a bid to find cheaper and easily sourced alternatives, I turned to Orly Bonder. Let's just say that didn't quite go well. Heck, I got massive staining after using it under another Orly - Orly Sweet Tart, to be exact! My nails have never been quite the same since. If you really think about it, it has become a vicious, seemingly never-ending cycle: use nail polish - get stained nails - use nail polish to cover stained nails. So in an effort to end said cycle and proudly sport my nekkid nails, I picked up this packet when I last hit up my local Sally Beauty at Carolina's suggestion.

As I was trying it for the first time, I went for the smaller 11g packet.

Julep Glow On Brightening Hand Cream

With the army of hand creams and lotions vying for the spotlight, I thought it appropriate to feature a few of them on the blog. After all, what better way to whittle them down by nitpicking at their various claims, scents and efficacy so that they can be sent to better homes (or purses) that will appreciate their lotion love all the more, while I keep the beloved few close at hand. For today's post, we'll be putting the spotlight on a travel sized cutie from Julep that I'd gotten in one of the Julep Maven boxes.

(via Julep.com)

The Quick Take

Brand/Name: Julep Glow On Brightening Hand Cream
Price: $32 USD for 3 oz.
Seen at: Exclusively available at Julep.com
Note(s): My tube is a 1oz/30mL travel size that came with one of my Julep Maven monthly boxes. So no, I did not pay $32 USD for mine. The travel size comes with another travel size version of the Julep Facial for Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub that as a set of two retails for $22 USD.

The Fun Facts

 The handy, on-the-go tube.

 Directions for application.

 Back of the tube.

A small dollop of the hand cream on the back of my hand.

Julep Glow On Age Defying Hand Brightener visibly minimizes the appearance of fine lines and age spots on your hands, adding radiant glow and evening skin tone.  Contains rare African plant extracts that are clinically proven to block melanin production and reduce hyper-pigmentation and micro light diffusing technology gives hands an instant glowing and luminescent appearance.  Advanced emulsion system imparts water-resistant, non-greasy softness.  For best results, use after exfoliating hands with Julep Facial for Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub.  Does not contain: parabens, sulphates or phlthalates. (from the Julep website)

I've purposefully placed in bold the product claims so we can address them one by one, in a detailed fashion. Now, I'm only in my late twenties, and luckily, I haven't seen any sign of fine lines or age spots on my hands so I can't really comment on this aspect. I'll try to have my mom or mom in law test it out for a few weeks next time they come visit and I'll report back with their results. But for now, let's just skip to the other bits like giving your skin a radiant glow and evening the skin tone. I've been using it for a few weeks and I haven't really noticed much difference with respect to a more even skin tone or radiant glow.

(Image Credits)

Nope, nothing like this either. (But bonus points if you know her!)

As for the melanin blocking technology, I can't really vouch for that over just a few weeks worth of usage. I suppose this would be a wonderful long term effect of using the product if it does do what it claims to do. I have to admit that it sort of makes your hands look more... luminescent but I wouldn't go so far as say radiant. No, there's no glitter or shimmer in the formula but I think the formula itself gives the skin that nice healthy glow that's really only most obvious under very bright light (like midday sunlight).

What I really liked about this particular hand lotion is the emulsion formula that feels more like a cross between a gel and lotion so it feels a lot more lightweight than a cream would. It has this fascinating way of feeling like it's melting into your skin, if that makes any sense. You can see what I'm talking about in the swatch photo above in the area where the product touches the skin and it looks more liquid. This characteristic makes for a fast absorbing moisturizer that is definitely non-greasy. I have to mention that it has this herb-y/floral scent that may not appeal to everyone. I know Mr. J isn't a big fan (and while I don't mind it, it's not something I'd prefer to smell all day either). It does tend to linger for a bit so that's something to consider for the more scent discerning. Also, while water resistant, it isn't completely waterproof. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that it actually withstood at least two vigorous hand washings before my hands started crying out for more hydration. Pretty impressive, I'd say!

As for the price, well, it's still easily pricier than my beloved Crabtree and Evelyn Ultra Moisturising Hand Therapy (SRP $19 for 100mL) or even the already pricey L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (SRP $30 for $150mL) and it's the least amount of product you'll get among the three seeing as it clocks in at SRP $32 for 88.7mL or 3 oz! (Btw, SRP mean suggested retail price.) But that doesn't seem all that fair a comparison as the two I've cited have none of the anti-aging benefits of Glow On. So picking similar products from the same two brands, Crabtree and Evelyn has Gardeners Age Defying Hand Remedy that's going for $27 for 100mL, while L'Occitane has Brightening Hand Care SPF15 for $32 for 75mL. Now it's a more level playing field with each of the three having their own merits. The Crabtree and Evelyn one is easily the best value for money with the lowest price and most amount of product to boot. Julep Glow On possibly has the most lightweight formula (based on my previous experience with the earlier two I've cited, assuming these anti-aging ones have the same consistency) with the added bonus of skin luminosity even on the first use. But L'Occitane tops them all with essential oils that supposedly stimulate collagen production to lessen wrinkles AND SPF15 to defend against more sun damage, but all for the same price as Glow On and with about 13mL less product.

I guess at the end of the day, it really all boils down to what factors are your must haves in a hand moisturiser. For me, the most important aspects include non-greasiness, fast absorbing, a pleasant scent (or none at all), and a decent price for the amount of product you get. Water resistance and additional SPF would be a nice to have, too. So far, from all these, Julep Glow On satisfies 2 out of 4 (or 3 out of 6 if you count water resistance and additional SPF) of my personal requirements. That puts it in so-so categories for moisturisation alone, but if I were looking for anti-aging properties, this will definitely get a higher score from me.

Hammie says that adding SPF to Julep Glow On will tip his scales in favor of the hand moisturiser over its competitors. He's not a fan of the scent either, though like me, he doesn't particularly mind it. He also admires the philanthropist leanings of the company so he gives Julep Glow On a final score of:

7 Hammie Points!

Happy Friday and Hooray for the Weekend! Do you have a favorite hand cream? Are you looking for anti-aging options in terms of skin/hand care? Will you be willing to pay premium for the promise of better looking skin/hands?

Tocca Stella Crema de Mano Photos and Review

While I love to try new things, once I find something that works, I generally remain loyal to said product. After all, why fix something that ain't broke? But you know what they say about how the grass is always greener on the other side? Well, that plays a huge role in how I'm managed to amass a little army of hand creams and lotions.

I tend to have drier skin than most and when I was in my teens, my brothers would jokingly ask me what grit of sandpaper my hands were. Seriously. They were that bad. So it doesn't really come as a surprise why I've become somewhat obsessed with hand creams. I carry little tubes of them everywhere. If other girls have 20 lip glosses in their purses, I probably have the same number in hand cremes. Okay, maybe not 20. Maybe 5. And I have at least 3 kinds on my nightstand. So after trying a truckload of these, I've learned to be more discerning. I still have my go-to favorites but I'm always in the market for the next best and biggest. My latest acquisition is an Ebeauty.ca find. I went a little crazy with excitement when I found out that they're finally carrying DHC (a Japanese brand that has an oil based cleanser that's been favorably compared to the Shu Uemura cleansing oils; review in the works!). When trying something out for the first time, I like to get a smaller size, if possible, just so if it doesn't work out, I won't feel so bad about wasting all that product. But to get free shipping (I hate paying for shipping), I needed to add something else. I ended up with this hand cream and I've had no regrets at all.

The Quick Take

Brand/Name: Tocca Stella Crema de Mano
Price: $8 CDN for 60mL
Seen at: Ebeauty.ca, Tocca.com
Note(s): Sephora also carries the Tocca brand but as far as I've seen online, they don't have the hand creams. Maybe check in stores if you prefer to do your shopping at brick and mortar establishments. Also, if you're wondering why there are no box photos, it's because it didn't come in one. What you see is what I got.

The Fun Facts

 The hand creme that blew me away.

 "Love Yourself" indeed!

Ingredient list. Notice anything awesome? (Aside from that it's made in Canada, of course.)

A dab of the cream on the skin. All nice and creamy.

The Lowdown

This was love at first use. I kid you not. This is a nice thick cream out of the tube, as you can see above. Now while the majority of hand creams or lotions tend to just sit on the skin, this one really feels like it absorbs into your skin. And it does it fast. There's no greasy feeling afterwards as instead, it leaves your parched skin feeling all velvety smooth and supple. Sandpaper hands begone!

From the Sephora website, here's a description of the fragrance:

Stella is infused with the slightly sweet, never bitter, and always fresh scent of blood orange. With its origins coming from 17th Century Sicily, the blood orange is harmonious with Tocca's philosophy of combining the best of old world traditions with modern influences.

Notes:
Bitter Orange, Blood Orange, Watery Accord, White Freesia, Wild Diamond Orchids, Spicy Lily, Sheer Musk, Sandalwood.
 
Style:
Sexy. Sensual. Impetuous.

I find it fairly accurate in terms of what little I do smell from the hand cream. See, it's nothing like those Bath and Body Works products where using just a bit is enough to have the entire room smelling like the stuff (not entirely a bad thing unless your sinuses are acting up). This is a mild and subtle scent that won't irritate more sensitive noses. The slight floral scent is far from cloying or old lady-ish. It's a lovely modern floral that's tempered by the slight citrus and musk scents. I've enjoyed the scent so much that I'm considering looking into the actual perfume next time I find myself at Sephora. It's that good!

But what really sold me on this one was something I noticed in the ingredient list. Two words: Sodium Hyaluronate. This is the salt form of hyaluronic acid which is a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps sustain the nutrient transport framework and keep the skin hydrated. With age, the production of hyaluronic acid decreases, thus leading to skin dehydration, flaking and the appearance of fine lines among other things. Sodium Hyaluronate has a very high density and smaller molecular structure compared to its acid form, allowing it to be absorbed more readily by the skin. Amazingly, this substance also has the ability to absorb a thousand times its weight in water. (That's a lot of water!) When applied on to the skin, it easily absorbs into it and helps retain, maintain and attract water which results in smoother and softer skin.

Basically, the takeaway from all that is not only does this topically smoothen your skin, it also works on a deeper level where upon absorption, it helps maintain and retain moisture to keep your skin hydrated. Hydrated skin = healthy smooth and supple skin. Now, isn't that something everybody wants? I know I definitely do! Also, notice how it has no parabens (preservative antimicrobial/antifungal chemicals that may cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin). Even better!

Hammie loves the scent just as much as I do. But more than that, he's most interested in the science behind keeping the skin hydrated. Knowing that using this hand cream actually helps replenish your skin's moisture makes Tocca Stella Crema de Mano a definite keeper. He scores it:

10 Hammie Points!

Are you a hand cream fiend? What's your favorite hand cream? Would you purchase a perfume based on another product that had the same/similar scent?