hand cream


Laura Mercier Hand Cream Sampler Holiday Gift Set review

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Photo: c/o Laura Mercier Hand Cream Sampler Holiday Gift Set.

The Holidays are fast approaching and that means we need to start thinking about the perfect gifts for our loved ones! I always enjoy giving gifts which I feel the recipient would love. Since most women on this planet love hand cream, I will be giving the gift of soft and nourished hands to a few of my loved ones this Holiday season. Shhh, don’t tell them-it’s a surprise! 🙂

My favorite hand cream is by Laura Mercier. I have been using Laura Mercier’s “Crème Brulee” hand cream for close to ten years now, and my hands always thank me for it. Laura Mercier’s hand cream not only nourishes and repairs dry skin, it creates a barrier against the elements in order to help protect your hands from future abuse. Love that!

Before I do any housework, I always apply Laura Mercier’s hand cream. It keeps my hands safe from the effects of housecleaning chemicals which may seep into my gloves; and somehow Comet and water always find their way inside my gloves! Grrr. Thankfully Laura Mercier’s hand cream protects my hands from the chemicals and keeps them soft and free from dry skin. Love it!

If you have never tried Laura Mercier’s hand cream, or if you are already a fan like me, the hand cream sampler is the perfect gift to give to yourself this holiday season! Laura Mercier’s Hand Cream Sampler contains four purse sized hand cream’s in beautiful scents! The set contains “Crème de Pistache,” “Fresh Fig Honey,” “Almond Coconut Milk” and my favorite, “Crème Brulee!”

Laura Mercier’s Hand Cream Sampler is priced at a mere $28 (THIS IS A GREAT DEAL!!!) and can be found online here and here.

A few of my favorite gift sets from Laura Mercier or the holiday 2013 season:


Hand creams that work in every price range

There are so many hand creams on the market, that when it comes to choosing one, the task can be daunting. Many hand creams claim they will absorb and not be greasy; but most of those claims fall short when the hand cream IS greasy and does nothing for dry hands. So, in the quest for the perfect hand cream, Bay Area Fashionista tested several lines in varying price ranges and picked out the best, non-greasy hand creams we could get our dry little hands on. 

Luxury Hand Cream:

It is well known that La Mer creates some of the most coveted creams on the market. The reason they are so highly coveted is not because Jennifer Lopez can attribute her glowing skin to Crème de La Mer, it is because the company’s products actually work.

La Mer The Hand Treatment comes in a slim tube which is surprisingly long lasting. A tiny little drop of hand cream moisturizes and heals dry skin. Although the hand cream is $70 for a 3.4oz tube, the high concentration makes this hand cream last longer than expected; easing the $70 price tag.

Verdict: Best healer of severely dry hands.

La Mer The Hand Treatment can be found at Nordstrom.

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Mid-Price Hand Cream:

Sometimes it is not the price that tells you how well a product can work. Laura Mercier has created a hand cream that comes in the sweet, sugary scent of Crème Brulee. Laura Mercier’s hand cream is also highly concentrated, just like La Mer’s. This helps the small; 2oz tube last longer than expected since you only need a small drop to rub into your hands.

Laura Mercier’s hand cream actually creates a barrier against daily tasks which can dry hands. Wash dishes without gloves? We found if you apply Laura Mercier’s Crème Brulee hand cream first, the drying dish soap will not be able to ruin your skin. We also found that it works well on hands before lifting, playing tennis and swimming; all activities which can dry out hands.

Verdict: Best protector against daily activities which ruin hands.

Laura Mercier Crème Brulee hand cream comes in a 2oz bottle for $15 and can be found at Nordstrom. 

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Drugstore hand cream:

Burt’s Beas Shea Butter Hand Cream is a classic drugstore find that contains the always famous Shea butter; known for retaining moisture in skin. Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Cream has a nice scent and is only greasy for about three minutes after application. The hand cream eventually absorbs into the skin and provides a nice and soft barrier to the elements. At $12.99 for a 3.18oz tube, who can complain?

Verdict: Most “bang for buck” hand cream. Does the job without the grease.

Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Cream can be found at Target stores.

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Do you have a favorite hand cream? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Happy shopping and stay fabulousÂ