.:: CybeleSays ::.

We are in the thick of things when it comes to winter and even though it doesn’t feel too cold, the air is super dry. Glad I’ve had PHILIP B. Lovin’ Hand & Body Crème ($8/2oz, $27/6oz, $90/32oz @ philipb.com) on hand (no pun intended). It’s surprisingly super moisturizing and not greasy at all for being so lightweight. And I don’t hate greasy lotions (I think I’m in my own category on this one!). It contains ingredients that will help the skin on hands look and feel better like coconut oil, shea butter and vitamins E and B5. And it has a really delicate scent to it that me likey.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

These are really helping me enjoy summer this year! Have you made any adjustments due to the heat and humidity? Give these ones some consideration.

ELIZABETH ARDEN Pure Finish Mineral Cheekcolor in Sunkissed Coral ($28 @ elizabetharden.com) – If this one could talk, it would say, "I am the color of the decade!" Coral again is a big summer color and it's so gorg on the skin and really enhances a nice tan.

ORLANE Super-Moisturizing Tinted Cream ($75/1.7oz @ neimanmarcus.com) – it’s way too hot to put on a full mask of foundation so why not use a two-fer like this? It combines a deeply moisturizing face cream with a slight tint. Available in 3 shades.

NYX COSMETICS Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Sky Blue and Extreme Green ($4.50 @ nyxcosmetics.com) – colored liquid liners are hot these days and these do like the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney duo and “Stay, Stay, Stay.” (I know it’s Say, Say, Say but Stay works better for this piece!).

LUSH 'Dirty' Springwash Shower Gel ($9.95/3.3oz, $17.95/8.8oz, $26.95/16.9oz @ lushusa.com) – I really wasn’t feeling their Dirty collection of products but this shower gel seems like a lighter version of the rest, according to my nose and it has a hint of spearmint oil in it.

SMASHBOX Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer ($17 @ smashbox.com) – who wants their makeup to slide after applying? Summertime is great for this one as it gives a nice sheen, whilst helping makeup stay, stay, stay! And this one has some good-for-skin ingredients like grape seed extract and vitamins A, C and E.

VICTORIA’S SECRET Sheer Love Ultra-Moisturizing Hand and Body Cream from the VS Fantasies Collection ($12/6.7oz @ victoriassecret.com) – a scented cream is the perfect way to kiss the skin with fragrance without overdoing it. This one is a mix of fresh white cotton and luminous pink lily and contains avocado, zsweet almond oil and my favorite ingredient, honey.

The Victoria's Secret item contains mineral oil, which is seen by some as an ingredient of concern. The Lush product contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which is seen by some as an ingredient of concern. Read more about these and other ingredients here.

Read my ingredient disclaimer here.

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

I’ve been pretty lucky lately when it comes to hand creams by finding ones that really work! The latest one I am touting is VOTRE VU’s Duette Luxe Lip Balm & Hand Crème. Yup a two-in-one hand cream in the tube and lip balm in the cap. I’m all about having multi-taskers in the car and this one is perfect for that.

The hand crème has Shea Butter, oils from coconut, jojoba, and grape seed, to name a few and the scent is a cross between biscotti and supermarket frosting (I had one friend tell me this), which they call Almond Pie. I must say that I am not always in the mood for the scent so I wish they’d stuck with a more neutral fragrance with this one or maybe had an option with it.

As far as the lip balm, there is an option for a straight up balm or a tinted balm but the tinted balm didn’t seem to leave any tint to my lips. It’s a great idea but would have been nice to get some color in the tinted one! However, it does soften lips with Shea Butter, coconut oil and beeswax, which is what matters most. $38/1.35oz @ votrevu.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

If you’re serious about hand cream or are in need of a good one, then this next one is for you. UK’s  PAI SKINCARE Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream ($25/1.7oz @ paiskincare.com) contains some pretty skin nutritious ingredients like the aforementioned frangonia (an oil derived from a shrub that helps with anti-inflammation) and sea buckthorn (another shrub known for its anti-oxidant properties) as their main ingredients. And they also throw some oils we all know work well – rosehip, avocado, macadamia and grapefruit among others. Surprisingly, it sinks into skin rather quickly and there is absolutely no greasy feeling or look to the skin afterward; you would think with a high oil content, it woud have to be. I mean, I can turn the knob on my computer speakers up and down with no problem!

And since this product is from the UK, it has gone through their system of approval to be certified organic by the Soil Association. Now I’m curious about how the other products in this line are and will let you know if I try any. And they have a pretty interesting story behind them if you feel like reading a little more about them.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

As I get older, I notice that my hands get a little drier each fall/winter. Oh aging, what fun! I’ve been switching off between these next two all December and can’t really pick a definite winner so I’m running both.

DAVINES Hammam Ritual Hand Treatment in Bergamot Black Pepper - at first it was hard to weigh the cost against the size of this duo. Each glass jar is only 1oz but after I used the Hammam Hand Scrub and then the Hammam Hand Cream, did I realize this was a case of quality = price. Wow. And since you really only use it once a week, you can really make it last. $28 @ davines.com.

THYMES Moonflower Hand Cream – this scent seems made for right now! It’s a blend of gilded cinnamon, clove and dark amber with cognac. Oh and the cream is really good too and doesn’t contain any parabens, which I love. $16/2.5oz @ thymes.com. 

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

If the words organic and natural are not enough for you right now, I have another term to throw on the heap. Ayurveda. It’s a form of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine. It is grounded in metaphysics and based on the five great elements to bring harmony to the mind, body, soul and universe.

I was recently introduced to a new Ayurvedic line called BHAKTIVEDA. Each of the 5-skew products in the line is made in India according to strict Ayuvedic principles and uses a lot of botanicals. The one I jumped head first into was their Neem Hand & Foot Cream ($18/4.4oz @ bhaktiveda.com). It contains neem powder, neem oil, among others and the herbs in contains are grown right on the Himalayan Mountains. Not only is it really thick and rich, it smells amazing! A little geranium, rosemary and I know I can smell the sesame too. And with the cold, cold coming up, I’m giving this one a BIG recommendation.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

LUSH is on a total roll with me these days. They call their Crème Anglaise Hand and Body Lotion the most luxurious creams they make and I must agree. The ingredient list opens with Almond Infusion, Saffron Infusion and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter, all of which are very good for the skin. Then listed are the oils that attribute to the nice scent. So how does it smell? It’s a combo of almond, vanilla, saffron and myrrh so it is very decadent and powdery but might not appeal to everyone. But you like these kinds, know that the scents lasts quite a long time on the skin!

Now the bad news – the cost for this is $44.95 for 7.9oz and I think that’s because it contains real saffron, which is one of the most expensive spices in the world but this might turn into one of those splurge products that is so worth the price like my beloved mascara. Available @ lush.com. 

This product contains Propylparaben, which is seen by some as an ingredient of concern. Read more here.

Read my ingredient disclaimer here.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

Temps are going to start dropping so keeping hands moisturized is on the menu. Have you checked to see what you have in the cabinet lately? If you find yourself in need, I recommend CASWELL-MASEY’s Almond & Aloe Hand Cream with Silk ($12/1.75oz @ pcfallon.com). I am a sucker for products that contain real almond oil and this one also has aloe vera, which we all know is a natural healer, witch hazel and grape extract to help get the skin in shape. Did I mention how nicely this absorbs into the skin?

This product contains Propylparaben, which is seen by some as an ingredient of concern. Read more here.

Read my ingredient disclaimer here.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

The CLEAN line has been quite busy expanding so I’m glad I got back in touch with what they are doing. Their Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream is a unique way to not only moisturize but rid hands of icky germs. I had heard about this one other time but this one seems more developed as it contains what they call SafetyDerm technology. The active ingredient is benzethonium chloride and it protects hands for up to 4 hours and won’t dry them out. It’s also alcohol and paraben-free. Easy to tote 1oz for $10 @ cleanperfume.com.

Since I’ve been doing this awesome Spring Scent Picks feature, I feel like I want to start a smell blog for things that smell good - from beauty products and the interior of new cars to old-fashioned magic markers and old-fashioned report cards. Ok, I’m showing my age now. Here are some more that I’m digging right now!

From L to R clockwise:

ELIZABETH ARDEN 'Pretty' Eau de Cologne Splash ($45/6.8oz @ elizabetharden.com)
CND SpaManicure Citrus Hydrating Lotion for the hands ($13.95/8oz @ bebeautiful.com)
ORGANIX Conditioner in Cherry Blossom Ginseng ($6.99/13oz @ cvs.com)
CRATER LAKE COMPANY Sugar Cloud Foaming Sugar Scrub in Honeysuckle Fizz ($15.95/11oz @ craterlakecompany.com)
LA NATURA 100% Vegan Pure Body Butter in Pomegranate ($30/4oz @ lanatura.com)
FLIRT! Rock-n-Roll Rebel Perfume Spray ($35/1.7oz @ kohls.com)
KINGS & QUEENS Sugar Showergel ($9/10.14oz @ select Target stores)

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes. Some I bought.