February Empties

I've managed to work my way through a few full-sized products this month, including - gasp! - a body lotion!

Biotherm Lait Corporee Anti Drying Body Milk with Citrus Extracts  (review here) - a deliciously scented body lotion which sinks into the skin quickly.  If I didn't have a ton of body lotions already to work my way through I would consider buying a full-sized tube.

 

Nivea DNAge Cell Renewal Anti-Age Body Care - I've had this for ages and it was time to use it up.  I'm not even sure it is even still available to purchase but I wasn't that impressed with it as it wasn't particularly moisturising so wouldn't repurchase.

 

Balance Me Handcream (review here) - I liked this and indeed I have liked all Balance Me products I have tried to date.  Would certainly repurchase.

Bliss Lemon and Sage Soapy Suds (review here) - I liked using this as a shower gel but was unimpressed with its performance as a bath foam. I wouldn't repurchase as there are too many other bath and shower gels that I'd like to try out.

Toni & Guy Warm Blonde Conditioner - This has been languishing in my bathroom for quite some time, mainly because I wasn't that impressed with it and I preferred using other conditioners I have had on the go such as the Tigi Dumb Blonde.  I wouldn't repurchase as I didn't feel it was moisturising enough for my dry, coloured hair.

Green & Spring Mild Toner (review here) - Despite not being a regular toner user, I loved this and will certainly be purchasing a large bottle as soon as funds allow.

Kiehls Eye Alert (review here) - This eye cream was just what I was looking for.  It absorbed quickly and was not greasy, leaving my eyes feeling hydrated and refreshed.  I did realise after purchasing that it was supposed to be for men,  but I tend to think products such as eye creams are the same for men and women, they are usually just scented differently.

Have you managed to finish any products this month?

Review: Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream

In the winter, I race through hand creams, applying them many times a day, so I am now pretty specific in my requirements for what makes a good hand cream for me.  A delicious scent, rich, easily absorbing formula, and intensely moisturising are all high on my list of important features and an added SPF is a welcome bonus!

The Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream was one of the products I received in the first Carmine box, but it has been languishing at the bottom of my draw whilst I work through some of my other lotions.

I’ve only tried one Balance Me product previously, their Rose Otto Body Wash, which whilst nicely scented and fairly moisturising, didn’t really feel particularly great value for money at £12.50 a bottle.

Balance Me is proud of the fact that all their products are all natural and paraben and sulphate free and indeed the tube proudly states that 98.8% of the ingredients are of natural origin, which is welcome news as I have been trying to reduce the amount of chemicals that I put on my face and body. 

The packaging is colour co-ordinated depending on the range, and the Super Moisturising range, of which this cream is part of, is a lovely sunny orange.  The cream comes out quite thick and feels very luxurious, being absorbed quickly into the skin.  There is nothing I detest more than sitting around waiting for cream to be absorbed, and a fast acting formula is essential.  The scent is a mixture of essential oils which I find a little hard to place.  It is not fruity and not particularly unpleasant, if anything, it reminds me of some Liz Earle products which I suppose have a similar ethos, using naturally occurring extracts. If it is not to your taste, it does not linger, evaporating away shortly after application.

I have been using this hand cream for a good few weeks and I am still not finished this small 30ml tube, so I can see the full sized product lasting for a quite a while.  My hands feel smooth and soft, even in this bitterly cold weather we have been having recently.

Verdict

If you are a fan of natural products, the Balance Me range offers a good variety of products which are natural and do not compromise on their performance.  Two aspects of this hand cream which I feel could have been improved are the scent, as I would have preferred something fruity or perhaps more easily identifiable and longer lasting; and the inclusion of an SPF, although I understand that this would not be natural and fit in with their ethos.  In summary, a high-performing hand cream that is worth a look.

4/5

Price - £14.50

Where to Buy – Balance Me, John Lewis, My Pure.co.uk