Because im using loads of hand sanitizer on a daily basis, plus the usual washing with soap and water, my hands and nails are horribly dry. They can get so dry, that i developed a little patch of eczema on the side of my hand. Great.

Used a couple of hand creams so far, some better then others like Avene Cold Cream (great for night time), Clarins Hand and Nails (really don’t see whats the fuss about and the scent is to overpowering for me), Lancome Nutrix Hand Cream (ideal for winter, deep nourishing treatment), La Roche Posay Xerand (love it for sensitive skin, beautiful scent).

Need to specify that i hate having moisturiser on my hands during the day, most of the times it feels gross and oily.

However:

Roger & Gallet Creme Sublime Bois D’Orange and L’Occitane Hibiscus Flower Hand Cream

Roger & Gallet Creme Sublime Bois D’Orange

This is my day time hand cream and it can be found every day in my bag. Its a hand and nail moisturiser, with SPF 15 (hence the day time use) with and oil-in-water texture that drys to a matte, non-sticky finish. Its the last thing i slather on my hands before exiting the house, i find its really important to use Spf on your hands to help delaying the nasty age spots later.

And the texture

The scent is not offensive, it doesn’t smell of pure oranges its more of a sweet, citrus hint. Love how my hands are not slippery after use and remain soft for hours. Also the packaging looks very fancy and expensive, it gets snapped from my hands to get admired every time i pop it out of the bag.

RRP. €9.00

L’Occitane Hibiscus Flower Hand Cream

This is the limited edition L’Occitane 20% Shea Butter Hibiscus Flower scented, free with the November issue of Marie Claire. There are another two versions out there to be collected with the magazine, rose scented le. and the original shea butter version.

Really glad i picked this one out, love the scent and the results are amazing! Like the Sublime Cream, it has a sweet-citrusy scent very unique, just beautiful. I know, suck at describing scents you will just have to sample it in the shop. Really coudnt stop sniffing my hands when i first applied it.

Because the texture is buttery and rich, i use the L’Occitane during the night as a more intensive night treatment. Swear, in the morning even the driest skin will appear smooth and soft. Its just brilliant!

Free with November Marie Claire and in L’Occitane shops.

As i mentioned before, last month i had the pleasure to be invited to attend a Roger & Gallet event for the launch of the new L’Homme range and the new spring fragrance Fleur d’Osmanthus (see here).

At the heart of a Chinese garden of Eden… It all began with a daring bet. Today, it has become a promise. The promise of letting you savour the sensory experience of Happiness. In the confines of the Chinese valley of Guilin is a garden that looks and feels like Eden. Across its terraced hills spreads a very rare and precious plant, the Osmanthus.

 I personally clicked immediately with the fragrance, firstly because of the beautiful story behind it and the promise of being an essence of happiness and secondly, i adore anything with orange blossom scent.

Strangely, the scent is not a eau de toilete or eau de perfume – its described as a fresh fragrant water.

With top notes of mandarin essential oil and orange zest, heart of osmanthus, grapefruit and neroli on a woody base of tonka bean and sandalwood, Fleur d’Osmanthus delivers a fresh, clean and uplifting scent.

The fragrance is perfect for someone who enjoys fruity, clean scents, but don’t want to smell to citrusy.

If you are a fan of layering fragrance, there is an amazing body range available:

Perfumed travel soap with a very cute holder  6 euro

Foaming Shower Honey 13,50 euro

Moisturising fragrant body lotion 13,50 euro

Fresh fragrant water 39,00 euro (100ml) and 17,00 euro (30ml) 

N.B. All products were provided as part of a very generous goodie bag, i am not paid or

affiliated to Roger & Gallet. This was my honest opinion as always.

I had the pleasure to attend a Roger & Gallet event a few weeks ago, in the swanky Shelbourne Hotel, to honor the launch of their new mens range L’Homme.

This was my first contact with this french brand and i must say i left well impressed!

The theme of the event was “bring a man” to be treated to a traditional shave and test out the new products , so i persuaded himself to act as guinea pig and be pampered to the max by the barbers in the hotel. Poor man…what he does for love!

First the skin was preped and relaxed with a hot towel.

After that, L’Homme Shaving Foam (13.00 euro) was applied to the wet skin. It has a rich, thick texture, is enriched with Aloe Vera for hydration, protects against razor burn and has an anti-bacterial agent to protect even more. No excuses for not shaving!!!

After the actual shaving took place, hot and cold towels were applied alternatively to tone the skin. Instead of a moisturiser, L’Homme After Shave Balm (15.00 euro) was applied to hydrate and soothe the skin. With extracts of aloe vera and white tea, revitalize and refreshes tired skin for up to 8H.

The entire look was finished off with a dash of hair gel and a spray of the new L’Homme Sport fragrance (39.00 euro/100ml). All i can say is that Ony felt and looked like a new man!

L’Homme Sport is and elegant, woody and masculine scent with top notes of lemon and spearmint (fresh), heart notes of ylang ylang and spices (warm) layered on a woody base of vetyvert, patchouli and amber. Must be tried to enjoy the whole experience, very appropriate for summer and everyday use. We both love it.

Overall, we enjoyed the products (well one of us more then the other ) and i would defintely purchase them in the future. L’Homme looks very sleek and well, french so it would make a great present, specially if you are stuck and need something elegant for a man.

Available from selected pharmacies nationwide from April 2011.