QMS Medi Cosmetics Hand Care

As a hand-washing obsessive, my hands are often really dry, particularly in these colder months. I am constantly trying and buying various hand creams.

One of my favourites at the moment is QMS Medicosmetics 'Hand Care' - it's not called a cream, and I guess I wouldn't really call is a cream either - it's really hard to describe the consistency - it doesn't spurt out of the tube like a cream, it comes out as a thick squiggle like a paste.

It smells delicious; a gentle clean smell, but the best thing about Hand Care is that it sinks into the skin immediately leaving no greasy residue. You can literally apply it and get on with whatever it was you were doing without having to worry about leaving hand prints anywhere or getting anything stuck to you!

Another bonus is that the packaging is really robust and due to the shape of the bottle, the lid can't undo itself in your handbag (just how does that happen!?)

My hands are gorgeously soft - this is definitely going on my favourite hand creams list!

QMS Medicosmetics Hand Care is exclusive to Liberty and costs £20 for 75ml

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

In the three weeks that I've had my it, my tube of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 hasn't quite made it into the depths of the cupboard - because I seem to be using it every single day! It's one of those multi-purpose products that seems to be so handy for so many different things - so far this week it's gone on the burn on my arm, the rash on my neck, my daughters chapped lips, my sons grazed knees and my dry cuticles. It is now known as 'magic cream' in my house - because any little "oww, I've hurt my x, y or z" results in me whipping out the 'magic cream' to make it better.

When it comes out of the tube it looks like a cream but once it's blended into the skin it turns to a balm consistency and sinks in straight away. It's not oily, and is really comfortable on the skin, and soothing to any minor skin injuries. I can imagine it would be lovely to use after a skin peel or if you are suffering from really flaky skin. It's gentle yet powerful and thankfully, 'fragrance free' means fragrance free, rather than the fragrance of fragrance free - it really does smell of nothing, which I love!

If you want to get sciency, it contains a form of Vitamin B5, and the highest dose of Panthenol found in any dermo-cosmetic treatment. Panthenol is responsible for reducing skin irritation, and relieving any feelings of itchiness due to it's anti-inflammatory properties.

 And the best bit? It's only £13.00 for 100ml (available in pharmacies and Boots)

Chance Discovery... Growing Lashes Cheaply

During the colder months my face has been really dry. Nothing I was using was seeming to help - it was desperately crying out for some re-hydration which I just couldn't seem to give it. After bathing my kids one night and slathering on the Oilatum cream, I saw what a difference it made to their skin - they went from being dried up crisps to nice smooth bubbas. That night I decided to try it on my face. If it's kind enough for babies it will be find enough for my mush. I think I've been using it for about 3 weeks now and my skin is loving it!

As I've applied it I've used it all over my face and neck - eyes included, and I've noticed a change in my eyelashes. I'm sure they're longer! Now I'm not saying this will rival LiLash or any other eyelash growth stimulators on the market, but I'm pretty sure it's making a difference, and only after 3 weeks. I decided to have a look back through my blog to see if there were any pictures which would be the proof. I found one from last year, and put it alongside one I took a few days ago. What do you think? I think there is a difference there.

Gah, it's freaky seeing my eyes like that!

So it might be slight, and yes I'm wearing a different mascara so they look fatter... but the length has definitely changed. If you're looking for a cheap way to grow your lashes, you should try Oilatum cream. Your face might love it too! You can pick it up in any chemist and its around £10 for a giant 500ml bottle with pump. I've also heard Vaseline can do the trick, might be worth a shot.