Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment

RRP: £14

--What does the promo say?--
"The perfect companion to our original classic. This fast-absorbing gel cream for the hands moisturises for up to 8 hours. Soothing emollients smooth and soften rough, weather-exposed skin. Signs of dryness and cracking are reversed so hands feel and look soft and touchable."

--Packaging--
Pure white, classic and simple, with just the Elizabeth Arden logo and product details in black and a silver band cinching in the circular lid as adornments. The lid is a screwtop and the tube stands on the lid easily in the bathroom. Some of the more modern tubes may have the dopey watermarked 8s all over it in grey as well (why fix what isn't broken? I ask...).

--Application--
Apply liberally as often as necessary.

--Appearance--
A perfectly smooth and soft white cream which leaves no visible residue on the hands.

--Scent--
It's difficult to find information on what this actually contains (especially when you throw the box away...ahem). However, a lot of digging later, I found that its ingredients list included shea butter, vitamin E, an African grass named Imperata, geraniol (which has a rose-like odour) and citral (which unsurprisingly is lemony). I was pleased to have correctly picked up on the lemon scent, but there's also a more herby, botanical scent there which I can't quite place. Anyway - the upshot is that it smells very nice. Unusual yet traditional and easily unisex - it has a sharpness to it that isn't too feminine to put off the guys.

--Texture/consistency--
Bang on perfect - absorbs almost instantly.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Immediately smoothed and softened. Dry patches are also sent packing after just one or two uses.

--Value for money--
While not exactly the cheapest hand cream out there, it's also a long way from being the most expensive. It's also arguably multi-use - as well as being used in a practical way as an effective treatment for dry skin, it's also great to keep by the sink or in your bag to just add a touch of luxury to your day. This combines Atrixo's efficacy with a bit of classic glamour. Nicely done. And best of all, you can get it in a 3-pack at Boots with the Body Moisturiser and the original Skin Protectant for just £25 here.

perfect partners
Eight Hour Skin Protectant, £12 at www.cheapsmells.com
Eight Hour Lip Protectant Stick, £10 from www.fragrancex.com
Eight Hour Intensive Moisturising Body Treatment, £15 from www.lapreya.com
Eight Hour Intensive Daily Moisturiser for the Face, £26 from Debenhams

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick

RRP: £33.00 as part of the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Essentials Set (also includes 75ml Moisturising Hand Treatment and 30ml of Skin Protectant); £15 alone if you're in the UK or $16 alone in the US

--What does the promo say?--
"Elizabeth Arden's renowned Eight Hour Cream in a super-protective, portable stick for lips. Enriched with emollients, protective sunscreen and vitamin E. Treat your lips to Eight Hour Care. Moisturizes, softens and smooths lips. Provides antioxidant protection with vitamin E. SPF 15 shields against UV exposure.

The Legend
Created in 1930 by Elizabeth Arden to soothe skin, Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant became an instant and overwhelming success. What made it so effective is a combination of petrolatum, a skin-soothing beta-hydroxy in one of its first cosmetic uses, and vitamin E. The apricot colored balm was so beneficial to her clients, Miss Arden used it to soothe her famous thoroughbred horses' legs. Even its name came about thanks to a remarkable performance - a loyal client used it to treat her child's skinned knee and "eight hours later" the skin was all better. To use: Apply liberally as often as necessary."

--Packaging--
The lip care packaging just looks like a 'normal' lipstick case - 8 or 9cm high, with a lid that you just pull off. White casing with a silver line dividing the lid and the main body of the packaging, and 'Elizabeth Arden' lightly carved into the line. Manages to be simple and sophisticated at the same time and the pure colours are very much in keeping with the Eight Hour Cream's image as well as with the brand generally. I'd say the packaging is aimed more at women aged over 25 rather than at teenagers.

--Application--
Pull off the lid and apply to lips by directly putting the stick to your lips, or by using a lip brush.

--Appearance--
The stick itself is a nice apricot/peach colour. On the lips it is virtually invisible, though I would say it makes the lips look fuller and softer.

--Scent--
Surprisingly citrusy, though not overpoweringly so.

--How does it feel on the lips?--
Rich, luxurious, creamy and smooth. It really is an absolute joy and firmly trumps thinner, stickier lip balms.

--Longevity--
It seems to last slightly longer than other lip care products before re-application is needed and unless you're eating something particularly messy (or doing a lot of kissing!), it doesn't need reapplication immediately after eating. However, you will probably need to reapply at least once if you're planning on keeping this on your lips all day.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
I can't say I particularly suffer with dry lips, but it's a Godsend on long train/car journeys and on long flights (mmm, recirculated air...yummy). So on the whole, probably yes. Lips feel softer after use even if you don't have a problem with dry lips.

--Value for money--
It's a long-lasting, enriching, luxurious, does-what-it-says-it-will lip care product. What more do you want? I got this not only as part of the 3-part Essentials kit but I also got it on duty free while travelling! I would highly recommend buying as part of the kit (on duty free if you can) rather than buying this alone as the other parts of the kit are excellent and also worth having, and you will save money this way too.

perfect partners
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Moisturising Hand Treatment, £18.00
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £20.00
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Firming Body Soufflé, £30.00