The urban guide to the countryside -
Gotta Have It
Hands never been cleaner - and more in need of a decent moisturiser? Treat yourself to a small dollop of comfort with these beautiful handcreams.
Reverence Aromatique Hand Balm
Yes, it’s insanely expensive but that price is for a whopping 500ml bottle, while the 75ml tube is £21. Aesop is the brand in every fashion and beauty editor’s bathroom right now and with good reason. This bergamot rind, vetiver root and petitgrain concoction is absolutely delicious, and, if you can stretch to the matching hand wash, you’ll nab extra skin-finessing benefits, as it comes with finely milled pumice to exfoliate every time you wash.
£70
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
This brand from the South of France is the nearest we’ll get to Provence for a while, it seems. The cream has won awards, it’s 20 percent shea butter and also has almond, honey and coconut oil thrown in for good measure. Good enough to eat (but don’t obvs).
£21
Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Hand Cream
Laura Mercier’s ultra-luxe bath and bodycare range is dependably divine. Currently 15 percent off at John Lewis (so chop chop and shop shop), it comes in several fragrances. Fig is my all-time favourite but you’ll have to wait until it’s back in stock.
£13.60
Verso hand serum
OK, time to get serious. This chic Stockholm brand’s treatment serum contains retinol, the super-smoothing wonder ingredient usually found in face creams. So if this doesn’t sort out your mitts, nothing will. On a less serious note, I really dig the typeface on the packaging.
£50
Crème de la Mer Hand Treatment
Hey big spender! Obviously La Mer products don’t come cheap but if you feel like splashing out, this cult favourite won’t disappoint. Nobody does magical skin-plumping better.
£85