Every year I shamelessly use fall as an excuse to justify stocking up on certain things — things like boots, hats, lip balms (gotta have one for every jacket!) and, of course, hand creams.
To wit: even though I probably already have enough tubes of hand cream to last me through the next ice age (stashed in the car, on my nightstand, on my desk, in every purse…), I still couldn’t resist bringing home Burt’s Bees Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Creme ($10).
It’s been around for a while, but I’d been so enamored by another one of Burt’s products, his Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme (which I still love despite how long it takes to absorb), that it took me this long to branch out.
True to form, Burt’s bees kept Thoroughly Therapeutic 99% natural, incorporating honey and hydrating grapeseed oil, and they were kind enough not to test it on animals.
When I apply it to my hands, I can feel them say “Ahhh…” They love the moisture, and I love that I don’t have to spend forever obsessively massaging it in. The cream’s thin consistency might explain why it absorbs as quickly as it does.
Even though it leaves behind a somewhat heavy film, at least it isn’t greasy. My paws feel thoroughly moisturized when I use this and stay that way for hours. Or until the next time I wash my hands.
Ah, but the scent… The scent! “Strong” doesn’t do it justice. It’s Herculean, and to me doesn’t smell like honey at all. I don’t mind it, but I see it being a very polarizing scent, a cloying red berry with notes of Tupperware, that sniffers will either love or hate.
El Hub thinks it smells like bug spray (sorry, Burt) and runs away every time I use it on my hands.
Because I think it works so well as a hand cream and absorbs in a flash, I’m willing to overlook the scent, but I do think it’s probably a good idea to give this one a good sniff before you bring it home.
PRICE: $8
AVAILABILITY: Available now at drugstores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
October 23rd, 2011 at 3:12 pmThanks for sharing, Karen! I love your reviews! I’m always tempted by Burt’s products. Although it’s not specifically meant for hands, I cannot get enough of my travel size Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia body butter. Always works in a pinch, the scent is divine, and I can’t really beat the $5 price tag.
Heidi says
October 23rd, 2011 at 3:27 pm“a cloying red berry with notes of Tupperware…”
LOL! I wonder how honey and grapeseed oil adds up to THAT!
I’m still squeezing every last drop out of my sample of Salma Hayak’s Nuance Body Butter. LOVE that stuff but for drugstore it’s pretty pricey! Gotta get some Extra Bucks together and invest in a tube.
Jessi says
October 23rd, 2011 at 4:09 pmHaha, mmm, got to love the notes of Tupperware. Burt’s Bees makes some of my favorite products. Their prices aren’t bad either, considering the ingredients. Thanks for sharing this! I’ll have to check it out.
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Christy says
October 23rd, 2011 at 7:55 pmaww bummer your SO doesn’t like it – that could be a deal breaker! I personally love the smell of almond so I might have to try the other one you mentioned 🙂
Christy recently posted … What makeup is in your purse?
Mariana says
October 23rd, 2011 at 8:08 pmAwesome review, love the way you wrote this one. I too find myself using Fall as an excuse to stock up on certain things similar to yourself and hand creme is one of them. I’ve recently been looking up the benefits of grape seed oil and since my Eucerin Everyday Protection lotion is running out (which I don’t think is thick enough for winter anyway) I may have to give this a try, depending on the smell I suppose. Thanks again 🙂
http://www.beautynthingsblog.com
Sonya says
October 23rd, 2011 at 8:19 pmCloying red berry with Tupperware (or bug spray)? …Interesting, but not very appealing :/ I usually like Burt’s Bees but this one is a skip for me!
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Nivedita says
October 23rd, 2011 at 9:14 pmEverytime I see the much raved about Burt’s Bees products, I so wish to get them. *sigh*
Nivedita recently posted … My Pujo Haul 2
peach_ says
October 23rd, 2011 at 10:53 pmI love your writing! I’m the opposite and don’t apply hand cream nearly as much as I should. Thanks for the warning about its overwhelming scent. I’d love to find one that smells faintly like warm honey.
peach_ recently posted … Chanel Le Vernis Rose Insolent 489 in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Jen W says
October 24th, 2011 at 12:42 amSounds like what my hands need! Shame about the note of ‘tupperware’ in the scent.
Jen W recently posted … My OCC Lip Tar collection and adventures in custom mixing
Advah says
October 24th, 2011 at 1:42 amI LOVE this cream! I agree, the scent got me really confused at first.. Now I’ve got used to the slightly plasticy smell and weirdly love it..
Nina says
October 24th, 2011 at 5:52 amI really have an aversion to plasticky smelling stuff!
Hboo says
October 24th, 2011 at 11:31 amI love burt’s bees. It’s nice that they made a product that absorbs finally!
Check out there royal jelly eye cream, I use it as a lip product as well 🙂
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Kiara says
October 25th, 2011 at 10:58 amI’ve tried the Burt’s Bees Lip Balm & i love it! i would love to try this hand creme! Kiara from A Chic Life.
kim says
October 26th, 2011 at 7:21 pmNotes of Tupperware just made me snort. Thank you for that. 🙂