Hands and feet are hard to keep moisturized throughout the winter months. There very very few oil glands (not to mention an extra, tougher layer of skin not found anywhere else on the body), which means that a good hand cream is essential in cold, dry weather.

So, how did Nivea stand up to the North East’s recent Arctic blast? Not very well. It’s a mineral oil and petroleum-based cream (which I really don’t mind on my hands and feet, elsewhere not so much), and I found its absorption properties lacking. Certainly it sits on top of the skin to give a layer of protection (although I think you need to apply a lot to get just that). I did not feel an overwhelming difference between the one hand I applied it on and the one hand left bare–it still felt dry and flakey, just not as much.

There are rumors that the European formulation is far superior to the formulation made in Mexico, which is the formulation available in the US. With quick comparison of the ingredients, I did not find any overwhelming differences. The major ingredients are all the same, but the European formula omits several of the lesser ones. This could be because they are banned in the EU–they have stricter cosmetic chemical laws than we have in the US.

But that tin! It’s so damn charming! My plan is to replace the Nivea product with Clinque’s Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream. This unscented cream moisturizes like a dream, absorbs very well and is pretty long lasting (saves on the endless reapply throughout the day).

Unfortunately, I can’t find an ingredient list, and I received my batch in a super-secret I can’t tell you way that came without any packaging. Based on other reviews on the internet, the ingredients include cholesterol (bad for your heart, good for your skin!), chamomile (a fantastic skin soother) and murumuru butter (rich in Vitamin A, oleic and linoleic acids).
The Nivea tin was well worth the $1 simply to have a cute and portable way to carry the far superior Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream.

A person who I think was one of their famous beauty advisers walked past me while I was poking around, pleasantly said hello, answered the phone and then promptly disappeared. Perhaps she was a beauty mirage?

Once again, CVS, a big old marketing fail.

The marketing strategy for this event was my favorite homemade sign now placed outside of the CVS doors (blue marker smeared) and two deflated balloons, one blue and one white (Vichy’s colors, get it?!)

I raced in hoping that maybe, just maybe, they were backed up with customers and I would get my FREE 5 minute skin consultation! But the beauty aisle looked empty. I decided to ask the cashier because maybe, just maybe, the “beauty adviser” hadn’t left yet and would be willing to squeeze out an additional 5 minutes in the name of a sale.

NYCEsthy: Hi! Did I miss the beauty event?

Cashier: The what? (she looked at me suspiciously, like I may rob the place)

NYCEsthy: The beauty event. The one with Vichy?

Cashier: A Vichy event? That was supposed to be today? Where did you see that? (Clearly, there was a stampede for 5 minute FREE skin consultations.)

NYCEsthy: The sign, outside. Right out front.

Cashier: Oh, let me call one of the beauty advisers for you.

So I wait by a table they have crammed in the corner by the door, adorned in a blue and white paper table cloth, with handwritten index cards (Best for Acne! Best Moisturizer! Best weekly Exfoliator!) stuck to various Vichy bottles with scotch tape.

The cashier, now with someone else with her, runs outside and looks at the sign and then comes over.

Cashier: This is the manager. All of our beauty advisers are gone.

Manager: The event ended at 4. No one can help you. We aren’t trained on the product.

No FREE 5 minute skin consultation for me.

So I came back here and hit the google to see what the requirements are for a CVS Beauty Adviser. And I couldn’t find anything. What I could dig up is that the Beauty Dept manager needs 2 years in a retail environment and a cosmetology license is preferred (but not required). Similarly, a beauty adviser position for their Beauty 360 store in CA mentioned that a cosmetology or esthetics license is preferred (again, not required).

I can’t say anything about Vichy products themselves, since I have never tried them. There were a few samples scattered on the table, but nothing appropriate for my skin type. What I do know is that Vichy is owned by L’Oreal and apparently the number 1 selling drugstore brand in Europe.

I feel like Vichy is priced a bit high for a drugstore brand, and since money’s a little tight right now, I am not up for dropping a chunk of cash on a product I have not had a chance to sample.

Fearless readers, if you have tried Vichy, please share in the comments! I am genuinely curious!