Today’s beauty review may seem a little out of season but if you’ve ever tried a product from Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour range you’ll know they are all-year-round beauty staples. I bought this kit around Christmas time when it was on offer for just £16, which is an absolute steal. Included in it are a 30ml Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, a 30ml Intensive Hand Moisturizing Treatment, a 3.7g Lip Protectant Stick, a pair of cotton gloves and socks, and a rather chic red zip-up case.
The original Skin Protectant was created by Elizabeth Arden in 1930 and was used to soothe her thoroughbred horses’ legs! It was soon found to be equally effective on people and has since won numerous beauty awards. If you’ve never tried it before and are thinking of giving it a go do bear in mind that it’s not the type of cream you can slather all over your face (there are day and night time moisturisers in the range though). It is more of an ointment or salve and feels a little like Vaseline on the skin.
I mainly use it to prevent chafing when I’m running as my sports bra rubs sore patches around my rib cage on long runs without it. It’s also great for grazes, burns, dry patches and using on your feet if you’re wearing shoes that rub.
The Intensive Hand Moisturizing Hand Treatment is probably the best hand cream I’ve tried. Unlike most other hand creams which you have to reapply every time you wash your hands, this sinks into the skin and leaves hands lovely and soft, even after multiple washes. Yet there is not even a hint of greasiness.
I can’t recommend this product highly enough. My only (very slight) gripe with it is that it doesn’t contain an SPF, which is a shame – almost perfect but not quite. The gloves and socks were a nice addition to the set but to be honest I don’t use them. The socks are a bit too small and I don’t like wearing gloves in bed so the overnight moisture treatment really isn’t for me.
The Lip Protectant stick is another great product from the Eight Hour range. It is like a solid version of the original cream and has the same signature fragrance, which judging by some of the comments I’ve read, doesn’t appeal to everyone. The good news is there’s a fragrance-free version of the original cream, and if you like a hint of colour in your lip balm the Lip Protectant is available in a tinted version in four shades.
I was really happy with this set, I loved the products and the case is perfect for keeping makeup or jewellery in.