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Coffee Break: Hand and Nail Treatment Cream

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red and white bottle of Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream

‘Tis the season for dry, chapped hands and lots of hangnails. This is the time of year that my husband, my sons, my mom, me… everyone starts to have dry, itchy skin and sometimes cracked skin and worse. If you're like me, you spent way too much time during the sales this weekend looking at moisturizers for stocking stuffers and more.

This incredibly highly rated lotion from Clarins looks great — I like that you can get it as a single bottle or as a set if you want a slightly “bigger” gift. Nordstrom still has them on sale with Cyber Monday deals, too!

The pictured hand cream was $34 but is currently marked to $24, and the set was $52 but is now marked to $42. And both come with a gift with purchase, huzzah! This looks like the perfect stocking stuffer for my mother.

Sales of note for 4/17:

  • Nordstrom – Beauty savings event, up to 25% off – nice price on Black Honey
  • Ann Taylor – Cyber Spring! 50% off everything + free shipping
  • Boden – 25% off everything (thru Sun, then 15% off)
  • Brooklinen – 25% off sitewide — we have and love these sateen sheets
  • Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
  • Express – $29 dresses
  • J.Crew – 30% off all dresses
  • J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything, and extra 50% off clearance
  • Lands' End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
  • Loft – Friends & Family event, 50% off entire purchase + free shipping
  • Macy's – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
  • M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
  • Sephora – Spring sale! 20%, 15%, or 10% off depending on your membership tier; ends 4/20. Here's everything I recommend in the sale!
  • Talbots – Spring sale! 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns
  • TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
  • Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!

66 Comments

  1. Talk to me about micro-needling. I read that it gets down to the dermis, so it can work to stimulate collagen there. Everything else that is topical only goes to the epidermis, which sloughs off. I have some middle-aged sag and a face-lift is out, but my vanity concerns are still there. Do I do this in a derm’s office? Can I do at home for less? Does either really work? What is a device you’ve used at home that you like? Do you need a serum or does the puncturing do the job? Either scenario seems plausible. All I’ve done so far is a little Botox on my 11s and some v-beam for acne/rosacea at a cosmetic derm (good, but $$$ but I’d rather have someone with a medical license involved vs some place with a lot of Woo and healing crystals and things that seem better than they actually are).

    1. No idea if it works, but about 3-4 times a year, I use my Dr. Pen and do my own face and partial chest with a Bruund serum I get on Amazon. I feel like it makes my face look more awake/alive and has about 12 hours of downtime. I think sag might have more luck with face yoga.

    2. I’ve also been looking into some of the at-home micro-needling treatments, but I haven’t tried any of them. Qure follows me around on Instagram, and there’s two dermatologist influencers that I follow who promote it… so they might convince me eventually.

      I think that there’s always a serum included with the micro-needling, it’s not just the puncturing. If you go the at-home route, do NOT get a derma roller and/or anything that’s not single-use needles. The rollers have a higher risk of tearing your skin, and anything multi-use has a higher chance of causing infection, because it’s difficult to truly clean and sterilize the needles.

      I don’t think micro-needling helps with sagging, I think it’s more meant to address texture, brightness, and elasticity.

    3. I’m not a fan of Botox etc etc but do micro needling annually as part of regular skin care schedule. I go to a licensed aesthetician rather than dermatologist, and it’s been fine so far. I would never use an at home kit, but also see the many repeated ads for it.

  2. I was home sick over the long weekend and had a deep rabbit hole dive into . . . old European royalty. WW1, dead czars, reliving my Anastasia phase. And some debutante pictues, where the DM captions included titles from what I’m guessing are Germany and Italy. Are titles still a thing? Still a thing socially? Or do people roll their eyes, like where someone in the US goes around recounting how they are Mayflower descendants, etc.? I imagine a lot of those people are probably like Downton Abbey’s low notes: not enough left for daughters and second sons, mansions with shocking deferred maintenance, a lot of pressure to keep up appearances. I have no idea. But the reels just kept coming and were pretty fun for lite history.

    1. In Germany, former Royals don’t have much visibility in the public, occasionally one of them will produce headlines with some silly stuff. A lot of them still have significant wealth though, and the kind of less visible political influence that comes with that.

      1. I have a German friend (a long time resident of United States – she is in her 90s), whose father was a count. I knew her quite a while before she mentioned this.

        1. This is the answer. my husband is a German count (so I am a countess by marriage and my kids are titled) and no one ever talks about it publicly BUT Germans know. We always got a knowing look and nod in certain circles when we lived in Germany.

          2. It’s an extremely small group and the names are well know. for example, the Prussian nobility is only 16 founding families and the history is almost 1000 years. I can’t speak deeply to the cultural knowledge as a Canadian but our kids’ dentist shook my hand aggressively, complimented me for naming my children appropriately and said her mother’s maiden name as though I would obviously know who she was. We also got favorable treatment at fancy hotels and establishments and would catch people checking out my family crest ring and trying to count the points in the crown to determine what rank of nobility we are.

    2. Broadly speaking, still quite wealthy and send kids to the right schools and vacation in certain spots. And tend to intermarry with other minor royals from various European countries.

    3. A friend of a friend (who I’ve not met, so this is second hand) is part of a European royal family (not the Windsors). When she was 17 her parents sat her down and said if she wanted, she could go to Europe for her debut and have her “season,” or she could start college after high school. She went with college. I don’t know what I would have done, but it’s interesting to think about!

      1. How can I make my debut when I’ve already been out in the clubbing circuit? I’m not really fresh new meat and no one marries an 18YO anymore and princes and such find their own partners now. This all feels very Gray Gardens and that didn’t really end well.

  3. Because I’m curious and got a Linked In on “see who is hiring philosophy majors,” who here was a philosophy major. If so, what is your actual career path or current job?

    1. Not a philosophy major, but I know a few attorneys who were philosophy majors, including one or two people who were philosophy PhD’s. A woman in my book club was a philosophy major and an attorney, and she has the best comments on the books we read.

      1. Yeah it’s a decently common major for attorneys. There were several in my class at law school.

        1. My husband was a philosophy major and is now a litigator. I think it’s helpful and it’s not like there are better majors you need in order to be an attorney. I was a pol SCI myself before going to law school. None of which was necessary. Law school could easily just be college unless you’re doing patent work but critical thinking skills are generally useful for it.

          1. I am annoyed that undergrads are now taking legal studies in preparation for law school. I always suggest that ANY OTHER degree would be more useful including accounting, history, psychology, nursing, anthropology . . . .

    2. My BIL majored in philosophy and went on to get advanced theology degrees. He’s now the pastor of a small church in a small town in the South (US). He knew he wanted to go into the ministry when he graduated high school, so his undergrad degree was more of an integrated studies degree that sat under the philosophy BA, and most of his coursework was philosophy, with a few humanities, social sciences, and theology classes included.

    3. Philosophy major here. I’m now in tech at a senior level.
      I got there by bouncing around finance and tech and following my curiosity.
      Rather than the philosophy major getting me here, I suspect the same curiosity, logic, and love of intellectual challenge got me to this career and to the philosophy degree.

    4. I was a double major in English and philosophy. I went on for a PhD in literature (publishing history), and then into acquisitions in scholarly publishing. Later I moved into higher ed communication. Now I’m a communication director at an Ivy League school.

  4. I’m in the office 4-5 days a week and have generally preferred that. I am considering doing a hybrid arrangement of 2 days at home and 3 days in the office. However, I’m dealing with burnout and some other workplace stressors outside my control, and I wonder if being away from the office may help alleviate some of the pressure. Is there an ideal schedule for remote work? I’m thinking M/W/TH in the office and T/F at home. Honestly, I’m not sure it will work, as there are times when I have to be in the office for in-person meetings anyway, but I’m trying to do what I can to enjoy my job more (and not quit).

    1. I think it’s a reasonable plan, but what I see missing is a reasonable for why you think working from home might be helpful. Are you planning on doing an extra load of laundry during your breaks? Hoping to not have to commute? Get some time to enjoy making lunch at home? Most people like hybrid for those and similar reasons, but not everyone does! If you have roommates, small children, distracting pets, no office space, etc. then you might not enjoy WFH days. I’d try and get clarity on what you will gain out of WFH.

      1. I mean, all of the above? Hoping for a quieter environment, no commute for a couple of days a week, the ability to take a walk at lunch time, not having to worry about packing a lunch, etc. The kids are in school, and my cats are a (welcome) distraction.

        1. I think with just those benefits, wfh is going to add a lot of pleasantness to your week. I’ve found it so nice to have quiet time and be able to just do things a little unconventionally – slow mornings because no commute; comforts of home; coffee on the patio or cafe…

      2. Is there a way for you to come in at 10 some days? Those short days for me when I can enjoy my morning or start a chore/run an errand make a ton of difference.

    2. personally I prefer my office days to be consecutive, because then it minimizes what I have to bring back and forth. I also try to pick office days where maximum people are there, which allows me to handle all the ‘best in person’ stuff efficiently and also keep my WFH days for head-down focus stuff, mostly.

      1. Conversely, I prefer non-consecutive WFH days because I get a little tired of being locked up in my home office by myself by Day 2. But I don’t have a ton of stuff to shlep. I work from home most Fridays (which, to Cat’s point, is also a day when fewer people tend to be in my office) and will often add a Tuesday or Wednesday in there as well. Mondays are a more popular day to come in at my office so I usually go in on Mondays. I find this schedule strikes the right balance between remote and in-person but YMMV.

    3. Personally I’d do Mon-Wed in office and Th/Fri at home. Thurs at home means one less peak-commute day (Tues-Thurs are insufferable). I don’t know how you commute, but I suppose if you don’t drive that maybe less of a factor. I like having consecutive days in the office, as someone else pointed out. Not because of schlepping stuff, but just mindset wise, it’s helpful to get it done all at once.

    4. your plan sounds good to me. I’ve been coming to the office Tu/Wed/Thu and the occasional extra day if needed. Not commuting two days a week makes a difference to me and sometimes when it’s necessary to go in 5 days, I feel the difference for my energy levels.

    5. I might consider the class schedules at the local county-run rec centers. I’d look at the classes around the lunch hours and would WFH those days so I could attend.

    6. My madness is the mom schedule: in every day but leaving early. WFH also. But without this flexibility work couldn’t happen (have never found on-the-books PT driving childcare for love or money). Will be SO happy once my kids can drive.

  5. FYI, this creme jeunesse des mains has a 51/100 score on the Yuka app. As another example Shea Butter Hand Creme has 79/100 score

      1. I think it’s an app that scans products/food and gives a x/100 rating depending on how processed/harmful they are. They usually provide an explanation for the rating that sometimes makes sense (i.e., has ingredient that is linked to cancer or banned in EU) and sometimes is silly (cake has too much sugar..).

      1. I like Yuka because it breaks down what goes into its rating for the specific product and it has links to outside sources so you can evaluate risks for yourself. I use the percent rating as a yellow flag to look at the product more closely.

    4. I’ve used Clarins hand cream for years. It’s the best I’ve used, and I have very dry skin. It’s worth every penny.

  6. I was turned down for a promotion today that 1. I was expecting, and 2. I am very much the best person for. I’m posting here because I could use a little bit of kindness and/or wisdom, so if you have it, I’d love to hear it. Thank you.

    2. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this disappointment. It is an opportunity to take stock: Do you want to stay where you are sans promotion? Do you want to explore a new path? What options are available to you, and which best align with your short-term and long-term goals?

    4. Did you lose out to someone else or just not advance into a higher title? So many companies are making cuts, I’d feel less frustrated if it was the latter.

    5. Sorry! Remember that even if your organization doesn’t reward you and recognize all you bring to the table, some other companies will (if you present your accomplishments well in a resume and interview). I was never offered a promotion at my last job (was there 10 years) but the next job I landed was more than double the pay. This is not the end.

    6. I’m so sorry! That life is not a meritocracy has been the biggest disappointment of adulthood for me. You rock – the stars were aligned for someone else though. Allow yourself some time and energy for justifiable bitterness, and then sit back and decide without emotion how to next proceed.

    8. I’m sorry, that stinks.
      Same thing happened to me two years ago. For me it turned out to be a blessing– I’ve watched the person who was promoted over me (the boss’ friend who had no experience) flounder for reasons that really aren’t her fault, while I took a lateral move that suits me beautifully.

    9. First, I’m sorry. It stings. You deserved it. The best advice I give women is to leave. If your employer believes that you will stay, regardless of promotions or money, they will not promote you or pay you. They only respond when you are a retention threat. You don’t have to leave today. It may take 6-12 months. But you will find something better.

    11. I lost out on a promotion and it spurred me to get a better job for a lot more money. Don’t lose heart!

    12. The best advice I have is you don’t know what they know. A lot of times it isn’t about you, it’s about something else and you’re being given a gift.

  7. I was catching up on the RFK sagas over thanksgiving. OMG. And where are Olivia Nuzzi (how do you pronounce that name?)’s eyebrows?

  8. We’re spending a weekend in NYC later this month (two weeks before Christmas) and planning to visit the Americal Girl store with our daughters on the Sunday we’re there. I have a shopping appointment for 3 pm that day, but would strongly prefer to get in earlier and get on the road home before then (it was the only appointment still available so I grabbed it just in case). Thoughts on whether we could walk in the store when it opens at 10 am and just shop without an appointment? Is it like FAO Schwartz where there’s a line down the block before it opens?

    TIA!

    1. Maybe NYC is different but at the Chicago store you can shop without an appointment. I didn’t even know they took reservations for shopping. You need reservations for the salon and the restaurant but we’ve always just walked in to shop.

      FWIW we were in NYC for Thanksgiving and it was noticeably less crowded than past years. I think the Trump admin is having a real impact on European/Canadian travel and you can really feel it in NYC.

    2. I don’t think you need an appointment. I’ve just walked in. Maybe call the shop and ask.

    3. I wasn’t there in December but Thanksgiving week last year and you most certainly do not need an appointment to shop. I would however recommend lunch there or the girl makeover- my kids liked that almost more than the dolls

  9. Here is a chuckle. I saw an MS Rau ad for a set of Flora Danica China. Great! That is regarded as a quality item. I looked it up and I could get it or a condo ( really just the condo, because no one will lend you six figures and let you repay for 30 years for anything but real estate or maybe a graduate degree).

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