When it was announced last fall that J.Crew stores would begin stocking L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream (a.k.a. Creme Mains with Beurre De Karite), beauty insiders labeled it an odd decision on J.Crew's part due to L'Occitane's classic image and J.Crew's recent efforts to be more youthful and eclectic.Having finally used the product while in line at J.Crew in Tyson's Corner Galleria recently, I would call it an odd decision on J.Crew's part due to L'Occitane's hand cream smelling like diaper ointment.
"The quality of the moisturizer is well worth smelling like old lady or baby powder for a few minutes," a reviewer argued on drugstore.com. Nice try, Sweet Merry Mayhem, but we're not buying. Cool username though.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the smell. When I put on a hand lotion, I value moisturizing and fragrance almost equally... but more on that to come next week.
$26 for 5.2 ounces at loccitane.com