NIVEA Creme "Get More For a Dollar" Challenge and Giveaway

Money is tight around the holidays for a lot of people (myself very much included!), what with all the gifts to buy, parties to throw, and all that's involved with the season.  As crazy as things can get, it's important to take time to treat yourself, too.  I know that I don't have a few moments of quiet alone time I will absolutely lose my mind!  One easy and incredibly affordable way to pamper yourself this time of year is to use NIVEA Creme!  I took part in their "Get More For a Dollar" Challenge this past week and was really impressed with the results.

NIVEA Creme was created back in 1911 and has been trusted ever since to hydrate skin with its clinically-proven formula of jojoba oil, vitamin E, and eucerit--a unique moisturizing ingredient that helps skin stay soft and supple.  Their 1 oz tin costs only $1, hence the name of the challenge.  If there's one thing in this world that really drives me insane, it's having dry skin.  Winter is especially rough on the skin, as we all know, because the air is really dry and the cold winds will suck any moisture you have left out of it!  For the "Get More For a Dollar" Challenge, I was tasked with using this creme for a week so that I could tell you all about my results.

I only really need to ever have two beauty products with me at all times: a lip balm and a lotion.  Once the colder weather hits the tops of my hands get these rough patches of skin that become really itchy, so it's important to me to have an effective moisturizer to keep that at bay.  I took my NIVEA Creme with me to my boyfriend's work Christmas party, since it fit perfectly into the clutch I took (along with a few other essentials)!  The tin is great for travel or anytime you're on-the-go.

I've been using this creme non-stop, not only on my hands and cuticles but on my feet and elbows, too.  I change my nail polish a lot so my cuticles are always a mess, and this is great at hydrating them.  I also get dry patches of skin on my ankles and elbows, and after exfoliating I slathered this cream on them for an extra hit of hydration.  I love the creamy formula, it's very thick and a little goes a long way.  It has a light cotton-y scent and absorbs quickly.  The tin might seem small, bit since you don't need a lot I could see this lasting for at least a month, maybe even more!  I would recommend using it more as a targeted treatment for certain trouble spots, but you could also use it as an all-over moisturizer after a shower or bath.

However you use it, I think you'll be pleased with the results.  I loved how it made my skin feel, especially my hands.  The dry patches really did start to clear up after a week of use, and my cuticles are in better shape, too!  I absolutely got more for a dollar with this NIVEA Creme, and I highly recommend it as a gift for yourself or someone you love (it would make a great stocking stuffer)!

Bottom Line: I'm so glad that NIVEA offers this affordable and effective creme.  For only $1, this tin will help with any dry skin issues you may have, and the size makes it perfect to take with you anywhere!

Want to win a gift basket of NIVEA goodies so that you can take the challenge yourself?  Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win one!  Giveaway runs until December 20, 2014 and is open to U.S. entrants aged 18+.  See Rafflecopter for full terms and conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by NIVEA.  Press samples received for review purposes. 

NIVEA Review and $50 Visa Card Giveaway [CLOSED]

When I was contacted by NIVEA to review and give away some of their products, I was at first hesitant because I didn't think that they were a cruelty-free company.  I inquired about this to Samantha, the PR rep who contacted me, and she provided me with Beiersdorf's official statement (NIVEA's parent company):

Thank you for contacting Beiersdorf Inc. regarding our policy on animal testing. We appreciate your concern about the use of animals for testing.

We do not conduct animal testing with any of our skin care products. Beiersdorf has been at the forefront of seeking alternatives to animal testing. We have shifted our emphasis to in vitro test methods, scientific literature reviews and past history to establish the safety of our products.

We appreciate and share your concern on this issue. As a responsible corporation, Beiersdorf has been addressing this issue for years and will continue to do so, just as we are also committed to providing you with safe, high-quality products.

With that reassurance, I agreed to try out their products in honor of September being National Skin Care Awareness month.

I am a big skincare junkie and I always apply lotion after showering and throughout the day.  I hate the feeling of dry, flaky skin.  NIVEA sent me three products that are great for transitioning into the cooler and drier fall months.  Right now I'm using mostly natural skincare, but I'm not against the idea of trying products that are not all-natural.  I liked this trio of products because a light exfoliation followed by moisturizer application is important to keep skin from looking dull.

The Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon Soothing Lip Care balm was entirely new to me.  I generally stick to natural lip care, because non-natural lip balms usually contain alcohol in them, which seems counterproductive to me because it dries out lips.  Now, I don't know the ins and outs of the creation of this product and why alcohol may be an essential ingredient, but I did notice that Cetearyl Alcohol is listed as the 11th of 24 ingredients.  This lip balm also contains beeswax, which would be unsuitable for vegans.

I really liked the scent of this balm.  It's difficult for me to describe, but I suppose the best way I could put it is slightly sweet, slightly citrus-y, and slightly herbal.  The texture of the balm is very smooth, too, and the stick itself is an olive green.  It stayed on my lips for a good hour after application, which was impressive, and kept them feeling soft.

The Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub is one of NIVEA's most popular products, and I can see why.  I love trying new body scrubs and this one is appropriate for daily use because the exfoliating beads are very small.  I think that to get the best exfoliation out of it, it should be applied directly to the skin from your hands.  For a lighter touch, use it on a washcloth or bath pouf (I opted for the second).  The 12 fl. oz size is generous, and a little goes a long way.  The scent is a combination of sweet and floral, which I found really pleasing.  This body scrub contains NIVEA's Hydra IQ technology to provide long-lasting moisture.

The final product I tried was the Smooth Sensation Daily Lotion.  When it dispensed it looked like a standard cream, but when I applied it the texture was much silkier than I anticipated.  This also has NIVEA's Hydra IQ technology.  It has a light scent that reminds me of baby powder, and is great to use straight out of the shower.  I really liked how this applied and absorbed quickly into my skin.

Bottom Line: If you're looking for affordable and effective skincare for fall, I think that these NIVEA products are a good option and I'm happy to learn that they are cruelty-free.  Pamper your skin during National Skin Care Awareness month and pick up some NIVEA products!

NIVEA was also kind enough to send me a $50 Visa gift card, which I used to buy some candles and a new dress for work.  Want to win $50 for yourself along with the three products I've tried above?  Then enter my giveaway after the "read more!"