Moisturizing your hands, especially when the weather takes a dip is so important. And since the dry, hot air in the office can wreck havoc on your hands, a good lotion is a must-have.

Unfortunately, I usually slack off when it comes to putting on hand lotion, so my cuticles often look pretty ragged during this time of year. And the fact that I tend to wash my hands a lot doesn’t help matters.

One thing that will motivate me to give my hands tender loving care? A fast-absorbing lotion like the OPI Avojuice Holly Berry Hand & Body Lotion, which is a new addition this year!

Only very recently have I had the pleasure of trying out the OPI Avojuices, and I’m pretty impressed!

OPI Avojuice Holly Berry Hand & Body Lotion Pictures

Claims: TRUSTED

• (Yes) Top notes: apple peel, nashi pear, crushed pineapple, fir needle & Brazilian orange
• (Yes) Midde notes: Ground cinnamon, clove bud, black licorice & ripened berry accord
• (Yes) Base notes: Shaved cedar, peach nectar, shredded coconut, vanilla bean & nude musk

Key Notes

• Name: OPI Avojuice Holly Berry Hand & Body Lotion
• Amount: 200 mL (6.6 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by PR.)
• Where to Buy: Trade Secrets & select beauty-supply stores, spas & salons
• Limited Edition: Yes!

OPI Avojuice Holly Berry Hand & Body Lotion Review

Fragrance

The OPI Avojuice hand and body lotion in the Holly Berry scent reminds me of Christmas because it has the notes that I most associate with the winter season such a pine trees and spices like cinnamon and cloves. It also has a touch of fruitiness, which adds a fresh burst of sharpness that cuts through the warmth and keeps the scent from smelling heavy.

It’s amazing how complex the aroma is considering this is a hand and body lotion! While I wore it, I noticed that the scent evolved. much like a perfume would. It was very interesting!

If you enjoy scented candles like Slatkin & Co. Autumn and Slatkin & Co. Leaves, I think you’ll appreciate the Holly Berry OPI Avojuice. It has that same crispness with the combination of fresh trees, apple, and spices that remind you of the fall. But because this OPI Avojuice has some pine mixed in, it makes you think you’re walking through a snow-covered forest on a bright morning in December.

The potency of the fragrance is strong enough to detect it while you’re wearing it, and I think it’s strong enough to alter a perfume you may be wearing. For this reason, you’ll have to be careful how you pair them, or you could wind up with a strange combination.

Consistency

One of the characteristics of the OPI Avojuice lotions is how they feel incredibly light and soft on the skin. They aren’t thick, so you won’t feel like you’re putting on a second layer of skin.

Absorption

The main reason I fell in love with the OPI Avojuices since I first tried them is that they absorb into your skin lightning fast!

At work, I have to be on the computer a lot, so I can’t stand lotions that are greasy or that I have to rub into my skin for 10 minutes.

With OPI Avojuice, I just rub my hands together a little, and it sinks in quickly. There’s no greasy residue, and I don’t feel like my hands are so slick that they’d dirty up my keyboard.

Hydration

OPI Avojuice Holly Berry provides light hydration, so for regular maintenance, it’s wonderful. However, I would recommend something heavier (like from Aveeno) if your skin’s chapped.

This lotion’s ideal to use at the office rather than right before you go to bed. Of course, you could use this overnight, but I tend to think that lighter lotions like this are better to use during the day and that heavier or thicker ones are best to use at night (when they have a longer period of time to absorb).

How It Feels on the Skin

Oh, I looooove how silky and soft my skin feels with this, even if I only used a little. It’s not greasy at all, and your skin will feel so supple!

(I remember the first time I tried an OPI Avojuice. Haha, I kept caressing the back of my hand and enjoying how it felt like a weirdo!)

Packaging

This is the first full-size OPI Avojuice that I’ve ever tried, and I like this 200 mL (6.6 fl. oz.) size way more than the small trial size.

Of course the trial size is more travel-and-purse-friendly, but I find that the thick plastic of those bottles can force you to squeeze out the product too quickly (and therefore, you can sometimes get a bit more than you expected).

With this large size, the bottle stands up and comes with a pump, which I really like because you don’t have to flip up a cap. The pump makes it easier to dispense the amount of lotion you need quickly.

Press Release

The following is the official press release and promo pictures sent to me by PR:

OPI Introduces Limited Edition Avojuice Skin
Quenchers Hand & Body Lotion in Holly Berry

OPI launches new limited edition Avojuice Skin Quenchers Hand & Body Lotion in Holly Berry for the holiday season. Featuring a fresh holly scent, rich moisturizers, and soothing avocado and aloe extracts, Holly Berry keeps skin soft during cold winter weather.

With a warm, spicy bouquet, Holly Berry’s scent includes: top notes of apple peel, nashi pear, crushed pineapple, fir needle and Brazilian orange; middle notes of ground cinnamon, clove bud, black licorice and ripened berry accord; and base notes of shaved cedar, peach nectar, shredded coconut, vanilla bean and nude musk. Holly Berry is available in a 6.6 oz. bottle as well as a 1 oz. Juicie size – ideal for stocking stuffers and for use on-the-go.

“Holly Berry will reinvigorate both skin and spirits this holiday season,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI co-founder & Artistic Director. “With a holly scent that’s richly floral and fruity, I recommend using regularly to keep skin hydrated – an easy trick to make hands
look younger. The 1 oz. Holly Berry Juicie is the perfect size to bring on a plane, carry in a
purse or stash in the car.”

Avojuice Skin Quenchers Hand & Body Lotion in Holly Berry will be available October 2013, at professional salons and spas across Canada for $2.50 suggested retail for each 1 oz. bottle, and $9.95 for each 6.6 oz. bottle. For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

Pros Great winter/holiday scent Provides light hydration Not greasy at all Absorbs lightning fast 200 mL size comes with a pump dispenser Makes skin feel soft, silky & supple

Cons Not heavy enough to provide healing hydration for chapped hands (This is mainly for good maintenance.) Fragrance can clash if you’re wearing perfume

Final Verdict: 9/10

I like this lotion so much that I’ve brought it to work because it’ll motivate me to hydrate my hands more.

The fresh Christmas-y scent really perks me up, and makes me feel happy!

I highly recommend you try the OPI Avojuices. Even if this isn’t a scent you dig (hey, fragrance is so personal), I suggest you smell a few others – you’re bound to find something you like or love!

What fragrances remind you of the holidays? What does your favourite hand and/or body lotion smell like? Do you moisturize your hands after every time you wash them?