Philosophy Pure Grace

There is less than one week until Christmas and I am spending this whole weekend trying to pretend that the holiday doesn't exist.  I have everything done to prepare for the holiday so I have decided to hit the gym this weekend and start to think ahead toward what types of products that I will want to start picking up when the spring collections hit us full force.  I am going to start making some decisions as to what I would like to change about this blog in the new year and how I plan to start rolling them out next month.  We are far into the holiday season that I am tired of anything having to do with the merriment and I want to start looking ahead into the future.

I started by spending some time digging through my perfume collection and trying to decide if there are any holes in the line up.  I have been seeing a lack of fresh fragrances that can be worn in all kinds of situations and I went to a Sephora near me early this morning.  I remembered how much I used to love Philosophy's Amazing Grace fragrance and that this is one of the few fragrances that I ever completely used up and then went out and repurchased a new bottle.  I finished up my last bottle in the early fall months and I was considering ordering another bottle for the spring months.

Amazing Grace was typically the fragrance that I turned to when I was looking to wear a clean, fresh fragrance and the lack of the fragrance is leaving a large hole in my collection.  I thought about this fragrance this morning when I was walking into Sephora and I headed right over to the Philosophy section of this store.  I had a bottle of Amazing Grace in my hand when I decided to spray a few other fragrances from this company on my kind.  Pure Grace is the fragrance that caught my attention and this is the fragrance that I walked out with a bottle of.

"Pure. Crisp. Clean. Pure Grace represents clean, modern simplicity. It is a universal scent that will change the way you feel about fragrance. Pure, crisp, and infinitely clean, the fragrance opens with a veil of water lily for subtle freshness. The heart has the simple, modern tones of leafy greens and lasting frosted musk brings for a refreshing, modern finish.", states the Sephora website.

The major notes of Pure Grace are: Bergamot, Water Lily, Lavender, Jasmine, Cool Greens, Musk.

This fragrance is great for when I need a break from my normal floral fragrance lineup.  The floral notes are very subtle in Pure Grace and is light enough to be worn all throughout the year.  This is one of the few jasmine fragrances that I would be able to wear during the hottest days of the summer.  This fragrance reminds me more of a clean "laundry" type of fragrance.  If I close my eyes while wearing this fragrance, I think about fresh laundry drying outside during the summer.

I will wear this fragrance here and there during the winter months but it will become more of a staple in my line up once the warmer weather hits.  My biggest issue with this fragrance is the lack of lasting power.  This is a complaint that I have had with nearly every single Philosophy fragrance that I have used and I find that I tend to use through them like water as I am re-applying them.  I am considering picking up a rollerball in this fragrance and keeping it in my bag with me once the weather warms up enough for me to start wearing it to work.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Take A Deep Breath Oil-Free Energizing Oxygen Gel Cream Moisturizer

With the excess humidity and heat that has come with the end of this summer, I have needed to change my skincare regime around quickly and needed a lighter weight day cream than I have for the past few months.  My Clinique Dramatically Different Moisture Plus has been regulated for night only and I will keep using it in this fashion for the next few weeks.  I needed to add a new face cream formula to my skin care regime and wanted to go after another cream gel formula (similar to Origins Ginzing formula but lighter).  I visited Sephora and left with a pot of Take a Deep Breath from Philosophy.  This must a relatively newer product in this line since I had never seen it when I was shopping their skin care line.  I love the more hydrating creams from this company and wanted to see what other types of formulas this company excels in.

Take a Deep Breath is a great face cream if you have normal to oily skin and works only for me because of the exceptionally hot weather, I doubt that I will be rebuying this product or needing it again in the future.  "An energizing, oil-free moisturizer for a healthy glow.  Give your skin a breath of fresh air with this lightweight, fresh-feeling moisturizer that revitalizes and protects. Environmental factors like sun, smog, and pollution can cloud the complexion and make it appear dull and lackluster. This cream diffuses energizing oxygen to detoxify skin and support cell respiration, while a blend of antioxidants fight the signs of stress. The oil-free formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin perfectly balanced. From dull to revitalized, your complexion will positively glow.", states the Sephora website.

I really liked this formula and I really wish that Philosophy would offer these product benefits in a more hydrating formula.  This face cream has a very light texture and I consider it to be more of a gel than a gel cream.  The texture is very much like a light jelly and will not be enough for my skin when this current hat wave has ended.  That being said...I do like how nicely this cream absorbs into my skin and doesn't leave an oily residue on the skin. 

My favorite aspect of this product is the "glow" that it creates on my skin.  My complexion is brighter after use and I love the pretty flush that it brings to the apples of my cheek.  It improves my complexion in a way that no other product has before and that is why I wish these benefits could be found in a product that is more hydrating.  I am considering layering this product over a very hydrating face serum and seeing if the combination of these two products will be keep my face hydrated later on in the fall months.  I have been using the product for less than a week and I can see a difference in my complexion already and would love to keep these benefits up later on.

This wasn't my normal type of product and I doubt that I would have purchased it without the 100 degree temperatures that we have been living through the past few weeks.  I love the light hydrating benefits of this product but it isn't going to be enough for my skin much longer.  The "glow" is lovely and the best aspect of this product and I want to see if any other products from Philosophy have these benefits.  I have never seen another skincare product like this before and now I want to find other like it and somehow manage to layer it with other products to adapt it to colder temperatures.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Just Release Me Dual-Phase Oil-Free Makeup Remover

Philosophy skin care products have been among my top purchases in skin care since the beginning of the spring months, I can't remember the last time that I bought body products or fragrances from this company but the current and newer skincare products from this company have been top quality.  I just finished up the last drops of my eye makeup remover from MAC and then I decided to try one from this company since I have had such great results from their face washes and creams.  I love their new night cream formula and will be ordering another one as soon the winter comes and my current pot runs out. 

The newest product that I purchased from this company is the Just Release Me Dual-Phase Oil-Free Makeup Remover, many of the cleansers from this company are top rated at Sephora and have won Allure awards for many years running.  I have used both the cream and foam face washes from Philosophy and have gotten great results from both versions of the formula.  I was sure that an eye makeup remover from this company would give me good results while not irritating my skin and I have not been disappointed by this formula.

The Sephora states the following as a product description, "A dual-phase, extremely mild, oil-free eye makeup remover.  Philosophy Just Release Me™ Dual-Phase Oil-Free Makeup Remover gently yet effectively breaks down and removes the toughest eye makeup, even waterproof makeup, without irritating the eyes. Formulated with natural aloe, and chamomile and cucumber extracts, this soothing essential works to calm, clean, cool, and refresh the eye area.  This opthalmologist-tested must-have does not contain propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. It is safe for contact lens wearers."

The following ingredients are found in this formula...

- Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Extract - Moisturizes soothes and calms the skin.
- Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract - Calms and soothes the skin.
- Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract - Refreshes softens and moisturizes the skin.
- Echinacea Purpurea Extract - Calms and soothes the skin.

This formula is considered oil-free and is a large change from the oil-based formula that I had been using for the past few months. The oil-based formula from MAC worked very well to get all of my eye makeup off (minus a few last traces of mascara some days) but would leave oily traces on my lids that I then had to wash off in the shower.  This formula cleans the eye makeup off completely (of course minus a few traces of mascara here and there - I will never find a formula that will get all of my mascara off) and doesn't leave the oily residue on the skin.  I have not had any problems with irritation on my eye area after using this formula and this is one of my most important reasons to choose any type of eye makeup formula.

My only complaint with this product is the bottle, the neck and mouth of the bottle are much larger than any other formula that I have used.  Typically, the product will have a very small opening in the bottle and only several drops will be allowed out at one time.  I can quickly saturate an entire cotton ball if I am not careful when using this product and I think that I am wasting product and letting too much out at once.  This is the worst aspect of this product and I am experimenting with tipping the bottle in different ways to allow the least amount of product possible to  come out at any given time.

This is another solid face care product from Philosophy, I really feel that their face care is becoming much better than any of their body products or recent fragrances.  I wish that we would see some great new 3 in 1 fragrances from this company, every season in the mid 2000's saw a release of some great new scents and I had a huge collection of them.  With the exception of Senorita Margarita, I have not been using any products from them lately and I miss buying new scents each season...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Here Comes the Bride Gift Set

We are now in the beginning of June and this is the month that contains the highest amount of weddings for the whole year.  There is no wedding or engagement on my horizon right now but the same can be said of many of my close friends and extended family members, I have looked at more Gift Registries over the past few weeks than ever before and am shopping for dresses that I can wear to more than one summer afternoon wedding.  I am the worst person at buying practical gifts for my friends who are tying the knot and almost always throw something fun and just for the bride into the gift.  In previous seasons, I have found little gift sets at Sephora for my friends and I am hoping that this year is exactly the same, I have had so many of my bride friends love the little extra gift that they received and I want to continue this trend for as long as I can.

Philosophy has been a source of bridal gifts in the past and I am happy to see that they will not disappoint me this year.  This company has released a brand new gift set this year just in time for the wedding season, Here Comes The Bride will be going right into my Sephora shopping cart and I am now deciding how many of them I will want to order this wedding season.  In previous years, the gift sets for brides from this company have been so good that I have been tempted to order one for myself.  I loved the one that contained the champagne scented products from a previous year, this was the best set that Philosophy made and I haven't seen one as good yet.

This year the set is named Here Comes The Bride and is a combination of fragrance and skin care products (in sizes that will fit perfectly in a carry on for the honeymoon!) and contains two of their best selling skin care items and small products in the Amazing Grace fragrance. 

"A lovely gift set for the beautiful bride-to-be.  Here Comes The Bride features Philosophy’s bestselling skincare and fragrance, so she can walk down the aisle with a stunning, radiant complexion while feeling amazingly clean and beautifully feminine. The highly-effective one-step facial cleanser rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores, while the cult-favorite moisturizer gently hydrates, exfoliates, and protects the skin. The three-in-one gel and luxurious body lotion are infused with the beloved Amazing Grace fragrance—a uniquely feminine blend of soft, floral blossoms accented by a hint of light musk. Together, this collection will have the bride-to-be fully ready for the celebration of her life.", states the Sephora website.

This set contains: 2 oz Purity Made Simple, 1 oz Hope in a Jar, 2 oz Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel, and 2 oz Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion

Purity Made Simple - A highly effective one-step facial cleanser.  Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a pH-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores. The bestselling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.  Purity Made Simple is part of a collection of Philosophy products designed to soothe even the most dry and sensitive skin. It is a "Best of Sephora" Winner 2008.

Hope in a Jar - A cult-favorite moisturizer that gently hydrates, exfoliates, and protects the skin.  Philosophy Hope in a Jar is a 99.9% oil-free, deeply hydrating, lightweight wonder designed to smooth the complexion while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Originally created for the medical market, this expert essential delivers soft, healthy, glowing results.  This beloved formula contains antioxidants that protect skin against environmental damage and provides continuous exfoliation to keep roughness at bay. An infusion of yeast-derived beta glucan supports the skin's natural defense system and improves repair capabilities.

Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath, and Shower Gel - A 3-in-1 gel infused with the beloved Amazing Grace fragrance.  Philosophy expanded its Amazing Grace line to include this product that's a bath, shampoo, and shower gel all-in-one. This gel is a lovely way to wear Grace, either by itself for a subtle scent or layered for longer wear.  Amazing Grace fragrance for women is a uniquely feminine blend of soft, floral blossoms accented by a hint of light musk.

Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion - Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion is a toning body moisturizer that helps to purify, moisturize, and revitalize dry, aged, or wrinkled skin with a unique blend of antioxidants and vitamins E and C. Chock full of luscious moisturizing properties including shea butter, macadamia nut, and olive oils.  Indulge yourself - and those you are most thankful for - with good-for-your-body-and-soul treats from Philosophy's Amazing Grace Collection.

I think this might be my new favorite of the wedding gift sets, the combination of products inside is great and the sizes are perfect for a honeymoon adventure.  Both of the skincare products are among the best that I have ever used and I have never met any lady who does not like the Amazing Grace fragrance so I think that this gift set is pretty safe for anyone who is getting married this season!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy The Beach Party

With the Sephora Friends and Family in full swing, I have been frequenting their website and Iphone app.  I have made my initial order and am waiting for it to come in the next day or two and I am already looking at what I would place for a second order.  Each time that I look at the website, I only manage to find more items that I would like to buy and am trying to figure out how to best narrow this down to only one more order.  So far, I have not been buying body products from Sephora since I have bought so many shower gels and lotions from the Fresh Picked line at Bath and Body Works and should not be adding anything additional to my shower at all.  That resolution went well for several months but now I am seeing some of the new summer products from Philosophy available on the Sephora website and I really want to go to the store and see what they smell like!

The first item that I am seeing available from this company is a set of three smaller sized products that is all wrapped up and ready to give.  Friends and family of mine love to get gifts from Philosophy so I am always watching for new sets and I love the large selection that this company is currently offering!  The Beach Party is a lovely little gift that contains three small body products, a gift that is perfect to give to someone who is going to the beach for the weekend or has an upcoming vacation.

"A trio of cleansing, polishing, and conditioning formulas that refresh with the scent of tropical fruit.  Fresh, juicy mangos and ripe passion fruit—embrace paradise and invigorate your senses with this luxurious set of Philosophy formulas. The body lotion contains nourishing shea butter and natural olive and macadamia nut oils to soften skin and add in moisture retention. The three-in-one shower gel cleanses and conditions skin and hair with a rich, foaming lather. The body polish gently exfoliates skin for a silky, tropical finish.  Drizzle the multitasking gel into the bathtub and soak in the sweetly scented bubbles for extra silky skin.", states the Sephora website to describe the product.

The set contains the following pieces...

- 2 oz Passion Fruit Daiquiri Body Lotion
- 4 oz Passion Fruit Daiquiri Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath
- 4 oz Passion Fruit Daiquiri Body Polishing Scrub

This fragrance is new for this summer however I am willing to bet that it is very similar to the Melon Daiquiri that I loved over the years.  This one has a mango scent so I might love it even more since mango is one of my favorite fragrances to use, regardless of the season.  In fact, mango is one of the few fragrances that can get me through the winter months without going crazy!  I am also interested in the fact that a scrub has been offered in this set, Philosophy is not known for having a big selection of any product other than 3-1s and I love that they are creating more and more body products for us to love.

This set is a great start to the summer body product collection and I am really looking forward to see what other products and fragrances come out in the next month!  Friends and Family is still going strong for me...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Hope In a Jar Night Face Cream

Several weeks ago, I wrote a Theme Week featuring all kinds of great skincare ingredients that have helped my skin in the past and that have been proven to work by the industry.  One of the items that I covered was the best selling moisturizer from Philosophy, the Hope In a Jar product.  This face cream is one of the best known products on the Sephora website and is a consistent top seller for any company that carries it.  This moisturizer was covered under the lactic acid ingredient post, an ingredient that helps to increase total cell turnover and helps to boost hydration levels in the skin.  The reason that this moisturizer is such a top seller is because it actually delivers on its promises and is a simple yet very effective formula.  I would have no hesitation to re-purchase this product again in the future and I think that Philosophy overall has a very solid skincare product line.

Earlier this month, a new product joined the Philosophy skin care line up and it was an instant sell out at my closest Sephora store and it was out of stock online went I tried to order it.  I considered trying another face cream and ordering this one later on in the season but I ended up waiting until I got the email from Sephora stating that the product was back in stock and that I could order it any time.  I actually pushed off my entire Sephora order to wait for this product and just left it all in my Shopping Cart until I could add this product and make the order.  I have been using it for about a week now and I can very happily state that this product was well worth the wait and is one of my favorite night creams that I have ever used!

The product description and details come from the Sephora website, "An intensive retexturizing moisturizer that repairs skin overnight for a beautiful, well-rested appearance.  Wake to more radiant, refreshed skin with this night version of Philosophy’s much-loved Hope In A Jar moisturizer. The gentle formula boosts nighttime renewal to retexturize skin, as it plumps the appearance of fine lines and evens skintone. Patented qusomes help deliver potent glycolic acid to the skin, while gradual-release technology minimizes the potential for irritation. With regular use, skin becomes noticeably smoother, lines are visibly softened, and your rosy glow is restored."

The clinical trail results were provided also...

"Based on once-daily use, a clinical and consumer study of 48 participants reported:
- 92% felt softer, comfortably hydrated skin overnight
- 90% showed significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines after 2 weeks of use"

The texture of this product was the first item that I noted when I tried it, this moisturizer has the texture of thick cake frosting.  I applied this all over my face and my dry skin just drank it in.  I had to get the product out of my eye brows but other than that, it absorbed instantly and left my skin feeling very hydrated.  The next morning, my skin still felt fully hydrated and wasn't as dry as usual when I got out of the shower.  I do not use this product during the day, I use a lighter lotion from Clinique and we will get into the "Why" when I talk ingredients in the next paragraph.  After a week of use every single night, my skin retains moisture better and looks brighter and fresher than before.  This is a great hydrating face cream for dry skin, I don't see this working well on normal skin types as it is a very thick formula.  I will use this product throughout the rest o the spring but I don't know if I can use it in the summer or if I will put it away for the fall.  This is an aspect of the product that I will have to report back on in June.

My thoughts on the formula - I wasn't expecting the hit of glycolic acid to be in this product and I will confess that I was so excited to order this product that I really didn't closely read the details of it.  My skin and glycolic acid don't always get along, it has to be in small doses and I have to watch my skin's reactions with the use of it.  This product doesn't not bother my skin at all, very surprising to me but I see that this has an extra ingredient added into it to keep the product gentle for all skin types.  This formula is best for a night cream, this ingredient mix has a major potential to make skin sensitive to the sun and I would not use it in the daytime to avoid the risk of a sunburn. 

Over the past week, my skin has vastly improved in hydration level and looks my clearer than it did before I began using this product.  This is a great skin cream from Philosophy but only if you have drier skin, this is not recommended for normal skin with the hydration level that it provides.  This is my current favorite night cream and might be among the best that I have ever used and I will be purchasing it again as soon as I run out.  I will have to see how it works during the summer months and if I need a lighter formula so I will report back on that aspect of the product but so far, I am very happy with what I am getting right now from this cream!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Skincare Ingredients Week Day Three - Philosophy Hope in a Jar Face Cream

So far this week, we have been looking at anti-oxidant ingredients in skincare and how they protect the skin from future signs of aging.  Today we are going to move away from this category of ingredients and look at another type of ingredient that protects the skin from environmental damage.  Lactic acid is a milk-based ingredient that both promotes hydration, soothes skin, promotes healthy exfoliation, and protect the skin.  This ingredient is very old and was first used by Cleopatra, it amazes me how lactic acid has endured through the years and makes me think that sometimes natural ingredients are better than those that have been cooked up in a chemistry lab.

I hestitated in choosing lactic acid for one reason, I am considering going from vegetarian to vegan and if I would go into veganism, then I could never use any type of product with milk proteins or lactic acid in.  This may be how I go in a few years but for now I will keep using product with milk in.  Lactic acid is a form of AHA and is derived from sour milk.  AHAs are used to exfoliate and tighten skin and this is a more gentle form than many of the others on the market.  Products that are spiked with this ingredient with help increase exfoliation and therefore will improved the overall complexion and texture of the skin.  Milk fats help to increase hydration levels in the skin and is soothing enough to calm redness and easily irritated skin, it is an ingredient that is often used in skincare products targeted for sensitive and red skin.  Being that this ingredient can both increase exfoliation but is used in products for sensitive skin, the active levels of this ingredients are very important as to much of a good thing can actually make skin worse.  Excess exfoliation of skin that is easily irritated can make the redness and irritation much worse so if this is your skin (and it is mine) then you will need to choose a gentle formula that is well trusted and respected.

I decided to try this ingredient for the first time in the Philosophy Hope in a Jar Face Cream, one of the best selling skin creams at Sephora and one of the overall best selling skin creams on the market.  What started out as one kind of face cream has now bloomed into a line of these creams for every skin type and I am getting hints that a special night cream with this formula is coming out very soon. This is a very simple formula that is also very effective at the same time. 

"A cult-favorite moisturizer that gently hydrates, exfoliates, and protects the skin.  Philosophy Hope in a Jar is a 99.9% oil-free, deeply hydrating, lightweight wonder designed to smooth the complexion while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Originally created for the medical market, this expert essential delivers soft, healthy, glowing results.  This beloved formula contains antioxidants that protect skin against environmental damage and provides continuous exfoliation to keep roughness at bay. An infusion of yeast-derived beta glucan supports the skin's natural defense system and improves repair capabilities."

This face cream is made for use any time of the day however I preferred to use it at night instead of during the day.  The simple formula hydrated my skin very quickly and absorbed into the skin.  With the lactic acid in the formula, I found that this cream made my skin a bit red in the cheek area, this is not a look that I want to wear during the daylight hours as I needed extra makeup to cover up the problem areas.  My skin is fine when I use it at night and then use a different face cream in the morning.  I know that the redness is caused by the extra exfoliation of the lactic acid and overall my complexion is better than before use of it.  After two weeks of using this product once a day, I could see an improvment in my complexion and I really started to like this product.  Initially I was disappointed by it since it seemed to make the red in cheek area worsen but using it at a different time in the day made the redness less visible. 

I do really like this product since it helped to improve the eveness and tone of my complexion and I will be purchasing the new version of this cream as soon as it is released.  I am really excited to see how a night version of this product works and I will be reading up on it as soon I can get more information on it.  Will the lactic acid percentage be higher and will my complexion improve even more?  Or might an enhanced version be too much?  One thign is for sure, I will keep looking for great products with lactic acid in them.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy X's and O's Trio

More and more Valentine's Day products are on the way especially we are less than one month to the holiday, still the only things that I like about this holiday are the beauty products and the heart-shaped York Peppermint Pattys.  The Illamasqua Broken Heart collection is still my favorite so far of the Valetine's Day collections and I know that it will remain as my favorite for the rest of the season.  I still haven't been able to get my hands on that Nail Varnish and it will be one of my challenges for the rest of spring.  But until then, I am craving some new body products and Philosophy has just released some new sets for Valentine's Day and spring.  I haven't been buying much in the way of body products lately, I have been trying to sort through what I own and use some items up so that I can begin getting my beauty product stash into an amount that won't require a separate Uhaul when I move to city.  But of course I want more new body products and I will try to be very choosy about which ones I decide to buy over these next few months.

Philosophy's body products are among the best on the market and I keep adding more and more of them to my collection because there are just so many great choices.  And more great choices come out with every single season...

X's and O's is the first set that I see for the Valentine's Day holiday, I originally smelled the Vanilla Cream Topping 3-in-1 the last time that I was at Sephora and it made it to my Most Wanted list for this month.  This set contains a small size of the wash and then a matching small lotion and maybe this is my best option for getting these products while still trying to thin out my body product collection.

"A charming three-piece set of deliciously scented favorites for lips, skin, and hair.  Treat your sweetie to this trio of luxurious formulas and the lovable scents of warm vanilla and ripe cherry. The multitasking gel cleanses and conditions from head to toe, the lotion hydrates and softens, and the lip shine delivers a smooth, glossy finish." 

Included in this set are small sizes of the Vanilla Cream Topping 3-in-1 and body lotion and a Lip Shine in Cherry on Top.  The Vanilla Cream Topping scent smells exactly like the vanilla frosting in a can from Betty Crocker, a treat that I love but try to stay away from as I can eat it straight out of the can.  The Cherry on Top Lip Shine provides a subtle red gloss that will be very pretty on both Valentine's Day and every other day of the year.  I am not even a huge fan of the Lip Shines but I really want this one, both for the shade and the fact that it is a sweet cherry scent.

I wonder what other treats Philosophy will be bringing out, both for Valentine's Day and then for later on in spring!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer

I have been working my way through the Sephora Beauty Insider Skincare Smaple bag that I received last fall, so far I have been very happy with the Lancome moisturizer that I tried first from the set and I had already bought a new jar of it by the time that I did the review.  I am now on the second product from the bag, Philosophy's Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer.  Many people who read this blog will remember that I love Philosophy skincare products and have used many of them over the years, Purity Made Simple still remains one of my favorite face washes that I have used.  Miracle Worker is a product that I had not used before but had always wanted to try and I jumped on the chance to try a huge sample of it when I decided to place my Sephora order so that I could qualify for the sample bag.

There are two formulas of the Miracle Worker face cream, the traditional and then a lighter, oil-free version.  I received the traditional version in the sample bag and this is a light textured lotion to begin with and I wouldn't even consider using the oil-free version until the spring and summer months, my skin is much to dry to use a light lotion in the winter months.  I actually wish that this product was offered in a third formula, a really rich and hydrating cream for those of us with dry skin.  This being the case, even though I do like this product a lot, I will not be purchasing the full size product until the spring months.

Sephora states, "A rejuvenating, age-fighting hydrator that softens, firms, and brightens the complexion.  This luxurious cream treats signs of aging and fortifies the skin's natural moisture barrier, maximizing moisture-retention capacity for healthy, soft, smooth results. Loaded with vitamin C and glutathione, this revitalizing essential helps enhance natural collagen production, promote longevity, and imparts radiance.  This easily absorbed, satiny formula is comfortable for all skin types." 

This product contains reservatrol, an important anti-oxidant that is being used more and more in face care products.  This ingredient was used heavily first by Caudalie and now other companies seem to be jumping on the bandwagon.  Vitamin C and Glutathione are both anti-oxidant ingredients and will help to enhance the effects of the reservatrol as they both help to enhance collagen production.  Aging bascially occurs when cells and proteins break down faster than they can be produced by the skin and this product will be helpful in reversing some of the signs of aging by protecting the skin from free radicals and helping to skip collagen production.  That being said, I don't have the visible signs of aging that this product is made to combat so I can't really comment on the full benefits of this product as I cannot reap them.

This face cream works very well to help hydrate my skin, it could be richer and I would only purchase this product from spring to fall.  My facial skin will get a bit dry a few hours after application and I do need to reapply it or use it with the hydrating face primer from Clarins.  This product is very much like the other skincare products from Philosophy, simple formulas that perform well without going above and beyond to change the skin.  This product hydrates well enough for normal and combination skin; I wouldn't recommend it for dry skin and I would recommend the oil-free version for oilier skin types.  The lotion absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any type of residue on the skin, I still wish that it was a bit thicker but that is my only complaint about the product and it simply means that I will not use the product in the winter months.

Miracle Worker is a nice face cream, but one that I don't really reap all the benefits of.  I would be likely to try more face creams from this company as I don't need all the anti-aging benefits that this product provides.  I still like that the formula is simple and doesn't contain excess ingredients that will only irritate my skin.  I do find Philosophy skincare products to be very good for skin that is sensitive or easily irritated and I think that this is one of the reasons that these skincare products always sell well. 

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Candy Cane Lane Set

I think we might have time for one last holiday gift idea...  I looked at a set from Philosophy the other day that contained several 3 in 1s and then the matching Lip Shines and I already have thought of a few people on my gift list that would love gifts from this company.  I actually have thought of so many people that would love to receive gifts from Philosophy that I have decided to look for at least one more gift offering from this comapny so that I am not giving some of my friends the exact same gift!

The first item that I stumbled on at Sephora the other day is still one of my favorite gifts and one that I know I will be gifting for the holidays.  I will have to avoid the temptation to keep one for myself but since I did stock up at Bath and Body Works this year and I bought enough Twisted Peppermint to tide to over to next year, I really shouldn't order yet another series of peppermint body products.  Even though I love Philosophy products oh so much...

The Candy Cane Lane gift set will go over very well with many of my friends, I am not the only Twisted Peppermint lover of the bunch and this company's Candy Cane fragrance is very similar.  My favorite aspect of this set is that it actually is a set, I didn't see any Twisted Peppermint gifts this year and I love to buy gift sets that are all decorated for the holidays.  Presentation is half of the joy of giving!

"A three-piece set of formulas for head-to-toe peppermint cheer.  Invigorate your senses with the crisp peppermint scent of this trio for hair, body, and lovely lips. The three-in-one gel cleanses and conditions hair and skin, while also providing a rich, foaming lather perfect for the bath. The salt scrub exfoliates and then hydrates, leaving your skin silky soft and minty. The highly emollient lip formula keeps your pout kissably soft, while adding beautiful shine and a sheer hint of color."

This set contains...

- 4 oz Candy Cane Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath
- 6 oz Candy Cane Salt Body Scrub
- 0.5 oz Candy Cane High-Gloss, High-Flavor Lip Shine

The Hot Salt Scrub in this set both excites and terrifies me a bit... I already have a Hot Salt Scrub from this company however I had forgotten about it before reviwing this set.  Any type of peppermint item often has a cooling effect on the skin so I am really excited to known how the heating effect of the scrub will combine with the cooling effect of the peppermint.  I am also slightly concerned as to what kind of chemical reaction would be occuring on my skin and what type of reaction that I might have to the product itself.  This could be ugly...

I will be ordering this set for several of my friends, this really would make a great gift for almost anyone.  Every lady that I know loves to papmper themselves with Philosophy body products and the Candy Cane fragrance is just perfect for anytime of the year.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Home for the Holidays Set

I have been looking back over the gift ideas and set thst I have looked at this blog and realized that I have mostly been focusing on color gifts and that I have compleely ignored one of my favorite bath and body lines so far this season.  What would a holiday be without something new from Philosophy?!  I have purchased many Philosophy gift sets for friends and have never had anyone been anything less than beyond excited about receiving their newest fragrances and then playing around with them so I know that I have some surefire winners from the products that have come out this season!

My favorite gift from Philosophy is the Home for the Holidays set, a combination of small shower products and matching lip glosses.  All of the scents that are contained in this gift are inspired by treats that are consumed during the holiday season and I know that they will make me crave sweets for the rest of the winter (if I purchase it for myself), I see that my new favorite from this company, Have a Cherry Christmas, is included with this set and this makes me want to order one for myself along with the ones that I will order for friends and family!

I found this set on the Sephora website and that is where the following description is found.  "A delicious, eight-piece collection of festively scented formulas for hair, skin, and lips.  Wrap yourself in holiday love and lustrous shine with this set of inspiring scents and pampering products. The three-in-one shower formula cleanses and conditions skin and hair, leaving it super soft and silky. The emollient lip gloss hydrates, soothes, and luxuriously softens lips, while leaving your pout adorned with a sheer, glossy finish."

This set contains the following products...

3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath - A multitasking cleanser for hair and body.
- Sparkling Cranberry - sparkling cranberry-spiked champagne
- Have a Cherry Christmas - pure sweet cherry dessert
- Peppermint Bark - peppermint and white chocolate
- Cinnamon Bun - cinnamon buns covered in frosting

Lip Shine - A high-gloss, high-flavor lip shine.  This lip-loving essential imparts a beautiful shine and a hint of color. Sunflower seed oil and vitamin E nourish and hydrate dry lips for smooth, soft results. The delectable flavor is perfect for calorie-free indulgence.
- Sparkling Cranberry - sheer deep berry
- Have a Cherry Christmas - sheer medium berry pink
- Peppermint Bark - sheer deep red
- Cinnamon Bun - sheer gold shimmer

This is one of the best holiday-themed giftsets that I have seen this year from Sephora.  Many of the color sets don't really scream "Holiday!" but the body products are much more holiday-themed.  all of these fragrances in the body products will make showering fun and will help everyone to have some fun this holiday season and forget about some of the stress.  Have a Cherry Christmas is one of the best sweet charry scents that I have ever smelled; as a cherry fan, this is one of the best scents that I could ask for and I want to buy this one in the huge size.  Sparkling Cranberry is crisp and reminds me of cosmos and going out, this is a great product to use when getting ready for New Year's Eve!    Peppermint Bark reminds me of their old Mint Chocolate scent from this company that I used to love and I need to get a full size bottle of this scent too!

The Lip Shines hold little appeal for me though I do have friends that really like them.  This lip glosses are very, very sheer and I would just rather use MAC Lipglass or a NARS gloss if I am craving color and shine.  This lip shines are best for the flavor and scent, they hold little appeal for someone who wants lots of pigment from their glosses.  They do make very cute gifts though...

Now we have a bit more variety with holiday beauty gift shopping, there are lots of color options out there but don't forget about everything else available on the Sephora website!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Fall 2012 Body Products

The weather has cooled down and now I can officially use all of my fall perfumes and body products, I love returning to old favorites and discovering new scents this time of the year and it is one of my favorite aspects of early fall.  I already looked at the Fall Traditions body products from Bath and Body Works, I actually went back to the store a few weeks after writing this post and tried the Brown Sugar and Fig fragrance again.  I hated this on my body when it first came out but it smelled less intense this time and smelled more subtly musky than full on fig on my skin.  I was so excited that I picked up the shower gel and matching lotion to use this fall.  So I already bought a few new products for the fall but I still am interested in picking up some other products from Philosophy...

It seems that every single year, two of the best-selling Philosophy fall scents come out.  The Caramel Apple and I Love Candy Corn are staples for this brand and are the backbone of the fall products.  This year is no exception and both of those scents are back along with a brand new one.  The Caramel Apple has always been my favorite every single year (these are my favorite fall treats) and I am willing to bet that this year will be exactly the same!

We will start out with the single 3-in-1s, as these are among Philosophy's most popular products.  In Love Candy Corn is the star of the fall products for this company.  "An oh-so-sweet caramel candy corn shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath.  Back with a caramel twist, this oh-so-sweet caramel candy corn shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath is everything you love about candy corn with a rich, creamy layer of caramel.  It's moisturizing formula provides a rich, foaming lather to gently cleanse and condition, leaving skin and hair feeling soft."  I never bothered to smell this when I last saw it at Sephora as I thought that it was the same scent as every other year but I will have to smell it again now that caramel notes have been added.  The original scent was so sweet that I couldn't use it very much and I would never use up a 16 oz bottle of it, let's see if that is still true with the caramel scent addition.  The Caramel Apple is always my favorite.  "A delectable caramel apple shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath that cleanses and conditions skin and hair.  You won't be able to resist bathtime when you dip into the delectable scent of caramel-coated apples.  Its moisturizing formula provides a rich, fomaing lather to gently cleanse and condition, leaving skin and hair feeling soft.  The delicious blend of red delicious apple and creamy caramel scents makes this shower gel the perfect bath treat on a crisp fall day."

The newest scent in the 3-in-1 is Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa, the drink that was made popular by Starbucks several years ago.  "A three-in-one cleanser for hair and body with the delicious scents of melted caramel and chocolate.  Cover yourself head to toe in the sweet scent of delicious caramel with this luxurious cleanser.  The multitasking formula provides a rich, foaming lather to gently clean and condition, leaving skin and hair soft and healthy.  The perfect bath and shower treat, this oh-so-sweet concoction is gentle enough for everyday indulgence."  This one sounds wonderful...Rolos are a favorite candy of mine and I am willing to bet that I would love this product and I must smell it the next time that I go to Sephora!

Sephora all makes lip glosses to match the candy corn and hot cocoa scents!  I have never really used Philosophy Lip Shines before, they are mostly clear with a slight shimmer and are mostly for the flavor.  First the I Love Candy Corn gloss.  "A high-gloss, high-flavor lip shine.  It's everything you love about candy corn, combined with Philosophy's lip-loving gloss formula, for deliciously soft lips.  This product's naturally emollient ingredients and Vitamin E help hydrate, soothe, and soften lips.  It leaves a sheer, lustrous finish and sweet candy corn flavor that stays delicious on lips.  It's the perfect lip treat for fall."  The I Love Candy Corn shade is clear with a hint of shimmer, this is only worth buying if you love candy corn.  The Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa has a bit more tint to it.  "An emollient-rich gloss that coats lips with the sweet flavor of cocoa and caramel.  Soften, hydrate, and smooth with this sheer gloss that guarentees a sugary pout.  The perfect treat to moisture and beautify, this oh-so-sweet formula is gentle enough for all-day indulgence."  I like both of these shades but I don't love either of them.

There is also a lip gloss set that I see on the Sephora website, it contains two different shades of lip shines that are not seen separately anywhere else on this website.  The Trick or Treat Lip Shine Duo is my favorite of the lip gloss products.  "A set of two high-gloss, high-flavor lip shines.  There's nothing spooky about these delicious lip treats.  Philosophy's trick or treat calls to mind the scent of crispy marshmellow bars and the delectable scent of caramel-coated apples.  Both are made with emollient formulas that hydrate, soothe, and soften lips to leave a sheer, beautiful shine."  Marshmellow Bars is a clear gloss with gold shimmer and the Caramel Apple gloss has a sheer deep red tint, Caramel Apple is my favorite of all the Lip Shines. 

On the Philosophy website, there is an additional giftset available that I didn't see on the Sephora website.  And it has the Caramel Apple scent in it!  "No tricks, just treats.  Trick or Treat features Sweet Cinnamon Icing and Caramel Apple Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath.  Leave skin and hair feeling soft."  This Trick or Treat set is awesome looking and I will be looking to use it from the company's website.  I have never smelled Sweet Cinnamon Icing but it sounds like a scent that I would fall in love with.  Years ago, Bath and Body Works had a scent called Cinnamon Frosting in their original Tutti Dolci line and this was one of my favorite scents and I have never smelled anything like it since.  If this scent matched it, then I would be in heaven!!!

I am so excited for more fall products, I am beginning to think that I could use these products all the way through the winter.  I love the Caramel Apple scent and I want to collect it in as many forms as possible!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Summer 2012 Body Product Collection

I have been all over the summer color collections for the past month and a half and I have decided to change it up a bit today, we haven't yet looked at any new body products for the summer and this is the best time of the year for some great new fruit and tropical fragrances.  The last time that I was in Sephora, I saw some of these products in the Philosophy section of the store and now I see that they are available on the Sephora website.  This company has released a series of body products that are available individually, in duos, and then in sets that are perfect for summer birthdays and hostess gifts.  My early favorites from this collection is actually the first scent that I smelled from this new collection, the Mangos and Cream scent of products.  This product reminded me of the Bath and Body Works Apricot Vanilla scent that I can no longer get and I already love the scent of mango and therefore this is one of the best body product scents that I have smelled in the past few months. 

The products are available in either the traditional 3-in-1 formula and many are available in a matching body lotion.  I have been dying for lotions to match the great Philosophy scents for years and I must not have been the only one!  "The body lotion formula of natural oils, shea butter, and anti-oxidants helps moisturize, soothe, and soften your skin.  This lightweight texture absorbs quickly to leave your body feeling extra silky.  The three-in-one cleanser for hair and body has a rich lather that gently cleanses and conditions, leaving skin and hair feeling hydrated and super-soft."

First we will start off with the single products that are available in this collection.  Cabana Girl is the first of the new scents, it is a mixture of coconut and guava notes.  This is sure to be a hit this summer especially with those of us who love coconut scents.   I have so many coconut scents but a mix of guava and coconut is one of the few that I don't own at all and I can't wait to play with this scent.  "A bath and body collection infused with a sunny, tropics-inspired scent.  Go poolside and quench your island thirst with the sweet scents of juicy guava and fresh coconut.  This tropical temptation is a head-to-toe paradise."  This fragrance comes in the full sized 3-in-1 and matching body lotion and I want to buy both of these products, I am all over coconut scents all year round and this will be a great addition to my collection.

The second of the new scents that is available in single products is Black Cherry Italian Soda, one of the most unique body product scents that I have ever smelled.  "A bath and body collection with a fragrant burst of effervescent black cherry.  Turn your shower into an Italian soda bar and give your skin the ultimate refreshment.  The scent of Italian soda contains a burst of sugar and refreshing fruit to give you a true soda experience."  I don't know that I could stand this scent in the full-sized products since this sent is very strong but I think that I would purchase a set of it in the smaller sizes.  I will have to see what all this is offered in other than the full sizes in the 3-in-1 and body lotion.

The duo of products is available only in Mangos and Cream, one of my early favorites.  This is one of the best mango scents that I have ever smelled, it reminds me of a mixture of mangos and sweet, creamy vanilla ice cream.   "A cleansing and hydrating combo scented with fresh, ripe mango and a touch of vanilla.  Treat any mango lover to this sweet and creamy set of fresh fruity favorites.  The three-in-one cleanser scrubs and conditions skin and hair with a rich foaming lather that leaves the body silky soft from head to toe.  Enjoy the multi-sensory experience in the shower or add it to the bathtub for a fragrant soak.  The lightweight, non-sticky body lotion is formulated with macademia seed and olive fruit oils, shea butter, and antioxidants to moisturize, soothe, and soften, while protecting skin from environmental attack."  I love this scent so much, I wish that it wasn't limited edition and that I could get it all the time.  This is simply one fo the best mango scents that I have ever smelled.

Now we are onto the giftsets that have come out for the summer!  The Cabana Girl Trio is the first set that I see available on the Sephora website.  This set contains small sizes of the Cabana Girl body products and the matching lip gloss.  "A three-piece collection for hair, body, and lips with a sunny, tropics-inspired scent.  Go poolside and quench your island thirst with this trio of sunny essentials.  Infused with the sweet scents of juicy guava and fresh coconut, these tropical temptations are a head-to-toe paradise gentle enough for everyday use.  Formulated with natural oils, shea butter, and anti-oxidants, the body lotion moisturizes and soothes parched skin.  The three-in-one cleanser conditions body and hair and enhances any shower or bath experience.  The lip shine glides on smooth = never tacky or sticky - and moisturizes for a soft, delicious pucker."  I am more interested in buying these products in the full sizes, however I would give this set as a gift to many of my friends that have summer birthdays.

The second of the giftsets contains only three-in-ones and it does contain the Black Cherry Soda scent in a small size, just like I hoped for above.  It also contains a strawberry scent and a lemon soda scent.  I think that I would be more interested in the lemon soda scent in a huge bottle.  "A trio of multitasking cleansers for hair and body with refreshing soda-inspired scents.  Turn your shower into an Italian soda bar for the ultimate, refreshing clean.  The three-in-one formulas provide a rich, foaming to clean and condition from head to toe, leaving skin and hair feeling ultra-soft and luxurious.  The Italian soda scents contain a burst of effervescence and refreshing fruit to give you a true soda experience.  Reach for the flavor of your choice and enjoy the fizzy pick-me-up."  The three scents that are in this collection are Black Cherry Italian Soda, Strawberry Italian Soda, and Limoncello Italian Soda.  I am not craving black cherry soda and I am more likely to buy this set than the full sizes of the Black Cherry Soda itself.

To round everything out, Philosophy has brought out a few limited edition scents in their best-selling Lip Shines.  These have never been among my favorite lip glosses, they are shiny and smell great but they have little to no color so I only buy these when I am in love with the fragrance.  "A high-gloss, high-flavor lip balm that hydrates with a sheer hint of color.  Give your lips a burst of effervescence and a true soda experience with this super-glossy, emollient-rich formula.  This lip shine goes on smooth - never tacky or sticky - and moisturizes for a soft, smooth pucker."  The first scent is the Strawberry Italian Soda, a "sweet, strawberry scent that will quench your thirst and make your smile fizz with delight".  This is a sheer pink shade that is on the warmer side.  The second Lip Shine is the Cabana Girl scent, a tropical-scented lip gloss.  "The coconut and guava flavor will quench your island thirst and the sheer tint will make your smile shine bright".  This scent is a coral shade that will never work on my skin tone.  I doubt that I will be purchasing either of these Lip Shines, neither shade will work for me.

My favorite things that from this collection are the Cabana Girl line of body products.  I will be buying the full sizes in both the 3-in-1 and the body lotion.  I already I am thinking about what summer birthdays are coming up among my group of friends since the Cabana Girl set will work well for lots of ladies.  I must have the set in the Mangos and Cream, I love this fragrance and I am actually considering purchasing a back-up set in this scent, it is just that good!  Lastly, I want the smaller 3-in-1 set of the soda scents, I like the Black Cherry but I don't know how much of it I could use without it beginning to get on my nerves.

This is a great summer body product collection, Cabana Girl and Mangos and Cream are among some of the best scents that I have seen this summer.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Spring 2012 Body Product Collection - Single Products

In my last post, we looked at the new sets that came out this season from Philosophy and right now we will look at the brand new single product scents that are being released.  So far, I am only seeing many of these on the Philosophy website and not the Sephora one so I don't quite know when they will be available in all stores.  While browsing on the Philosophy website, I was excited to see that this company brought back their Easter candy set from last year, the Sugar Chick scent was a favorite among my friends that love Peeps and I bet it was a big hit for them. 

This year, Philosophy is going away from the candy fragrances for their spring products and heading more into the floral range.  The season brings an expansion of the Field of Flowers scent, taking the original hit and introducing two more floral fragrances to compliment it.  I had smelled the original lastr year at Sephora and I remember that I liked it but I skipped over it since I didn't need any more body products at that time.  Not that I need any this time around but since spring is just beginning it makes a bit more sense to buy some new floral scents right now instead of the middle of June.  I love that all of these fragrances are offered in both the three-in-one and the matching lotion, I have wanted this company to offer lotions since I first began using their line and I guess that I wasn't the only one!

The first new Field of Flowers scent is a Water Lily fragrance, a type of fragrance that I actually own nothing in at the moment.  "Feel your inner joy unfold as your cleanse with Field of Flowers Water Lily Blossom Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath.  The luxurious formula nutures skin and hair as it rejuvenates your senses.  Bright citrus, clean floral scent."  The matching lotion is spiked with oils and shea butter so it promises to be a great moisturizer as well as smelling fantastic.  "Nuture your body and spirit with Field of Flowers Water Lily Blossom Body Lotion.  The luxurious formula leaves skin feeling hydrated, soft, and delicately scented.  Rich in natural oils, shea butter, and antioxidants.  Bright citrus, clean floral scent."  Waterlilies are very lightly scented so I imagine that this one isn't very strong, which is sounding good for the spring and well into the hot days of the summer.

The second fragrance is a magnolia scent, I still have one half used bottle of the old Bath and Body Works Magnolia Blossom Shower Gel and I am hoarding it but I will have to finish it up this spring or it will begin to get bad.  Perhaps this scent is one that I could use to replace it since no other company has released anything close to this fragrance in the past few years.  This scent is actually called Magnolia Blossom also so I hope that it has some of the same notes in as the one that I originally fell in love with.  "Field of Flowers Magnolia Blossom Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath cleanses and conditions skin and hair, while delicate pretty florals lift your senses.  Rich, foaming lather cleanses and conditions.  Delicate, pretty magnolia scent."  I have such high hopes for this three-in-one and the matching body lotion!  "Field of Flowers Magnolia Blossom Body Lotion nutures skin with its antioxidant-rich, moisturizing formula, leaving skin soft and delicately scented.  Nuturing shea butter and natural oils.  Delicate, pretty magnolia scent."  I need this fragrance to come to Sephora very soon since if it smells anything close to the old Bath and Body Works Magnolia Blossom than I will be buying both pieces of it!

The last of the new fragrances is Wildflower Blossom, a scent that seems to be more of a floral and green type of fragrance than the other blends.  I bet that this is the lightest of the three fragrances since wildflowers have very little fragrance in themselves and often can smell more like a grassy scent than any one floral note.  "Field of Flowers Wildflower Blossom Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath cleanses and conditions skin and hair, infused with a delicate floral scent.  Provides a rich, foaming lather.  Gentle formula for everyday use.  Fresh, delicate wildflower scent."  This fragrance might be a very good one to use in hot weather since it doesn't sound to be very strong (based on the provided fragrance description).  "Wildflower Blossom Body Lotion soothes, softens, and conditions skin with it's antioxidant-rich, moisturizing formula.  Surround yourself with wildflowers.  Moisturizes and soothes skin.  Infused with skin-loving antioxidants.  Fresh, delicate wildflower scent."  This is another scent that needs to come to Sephora very soon, I am hoping that this is more a green fragrance since those are getting harder to find.

I wish that all of these came in the sets too!  I know that I will end up wanting all of them and I just don't need that many body products right now.  If I have to choose, the Magnolia scent would be my first choice to buy, followed by the Wildflower as a close second.  As I said above, Sephora needs to get these in so that I can smell them all and decide how I want to do this!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Spring 2012 Body Product Collection - Sets

Philosophy had me super excited around Valentine's Day with their Sweet Talk scent, one of the only scents that I have ever smelled that was almost an exact replica of a Candy Hearts scent.  Candy Hearts are one of the only aspect of Valentine's Day that I actually like and Philosophy's line of product allow me to bask in the fragrance much longer than just the beginning of February.  This company is now releasing their new line of body products and sets for the spring season, a series of products based around the theme of an island getaway, something we could all use this time of the year!  This collection contains both sets that are perfect to try some smaller versions of the products out or to give as gifts and they are available in the full sized body products so you can shower everyday with a scent that you fall in love with. 

Let's start out with the sets that have been made just for this spring.  The first set is the Hawaiian Getaway Duo, a set that contains the Pineapple Coconut scent that was first released last year.  "A multitasking duo that cleanses and moisturizes with the delicious tropical scents of pineapple and coconut.  Take a mini-vacation with this set of island-scented favorites and let your senses escape to white sandy beaches where island fruits accent the breeze.  This set includes a three-in-one pineapple-coconut shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath and an antioxidant-rich body lotion, both of which cleanse, moisturize, and soften the skin to leave you feeling deliciously rejuvenated.  This set contains: an 8 oz Pineapple Coconut Body Lotion and an 8 oz Pineapple Coconut Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath." 

The second set that came out this spring is the Caribbean Getaway Duo and contains the same products in the Tropical Fruit Colada scent.  "A multitasking duo that cleanses and moisturizes with the deliciously sweet scent of tropical fruit colada.  Nothing beats a colada in hand and feet in the sand.  The Caribbean Getaway features a three-in-one tropical fruit shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath and an accompanying body lotion.  The shower gel cleanses and conditions skin and hair, while providing a rich, foaming lather for a luxurious shower or bath experience.  The deeply hydrating body lotion is formulated with shea butter and olive and macademia nut oils to soften skin and aid in moisture retention.  Infused with the fruity essence of the tropics, this gift set is an instant island getaway.  This set contains: an 8 oz Tropical Fruit Colada Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath and an 8 oz Tropical Fruit Colada Body Lotion."

The sets all contain the tropical scented products however the single products are more based toward floral fragrances.  Personally, I want both of theses sets since I love fruity, tropical fragrances in the spring and summer and I know that I will get use from all the products.  At the moment, I could only find these fragrances in the sets (both on the Philosophy and the Sephora websites) and I am hoping that they come out in the full sizes soon.

Now onto the single products that are new for the season...

photo courtesy of Sephora

My Favorite Products at this Time!

It is the middle of February and I am currently in the beauty product limbo that occurs as one season is coming to an end and I am looking forward to the beginning of another.  My major beauty concerns right now are keep my skin hydrated and reducing redness since it is sensitive and prone to dryness and redness during the winter season.  I am getting my skin ready for that first group of warm days in the spring when I can start using a light helping of bronzer and start rocking my spring makeup hues.

I am in the same place with makeup and fragrances too.  I am getting very sick of the shades and scents that I have been wearing since the middle of September and it is beginning to reach of point where I am getting headaches from any type of woody oriental fragrance.  I am using up the last little bits in any of the my bottles and clearing out space on my dresser for some new fragrances.  This is my version of spring cleaning!  Looking on the bright side, I have been starting to incorporate some of the new pink shades that I have been buying into my current makeup regime to bright my outlook on the current wintery weather.
Summary - I am interested in two things right now and all of my current favorite beauty products support these two obsessions!

My favorites right now!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple - "A highly effective one-step facial cleanser.  Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a pH-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores.  The best-selling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.  Purity Made Simple is a part of a collection of Philosophy products designed to soothe even the most dry and sensitive skin."  This might be one of my favorite face washes that I have ever used, I love it more and more every time that I use!  This will be best in the fall and winter months, it will be too heavy during the warm weather months so I will be buying another bottle of this at the end of next summer.  It fully cleans dirt, oil, and makeup off my face without leaving any residue.  It doesn't foam up so it doesn't contain any harsh surfactants that will strip and dry my skin out.  This product is top-rated and one of the company best-sellers for a reason; it works well and without any excess ingredients to dry out sensitive skin.

Benefit Total Moisture Face Cream - "A hydra-concentrated facial cream with tri-radiance complex.  Formulated for normal to dry skin, this concentrated facial cream provides immediate and long-term hydration for an ultra-radiant complexion.  It contains an exclusive "tri-radiance complex" to help develop the skin's reserves of water and reinforce skin's moisture barrier.  This product contains natural plant-based squalene and mango butter emollients."  I am currently on my second jar of this product, it is nearly unprecedented that I finish a face cream and then run right out and rebuy the exact same product, I expected very little of this product when I first got the Beauty Insider sample from Sephora but I quickly fell in love with the texture and the way that it leaves my skin feeling.  I started using this only as a face cream when I first got the sample in December but now I am using it twice a day, both in the morning and at night.  It helps to leave my skin perfectly hydrated and glowing.  It leaves no greasy residue and absorbs quickly and evenly.  Like the above face wsh, I will stop using this in the spring but will be buying another jar (third jar!!!) at the end of the next summer.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Shy Honey - "A glossy, ultra-light lipstick.  Not quite a gloss, and not quite a lipstick, this transparent formula merges with the unique, natural tone of your lips to create a look that's all your own.  It's sheer, emollient-rich formula glides on for easy layering."  Shy Honey is a sheer light cool pink shade, I am trying to save my bright pinks for the spring and this is a way for me to start rocking my pinks early.  The formula is very hydrating and helps to soothe my chapped lips and ease them into the next season.  I own a bunch of these glosses and wear them all the time, I love this formula and I was so happy when Clinique introduced it in a full shade range.

Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Katie - "A powder blusher.  Illuminate and enliven your complexion with the color and drama of Illamasqua Powder Blusher.  Color intense and highly pigmented, it can be used to shade, brighten, enhance, and define the shape of your face.  Be bold, be daring, and be the center of attention."  Katie is a light milky pink, it is perfect against my winter pale skin.  This shade is very cool and very pigmented so it is a harder shade to pull off for some people but it is just perfect for me and I will be wearing this all spring.  I don't know how well this will so up against a tan so I have to wear it as much as I can now.  The shade makes my cheeks pop and brightens my whole face, I love the trend of bright cheeks and this brand of blushes is one of the best for pigmentation that I have ever used.

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Princess Grace - "China Glaze is professional-level nail enamel made with a special blend of polymers and resins that combine to create a nail lacquer that is long-lasting, chip-resistant, and resistant to color and shine fading.  Will not thicken in the bottle, no thinners necessary."  Princess Grace is a cool pale pink shade with a frosty finish.  This is another item that is slowly taking me over to my spring makeup look while not look odd in the winter months, it is perfect for Valentine's Day.  The polish lasts about three days without chipping and never loses shine or radiance, China Glaze is one of my favorite polish lines.  This shade matches so many different looks that it might become a staple for me and I can see myself using through this whole bottle and repurchasing it before the summer is over.

Pink is already my current obsession and it will just continue to grow throughout the spring months...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Valentine's Day 2012 Products

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and it is time to begin shopping for the holiday.  We all know that I am not a Valentine's Day person and tend to skip right over the actual holiday itself.  However this does not stop me from buying all kinds of candy and body products that smell exactly like candy.  candy Hearts are among my favorite kinds of candy so I tend to buy bags and bags of them at this time of the year.  Philosophy has taken the scent of the Candy Hearts and based their entire Valentine's Day product line on it.  This makes me want to buy everything in the collection so that I can use it all year round and enjoy the scent of the candies.

This line comes in a full sized 3-in-1, lotion, lip gloss and a set that contains smaller version of the items, wrapped up and ready to give to your Valentine or a good friend.  I will be needing to buy the full sizes, otherwise I won't have enough to fill my candy heart cravings for the entire year.

The 3-in-1 is my top choice from the collection, I love Philosophy 3-in-1s and I think that they are among the best body washes available right now.  "A luxurious three-in-one cleanser with a sweet candy fragrance.  Show your valentine some love year-round with this multitasking cleanser and conditioner for hair and body.  The shampoo and shower gel combin provides a multi-sensory bathing experience with a gentle formula great for everyday use.  The rich, foaming lather leaves the body silky soft from head to toe and the candy heart scent will please and sugar lover."  I don't even feel the need to elaborate any more as to why I must own this product, it smells like candy hearts!

The second item that I want from the collection is the full size body lotion, I go through lotions so fast in the winter months that I am actually considering purchase two of these so that I don't burn through it well before I have the body wash finished.  "A silky, ultra-moisturizing lotion that melts into skin with a sweet candy fragrance.  Wrap yourself in the delicious essence of Valentine's Day year-round with this luxuriously hydrating body lotion.  The anti-oxidant rich formula is packed with natural oils and shea butter to help moisturize, soothe, and soften, while protecting against environmental attack.  The lightweight texture absorbs easily into skin and the candy hearts fragrance lingers with the perfect blend of sweet and tart."

The Lip Shine is the last piece of the collection, I'm not a fan of Philosophy Lip Shines so I am betting that I can skip over this lip gloss.  "A high gloss, high flavor lip shine in the sweet flavor of candy hearts.  A must-have for Valentine's Day, Sweet Talk Candy Hearts Lip Shine is the perfect candy-flavored lip shine for sweet, kissable lips.  This highly emollient lip shine hydrates lips, adds a smooth shine, and offers a sheer pink tint."  This lip gloss shade is a "sheer pink sparkle".  Pretty gloss but also pretty generic and I already own lots of pink lip glosses...

The set is called the Sweet Talk Trio, it contains the regular size in the lip gloss and smaller sizes in the body products.  "A three piece set of lavish products for hair, body, and lips with a sweet, yet tart fragrance.  Give your sweetie something to smile about with this trio of luxurious hydrating products.  The three-in-one gel delicately cleanses skin and conditions the hair.  The body lotion soothes and softens with a formula of natural oils, shea butter, and anti-oxidants.  The highly emollient lip shine adds a sheer pink tint to any pout.  A perfect blend of sweet and tart, the Candy Hearts fragrance will please any sugar lover." 

I really want the full sizes in both of the body products, I want to have enough product to use it all year round instead of just at Valentine's Day.  I can skip the lip gloss and I have no reason to by the set since I will be buying the full sizes.  I many not enjoy this holiday but at least I can eay candy hearts and smell like them too!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Amazing Grace

Philosophy's Amazing Grace is one of the fragrances that I put in the same category as Pink Sugar, wore it in my early 20s and now cannot wear any of the perfume versions of it.  These two fragrances have been best sellers for Sephora for years and I remember seeing then recommended to me as Top Picks when I first began ordering from there in college.  I bought my first bottle of Amazing Grace right after I got out of college and wore it religiously for several months, this actually is one of the bottles of perfume that I finished all the way to the last drop.  Wearing a fragrance all the time eventually burned me out on it and once the bottle was done, I put off buying another one until the next season.  And then the next season.  I never did end up buying that second bottle of perfume and instead bought it for my mother for Christmas.  Then she wore it almost everyday too...

Amazing Grace is the most popular fragrance for Philosophy and I believe that it was one of their first fragrances, if not their first fragrance.  I do know that it is their best selling and is available in the widest range of bath and body products of any scent from this company.  I may be done with the fragrance but I still list the body products among my favorites, exactly the same fate as the Pink Sugar fragrance.  This clean soapy floral fragrance is great any time of the year and I love picking up new products in this scent as they are released.

The Philosophy website provides a great description of the fragrance and the Sephora website fills in the blanks of the fragrance notes.  "Embrace your beauty, and express your feminity with Amazing Grace spray fragrance.  Our best-selling, amazingly clean, beautifully feminine scent."  Sephora states that this fragrance is "a uniquely feminine blend of soft, floral blossoms accented by a hint of light musk." 

I bought this fragrance is the EDT and the 3 in 1, I want to buy both of the hydrators that have been released in this fragrance too.  The EDT was my favorite piece of the product line initially but now it is the 3 in 1.  The fragrance mist was very light and I mostly wore it in the spring and summer months.  This fragrance smelled very soapy when I first sprayed it on, then the florals came out within the hour.  After about two or three hours, the musk came out and then the fragrance wore off soon after.  I got many compliments on this fragrance but it still never managed to be one of my favorites, I think it is because I smelled this fragrance all the time when I was walking down the street or at work and the appeal of it wore off.  Speaking of wearing off, this fragrance has one of the worst staying powers of any fragrance that I owned, it lasts less than three hours and I have to touch it multiple times during the day.  The lasting power is a big reason why I went through a medium sized bottle of this scent so quickly.

There is nothing wrong with this fragrance, but it just isn't unique enough for me.  I still like using the body products but I associate this product with college and it being a fragrance of the masses.  Another fragrance relegated to my fragrance graveyard...

photo courtesy of Philosophy

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Face Wash

Last year, I was all about the Purity Made Simple Foam Face Cleanser in the warm weather months, it is one of the few cleansers that I completely used up and then considered repurchasing again.  I am considering rebuying it next summer, since it is much too light to use this time of the year.  The foam version is very effective to clean my skin in warm weather but this one will dry my skin out too much in the cold, dry air.  So what did I do?  Bought the original Purity Made Simple so I can keep reaping the benefits of the wash in a formula that is much better for dry skin. 

In the past few weeks, I have run out of almost every single piece of skincare and I have bought a whole group of new products from Sephora.  This is unprecedented timing, I have never had everything that I own run out in a two week period.  This means two things: I had a few huge bills from Sephora and I am now using all new products and my skin is having a slight freak out some mornings.  The Boscia Willowbark Breakout Treatment has been very effective in keeping the few new breakouts that I got from this process at bay.  In addition to all the stuff that I have been trying, winter has just arrived and my skin is now much drier than it was a few weeks ago.  My facial skin is my big obsession at the moment and getting it well adjusted to the new products that I am trying.

When I knew that I would need a new face cleanser, I decided to ignore any type of product that contained foaming ingredients or any fancy frills.  I purchased a product that wasn't really new to me, I already stated in the beginning of this post that I had used the foaming version of this face cleanser last year and was very happy with the results in the summer months.  Technically the version that I am using of this product is new, but the overall formula is not. 

Sephora's website states, "A highly effective one-step facial cleanser.  Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a pH-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores.  The best-selling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.  Purity Made Simple is part of a collection of Philosophy products designed to soothe even the most dry and sensitive skin."  I use this cleanser once in a day in the evening to clean off my makeup and the dirt that has accumulated during the day's activities.  The suggested use of this product is twice a day but I never wash my face twice a day and I don't plan to start at a time of the year when it is very dry and easily irritated.

Also on the Sephora website, I found a few more details about the clinical test results that were found during the product testing.  "100% reported that the cleanser is gentle enough for the eye area.  97% reported effective removal of dirt, oil, and makeup.  97% reported a clean, residue-free finish." 

I have been using this face wash for about two weeks now and so far I have really liked it.  It is best used on wet skin.  I use about a nickel-sized drop to cover my whole face and it is the perfect amount.  It doesn't foam up so I apply it all over my face, massage it in, and rinse it off.  I use it all over my face however I have not tried it on my eye area and I don't plan to.  I use a separate eye makeup remover to get all my eye makeup off, cleansers have never gotten the job done for me and I don't expect one that is this gentle to make a dent in my eye shadow primer and eye liners.  It works well enough at getting my facial makeup off, which is all that I require from a gentle cleanser.

My skin is not tight, dry, or irritated after use of this product and I am really happy with it.  Even though the textures are very different, this face wash and the foaming version work very much the same.  The big difference between the products is in the fragrance; the foam version has a strong lemon scent that was a bit cloying but this version has a light herbal scent that is very nice.  I like the scent of this one much better than the foaming version.  I am actually tempted to buy a huge bottle of this face since I have been getting such great results from it!

photo courtesy of Sephora