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Tag Archives: philosophy
Philosophy Fun in the Frosty Air and Jingle Joy gift sets
Curmudgeonly Confession coming up: I’m not a huge fan of Christmas.
Oh, don’t get me wrong: I love the day itself. I just don’t really enjoy the run-up to it, what with all of the hysteria, the Christmas-Carols-in-Spetember, the crazed shopping people seems to indulge in at this time of year. (When, as we all know, crazed shopping isn’t just for Christmas, it’s an all-year thing!) (I’m kidding.) (Maybe.)
If it was up to me, then, I’d restrict Christmas to the week before the day itself at most, and would do all of the shopping on Christmas Eve. I am, however, willing to make an exception for beauty products, and these Philosophy gift sets are my one concession to The Christmas Spirit. (Unless wine counts as “the Christmas sprit”, that is…)
These are…
This contains three of Philosophy’s classic shamppo/showel gel/bubble baths, in tree festive scents: Ginger Berry Frost, Fresh Vanilla Frost and Sugar Plum Frost. I can confirm that each of these:
a) Smells fantastic
b) Is a helluva lot more fun than the ACTUAL frosty air, which may look pretty, but which is really just a massive pain in the butt, isn’t it? I’d much rather be in a nice, steamy hot shower with these than outside with the frost, that’s for darn sure.
What you may or may not be able to see from the photo is that these also have a hint of glitter in them, which doesn’t make much different to the performance, but which IS very pretty.
I’ve also been “preparing for Christmas” with:
Jingle Joy, £13.56
The scent here is “Sweet Winter Air”, and the orange bottle is the shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath, while the oatmeal coloured one is a body lotion. You can see the shimmer effect much better in the shampoo here, which is such a gorgeous colour that… I was going to say I wish I could bottle it, but as it’s already bottled, that would be silly. Instead, I’ll simply say that I’m tempted not to actually use it, and just keep it out on display, because I really enjoy looking at it. (I won’t, though. That would be silly, too.)
If you want to try these for yourself, Philosophy is avaialable at Boots and QVC in the UK, and at Sephora and Nordstrom (among other places) in the US. The Jingle Joy set is actually a Nordstrom exclusive: they DO ship to the UK, but it may be on the pricey side for just one item.
(Disclosure: these were sent to me as review samples.)
Philosophy ‘The Big Skinny’ self-tanning firming cream
If you’re anything like as pale as me, and therefore prone to using the odd bit of fake tan in order to avoid frightening small children, you’re probably well aware that the condition of the skin you slap the product onto has a huge effect on the outcome of your self-tanning adventures. Put simply, if you want to achieve a smooth, even tan, you’re going to want to first of all make sure you have smooth, even skin. Firm. Supple. You know the drill.
If you’re anything like as LAZY as me, however, you’ll ALSO know that the thought of using an exfoliator AND a body lotion AND a fake tan… meh. Who has time for all of that? Not me, which is why I find myself looking patchy a lot of the time looking with interest at Philosophy’s ‘The Big Skinny’. Rather than being a self-tanner with moisturiser in it, this is a moisturiser with self-tanner in it (yes, there is a difference) and its aim is to make your skin feel firmer and smoother, as well and giving it that sunkissed glow. It’s a hard-worker, this one.
The self-tanner is of the gradual kind, so you won’t wake up looking like you fell asleep on the beach, and if you DO have time for all those extra steps, there’s also an exfoliator which you can use first. Well, YOU can. I probably won’t bother, because I’m stupid like that.
This is $28 and you can grab it at Nordstrom.
Kiss Me Tonight Intense Lip Therapy Treatment
For those with a hot Valentine’s date this weekend – or for those who don’t, but want lovely soft lips anyway – Philosophy’s Kiss Me Tonight costs $20, but promises to give you rosy, smooth, kissable lips, plumping out fine lines and getting rid of any nasty, rough bits. Sound good? Get it here: and have a great weekend!
Philosophy Divine Illumination skin illuminating moisturiser
Oh no, here we go again: it’s those beauty buzz-words, “luminous” and “glow”, as applied to a moisturiser again! And, predictably, even although we’ve heard those words used around eleventy-one times now to describe skincare products, they’re STILL guaranteed to make me want to take a second look. Especially when the product itself looks “luminous” even while it’s still in the jar.
This is Philosophy’s Divine Illumination, and when you strip away all of the buzzwords, you’re basically looking at a facial moisturiser.
Why do they say it’s different? Well, rather than being designed to address one skin-related concern (ageing, moisture balance, etc), it addresses all of them, being packed with anti-oxidants and vitamins. Oh, and because it also contains “light diffusers” and “natural skin enhancers” (a vague term if ever there was one) to give you that “glow”.
If you’d like to try it out for yourself, be prepared to part with $85: I think I’ll let someone else try it first, then…
Philosophy The Supernatural ‘moonlight’ natural illuminating powder
Ah, one of my very favourite genres of beauty product: one designed to “illuminate” the face! This is Philosophy’s ‘Moonlight’ natural illuminating powder, and it’s basically a powder highlighter which you can use all over your face, or just on the cheekbones if you prefer, to create a “luminous” finish. That actually sounds a little ominous to me right now – I’m picturing my face glowing like the ACTUAL moon -but I’m sure if you take the “a little goes a long way” approach, you should be fine.
The product doesn’t actually launch until the 15th of this month, but it’s available to pre-order now at Nordstrom, where it costs $28. And if Moonlight isn’t your thing, there’s also a version called Instant Sunlight, which looks more or less the same, but works as a bronzing powder rather than as a highlighter.
Philosophy ‘I Think You Are Wonderful’ gift set
For every occasion, there is a corresponding Philosophy gift set. Isn't that brilliant? Seriously, I bet there's a "Sorry It's Tuesday And Your Muscles Really Hurt After Your Body Combat Class!" set from Philosophy somewhere, and if anyone would like to send me that one, well, that would be just fine.
Actually, though, this particular set is one that you'd give for no particular reason, just to make someone feel a little bit happier and let them know you think they're wonderful. I think that's pretty wonderful, too. It contains Philosphy's ubiquitous 3-in-one shampoo/shower/bubble lotion – this one has a mandarin orange and cherry scent – and it'll cost you $24. Which really isn't TOO much to make someone feel wonderful, is it?
BUY: Philosophy I Think You Are Wonderful set, $24
Philosophy ‘Eye Hope’ advanced anti-aging eye cream
For absolutely ages now, I've been using Philosophy's Hope in a Tube eye cream, in between all of my other skincare experiments. Despite lasting for much, much longer than I'd have ever expected, it hasn't really made a whole lot of difference to my under-eye area, but rather than putting me off Philosophy eye products altogether, that just makes me wonder if their new 'Eye Hope' cream will work any better. Eye hope so! (Sorry, I just HAD to…)
Philosophy say that over a period of six weeks, five out of six of their testers saw a definite improvement in the fine lines around their eyes. Those sound like pretty good odds to me, and given that my eyes have an annoying tendency to erupts into red, flaky madness every so often, I also like the fact that this is supposed to be good for sensitive skin, and to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Oh, and it'll also diminish dark circles too, apparently: music to my ears!
It's $48 from www.sephora.com
Philosophy Beach Party tropical scented trio
For every occasion, there's a corresponding Philosophy gift set. You've gotta love them for it.
This summer, those of you attending beach parties, for instance, will be able to gloss your lips, moisturise your limbs and shower your bodies with their 'Beach Party' set, which contains:
- 4.0 oz Golden Girl Shower Gel
- 4.0 oz Golden Girl Body Lotion
- 0.5 oz Golden Girl Lip Shine
All of which have a tropical "island colada" fragrance.
Those of you who DON'T have a beach party to go to, on the other hand… well, you can just buy it anyway, and pretend. It's $35 from www.sephora.com
Philosophy ‘Basics’ Skincare Set
I get a lot of emails from email who're keen to try some of Philosophy's fabulous skincare products, but don't really know where to start. These products don't exactly come cheap, of course, so this 'Basics' set could be a good buy, either as an introduction to the brand for yourself, or as a gift for a friend.
It contains three of Philosophy's most popular products: the Purity Made Simple facial cleaner, Hope in a Jar moisturiser (possibly the best-known philosophy product of all) and the complimentary Hope in a Tube eye and lip cream. These are all in trial-sized versions, which is why this whole set only costs $30. Get it at Nordstrom.
Celebrate 2009 with Philosophy
Well, folks, it’s the start of another year, and here is your regularly scheduled Philosophy gift set. All I can say is that if they’re going to insist on continuing the tradition of bringing out a new set for every possible occasion, I have no idea how I’m going to keep up with them.
This one is called "Celebrate" and it contains the usual multi-purpose shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath in Lavender Bubbly, Pink Bubbly and Pomegranate Bubbly. Expect lots of bubbles, then, but at least they’ll be of the non alcoholic/calorific type which, if you’re anything like me, you probably got more than enough of over the festive season…
Buy: Philosophy ‘Celebrate’ set, $30
