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philosophy Raspberry Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath ($27.00 for 32 oz.) is described as a “sheer delight of ripe berries, tropical passion fruit, and sweet creaminess.” It smells like raspberries and cream with added sweetness that I felt really came from the “passion fruit” portion–it wasn’t sugary sweet, but a rounded sweetness that was mellow but noticeable.  It’s not fresh raspberries; it’s definitely sweeter than that, but as a general fan of all things raspberry, I liked it quite a bit.

The main reason I bought this (besides being a fiend for any new scent by philosophy) was because it came with a pump, and I really wanted to test it out.  I have another larger-sized bottle, and when it’s full, it makes me nervous–heavy, slippery, and I constantly envision dropping it on my foot.  Plus, I love pump-based bottles, because then you can control the amount you use and use the same amount consistently.  The pump worked really well, and the stem seemed long enough to be able to reach the bottom–you probably will have half an inch or so of product that will remain but otherwise, it should get the majority of the product out.  The plastic used on this bottle is the softer, more squeezable type (like the travel-sized bottles, not the regularly-sized ones), which is my preference.

I’m a fan of the formula, because it lathers up quickly and well, is very aromatic in the shower (but the scent doesn’t linger throughout the day, which, while a personal preference, is my preference), and doesn’t dry out my skin.  As a shampoo, it’s just so-so; gets the job done but doesn’t feel like it does anything extra. As a bubble bath, it works well and smells great–but I so rarely take baths, I inevitably use these 95% of the time as shower gels.

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philosophy Raspberry Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath

philosophy Raspberry Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath

philosophy Raspberry Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath

philosophy Raspberry Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath

Cook Up Some Holiday Treats

philosophy The Cookbook Collection ($38.00 for 5 x 6 fl. oz.) includes five holiday-themed scents in philosophy’s 3-in-1 gel, which can be used as shampoo, shower gel, or bubble bath. Each year, they put out The Cookbook, and it’s a great gift to give/receive. I actually like philosophy’s smaller bottles, because they use a softer, frosted plastic, which makes it easier to squeeze out the product, compared to the larger bottles, which use a harder, clear plastic.

• Old Fashioned Eggnog is sweet and creamy with lots of vanilla and a smidgen of spice.
• Hot Buttered Rum is warm, buttery, and caramel-like sweetness. It was the sweetest, most powerful scent out of the five.
• Peppermint Bark sweetened chocolate and mint–it’s exactly as described (well, all of these are!).
• Cinnamon Buns is creamy with sugar and cinnamon. It’s not quite as potent as the smell when you walk by a Cinnabon, but it’s similar.
• Spicy Pear Cobbler is all tart, crisp pear.  I didn’t get the cobbler part; it doesn’t smell like a baked good, just fruity with more tartness than sweetness.  It was the scent that I liked the most, actually, out of the five–very refreshing to use in the morning.

These are weakest as shampoos; they cleanse, but I feel like they’re really basic and probably won’t be a go-to shampoo for anyone with picky hair.  They definitely don’t lather as much as a shampoo as they do as a bubble bath or shower gel.  I very rarely take baths, so I tend to use these as shower gels.   It takes two of us a couple of months to get through one 16 fl. oz. bottle–about a month for these smaller ones–so the cost-per-use stretches quite a bit.  The formula lathers up well, rinses cleanly off without drying out the skin, and they really scent up the shower.  The scents do not linger on the skin once washed out, which may be something you want or don’t want.

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philosophy The Cookbook Collection

philosophy The Cookbook Collection

philosophy The Cookbook Collection

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

philosophy Boughs of Holly 3-in-1 Gel and philosophy Sparkling Cranberry 3-in-1 Gel (each $22.00 for 24 fl. oz.) are super-sized, holiday-themed scents in philosophy’s 3-in-1 formula (shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath). I am a long-time fan of philosophy’s 3-in-1, and there’s always at least one scent in our shower. We really try to finish one before opening another, but it can take months to get through a regular-sized bottle (16 fl. oz.)!  Both of these holiday scents come in decorative heavy-duty cardboard cylinders–perfect for giving.

Boughs of Holly smells like crisp berries, a little greenery, and a touch of spice. It’s lightly sweetened, and the predominantly scent is berries/fruit. Sparkling Cranberry smells exactly as it is named; there’s the fizzy, bubbly soda scent along with the sweet-and-tart scent of cranberries.  Both are red with glitter in them, though Boughs of Holly is a deeper red.  The scents do not linger beyond the shower, which you may love or you might prefer a lingering scent, but it will be aromatic while you use it and as you shower/bathe.

I like the formula best as a shower gel and bubble bath, as it does both well, and as a shampoo, it cleans, but I think if you have hair that is at all picky or particular about its products, you’ll want to stick to your regular products.  It has an excellent lather, slips and slides across the skin well, and never leaves my skin feeling dry.

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philosophy Boughs of Holly & Sparkling Cranberry 3-in-1 Gels

philosophy Boughs of Holly & Sparkling Cranberry 3-in-1 Gels

philosophy Boughs of Holly & Sparkling Cranberry 3-in-1 Gels

philosophy Boughs of Holly & Sparkling Cranberry 3-in-1 Gels

philosophy holiday 2012 collection + offerings

philosophy’s 2012 holiday collection was inspired by classic celebrations, featuring nostalgic imagery, retro patterns and a vintage feel. classic celebrations are the perfect blend of togetherness and traditions. it’s a time to gather with loved ones, exchange joyful wishes, share quality time, and celebrate life and the holidays.

our collection celebrates the season in true philosophy fashion with classic holiday scents, philosophy vault and fan favorites, signature fragrances and glorious skin care to bring you a classic holiday experience.

Hot Salt Body Scrub ($25.00)

• The Gingerbread Man
• Candy Cane

Holiday Shower Gels ($16.00)

• philosophy’s Old Fashioned Eggnog
• The Gingerbread Man
• Have a Cherry Christmas
• Snow Angel
• Candy Cane
• Christmas Cookie
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie
• Italian Tiramisu (Sephora Exclusive)

Lip Shines ($10.00)

• Candy Cane
• philosophy’s Old Fashioned Eggnog
• Have a Cherry Christmas
• Sweet Creamy Frosting
• Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa (Sephora Exclusive)

Sugar Plum Fairy Set ($20.00)

Includes Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz.) and Lip Shine (0.5 oz.)

Snow Angel Set ($22.00)

Includes Sweetly Fallen Snow Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath and Body Lotion (8 oz. each)

Christmas Morning Set ($24.00)

Barely Glazed Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (4 oz.), Barely Glazed Body Lotion (2 oz.), Sugar Sprinkles Funnel Cake Lip Shine (0.5 oz.)

Body Lotions ($16.00)

• Sweet Creamy Frosting
• Fresh Cream

The Bake Shoppe ($22.00)

Christmas Cookie Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz.) and Creamy Frosting Body Lotion (8 oz.)

The Cookbook ($30.00)

philosophy’s Old Fashioned Eggnog, Peppermint Bark, Hot Buttered Rum, Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (4 oz. each)

Amazing Grace Set ($49.50) ($77 value)

Includes Amazing Grace Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz.), Spray Fragrance (2 oz.), Perfumed Body Butter (2 oz.)

Love Sweet Love ($49.50) ($77.00 value)

Includes Love Sweet Love Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz.), Spray Fragrance (2 oz.), Perfumed Body Butter (2 oz.)

Think Beautiful Thoughts ($45.00) ($80.50 value)

Includes Purity Made Simple Cleanser (3 oz.), Hope in a Jar Original (1 oz.), The Microdelivery Peel Pad (1), Eye Hope Eye Cream (0.25 oz.), When Hope is Not Enough Serum (0.375 oz.)

Ornaments ($10.00)

• Purity Made Simple Cleanser (3 oz.)
• Hands of Hope Hand and Cuticle Cream (1 oz.)

Warm Winter Wishes ($25.00) (Sephora Exclusive)

Includes Spiced Pumpkin Latte, Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (6 oz. each), Fresh Cream Body Lotion (2 oz.)

Welcome Home ($20.00) (Sephora Exclusive)

Hot Buttered Rum Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz.), Lip Shine (0.5 oz.)

Toasty Cabin ($25.00) (Sephora Exclusive)

Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa, Whipped Vanilla Topping, Spiced Pumpkin latte Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (6 oz. each)

Holiday Kisses ($25.00) ($40.00 value) (Sephora Exclusive)

Lip Shines in Red Velvet Cake, Frosted Cookie, Bubbly, and Candy Cane (0.5 oz. each)

Snow Village ($20.00) (Sephora Exclusive)

Holiday Cheer, Snow Angel, Candy Cane hand lotions (1 oz. each)

Strawberry Angel Food Cake ($20.00) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz.) and Lip Shine (0.5 oz.)

Frosted Treats ($22.00) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Sweet Fluffy Cupcake Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz.), Sweet Creamy Frosting Body Lotion (8 oz.)

A Few Good Men ($25.00) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

The Muffin Man, The Gingerbread Man, The Ice Cream Man Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (6 oz. each)

The Recipe Box ($22.00) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

White Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath and Body Lotion (8 oz. each)

Holiday Greetings ($22.00) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Caramel Candies and Butterscotch Candy Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (8 oz. each)

‘Twas the Night Before ($25.00) (Macy’s Exclusive)

Snickerdoodle, Frosted Cookie, Fresh Cream Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (6 oz. each)

Homebaked Holiday ($22.00) (Macy’s Exclusive)

Cherry Berry Crisp Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath and Body Lotion (8 oz. each)

Peace on Earth ($34.00) (QVC Exclusive)

Tranquil Orchid Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath and Body Lotion (16 oz. each)

Deliciuos Duo ($30.00) (QVC Exclusive)

Frosted Hazelnut Biscotti and Sweet Cinnamon Icing Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath (16 oz. each)

Holiday Cheer ($40.00) (QVC Exclusive)

Spiced Cider Hand Wash, Room Spray, and Hand Lotion (8 oz. each)

To Believe Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath ($20.00)

to have a world without poverty and hunger is philosophy’s vision. the brand proudly partners with WhyHunger, who makes ending hunger their mission. together with singer Jackie Evancho, we’re inspiring people to give back this holiday season with the launch of a charity shower gel that gives gift giving new reason. this new partnership includes the launch of to believe cranberry currant shower gel, featuring original Jackie Evancho song lyrics with 100% of philosophy’s net proceeds benefiting WhyHunger. Available November 2012.

Availability: October 2012 @ Nordstrom, Sephora, philosophy.com

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Philosophy Friends & Family Sale – 30% Off!

PHILOSOPHY Friends & Family sale has kicked off! Get 30% off your order with code PHILOSOPHY12, expires 6/16.

Holiday Gift Guide: Must-Have Beauty Products for Lips

One of the things I am most thankful for is that by becoming a beauty blogger and having the opportunity to try so may different products is that it’s opened up my eyes to how many fantastic brands and formulas there are. Not every brand does everything perfectly, and there are a lot of great formulas that are just varying degrees of great. Picking a favorite really comes down to a less quantifiable factor, I think. It might be the color range, packaging, scent, or the overall feel. These are all lip products I personally recommend from brands’ permanent ranges.

Lip Balms/Treatments

• Kiehl’s #1 Lip Balm ($7.00) is nice for those who prefer a thinner balm with no shine. It’s very, very slick and thin on the lips, but it does a good job at moisturizing.
• Jack Black Lip Therapy Lip Balm ($7.50) is my all-time favorite lip balm, and I have them all over the house–at my desk, purse, pocket, nightstand–and a stock pile of them in reserve. So, so hydrating and comfortable to wear. My favorite flavor is Lemon & Chamomile, with Original as a runner-up.
• Philosophy Lip Shines ($10.00) are kind of a balm, kind of a lip balm; because they tend to run so sheer and have the thicker feel of a balm, I’m going to go with it as a lip balm! I like that they’re fragranced with Philosophy’s signature scents plus have some shimmer and shine.
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment ($22.50) is a decadent balm that works well but wears away quickly–I like the product, not so much the price tag and how quickly it finishes, though! They do have tinted versions, though, and they’re some of the better lip stains because they’re more hydrating, but they are prone to uneven fading.
• Sara Happ The Lip Scrub ($24.00) is my favorite lip scrub, because it holds together well, exfoliates lips, and leaves them feeling soft and moisturized.
• Guerlain Terracotta Baume Au Couer Lip Balm ($30.00) is tinted and feels like butter on lips; it wears for a few hours before disappearing, but it’s moisturizing the entire time.
• La Mer The Lip Balm ($45.00) is probably the priciest lip balm I’ve ever used, but it really does work well. It hydrates lips while still wearing well (you won’t have to reapply every hour).

Lipsticks

• CoverGirl Lip Perfection ($6.99) is really rich in color, glides on easily, and wears for hours. The downside is the scent, so if you’re super sensitive to smells, you might look elsewhere, but these perform well overall.
• Maybelline ColorSensational Lipsticks ($8.29) is a good go-to for a more affordable lipstick brand, and of course, like other drugstore brands, you can catch it on sale for much less than $8 a pop. I find the creamier shades are the best!
• MAC Lipsticks ($14.50) straddle that price point that doesn’t quite break the bank, feels a little more high-end than some drugstore brands, and is an all-around good formula. Their range is one of the most extensive that I know of, and with that, does come some inconsistency–not every single shade is as great as the last, but they do have several favorites. Some of these include Angel, Russian Red, Girl About Town, Crosswires, Sweetie, Cosmo, Plumful, and Media–just to scratch the surface.
• Korres Mango Butter Lipsticks ($18.00) are lightweight, comfortable to wear, and come with a fairly glossy finish and semi-sheer color. Shades like Natural Pink and Natural Purple are really easy to wear.
• Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Colors ($23.00) are long-wearing, opaque, and comfortable to wear. For cooler skin tones, try Bare Pink, Cosmic Raspberry, and Mod Pink. For warmer skin tones, try Cosmic Raspberry, Soft Coral, and Sweet Nectar.
• Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lipsticks ($30.00) are creamy, moisturizing, and long-wearing while delivering good color coverage in over forty different shades. Shades like #400, 402, 501, and 506 are really easy to wear on most skin tones.
• Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipsticks ($30.00) are rich in color and long on wear. For cooler complexions, I think shades like Ballet, Edition, and Fresco would work. For warmer complexions, try Edition, Muse, and Whisper.
• Dior Rouge Dior Lip Colors ($32.00) is long-wearing and moisturizing with a wide range of shades. For warmer complexions, I recommend shades like Pink Songe, Andalouse, and Red Muse. For cooler complexions, I recommend Pink Caprice, Devilish Pink, and Daisy Plum.
• Guerlain Rouge Automatique Lipsticks ($35.00) come really close to the Rouge G formula, but they are slightly less creamy, sometimes less opaque, and a smidgen less hydrating. They are really close but there is a noticeable difference on lips. I still really love the formula, though! For cooler complexions, I recommend Samsara, Cherry Blossom, and Champs Elysees. For warmer complexions, I recommend Violette de Mad, Rouge d’Enfer, and Coque d’Or.
• Guerlain Rouge G Lipsticks ($47.00) is my all-time favorite lipstick formula, because it’s long-wearing, opaque, moisturizing, and the color range is really nuanced. For cooler complexions, I like Galia, Greta, Gabrielle, and Grenade. For warmer complexions, I like Galante, Gala, Gipsy, and Ginger.
• Cle de Peau Beaute Extra Silky Lipstick ($52.00) feels like glossy silk on the lips; it’s super moisturizing and has a glossy shine. It wears well on me, too, despite how creamy it is. The shade range is really wearable and mostly universal, too.
• Cle de Peau Beaute Extra Rich Lipstick ($60.00) is a decadent formula that’s rich in color, comfortable to wear, long-wearing, and has a formula that helps to plump and fill lip lines giving lips a smoother look. It’s totally over the top, but it’s an excellent formula, so you’re not just paying for brand name/packaging here.

Lipglosses

• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses ($6.99) is a budget-friendly shimmery gloss that’s mostly sheer but delivers a fair amount of sparkle and dazzle. Like other sheer formulas, the range should work across skin tones.
• Korres Cherry Oil Lipglosses ($17.00) are hydrating and comfortable tow ear, and about half the range delivers richer color, while others are sheerer (and are described as such). My favorites are #52, #52, and #22.
• Make Up For Ever Lab Shine Lipglosses ($18.00) is a really wide range of glosses with three different finishes. I really like how Make Up For Ever has expansive color options for most of their products, and the lipgloss range is no exception.
• Illamasqua Intense Lipglosses ($20.00) are a total must if you or someone you know loves opaque lipglosses–these are really rich in pigment, comfortable wear, long-wearing, and have a beautiful glossy shine. I recommend virtually all of them, but a few of my favorites are Belladonna, Hermetic, and Move.
• Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lipglosses ($23.00) are a new favorite for me; they’re very reminiscent of Chanel Glossimers but more affordable. Sheerer color with lots of dazzling sparkle! Because they’re on the sheerer side, the shade range is fairly universal.
• Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lipglosses ($28.00) are super slick, comfortable to wear, and moisturizing. Some shades are sheer, some are more pigmented. Shades like Siren are beautiful and opaque with a really interesting metallic finish. Fortune is a great shade for everyone because it’s sheer and peachy-pink.
• Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armanis ($28.00) may not be as long-wearing as the brand claims, but a gloss that wears six hours without drying lips out while delivering good color coverage is rare. I really love this formula, despite the shortfall in wear (relative to their claim). I love shades like #401, 402, 404, and 505.
• Chanel Glossimers ($28.50) are a classic gloss for someone who loves lots of shimmer and glossiness. These took me awhile to appreciate, but they really do shine and sparkle. These days, most shades are sheer, so they should flatter the full spectrum of skin tones. I really like shades such as Aurore, Coral Love, Futile, Meteore, Spark, and Sundress.
• Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes ($36.00) are extremely creamy, non-sticky, and hydrating. It was one of my first high-end glosses (and probably high-end purchases in general)–who knew that $36 would become “normal” to me one day–and I absolutely love shades like Fraise Creme, Framboise Creme, and Papaye Creme.
• Cle de Peau Beaute Lipglosses ($48.00) wear longer than the average gloss, have a great shimmer and shine, and are moisturizing. May I recommend #2? It’s a total staple for me.

What are your favorite permanent lip products?

Philosophy 25% Off Friends & Family Sale 2011

Now through June 16th, you can get 25% off any online order at philosophy.com with code PHILOSOPHY25.  You can also get 5% cash back through Ebates.

*promotional disclaimer: enjoy 25% off of any online order. must enter promotion code “philosophy25” on shopping bag page prior to proceeding to checkout to redeem. the promotion is valid for all sales completed between june 11 (12:00 am est) and june 16 (11:59 pm est), 2011. this promotion is not valid on prior orders. this promotion may not be combined with other promotional offers. promotional offers or discounts may not be applied to the purchase of a philosophy.com e-gift card.

Are you taking part? If so, tell us whatyou get!