Philosophy Holiday 2009

Philosophy never disappoints with their darling value packed gift sets.  Inevitably someone (or multiple someone’s) on my list will be receiving something from Philosophy. Philosophy has so many wonderful products, but if I had to pick just one of my favorites, it would be hands-down Amazing Grace. It is the most perfect scent for every woman: from my 21-yr old daughter, to my 50-something self, to my 89 yr old mother; it smells wonderful. Philosophy founder Chrisitna Carlotta speaks the truth when she says people will say "umm, you smell so good" instead of "what perfume are you wearing"? The scent is light, romantic and utterly feminine. I have given Amazing Grace to all my relatives and most of my friends and no one has ever been disappointed. Now, the hard part who is left to gift it to this year? I may choose some of the cute gift sets instead--the Bake Shoppe is sweet and the recipe box actually comes with recipes! Decisions, decisions. Oh and Santa if you're reading this, I'll take anything!

First Snow ($25.00)

• snow body lotion 2 oz., snow shower exfoliating gel 4 oz., snow kiss lip shine .5 oz. gift set

Angel Cakes ($20.00)
• high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz., lip shine .5 oz. duo

Snow Shoes + Mittens ($20.00)
• snow shoes miraculous foot cream 4 oz., snow mittens miraculous hand cream 4 oz. duo

The Cookbook ($35.00)
• 6 recipe-inspired shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 2 oz. gift set (pumpkin spice, red velvet, hot cocoa, warm pear cobber, gingerbread and cinnamon buns)

The Cookie Exchange ($30.00)
• 4 delectable, cookie scented high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 4 oz. gift set (lemon cookie, coconut macaroon, chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin)


Gingerbread Man Hot Salt Scrub ($25.00)
• gingerly hot salt scrub for tub & shower 23 oz.

Holiday Spice & Everything Nice ($16.00)
• high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz., lip shine .5oz

The Bake Shoppe ($30.00)
• pink frosted layer cake and raspberry mousse high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 4 oz., raspberry mousse lip shine .5 oz., sweet creamy frosting lotion 2 oz. gift set 

The Winter Escape ($25.00)
• peppermint hot cocoa high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 4 oz., melting marshmallow cream body soufflé 2 oz., lip shine .5 oz. gift set

‘Twas the Night Before ($20.00)
• milk and cookies high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz. duo

Party Girl ($35.00)
• pomegranate bubbly exfoliating shower gel 4 oz., shimmer body lotion 4 oz., lip shine .5 oz.

Holiday Hostess ($20.00)
• cinnamon buns award winning, ultra rich shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath, body lotion 8 oz. duo with pumps

The Recipe Box Shower Gel Duo ($18.00)
red velvet cake and sweet creamy frosting ultra rich shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath in a keepsake box with real recipe cards

Amazing Grace ($50.00)
• amazing grace perfumed shampoo, bath & shower gel 8 oz.,, perfumed body butter 2 oz., spray fragrance 2 oz.

Shower Gels ($16.00)
• Silent Night

• The Gingerbread Man

• Peppermint Hot Cocoa

• Have a Cherry Christmas

• Candy Cane

• Pumpkin Spice Muffin

• Caramel Apple

• Eggnog

Availability: Sephora.com , Philosophy.com

10 Cold Weather Beauty Tips

Frigid temperatures, indoor heating, and low humidity can strip skin and hair of their moisture. As the temperatures drop, some of us may need to modify our makeup and skincare routines. I know my face has been feeling like the Sahara desert already and my hands are like sandpaper. Here are a few tips to help you adjust to the cold weather:

1.   Consider a tinted lip balm instead of lipstick. Lipstick can be drying, by using a tinted balm your lips will stay moisturized and still pretty with a bit of color.

2.   Switch to a lighter shade of foundation. With less sun your skin will naturally lose some color and your foundation should too. There’s nothing worse than foundation that doesn’t match your skin--it should always look natural with no line of demarcation.

3.   Use bronzer but sparingly. Apply on the forehead, across the bridge of the nose, cheeks and chin where the sun would naturally kiss your face. It will warm up your face and give it a nice glow. Hint: bronzer is also available in cream and gel formulas but powder is pretty much fool proof as long as you use a light hand and a big fluffy brush.

4.   Change your powder blush to cream. Powder can look cakey, cream blushes look fresher and therefore makes you look younger in my opinion. Dab on bit on apples of the cheeks and blend upward into temples with fingers or a cosmetic sponge. Choose a shade that matches your cheeks after a walk in brisk weather.

5.   Don’t over-powder. For those with drier skin, I suggest skipping the powder altogether. Powder can settle into fine lines and highlight wrinkles making you look older. I never powder under my eyes.

6.   Exfoliate, exfoliate exfoliate. Slough off dull, dry, dead skin cells and reveal younger fresher looking skin by using a facial scrub or at home microdermabrasion at least once a week.

7.   Switch to a heavier moisturizer. Cold temperatures can suck the moisture right out of your skin. "Now is the time to switch to a richer moisturizer that's powerful enough to not only replenish moisture loss but also to seal in the moisture that's already there," says Doris J. Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Look for a moisturizer that has hyaluronic acid to help bind moisture to the skin.

8.   Get a good body moisturizer. A good drug store brand is Eucerin. Eucerin Plus Smoothing Essentials in their Intensive line has alpha hydroxy to exfoliate dry scaly skin coupled with extra enriched moisturizers and is clinically proven to moisturize for 24 hours. Philosophy’s Firming Body Emulsion is an award winning thick and rich body cream available in several scents. Amazing Grace is my favorite. Hint:  Moisturizers work by trapping water in your skin's outer layers, so use body creams after showering while your skin is still damp.

9.   Tame flyaways by using a smoothing serum. Use only a pea sized amount on damp hair and then blow dry. Jonathan Create Smooth and Fedrick Fekkai Glossing Crème will tame the frizz and add shine too.

10. If you are going out in the wind and extreme cold, you might want to wear waterproof mascara. My eyes always water in the cold and wind--bleh.

Keep cozy ladies!!!

Philosophy's Sweet Not Spooky Treats

I am interrupting the preview of Holiday collections to give you a peek at these cute and clever Halloween treats from Philosophy. I love to give Philosophy sets as gifts, they always present well and are frequently gushed over. Here is the Halloween line up:

The Haunted House high foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath trio:

Philosophy's haunted house is packed full of delicious treats! The haunted house includes 6 oz. bottles of black licorice, caramel apple and pumpkin spice muffin high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble baths. Celebrate bath time with these delicious seasonal scents. These high foaming formulas gently cleanse skin to leave it feeling soft, and they smell positively scrumptious. $30

I Love Candy Corn high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath
Calling all candy corn lovers! This oh-so-sweet candy corn scented shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath is sure to be a fall favorite for the whole family. The high-foaming formula provides an ultra-rich, moisturizing lather from head to toe to gently cleanse and condition skin and hair. $16






















Trick or Treat high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath duo

No tricks, just treats. Philosophy's trick-or-treat set includes pumpkin spice muffin and caramel apple scented shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths for a surprisingly spirited treat for your senses! Enjoy an ultra-rich lather with these high-foaming formulas created to gently cleanse and condition skin and hair. $20

Black Licorice high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath
For all you black licorice fans, here is a bath and shower treat you don't want to pass up! Philosophy infused the unmistakable scent of black licorice in a high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath. Lather it up from your hair down to your toes or immerse yourself into a bath full of black licorice scented suds. Not only is this shower gel ideal for black licorice lovers, scientific research has shown that the scent of black licorice can increase arousal in men and women. Even those who aren't crazy about black licorice might want to give this shower gel a try. $20
 
 

Caramel Apple high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath

Dip into the delectable scent of caramel apple with philosophy's high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath. The unique formula provides a rich, foaming lather and a delicious bubble bath experience. Our caramel apple scent is the perfect fusion of a juicy apple and rich, creamy caramel. you won't be able to resist bath time! $16
Caramel Apple Flavored Lip Shine - A flavorful fall fusion. philosophy blends a juicy apple and rich, creamy caramel in this high-gloss lip shine. Caramel apple lip shine goes on smooth to help soften and sweeten lips, while enhancing natural tint and providing a glossy finish. $12