Philosophy Hope In A Jar Night: Review and Photos

Beauty Squared was recently sent some of Philosophy's new Hope in a Jar Night for review. It's an intense retexturizing moisturizer that features an innovative qusome delivery system that enhances efficacy, while limiting the potential for irritation. According to Philosophy, skin is noticeably smoother, lines are visibly softened, a rosy glow is restored and results continue to improve with nightly use. 

$48/2 oz

Some photos...

Instruction booklet

Ingredients

Jill:

This cream has a very thick, almost sticky consistency and a noticeable, but pleasant lavender based scent. On the skin it absorbs fairly quickly and leaves your skin feeling cushioned and protected.

For the first few days of testing this, I used it without my usual night time treatment (Differin 3X Gel), because exfoliating and resurfacing creams can interact with Differin (an exfoliant) and potentially cause peeling. Used alone I found that this cream did improve the texture and brightness of my skin. My one complaint was this product did not leave my skin feeling well moisturized in the morning. Compared to the night cream I was using before I began testing Hope in a Jar Night, my skin was noticeably drier and tighter feeling upon waking. When used on top of Differin 3X Gel, my skin did peel slightly at the corner of my mouth and high on my temples. This indicates to me that this cream does in fact exfoliate as it claims.

All in all I liked this cream - I liked the thick, somewhat sticky texture, the scent and the way it made my skin look fresher and brighter in the morning. The only flaw for me is that it did not hydrate my skin as much as I would like.

Grade: A-


Catherine:

I've been a fan of Philosophy products for a few years. Their products are very good, although on the pricier side. If you can afford them, I recommend them.

Hope in a Jar Night has a thick consistency, almost paste-like (but much more pleasant). It's pleasant to massage into the skin, because it really feels like it's getting in to my pores. Despite it being a night cream, this does not sit on my skin. It really absorbs quickly and my skin feels soft and supple shortly after applying it.

My skin feels the same way in the morning, soft and supple. The product is still there and I can feel it come off when I wash my face. I notice a definite change in my skin after using this product for a few nights. It's smoother and more even-toned. I don't feel like I need to exfoliate as much. It has brought forward a few small pimples, which can be expected to happen with anything that renews the skin such as this type of moisturizer. 

It should be noted (and the packaging does) that this is a night cream only. The ingredients make skin more sensitive to sun damage and so, this should not be worn as a day cream. Everyone should wear a sunscreen during the day but especially if you're using this cream or any resurfacing, retexturizing cream.

I have no complaints about this product. It does what it claims to - gives you smoother, softer, renewed skin. It's not heavy, overly fragranced or greasy.

Grade: A

Soap and Glory Flake Away Review

I LOVE THIS BODY SCRUB.


This post could end right there, but that wouldn't be fair to you, would it? OK, I'll tell you why.


Soap & Glory is an English brand whose products I first spotted at Shoppers Drug Mart. They carry a line of body products with delightful packaging and cheeky branding, using retro imagery and playful messaging. It's reminiscent of, but more focused branding than Benefit Cosmetics.


I've tried a number of their products, and I'm a big fan of their Sexy Mother Pucker plumping lip gloss, their Clean On Me Shower Gel and their Righteous Butter body butter. But by far my favourite is their 
Flake Away Body Polish.


I love exfoliators. I have dry skin on my body and oily skin that breaks out. I get ingrown hairs and itchiness. Exfoliating helps keep my skin as normal as possible. But I also don't always moisturize as I should. My skin would be so much happier. And as we all know, exfoliating means you need to moisturize afterwards. So as much as I love exfoliators, I don't like the dryness it can leave behind.


Flake Away was recommended to me by my friend Stephanie so I tried it. It's got the Original Pink fragrance that's familiar to any Soap & Glory fans. And it feels luxurious and silky, like you're applying moisturizer. You apply it to your skin in the shower, and scrub away. Compared to all other shower scrubs I've used, Flake Away does not rinse off. You actually have to use your hands to rinse it off. And it's incredibly moisturizing properties leave your skin feeling smooth and soft afterwards, like you've applied a lotion. So really, Flake Away is a 2-in-1 product. It solves my problem!


I can't say enough about how gorgeous my skin feels after using Flake Away. There is no need for additional moisturizing after my shower or bath and it lasts all day.


If you've never tried Soap & Glory products, I recommend them to you. They're available at Walmart stores and Shoppers Drug Mart stores in Canada. Check the Soap & Glory website for more information and for availability near you.


C.

Olay Professional ProX Advanced Cleansing System 3-speed Brush Review

I was sent the Olay Professional ProX Advanced Cleansing System 3-speed Brush to try out recently. It's in stores now and is retailing for approximately $34.99 CDN.

The Advanced Cleansing System 3-speed Brush is basically a much less-expensive version of the popular Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System and it claims to do the same job as it's pricier competitor.

I've never tried the Clarisonic brush but I'm impressed with the results of the Olay Skin Cleansing System. It's meant to be used with the Olay Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser which Beauty Squared reviewed last year here. 

You can use the Skin Cleansing System daily and the brush has three speeds so you can alternate the speed of the rotation. The Skin Cleansing System allows whatever cleanser to work more effectively and it turns every skin cleaning into an exfoliation. I've been using the Skin Cleansing System almost daily, sometimes in the morning but mostly in the evening and I've noticed smoother, cleaner skin. I've also noticed an increase in blemishes but that's to do with the fact my skin is being renewed more quickly with daily exfoliation. The toxins are surfacing more readily but overall my skin is brighter and clearer.

If you've been eying the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System but balk at the pricetag, this is a great option. Each Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System comes with a brush, a brush head and a tube of the Olay ProX Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser. 

C.