Philosophy Products Reviewed :

Hope In A Jar

Philosophy is a line that includes cosmetics, skincare and bath/body/aromoatherapy products. The line appeared on the scene in the early 90s. Its "philosophy" is very basic (and therefore "cool"?) packaging with aphoristic names that tell you nothing at all about what the product does (which is kind of fun, actually). They take the whole "philosophy" metaphor and run with it shamelessly. On their website (www.philosophy.com), their products are arranged under the categories of philosophy: epistemology, metaphysics, aesthetics, logic, etc. How they get marketing people to say, much less spell, these words correctly is a miracle of management science. So think of philosophy as skincare by and for graduate students, who, if memory serves, are in dire need of their help.

Guide To Ra(n)tings:

Hope In A Jar
author: Rob | date: Feb 2001

Size	2 oz	Price	$35	Where	Major department stores; Sephora.com
Ingredients:
Water, Lauryl Lactate, Behenic Acid, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Behenyl Alcohol, Cyclomethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Lavender Oil, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea.

For the past year and a half, I have been using the same moisturizer. Sure, every now and then, I'd deviate and try out something new for a week or two. But, every time I'd come back to my favorite, always delighted to be reunited with its fragrant blend of antioxidants and essential oils. Then, last August, I ran out. For some reason, rather than running out and buying another installment of my old standby, I saw this as an opportunity to branch out, expand my horizons, and try something new. I had my eye on a number of moisturizers but, as a boy on a budget, I knew better than to cave in and buy the $150 bottle of Sisley Hydraflash before I made my drug purchase for the weekend. After chatting up the woman at Sephora and explaining to her my needs (none of which I think she really understood), I decided to take her advice and go for the Hope in a Jar Facial Moisturizer by philosophy. Philosophy is a brand that has been gaining a lot of attention lately, mostly due to its minimalist packaging and quippy ad copy. Anyone who knows me also knows that I'm a package whore. There's no getting around it. What can I say? I love a nice package. Who doesn't? I went for it and bought the Hope in a Jar Moisturizer. This was August, remember. It was 95 degrees in the shade at 100% humidity. My first impressions of the product were overall positive. I liked the licorice scent and its light, cooling texture. However, as time went on and the weather cooled, I noticed that the moisturizer did very little to combat the effects of a very dry autumn and a harsh winter. There were many days where my skin would be chaffed by 11am-and this was without the leather hood. Overall, the product lacks breadth and durability. It's simply a bland product. I could see how it might suffice for guys with oily skin who need a very light moisturizer for the summer. But, if this is the case, then we could probably find something better for you. I'd recommend staying away from this disappointing moisturizer altogether. Yes, it might be inexpensive but why not pay the extra ten bucks, forego the extra tab of Ecstacy and look your best when the lights come up?

Ra(n)tings

Effectiveness	Pleasure of Use	Value	Overall
2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

take me home, bud!