Don’t get me wrong, I love Oprah and will possibly stan for her, but I promise that’s not the entire reason I bought this lol. Hope in a Jar has always been my absolute favorite moisturizer for the past 5 years, but I haven’t purchased a jar since last year. I saw this as a great opportunity to re-up! The 8oz. jar retails for $105 (shown below), the 4oz. is $60, and the 2oz. is $38. I’ve always purchased the 2oz. or 4oz. jars in the past, but I’m a big girl now so…I had to get the big kahuna

What it is:
A cult-favorite moisturizer that gently hydrates, exfoliates, and protects the skin.

What it is formulated to do:
Philosophy Hope in a Jar is a 99.9% oil-free, deeply hydrating, lightweight wonder designed to smooth the complexion while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Originally created for the medical market, this expert essential delivers soft, healthy, glowing results.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
This beloved formula contains antioxidants that protect skin against environmental damage and provides continuous exfoliation to keep roughness at bay. An infusion of yeast-derived beta glucan supports the skin’s natural defense system and improves repair capabilities.

“here’s to 25 seasons of hope, joy and love.
the oprah winfrey show will always be one of our favorite things”

Cute, festive box right?

My first time trying Hope in a Jar was out of sheer curiosity. I didn’t wanna drop a lot of money on something that I wasn’t sure was worth it at the time, so I went to Ebay and found a 2oz. jar for about $25. I used it, and I loved it! That little 2 ounce jar lasted me a good 4 or 5 months, so you know this 8oz jar may very well take me into the Fall of 2011. If you’re on the fence about this or any product, try a smaller size before buying a big tub of it. I really love that it’s not a heavy moisturizer — in fact, it’s pretty darn lightweight. It’s formulated for all skin-types, too. My combo/oily skin literally drinks it up and glows. This stuff may be lightweight, but it’s very hydrating. Hours after I apply it, my skin is still so soft and supple — never greasy. There is a soft scent to this moisturizer, I can’t quite put my finger on it but it’s not really a “perfume’y” scent…more like a “Oh, I can smell this and that ingredient” kinda scent. I have a very sensitive nose/sinus situation and I can’t take anything too heavily scented on my face — but this doesn’t irritate me at all. The scent also disappears soon after it’s absorbed.

After I wash my face, I tap my finger into the product until I get a “peak”, and I then dot areas of my face and gently massage in. My face wakes up and I look refreshed, love it! I really enjoyed all of the moisturizers I’ve used for the past year, but I feel so much better being reunited with my long lost love *holds it in the air and twirls around like an idiot*

QUICK NOTE: A lot of people think that if they have oily skin they shouldn’t wear a moisturizer. I’m not a doctor nor am I a professional, and I cannot really tell you which moisturizer to try…but I do know that for most people, whatever your skin issue may be — you should use a moisturizer. Apparently when you skip the moisturizer, your skin goes into overdrive trying to compensate for lack of hydration so you’re actually pumping out even more oil than usual. At least that’s what they say. Everyone’s skin issue is unique though, so whatever skin regimen someone else benefits from may not necessarily work for you

UMMM, RESHA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??

As some of you know, my grandmother died on Sunday, Nov. 28th and I haven’t really been able to focus on a few things. I really miss her, and I’m so sad she spent the last few years of her life suffering, in and out of hospitals. However, I am very happy that she is out of her misery and doesn’t have to suffer anymore. So through the tears, I have to celebrate her life and appreciate her legacy — she’s one of the reasons I cook as much as I do now. That woman could throw down, ya’ll! Anyway, back to the beauty grind!

I have so much to catch up on. Email to respond to, clothes to unpack, worlds to save…the usual

-Stay beautiful

Availability: Philosophy, Sephora

*this post contains an affiliate link

Many women already use in-home hair removal products, but there’s a small group of folks who have probably seen these products and were afraid to try them. If you’re looking for a good one to try, consider using Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit (around $6) and sold wherever Sally Hansen products are sold. You get the remover creme, and a post treatment conditioner that calms and soothes the skin. You only need a small amount of both cremes, and it’s a pretty big tube so you should be good for a while — unless your hair grows back fully within hours.

I have the average amount of body hair that most women have — but mine just happens to be very dark against my skin so it’s daunting as hell. It’s something I’ve grown up with all of my adolescent/adult life so while I think it’s “gross”, I also accept it for what it is. I normally use Veet hair remover on my arms and legs…but for my face I’ve been using the Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit. I remember the first time I got my “chickstache” waxed..not only did it hurt like hell, but it broke me out. I had these super tiny lil bumps around my mouth and I’m sorry, but in this day and age you cannot go around w/ any bumps near your mouth because folks are always gonna think you’ve had your mouth in dirtier places LOL! After that, I said to heck with waxing and starting using removal cremes made gentle enough for use on the face, and I haven’t looked back.

PROS

• Doesn’t irritate my skin — and I have moderately sensitive skin
• Pleasant scent, not offensive like normal hair remover cremes at all
• Works fast (5 min for me, may be sooner or longer depending on your hair texture)
• The post-treatment conditioner makes my skin feel soft and supple afterward
• Inexpensive and easy to find
• Dermatologist tested and salon tested
• Removes the hair very well, I never feel any stubble

CONS

• None that I can think of, it does everything it should do for me. It’s not complicated, it’s just a hair remover creme

OVERALL

You all have seen pics of me with my chickstache, I make no secrets about it. I’m not ashamed of it, but I never keep it for too long. I tend to let stuff grow in all the way before I remove it because I just prefer not to waste any product on the slightest sign of regrowth. One application lasts me about 3-4 weeks before I have to use it again, and even then my chickstache hasn’t completely grown back in, but it’s visible enough for me to be anal about it if I want to. The hair also grows back soft and never prickly.

So anyway, I hope that this is helpful for those of you suffering from “chewbacca chin” or any other hair part of the face. I know someone who uses this stuff religiously because of her super-fast growing chin hairs, and she finds plucking to be painful — this stuff works better for her super sensitive skin. I’m no dermatologist, this won’t work for everyone, but it’s so inexpensive that you can probably afford to try it on a very tiny area of the face or elbow just to see how your skin reacts, if at all. If your skin does react, discontinue use. Just make sure you read the directions, because some people don’t and they end up pissed lol.

I don’t have any before and after pics, but this stuff works nicely and I’ll continue to use it for a very long time.

RATING

Availability: all major drugstores, Amazon

I purchased the Clarisonic Plus this past January and have been using it every day since — well, I may have gone a day or two without using it (lazy hungover weekends), but for the most part it’s in my every day routine.

I can only do this review based on my own personal experience. So let’s first go over what the Clarisonic Plus claims to do and what it comes with…

Sonic Skin Cleansing improves the appearance of skin tone and reduces the appearance of pore size

Clarisonic developed the sonic technology proven to gently yet effectively loosen dirt and oil to clear your pores. The Sonic Skin Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth your skin. In just 60 seconds a day, the micro-massage action cleans more than twice as effectively as manual cleansing.

Clarisonic Sonic Cleansing Benefits

• Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing
• Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
• Cleanses so well that products absorb better
• Gentle enough for twice daily use
• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores

Kit includes:

• Cordless Clarisonic PLUS
• Universal Charging Cradle (100v-240v AC; 50/60 Hz)
• Sensitive Brush Head
• Body Brush Head
• 1 oz. trial sizes of Refreshing Gel Cleanser, Gentle Hydro Cleanser and Nourishing Care Cleanser
• 2 oz. trial size Refining Skin Polish

IS THAT CLAIM TRUE?

For me, it absolutely is. My skin has never been this clean. I no longer have dry patchy areas in the crevices of my nose. My skin glows and it’s very smooth. Not to mention, my pores are tight as crap (which is awesome) — they used to be wide open like “HAAY JUMP IN!”. I never had terrible skin, but I never had perfect skin either. I did not expect this product to give me perfect skin, but it damn sure gave me a platform to achieve great skin and I’ll explain why in just a bit, but first…*points down below*

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE CLARISONIC

Let’s drum a few things into our brain here, folks. The Clarisonic does not exfoliate your skin. It s NOT going to cure your skin issues. It’s NOT going to cure your acne. It’s not going to make you look like Beyonce in the morning. Let’s just absorb that information into our brains for a sec…got it? Ok, good.

UMMM, OK..WELL THEN WHAT DOES IT DO?

The Clarisonic is a cleaning tool. That is it, that is all. It cleans the crap outta your skin. The Clarisonic makes very few claims for a reason. It will clean your skin 6x more than manual cleaning. It will improve the appearance of your skin — but please do not mistake that as it taking your skin from effing horrible to FABULOUS. Our skin is as individual as our fingerprints. You’re not going to have the same results as everyone else. It will give you the best skin you can have. If the Clarisonic were the end-all-be-all of skin issues and master of keeping us youthful, we’d all have one and we’d all look 12 years old. It can help you retain your youth, but not alone…

The overall effect you get from the Clarisonic depend greatly on the products you use with it. It’s such a powerful cleansing tool that it will allow the products you use to work to their max. You ever see a cleanser or facial cream make all these claims and then you never see them? Well, try them with the Clarisonic. I got a travel size version of the Bliss Youth As We Know It kit (full size kit is like $262 — yikes!) with my purchase free and I used it with my Clarisonic and let me tell you…the results I got were instant. In a week, my dark circles were waaay less dark. I used to have embarrassing lines around my eyes, they’re damn near gone. I wouldn’t have gotten those results without my Clarisonic — and if I were to get those results, it would’ve taken a LOT longer without the Clarisonic.

HOW DOES IT HELP SKIN CARE PRODUCTS WORK BETTER?

We can happily blame that on Sonic technology. The bristles of the Clarisonic, when turned on pulsate 300x’s per second. They do not spin or rotate — it’s more like an oscillating vibration/agitation. When applied to the skin, it gently digs deep to remove makeup, dirt and oil you’d typically leave behind just washing your face with your bare hands. You only need to let the Clarisonic touch your face, you do not need to scrub, you do not need to press hard into the face and neck — it’s already doing all of that hard work for you. When all of the dirt, oil and makeup is out of your skin, your skincare products can get sink into your face and do what they are supposed to do (and if they don’t, try a different skincare product lol).

HOW DO YOU USE IT?

After it’s charged up, you can wet the brush head and apply a small amount of cleanser to the brush, or you can just soap your face up and then turn it on and let it gently massage the gross crap out of your skin. It stays powered on for just 60 seconds. That’s all the time you need. It pauses every 10-20 seconds letting you know it’s time to move to a different part of your face.

Honestly — I don’t focus on the pauses. I just start wherever I want and make sure I go over my entire face and neck in that allotted time. The Clarisonic Plus comes with three speeds and a body brush head. When the body brush head is applied, it stays on for as long as you keep it on and doesn’t power down after 60 seconds like it will with the face brush. Yea, it’s pretty smart. The body brush is great for cleaning your underarms (leftover deodorant residue), great for the feet, and other rough areas of the body. What it does for your face, it can do for your body. Oh, also…make sure you clean your brush heads at least once a week to prevent bacteria from growing and to keep your brushes fresh.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO…

So here’s my Clarisonic Plus, my bare and scary face, and how I use it…

Ok, so here’s my semi-bare face with blush and two different eyeshadows lol (I was experimenting, don’t judge me). I also have MAC Dark MSF on my face here but most of it melted off…

These are the makeup-remover wipes I use. I get these from Costco…

Wiped off all of my makeup…ew…

Completely bare and naked face…

Using my Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (LOVE THIS STUFF!)

Here’s the back of my Clarisonic Plus…

Here’s the side…

One full pump of the cleanser on my brush head…

Washing my face…

Look at all the dirt my makeup-remover wipe left behind…gross!!

Ewwww….

*gag*

Yuck!!

Super clean skin!!!

Rinsed off and cleaned my brush head…now she’s no longer dirty

Clean!

Time to moisturize…

So here’s the body and sensitive facial brush heads. You can also buy a ‘normal’ brush head, but most people stick to the sensitive one because it’s super gentle and effective…

Body brush attached…close up…

Clarisonic Plus with the body brush attached…

These red LED lights come on when the unit is turned on…

Same for the green LED lights on the back of the unit. These lights also appear when you’re charging your Clarisonic…

LOVE HER!!!!

OVERALL

I cannot go on with my days without this tool. It has improved my skin — greatly. I’m amazed by it and absolutely love it. I love how it puts my skincare products into overdrive, so I’m getting my money’s worth! They truly work the way they’re supposed to because my skin is absorbing them better. There is no dirt, oil or makeup blocking my skincare products from working anymore and that is what this tool does folks. It cleans the crap out of your skin, you do not have to use expensive skincare cleansers/creams along with it — but no matter what you use, it should work a lot better for you.

I highly recommend this product. Don’t wanna drop $225 on it? NO PROBLEM! You can get the exact same results with the Clarisonic Mia — a smaller version of the Classic/Plus units with the same benefits, just in a smaller package (and smaller price tag).

A few things about the Mia: It doesn’t have multiple speeds like the Classic and Plus units, and it doesn’t have a charging cradle. It has a magnetized charging clip. It also doesn’t come with the body brush. The Mia costs $149 and it’s a fabulous way to introduce yourself to the Clarisonic family.

In closing…if you wear makeup, or sweat, or if you’re human — male or female, the Clarisonic is an awesome everyday tool to use in the shower to wash your face thoroughly, and help your skincare products sink into your skin and work their best. I am head over heels in love with it and can’t believe I went so many years without it.

In other news, I am itching to try the new Opal. It has some kinda anti-aging sea-serum in it, and I am turning 30 in November so I need this tool LOL! I can’t afford it right now, but maybe one day…

RATING

Availability: Clarisonic

**This post contains an affiliate link