I took a slight detour on my walk to lunch yesterday.
No, I didn’t raid the MAC counter. In fact, I’ve never been much of a makeup gal myself. I mean, I wear it, but I generally just can’t bring myself to spend a lot of money at the makeup counter when there are perfectly decent options at the pharmacy…
Skin care products, though? That’s a different story. Or - as most girls will say when they want to justify spending a lot of money - I consider skin care products to be a good “investment.”
Ever since I saw Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar featured on Oprah, I knew I had to have my share.
According to the box, Hope in a Jar:
- “contains the ester of lactic acid for exfoliation to help promote smooth, healthy-looking skin.” Maybe it’s the placebo effect, but I noticed that my face is baby-bottom smooth after just one use.
- “contains beta-glucan to help give your skin a healthy, rosy glow.” I can’t say I’ve noticed a particular “glow” yet, but will keep you posted.
- “high-performance moisturizer with antioxidants to help protect skin against environmental attack.” With working and soon-to-be living in one of the pollution capitals of the world, Lord knows I need all the help I can get.
So far, I’m pretty impressed with HIAJ. It has a great lightweight texture – not the least bit greasy (which is my biggest qualm with most moisturizers).
Price-wise, HIAJ is on the steep side. A 2-ounce jar is $38 and 4-ounce is $60.
I went with the 0.5 oz. option for $15 to try it out first. It’s a tiny jar, but I think it will actually last me for a few months.
While I can’t give a full review just yet, I definitely think I have a new favorite moisturizer on my hands….er, face.
Have you ever tried HIAJ? What’s your favorite skin care product?
I have never tried it, but I’ve had my eye on HIAJ for years! My favorite skin products are Desert Essence facial wash and Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10! Haven’t failed me since middle school, and that is a LONG time
Love you website and your review was just what I needed to convince me I should try this.
See you back on Twitter
I would try anything recommended by Oprah (yeah, I’m that girl!) and I use Jergen’s tinted moisturized which gives you a gradual tan (I need it especially during the winter!)
I use Jergen’s Natural Glow almost every day, haha!
Can you edit that comment? My “R” key sometimes doesn’t leave an “R” where I know I typed it. Because I meant to type, I love youR site. Though the R would have been small.
Hi! I’m new to your blog, in fact this is the first post of yours that I read. But I knew I was going to be a fan when I saw the Sephora bag and the HIAJ! :)HIAJ is wonderful, I’ve been using it for 3 months now and I LOVE it! I also have the .5 oz and just now am I starting to hit the bottom. I can’t wait to keep reading!
Hi Amy, thanks for reading!!!
Ooooh I have been wanting to try that out as well, I usually stick to drugstore products for makeup except for foundation/tinted moisturizer and skincare products! However the skincare line I am using now is a drugstore brand and I love it, the brand is called “Yes to” Products.. Yes to Carrotts and Yes to Cucumbers are my fav!
I’ve never heard of/seen “Yes to” products - will definitely have to be on the lookout!!
You should, they are made from all natural and organic ingredients! I did a post on a couple of the products you should check it out! http://yogalifeandlove.blogspot.com/2011/04/yes-to-products.html
Wow, so do you use that with sunblock, too, or just on its own?
I’ve never heard of Hope in a Jar before, but I also don’t watch Oprah so that explains my lack of insight :D.
I’ve actually been using it as a moisturizer before I go to bed! I don’t think it has spf in it.
Arianna @ Laughter + Linguini says
I love philosophy products, especially their scents. They used to have one that smelled like lemon sugar.. but I can’t find it anymore!
love sephora, AND philosophy- i will definitely be checking that out! thanks!!
Ella says
I just started using HIAJ about a month ago, and I’m with you - I love it! My skin was PIIIIIIIISSED about winter and had started to get scaly and blotchy
HIAJ cleared everything up and my skin has never been happier, hooray!
I’ve never tried Philosophy products, but I just bought a Groupon for some, so please, please let us know how the HIAJ works!
I love Arbonne products- the face lotion/face wash is amazing and so is the protein powder for shakes- they have it all!
Where can you find Arbonne products??
Here is the website you can order from:http://www.arbonne.com/international.asp
I LOVE the FC5 night cream and the vanilla protein powder.
Yay, thanks!!
I always get samples of stuff at Sephora before making a purchase - they’re SO good about letting you try out anything
I personally love Clinique’s Moisture Surge! Steep too, but SO worth it!
i second the love for moisture surge!
Ohh I’ll have to look into this!! I’m a huge Clinique fan. thanks for the suggestion 😀
I haven’t experimented TOO much. I use a lightweight Olay moisturizer with SPF for daytime, and Kiss My Face unscented olive oil based moisturizer for nighttime.
I’ve tried it! I used to use it all the time a couple of years ago (ummm I can’t remember why I stopped?) It’s the best, I love the purity face wash too. Don’t even get me started on their shower gels… all kinds of amazing! My favorite skincare product is my Clarisonic
It is by far the best thing I’ve ever bought and I seriously never knew my skin could look this amazing!
I’ve never even heard of Clarisonic?! *Googles it*
QVC has a special right now where the Clarisonic comes with all sorts of Philosophy products!!
I didnt even know they had a 15$ version! I never wanted to shell out the 40 dollars for it so I resisted buying. I’ll have to check out Sephora for the small one!
It’s where they have all of the small/travel-sized products - usually right in front of the register (of course, that’s where they try to snag ya, haha)
I have hope in a jar too! LOVE IT! I also use the Philosophy “help me” - its awesome
Haven’t tried the HIAJ, but I LOVE Philosophy products. I’ve used the purity facial cleanser and it’s awesome-such a gentle cleaner for sensitive skin.
Mandi says
I absolutely love philosophy products! Although I’ve never tried hope in a jar, I’m sure it won’t disappoint.
I have never tried that, but I have only heard good things! My favorite skin care product is Origins’ white tea tree serum…or something like that. It feels so gooooood.
I use Purpose moisturizer. It has SPF and is hypoallergenic, which is what my sensitive skin needs :). I like Aveeno products, too.
I haven’t tried HIAJ mostly because of the price. Although I do admit to spending $44 on the Urban Decay Naked palette. But hey, I use it practically everyday! As far as skincare goes, I stick with Proactive and a good moisturizer with at least SPF 30.
For some reason, I’m the opposite with splurging, LOL. I find myself at the MAC counter waaaay too often. But I’ve been getting into Origins and have started using their skincare line. I’m a fine - you’re right, huge investment.
I love Clinique Youth Surge, Moisture Surge, their Super Rescue and Super defence creams! Their Repairwear line and dramatically different day cream is fantastic as well. I love Origins, Dr Brandt, Olay, DDF, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Arden , Vichy, Biotherm, Roc etc. Lately I’ve been obsessed with Neostrata’s Glycolic 10% cream, Dermaglow and Jouviance is a fantastic “investment’. My favorite eye cream in an organic one by NewCo which is a limited edition eye cream. Suki (natural line) has some great products as well! I love skin cream! A great light weight go to is Earth Science Almond Aloe Moisturizer !
Wow, thank you for this wealth of skin care info!!
I’ve used HIAJ before (FYI- you can buy kits on QVC.com on easy pay!), but I always go back to Cetaphil. Nothings works better for me.
Ohh, good to know about QVC!! Thanks 😀
I use a Neutrogena moisturizer, which I’ve been using for probably 5 years. It’s been working all these years, so I haven’t bothered to switch it up. But I’ve been curious to try HIAJ! I’d love to see what you think after a few weeks!
I’m with you on that - I’d much rather spend money on skin care products than makeup. After all wouldn’t you rather get the glowing skin naturally than cover it up with pore clogging products? When I started using peel off masks (which are by the way amazing), I realized how much stuff was still in my skin even after washing it TWICE at the end of the day. I love Origins but Neutrogenia makes really amazing products at such a great price. And I’m obsessed with the new clarisonic-like scrubber from Olay
I used to use Arbonne’s Re9 product line… I find it’s expensive without the benefits it should have (that you def pay for!) So, a few months ago went to Sephora online, read a bunch of reviews and then went in-store to ask for samples of a few washes/moisturizers to test out. What I ended up with? First Aid Beauty’s face wash and ultra moisturizer. I’m not sure if it’ll be lightweight enough for summer, but for winter it’s been good. I’ve been thinking about trying Philosophy, particularly hope, because it is promo’ed a lot… there must be a reason why people like it so much!
I love philosophy they make really great bubble baths
Hi Gracie,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while but this is the first time I’ve ever commented. I just wanted to let you know I’ve been using HIAJ for a while now and it is fantastic. I use it with the microdelivery exfoliating wash and my skin has never looked better. It is so soft and clear. It is a little expensive but definitely worth is.
I really hope you enjoy it.
Awesome, thanks for the info! And for reading
You’re a doll!!
Hi — new reader here!
Maybe I need to try HIAJ again — I didn’t notice much of a difference the first time, but SO many people I know swear by it. I have been thinking about investing in SK-II products, but then I look at my bank account and realize I’m not a millionaire, so…
Bambi says
Crazy as it may sound, I haven’t used a daycream in months! Even in winter, my skin just didn’t need it anymore! I’ve started using this avocado mask every other day and I no longer have red, irritated nostrils, flaky skin or a shiny T-zone. My skin is actually extremely smooth and soft again!
The mask is basically a quarter of an avocado mashed with a drop of tea-tree oil and a squeeze of lemon juice! Mix it all together, apply and leave on for at least 15 minutes.
I usually make a big batch of this when avocados are on sale and freeze it all in icecube trays.
Just thought I’d share, it helps me save quite some money and gives me amazing results:)
That mask sounds like it would seriously work wonders…love how natural it is!! Although I love avocado and might lick it off 😛 hahah ew, maybe not 😛
Awesome suggestion, thanks so much for sharing!!
Do you still love the product? I just bought it recently but I am using up my old moisturizer first. I have such a hard time finding moisturizer that doesn’t get greasy as the day goes on. Sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t use anything at all!
Yup, so far still loving it!! My face looks/feels more *awake* in the morning, if that makes sense. Not sure if it’s just my imagination…though? I’ll do an update post in a few weeks!