I was thinking about brand loyalty recently because I noticed that while I love Bumble & bumble hair products, I tend to buy all sorts of random shampoos. I have a stack of them in my shower ranging from fancypants expensive salon varieties to good old drugstore cheapskate brands. My basic requirement on shampoo is that it needs to smell good, I guess — I’ve never really noticed that one makes a major difference over another.
Skin care’s another story, though. I am officially fussy about the stuff I use on my face, and fiercely loyal to one particular brand, who I swear is not paying me to say so: philosophy.
I’ll admit I’m kind of a sucker for their great packaging and the fragrance of their line (lots of lavender), but I also think their stuff just . . . works. Awesomely. My favorite items:
Hope in a Jar Moisturizer. I have tried a thousand other moisturizers and this is the One to Rule Them All. It feels sensational as you apply it, like thick shaving cream, and it just melts into my skin. After I’ve put it on, my skin actually looks better: more clear, not shiny. Best. Moisturizer. Ever.
Microdelivery Vitamin C Peel Kit. I use this every couple weeks or so, and my face always feels amazingly soft afterwards. It includes an exfoliating scrub and some crazy vitamin C activator goo that turns the scrub into a foamy froth, after I rinse it all clean my skin is like BUTTAH.
Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser. This is a really basic, mild cleanser, and I feel kind of silly for buying it when surely there are many products that provide the same ingredients at a lesser cost. I’ve tried to embrace the much-loved Cetaphil, but I just can’t — something about it makes me feel like there’s a film on my face afterwards, or something. This stuff is just pleasant: easily rinsable, gentle, and just right for my combo skin.
How about you? Do you have certain brands for skincare that you stick with?
I’ve been using Clinique for a couple of years now and am really satisfied. Just their skin care stuff, and any random free cosmetics that I get with their “bonus days”.
Marie Green | April 22nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I’m stuck on Philosophy, too. Except I use the Hope in a Bottle moisturizer instead of Hope in a Jar. I love how clean my face feels after using the Purity wash — not filmy, not shiny, not dry or tight, not tingly, just…. clean.
JennyM | April 22nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I really don’t have much to add, although if you love their skin care line, you should try their hair line. Their Shear Splendor stuff is FABULOUS on hair (truly, it makes a huge difference) and.. AND.. it smells like lemon custard.
Sarah | April 22nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I love Philosophy too, though I must say I’m a bit of a product junkie. So while Purity is my mainstay cleanser, I can’t help but try out new drugstore products from Olay and Neutrogena as well. But I always come back to Philosophy. Have you tried the Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash? Faboo. I also swear by The Present clear makeup.
Mandy | April 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Oh, I also love The Present (by Philosophy) too! This is the best “primer” I’ve ever used and it really makes a difference in how my mineral makeup goes on.
I make my own cleaning oil (a la DHC cleansing oil) because it works the BEST to remove mineral makeup and make my face feel clean and not all tight and dry.
Other than that, I’m still trying out different brands for moisturizer. Right now I’m evaluating Juice Beauty and trying to decide if it’s worth the money. Since I already love The Present by Philosophy and you gave Hope in a Jar such a rave review, I think I might gave that a try next!
Wendi | April 22nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I wonder what it is about skincare; I stick all around with Aveda, even though I use all kinds of hair products too. I like that their stuff is unbelievably soft and gentle, and smells nice and nature-y, but in a kind of expensive way. Ha! I have combo skin too, and the cleanser, the lotion and the toner even it out beautifully. Their exfoliant doesn’t have any scrubby things in it because they say that’s bad for your skin, but I do miss ‘em a little.
marilyn | April 22nd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I used Oil of Olay for YEARS (like, age 12 or 13 until like….20 years later) and then recently switched to Dove.
But now I find I really, really want Philosophy. And Paul DID say to spend more…..
Does the Hope in a Jar have SPF? I usually use an SPF thingie during the day. Oh, or is HiaJ for nighttime?
Swistle | April 23rd, 2008 at 12:37 am
Or, oh, hey! I could look that up!
Swistle | April 23rd, 2008 at 12:38 am
I like how the one with SPF is called “When Hope is Not Enough”
Kathi | April 23rd, 2008 at 1:21 am
I’ve been a Mary Kay woman for 19 years (gasp). When I find something that works, I stick with it… loyalty is one of my attributes–that or laziness! LOL
Although in the last few years, I’ve started to add additional “serious” products like a retinol cream and a hyperpigmentation treatment.
As for hair, I find my hair is really sensitive to different products. For a while, I was trying all kinds of new things, with terrible results. So now I stick with the stuff my stylist uses and That Is All. Even though I’m tempted all the time to try new products!
spacegeek | April 23rd, 2008 at 7:52 am
I’m a skin care schizophrenic. I’ve had “problem” skin since my teen years (CURSE YOU HORMONES!)…and never ever really found that one miracle product. I tried everything. Literally. Proactiv included…did nothing for me. My skin is damn temperamental!
I love philosphy purity, just finished my first bottle of it and was really pleased. It did start to dry me out after about a week though. I just started using Kiss My Face Citrus Cleanser and it works really well for me. A lot of people don’t like it b/c it feel like there’s still some there once you’ve washed it. So far it hasn’t dried me out and actually seems to be helping to clear little blemishes…can’t say I’ve ever had a cleanser do that for me w/o drying me out.
And FINALLY, I’m trying to go 100% organic…which is crazy hard b/c most companies lableled “organic” still have some non-organic ingredients. Enter Miessence…100% USDA approved Baby!!
I just ordered yesterday and am awaiting my package of miessence powder and cleanser to be dropped at my door! We’ll see how it goes! I really like the kiss my face, but it’s better for bed time since it moisturizes me so well…I think I’d be an oil pit if I used it all the time. If the miessence is no good I’ll probably go back to purity for the day and use kiss my face at night.
whew.
Shannan | April 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
I too am loyal to Philosophy! Through the years I’ve used Dove, Mary Kay and Clinique, but began using Philosophy a few years ago and love it!
BlapherMJ | April 23rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I’ve always wanted to stay loyal to one brand - mostly because I find the whole notion of using JUST ONE BRAND for one’s entire adult life is so old school and romantic, in a way.
But alas, I am new school and cannot manage to stick to just one skincare provider - the only constants in my rotation are Philosophy’s Purity facial wash (1X/day) and Philosophy’s The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash/Peel (1X/day). Everything else changes with my mood.
Jamie | April 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I used to be an consultant for the Body Shop at Home and even though I now have to buy it full-price I am addicted to all their skin-care products. Great stuff!
aimee | April 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I’m loyal to certain products, rather than brands. But then Clinique changed the formula of the Moisture Surge moisturizer, which is loooooved. So I switched to the Estee Lauder skin brightening moisturizer (their Idealist Skin Refiner is what FINALLY cured me of a lifelong case of ruddiness and uneven tone) and–well, I always thought of EL as being kind of grandma-ish. But this moisturizer is fantastic.
Kristen | April 23rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
So, Linda– do you like a particular nigh moisturizer? I hate heavy stuff. Should I just buy Hope In A Jar?
Connie | April 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Neutrogena - stuck there since a teen. My mother gave me some Clinique once (she swears by it) and couldn’t do it again. I’m just not a makeup counter kind of girl and Neutrogena works for me and there with all the other stuff at the drug store and grocer.
I’m really addicted to their scrub that I use in the shower and a sheer moisturizer with SPF 15 and tint. Totally not greasy and it makes me glow.
Michele | April 24th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I am totally devoted to philosophy. While I use Olay Complete All Day UV Moisture Lotion as my daytime mositurizer, philosophy is all I use at night and my skin is amazing. I have a pretty sweet deal on a multi-product kit through QVC (shut it) that comes to me every 60 days and while it’s still a little spendy, it’s worth every penny. I even get compliments FROM MEN. MEN ON SKIN. Who knew?
Jennifer | April 24th, 2008 at 1:37 am
hmm all this talk about philosophy i may have to give it a try! i have very sensitive skin and what i have found is oil of olay for sensitive skin and nutregena (the ‘whipes’ for your face i use at night) and then olay regnerist seurm and nutrenena sensitive moisturizer. so far the combo seems to work really well!
but i am always up for something new! i can always go back so i will have to try philosophy!!
kate | April 24th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Right now I’m using Mychelle fruit enzyme cleanser as well as their polypeptide lotion. Both are excellent products for my combination skin. I like that the brand is natural and smells reeaally good!
For hair I like Aveda Pure Abundance for my shampoo, conditioner and hair spray. I don’t know about loyalty but I know I’d probably spend twice what I’m spending now if I tried to find a good generic substitute.
amber | April 24th, 2008 at 4:06 am
I use a bunch of different stuff. Loreal lotions on my face & neck. Clinque for eye lotion and some make up & MAC for some make up. I wash with this stuff I love called Jane Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser. It works really well on my acne prone skin. Finally, my most favorite stuff on earth is Body Butter from The Body Shop. I think it is worth every penny esp. while pregnant and after when my skin itches and it is crazy. Just a little of that in the morning or during itchy times and the itch is gone!
Mostly I stick with what I know because I have tried other products and OMG I break out like mad. I am interested in the Philosophy stuff but they do not sell it near by so I would stuck with a product if I did not like it. I also LOVE Bobbi Brown and I really want to try Tarte but also not near by (well neither is MAC but when I started using it I used to have easy access to it so I know what I like and never deviate really…)
Christina | April 24th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I have before been an Olay customer and tried various other items, based on what I see in magazines, etc. Recently, I have decided to focus on DHC items and have found some great items that make my face feel clean. I also have found that I look forward to the face cleaning ritual, now that I have a routine. (There is OCD kicking in).
I do want to echo what Christina says about The Body Shop’s Body Butter. Best lotion ever! I hate running out because there isn’t a Body Shop near me - have to go the farther away mall.
Cleo | April 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I have very problematic skin. It sucks. I don’t just get little pimples, I get the cystic acne that takes forever and a half to heal. Fortunately, about 13 years ago I saw the Serious Skin Care line on HSN and it totally works for me. I also use their foundations so that my skin doesn’t get aggrevated (which it did with the MAC stuff).
Grace | April 26th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Believe it or not I just use plain ol’ soap to wash my face, mostly I like Caress. Right now I use a facial scrub by Oil of Olay when I shower to wash and exfoliate my face. It’s good. I used to use Oil of Olay moisturizer for years and I switched after O of O skyrocketed in price and after having 4 kids (lol). I switched to a generic WalMart brand called Equate for sensitive skin as my daytime moisturizer. It was half the price and worked well. I know most won’t believe it, but after trying all the expensive stuff like Clinique for a while and finding no differerence in the results to the cheaper stuff I just stick with what I know. I began using Ponds skin cream about a year ago and I’m happy.
You can check out my “closeup” pic on my page profile to see if my regimen works, lol. I think it does and I really don’t go to the spa much either for any fruit peels, etc… I found that if I switch products too much the skin rebels and I start having bumps and black heads around my cheekbone area. So I stick with what I know. A good scrub in the morning and a great mosturizer in the day. Wash your face again at night, being sure to take off any makeup, and use a great night time moisturizer = Great skin! Wella!
Kelli | April 26th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I am a Philosophy user to remove my make-up, then i follow up w/Clinique’s 3 step have for YEARS! I have tried to other brand’s but my skin revolt’s on me and makes me go back to my basic love…
Kym | April 27th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I’m a big fan of MyChelle. I use the fruit enzyme cleanser (takes off all of my makeup and leaves my skin clean but not too dry), fruit enzyme toner, serious nighttime moisturizer, amazing eye cream, and pumpkin peel. They’re not cheap, but not too expensive, no paraben or phalates, and smell great. I also use their hand lotion and foot lotion, which smells terrible, but is AWESOME at making my feet smooth and soft when i put it on at night and wear socks to bed. You can also get great deals on it if you buy on Amazon.
Traci | April 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Has anyone tried Arbonne?? I got some samples of their RE9 line and I LOVE it, it’s pretty costly however….
Kym | April 29th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Wendi, how did you make a rinsable cleansing oil similar to the DHC Cleansing Oil?
ford2M | June 28th, 2009 at 10:13 pm