Philosophy • Make-Up Optional 4-piece Kit • Skincare - Face

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*TOP REVIEWER* dag4321 on 11/9/2011 8:37:00 PM more reviews by dag4321

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This kit is horrible. I actually have pretty good skin, hardly ever break out. I broke out so bad with this, with horrible cystic pimples. Read reviews indicating it would get better , not the case. It has been over a month and my skin is awful, not only am I wearing more make up than ever I have big discolorations from breaking out. Waste for sure

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gemstoneruby on 3/25/2011 12:15:00 PM more reviews by gemstoneruby

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I purchased the kit for dry, sensitive skin.

Every product included besides the cleanser made my skin burn, sting, itchy, irritated, and red,

I have to return this, waste of time. Dont buy this!

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Rice27 on 3/11/2010 7:59:00 AM more reviews by Rice27

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I think I just have the toughest, worst skin ever. This kit did nothing for me after a few month of use. I can't say it made anything worse either, there was just no difference. I've battled with rough, uneven, skin tone for a long time and I'm still looking for the right products. On top of that, I have really bad cystic acne but I bought this kit primarily for my skin tone, which like I said, didn't change. For the price of it, I'm not sure if I would buy it again even if it had changed!

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sweethartz on 12/14/2009 9:25:00 PM more reviews by sweethartz

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I dont know what to say about this product. i just absolutely love it!! When im in my almost one month of using this, and let me tell you, after the first week, i broke out so much on the side of my face that i have ever seen!!! normally i get one or two pimples here and there when its that time of the month, but never have i had so many red dots on my face. so i stopped using Philosophy for a few days, until my face started clearing up, then i went back to my Philosophy routine. 3 weeks later, my skin is clear, and better than before!!! Today, while i was getting ready to go out, after i applied my "Hope in a Jar" and my face primer, i realized that i dont need any foundation. Just some concealers under the eyes. im someone who will never go out without foundations, and today, i felt so confident about my skin that i am able to go out "naked." I love everything in this kit!! i also have included the Philosophy's boosters cap and the vitamin c powder in my routine. i will definitely buy again, even tho i find the price is so unfair. $78 USD vs $102 CAD. everything is more expensive here in Canada. Now i know why its called "Make Up Optional"

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*TOP REVIEWER* Tuts311 on 12/2/2009 6:20:00 PM more reviews by Tuts311

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I bought this on a trip to New York only last week having read about all there products, i got a facial at the counter in macys and the lady asked loads of questions to get me the right products . i have spent so much money trying to sort out my large pores and oily skin , but i am so glad i got this my skin has never been this good . usually an hour after i put my make up on my skin is oily and horrible today no oily skin at all !! i was over the moon. Im convinced its the hope in the bottle doing the job i am in love with Philosophy also all my little bumps on my forhead are gone :) i am also using there, never let them see you shine primer which im sure is helping. Money well spent.

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emmasgrandma50 on 8/19/2009 3:19:00 AM more reviews by emmasgrandma50

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I just begain using the "dry, sensitive" 4-piece kit and so far, so good. I am already seeing the clarity of my skin improving. So far am very pleased!

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slb74 on 6/12/2009 10:27:00 AM more reviews by slb74

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I started using the kit for congested skin about 4 weeks ago, and for the first time in probably 20 years, I did not have a monthly breakout! I use the cleanser every night, along with the moisturizer and Hope In a Tube. I only use the serum a couple times a week. This stuff works wonders!!!

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js1209 on 3/29/2009 5:57:00 PM more reviews by js1209

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I have always liked Philosophy's skin care products and purchased this kit as it was a great value and way to try out more of their products. I also have oily skin that it prone to breakouts -- and this kit HAS NOT made my skin breakout. I didn't expect to use all the products when I purchased the kit -- but now religiously use everyone of them, including the eye/lip cream. The Purity cleanser is really gentle,makes my skin very soft and effectively removes all my makeup in one step. The When Hope is Not Enough serum does have a unique smell -- I don't mind it but I can see that not everyone would like it. The Hope in the Bottle serum makes my skin look really dewy. I will definitely re-purchase this kit and these products. I do the Philosophy Micro-Delivery facial peel 1-2x weekly with these products. Maybe that is why this isn't clogging my pores at all? I have definitely noticed a visible difference with my skin using these products. I do think that they are more for daytime use. I am 39 and would like a thicker moisturizer for night-time use -- I've used a L'Occitaine moisturizer that I liked better for night-time. I'm also tempted to add a retinol cream into my routine at night... Overall, I think that these products work as well or better that much more expensive skincare products and are a real value.

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msapali on 2/7/2009 1:29:00 PM more reviews by msapali

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is a review for the Congested Skin kit.

Is this kit making anyone else breakout? I have combo skin- usually oily but sometimes dry, flaky patches during winter or if I don't exfoliate and moisturize. I am new to this line and started with this kit. I have been using this kit now both am + pm for 6 days. I don't really have bad acne. My face is pretty clear except during TTOTM which was why I got this kit instead of the acne kit. But ever since I started using this kit, I've been breaking out like crazy!!!!!! I just had my period 2 weeks ago (sorry, too much info there) so my skin should be as clear and soft as a baby's bottom. But it's worse than how I get them even during TTOTM! It seems like everytime I use it, I get a new painful zit. I have like 10+ pimples since I have used this- NO JOKE (although I wish I was!) I 've read a lot of reviews that have said it could be a result of your skin purging. I'm npt sure if this is happening because I changed skincare lines to use this kit and this is the first time I'm using Philosophy. But I don't know how much longer I'm willing to wait and see if I get results. It seems like the more I use this kit the more I breakout and I don't know why because I was liking the products.
The purity cleanser really smells good and is soft. It feels to me more like a lotion as I'm putting it on.
The serum at first had a werd smell but I've grown to like it. I don't really see that it's made a difference to my skin yet (besides the breakouts). There's no glow and lines haven't been dimiinished, but it's probably too soon to tell. It really is like a water consistency and dries up really quickly. When it does, you might not like the sticky feeling it has, but it does go away so don't think your face will be sticky the whole day. (I started mixing this with the booster c powder 3 days ago).
The hope in a bottle really is mattifying. Doesn't leave your face looking oily. The smell isn't great but it's way better than hope in a jar (That stuff is grosssss!!!) It's supposed to have salicylic acid and to prevent breaouts. (Then why and I getting them?)
I'm don't really like the hope in a tube. I don't think you could where this during the day because it leaves your eyes looking greasy, almost like you are sweating but just under your eye. Probably better just for pm. But all this does it keep your eyes soft. This hasn't diminished my lines under my eyes. Wouldn't purchase this ever!

I'm probably going to suck it up and use this another week. If my breakouts get worse than they are now (if that's possible) then I'm going to have to return this kit and look for something else because kits for acne proned skin are supposed to make your blemishes go away not make them worse. This was my first Philosophy product and I am not impressed at all. If I return this I don't think I would buy anything from their skincare line. If you do buy this, use with caution! Prepare to stay at home until your face clears up.

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thlewis on 11/10/2008 8:42:00 AM more reviews by thlewis

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I thought it was just me...glad to know it's not! I don't have an acne problem but wanted a good skin care regime to follow. Since so many people raved about this line, I decided to give it a try. Luckily I got a gift card from Sephora, so I didn't have to spend my own money.

After using this product for mere days, my skin broke out on my cheeks with red, raised bumps. Even my husband said my skin looked bad. I have NEVER broken out on my cheeks...only on my chin and forehead occassionally. So needless to say, I was not a happy camper.

I returned this mess back to Sephora with the quickness!!

As for the reviewer that NEVER used the product but said that it 'purges' the skin, so it will get worse before it gets better, a product should SOLVE a problem...not create one that isn't there to begin with.

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kmireault on 11/2/2008 7:28:00 PM more reviews by kmireault

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This has transformed my skin totally. I was getting breakouts galore, this has stopped that 99%. I don't use the eye and lip cream because I think it made my get bumps around my eyes... but when I do get pimple I zap it with my thermaclear... which is hardly at all because of this kit. This kit plus the thermaclear in combination are my HG. Love it!!!!!!!

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lesha on 9/15/2008 6:16:00 PM more reviews by lesha

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I haven't tried this kit personally but a couple of my friends have and it has worked so well for them. The reason I'm posting is a lot of the reviews complain that it makes their skin breakout. The reason I haven't tried it yet...THIS KIT IS MADE TO PURGE YOUR SKIN OF IMPURITIES SO YOUR SKIN IS GOING TO LOOK WORSE BEFORE IT LOOKS BETTER. If you can stick it out the results I've seen are clean skin and a clear complexion. Now I just have to be brave enough to try it :)

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*TOP REVIEWER* iloveMnMs on 6/30/2008 7:50:00 AM more reviews by iloveMnMs

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I actually bought this as a 6-piece kit. Regardless, it's terrible. Most of the products smell really bad! This kit caused me to break out in HUGE cystic pimples like never before. I was mortified. Makeup optional skin? Now I need makeup to cover the problems that this caused!

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tracyccr on 6/8/2008 10:55:00 AM more reviews by tracyccr

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Let me start out by saying that I have acne-prone, sometimes oily skin and I am in my 30's. I have used Proactiv for years and it was starting to get where I felt like it wasn't working as well anymore. My whole family loves Philosophy products so I decided to give this a try. I'm really not sure what part of the kit was the problem, but after two weeks of using (exactly as instructed) I have gotten 6+ pimples on my face, and in places I don't usually get them. For one, on my nose (like Rudolph). And I've also gotten a huge cystic pimple on my chin that has been there a week and shows no sign of leaving. It also made my face feel and look like a gease pit. I gave this one lippies because I loved how the serum felt when you put it on. I also used the Microdelivery Peel twice. I'm afraid this might have been the culprit, but have read no other reviews where it's broken people out, so I'm unsure. Overall, for someone who has acne-prone skin, I would not suggest this product. I am now using Kinerase Clear Skin (suggested by a Sephora employee) and it seems to be helping straighten things out (so far).

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seasandtrees on 6/2/2008 3:00:00 PM more reviews by seasandtrees

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I just purchased this. I literally wanted makeup optional skin. I haven't used this product enough to put in a definite review, but I felt I needed to comment about each of them for now.

Purity- loving it because it takes off makeup. Doesn't give that dry feeling after washing. I have dry-combo skin.

Serum- it goes on smooth. too soon for results. I was using Neutrogenas deep wrinkle serum $18 at Target. I saw results in a week. My fine lines from sunburn aren't as pronounced as before. My pores seemed to reduce as well. So I'm only giving Philo's serum to see how it works compared to my neutrogena. and to get that glow everyone is talking about. If it's not as effective, I might just keep my neutro for PM use.

Eye tube- um... don't know results yet. I don't have wrinkles around my eyes. But it is a good moisturizer.

Microdelivery peel- wow. I feel like my skin appreciates me so much for using this. It left my skin feeling like a baby's butt. lol.

Hope in a Jar- until I used this lotion with the serum. I don't like the smell it reminds me of lemongrass. I'd rather use it in soup than on my face. But I'll sacrafice smell for skin care. However, my only con is that it does make my skin kinda greasy. Not silky. And I'm a dry combo girl. So, it was wierd. It feels like sunblock. plastered on.

But I've only used this for a week. I'm giving it a couple more weeks to see if it turns out as good as they say. Also, I've been using Cliniques 3 step. The mild one. And I love how DDML's results in 1 day. took away all my flakes. Leaves skin feeling not greasy at all. But I only wanted to use Philo to see if my skin could do better. Especially fine lines and pores. Those are my issues right now. Also, I wanted something antioxidant that's free radical attacks. and clinique doesn't have that.

Also, I plan on purchasing Smashbox primer. I hear it's magic. I'll get the one in the tube for $15 just to see. I just want something that is not greasy, and smoothe away pores and fine lines to prep my face. and because I don't want too much gunk already plastered on my face, I got Peter Thomas Roth's mineral sunscreen spf 30. Goes on great, I just can't tell if I have it one. LOL. because I am a Sun-phobic. I burn easily. So... we'll see... :D

I will return in a few weeks to update the results.

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rhbrand on 3/12/2008 3:57:00 PM more reviews by rhbrand

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

My mother swears by this stuff. So on a whim, when in Sephoa, I decided to give it a try.

Well, It just wasn't right for me. The cleanser and peal are good, I'll say that. But everything else was bad. Smelled funny to me, made me breakout more often, and just overall didn't do anything for my skin. And I hate the eye cream.

I gave my leftovers to my mom, who was thrilled to get it. Just goes to show you what's good for one persons skin is terrbile for anothers.

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*TOP REVIEWER* angelyshis on 3/3/2008 2:22:00 PM more reviews by angelyshis

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

This is the most amazing stuff especially when combined with the microdelivery peel! For the past 15+ years I have had skin that was consistenly bad. You know the type, huge clogged pores, cystic pimples on the jaw line, uneven color, spots from sun damage, and general overall yuckiness. I tried acne product programs, brightening products, pore clearing products, etc. Most did not live up to their claims and those that did, did so with harsh results which meant I was still using a ton of foundation to cover up my bad skin. Then after reading reviews here I decided to try the cleanser, wow! Loved it so much I bought the kit and the peel as well. My skin truly is makeup optional now. I do still have to use some concealer for under eye circles, but I can walk out the door without any foundation on and feel great about my glowing skin!!

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ali723 on 3/3/2008 2:43:00 AM more reviews by ali723

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

sadly, i was not very impressed with this kit. it just made my face sort of red. i didn't see any results at all after a two months, just redness....weird. and it smells. i will not repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Msgdfx1 on 3/3/2008 12:43:00 AM more reviews by Msgdfx1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Dark   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I have to add that I am now a believer in the claim of makeup optional skin after using this kit. I have been a Philosophy user for a couple of years, mainly the fragrance and bath/body products. I have sampled the Hope moisturizer and Purity cleaner, but, not been particularly impressed. However, I decided to give the skincare a try again and totally commit to the entire regimin by joining the Radiant Rewards program. I have been using the system for 1 1/2 weeks. I have to admit that my skin looks really clear and is velvety. When I wake up in the morning, I have immaculate skin with the appearance of zero pores and surface oil. Now, it has not cured my oily skin, but, it really has softened my surface, expression lines. I definitely recommend this regimin to anyone that is looking to improve the look of their skin

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*TOP REVIEWER* HollyMarie on 2/27/2008 8:22:00 PM more reviews by HollyMarie

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I have been using this for just about over 2 weeks and I am not quite as impressed as I had been hoping to be. In all fairness I have combo skin-oily chin and dry cheeks and I used everything as the directions stated and I just dont think this overall gives enough moisture and I noticed my chin was clogged of blackheads and "rough"
So..I dont think this is working for my skin type :(

Purity Made Simple cleanser is ok..smells wonderful but seems to be missing something..I just dont feel like its a good "balanced" cleanser
Hope In a Jar- Never really cared for it, but I thought using everything together would make the moisturizer more effective?
Hope Serum- Feels good dont know if its really doing anything
Hope in a Tube- Would not repurchase, not good enough for my eyes, lips it felt ok-but whatever

My friends had much better luck with this. So maybe its just my skin type..but as I look at my chin I think I will pass on any further Philosophy skin care purchases!

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