Foamin' Explosion: Philosophy's Purity Gets Frothy

We already set off our fireworks over Philosophy releasing a foaming version of their wickedly popular Purity Made Simple cleanser. Rah-Rah!

But hold off on the sparklers for a sec, because I just thought of a question: How do you create a foaming version of a cult classic without tampering with the best parts (irritation-free! good on all skin types! smells really pretty!) of the original formula?

I needed answers.

Solving my query was Philosophy's Annie Woo, who reminded me that a foaming version of Purity was never in the playbook; however, "We make a practice of listening to our clients, and they kept asking." Nutshell: You asked, they made.

It took years - literally - of formulating, testing, trying, and reformulating before a product good enough to belong to the Purity family was created. In fact, even getting the lather "just right" was a mega-process. "We had a lot of 'foam parties' here to test the limits of how much foam is too much foam!" says Woo.

Philosophy also took this as an opportunity to make green upgrades. For example, the surfactants are biodegradable, and the product is paraben-free.

So maybe now the only question now is, "Now which one should I use?" I even have an answer for that: Steal a trick from Philosophy founder founder Cristina Carlino who saves the gel for p.m., and the foam for a.m.

New Products From Philosophy: Online Now!

Most beauty products fall into one of two categories:
1. They make your routine easier
2. They change your life

File these new launches under #2.

Philosophy now has two additional versions of their two bestselling products: Purity Made Simple gel cleanser will now have a foaming counterpart, and Hope In A Jar moisturizer will now also offer an SPF 20 formula (a Sephora exclusive!)

Psst! These beauty goodies hit stores on June 15th...but you can pick them up on Sephora.com right now!

The Purity Made Simple Foaming Cleanser is equally as skin-friendly as the original gel formula, but was created in response to all the customers who pleaded with Philosophy founder Cristina Carlino for a foaming spin-off. It's the ask-for-it-and-get-it approach to beauty - nice!

"It was very important to us that the foaming version be as gentle as the famous original," says Cristina. "This is foamy enough to satisfy the biggest fan of foaming cleansers, without using any of the traditional detergents found in 'foaming' formulas!"

Same rules applied for Hope In A Jar with SPF: It had to be as non-irritating and sensitive-skin appropriate as the classic.

"Clients have requested (downright pleaded!) for an SPF-containing version of HIAJ for years," says Cristina. Taa-daa! "We now - finally! - have a formula that gently hydrates, smooths and retexturizes for that famous HIAJ healthy glow...but protects from the sun, too."

Suds In The Tub, Suds In The Mug: Soap Made From Beer

Yes, what you are looking at is soap made from actual PBR beer.

To me, this is #6 on the list with those other seven signs of the Apocalypse. To others, beer apparently makes a great soap. No word on specifically how anyone found this out.

As I've never taken a can of beer with me to the shower, I'm having trouble imagining this process of discovery. Was this created by someone who regularly raids kitchens for "soap-like things?" Not that I'm judging. Hey, I get it. We all need a break from smelling like roses...uh, I guess.


But beer? I have some better ideas.

How about coconuts?

Philosophy's The Tiki Hut Gift Set comes with coconut-scented treats that smell just like pie. Or, for you beer-washers, just like a pina colada.







Or! Brown sugar?



Fresh's Brown Sugar Body Wash can make your whole tub smell like a bakery. And doesn't that sound nicer than a brewery?





Or how about an entire fruit basket?


Sephora's got an entire line of bubble bath that smells like fresh fruit. Guava? Lime? Nectarine? Peaches? Grapefruit?









Plus, just think: By not turning that beer into soap, you won't have to field any more of those pesky, "Whoa, someone have a late night last night?" questions from your coworkers.


Beauty Counterpoint Alert! We just heard from a soapmaker who uses brews in his bubbly blends. Here's the haps on those hops: The barley in beer can soothe skin (hey, we've done it with our oatmeal), and hops are full of b vitamins, calcium, zinc, and manganese. How about a toast to your tub!

Aisle Style: More Wedding-Season Beauty

Piggybacking off of Jenna's bridesmaid beauty post, I decided to round up a few more bridal buys for wedding season.

Tarte Seal the Deal: My friend Justin actually used the phrase "Seal the deal," when he proposed to his now-wife Devon. (Sooo him--love it!) Of course I had to buy this for her immediately after I heard the story. It's also very wedding-day appropriate, since it seals your lip color. In other words, it's you-may-now-kiss-the-bride-proof.

Philosophy The Bridal Party: Beyond cute! Gift this to the bride-to-be so she can indulge in Wedding Cake, Bubbly, and Bridal Bouquet Shower Gels before she gets showered with attention on her big day.

Vera Wang The Fragrance is inspired by the intense romance and the passion a man and a woman share on their wedding day—and beyond. Created by the iconic wedding-dress designer, it's the perfect bridal blend of Bulgarian rose, calla lily, mandarin flower, gardenia, white stephanotis, and sheer musk.

Do you have something else to add to our bride beauty guide? Please share--or forever hold your pretty peace.