Philosophy Fresh Cream Fragrance Review

Lovers of all things sweet will probably swoon over Philosophy Fresh Cream Eau de Toilette- at first sniff, I certainly did.

The sophisticated glass bottle and simple  clean label could fool you into thinking the fragrance is just as sophisticated and clean, but I assure you it is not! Fresh Cream is a saccharine dream but there's nothing particularly fresh about it and I hate to break it you, but it definitely does not smell like cream. What does cream even smell like? The only time I've noticed cream having a particular scent is when it's been forgotten about for a few days in the fridge and has started sprouting things. 

To me, Fresh Cream smells like a gooey combination of rich vanilla ice cream and cookie dough topped with a hefty dollop of sweet chantilly cream. In other words, it smells like something that would go straight to your hips and probably make you feel violently ill after a few mouthfuls. 

As much as I enjoy this fragrance, the staying power is not excellent. In fact, after an hour or so I can barely smell it at all, unless I press my nose right up to my wrist, which is pretty disappointing. It just doesn't seem to 'throw' its scent if you know what I mean. I spritz it on pulse points and even in my hair occasionally but the scent just doesn't linger. I'm sure that Fresh Cream would stick around longer if you were to layer it with the matching body wash and body cream.

Other than the staying power and it's slightly deceptive name, Philosophy Fresh Cream is a nice addition to your dressing table/ handbag if you're a lover of gourmand Laura Mercier-esque foodie scents. I got my bottle from QVC a few months ago for £34 but is now available at John Lewis if you fancy a sniff.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

As far as shower and bath products go, Philosophy is hands down, my number one favourite and now the cheeky American brand has gone and converted me to their best selling cleanser - Purity Made Simple.

It's actually quite rare for me to repurchase cleansers, because I'm constantly enticed by the plethora of new skincare products that keep popping up in Boots, but I'm on my second bottle of this, and for very good reason too.

Gentle yet effective, this award winning cleanser is a multi tasking wonder product that melts off make up, deeply cleanses the skin and conditions the complexion all at the same time.

The best bit? This stuff doesn't sting my (relatively sensitive)eyes, so removing mascara is fuss free and eyeball friendly.

How do you use it?
Massage a little dollop into dry skin for about 30 seconds and rinse with warm water. I usually repeat this but it's probably not necessary!

What's in it?
A few unpronounceable's (such as sodium trideceth sulfate) and a whole load of nourishing and cleansing bits including rosewood, sage, carrot and sandalwood oils and  pepper seed extract.

The Consistency
Somewhere between a gel and a cream that slightly foams upon contact with water.

The Scent
This is essentially unscented, but I can definitely smell something a bit peppery.

The Price Tag
I buy the little 90ml bottles of this from Boots for £8 (a great size if you just want to give it a try for a few weeks) but you can also get your hands on a 240ml bottle for £17.50.

The Verdict
Purity Made Simple is easy to use, effectively removes a full face of slap and leaves my skin squeaky clean yet hydrated in one step. All in all, I love this product.

You can find Philosophy products at Boots, online and at department stores.

Have you tried any of Philosophy's skin care products?

Thanks for reading :)

Philosophy UK

I did a little squeal of delight when I got an email the other day telling me that one of my favourite beauty brands had officially launched online here in the UK.

In my opinion, Philosophy comes up with some of the most scrumptious bath and body concoctions (Maple Pecan Crumble shower gel, anyone?) and produces simple and effective skincare products that have already gained a cult following over in the US.

Of course, we already had access to some of Philosophy's offerings thanks to Boots and department stores, but the new website means that Brits can now enjoy the full range of delicacies once reserved for our American comrades.

Hurrah!

I'm testing out Philosophy's best selling cleanser Purity Made Simple at the moment and I can report that it is a lovely facewash if you prefer a fuss-free cleanse. It removes make up, cleanses, tones and hydrates in one step, so it's a fantastic option for busy ladies (and blokes) who want a squeaky clean finish fast. You can pick up a 90ml bottle for £8 so you don't need to fork out the big bucks to try it out. I likey!



Purity Made Simple £8 - £28.50


Treat yourself, and visit Philosophy UK to stock up on some truly delicious products and receive a free (very generous) sampler bag when you spend over £40 until January 16.

Yummy. :)

Thanks for reading, and sorry I've been out of action for a while...:o

Hannah Rose xxx

Wishful Listing: My Fantasy Christmas Wish List

Besides peace on Earth etc, there are many more unobtainable things I would like this Christmas so I thought it would be fun to put together a little fantasy wish list of shamelessly indulgent and completely unrealistic goodies.


Behold!:

• Anything that smells edible/ festive by Philosophy.

Philosophy has been my favourite bathing brand for years. I'm a sucker for beauty products with gourmand-esque scents, and Philosophy just do it so well!

I can't walk past this in Boots without giving it a sniff! Philosophy Old Fashioned Eggnog Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath - 14 gbp at Boots

warming + scrub + gingerbread fragrance = Awesome. 26 gbp  (part of a set including gingerbread  man shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath) from QVC UK

Melting Marshmallow including shower gel, body lotion & lip shine. 22 gbp from Boots. I don't think I need to explain my reasoning for adding this. :) 

• Flowerbomb has been my favourite perfume for years, but everyone I know hates it so much they refuse to buy it for me! This is Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Extreme Eau De Parfum - an amplified version of the sickly sweet original. Pleeeeeeease Santa?!?

67.50 gbp for 50ml at Boots

• Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath. I've owned this before and I'm pretty sure my bathroom needs it again. One of the loveliest bathing products ever in my opinion.

31 gbp at Liberty  and other department stores

• Essence of John Galliano candle by Diptyque - a compelling oriental blend of white incense, bay leaves, rosewood and 'burnt leather'. I know Galliano isn't exactly in the good books at the moment but this candle is beyond indulgent.

40 gbp from Space NK

• Some goodies from MAC - including my most coveted lipstick, Ruby Woo. 

Cleanse Off Oil. 7 gbp. I've heard good things about this and would love to make my own judgement.

Lipstick in Ruby Woo. 13.50 gbp. I blog about beauty - I need this. Please. :)

Strobe Cream. 12 gbp. A little luminosity would be most welcome this Christmas.

• Tigi Bed Head Candy Fixations styling products. I'm happiest when my hair smells good and apparently these products are beautifully scented. If I don't find one (or all) of these under the tree, I'll be clicking over to Feel Unique for a sweet fix.

Left to Right: Sugar Dust micro-texture root powder, 9.35 gbp, Totally Baked volumizing & prepping hair meringue, 10.65 gbp, Sugar Shock hair bodyfying sugar spray, 10.00 gbp.

And finally, (though I could go on):

• The Luxury Essentials by Creme De La Mer. Decadence personified really...

260 gbp at Selfridges

So there you have it, a depressingly expensive selection of my most lusted after Christmas treats. Who knows, maybe one of them might make it into my stocking this year :o

P.S. sorry about the repetitive use of gbp (great british pounds). I'm using an Australian laptop tonight so therefore don't have a pound symbol on my keyboard!