A Top-To-Toe Philosophy Routine Anyone Would Love
Lisa Patulny is a beauty editor, journalist, career creative and Italo disco enthusiast. (She’s also a qualified volunteer ethics teacher, so if you’re looking for a D&M on an ethical issue, you know who to call.) She’s passionate about a lot of other things too: sun safety, skincare, fragrance, family (hi kids!), food and travel. Find her on socials @lisapatulny.
In partnership with Philosophy.
Philosophy is a brand that’s been around for ages (since 1996, which, can you believe, was 28 years ago?!)
My goodness, time flies when you’re busy making top-notch skincare.
As a beauty editor of 10+ years, I’ve tried a long list of their products before.
Fun fact: I once spent a year using their Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath exclusively.
But, like many other time-tested brands, it seems people have been sleeping on Philosophy lately.
You know the story – our heads get turned by ALL THE NEW THINGS, and we forget about the classics.
So, I was tasked with road-testing some of their hero products, which formed a delightful top-to-toe routine.
I know! I’m a lucky guinea pig! And if you’d love a (re?)introduction to this heritage brand, I’d love to help.
1. philosophy vanilla birthday cake shampoo shower gel & bubble bath.
Fast facts:
- Irresistible scent: Do you want to smell like vanilla birthday cake every single day? Yes, you do.
- Multi-purpose: A super-versatile formula that serves as a body wash, shampoo and bubble bath.
- Luxurious lather: Rich and moisturising, it not only cleanses effectively, it pampers skin and hair.
- Bonus recipe: The packaging is printed with a classic vanilla cake recipe. A cute bonus treat!
My mini vanilla birthday cake shampoo shower gel & bubble bath review:
The headline is that it smells incredibly delicious – sweet, warm and inviting.
It whips up into a luscious, foamy lather that softens the skin as you cleanse.
As a bubble bath, it’s luxurious and fragrant. The scent! Just like a freshly baked vanilla sponge.
My kids love using it as shampoo. In fact, it’s the only one they will currently accept on hair-wash day.
2. philosophy purity made simple 3-in-1 cleanser for face and eyes.
Fast facts:
- Easy makeup removal: Designed to eliminate makeup, it thoroughly cleanses both face and eyes.
- Deep cleansing: This cleanser helps to remove impurities and unclog pores, for clearer-looking skin.
- Lightly hydrating: It also nourishes the skin, leaving it refreshed without any greasy residue.
- Fragrance-free: Ideal for those with sensitivity to fragrance, it’s a gentle and soothing formulation.
My mini purity made simple 3-in-1 cleanser for face and eyes review:
This is one of the brand’s bestsellers because, I can only assume, everyone else loves it as much as I do.
It effectively whisks away a day’s worth of sunscreen and makeup but doesn’t irritate my skin or eyes.
It has a soft, gel-cream texture that feels nourishing but also rinses clean. (No residue.)
I don’t love scented skincare (weird, I like scented-everything-else), so I appreciate that it’s fragrance-free.
If you wear a full face most days, I reckon you’ll be extra impressed by how well it cleanses and conditions.
3. philosophy the microdelivery in home vitamin c peptide peel kit.
Fast facts:
- Smooths texture: A clever combo of alpha-hydroxy acids and scrubby granules resurfaces roughness.
- Minimises fine lines: Potent enough to rejuvenate ageing skin, it helps soften the look of wrinkles.
- Brightens and evens: Packed with vitamin C, it’s a convenient way to target hyperpigmentation.
- Professional-grade: Designed to mimic in-salon microdermabrasion, but you can do it on your couch.
My mini philosophy the microdelivery in home vitamin c peptide peel kit review:
I love professional skin treatments as much as the next beauty editor, but I am also enthused by DIY kits.
This at-home peel is brightening and smoothing, yes, but it’s also a fun once-a-month thing I look forward to.
It’s zingy and zesty and smells like orange juice, which is delightful.
And together, the scrubby granules in the tub and the gel in the bottle do a lot to exfoliate skin.
I also like that it can be customised according to skin type.
If you’re sensitive, you stop massaging once you’ve applied the gel, otherwise you can keep going.
When I use this as part of my PM regimen, I wake up GLOWING; it’s a great before-big-event buy.
4. philosophy hope in a jar smooth-glow multi-tasking moisturizer.
Fast facts:
- A multi-tasking moisturiser: This versatile formulation addresses multiple skin concerns at once.
- Deep hydration: A treat for dehydrated skin, it’s rich in low molecular weight hyaluronic acid.
- Gently smoothing: A mild dose of glycolic acid means it can even out skin tone and texture.
- Banishes dullness: If you like glowy skin, you’ll be pleased to know it delivers on that promise too.
My mini hope in a jar smooth-glow multi-tasking moisturizer review:
Lately, the kinds of moisturisers I’m drawn to are pretty simple.
I don’t care about bells and whistles; I just want lasting hydration, smoothing and a little bit of glow.
Enter: Hope In A Jar.
Made with hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid for mild exfoliation, and a “Radiance Complex”, it does it all.
The texture is rich and nourishing but soaks in quite quickly, and the scent is quite neutral and subtle.
Love a no-nonsense moisturiser that does what it says on the tin, like me? I recommend you give it a go.
5. philosophy anti-wrinkle miracle worker line-correcting eye cream.
Fast facts:
- Smoothing: Hyaluronic acid and peptides treat existing lines and prevent new ones from forming.
- Targets dark circles: Delivers an instant brightening effect (hi vitamin C!) without stinging eyes.
- Lush but lightweight: Feels nourishing to apply but has an invisible, velvety finish under makeup.
- Day and night use: Apply it as part of your AM and PM skincare routines and save your coin.
My mini philosophy anti-wrinkle miracle worker line-correcting eye cream review:
This hardworking eye cream tackles dark circles, puffiness and lines, aka the Unholy Trinity of Eye Concerns.
She’s thicc, in the very best way, so a tiny swipe comfortably does both eyes.
(I’m telling you this because 15ml doesn’t seem like a lot, but with this formulation, it really does last.)
It feels lovely and velvety on application, and – importantly! – doesn’t pill with makeup layered on top.
I’ve used it both day and night since I received it, which is what the brand recommends for best results.
6. philosophy amazing grace ballet rose eau de toilette.
Fast facts:
- Balletcore vibes: Inspired by the “quiet strength of a ballerina”, it’s soft, delicate and dancer-ly.
- A modern rose scent: Heart notes of rose and peony are layered with sparkling lychee for fizz.
- More ‘clean’ than ‘femme’: If you like the smell of freshly laundered linen, you’ll no doubt be a fan.
- Layer it for longer sillage: It’s also available in body emulsion, body wash and 15ml eau de toilette.
My mini philosophy amazing grace ballet rose review:
As someone who took ballet lessons for 15 years, I am a lifelong fan of all things tutus, ribbons and tulle.
This inspired-by scent is glorious, but perhaps not the girlie explosion of sweetness you might expect.
In fact, to my nose, it’s much closer to the ‘clean’ category of scents that evoke freshly laundered linen.
Based on delicate rose and peony petals, it gets juicy freshness from lychee and softness from musk.
Light and delicate on the skin, it’s the fragrance to wear when you want to feel your most beautiful.
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