Written by Leah
Leah and Maximus dish about one of their favorite beauty brands in today’s guest post.
Maximus is partial to Origins eyeshadow
I’ve been using Origins products for many years, but I actually rarely shop at an Origins store. That’s because their website features free samples, and I often shop using coupon codes to get their DELUXE samples, while taking advantage of the free shipping deal (good on any order).
I think there’s a lot to like about Origins, but if you’re new to their products, here are some things I like about the brand.
Product Container Recycling and Samples
They offer a great product recycling program in their stores. Just bring in an empty container. They’ll recycle it for you, and give you a free sample of your choice in return. It’ll be one of their regular products in a sample jar (similar to Sephora’s little plastic sample jars).
To get even BIGGER samples, place your orders through their website. Some of the samples are amazing! It depends on their promotions and specials, but many are larger than the samples they give in the stores.
Natural Mission
The company’s mission is to “create high-performance natural skincare that is powered by nature and proven by science.” They use potent plants and organic ingredients and animal-friendly practices. All of their products are also formulated without parabens, phthalates, PABA, mineral oil, DEA (diethanolamine, a known carcinogen) and animal ingredients, and thanks to their Plant A Tree campaign, they’ve planted 93,000 trees so far.
Daily Moisturizer
I spend a lot of time outdoors (hiking, snowshoeing, skiing) and also use my sunroof a lot, despite the fact that I’m a New Englander, so a daily moisturizer with at least SPF 15 is a must.
I’m addicted to Have a Nice Day ($37.50 for a 1.7-oz. jar). It smells a little bit citrusy, and I think it’s just incredible. I haven’t been able to find anything similar at the drugstore, and mind you I’ve looked. It’s on the pricey side, but a jar does last me a very long time.
I also use Ginzing, which comes in a cute little jar, to help with puffy eyes and dark circles. Once a customer in an Origins store told me that she couldn’t see my puffy eyes or dark circles at all, which I thought was quite a compliment in the harsh store lighting. All I could do was hold up a jar of Ginzing and smile. 🙂
Although it’s also pricey, the little jar lasts me a very long time (close to one year with daily use). Because the skin under my eyes is sensitive to irritation, and I wear contact lenses, I have to be extra careful about what I put near my eyes. I never have a with Ginzing. I think it’s one of the company’s best new products in recent years (plus, apparently, it makes me look ‘refreshed’ while shopping!).
Scrub for Bath/Shower
Gloom Away is my absolute favorite shower scrub, and I think it also makes a great gift. I gave the lotion and bath gel to a coworker for the holidays last year, and they couldn’t stop saying how much they liked it. The line is grapefruit scented and really provides a nice pick-me-up when you’re getting ready in the morning (click here for Karen’s review).
Face Wash
There are a couple of Origins face washes that work really well. I have combination skin that tends to be very sensitive. I enjoy their face wash samples since I travel quite a bit and they are small enough to travel with.
Makeup
I carry their Smileage Plus lip product in every bag. My current favorite is Vintage, a deep plum shade. According to the Origins website, “These 95% organic lip tints are formulated with Organic Beeswax, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter and Organic Aloe Vera, plus an organic essential oil blend of Tangerine and Lime.” Don’t they sound great?
They come in a small narrow tube, so they fit well in even my smallest wristlet or purse. The colors are more like a sheer lip tint, but they’re great to put on during the workday, because you don’t really need a mirror.
I also find Origins eye shadows to be delightful. Each neat square compact comes with a mirror, and I think they just look wonderful sitting in my makeup bag.
If you’re unsure about which eye shadow or lip treatment to try first, stop by an Origins store. Their staff is always ready to help, and if you sign up for their e-newsletter, you’ll get coupons good for free products (that’s how I got into Smileage Plus).
And the brand even offers free mini-facials. Just call the store to ask what they have going on, and book a free facial in one of their treatment rooms (the larger stores tend to have these). I love stuff like that. 🙂
What do you think of Origins? Do you have any favorite products from the brand?
Written by Leah
Leah lives in the Boston area and works with dentists and dental students. She enjoys playing with makeup, assisting professional photographers on location shoots, snowmobiling, hiking, snowshoeing, and spending time at her off-the-grid (solar powered) vacation home in Maine. One of her favorite pastimes is discovering new beauty finds and adding them to her Amazon Wish List for future purchase. Visit Leah (and her tabby cat Maximus) on LinkedIn or Facebook.
I love, love, love Ginzing but I confess I never tried any of their makeup. Guess I’ll have to check some of it out. I honestly don’t even know where the closest store is. I’ve always ordered on-line.
I love their Clean Energy oil cleanser, best thing ever to remove all the makeup even eye stuff gently and it leaves my dry combo skin hydrated.
I have a moisturizer from Origins, but I wasn’t impressed. I also know they have these Origins gumballs at my Macy’s and they’re nasty. xD
I’ve never tried any origins products, though I’ve walked by the stores a bajillion times. Will have to check them out!
Checks and Balances is my favorite face wash– it smells SO GREAT!! I really like Origins but there’s not one close =( and some of the products are a tad pricey for me. Such a great line, though! Thanks for renewing my interest in them, haha! =)
OH! And the All and Nothing pressed powder— I LOVE IT! Do you use it??
New Englanders represent! Woot woot! 😉
I love Origins, I’ve been a big fan of their Perfect World eye serum for a few years now. And I’m reallllllllly loving their new VitaZing spf 15 moisturizer.
OMG, my best friend has a cat named Maximus, too!
Topic: When I used to live in Honolulu, I hung out at the Origins store at Ala Moana. A LOT. They always had a sink where I could test out scrubs and cleansers, and I could sneak out little squidges of Gloomaway or Peace of Mind when the sales ladies aren’t looking.
I did get around to buying stuff from them, though. Night-a-Mins is one of my favorite moisturizers – smells like oranges and moisturizes like crazy, even if it is quite creamy. I also liked a few of their shampoos, especially No Deposit. Didn’t get around to trying their makeup, though I’ve meant to try the Matte Stick pencils for quite a while.
On my last week in Honolulu before moving out forever, I noticed that the Origins store had a bin for their recycling program; at that time they took any and all empty containers, even from other brands. I ended up taking all of the cosmetic-product empties that I couldn’t get recycled at their own stores (*ahem*bodyshopandlush*ahem). Don’t remember which sample I got, but I felt much better for not having so many empty shampoo and lotion bottles rattling around my apartment!
And, yes, the gumballs. I was addicted to those for a while.
GinZing is seriously amazing. Inexpensive, and it makes me look AWAKE. I have never had this much luck with an eye cream.
Their oil cleanser (clean energy) gave me cystic acne, but I have a lot of friends who use it with success.
Their pencil eyeliners are quite good.
Your cat is adorable! I love the little white “socks” on his paws. 🙂
My boyfriend loves Checks and Balances, haha. I end up using it whenever I’m at his place, and it’s a pretty solid cleanser. I haven’t checked out anything else by Origins, though. I might have to check out the eye shadow!
Have a Nice Day is a fantastic moisturizer, and Ginger Essence perfume with Ginger Souffle body cream have been my scent staples for years. I haven’t really purchased any of the makeup items because the color options seem relatively limited and match colors I already own. But may have to keep Origins in mind when I run out in the future.
Off-topic, but I had a pet rabbit named Maximus!! Is your adorable cat also named for Russell Crowe’s character in Gladiator or did you just like the name?
I have a close friend with a skin allergy condition that reacted to many brands, and the only brand that she can wear for makeup is Origins. Great for ultra-sensitive skin types to makeup.
What I love from origins are their earthy tones in their eye pencils. They are fantastic and worth the price!
I use the Zero Oil line. I use the cleanser and moisturizing. I also have the blemish remover, Modern Friction for exfoliating, and Vita Zing. Loooooooove Vita Zing. It’s great. It’s my go to tinted moisturizer. I also have one of their bronzers. I dont think I’m applying it correctly because I can never see it on myself Lol. I love this line. I got so many compliments on my skin looking better after about 3 weeks of use.
I used to work for Origins, and although I don’t work there anymore I firmly believe that their products have so many benefits. Time and time again I try to divert myself to other brands, but find myself going back to Origins for my face wash, moisturizer, and eye cream. Many of their items are reasonably priced compared to other brand named products and last much longer! You can never go wrong with Checks and Balances face wash!
The VitaZing day moisturizer w/ SPF 15 is a bit pricy too, but I love love LOVE it! Origins is awesome. I’ve slowly been accumulating their products for my everyday use. I love the fact that they are so natural and not harsh. Loooove it 🙂
Really enjoyed your article Leah. I’ve tried Peace of Mind and loved it but that is all, like the sound of GinZing so may have to give that a go.
Hi Karen,
I love your site and always love to find out about the new products. I recently came across a great product that I thought you might be interested in. It’s called Beauty Bioscience RetinoSyn-45 Beauty Treatment. You’ve always been so helpful in sharing all the latest and greatest products with us, I’m glad I can finally share one with you. They were recently selling the product on HSN (where it was sold out during their debut) but I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of the kits. I think they will be restocking the product soon but here is the direct website for the company: https://www.retinosyn.com/. Anyways, I can not tell you how amazing this stuff is. It has dramatically changed my skin. Better than any treatment I’ve had at the Derm’s office. And not to mention, much less expensive. It’s a 45-day treatment that you use only twice a year. I think you will love it! Thank again for always sharing with us!