I remember the first time I tried Origins products. The woman at the counter explained that the products would retrain my skin to act normal, not oily or sensitive or "confused". I can't say I believed all that, but the products smelled nice and I was looking for something new. I bought the Skin Care Pair for my skin type and gave it a shot. I can't say it did anything for my face, but I gave Origins another try with their color cosmetics. Here's where I got hooked. My favorite eye liner for about three years straight was Granite. I never really used any of the skin care again, except for a free sample here and there of something new. The charcoal mask, lip remedy treatment, and intensive hand cream are really nice, but for some reason I've never purchased any of them.

Recently, I was strolling through my neighborhood Nordstrom and I noticed a basket of samples on the Origins counter, ripe for the asking. The woman at the counter was more than willing to part with some, so I got a set for me and one for my husband (in case he wants to try them, right?)

No Deposit clarifying shampoo $10.00 for 8.5oz
This is the first deposit-removing, once-a-week type shampoo that I have ever liked. Most are too drying and stripping, leaving my fine hair in a ratty, knotted mess. Not this one. My hair felt super clean but not mangled, and tangle-free enough to even get a comb through it.

Clear Head mint shampoo $10.00 for 8.5oz
This shampoo has that great Origins signature mint fragrance, and it feels a bit tingly on your scalp. My skin is pretty sensitive, and the tingling did not bother me. Another winner, it left my hair clean, soft, and tangle-free.

Knot Free finishing rinse $10.00 for 8.5oz
A light, detangling conditioner probably for people who have fine hair or who don't need much heavy conditioning. It left my hair nicely conditioned and (again) tangle-free.

Happy Endings conditioner $12.50 for a tube of unknown size (4 or 5oz?)
The more heavy-duty of the two, this conditioner was nice and rich but did not leave my fine hair flat or greasy at all. Yay!

Liquid Crystal cleanser $14 for a 6.7 ounce bottle
This cleanser has a very light texture that doesn't foam but turns into a milky liquid when you add water. It removed all my makeup, and felt cool and refreshing. The peppermint oil in it could be irritating to some sensitive skins, but I had no problem with it.

Comforting Solution $17 for a 5 ounce bottle
This pseudo-toner is basically an essential oils and aloe vera cocktail that you apply directly to your face without a cotton ball - instead, you pour a tiny amount in your palm and apply like you would a moisturizer. I actually like this technique much better than wiping it on with cotton, since you use less product, it saves cotton balls, and it just feels more refreshing. Beware if your skin is hyper-sensitive, since this product does contain a whole slew of strongly scented herbs.
Reporter's Note: After using this product for about a month, it started to make my cheeks tingle. I decided to return it and use a regular toner.

Constant Comforter $22 for a 1.7 ounce jar
With so many moisturizers available these days, the subtle differences among them start to get a bit confusing. When I test a cream like this, I pay attention to its texture, how much I need to use to cover my whole face, how it feels going on, and how my skin looks and feels after a few hours. Constant Comforter has an emollient feel without being greasy, and it does a great job of making my skin feel soft and smooth all day.

The Last Straw conditioning shampoo $12.50
I have been searching for what feels like forever for a shampoo that doesn't dry out my hair. Some have come close and are fine for everyday, but when my hair is feeling really dry and frazzled, nothing has worked to rescue it - until now. During my usual weekly visits to my local Nordstrom (they know me by name now), I discovered this new conditioning shampoo from Origins that actually works! The Last Straw is a thick cream that Origins packaged it in a jar rather than a bottle. The orange and apricot fragrance (from essential oils) is heavenly, but even better is how soft and smooth it made my hair. If your hair is "dyed, dried or fried" (as Origins so cleverly puts it), this shampoo is for you.