Could I be the only human being who didn't know Oprah loves the new Origins Ginger Soufflé? It is on her list of favorite things! During her November 23rd show she told the world, who promptly went to stores and bought it. It was out of stock at Nordstrom for quite some time and in fact the entire country was out. The day I was there, I was in luck; they just received a new shipment.

Oprah said, "It smells so great you'll want to lick yourself." Now I don't want to disagree with Oprah. I really admire her. I tried really hard to like the stuff but I felt as though I smelled like a fruit salad or some such thing. I couldn't actually pinpoint the aroma but it was a rather familiar and pleasant culinary smell. Nice stuff but I can think of about 100 cosmetic items I'd rather spend the $25 on. Also, the aroma wears off quickly which is good or bad, depending. If I received it as a gift I'd exchange it or give it away.

A few months ago I was visiting my best friend in Corte Madera and we decided to hit the cosmetic counters at Nordstrom - a major hobby we share. While we were there, one of the sales people told us that Origins was offering a FREE neck and shoulder massage followed by a gift.

They actually hired a guy who was equipped with one of those weird looking massage chairs with a head rest in front. After my superb massage, I asked the masseur what lotion he used and went to directly to the Origins counter and bought the Orange Lazabout Body Soufflé. It was definitely an impulse purchase. By the way, the gift was a full size Origins lash conditioner.

Origins suggests Orange Lazabout should be used "when stress consumes you and sleep eludes you". It promises to relax, destress and make you feel "la-di-da". I can't say that it relaxes me because it doesn't. I like it but none of the above happened for me.

I'd say my cosmetic passion is cream and lotion. This one is good and I wouldn't be embarrassed to give it as a gift or receive it, but I don't think I'd purchase it again, for myself. It is a nice creamy cream - I particularly like the generous amount (7 oz.) and how it is packaged. Every last drop of product can be easily reached in the large round jar with a very wide opening, about 2 1/2 inches across.

Finally, I feel really old, but, I think this is much more of a young person's line. I always have and that is another reason I never paid attention to it. Also I was not attracted by the looks of the packaging, colors, etc., and didn't like the cutesy names like Never A Dull Moment (skin polisher), Handle With Care (for hands) and Silent Treatment (for sunscreen). However, Origins is high quality does offer a complete line of skin care as well as make-up. Some of the body line includes:

Lazabout Orange Flower Body Soufflé - $25
Lazabout Orange Flower Bath Bar - $12.50
Lazabout Orange Flower Body Balm $20
Lazabout Orange Flower Bath Float $22.50
Lazabout Orange Flower Body Wash $20
Lazabout Orange Flower Body Duster $20

I requested a brochure describing the Ginger products. The sales person at Macy's told me they didn't have one and was quick to remind me how expensive it is to print brochures. I immediately flashed on poor Estee Lauder and the time a few years ago I saw her in Palm Beach. She was a passenger in a chauffeur driven RR/Bentley that was just about to turn into the driveway of her modest mansion. I tease. I should be so lucky!

The Ginger promises to "shelter you in a creamy cocoon and spread a relaxing warmth all over your body while skin nourishing olive, grape seed, rice bran and apricot kernel oils invisibly surround you" and it supposedly lifts your spirits. Go to the Origins website to continue reading the wonders of their new Ginger line.

Ginger Gloss - Smooth Body Oil - $16.50
Ginger Soufflé - Whipped Body Cream - $25.50
Ginger Bar - Savory Bath Soap - $12.50
Ginger Cloud - Smoothing Body Balm - $20
Ginger Float - Cream Bubble Bath - $22.50
Ginger Burst - Savory Body Wash - $20
Ginger Dust - Silky Dustin Powder - $20

Other Origin aromas and their purposes include:

Gloomaway: Grapefruit, Orange and Field Mint - creates a sense of optimism
Fretnot: Tangerine, Lemon and Orange - worries melt away
Lazabout: Orange Flower and Neroli - makes you sleepy and feeling la-di-da
All's Well: Cucumber, Indian Wintergreen and Field Mint - refreshes, soothes, awakens and calms