My “Genuine” C.O. Bigelow shirt

I had the privilege of meeting Ian Ginsberg Saturday, at the Dallas Galleria, for C. O. Bigelow’s 170th Anniversary celebration. Ian introduced me to the brand and let me play a bit with some of the product…man, what I’ve been missing! Bigelow Chapped Hands Soap-Free Cleanser, Bigelow Derma Remedy Medicated Dry Patch Anti-Itch Cream, and Bigelow Restorative Hair Mask are all on my shopping list!

As I’m sure all my fellow beauty addicts know, C.O. Bigelow’s No. 502 Mentha Lip Shine is the #1 selling lipgloss in America…I’ve got a tube of it on my night table, I wear it to bed at night! Love that stuff!


What I’m not sure my fellow addicts know is how fantastic the rest of the Bigelow range is. Anyone who has seen my vanity area knows my love for things lemon scented…so I’m super glad that Ian showed me the Lemon Lip Cream Ultra Moisturizing Formula today. I’m wearing it right now, and Mr. Shimmer just leaned over to kiss me and commented on how soft they feel (squee! That’s a vote for the positive, right?)

Another favorite from the Mentha line is Bigelow Mentha Vitamin Body Wash, with 1% Peppermint Oil, and nourishing vitamins A, C, and E to keep skin looking its absolute best. I’ve heard from a very good friend of mine how fantastic this stuff is, and know it wound up headed to Iraq* instead of staying in her bathroom like it was supposed to.

Originally founded by Dr. Galen Hunter in 1838 as the Village Apothecary Shop, C. O. Bigelow was purchased from Dr. Hunter in 1920 and renamed C. O. Bigelow (after its new owner, Clarence Otis Bigelow). C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries work diligently to go ‘back to basics’ with their skincare line, preferring to keep things simple and as original and true to the brand as possible. Tried and true formularies and ingredients have been documented for nearly two centuries, and perfected and melded with today’s technology to create a line of products that is truly exemplary. Actual prescriptions written in the 1800s have been kept on file over the years, examined, and tweaked to make products that are as effective for us today as they were way back when.

In keeping with that line of thought, the packaging for Bigelow’s products is a throwback to the original apothecary bottles. The original fonts, raised lettering, prescription pads, RX numbers, doctor’s names/signatures, etc. are all kept on file and used to keep the brand true to itself.

Be on the lookout for new stuff from C.O. Bigelow coming this summer! Summer Mentha will have new flavors to go with the mint…Raspberry, Lime, Orange…and cute packaging! Summer Mentha hits stores 13 May 08, so keep an eye out.

C. O. Bigelow products are available online at Bigelowchemists.com, or you can go check them out yourself at your Bath & Body Works!

*I just want to say “Thank you” to Ian and C.O. Bigelow for taking care of our service members in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. I can’t tell you, as a former service member, how much having something like this come in the mail will brighten a soldier’s day. It’s a little nicety from home that makes the duration of the deployment a little bit easier. So, thanks, to all of you.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Share This