March 2012 Conscious Box

Conscious Box is a monthly subscription service that focuses on "sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility."

According to the Conscious Box Website each month subscribers:

• Get a variety of unique pure & natural products
• Sample organic food to vegan beauty products
• Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes
• Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use the box

While month-by-month subscriptions costs $12 plus $7 shipping, I paid $64 for six months plus $7 per month for shipping. This comes out to about $17.67 per box.

There were lots of food samples in this box, plus a few coupons as opposed to actual products. I was a little disappointed because I prefer beauty/skincare items.

Not my favorite Conscious Box so far, but still a nice introduction to some eco-friendly brands and items.

~ Susan

March 2012 Eco Emi Box

I love this packaging!

I love this packaging!

 

Eco Emi is a green product sampler service. Every month, for $15 (or $30 for non-U.S. residents), members receive between five and ten samples of organic makeup, skincare, candles, food, and/or other items.

 My March box contained:

• Vitacare Toothbrush made from recycled materials
• The All Natural Face Vegan Gel Eyeliner in "That Black" and Eyeliner Brush
• The All Natural Face Vegan Mineral Eye Shadows in "Coral" and "Warm Honey"
• Badger Lip Tint & Shimmer
• Vitacare Whitening Gum in Pomegranate Mint
• Auromere Ayurvedic Incense in Vanilla
• Greenbody Greenplanet Revitalize Shampoo and Conditioner
• Old Post Road Oils Pear Tree Specialty Hand Soap
• Bella Bar Raw Vegan Bar in Cinnamon Nut

I'm very happy with this box - it has makeup, soap, AND shampoo/conditioner! :)

If you'd like to get Eco Emi boxes, email Christine, the owner, at info@ecoemi.com and ask to be put on the wait list.

~ Susan

March 2012 Green Grab Bag

Green Grab Bag is a subscription service run by White Apricot, a website/newsletter about eco-friendly shopping. Each month, for $15, you get at least six samples of eco-friendly products. These usually include skin/hair care products, makeup, and fragrances. You can also buy a year's subscription for $145 (20% off).

Delizioso Skincare

I think that this is a hair mask. The antioxidants and nourishing oils in this Elderberry Hair Smoothie work to revitalize and soften your hair. According to Delizioso Skincare's website, you should apply the smoothie to wet hair and scalp, massaging into roots. Leave in, and then rinse off with elderberry shampoo.

Tsi-La Perfumes

 This is a 100% natural floral fragrance.

Skin Perfection

Skin Perfection's Organic Anti-Aging Skincare rejuvenates the skin, fights wrinkles and reveals radiant complexions! Their products are paraben-free, cruelty-free, filler-free and packaged in recyclable airless containers. Different bags contained different samples; I received a moisturizing cleanser.


Revolution Organics Freedom Lip Gloss

I also received this in my February Eco Emi Box. Unfortunately, I got the same color, Integrity. I like it, but I wish I could have tried a different shade.

Mineral Hygenics

Mineral Hygenics is a line of 100% natural mineral makeup. We received a $15 gift certificate/coupon that brought the price for their Mini Starter Kit to only $15.

Shea Terra Organics Ultimate Moisturizing Body Cream

This body cream is made with African shea butter.


I really like this month's Green Grab Bag, I just wish I had gotten a different color lip gloss. /:

~ Susan

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara

I love the original Organic Wear Mascara, so I was excited to see a new version on line. I was even more excited when I saw that I could try it for free through a special mail-in offer. :)

This mascara has been incredibly hard to find. Most places I've checked have been sold out, and the mascaras I could find didn't bear the Try Me Free band which is necessary to get the rebate. FINALLY, I picked this up the other day. If you live in the U.S., find one of these and mail in the rebate before the end of the year, and you can try it for free too!

~ Susan

March 2012 Julep Maven Box

Julep Maven is a monthly subscription service that costs $19.99 a month. Each month, Mavens receive nail polish and other nail/hand/feet-centric products.

My box contained a nail file, 100% organic argan oil, and nail polishes in the shades Kelly and Emma.

I was really excited to get 100% pure Argan Oil, not some watered down stuff with a little bit of the oil added. Argan oil is high in Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and free radical-fighting antioxidants.

This month, they started emailing tips about how to use the products each box contained.

One email suggested three different ways to use the argan oil:

1. Mix argan oil half and half with lemon juice, then soak unpolished fingertips or toenails for 15 minutes.
2. Apply a generous amount of oil to dry hair and massage in. Wrap hair in a warm towel and leave for 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Massage one or two drops of oil into face at night after cleansing. Or, mix a few drops into body lotion and apply all over.

Another gave instructions on how to do some cool nail art with the shades I received, though you can use it with any shades you like. :)

I'm still loving this monthly subscription service! You can sign up at julep.com. Enter the code "SHAREONMARCH" to get your first box for a penny!

~ Susan

Blissoma Product Review Program: Restore Deep Moisture Serum

I was chosen for Blissoma's Product Review Program this month. Blissoma is a natural body care and candle company. Every month, they choose a bunch of people to test Blissoma products and review them. The products may be new or existing formulations. If you're chosen as a tester and give your feedback on the product, you get a discount on your next purchase as a thank you!

This month they sent out 100 samples

 If you'd like to sign-up to be a potential tester, go to Blissoma's Facebook page. Once chosen, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to get your review to the company.

I was chosen as a tester once before, in November. You can check out my previous sample here.

This month's sample is Blissoma's Restore Deep Moisture Serum.

Blissoma's website (iriestar.com) lists the benefits of Restore's ingredients:
Organic Cranberry Seed and Grapeseed oil are light-weight, easily absorbed, and provide healing Vitamin E. Organic Rosehip oil and Seabuckthorn Berry offer anti-aging Vitamin A to help build collagen and fight fine lines. Organic Evening Primrose oil and Pomegranate Oil are rich in omega 5, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids including GLA which helps balance hormones, making this oil dually suitable for dry mature skin and as an occasional treatment for young hormonal skin. Organic Hemp oil is packed with phytonutrients. Organic Tamanu and Red Raspberry oils offer sun protective and healing benefits. Tamanu has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and regenerative properties. Calendula CO2, a uniquely potent supercritical extract, is included for cell regeneration. The last ingredients are toning essential oils; these include Neroli and organic Helichrysum which is alternatively known as Immortelle for its topical healing properties.

Blissoma suggests that mature and dry skin types use this serum daily, while younger skin types only use it weekly, as a spot treatment, or as needed.

To use: cleanse skin thoroughly and apply toner. Dispense one pump of serum and pat gently onto facial skin. Or, mix it into your moisturizer for an extra boost of nourishment. Restore can also be used as an eye treatment.

Ingredients:

Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (grapeseed) Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Rubus ideaus (red raspberry) Seed Oil*, Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) Oil*, Vaccinium macropacrpon (cranberry) Seed Oil*, Calophyllum tacamahaca (tamanu) Oil*, Cannabis sativa (hemp) Oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn berry) CO2 Extract*, Calendula Officinalis CO2 Extract, Essential oils of Cedrus atlantica (atlas cedarwood), Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa), Citrus aurantium (neroli), Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum)*, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E), geraniol**, linalool**, limonene**, farnesol**

*from Certified Organic Agriculture
**natural components of essential oils

I've tried it out once and so far, so good!

~ Susan

January/February Favorites

These are my favorite products from January and February. I'm still loving my past favorites, especially the Intensive Hand and Body Creme and Healing Salve from Rainwater Botanicals.
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balms

I loooooooveee these! They are so moisturizing and so lovely! My favorite it the rose - it is very natural but deep color.

Everyday Minerals Finishing Dust

This stuff is the only thing that keeps the shine at bay. For more info, check out my previous post.

Bare Minerals Ready 2.0

I'm loving these eye shadow duos in "The Enlightenment: Guru & Namaste" (above) and "The Promise: Aspire & Vow" (below).

These are the perfect neutrals for work. They give just a little little oomph to my look without making me feel self-concious about my makeup.

Spa Ritual Hand Serum

The weather has been getting a bit warmer where I live, so my hands don't need as much moisture as they did. This light serum gives the perfect amount of hydration for this time of year. It's not too oily or greasy - I can type on a computer minutes after applying the serum without leaving behind a residue on the keys.

Goody Spin Pins

These are awesome! These are perfect for days when I have no time to do my hair (which is... every day), but don't want to look like a bum (almost every day).

~ Susan