Review of the March 2013 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Theraganics: Almond Oatmeal Soap - Very faint, slight buttery scent, quite soothing. The oatmeal bits are not too harsh. Leaves my skin feeling clean, but doesn't moisturize too well.
Natural Heavenly Beauty: Lavender Vanilla Shea Butter Moisturizer - Thick dense cream that is hard and waxy. It takes some time to warm up, in order for the cream to be pliable enough to apply. Smells divine, a relaxing natural lavendar scent layered over sweet bakery fresh vanilla. But also leaves a greasy film over my skin.
Belle’s Healing Solutions: Lavender Lip Balm - Really strong herbal lavender smell. Goes on nice and soft.
Home Free: Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies - Crunchy bite sized cookies. Taste like generic store cookies.
Dr Hauschka: Rejuvenating Mask - Creamy thick mask which left my face a little dry. It did not crack or pinch like some other masks I've tried. However, I don't think it helped my skin feel better, so not a product I would buy more of.
Rockin Green: Smashing Watermelon Detergent - This smells awesome, but the instructions are convoluted and require way too many cycles. The recommended washing steps include one cold wash, then another hot wash, THEN another double rinse. Seems like an enormous waste of water and not something I want to deal with. While the detergent is biodegradable and made of eco friendly components, all those wash cycles seem far worse for the environment.
The All Natural Face: Glazed Strawberries Lip Gloss - Nice sparkly ruby red. Good quality gloss, but the strawberry scent is artificial and a little sour, so not for me.
Teatulia: Organic Bengal Breakfast - Mellow and smooth, with a subtle aroma. This drinks more like a light oolong rather than traditional black breakfast tea. It's pleasant and not too strong.
Blissoma: Rejuvenating Herbal Gel Cleanser & Makeup Remover - This gel smells really weird, almost like old cooking oil. Once I got past the smell, it does work very well, removing grease and dirt, while being gentle on skin. It did not moisturize, though, so I had to apply lotion afterwards. Nice product, but I don't think I'll get used to the smell.
Showing posts with label Eco Emi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eco Emi. Show all posts
May 4, 2013
March 30, 2013
February 2013 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the February 2013 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
This month's samples came in a handsome reusable tin. I love that! Minimizes packaging and now I have a nice container which I'm going to fill with business cards and coupons.
Athena Bars: Pumpkin Spice Bar - Nasty texture on this one. Mushy and sour flavor. I couldn't even bring myself to finish the entire bar.
Aubrey: Collagen & Almond Enriching Moisturizing Lotion - Thick, silky cream with a pearl sheen and a kind of weird oaty smell. As I rubbed this into my hand, it left small skin flakes which I had to brush away with my fingers. Strange. Once it settles, it does leave my skin soft, although I can still see dry patches. Not a huge fan of this.
Suki: Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser - Amazing! The best scrub I've ever tried. Uplifting lemon herb scent, with the perfect texture, not too rough but still cleans off dead skin. The oils used left me soft and smooth, gentle yet effective. I definitely want to buy more!
Lily: Serenity Hair Gel - I don't use hair gel, so this one will be going to a new home. It smells like plants and limes and the first ingredient is aloe, so I assume it's very moisturing.
Vitacare: Mint and Key Lime Gum - Bright citrus flavor, but doesn't last long. In just a few seconds, it tastes like I'm chewing chalky rubber.
Moody Sisters: Peppermint Spice Lip Balm - This balm seems like it melts when it touches my lips, soft and thick, though a bit on the greasy side. The scent is mostly spicy, like a vanilla cinnamon, and not very minty.
Amazing Grass: Barley Grass, Wheat Grass and Alfalfa Powder - Normally I don't like supplements. But this contains pure powdered greens, no other additives or attempts to enrich the food artificially. It has a pleasant fresh taste and the smell of barley grass brings back memories of my mother using that in her cooking. This is a pretty decent product.
Purely You Minerals: Berry Red lip gloss - Great peppermint scent! Thick soft texture, goes on smooth and even. I love the rich deep merlot color and even though I don't use lip gloss that much, this one will be nice for some drama.
This month's samples came in a handsome reusable tin. I love that! Minimizes packaging and now I have a nice container which I'm going to fill with business cards and coupons.
Athena Bars: Pumpkin Spice Bar - Nasty texture on this one. Mushy and sour flavor. I couldn't even bring myself to finish the entire bar.
Aubrey: Collagen & Almond Enriching Moisturizing Lotion - Thick, silky cream with a pearl sheen and a kind of weird oaty smell. As I rubbed this into my hand, it left small skin flakes which I had to brush away with my fingers. Strange. Once it settles, it does leave my skin soft, although I can still see dry patches. Not a huge fan of this.
Suki: Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser - Amazing! The best scrub I've ever tried. Uplifting lemon herb scent, with the perfect texture, not too rough but still cleans off dead skin. The oils used left me soft and smooth, gentle yet effective. I definitely want to buy more!
Lily: Serenity Hair Gel - I don't use hair gel, so this one will be going to a new home. It smells like plants and limes and the first ingredient is aloe, so I assume it's very moisturing.
Vitacare: Mint and Key Lime Gum - Bright citrus flavor, but doesn't last long. In just a few seconds, it tastes like I'm chewing chalky rubber.
Moody Sisters: Peppermint Spice Lip Balm - This balm seems like it melts when it touches my lips, soft and thick, though a bit on the greasy side. The scent is mostly spicy, like a vanilla cinnamon, and not very minty.
Amazing Grass: Barley Grass, Wheat Grass and Alfalfa Powder - Normally I don't like supplements. But this contains pure powdered greens, no other additives or attempts to enrich the food artificially. It has a pleasant fresh taste and the smell of barley grass brings back memories of my mother using that in her cooking. This is a pretty decent product.
Purely You Minerals: Berry Red lip gloss - Great peppermint scent! Thick soft texture, goes on smooth and even. I love the rich deep merlot color and even though I don't use lip gloss that much, this one will be nice for some drama.
March 8, 2013
January 2013 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the January 2013 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Madecasse Chocolate: Pink Pepper & Citrus - Yum! Slightly sweet, fruity flavor mixed with a smooth dark chocolate. Not the best I've ever had, but pretty good.
Yogi Tea: Bedtime Tea - All I can taste here is a strong sweetness. Definitely not for me.
Yogi Tea: Kava Tea - Interesting flavor, like fresh hay and grass, spiked with a sharp dark herbal note, like licorice or camphor. A pretty enjoyable cup.
Lisa Ann Skin Care: Mandarin Body Butter - Thick whipped texture, has a pleasant light citrus scent. However, I found this very greasy and it left an oily residue on my skin.
7th Heaven: Assorted Facial Masks - I haven't had a chance to use this mask yet, but it looks promising. Hopefully it won't dry and crack like other masks I've used!
Linwoods: Ground Flaxseed, Cocoa, Strawberries & Blueberries - Gritty powder and nearly flavorless. I can barely detect a hint of cocoa, none of the fruit. I tried it mixed into plain yogurt and was not impressed.
Hugo Naturals: Tea Tree & Lavender Shampoo - Strong lavender scent, very herbal and refreshing. It rinses out cleanly and left my hair soft and shiny. A nice solid shampoo.
Wine Country Organics: Pinot Lip Tint - I don't use much lip tint. This one is a nice bold color that really does remind me of a rich pinot noir. It seems like a good product and will probably be gifted or swapped.
Aubrey Organics: White Camellia Hydrating Bath Bar - Fairly generic soap with a faint floral scent. It does moisturize better than most commercial soaps, but nothing spectacular.
The All Natural Face: Vegan Mineral Eye Shadow, Pink Gold - Glittery and pink! Actually, the glitter is more of a soft shimmer and goes on rather nice. The pink is pastel but not very opaque, so it blends well with skin. I don't wear much eye shadow, but this one is subtle and pretty.
Madecasse Chocolate: Pink Pepper & Citrus - Yum! Slightly sweet, fruity flavor mixed with a smooth dark chocolate. Not the best I've ever had, but pretty good.
Yogi Tea: Bedtime Tea - All I can taste here is a strong sweetness. Definitely not for me.
Yogi Tea: Kava Tea - Interesting flavor, like fresh hay and grass, spiked with a sharp dark herbal note, like licorice or camphor. A pretty enjoyable cup.
Lisa Ann Skin Care: Mandarin Body Butter - Thick whipped texture, has a pleasant light citrus scent. However, I found this very greasy and it left an oily residue on my skin.
7th Heaven: Assorted Facial Masks - I haven't had a chance to use this mask yet, but it looks promising. Hopefully it won't dry and crack like other masks I've used!
Linwoods: Ground Flaxseed, Cocoa, Strawberries & Blueberries - Gritty powder and nearly flavorless. I can barely detect a hint of cocoa, none of the fruit. I tried it mixed into plain yogurt and was not impressed.
Hugo Naturals: Tea Tree & Lavender Shampoo - Strong lavender scent, very herbal and refreshing. It rinses out cleanly and left my hair soft and shiny. A nice solid shampoo.
Wine Country Organics: Pinot Lip Tint - I don't use much lip tint. This one is a nice bold color that really does remind me of a rich pinot noir. It seems like a good product and will probably be gifted or swapped.
Aubrey Organics: White Camellia Hydrating Bath Bar - Fairly generic soap with a faint floral scent. It does moisturize better than most commercial soaps, but nothing spectacular.
The All Natural Face: Vegan Mineral Eye Shadow, Pink Gold - Glittery and pink! Actually, the glitter is more of a soft shimmer and goes on rather nice. The pink is pastel but not very opaque, so it blends well with skin. I don't wear much eye shadow, but this one is subtle and pretty.
January 20, 2013
December 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the December 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Bulldog: Natural Skin Care Moisturizer - Intended as a men's product, but I like it! Smells great, a vetiver base with light citrus overtones. A little on the thin side, so I had to use a lot, but it leaves my skin incredibly soft and smooth.
Better Botanicals: Apricot Eye Therapy Cream - Not sure this really helps lines or bags around the eyes. It has a soft texture without feeling greasy and not much scent, but didn't seem to do much.
Fundamental Earth: Organic Mint Fundamental Face Scrub - This cleans really well, removing grime and oil, leaving my face refreshed. It has a soft herbal scent, not too minty or strong. After rinsing, my skin was a little dry, so definitely requires moisturizer to follow up. I normally hate gritty scrubs, but the aprioct bits in this product are gentle and don't feel scratchy, which means I would be willing to buy more.
Burt’s Bees: Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream - Strong lavender scent. Very thick, dense cream. It's hard and rubbery, doesn't spread easily and feels like I need to use a lot for coverage. A decent hand cream but nothing amazing.
Auromere: Ayurvedic Licorice Toothpaste - A full size tube, and the licorice flavor is quite pleasant! Has a gentle scent and taste, left my mouth feeling clean. However, it contains SLS - this won't stop me from using the product, but it's surprising, considering the Eco-Emi philosophy.
100% PURE Skincare: Vegan Assorted Body Creams - I got vanilla bean and it smells awesome, like a fresh bakery cupcake with vanilla frosting. Nice smooth lotion, a bit on the oily side, but still a decent product. I will definitely finish my sample, though probably won't buy more.
Eco Dent: Original Mint Gum - Very effective, minty fresh gum. Really works, even on morning coffee dragon breath. The only drawback, it leaves the mouth kind of dry.
Eco Dent: DailyCare Toothpowder - I've never used a toothpaste powder before. It's a neat idea, good for travel and reducing packaging. This works really well, it left my teeth and mouth feeling so clean. But WHOA the taste! Very, very salty, like brushing with the ocean. It turned into a thick salty foam in my mouth and made me gag. If it weren't for the salty taste, I think this would be a perfect product for me.
Organic Indulgence: Chocolate Mint Lip Butter - Normally I don't like chocolate scented beauty products, but this isn't too strong. A good solid lip balm.
Willamette Valley Granola Company: Vanilla Bean Granola Chips - Satisfying crunchy texture, but too sweet. It was like eating commercial cereal, way too sugary for my tastes.
Tallulah Jane: Aiyana Perfume - Starts off with a strong alcohol burn, but then the scent comes out: top notes of lemon, with a layer of roses and other soft florals, over a woodsy spice base. It's a pretty scent and deeper than most standard perfume products. However, I have other perfume preferences, so this one is not for me.
Blissoma: Tone-Adaptive Energy Tonique - Smells lovely, like fresh dewy rose petals, with a silky soft finish. I did not feel much difference on my skin after using this product, but I do like the scent. I'll finish the sample, but won't be buying more.
Bulldog: Natural Skin Care Moisturizer - Intended as a men's product, but I like it! Smells great, a vetiver base with light citrus overtones. A little on the thin side, so I had to use a lot, but it leaves my skin incredibly soft and smooth.
Better Botanicals: Apricot Eye Therapy Cream - Not sure this really helps lines or bags around the eyes. It has a soft texture without feeling greasy and not much scent, but didn't seem to do much.
Fundamental Earth: Organic Mint Fundamental Face Scrub - This cleans really well, removing grime and oil, leaving my face refreshed. It has a soft herbal scent, not too minty or strong. After rinsing, my skin was a little dry, so definitely requires moisturizer to follow up. I normally hate gritty scrubs, but the aprioct bits in this product are gentle and don't feel scratchy, which means I would be willing to buy more.
Burt’s Bees: Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream - Strong lavender scent. Very thick, dense cream. It's hard and rubbery, doesn't spread easily and feels like I need to use a lot for coverage. A decent hand cream but nothing amazing.
Auromere: Ayurvedic Licorice Toothpaste - A full size tube, and the licorice flavor is quite pleasant! Has a gentle scent and taste, left my mouth feeling clean. However, it contains SLS - this won't stop me from using the product, but it's surprising, considering the Eco-Emi philosophy.
100% PURE Skincare: Vegan Assorted Body Creams - I got vanilla bean and it smells awesome, like a fresh bakery cupcake with vanilla frosting. Nice smooth lotion, a bit on the oily side, but still a decent product. I will definitely finish my sample, though probably won't buy more.
Eco Dent: Original Mint Gum - Very effective, minty fresh gum. Really works, even on morning coffee dragon breath. The only drawback, it leaves the mouth kind of dry.
Eco Dent: DailyCare Toothpowder - I've never used a toothpaste powder before. It's a neat idea, good for travel and reducing packaging. This works really well, it left my teeth and mouth feeling so clean. But WHOA the taste! Very, very salty, like brushing with the ocean. It turned into a thick salty foam in my mouth and made me gag. If it weren't for the salty taste, I think this would be a perfect product for me.
Organic Indulgence: Chocolate Mint Lip Butter - Normally I don't like chocolate scented beauty products, but this isn't too strong. A good solid lip balm.
Willamette Valley Granola Company: Vanilla Bean Granola Chips - Satisfying crunchy texture, but too sweet. It was like eating commercial cereal, way too sugary for my tastes.
Tallulah Jane: Aiyana Perfume - Starts off with a strong alcohol burn, but then the scent comes out: top notes of lemon, with a layer of roses and other soft florals, over a woodsy spice base. It's a pretty scent and deeper than most standard perfume products. However, I have other perfume preferences, so this one is not for me.
Blissoma: Tone-Adaptive Energy Tonique - Smells lovely, like fresh dewy rose petals, with a silky soft finish. I did not feel much difference on my skin after using this product, but I do like the scent. I'll finish the sample, but won't be buying more.
January 4, 2013
November 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the November 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Organic Indulgence: Silkening Body Lotion, Orchard Pear & Fig - Very sweet pear scent, a bit sickly to me. The lotion is thick but my skin doesn't absorb it well. This kind of sits on top of my skin rather than soaking in, so it rubs off easily and doesn't soften well.
Organic Indulgence: Silkening Body Lotion, Sweet Cherry & Almond - Same product as above, except I actually like the cherry scent better. Same problem with the product itself, though. It doesn't soak into my skin and leaves an oily film without actually moisturizing.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: eye shadow - Two pretty shades: Twilight Sparkle (glittery light gray) and Smokey Quartz (charcoal). Very nice eye shadows, they go on smooth with a soft texture. The glittery shade doesn't really work on me, but I do like the darker color a lot.
Seaweed Bath Company: Powder Bath with Hawaiian Kukui Oil: Citrus Scent - Weird smell, weird color. I don't mind the color so much, it seems natural for a seaweed based product, kind of greenish gray. But it smells like artifical orange drink poured over brine. In terms of the bath itself, it felt good on my skin but I didn't like the lingering smell and took a separate shower to wash it off.
Athena Bars: Blueberry Greek Yogurt Bar - Wasn't too impressed by this. It tasted like a generic granola bar with a slightly sweet yogurt coating.
I Choose: I Sparkle Eye Cream - Rich cream, thick and greasy, but does provide good moisture and smooths the skin. A little goes a long way - just a small dot covered my hands and only a tiny swab was needed for skin around the eyes. Smells kind of odd, like overgrown swamp vegetation. This sample will last me a while, and I will use the cream, but probably won't buy more.
Mate Factor: Organic Ginger Yerba Mate Tea - Tangy and grassy, with a ginger kick. I'm not a fan of this flavor profile. If you like the herbal taste of yerba mate and/or you like ginger tea, this would be quite enjoyable. Just not my personal preference.
Metropolis Soap Co: Orange, Clove and Cinnamon Soap - Lovely scent, an aromatic orange with strong cinnamon top note. This is such a gentle soap, smooth and creamy and left my skin feeling clean and soft. I definitely want to try more soap from this company!
Deep Steep: Candy Mint Foot Stick - This one was kind of tricky. I twisted the tube and applied some on my heel. It covered my heel in oils that were soothing and helped ease rough cracks and dead skin, plus had a bright delicious peppermint scent. But my foot would leave a greasy smear everywhere, unless I rubbed the oil in with my hands, then wiped off the excess. Despite the inconvenience, I rather like this product.
Rainwater Botanicals: Pumpkin Facial Mask - Smells delicious, like fresh pumpkin pie! Mushy and thick, it's a really nice mask, doesn't crack my skin like some other products. I don't normally use facial masks, so I'll finish the sample, but not buy more. I do like this company - there was a sample of their deodorant a few months back, which I ended up buying in fullsize version from their Etsy store.
Organic Indulgence: Silkening Body Lotion, Orchard Pear & Fig - Very sweet pear scent, a bit sickly to me. The lotion is thick but my skin doesn't absorb it well. This kind of sits on top of my skin rather than soaking in, so it rubs off easily and doesn't soften well.
Organic Indulgence: Silkening Body Lotion, Sweet Cherry & Almond - Same product as above, except I actually like the cherry scent better. Same problem with the product itself, though. It doesn't soak into my skin and leaves an oily film without actually moisturizing.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: eye shadow - Two pretty shades: Twilight Sparkle (glittery light gray) and Smokey Quartz (charcoal). Very nice eye shadows, they go on smooth with a soft texture. The glittery shade doesn't really work on me, but I do like the darker color a lot.
Seaweed Bath Company: Powder Bath with Hawaiian Kukui Oil: Citrus Scent - Weird smell, weird color. I don't mind the color so much, it seems natural for a seaweed based product, kind of greenish gray. But it smells like artifical orange drink poured over brine. In terms of the bath itself, it felt good on my skin but I didn't like the lingering smell and took a separate shower to wash it off.
Athena Bars: Blueberry Greek Yogurt Bar - Wasn't too impressed by this. It tasted like a generic granola bar with a slightly sweet yogurt coating.
I Choose: I Sparkle Eye Cream - Rich cream, thick and greasy, but does provide good moisture and smooths the skin. A little goes a long way - just a small dot covered my hands and only a tiny swab was needed for skin around the eyes. Smells kind of odd, like overgrown swamp vegetation. This sample will last me a while, and I will use the cream, but probably won't buy more.
Mate Factor: Organic Ginger Yerba Mate Tea - Tangy and grassy, with a ginger kick. I'm not a fan of this flavor profile. If you like the herbal taste of yerba mate and/or you like ginger tea, this would be quite enjoyable. Just not my personal preference.
Metropolis Soap Co: Orange, Clove and Cinnamon Soap - Lovely scent, an aromatic orange with strong cinnamon top note. This is such a gentle soap, smooth and creamy and left my skin feeling clean and soft. I definitely want to try more soap from this company!
Deep Steep: Candy Mint Foot Stick - This one was kind of tricky. I twisted the tube and applied some on my heel. It covered my heel in oils that were soothing and helped ease rough cracks and dead skin, plus had a bright delicious peppermint scent. But my foot would leave a greasy smear everywhere, unless I rubbed the oil in with my hands, then wiped off the excess. Despite the inconvenience, I rather like this product.
Rainwater Botanicals: Pumpkin Facial Mask - Smells delicious, like fresh pumpkin pie! Mushy and thick, it's a really nice mask, doesn't crack my skin like some other products. I don't normally use facial masks, so I'll finish the sample, but not buy more. I do like this company - there was a sample of their deodorant a few months back, which I ended up buying in fullsize version from their Etsy store.
December 5, 2012
October 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the October 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
The All Natural Face: Copper Kisses Lip Gloss - Pretty coppery autumn color. I don't wear much lip gloss and this is a tad too dark for me anyway. But it's a nice quality product.
Dew Puff: Star Anise & Coffee Soap - Dense bar soap, with rich licorice anise scent. I love how it smells, but the little bits of coffee in the soap are too abrasive for me. I'd be willing to try some of their other soap products though!
Tasty Brands: Organic Fruit Snacks - Tasty chewy fruit gummies. Good for a small treat, but nothing amazing.
Shaklee: Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate - This is really interesting, a tiny little capsule that can be mixed with 16 oz of water to produce a cleaning solution for glass and general purpose. Haven't had a chance to try this, but definitely intrigued.
Ola: Vanilla Almond Granola - Solid oat flavor and not too sweet. I put this over yogurt, and it provided some nice crunch. I think it would be better in clusters, instead of loose granola. The bits are so small, you can't grab a handful without making a big mess. That limits the product to a topping, instead of a standalone snack.
Zen Society: Tea Tree Facial Cleanser - Has a bright herbal scent. It does a nice job cleaning without leaving my skin feeling rubbery. But I'm not a fan of the thick gooey texture.
Shea Radiance: Maximum Curl Defining Cream - Well, I don't have curly hair nor do I normally use hair products. This cream smells kind of funny, like overripe fruit. This one will need to find a new home!
The All Natural Face: Copper Kisses Lip Gloss - Pretty coppery autumn color. I don't wear much lip gloss and this is a tad too dark for me anyway. But it's a nice quality product.
Dew Puff: Star Anise & Coffee Soap - Dense bar soap, with rich licorice anise scent. I love how it smells, but the little bits of coffee in the soap are too abrasive for me. I'd be willing to try some of their other soap products though!
Tasty Brands: Organic Fruit Snacks - Tasty chewy fruit gummies. Good for a small treat, but nothing amazing.
Shaklee: Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate - This is really interesting, a tiny little capsule that can be mixed with 16 oz of water to produce a cleaning solution for glass and general purpose. Haven't had a chance to try this, but definitely intrigued.
Ola: Vanilla Almond Granola - Solid oat flavor and not too sweet. I put this over yogurt, and it provided some nice crunch. I think it would be better in clusters, instead of loose granola. The bits are so small, you can't grab a handful without making a big mess. That limits the product to a topping, instead of a standalone snack.
Zen Society: Tea Tree Facial Cleanser - Has a bright herbal scent. It does a nice job cleaning without leaving my skin feeling rubbery. But I'm not a fan of the thick gooey texture.
Shea Radiance: Maximum Curl Defining Cream - Well, I don't have curly hair nor do I normally use hair products. This cream smells kind of funny, like overripe fruit. This one will need to find a new home!
November 17, 2012
September 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the September 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Betty Lou's: Angell Crisp Milk Chocolate Bar - Generic chocolate wafer bar. Tastes OK.
Burt's Bees: Facial Cleansing Towelettes - Nice travel size pack of 10 towelettes. These are great, with hardly any scent and leaves my skin feeling clean. Good for wiping away sweat and grime from the subway!
Aubrey Organics: Silken Earth Powder Blush - Honey bronze color, has a light pretty shimmer. Goes on super smooth and blends well, but a shade too dark for me.
Good Fortune: Lip Balm - Orange Vanilla flavor, great sweet citrus smell. Rather hard texture, needs to warm up to apply. Not too greasy, nice product.
SEN CHA: Original Green Tea Leaf Mints - I've always wanted to try green tea mints, so I was excited to see these. Unfortunately, they are nasty. Chalky texture and most of the green tea taste is overpowered by non-sugar sweetener flavor. The mint is barely there. Will definitely not be buying more of these.
Biao Beauty: Beauty Rejuvenating Night Crème - Lovely soft rose scent. Cream is very thick, a little goes a long way! The texture was just a bit too greasy for me, but it's one of the nicer smelling lotions I've tried.
Safonique: Lavender Laundry Detergent - Pretty impressive; after washing a stinky dog blanket, it had just a tiny faint trace of lavendar and the fabric was clean, with no doggy smell!
Crum Creek Mills: Soy Nut Trail Mix - Yum! Delicious mix of soy nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and raisins with just the right sprinkling of chocolate chips. I want more!
SparkleHearts: Bubbling Body Wash - Nice moisturizing body wash with a pleasant citrus scent. Left my skin feeling soft, clean and refreshed.
SparkleHearts: Soft Conditioner - I don't use conditioner, so I'll pass this sample to someone else.
Yogi Tea: Green Tea Blueberry Slim Life - Slightly tart green tea. I think there are too many ingredients and the flavor gets muddled. It's generic and almost bland, a mediocre cup of tea at best.
Yogi Tea: Skin DeTox - I like the slightly herbal base of this tea, but it's way too sweet for me. Again, rather generic and mediocre.
Betty Lou's: Angell Crisp Milk Chocolate Bar - Generic chocolate wafer bar. Tastes OK.
Burt's Bees: Facial Cleansing Towelettes - Nice travel size pack of 10 towelettes. These are great, with hardly any scent and leaves my skin feeling clean. Good for wiping away sweat and grime from the subway!
Aubrey Organics: Silken Earth Powder Blush - Honey bronze color, has a light pretty shimmer. Goes on super smooth and blends well, but a shade too dark for me.
Good Fortune: Lip Balm - Orange Vanilla flavor, great sweet citrus smell. Rather hard texture, needs to warm up to apply. Not too greasy, nice product.
SEN CHA: Original Green Tea Leaf Mints - I've always wanted to try green tea mints, so I was excited to see these. Unfortunately, they are nasty. Chalky texture and most of the green tea taste is overpowered by non-sugar sweetener flavor. The mint is barely there. Will definitely not be buying more of these.
Biao Beauty: Beauty Rejuvenating Night Crème - Lovely soft rose scent. Cream is very thick, a little goes a long way! The texture was just a bit too greasy for me, but it's one of the nicer smelling lotions I've tried.
Safonique: Lavender Laundry Detergent - Pretty impressive; after washing a stinky dog blanket, it had just a tiny faint trace of lavendar and the fabric was clean, with no doggy smell!
Crum Creek Mills: Soy Nut Trail Mix - Yum! Delicious mix of soy nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and raisins with just the right sprinkling of chocolate chips. I want more!
SparkleHearts: Bubbling Body Wash - Nice moisturizing body wash with a pleasant citrus scent. Left my skin feeling soft, clean and refreshed.
SparkleHearts: Soft Conditioner - I don't use conditioner, so I'll pass this sample to someone else.
Yogi Tea: Green Tea Blueberry Slim Life - Slightly tart green tea. I think there are too many ingredients and the flavor gets muddled. It's generic and almost bland, a mediocre cup of tea at best.
Yogi Tea: Skin DeTox - I like the slightly herbal base of this tea, but it's way too sweet for me. Again, rather generic and mediocre.
October 29, 2012
August 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the August 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Better Life: Cool Calm & Collected Citrus Mint Lotion - The citrus smell is a little weird to me. The lotion itself is quite nice, not super amazing, but does the job.
Botanical Interests: Lettuce Special Medley Organic Seeds - It's not really planting season and I don't have room to grow indoors. But the mix in this packet sounds interesting - Lolla Rossa & Oak Leaf lettuce, bibb lettuce, arugula, mizuna and bok choi. The seeds are for the 2012 season, but I'll try these for spring 2013 and see if they're still OK!
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Orchard Body Glitter - Sparkly! Very nice powder, goes on smooth. I don't wear glitter often, so this sample will last me a long time!
Auromere: Ayurvedic Himalayan Rose Soap - This bar smells amazing, robust earthy rose. A bit harsh; it strips away grease and dead skin but doesn't moisturize enough, so my skin is rubbery afterwards. I think it's good for oily areas, but not something I would use all over.
Naiad Soaps: French Vanilla Lip Balm - Super cute lip balm tin. Lovely product, not too greasy and smells like bakery vanilla.
Moody Sisters: Hydrating Sugar Scrub - Has a nice minty scent and scrubs gently. I think it's too oily for me, but would be great for dry skin!
Aura Cacia: Organic Milk & Oat Bath with Chamomile - It hasn't been cold enough for a soak, but this looks promising. It's more like a cream, instead of the bath salts I normally use, so I'm looking forward to trying this out, once winter rolls around.
Artisana: Organic Raw Pecan Butter - Not my thing. Has an unpleasant gritty mushy texture and tastes like cardboard.
Rainbow Research Corporation: French Green Clay Facial Mask Powder - Very generous sample! I did the basic mixture with water and there was more than enough to slather all over my face. It smelled odd, musty and dirty. As it dried, it tightened and cracked, to the point where it was painful, like the mask was pinching me. After rinsing, my skin was very dry and peeling. I guess I need to add some oil into the mixture, otherwise this mask completely strips moisture away. It definitely lifts dirt and grease and I could feel my pores open and cleansed. But without lotion or added oils, it's quite harsh on the skin.
Frontier Natural Products: Herbs Sampler - A lovely selection of dried herbs! Lavender, Rosemary, Mint & Lemongrass. These were very high quality and I enjoyed using them for tea and cooking.
Better Life: Cool Calm & Collected Citrus Mint Lotion - The citrus smell is a little weird to me. The lotion itself is quite nice, not super amazing, but does the job.
Botanical Interests: Lettuce Special Medley Organic Seeds - It's not really planting season and I don't have room to grow indoors. But the mix in this packet sounds interesting - Lolla Rossa & Oak Leaf lettuce, bibb lettuce, arugula, mizuna and bok choi. The seeds are for the 2012 season, but I'll try these for spring 2013 and see if they're still OK!
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Orchard Body Glitter - Sparkly! Very nice powder, goes on smooth. I don't wear glitter often, so this sample will last me a long time!
Auromere: Ayurvedic Himalayan Rose Soap - This bar smells amazing, robust earthy rose. A bit harsh; it strips away grease and dead skin but doesn't moisturize enough, so my skin is rubbery afterwards. I think it's good for oily areas, but not something I would use all over.
Naiad Soaps: French Vanilla Lip Balm - Super cute lip balm tin. Lovely product, not too greasy and smells like bakery vanilla.
Moody Sisters: Hydrating Sugar Scrub - Has a nice minty scent and scrubs gently. I think it's too oily for me, but would be great for dry skin!
Aura Cacia: Organic Milk & Oat Bath with Chamomile - It hasn't been cold enough for a soak, but this looks promising. It's more like a cream, instead of the bath salts I normally use, so I'm looking forward to trying this out, once winter rolls around.
Artisana: Organic Raw Pecan Butter - Not my thing. Has an unpleasant gritty mushy texture and tastes like cardboard.
Rainbow Research Corporation: French Green Clay Facial Mask Powder - Very generous sample! I did the basic mixture with water and there was more than enough to slather all over my face. It smelled odd, musty and dirty. As it dried, it tightened and cracked, to the point where it was painful, like the mask was pinching me. After rinsing, my skin was very dry and peeling. I guess I need to add some oil into the mixture, otherwise this mask completely strips moisture away. It definitely lifts dirt and grease and I could feel my pores open and cleansed. But without lotion or added oils, it's quite harsh on the skin.
Frontier Natural Products: Herbs Sampler - A lovely selection of dried herbs! Lavender, Rosemary, Mint & Lemongrass. These were very high quality and I enjoyed using them for tea and cooking.
August 26, 2012
July 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the July 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Hugo Naturals: Lavendar Essential Mist - Soft and faint. There's no alcohol, so no sting or warp of scent. Lovely lavendar & herb mixture, fades very quickly. Nice for a brief refresher, but not a long term room or body spray.
Yogi Tea: Soothing Caramel Bedtime - Not as sweet as expected! Pleasant and aromatic. Not exactly a dessert tea, but definitely something to relax with.
Yogi Tea: Raspberry Passion Perfect Energy - A little weak for me; I would like the black tea flavor to be more pronounced. Overall it has a slightly tart taste.
Crystal Essence: Pomegranate Deoderant Towelettes - Smells nice, crisp & bright. But this isn't strong enough for my BO, even when using one entire towelette per pit.
DeVine: Lip Shimmer in Merlot - Nothing too extrodinary about this. Nice product in a pretty shade, but it doesn't stand out in anyway.
Biggs & Featherbelle: Tequila Bar Soap - Bright salty lime smell! Soap has texture like aged cheese, dense, with little air bubble pockmarks. Not much lather but left my skin clean, smooth & soft. A very nice product that even works well on my face!
i-Chill: Relaxation Drink Shot - I don't normally have problems falling asleep and I'm pretty relaxed most of the time, so I didn't try this yet. I'm going to keep it around for my next long flight, to see if it helps with jetlag.
Madhava: Agave Light Sweetener & Blonde Coconut Sugar - I don't use sugar or sweetners, except for baking. So I haven't used these packets. I'll keep them around, but it'll probably be a while before I can really try them out.
Natural Vitality: Calm plus Calcium, Organic Raspberry Lemon Flavor - All these vitamin & nutrient samples are getting annoying. I don't use supplements unless directed by a doctor. I just wasn't interested in trying this.
Seaweed Bath Company: Body Cream in Lavendar - The smell is supposed to be lavendar and I can detect a hint of that, but it's mainly a weird mossy moldy scent. It's like the lavendar is trying to cover old brine but doesn't quite do the trick. The overall result is really off-putting. This is a shame, because I love the cream itself. It's wonderfully thick but non-greasy, silky smooth without any oily residue. Good for my skin, but bad for my nose.
ThinkThin: Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar - Yum! Nutty flavor, not too sweet, just a tad sticky, with a satisfying crunch. I would definitely buy more of these! Unfortunately, the coupon code which came with the sample didn't work on their website.
Hugo Naturals: Lavendar Essential Mist - Soft and faint. There's no alcohol, so no sting or warp of scent. Lovely lavendar & herb mixture, fades very quickly. Nice for a brief refresher, but not a long term room or body spray.
Yogi Tea: Soothing Caramel Bedtime - Not as sweet as expected! Pleasant and aromatic. Not exactly a dessert tea, but definitely something to relax with.
Yogi Tea: Raspberry Passion Perfect Energy - A little weak for me; I would like the black tea flavor to be more pronounced. Overall it has a slightly tart taste.
Crystal Essence: Pomegranate Deoderant Towelettes - Smells nice, crisp & bright. But this isn't strong enough for my BO, even when using one entire towelette per pit.
DeVine: Lip Shimmer in Merlot - Nothing too extrodinary about this. Nice product in a pretty shade, but it doesn't stand out in anyway.
Biggs & Featherbelle: Tequila Bar Soap - Bright salty lime smell! Soap has texture like aged cheese, dense, with little air bubble pockmarks. Not much lather but left my skin clean, smooth & soft. A very nice product that even works well on my face!
i-Chill: Relaxation Drink Shot - I don't normally have problems falling asleep and I'm pretty relaxed most of the time, so I didn't try this yet. I'm going to keep it around for my next long flight, to see if it helps with jetlag.
Madhava: Agave Light Sweetener & Blonde Coconut Sugar - I don't use sugar or sweetners, except for baking. So I haven't used these packets. I'll keep them around, but it'll probably be a while before I can really try them out.
Natural Vitality: Calm plus Calcium, Organic Raspberry Lemon Flavor - All these vitamin & nutrient samples are getting annoying. I don't use supplements unless directed by a doctor. I just wasn't interested in trying this.
Seaweed Bath Company: Body Cream in Lavendar - The smell is supposed to be lavendar and I can detect a hint of that, but it's mainly a weird mossy moldy scent. It's like the lavendar is trying to cover old brine but doesn't quite do the trick. The overall result is really off-putting. This is a shame, because I love the cream itself. It's wonderfully thick but non-greasy, silky smooth without any oily residue. Good for my skin, but bad for my nose.
ThinkThin: Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar - Yum! Nutty flavor, not too sweet, just a tad sticky, with a satisfying crunch. I would definitely buy more of these! Unfortunately, the coupon code which came with the sample didn't work on their website.
August 2, 2012
June 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the June 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Mighty Leaf: Calypso Mango Iced Tea - The sample was enough for 1/2 gallon of tasty tea, wonderful flavor & very refreshing.
Vitacare: Toothpaste in Acai - Full size tube! Not a fan of the flavor, though. It's sweet, which I dislike in toothpaste. I'll use this, but I'm not very fond of it.
Organic Indulgence: Orchard Pear & Fig Body Balm - Huge tube of this stuff! It smells amazing, bright pear with a nice figgy bite. It's a little too rich & thick for summer, but I think it will be wonderful for dry skin in the winter.
Eco Lips: Lip Tint - Rose Quartz color. Lovely sheen, though I'm not a lip tint person, so this one will probably be gifted.
Pyure Sweetener: Organic Stevia - Got a single packet. I don't use sugar except for baking and there isn't enough here to really judge the quality in that context. I'm bringing the packet to work, for people to use in their coffee.
Rainwater Botanicals: Jasmine Wind Deodorant - Loved this so much, I purchased a full size from Rainwater's Etsy shop. Non greasy, no aluminum or harsh chemicals, smells amazing, and best of all, it works! No hint of BO, even overnight or after walking outside in sweltering summer heat.
The next three items are sample packets meant to be added to water or juice as vitamin/nutritional supplements or meal substitutes. These just aren't my thing. I prefer to eat real food and couldn't bring myself to try these. So I can't give a fair opinion, but will list them here for completeness:
Amazing Grass: Amazing Meal in Pomegranate Mango (powdered nutrition mix)
Natural Vitality: Organic Life Vitamins (liquid multi-vitamin mix)
Natural Vitality: Energy 28 (liquid natural stimulant mix)
Mighty Leaf: Calypso Mango Iced Tea - The sample was enough for 1/2 gallon of tasty tea, wonderful flavor & very refreshing.
Vitacare: Toothpaste in Acai - Full size tube! Not a fan of the flavor, though. It's sweet, which I dislike in toothpaste. I'll use this, but I'm not very fond of it.
Organic Indulgence: Orchard Pear & Fig Body Balm - Huge tube of this stuff! It smells amazing, bright pear with a nice figgy bite. It's a little too rich & thick for summer, but I think it will be wonderful for dry skin in the winter.
Eco Lips: Lip Tint - Rose Quartz color. Lovely sheen, though I'm not a lip tint person, so this one will probably be gifted.
Pyure Sweetener: Organic Stevia - Got a single packet. I don't use sugar except for baking and there isn't enough here to really judge the quality in that context. I'm bringing the packet to work, for people to use in their coffee.
Rainwater Botanicals: Jasmine Wind Deodorant - Loved this so much, I purchased a full size from Rainwater's Etsy shop. Non greasy, no aluminum or harsh chemicals, smells amazing, and best of all, it works! No hint of BO, even overnight or after walking outside in sweltering summer heat.
The next three items are sample packets meant to be added to water or juice as vitamin/nutritional supplements or meal substitutes. These just aren't my thing. I prefer to eat real food and couldn't bring myself to try these. So I can't give a fair opinion, but will list them here for completeness:
Amazing Grass: Amazing Meal in Pomegranate Mango (powdered nutrition mix)
Natural Vitality: Organic Life Vitamins (liquid multi-vitamin mix)
Natural Vitality: Energy 28 (liquid natural stimulant mix)
June 24, 2012
May 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the May 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Beeluxe: Chocolate Lip Balm - Not a fan of chocolate flavored lip balm, so this will pass to someone else.
Beeluxe: Mangosteen & Pineapple Candle Tin - Nice 3.5 oz tin! The smell of the candle doesn't travel far, but nearby, it wafts a lovely tropical scent, fruity and bright. The fragrance did not irritate my nose the way some candles do. I wouldn't mind trying some of their other scents!
The Seaweed Bath Company: Wildly Natural Seaweed Argan Shampoo (Unscented) & Conditioner (Citrus) - The shampoo smells very grassy & mossy. It lathers well but left my hair feeling quite dry. The conditioner smelled nicer and did a good job of restoring moisture. These did the job, but I was not overtly impressed.
Beanitos: Pinto Beans & Flax Chips - Like eating crunchy crispy refried beans! I'm not a huge fan of beans and these definitely have a strong bean flavor. But what a cool idea, especially mixing it up with flax seeds. These would be great for nachos!
The All Natural Face: Mint Infused Vegan Lip Gloss in Peppermint Icing - Mmmm, smells so good! The color was not good for me, too bright and pink, but I like the texture and shimmer.
The All Natural Face: Tangerine Vegan Lip Exfolient - I wanted to eat this scrub! Delicious sugary citrus scent. It completely strips away oils and dead skin, to the point where it made my lips burn a little. I applied lip balm immediately after and now my lips feel super clean and moisturized. This is strong stuff, a tiny dab goes a long way!
Glee Gum: Spearmint - Sadly, my sample was empty and didn't have any gum pieces, so I really couldn't try this :(
Ellbees: Original Garlic Seasoning & Rub - Yum! We soaked pork chops in this wet rub, then did a simple saute in olive oil. Great roasted garlic flavor. I think it would do better on chicken or fish, or something slightly bitter like broccoli rabe or kale. Definitely liked this one!
Barleans: Omega Swirl Vegan Oil in Blackberry; Omega Swirl Fish Oil in Mango Peach - I confess, I could not make myself try these. In general, I don't take supplements. My philosophy is that nature intended us to consume nutrients in the form of whole foods, not isolated individual packets. So long story short, I would prefer to get my omegas from fish & dark greens.
Beeluxe: Chocolate Lip Balm - Not a fan of chocolate flavored lip balm, so this will pass to someone else.
Beeluxe: Mangosteen & Pineapple Candle Tin - Nice 3.5 oz tin! The smell of the candle doesn't travel far, but nearby, it wafts a lovely tropical scent, fruity and bright. The fragrance did not irritate my nose the way some candles do. I wouldn't mind trying some of their other scents!
The Seaweed Bath Company: Wildly Natural Seaweed Argan Shampoo (Unscented) & Conditioner (Citrus) - The shampoo smells very grassy & mossy. It lathers well but left my hair feeling quite dry. The conditioner smelled nicer and did a good job of restoring moisture. These did the job, but I was not overtly impressed.
Beanitos: Pinto Beans & Flax Chips - Like eating crunchy crispy refried beans! I'm not a huge fan of beans and these definitely have a strong bean flavor. But what a cool idea, especially mixing it up with flax seeds. These would be great for nachos!
The All Natural Face: Mint Infused Vegan Lip Gloss in Peppermint Icing - Mmmm, smells so good! The color was not good for me, too bright and pink, but I like the texture and shimmer.
The All Natural Face: Tangerine Vegan Lip Exfolient - I wanted to eat this scrub! Delicious sugary citrus scent. It completely strips away oils and dead skin, to the point where it made my lips burn a little. I applied lip balm immediately after and now my lips feel super clean and moisturized. This is strong stuff, a tiny dab goes a long way!
Glee Gum: Spearmint - Sadly, my sample was empty and didn't have any gum pieces, so I really couldn't try this :(
Ellbees: Original Garlic Seasoning & Rub - Yum! We soaked pork chops in this wet rub, then did a simple saute in olive oil. Great roasted garlic flavor. I think it would do better on chicken or fish, or something slightly bitter like broccoli rabe or kale. Definitely liked this one!
Barleans: Omega Swirl Vegan Oil in Blackberry; Omega Swirl Fish Oil in Mango Peach - I confess, I could not make myself try these. In general, I don't take supplements. My philosophy is that nature intended us to consume nutrients in the form of whole foods, not isolated individual packets. So long story short, I would prefer to get my omegas from fish & dark greens.
May 17, 2012
April 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the April 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Mr. Ellie Pooh: Elephant Poo Paper - A sheet of paper printed with a beautiful elephant graphic. According to the company, it's "made up of 50% fiber from elephant dung and 50% post consumer paper" and I have to admit, the first thing I did was hold the sheet to my nose and try to detect poo scent. Instead, the paper smells faintly of cinnamon and grass! It's thick, with the lovely rag quality that artisan papers have. My only complaint is that the paper was folded to fit in the shipping box, thus adding a bad crease and making it unusable for me. However, I want to buy more of this stuff - they have cards & journals available!
Shea Radiance: Whipped Shea Butter with Kalahari Melon Seed Oil - Lovely bright smell. Thick, waxy consistency. On my hands, this felt greasy and added a weird shiny coating. But when applied to rougher skin on my elbows and feet, it seemed to absorb better. The sample contained a generous amount, I will continue to use on dry spots.
Maté Factor: Tropical Lime Yerba Mate Tea - Tart & grassy, with a pleasant smokey bite. Not bad, but probably not something I would drink more of.
Dr. Collins: Natural Toothpaste - Oddly sweet flavor. My mouth felt clean without the sting that some toothpastes have. But the sweetness is unsettling and I think it did more for my breath than for the health of my teeth.
Catalyst Gourmet: Enchanting Chai - Three different samples:
Burt's Bees: Lip Shimmer in Plum - Full size tube, with the typical Burt's Bees high quality. Soft on lips, color is not too dense, has a nice sheer & moisturizing feel.
Alabu Skin Care: Baby Me Ultra-Moisturizing Goat Milk Soap - Bar soap sample. Sadly, this dried my skin and made it feel rubbery.
Wholesome Sweeteners: Organic Raw Fair Trade Honey - Haven't had a chance to try this, as we don't normally consume honey. It's a wonderful dark amber and smells like sweet grass. A booklet of recipes was included, hoping to try some soon.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Bronzer in Golden - This shade is too dark for me, but the powder goes on smoothly and blends well. Nothing amazing, a competent product which does what it should.
The Seaweed Bath Company: Seaweed Body Wash in Eucalyptus & Peppermint - Overwhelming mint odor in the shower, but the scent fades after rinsing. Silky smooth body wash, luxurious and just the right amount of foam. Left my skin soft and freshly clean. One of the better body washes I've tried!
Mr. Ellie Pooh: Elephant Poo Paper - A sheet of paper printed with a beautiful elephant graphic. According to the company, it's "made up of 50% fiber from elephant dung and 50% post consumer paper" and I have to admit, the first thing I did was hold the sheet to my nose and try to detect poo scent. Instead, the paper smells faintly of cinnamon and grass! It's thick, with the lovely rag quality that artisan papers have. My only complaint is that the paper was folded to fit in the shipping box, thus adding a bad crease and making it unusable for me. However, I want to buy more of this stuff - they have cards & journals available!
Shea Radiance: Whipped Shea Butter with Kalahari Melon Seed Oil - Lovely bright smell. Thick, waxy consistency. On my hands, this felt greasy and added a weird shiny coating. But when applied to rougher skin on my elbows and feet, it seemed to absorb better. The sample contained a generous amount, I will continue to use on dry spots.
Maté Factor: Tropical Lime Yerba Mate Tea - Tart & grassy, with a pleasant smokey bite. Not bad, but probably not something I would drink more of.
Dr. Collins: Natural Toothpaste - Oddly sweet flavor. My mouth felt clean without the sting that some toothpastes have. But the sweetness is unsettling and I think it did more for my breath than for the health of my teeth.
Catalyst Gourmet: Enchanting Chai - Three different samples:
- Gourmet Enhancer: Small packet of ground spices (cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, fennel, black pepper, cloves & nutmeg). Added this to my breakfast tea and it was delicious! So many potential culinary uses!
- Finishing Sugar: Mixture of above spices plus sugar. Too sweet for coffee or tea, but would be wonderful on pancakes or french toast or yogurt.
- Spiced Dark Chocolate Bark: Spices + Dark Chocolate = Yum!
Burt's Bees: Lip Shimmer in Plum - Full size tube, with the typical Burt's Bees high quality. Soft on lips, color is not too dense, has a nice sheer & moisturizing feel.
Alabu Skin Care: Baby Me Ultra-Moisturizing Goat Milk Soap - Bar soap sample. Sadly, this dried my skin and made it feel rubbery.
Wholesome Sweeteners: Organic Raw Fair Trade Honey - Haven't had a chance to try this, as we don't normally consume honey. It's a wonderful dark amber and smells like sweet grass. A booklet of recipes was included, hoping to try some soon.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Bronzer in Golden - This shade is too dark for me, but the powder goes on smoothly and blends well. Nothing amazing, a competent product which does what it should.
The Seaweed Bath Company: Seaweed Body Wash in Eucalyptus & Peppermint - Overwhelming mint odor in the shower, but the scent fades after rinsing. Silky smooth body wash, luxurious and just the right amount of foam. Left my skin soft and freshly clean. One of the better body washes I've tried!
May 4, 2012
March 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the March 2012 Eco Emi box!
All products listed below are linked on their site.
Bella Bars: Cinnamon Nut Raw Bar - Delicious flavor, but the gooey raw texture just did not work for me.
Vitacare: Pomegranate Gum - Had barely any taste, and in just a few seconds, it was like chewing chalk paste. Definitely not something I would buy.
Vitacare: Toothbrush - It's...a toothbrush. I haven't used it yet, but looks like your typical manual toothbrush. I do like that it's made from biodegradable & recycled materials.
Old Post Road Oils: Pear Tree Specialty Soap - Liquid soap sample. Has a light refreshing scent. Pleasantly astringent. Seems too mild for body washing, but I love it as a facial cleanser. My skin is combination dry/oily and this soap left my face feeling fresh & clean.
Auromere Ayurvedic: Patchouli Incense - Strong! The sample contained just three mini sticks, but the scent of patchouli was pervasive. I'm a big fan of patchouli, the dirtier & earthier, the better, and these fit the bill nicely. However, I don't burn incense sticks, so I ended up gifting these. The company looks really interesting though, and I might buy some of their other products.
Badger Balm: Lip Tint - No color indicator on the sample, but I think I got "Rose Tourmaline." A bit waxy and hard until it warms up on your lips. The shimmer is soft & subtle. I don't normally wear lip tint, but I'm keeping this around for those rare occasions.
Green Body Green Planet: Revitalize Shampoo & Conditioner - I actually like their product from last month better (the "Energy" version). This one smells kind of weird and left my hair feeling a bit more dry.
The All Natural Face: Vegan Eye Shadow - Such pretty powders! I got 'Rose Gold' and 'Warm Honey', both lovely shades. Easy to apply, feels smooth and light.
The All Natural Face: Vegan Eye Liner - A black gel which came in a pot with a cute little brush applicator. It was creamy and gentle, but difficult for me to control. Had a tendency to clump and I kept having to wipe excess off the applicator. Once on, it was nice. But I prefer a pencil form factor.
Bella Bars: Cinnamon Nut Raw Bar - Delicious flavor, but the gooey raw texture just did not work for me.
Vitacare: Pomegranate Gum - Had barely any taste, and in just a few seconds, it was like chewing chalk paste. Definitely not something I would buy.
Vitacare: Toothbrush - It's...a toothbrush. I haven't used it yet, but looks like your typical manual toothbrush. I do like that it's made from biodegradable & recycled materials.
Old Post Road Oils: Pear Tree Specialty Soap - Liquid soap sample. Has a light refreshing scent. Pleasantly astringent. Seems too mild for body washing, but I love it as a facial cleanser. My skin is combination dry/oily and this soap left my face feeling fresh & clean.
Auromere Ayurvedic: Patchouli Incense - Strong! The sample contained just three mini sticks, but the scent of patchouli was pervasive. I'm a big fan of patchouli, the dirtier & earthier, the better, and these fit the bill nicely. However, I don't burn incense sticks, so I ended up gifting these. The company looks really interesting though, and I might buy some of their other products.
Badger Balm: Lip Tint - No color indicator on the sample, but I think I got "Rose Tourmaline." A bit waxy and hard until it warms up on your lips. The shimmer is soft & subtle. I don't normally wear lip tint, but I'm keeping this around for those rare occasions.
Green Body Green Planet: Revitalize Shampoo & Conditioner - I actually like their product from last month better (the "Energy" version). This one smells kind of weird and left my hair feeling a bit more dry.
The All Natural Face: Vegan Eye Shadow - Such pretty powders! I got 'Rose Gold' and 'Warm Honey', both lovely shades. Easy to apply, feels smooth and light.
The All Natural Face: Vegan Eye Liner - A black gel which came in a pot with a cute little brush applicator. It was creamy and gentle, but difficult for me to control. Had a tendency to clump and I kept having to wipe excess off the applicator. Once on, it was nice. But I prefer a pencil form factor.
March 20, 2012
February 2012 Eco-Emi Box
Review of the February 2012 Eco Emi box! All products listed below are linked on their site.
Revolution Organics: Freedom Lip Gloss - Lovely color, applies smooth and even. Smells a little weird, kind of sour. But feels very moisturizing and pigment is rich.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Sweet Chai Body Butter - Very small sample, but a little goes a long way! Smelled amazing, exactly like fresh chai. Thick, beeswax consistency. Sadly, my skin did not absorb this well and I was left with a greasy coating.
Eco Lips: Dagoba Lip Balm - Got the 'Roseberry' flavor. Texture was nice, but the smell made me gag: a chemical cough syrup, artificial and sickly sweet. I had to scrub this stuff off.
Oluv Skin: Suds Soap - Interesting, it doesn't feel like soap! Creamy and soft, buttery, like it's going to melt at any moment. Not much lather, but washes smooth and gentle. My skin felt soft, it doesn't strip away as much oil as other bar soaps.
Dr. Robin Sunscreen - Feels like high-end lotion. Not too greasy and doesn't have that fake coconut smell. Very nice, would definitely use again.
Greener Living: Soap Nuts - Skeptical at first, but I did some research on soap nuts in general, and there's quite a market for this stuff. The sample contained 5 nuts (not actually nuts, but dried fruit of a plant related to lychee), supposedly enough for a few loads. Came with a small muslin bag. Tied the nuts in the bag and threw it into the washing machine. I tried a relatively small load - two little doggie blankets, a few t-shirts and socks. While the package recommended warm water, we always use cold, so I stuck with that. And the soap nuts worked pretty well! Clothes came out clean, no lingering odors, and fabric felt soft. You can extract liquid from the nuts too, and use as cleanser, insect repellent and general soap replacement. I want to get more and experiment!
Crystal Essence: Lavender & White Tea Deodorant Towelettes - Unfortunately, not strong enough for me. I used one towelette for both pits. After a normal work day, there was significant BO and the pretty scent was gone. This was without strenuous activity! I think if your body normally doesn't have a strong odor, these would work fine. But I need something more powerful.
Green Body Green Planet: Energy Shampoo & Conditioner - Invigorating ginger/citrus scent. Shampoo felt sticky and required additional rinses, but my hair was clean and moisturized. Conditioner resulted in decent volume and shine. Found this combo didn't help my frizz. Good products, but I wasn't impressed enough to buy full sized bottles.
Mighty Leaf Tea: Herbal Chocolate Mint Truffle Tea - I'm already a big fan of Mighty Leaf Tea! However, dessert tea isn't my thing, so I ended up gifting this to a co-worker.
Revolution Organics: Freedom Lip Gloss - Lovely color, applies smooth and even. Smells a little weird, kind of sour. But feels very moisturizing and pigment is rich.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Sweet Chai Body Butter - Very small sample, but a little goes a long way! Smelled amazing, exactly like fresh chai. Thick, beeswax consistency. Sadly, my skin did not absorb this well and I was left with a greasy coating.
Eco Lips: Dagoba Lip Balm - Got the 'Roseberry' flavor. Texture was nice, but the smell made me gag: a chemical cough syrup, artificial and sickly sweet. I had to scrub this stuff off.
Oluv Skin: Suds Soap - Interesting, it doesn't feel like soap! Creamy and soft, buttery, like it's going to melt at any moment. Not much lather, but washes smooth and gentle. My skin felt soft, it doesn't strip away as much oil as other bar soaps.
Dr. Robin Sunscreen - Feels like high-end lotion. Not too greasy and doesn't have that fake coconut smell. Very nice, would definitely use again.
Greener Living: Soap Nuts - Skeptical at first, but I did some research on soap nuts in general, and there's quite a market for this stuff. The sample contained 5 nuts (not actually nuts, but dried fruit of a plant related to lychee), supposedly enough for a few loads. Came with a small muslin bag. Tied the nuts in the bag and threw it into the washing machine. I tried a relatively small load - two little doggie blankets, a few t-shirts and socks. While the package recommended warm water, we always use cold, so I stuck with that. And the soap nuts worked pretty well! Clothes came out clean, no lingering odors, and fabric felt soft. You can extract liquid from the nuts too, and use as cleanser, insect repellent and general soap replacement. I want to get more and experiment!
Crystal Essence: Lavender & White Tea Deodorant Towelettes - Unfortunately, not strong enough for me. I used one towelette for both pits. After a normal work day, there was significant BO and the pretty scent was gone. This was without strenuous activity! I think if your body normally doesn't have a strong odor, these would work fine. But I need something more powerful.
Green Body Green Planet: Energy Shampoo & Conditioner - Invigorating ginger/citrus scent. Shampoo felt sticky and required additional rinses, but my hair was clean and moisturized. Conditioner resulted in decent volume and shine. Found this combo didn't help my frizz. Good products, but I wasn't impressed enough to buy full sized bottles.
Mighty Leaf Tea: Herbal Chocolate Mint Truffle Tea - I'm already a big fan of Mighty Leaf Tea! However, dessert tea isn't my thing, so I ended up gifting this to a co-worker.
February 25, 2012
January 2012 Eco Emi Box
Review of the January 2012 Eco Emi box! All products listed below are linked on their site.
JR Watkins: Lip Tint - I have the "Simply Mauve-Laus" color. I'm not a lip tint person, but this color is pretty and I've always liked JR Watkins products.
Merry Hempsters: Endangered Species Lip Balm - Mine is "Polar Bear - Vanilla" and smells lovely. The texture is smooth, not too greasy.
Tru Roots: Sprouted Organic Quinoa - Our first time trying quinoa! We cooked them in a sauce pot with chicken stock, tomatoes and garlic. Quite delicious, we'll definitely get more in the future. This was a great introduction, we would never have tried quinoa without getting the sample first.
TeaGschwendner: Acerola Fruit Tea - I thought this would be super sweet, given the ingredients (candied papaya, pineapple, mango). But this brews a bright cherry red and tastes refreshingly tart. It would be fantastic iced.
TeaGschwendner: Marani Green Tea - Turns out this combination of pineapple & green tea is not for me. I thought it was odd and ruined the green tea flavor for me.
Kelapo: Organic Fair Trade Coconut Oil - Interesting, but not something I have immediate use for. It will be stashed and maybe go into the next baking project.
Deep Steep: Honeydew Spearmint Lotion - Smells pretty. It's not the most remarkable lotion I've tried, but it gets the job done.
Dr. Clean Green: Organic Hand Purifier - I dislike hand sanitizer products on principle, so I gave this to a co-worker. I appreciate that the ingredients are all natural and probably better for your skin, but I'm a soap & hot water gal.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Organic Eye Liner in black brown - Nice pencil eye liner. I didn't notice anything drastically different from conventional eye liner but it did feel soft and washed off easily.
Biokleen: Citrus Laundry Liquid - The sample was enough for a large laundry load. Clothes definitely came out clean, it even handled some underarm sweat stains. I don't like the citrus scent but they have a fragrance free formula which might do the trick. We have to be careful due to sensitive skin allergies and once our current product runs out, I'd like to try this one.
JR Watkins: Lip Tint - I have the "Simply Mauve-Laus" color. I'm not a lip tint person, but this color is pretty and I've always liked JR Watkins products.
Merry Hempsters: Endangered Species Lip Balm - Mine is "Polar Bear - Vanilla" and smells lovely. The texture is smooth, not too greasy.
Tru Roots: Sprouted Organic Quinoa - Our first time trying quinoa! We cooked them in a sauce pot with chicken stock, tomatoes and garlic. Quite delicious, we'll definitely get more in the future. This was a great introduction, we would never have tried quinoa without getting the sample first.
TeaGschwendner: Acerola Fruit Tea - I thought this would be super sweet, given the ingredients (candied papaya, pineapple, mango). But this brews a bright cherry red and tastes refreshingly tart. It would be fantastic iced.
TeaGschwendner: Marani Green Tea - Turns out this combination of pineapple & green tea is not for me. I thought it was odd and ruined the green tea flavor for me.
Kelapo: Organic Fair Trade Coconut Oil - Interesting, but not something I have immediate use for. It will be stashed and maybe go into the next baking project.
Deep Steep: Honeydew Spearmint Lotion - Smells pretty. It's not the most remarkable lotion I've tried, but it gets the job done.
Dr. Clean Green: Organic Hand Purifier - I dislike hand sanitizer products on principle, so I gave this to a co-worker. I appreciate that the ingredients are all natural and probably better for your skin, but I'm a soap & hot water gal.
Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Organic Eye Liner in black brown - Nice pencil eye liner. I didn't notice anything drastically different from conventional eye liner but it did feel soft and washed off easily.
Biokleen: Citrus Laundry Liquid - The sample was enough for a large laundry load. Clothes definitely came out clean, it even handled some underarm sweat stains. I don't like the citrus scent but they have a fragrance free formula which might do the trick. We have to be careful due to sensitive skin allergies and once our current product runs out, I'd like to try this one.
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