December Eco Emi: Leaping Bunny Foundation Collaboration

For December's box, Eco collaborated with The Leaping Bunny Foundation to feature items that are Leaping Bunny Certified.  For those not aware of what this signifies, The Leaping Bunny Program requires that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or ingredient suppliers after a fixed cut-off date.  Also included in the box was a wallet sized Compassionate Shopping Guide listing the companies that are Leaping Bunny Certified - very cool!

To start with, I received a Vegan Adaptive Energy Facial Tonique Toner by Blissoma.  I found this description on Amazon.com:

The base is a specially prepared infusion of fresh organic cantaloupe. It brings Vitamin A, B3, B6 and potassium to our blend as well as a fresh melon aroma. Organic Rhodiola, Holy Basil, and Red Clover help skin respond to internal and external stressors, process environmental pollutants, and hormonal fluctuations. Organic Calendula helps heal blemishes, synthesize collagen, and soothe irritations. Our products are made in small batches from freshly prepared botanical ingredients.

The regular sized toner is 4 oz. for $21.00, so the sample is valued at about $1.

Next is a Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream by Burt's Bees.  It's a perfect purse size, and as I'm one who regularly keeps several hand creams stashed in my purse, this will come in handy.  I started using Burt's Bees when I was in graduate school in Chapel Hill over a decade ago, making them some of the first natural beauty products I tried.  The sample is worth $2.

Auromere's Licorice Toothpaste is a standout for me from this month's box.  Utilizing Ayurvedic principles, it contains extracts from 24 plants, barks, roots and flowers, including NEEM and PEELU, the "Toothbrush Trees" of India and the Middle East.  I've used it a couple of times already, and I like the way it tastes, smells, and performs.  Another perk is that you use about 1/3 less than regular toothpaste, so a tube should last 3 times as long are regular toothpaste.  I received a full sized tube and the value is $5.99.

I also received a Chocolate Mint Lip Butter by Organic Indulgence, which was my go to lip balm on Christmas Day.  I've got quite the collection of organic lip balms which I've received from Eco Emi over the past year, and this one makes a nice addition.  The value of this full sized balm is $2.95.

Thee organic perfume sample from Tallulah Jane called "Aiyana" is made from organic and wildcrafted oils and is a blend of Moroccan Rose, Vanilla, Rock Rose, and Italian Lemon.  It's a soft scent which I actually like, plus any company with the name Tallulah in it makes me happy.  The value of the sample is $1.58.

Next is the Fundamental face scrub by Fundamental Earth.  I used this yesterday morning is it's a very light scrub, as it's a clear gel lightly populated with ground apricot kernels.  I did like how it left my face feeling cool, no doubt due to the spearmint oil in it.  Pleasant and refreshing, but more of a cleanser than an exfoliate from what I can tell.  The sample is worth 50 cents.

I also received a packet of green apple vegan body cream from 100% Pure.  I've wanted to try this line for a while, so I'm glad to have a sample at last.  The sample is worth 12 cents if I calculated correctly.

More teeth/mouth products with the Original Mint Gum and Tooth Powder by Eco Dent.  I'm going to stick this in my purse for a nice at the office or on the go freshener.   This sample is worth about 45 cents. 

The  Apricot Eye Therapy by Better Botanicals is supposed to tighten, brighten, and strengthen the under eye skin with a blend of apricot, ginger, cardamom, sweet almond oil and lemon.  It sounds divine, and I love receiving eye creams to sample, as a little tends to go a long way.  The value of this sample is about $1.89.

The box also included a sample of a men's moisturizer by Bulldog Skincare.  I see no reason why I can't use it, and it has some interesting ingredients such as essential oils of bergamot, lemon, lime, tree moss, patchouli and vetivert.  If nothing else, I bet it smells good and would make a nice hand lotion.  The full size of 3.3 oz is $6.99, so the sample is worth about 15 cents. 

Counting the one food item this month, Vanilla Bean Granola Chips by Willamette Valley, the value of the box is roughly $18, which makes it slightly more valuable than the $15 I paid.  I'm pleased with the variety of items and love the enclosed Leaping Bunny shopping companion, so I'm happy!

Disclosure:  I subscribe to Eco Emi for $15/month.

October Eco-Emi: Happy Halloween!

If you are not familiar with Eco-Emi, it's a monthly subscription service where you are sent 5-10 eco-friendly products each month.  October's packaging theme was Halloween, with some cute little glitter black cats, witches on broomsticks, pumpkins, and stars and moons interspersed in the black and orange tissues paper.  Still a huge fan of Eco-Emi's packaging, it definitely adds to the experience!

As soon as I opened the box I smelled licorice, which turned out to be a soap.  There were 7 items in this month's box, with 4 of them being beauty/body care products.  I've put the approximate value after each item in parentheses.

• Maximum Curl Defining Cream by Shea Radiance ($4):  I don't have curly hair, but I'll probably try this as a conditioning balm anyhow, since it is supposed to nourish starved hair cuticles with proteins that moisturize and strengthen. Plus, it's supposed to resist humidity, which is in abundance here on the Gulf Coast!

•  Tea Tree Facial Cleanser by Zen Society Skincare ($4):  This is a holistic, vegan, and eco-friendly skincare line made by a master herbalist in Connecticut.    The cleanser is supposed to cool and brighten tired and dull skin as well as control excess oil.  I'm looking forward to trying this!

•  Copper Kisses Lip Gloss by The All Natural Face ($4.60):  This gloss features a super simple, all natural formula.  It's a light feeling gloss that gives a slight tint with lots of shimmer.  Pretty!

•  Star Anise & Coffee Handmade Natural Soap by Dew Puff ($7):  This all natural and coldpressed soap is handcrafted in Malaysia and smells wonderful!  The coffee is good for exfoliating and the scent makes this a good soap for taking away strong smells like garlic, onions, or fish while cooking.  

The non-beauty items were Vanilla Almond Granola by Ola Foods (66 cents), Basic H2 Organice Super Cleansing Concentrate by Shaklee (35 cents), and Organic Fruit Snacks by Tasty Brand ($1). The total value of the box was just under $22, by my calculation.

 Everything in this box will get used by me, so another good month from Eco Emi!

Disclosure:  I subscribe to Eco Emi for $15/mo.

September Eco Emi

September Eco Emi

September's Eco Emi marks the beginning of fall and cooler weather, my favorite time of the year. The items featured are:

•  Burts Bees 10 ct. facial cleansing towelettes:   I haven't tried this and do use cleansing towelettes, so looking forward to trying these.

• Silken Earth Powder Blush in Honey Bronze by Aubrey Organics:  the powder base on these is formulated from silk, which is rich in amino acids.  

• Organic milk chocolate Angell crisp bar:  Fair trade, gluten free, and quite delicious, I must say.
• Original Green Teal Leaf Mints by SEN CHA
• Lip balm by Good Fortune:  I didn't receive one, hmmm.

• Beauty Rejuvenating Night Creme by Biao Beauty:  Interestingly, the booklet that was included for Biao Beauty is both hefty and stunning, but the sample itself is just a foil packet.  The products do sound intriguing!
• Skin Detox and Green Tea Blueberry Slim Life:  I believe I got a substitute, as mine are Yogi teas. 

• Organic Soy Nut Trail Mixby Crum Creek Mills
• Soft Conditioner & Bubbling Body Wash by SparkleHearts

•  Lavendar Sea Laundry Detergent by Safonique:  Oddly, I'm the most excited about the laundry detergent.  Strange, I know. 

On the plus side of September's box, all of the items will get used and I do enjoying discovering new items.  On the negative side, I didn't receive the lip balm, which was actually the highest valued item at $4.  The total value of the box is about $14, which is less than the $15 I paid.  On the plus, plus side, customer service at Eco Emi is superb.  I contacted them via their email help feature, and within an hour Christine had emailed me back apologizing for the missing lip balm and offering to send me a new box.  I truly appreciate that!

Disclosure:  I subscribe to Eco Emi for $15 per month. 

August Eco-Emi: Fairytale

This month's Eco-Emi is the last summer box of the year and features a colorful fairytale theme.  Now, I don't take the themes too seriously, although I do appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into them.  I always enjoy the color schemes and nice wrapping, as it makes opening each box that much more "gift" like.

I also have to give props to Eco-Emi for the variety of items they include in each month's box.  You just never know what you might receive, and I personally like that aspect.  I want to discover new brands or items that I did not know existed.  The stand out item for me so far in this box is the Ayurveda soap.  I don't know a whole lot about Ayurveda (there is a handy insert in the box that explains what products work best with the different Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas), but this soap smells divine and I'm liking the ingredient list.

Other beauty and body care products included this month are a body shimmer that features natural minerals, a sugar scrub, and a multi-purpose balm that can be used on lips, cuticles, or anywhere that needs soothing.  The balm smells fantastic!

I also received a green clay mask, a milk and oat bath soak, and a body lotion.  I don't take baths but did use the milk and oat to soak my feet prior to my pedicure.

Eco-Emi usually includes some food type items, and this month I received four different herbs, a pecan butter and some lettuce seeds. 

The value of this month's box is about $18, I'm guestimating.  Looking forward to seeing what the cooler months will bring!

Disclosure:  I subscribed to Eco-Emi for $15 per month.

July Eco Emi: Destress and Unwind

July's Eco Emi features a variety of products to help you relax, destress, unwind, and then perhaps ramp back up for a new day.  The relaxing and destressing part sound just fine by me.  As usual, Eco Emi's presentation is delightful, as I really enjoy unwrapping my "presents". 

I will say that if you don't like the scent of lavender, this is not the box for you.  Fortunately, I do like lavender, and since 3 of the beauty items have that fragrance, that's a good thing.

First up of the personal care samples is Hugo Naturals Essential Mist in calming French Lavendar.  This multi-purpose spray is safe for use on both skin and fabric.  The scent is actually quite light so I may try this on my bed linens. 

Next is Polar Bar, a eucalyptus & lavendar soap from Biggs & Featherbelle.  I love bar soap and this one has a bracing and refreshing scent.  I also like the size of the soap samples I've received in my subscription boxes, as they are ideal for washing my hands after I've applied makeup.

It wouldn't be a subscription box if you didn't get a lip balm:-)  This month's entry is from De Vine in the shade Merlot, a deep red shimmer.  De Vine lip balms contain polyphenols and reserveratrol and are 100% natural. 

I also got a packet of lavender body cream from The Seaweed Bath Co., which features bladderwrack seaweed for it's nourishing and detoxifying properties.  I've gotten a few of their samples in previous boxes, and I've liked everything I've tried by them thus far.

Last of the beauty/personal care items are two mineral deodorant towelettes in Pomegranate from Crystal essence.  I've started using only natural deodorants in the last year so am quite excited to try these out! 

Eco Emi also sent me some tea, some sweeteners, an exercise recovery supplement, a sleep aid supplement, and a yummy looking nut bar.  I've enjoyed the supplements and food items they've sent in the past and can honestly say it's been a great way to be introduced to a variety of brands I knew nothing about prior to my subscription.

This was not a particularly high value box, as I'm calculating everything to be worth just shy of $16.  I spent $15 so did get my money's worth and I will use all of the items, so it's worth it to me. 

Do you subscribe to Eco Emi?  What's your favorite subscription box?

Disclosure:  I subscribe to Eco Eco for $15/month.