May & June Eco Emi: Happy Independence Day!

June Eco Emi

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

Yes, I'm a bit behind in posting the contents of my Eco Emi subscription boxes ($15/mo), so you are getting a twofer post today.  I'll start with June's box, since it had a 4th of July color motif.  I hope those who celebrate Independence Day are having a happy and safe one!

My faithful photo assistant, Maggie

I'll admit it, I'm excited about the dog shampoo sample ($2).  Maggie is the only one of my dogs that doesn't have to be bathed regularly, as she does not smell.  In fact, she smells really nice!  I think it must be a breed thing.  She's probably only had 7-8 baths in her 9 years of living.  The terriers, OTOH, can get a bit funky.  Both Lulu and Lily are in need of baths soon, so I'll be putting this item to good use!

The second item that caught my eye is the Lavender Cuticle Oil ($5.29) by Whooty Hoot Creations.  Love the rose petals in the mix.

I was super excited to see the eyeshadow duo ($12) from Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques!  Fortunately, it's a different color than the one I purchase last Christmas, Toffee/Sandalwood (review here).  I'll post a review once I've played with this a bit, but I can say the dark gray is super pigmented and smooth.

Also hard to go wrong with receiving a sunscreen this time of year, and the ingredient list of this Aubrey sample (68 cents) is intriguing.  I'll be trying this out while mowing my yard today or Sunday.

The Molly Rose Lime Coconut Lip Balm ($5) smells great, but the formula is rather dry/matte and doesn't provide enough moisture for my lips.  Given the ingredient list I'm not really sure why this is the case, but there ya go.  This one will probably join the others that just didn't gel for me in the not quite right lip balm cemetery.

I also received an emory board ($3), a hair tie ($1.33), and a Vanilla Chai Infusion mix ($2.99), which brings the total of June's box to $32.29.  Now for a quick overview of May's box!

May Eco Emi

The pleasant surprise for me in this box was the Suncoat polish in Cinnamon ($8.99).  I really wasn't expecting much, but it's quite pretty and wore very well for a water based polish.  Very happy with this.

I'm a proponent of aromatherapy and use essential oils to scent my house, so Chill Pill ($10.99) is a welcome addition.  I add a few drops to my heated diffusers and soon can smell the sweet orange, lavender, patchouli, mint, sweet basil, and chamomile that makes up this mixture.  It reminds me of a spa.

I've used the Strawberries & Cream Facial Mask by bodyBrana ($10.50) once, and I like that this is one you can mix with water, milk, or toner.  I used a rose toner and want to try mixing it with yogurt for my next go around. 

I need to find where I put the The Berry Sugar Scrub by Beazer's Garden ($1?), as I don't remember using it yet.  I do remember that it smelled delicious, and now is the time of year that I use sugar scrubs regularly.  

I also received 3 teabags ($1.38), each with a different blend:  Energize, Cycle-Ease, and Sweet Dreams. 

The other food/consumable items in the box were Wild Watermelon sugar-free gum by Glee ($1.09), and a Sundried Italian party dip by Ellbee's ($5), bringing the total of May's box to $38.95.  I'm pleased with both May and June's box, and after 2 years of receiving Eco Emi boxes, still look forward to them!

April Eco Emi: Earth Day

April's Eco Emi box honored Earth Day, which is kind of what they do every month :-) So let's take a closer look.

The beauty items were a Lavender Eye Makeup Remover ($6) from Homespun Northwest.  I use an oil cleanser to remove my makeup so don't usually use a separate eye makeup remover.  Consequently, I've yet to try this out.

There was also an edible cocoa based Love Dust ($10) from The All Natural Face.  It smells nice and provides a bit of shimmer to the skin.  Could be nice now that it's sun dress wearing weather.  The vegan formula contains mica, raw sugar, cocoa, and organic cornstarch.

The Tree of Life Bath Fizzy ($2.47) from Fortune Cookie Soap Company is really a lovely little thing to behold.  I don't take baths, but I did chip off some to use as a foot soak.  I'm fortunate I didn't cut a finger off doing that - next time I'll just dip part of it in the water and let it dissolve.  The scent is described as a dewy "blend of lily and jasmine with lemon & refreshing ozone, tilled with damp earth and freshly cut green grass."  I like it.

I realize I'm a geek, but I was probably most excited by the toothpaste samples.  I used one this past Saturday when I took my mom to see Joan Rivers perform at the IP Casino in Biloxi.  Not bad (the toothpaste), and I personally love the packaging as it's small, easy to use, and one was perfect for an overnight visit.  As for Joan Rivers?  That woman is a trip - nothing is off limits for her!  After the show, my 71 year old mother turned to me and said "she was phenomenal". 

I also enjoyed the Tropical Peach Liquid Drink Mix ($1.16) by Organic Flavorz.  The packet lasted me about a week, as a quick squirt was all I used to get a bit of flavor in iced water.  Not pictured is an Honey Organic Stinger Waffle ($1.39) that I sadly didn't care for, as it was a bit gummy in texture.  No earth day themed box would be complete without a packet of seeds, and I got one ($2.50).  One day I should probably try planting something.

The total value of this months box was about $20.50.  I find that most Eco Emi boxes range in value from about $17 to $22 (I pay $15 each month), but the value for me is more about discovering new natural and green based products.  After 2 years of subscribing, I'm still enjoying Eco Emi!

March Eco Emi: Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

I'm a bit behind on posting my Eco Emi subscription boxes, but didn't want to skip March as I'm really loving one of the enclosed items.  In fact, I'm going to focus mainly on it, with just pictures of the other items.

When I first saw this plastic pouch of shea butter from the Canadian company Karitex, I was like "hmm".  I decided I'd transfer it to a container, but in the meantime clipped a corner in order to test it out.  Squeezing the butter from the packet has proven such an easy way to use it that I'm no longer going to transfer to a container.

Even better, I really like it!  I know we've all probably used shea butter before, but I can't say I've really thought much about where it came from or how it's produced.  This is organic, raw shea butter harvested from  premium quality Shea nuts from Burkina Faso and is free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers.  It's ethically produced, reasonable priced $10, and perfect for moisturizing skin year round.  I primarily use it on my legs as it's quite emollient does have the signature shea butter scent. Great stuff!

Dawn Lip Gloss by Purely You

Hydrating Lip Therapy & Cuticle Treatment

Quick post, but we've had almost 2 feet of rain in the last 2 days so I'm playing cleanup and catchup!

February Eco Emi: Cold Weather Comfort

February's Eco Emi was in tune with my weariness for cold weather, as it contained items designed to alleviate some of the effects of harsh weather.  Fortunately, temps have warmed up some where I'm at and we are seeing signs of spring, although I'm sure a few cold snaps will still happen.  I also noticed that the color scheme is Mardi Gras, and it just so happens to be Fat Tuesay today.  Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

First up is an organic hairspray from Aubrey Orgnanics that is infused with quinoia proteins to add body and smooth hair.  It has a light hold, so I won't rely on it for days when I need lots of control, but I'll continue experimenting with it before I form a judgement.  Sample value is $1.99.

Eco Emi has introduced me to more than a few good lip balms, and this vegan version by Jersey Shore Sun ($5) has a pleasant spearmint scent and certified organic ingredients.  It also has anti-aging properties that are gentle enough to use on other areas of the face, so sounds like it would be good for outside activities and protecting against windburn. 

The Loving Recovery Beta Glucan Mask by Blissoma was something I definitely could have used a few weeks back, when my face was flaky from a combination of cold weather and the Retin-A product I've been using.  It contains a combination of anti-reactive herbs, restorative oils, and cupuacu butter to help rebuild skin from the inside.  I've liked the products I've tried from the holistic Blissoma so far, looking forward to giving this one a whirl.  Sample value is $3.50.

I think the Eyelash Conditioner by Lauren Brooke Comestiques is the item I'm most excited about this month!   I'll be wearing this overnight to condition my lashes and hopefully help them grow longer and stronger.  Instructions say to use 3x's per week, and it looks like the travel sized tube is what is selling at the Lauren Brooke website for $10.

• Vitamin B Complex: Promotes blood circulation. Strengthens & stimulates hair growth.
• Chia Seed: Rich in omega-3 linolenic acid. Moisturizing. Helps protect moisture balance.
• Horsetail: Rich in bio-available silica. Stimulates hair growth.
• Burdock: Contains abundant hair-nourishing minerals to feed & nourish hair. Reverses thinning.

The non-beauty items this month included some All Natural Hummus by Wild Garden (yum, sample value 86 cents), Chocolate Vanilla Paste by Premier Organics (sample value $1.35), and paraffin-free tea lights by Goodlight Natural Candles (sample value $2.49).  Overall, a really good month with a  total box value of $25.19.

January Eco-Emi: Pamper Yourself

January's Eco-Emi features items designed to pamper yourself from head to toe for pure relaxation.  I can roll with that.  By the end of my work week I'm usually a bit deflated and looking for some serious R&R....So let's take a closer look!

I wish I had a great bathtub to soak away my worries in, but I don't.  Consequently, products like the Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Foam Bath Soak in Tangerine & Grapefruit get used as foot soaks when I'm giving myself a pedicure.

I do find citrus scented products to be energizing and refreshing, so I'll be giving this one a try very soon.  Sample value is $3.29. 

According to a card provided in my box, Sweet Riot supports fair trade and sourcing directly in Latin America, which directly supports a better life for farming families through fair prices and direct trade.  These dark chocolate squares got eaten immediately and were delicious, and sample value was $1.

The sole makeup item this month was a lovely pink lip gloss called Love Struck from Marie Natie Natural Cosmetics.  I've yet to find a natural cosmetic line lip gloss that I thought was stellar, but my initial impression of Love Struck is very positive.

I love the way it feels on, nonsticky but with some substance, and am pleased that it does provide some color.  Marie Natie is a Canadian company and the full sized gloss goes for $18 CAD, so these are on the pricier side.  I'm estimating sample value at $3.

There were quite a few skincare items this month, starting with a set of foils from Derma|e's Evenly Radiant line.   I received a cleanser, night cream, and dark circle eye creme.  This formula features Vitamin C and a host of other antioxidants in order to even out skin tone, promote skin clarity, and boost radiance.  I like that I received several products, as it does have give a better feel for the line.  Sample value for all 3 foils is $3.65.

More skincare items came from a brand called Herbalista MD.  Based on what I could find at their etsy shop, I received the trial sized sample of the Organic African Black Soap Acne & Razor Bump Kit, which is $5.95.  Both items are rather small, but I'm looking forward to trying them out. 

I also received a sweet little Chocolate Raspberry Soy Candle.  It's small, but does have a realistic scent that is not overly sweet.  Sample value is $.70. 

Is it strange that I get excited about things like laundry detergent or cleansers in general?  Because I do, and I'm liking how the Natural Flower Power in Lavender smells.  This all natural cleanser is antibacterial, antifungal, and hypoallergenic, plus it contains a blend of therapeutic grade essential oils.  Cool.  Sample values is $.57

Last is an item from my neck of the woods - a natural sea sponge from the Gulf of Mexico.  Sample value is $1.10, which brings the value of the entire box to $19.26, slightly higher than my $15 purchase price.  I'm happy with the items and always enjoy the new discoveries that Eco Emi brings my way:-)