Eco-Emi

This is my second month with the Eco-Emi subscription service and so far I really like the selection of samples. I like this month much more than the November box, but it could be because there was a mini candy cane inside and anything holiday related put me in a great mood. Here’s how the box arrived right out of the USPS packaging, adorably gift wrapped for the holidays.

Once you unwrap the box, the products are for the most part individually wrapped in tissue paper.

So now to the juicy part, what’s inside. This months box features ten deluxe sized samples of a wide array of products but I’ll start with some of my favorites:

Vitamin C with Zinc Chews by Genesis, $11.99 – Vitamin C is the key to collagen product so you’ll want a sufficient amount of this is your diet for healthy and plump skin; Zinc is used by our bodies to repair tissue and it’s even be used to help with acne. This duo is great for skin and it’s all mixed together in a tangy citrus-y fruit chew. I’ve already had two of these, they’re like candy that’s good for you!

Patterned Footsies by Maggies Functional Organics, $6.00 – This item was a surprise but once I read the insert I was so impressed that I really wanted to support this organization. The cotton from these socks comes from 2000 small family farmers in Nicaragua which is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. Farmers earn twice the price for this organic cotton than they would receive normally and this initiative helps to revive the cotton agriculture. All items are organic and fair trade; check them out and support them if you can, their website is Maggiesorganics.com

Organic Candy Cane by The Nature Candy Store, 1/2 lb. $5.99 – I tasted the candy cane and it tasted like your standard minty confection that you find in your local drugstore BUT this candy cane is vegan and gluten-free; made only with organic cane juice, brown rice syrup, natural mint and coloring from carrots. This candy is all natural and tasty. The Natural Candy Store is so worth exploring further; they also carry gummies, chocolate and hard candy!

Tangerine lip balm by Zambeezi, $2.95 – From what I’ve read, many of the past eco-emi boxes contain lip balm. This organic tangerine lip balm benefits the people of Zambia, Africa to receive a fair and living wage for their work. This is another natural product that is worth supporting, visit their website http://zambeezi.com/

Botanical Lip Gloss in Winterberry by Lauren Brooke Cometiques, $8- After battling with the tube for literally ten minutes I finally was able to open it to get a sample. The tube is very Stila-esque with a click pen dispenser and a brush applicator. This gloss is made from 100% Organic oils and natural coloring and flavoring

Organic raw cacao bliss by Artisans, $12.98 – This is a vegan chocolate coconut spread – I did not read the directions and started eating it right out of the pouch. Let’s just say it’s not love at first bite. I love chocolate and this is not it; although it smells amazing and even tastes close to chocolate it’s just not close enough to the real thing to be satisfying. I’ll have to pass on the spread.

Whispering Pine Candle by Wyk Candles, $8.99 – The scent of pine often reminds me of cleaning products so this would not be my first choice for a candle. However once you smell this candle you may be pleasantly surprised. This soy candle is charmingly tucked away in a tin container, cute for the holidays but I don’t know if I would buy this scent on a regular basis.

GreenShield Organic Free and Clear Laundry Detergent by Greenology Products, $13,76 – This laundry detergent is USDA Certified Organic, color and dye free. The sample size is for one small load and I have yet to use it, it doesn’t seem to be enough but I’ll give it a shot.

Jojoba and ginseng exfoliating face cleanser by John Masters Organics, $28 – This sample was a one use packet, which I’m not really a fan of. I like to be able to sample a product at least a few times before forming an opinion about whether it’s worth buying or not. The primary ingredient in this cleanser is aloe so I was curious about this cleanser and tried it right away. Although I didn’t care for the scent the cleanser did a great job of removing oil and makeup but I’m on the fence about purchasing a full-sized product.

Blood orange and vanilla body wash by John Masters Organics, $28 – This sample was another one use packet but I tried it anyway. This body wash has an excellent lather and is full of great ingredients like coconut, grapefruit oil and bourbon vanilla. I love a great smelling body wash and this one is decadent delicious with the right subtle balance of blood orange paired with a mildly sweet vanilla. This body wash is definitely worth purchasing a full-sized bottle.

Overall December was a fabulous month for Eco-Emi, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for January. Happy Holidays!

I signed up for Eco-Emi and I just received my first box, the November Holiday Box. If you’re not familiar with Eco-Emi, it’s like Birchbox but for eco/green girls. Each subscriber receives a minimum of five to ten samples of natural, organic, green, eco-friendly or Fair Trade perfectly packaged samples delivered right to your door. Now that I’ve been using mostly natural or organic products (because I believe that natural is best), I get to explore a whole new world of beauty brands!

When I first came across the Eco-Emi website and read the “About” section and I was really touched. This program was created by a woman named Christine who lost her pet to what she (and I) believe are toxins in her dogs’ food. Ultimately her dog passed away but I could really relate to what she was saying about doctors not always listening to patients concerns and how natural methods are well worth exploring. I loved her story and I loved what her sampling program was doing so I was on board immediately. Unfortunately there was a brief waiting period so but I received my first Eco-Emi last week. Here is what the November Eco-Emi box contained:

Ohh La La organic Lip Shimmer by Keeki Pure and Simple – this lip balm was a regular full-size that you would normally purchase. This lip balm provides a very sheer shimmer and is infused with minerals and a hint of mint and vanilla.

Candy Mint Foot Cream by Deep Steep & Royal Labs Inc. – a sample size packet that you can use once; it felt tingly but not enough of a sample or wow factor to say whether I’d buy it again.

Sunlight Eye Shadow by Earth’s Beauty – It’s a loose mineral eye shadow in a regular size as well and there is certainly enough product for multiple uses. Personally I’m not a fan of loose makeup because it’s just too messy but this is a nice natural option if you enjoy mineral makeup.

Refine face mask by Blissoma – a sample sized amount in a little plastic pot, I was able to get about two uses out of it. So far I loved it and think that it’s worth exploring a full-sized tube. It’s a creamy clay mask that seemed to have beads in that melted away upon application.

Shea Butter Cream by Planet Botanicals – A small pot of 20% shea butter that is said to be lightly scented with rose geranium and lavender, the scent of lavender was pretty strong but intensely hydrating. If you have dry hands this would be a good option because it’s insanely hydrating.

Dark Chocolate by Sweetriot 12 – What can you say about dark chocolate? You either love it or you don’t. What’s different about this chocolate is that it’s VEGAN so there are no dairy ingredients used. It’s also low in sugar and, gluten-free and kosher. They come in two flavors either cacao nibs and raisins or blend of dark chocolate and crunchy cacao; I had the latter. These are worth exploring a bit more, very tasty.

Button from Soul Flower – This tiny eco-friendly, Boho-style button is cute if you’re into that type of thing, I’m not.

Wild Mint Shampoo & Conditioner by Organic Excellence – this duo is said to moisturize, maintain a healthy pH balance, prevent hair loss, stimulate growth and protect against UV rays and air pollution. The sample size was supposed to be enough for one shampoo but I have full curly hair and I usually wash my hair twice so it wasn’t enough. From the one wash that I was able to get from it didn’t leave my hair “squeaky” clean. I HATE that feeling, my hair feels like straw when that happens. So I was presently surprised that it left my hair decently moisturized prior to adding conditioner. Due to the said benefits I think this is worth exploring further, so I’ll order a full size product to test it out a bit more.

Vanilla & Sweet Orange Essential Mist by Hugo – This is a linen spray that can also be used on your skin; it’s a handcrafted blend of purified water and essential oils. This was the first item that I tried, and if you enjoy warm scents then you would love this. it a subtle blend of vanilla and orange that smells so delicious.

So I’m on board for a few more subscriptions (paid in advance) and I’m excited to see what else is in store. Like I said I tried Birchbox and I think it’s a great program however there was just not enough “freshness” to it for me. I like to try new products that I haven’t heard of and at least half of the products that I received in my six-month membership were not new to me. I’m hoping that Eco-Emi offers a wide variety of products each month so that I always get to try something new. Overall I think it’s well worth the $15 fee. Have you tried Eco-Emi?

Take a look inside the December Eco Emi box!

I got my first Eco-Emi, the November Holiday Box!