yuzen « Search Results « ((little fat notebook))

Search Results

Petit Vour November 2014 review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: beauty, boxes, petit vour, pictures, products, reviews, skincare, subscriptions

07 December 2014

This month, they teamed up with The Little Foxes to curate the box. As always, I like how the combination of items can account for a good portion of a given day’s routine.

Petit Vour is $15 per box (or as much as $30 for international subscribers) and comes with vegan beauty, skincare, and other personal care products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free boxes (email contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you if you sign up!).

Au Naturale Organic Creme Concealer in Beige and Eye Shadow in Palma – I was really confused when I first opened this, because there was a tube that looked like mascara and a tub that could be any creme. Once I actually opened the products and read the part of the info card on either side for both items, it made a lot more sense. The eye shadow comes in a long tube much like lipstick would. That’ll make it easy to apply without irritating my eyes! The shade is somewhere between bronze and gold, which makes for a nice metallic color that won’t stand out too much (just the way I like it). The concealer is too light for my skin tone, but since I tried it already I’ll see if it can still be helpful when merged with my foundation.

French Girl Organics Mineral Lip Tint in Cerise – I’m actually just using up my Keeki lip shimmer, which has the same fun oval tube as this. The tint on this is a bit darker and it has a sweet and minty smell to it. It’s a lot like that lip shimmer as well as the Burt’s Bees ones I’ve had, but it smells better – kind of like a macaron. It’s a great formula that is hydrating and applies smoothly. I see this easily being my next go-to lip balm!

Caru Skincare Co Rose Facial Serum – As far as serums go, these oil types with the dripper bottle are by far my favorite. My skin is so soft, supple, and nourished after applying this serum. I can definitely smell the rose and something else that I can’t place. I’m not crazy about the scent but I think the ingredients will be awesome for my complexion. I think their Immortelle Facial Serum would be awesome and the best fit for my preferences and skincare needs.

Earthbody Sacred Skincare Dream Body Oil – The scent of this oil is fantastic – just the kind of soothing fragrance I’d relax and fall asleep to. Now is the perfect time for body oils, which is what I’ve switched to applying after my showers. There’s nothing quite as restorative for the skin and so little covers a lot of skin. I’m really curious about their day spa and might treat myself to that experience the next time in SF with time to explore.

I enjoyed trying the products from this box and I’ll be keeping them all. The body oil and lip tint are right up my alley. I use both types of products regularly! What do you like from this box?

[This post mentions a referral program. Signing up and emailing contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Empties: Jane’s Pick, Sranrom, Spa Technologies, Yes To, Acure

laelene Post in reviews，Tags: body oils, body soaps, candles, facial creams, facial wipes, pictures, products, reviews

26 November 2014

Here comes round two of empties, with five more items that I’ve completely used up (and what I thought of each product). It just happens that most of these came from Yuzen boxes, which might be saying something about how much I love the stuff I get from that subscription box.

Jane’s Pick all natural handmade bar soap sample in Kind

I received this sample from a Beauty Box 5 and since I liked the sweet orange scent, I started using it pretty quickly. I went through it in about a week and kept using it, even as the orange part was separating from the black part. I loved the super foamy formula of it and how it didn’t leave my skin feeling squeaky and dry afterwards. I would definitely consider getting this for future soap needs, if I ever make it through the tons of soap I already have.

Sranrom candle in Compassion

This lovely candle came in the spring Yuzen box and it wasn’t long before I’d burned through the whole thing. The scent is very calming and relaxing, with lemongrass and other refreshing yet soothing scents. It makes me think of a spa experience in Thailand and it’s great for when I want to chill out in a bath. It burns really well and doesn’t create black smoke, plus the container has such a lovely pattern! I’d definitely try their other scents too, like Contentment and Consideration.

Spa Technologies Hydrating Laminaria Oil

I finished this ages ago and it was my first foray into body oils for lotioning purposes. I had never really tried it before, but this one got me hooked. Now for the wintertime, I definitely look to body butters and oils to help keep my skin from drying out. This came in a Yuzen box nearly two years ago! Hard to believe. I loved the subtle scent of this and how non-greasy it is. As with other products, I have a supply of other brands I need to try, so looking to replace this will take a back-burner until I’m low in stock.

Yes To Grapefruit Correct & Repair Brightening Facial Wipes

I bought this one during a sale CVS was having for Yes To products. I’d wanted to try their wipes for ages, so I got this and another pack (which I’m nearly done with, so I’m sure they’ll make an empties post appearance too). I enjoyed the extra moistness of these wipes, which sort of foamed when I used them for all the juicy product they had in there. I always felt like I’d washed my face after one of these, so it was perfect to use at the end of the day when I’m cleansing my face and then applying the serums and lotions for the night. I think it’s a bit acidic, so I always felt like it was good for helping with any bacteria on my face.

Acure Radical Resurfacing Facial Treatment

This also came in the spring Yuzen box with the Sranrom candle. It quickly became my go-to cream/lotion after cleansing my face. It’s so light and refreshing, yet I feel like it’s helping with my skin texture, hydration, and acne. It smells wonderful too, which always helps. I like the citrusy, tangy type scents. I’m already well into my second one of these and I love it. I almost always find myself reaching for it.

Have you tried any of these items? What did you think? And what empties do you have to share?

Juice Beauty deal

laelene Post in general blog，Tags: beauty, deals, products, shopping, skincare

31 August 2014

When I saw an email from Juice Beauty about their new brightening pads, I was immediately intrigued. I love wiping my face with cleansing products and lately I’ve started to take note of the dark spots and unevenness I have. At their original price point, I wasn’t so sure about getting them. So, I do what I always do. I waited.

Lo and behold, come Labor Day weekend, I see an offer for 15% off and free shipping (use code LABORDAY through tomorrow!). While I would have already gotten free shipping with this pre-order offer, that 15% is what made all the difference. While still pricier than I would prefer, I was convinced that I should at least try one jar. I’m waiting on a new credit card to arrive and I was hoping it would make it to me by Saturday so I could use it for this transaction, but the mail came and went with no card.

Today, I went to place my order and found that it was no longer pre-order status for this product. Not a huge deal, since the price is the same. The only thing I lose out on is the deluxe sample of the Green Apple Peel Sensitive – no worries, I’ve gotten plenty of samples of that from Yuzen! Instead, I got the normal sample set with my order (a trio of cleanser, serum, and moisturizer). I much prefer saving $6.75 to getting more product I won’t get a chance to use up.

I can’t wait to get these pads and try them out! If there are any Juice Beauty products you’re interested in, definitely take advantage of their Labor Day sale too. 🙂

Escape Monthly May: California Box Review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: boxes, pictures, products, reviews, subscriptions

23 May 2014

The timing of this box was pretty funny, since it’s themed for my most recent home state and I happened to get it right before I went home for a visit. Got California on my mind! I feel like the value was a bit lower than they could have gone for, but I liked the variety of items, as usual.

Escape Monthly is just under $40 per box (with code for 20% off your subscription – see end of post) and comes with a variety of food, home, skincare items themed around a city. Each box comes with a Moon Handbooks guide for that region. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a lovely recurring referral commission program.

(click to enlarge and read full messaging)

I was really happy to get another beauty tool, since I always get excited about them. I’ve tried most of the food by now so I’ve got most of the box covered!

Here’s what came in the box:

Moon Handbooks guide to California Wine Country – Ok so the very first Escape Monthly was for California wine country, so I really think they should have chosen a different focus for this month’s handbook. A more general look at the state or a focus on NorCal or SoCal would have been nice. It’ll be interesting to compare this with the first book we got to see how much new information it contains.

sea sponge – This item made me very happy. I’m a sucker for things like this and the sponge is so soft and comfortable! What a wonderful way to exfoliate gently. It’s enough to get the job done without being too rough on skin. I’ll be adding this to my shower to use with body wash.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Hand Cream – I must admit I haven’t tried this yet, but I like this brand and I’m confident I will enjoy this lotion. I’ve been going through tubes of lotion since I like to lather up after each hand wash and since I drink water non-stop at work, I am going to the restroom quite a bit too. This will be great to add to my collection!

San Franola Cinnamon Almond granola – Not super into granola, but I will get some yogurt to put this on since I really should eat breakfast more. Mine appeared a bit crumbly, but still has big bits. Seems like the box is one serving size.

Ips All Natural Egg White Ch(ips) in Aged White Cheddar – What a strange concept that tastes quite good! I like the idea of egg whites in chip form since I like egg whites, but it’s a hassle to cook them. With this, I can get more protein without having to heat up the stove. The white cheddar is nicely mild, not at all overwhelming like some cheeses. They are sort of like puffed chips, which is not my favorite texture, but I gobbled them up nonetheless.

caliwater Cactus Water – Erm, I’m not a fan of this. I wonder if it’s just the bottle I got, but it tasted sour and stale to me. I had three sips before I decided to put it away. I mean, I can still take a few sips at a time, but no way I’d drink a whole bottle in one sitting. Just not my type of thing I guess. Too bad, because I could use a drink that is super hydrating!

Hugo Naturals Vanilla & Sweet Orange soap – Well, I just got one of these in my summer Yuzen box so this one will go up for trade eventually. I love the scent, which is sweet and inviting and I’m sure a bar this size would last me ages! This is a brand I like, though I wish I’d get another one of their scents to try since everything has been the vanilla & sweet orange so far.

California Poppies – As always, the bonus item is something special that I’m glad I got. I need to get a planter so I can plant these beauties and some of the shamrock seeds from the Ireland box. There are a ton of seeds, so I’m going to save a stash for next year as well!

nicobella vegan organic dark chocolate truffles – I couldn’t tell what flavors I got, but one of them was sour, which was weird. Got to say these aren’t the best truffles I’ve had so I wouldn’t purchase, but I do like the packaging and branding so I’m curious about their other products.

There was quite a bit of fluctuation with this, with some hits and misses. Maybe I have extra high standards for this box because it’s meant to represent California, but it wasn’t one of the best boxes I’ve received. What did you think of the products in this California Escape Monthly box? If you want to sign up, try one of these codes (not sure which ones are still active): CALIESCAPE for 20% off the lifetime of your subscription or GIFTESCAPE for 25% off.

For June, it’s inland to Las Vegas! I don’t know what is from that area, so this will be fascinating. So far they offered a sneak peek of a calming mist, so I wonder if the focus will be more on relaxation than the party side of things. We’ll see!

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Vegetate

laelene Post in general blog，Tags: panda, work

30 April 2014

What a draining week it’s been! I feel like it’s been two weeks and I barely have enough brain power left to operate. In fact, I’m pretty much out of juice to do much more than free-write. No capacity to paint the nails on my other hand. No strength to eat despite being insanely hungry (so much so it makes me nauseous thinking of eating). No memory reserves to keep track of all I meant to do.

I filmed some videos this weekend that I was supposed to upload to a shared account so we can get the Yuzen summer box video up. Even that became too hard. Last night after washing my face I meant to put on lotion, but completely spaced out even as I held the bottle in my hand. Thank goodness Panda isn’t traveling again or I might just be neglecting to feed the cat and clean her litter box.

All I want is to lay here and vegetate. Listen to the rain outside. Zone out as my mind tries to unscramble itself. I found myself having trouble with speech this evening. Words got stuck in my head but didn’t come out right. My ears feel like I’m in some high pressure area. And then on my drive home I realized I had some more work to do. Bleh. But now I am done and contemplating between sleeping earlier and zoning out to a show.

Is this week over yet?

So tired. Tonight we had a launch party for the co-working space and had a good showing despite the awful weather. There were times I looked outside and it was completely white from the heavy rain. Couldn’t see a single building or tree out there. But still the people flocked in and it was nice to take a break from work to meet some new people. Wish I could have actually joined in the festivities, but alas, duty called. I’m going to be so glad when I don’t have to stare at these spreadsheets anymore!!

Escape Monthly April: Mexico Box Review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: boxes, escape monthly, pictures, products, reviews, subscriptions

26 April 2014

Escape Monthly has really gotten good at putting together their boxes. I am always looking forward to what new products I’ll learn about. This was another box heavy on the food items, which is perfectly fine with me. I’m happy to have more snacks and drinks to enjoy!

(click to enlarge and read full messaging)

Everything came carefully wrapped in bubble wrap since there were so many glass items this time! They were all well-protected and came in perfect condition. I’ve already tasted about half the items and I can’t stop sniffing the candle. 😉

Here’s what came in the box:

Moon Handbooks guide to Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo – I’ve never heard of these areas of Mexico and I’m totally intrigued. There are so many cool things to explore and I love the contrast of more local flair and culture with the touristy areas for vacationing. I’m glad they didn’t just go for Mexico City or Cancun or something, but chose a more exotic and lesser-known locale to share.

Ayate Agave Fiber Washcloth – The moment you get this wet the first time, it does a fun shrinking act. I was concerned about the holes being so large, but they totally shrink down once wet and make a perfect handcloth for exfoliating your body. I was surprised at how nice it felt – I kind of expected it to be a little scratchy. Love this and I think I might need to stock up on a few.

Mundet Green Apple & Sangria Senorial sodas – The green apple soda seemed safest, so I tried it first. It’s a nice sweet drink just as you’d expect green apple to be. It had a sort of aftertaste/smell that I couldn’t quite place. Overall still a tasty drink. At first glance, I thought I had gotten some sort of wine with the sangria, but it’s non-alcoholic and just happens to be in a wine bottle sort of shape. It’s much sweeter and I don’t think I could finish the entire thing in one sitting.

Fusion Habanero Heat sea salt – This packaging is just too cute. This is the same type of salt as the Hawaiian-inspired one I got back in the Hawaii box and I hope more keep coming because I’d totally love a collection. I must think of some dish I can cook up using this salt. Maybe I’ll just add it to some chicken and see how that tastes.

Pacifica Mexican Cocoa candle – I’ve never had a Pacifica candle before and I’m thrilled. This smells fantastic – rich and chocolatey with a hint of spice! What a totally appropriate scent to have wafting through the house when I want to think of our neighbors to the south. I will enjoy this for a bit before I start burning it. It’s fun to sniff here and there.

Kopali Fruit Organic Mango – I’m not a mango fan so I’ll be giving these to Panda to eat, or coworkers if he’s not interested. I did get this brand back in a Yuzen box nearly two years ago (my first intro to mulberries) and I like it, so I’d be willing to try their other fruits.

Lucas Mango powder, de la Rosa Pulparindo & de la Rosa marzipan peanut candy – Such playful candies! I’m skipping the mango powder due to the flavor, but I had the two de la Rosa products and they really made me think of this Mexican market in my area back in SoCal. I’ve definitely seen them around and now I’ve tried them too. The Pulparindo is an interesting gritty sort of snack with salty and spicy bits. It definitely isn’t something I’m used to but I do like to nibble on it. The marzipan candy isn’t peanutty like Western peanut candy and I appreciate that. This is a crumbly treat I would actually like to have despite not being a huge fan of peanuts.

This box was nice and warm in the flavors and sense it gave off, just like what I think of down in Mexico. The non-edible items are right up my alley and many of the snacks were nice to try. What items stood out to you in this Mexican Escape Monthly box? If you want to sign up, try one of these codes (not sure which ones are still active): YOURESCAPE for 20% off the lifetime of your subscription or GIFTESCAPE for 25% off.

Next month we’re returning stateside to California and I’m really looking forward to what things they can show me right in my own backyard. They’ve already announced one product from Juice Beauty, which is a brand I enjoy using. Looking good!

reviews

laelene Post in ，

29 March 2014

See all reviews. Only subscription box reviews. Find other product reviews below.

Beauty/skincare/personal care subscription box reviews:

Beauty Box 5 reviews (January 2014-April 2015)

blissmobox reviews (July 2012-February 2014)

Conscious Box reviews (May 2013-October 2013)

Escape Monthly reviews (August 2013-January 2016) I was subscribed from their very first box until they went out of business.

Fabletics reviews (November 2013-present)

Homegrown Collective reviews (August 2013-August 2015)

Influenster reviews (April 2013-present) not exactly a subscription box, but I do get them somewhat regularly!

Ipsy reviews (May 2013-August 2014)

Julep Maven reviews (December 2013-present)

Petit Vour reviews (March 2014-May 2016)

Prospurly reviews (October 2015-present)

Yuzen reviews (July 2012-present)

Food subscription box reviews:

Blue Apron reviews (October 2013-present)

Goodies Box reviews (March 2013-October 2013)

Graze reviews (April 2013-December 2014)

Hello Fresh reviews (September 2013-present)

Love With Food reviews (July 2014-January 2015)

Plated review (February 2014)

Treatsie reviews (June 2013-May 2016)

Other product reviews:

24ClearIt Acne Therapy Set

50 Shades trilogy

AdoreMe bikini & underwear

AdoreMe lingerie

AdoreMe robe

Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

Coastal Flats

Curel Itch Defense

Din Tai Fung Los Angeles

Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge Shampoo, Conditioner, & Moisture-Plenish Treatment

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream

Hong Kong McCafe

Hotel Maya, a Doubletree by Hilton

iOS 7

iOS 9

Juice Beauty Organics to Clear Skin Kit

Julep hand care

Kaia Naturals Bamboo Tapioca Beads and Juicy Bamboo Cleansing Cloths

Kocostar Nail Therapy

LootCrate

MorningStar Farms Veggie Burgers

Murad Clarifying Mask

Naturopathica Skin Care Regimen Kit

NCLA Nail Wraps

Pepper Lunch Hong Kong

Physician’s Formula BB Powder

Pike’s Peak Rocks Geode

Powerbank backup battery & USB noodle charger

Schick Hydro Silk Razor

Seabuck Wonders Facial Cleanser & Cream

The Body Shop

The Zappos Experience (book review)

Tide PODS with Febreze

Uncontainable (book review)

January Favorites 2014

laelene Post in general blog，Tags: change, driving, eating, food, moving, offices, panda, pictures, sickness, snow, winter, work

25 February 2014

Let’s take a look back on how the year got started!

1. Groupons – Panda really got into getting Groupon deals for our meals and now we often try new places based on what deals he’s been finding. This was one of the places we went for lunch/brunch one time.

2. snow days – Before storm after storm attacked our region, I was still enjoying the snowfall and this one in particular was exciting. Panda and I got a chance to enjoy it together and I had my first work from home day.

3. Yuzen – Jen was kind enough to send me the men’s Yuzen box as a gift for Panda! I love how everything about it really caters to guys more, including the actual look of the box. If you want to know what came in it, watch out for the review.

4. snuggling – I was sick much of the month, so I spent a lot of time resting in bed, getting cozy with the blankets. I love feeling all toasty and swathed in softness. It’s so very comfortable.

5. home hopping – This entire month we had access to both the apartment and condo, so we’d spend time hopping between them. We started moving boxes over to the new place little by little and I spent some time enjoying the space. All was lovely but then I saw the morning traffic and knew I’d be in for quite a change in my morning commute with the move.

6. moving offices – It was really exciting to finally be moving to the new office that I’d been hearing about since I started. Taking some time in the afternoon to go help out and build furniture was a nice break for me from the stress of work. I very proudly helped build something like 8 motorized desks!

7. gloves – Mornings were so cold I had to wear gloves while driving, until my heated steering wheel kicked in. Even then, if I didn’t wear gloves the tops of my hands would be cold. A few times my hair even froze on my way from the apartment to the car.

8. Origins free facial – I’ve been getting the Origins free facial offer for years, but never took advantage of it. This time I decided to give it a try and it was much more thorough that I anticipated. It lasted a good 20 minutes and the lady used seven products on me.

9. Carrabbas First Tastes – Panda and I got to attend our second First Tastes event at Carrabbas and we had a lovely time with the mother daughter pair who sat across from us. This is always a wonderful event to attend and I hope they keep hosting them!

January was all about getting back into the groove out east. We’re truly settling in and everything is feeling like home more and more. What were your favorites in January?

365great Day 328: La Fresh

laelene Post in 365great，Tags: 365great, beauty, blissmobox, pictures, products, skincare, subscriptions, yuzen

05 February 2014

I never would have found out about La Fresh if it weren’t for subscription boxes. It first came in a blissmobox and then a Yuzen box. Ever since, I’ve been hooked. I love how they use minimal water to create their products. There’s just enough moisture in their wipes to get the job done without drenching you in extra wetness. I’m a huge fan of their Eco-Beauty line and I’ve tried most of that line. The acetone-free wipes are phenomenal at removing nail polish effectively with the tiniest of squares. Their facial cleansing wipes are very soothing and never dry out my face. I dry out easily after wiping my skin, so that’s important. The body soother is perfect after a workout when you just need a little extra refreshing boost. This is a brand I really enjoy and they make some super effective products that feel great!

Julep Starter Box review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: beauty, boxes, julep, maven, nail polishes, pictures, products, reviews, serums, skincare, subscriptions

03 January 2014

I’ve been waiting around for a Julep starter box that I really liked and I finally came across one with a beauty item that I would love to try. A typical box includes two nail polish shades and one beauty item (one of their style profiles features all beauty items). Up until now, every time I checked, that bonus product was something I either already had or wasn’t interested in. But then I came across the most recent one, which included the Luxe Repair Skin Serum and I was sold. I mean, the first box is free (you pay $3.99 shipping) so that’s a pretty awesome deal.

I got this one right after the Naughty & Nice Mystery Box, so I’ve got to admit it looked small and sparse, but I still liked it! I’m not sure if I’d spend $20 for it though, so I’m probably going to be skipping many months of my Julep subscription (luckily you can skip every month so you’re never stuck with something you don’t like). The current starter boxes now include the Mighty Nail & Cuticle Serum as the beauty item, which I have, so I’m really glad I snagged this box while it was available!

Julep is just under $20 per box and comes with 2 nail polish colors and a beauty product, 3 nail polish colors, or 2 beauty products (depending on your style profile choice). They offer plenty of upgrade and add-on options too. Boxes are sent monthly unless you choose to skip (which is very easy to do). They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free boxes.

first look at julep maven boho glam starter box contents

First look at the inside of the box.

julep maven boho glam starter box contents with welcome card

I went for the Boho Glam style, so I got a cute card for that.

You also get a reusable baggie, which I’m guessing only comes the first time as a welcome gift!

set of julep polishes in tatiana and michelle

The two colors for this style profile were Tatiana and Michelle.

And the product I was very happy to receive, the Luxe Repair Serum!

I’m excited to try all of these items, but haven’t yet. I’ve been really getting into serums lately, ever since I read about how they penetrate your skin deeper (thanks for that info Yuzen!). I like the idea that it gets into your layers of skin well below the surface. It feels so enriching and nourishing!

First Prev 2 3 4 5 6 Next Last

((little fat notebook))

Search Results

Petit Vour November 2014 review

Empties: Jane’s Pick, Sranrom, Spa Technologies, Yes To, Acure

Juice Beauty deal

Escape Monthly May: California Box Review

Vegetate

Escape Monthly April: Mexico Box Review

reviews

January Favorites 2014

365great Day 328: La Fresh

Julep Starter Box review

Follow Me! :)

laelene

Categories

Top Posts & Pages

Recent Posts