Posts Tagged ‘oils’

Prospurly January 2017 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Well then… since spring break, I’ve been awful at doing any reviews, so let’s get the first box from this year out there!

Prospurly is just under $45 per box (with code for 10% off your subscription – use my referral links from this post) and comes with artisan foods, bath & body items, home products, and other sustainably crafted items. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you free boxes.

prospurly january 2017 box open with products showing prospurly january 2017 info card with product details

Beach Organics Bath Salts First Light – As always, I will save these to soak in when I have my own (more comfortable) bathtub to use. I like that these are a combo of Himalayan and Dead Sea salts – sounds super fancy.

From Molly With Love White Sage Smudge Spray – Can someone explain what a smudge spray is? Well, whatever the case, this a good way to cleanse the air of odors. It makes a very handy room spray, though apparently it doubles as a body spray.

Sakari Botanicals Juniper Oil – A massage oil or cooking oil in one? Now that’s new. I definitely thought it was a facial oil and put it in with my bathroom products. Good to know I can ingest it too.

St. Tropica Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask – I’ve been meaning to use this for ages! My hair could use a boost and I look forward to a hair mask, which I haven’t done before.

The Brothers Apothecary Winter Immunitea – This blend of herbs is great for a soothing cup at night when I need to relax. I haven’t cracked it open yet since I haven’t felt like hot tea as much recently, but it will be very useful in the cooler months.

Frau Fowler Tooth Powder – It’s so strange having this slightly salty powder for toothpaste, which you don’t rinse out after spitting out. I like to use it at night before I go to bed so in the morning I can have a more traditional minty mouth wake-up.

This was a handy box with great products that I will enjoy using. What do you think of this month’s box?

[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!]

Prospurly December 2016 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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I can’t believe I’m a quarter behind already… next weekend kicks off our spring break! And here I am trying to close out the year’s reviews still. Let’s get to it!

Prospurly is just under $45 per box (with code for 10% off your subscription – use my referral links from this post) and comes with artisan foods, bath & body items, home products, and other sustainably crafted items. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you free boxes.

prospurly december 2016 box open with products showingprospurly december 2016 info card with product details

 

Nature’s Skin Nutrition ancient bath milk in Vanilla Noel – Ah, the sweet vanilla scent (with a hint of something medicinal perhaps?). This smells fabulous and I could absolutely bathe in it every day. I don’t like using the bath at my apartment, so this will have to wait until I move back to my own place.

Dr. Jacobs Naturals castile soap in peppermint and almond honey – Castile soap is so versatile! You can use these for cleaning your body, face, hair, or even clothes. I love how this soap is gentle enough for all uses and won’t strip skin of its natural oils.

The Brothers Apothecary Ancient Mulling Spices – Ooo this is the ideal winter drink. I need to get myself some cider and brew this next time I want something a bit more sweet or fragrant than tea.

Foxes & Ferns lavender room & body spray – Now I’ve got to say, I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a room AND body spray in one before. Since this works as a toner, that’s the use I’d prefer to keep it for. I have plenty of other sprays and oils for the room, but I’m a sucker for toner.

Menagerie Tea & Earth cleanser – Ok, I was about to say this reminds me of the face wash I’m using right now… so I went to compare them and it turns out it’s the same thing! The formulas may be slightly different but it’s essentially the very face wash I got back in March 2016. I enjoy the scent and the soothing feeling of this cleanser. I do wish it was a little less runny and lathered up more though. This little bottle will be great for me to use in my travel bag.

Be ME Solutions Guardian Immunity oil – Behind that brown wrapper is the true label for this bottle. The outside wrap contains instructions on how to use this oil to prevent illness or help with healing. The consistency is a bit gooier than I expected and there’s a nice minty scent. It’s not too cooling, which I like since I’m very sensitive to that. I’m surprised it said to rub some on your feet too – is that a way to help with illness? And could it really be so powerful as to prevent me from getting sick? It’s the perfect time for me to try since I’ve been feeling juuust short of under the weather recently.

Dr. Jacobs Naturals Citrus Crush Cocktail loofah exfoliating castile soap – I love the delightful scent of this soap! It’s the perfect one to use in the shower to make me feel revitalized and fresh. I don’t really see where the loofah is though – I’m guessing they mean the small bits in the soap that help exfoliate? I was hoping to find a loofah in the middle of the soap, like some I made recently for my roommates!

I am going to enjoy every single item in this box. It’s full of all the kinds of things I enjoy trying! What do you think of this month’s box?

[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!]

Prospurly November 2016 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Where does the time go?? I feel like there is so much to do and not enough time to do it all. We’re already about to start our fourth week of classes, which feels so far into the program (yet also so far from the end of the semester). If I want to get caught up with these reviews, I’m going to have to post more frequently!

Prospurly is just under $45 per box (with code for 10% off your subscription – use my referral links from this post) and comes with artisan foods, bath & body items, home products, and other sustainably crafted items. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you free boxes.

prospurly november 2016 box open with products showing prospurly november 2016 info card with product details

Prospurly greeting cards – These are nice little thank you cards that can be used when gifting something to someone. Since they didn’t come in envelopes, I’d tape/tie them to a present and use them that way, rather than on their per se (unless it’s a small thank you meant for a professor or something like that). I appreciate that they are printed on recycled card stock.

St. Fiacre’s Farm Coastal Cranberry Spice tea – Now this smells like a great tea, but I need to be careful with the cranberry because it is quite strong. I have liked pairing this with a plain green/black/oolong tea so there’s a stronger base, otherwise it can be quite tart. I wish the spice part came out heavier in the flavor – it smells great but doesn’t contribute to taste as much.

Oak Street Soap White Tea & Ginger bubble bar – Oh my, .how I love the smell of this! It’s so very refreshing and clean-smelling. I kind of like it as an air freshener. My apartment bathtub just isn’t that conducive to bubble baths, so I haven’t used it yet and will probably wait until I have my nice big tub back home.

Foxes & Ferns Rosey facial cleanser – I definitely expected this to be a toner and was surprised that you wipe it on your face with a cotton pad like one, but then you’re supposed to rinse your face. It was very cooling and felt good on my skin. It’s a great way to cleanse the skin right before bed, as I’ve just done.

Nature’s Skin Nutrition Winter Chest Rub – As expected, this chest rub has a menthol scent that helps clear the airways. I haven’t gotten sick since my Utah trip, so I haven’t needed it yet, but I’ll keep it handy whenever I need to open my stuffy nose. Although, am I supposed to use to prevent a cold too?

Neelu Kaur Amrit Nectar of the Divine oil – This is such a unique scent that I can’t place. It’s more on the earthy side but I don’t know how to describe it. I like rolling on oils like this to help me relax before sleep. It has a nice metal roller ball that is cold upon application and adds a little zing to the experience.

This was a nice box that I’ve made good use of! I really enjoyed the variety of scents. What do you think of this month’s box?

[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!]

Prospurly June 2016 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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Well, I got this box while I was out in China and then things have been so hectic with school that I never got around to reviewing it… so here it is! I’ve already had the July box for a month and the August one is on its way, so hopefully I’ll get those up quickly.

Prospurly is just under $45 per box (with code for 10% off your subscription – use my referral links from this post) and comes with artisan foods, bath & body items, home products, and other sustainably crafted items. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you free boxes.

prospurly june 2016 box open with products showing prospurly june 2016 info card with product details

Mr. G’z La Jarra Spanish EVOO – The timing of this was perfect, since I was able to bring the olive oil and vinegar with me to my new apartment. The olive oil is a rich flavor that’s perfect for dipping bread in. Mmm, mmm! Now I can enjoy these flavors at home, which is great.

Mr. G’z Balsamic Vinegar – This vinegar is tart with some sweetness, which is quite nice. They suggest trying it on ice cream and I can actually see how that would taste good. If I ever get ice cream, I’ll have to try it. For now, I must go get some bread so I can enjoy them.

Lotus Naturals Dreamscape oil – I’ve never had a lucid dream, though I’ve gotten close to thinking that a dream was a dream while I was in it. I don’t know how this is supposed to help dream recall, but that sounds intriguing. I won’t be trying it until I feel more rested, since whenever I have dreams I don’t sleep well.

Bubbles and Botanicals Dear Aphrodite Bentonite Clay Mask – I’m always happy to have clay masks, since they help bring out toxins and clear pores. The powder formula should be really good for my oily skin.

SimpliMandi Brighten Up skin brightening serum – I’ve never been sensitive to dark spots and I don’t know if that’s because I don’t have them or I don’t notice them. I’ll use this for fun, but I don’t know if I’ll notice any changes!

SimpliMandi Honey Butter gentle mask + exfoliator – Ooo how fun – this mask sounds exotic and nice. It’ll be a nice thing to slather on on the weekend.

I look forward to trying all of these. I’ve got some products I’m still using, but I’ll get around to opening these eventually. What do you think of this month’s box?

[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!]

Yogi Surprise March 2016 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Just when I miss getting boxes, I usually get this one. I like that it’s sent to arrive earlier in the month, since most seem to come mid to late month.

Yogi Surprise is just under $36 per box (with code for 20% off your subscription – use my referral links from this post) and comes with yoga gear, skincare, food, and other lifestyle products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you free boxes.

contents of yogi surprise march 2016 box with info card yogi surprise march 2016 info card with product details

Gypsy Soul Organics Rosey Yogi yoga mat cleaner – Mmm, this smells nice and sprays a fine mist. I like how it recommends using before and after yoga – I hadn’t thought of spraying my mat beforehand to get a little whiff during my practice. I’ll certainly have to try that next time. For now, I’m trying out barre classes.

The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom – There are a ton of quotes, pictures, and a whole chart of yoga poses in this book. It’s a great compilation of thoughts and philosophies surrounding yoga.

Healthforce Superfoods Spirulina Manna – I’ve definitely heard of spirulina but never tried it, so here’s my chance! I’m not great at remembering to take pills, but I will pop one of these when I do. I can’t believe it says to have 15-25 tablets a day! That’s only 2-3 days’ worth in this bottle, wow.

Better Life Stain and Odor Eliminator – This is perfect! I’ve been looking for something to help with stains and odors, so I look forward to spraying this on a variety of things. My workout stuff doesn’t usually get gross, but my regular clothes certainly get stains that could use some treatment.

Simply 7 Lentil Chips – The texture of these is quite starchy and there’s a strong crunch that quickly melts away in your mouth. Quite a unique sensation. The flavor is good, very tasty with a nice saltiness to it. I usually find lentil soup to be too salty for me, so this is a nice way to eat them in a different form.

derma e microdermabrasion scrub – I love this scrub! I’ve received it from Ipsy before and it remains one of my favorite items. The texture of the fine beads just feels so good to rub on my face, and the scent is delightful.

Taylor’s Oil Pulling Herbal Rinse – The first time I came across oil pulling was from the Homegrown Collective project that I got. I was pretty good about doing it while driving in to work for a couple of days, but then I stopped and never got back into the habit. This one reminds me of a peppermint candy, which should be nice. I like that I’d only need to use it once a week or so.

Yogi Surprise Creating Space yoga sequence series card – These are all chest-opening poses and the theme encourages you to create time for yourself. Check out the instruction page to download this sequence.

Indian Table Pranayums spice shots – Whoa! Definitely can smell the spice in these powders. I might mix it in with my lunches or the many cups of hot water I drink throughout the work week to see if it helps keep my energy levels up.

This was a cool box with some very useful items that I look forward to using. Which of these products do you like best?

[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!]

Yuzen Spring 2016 edition review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1

We’re in the throes of winter, so I can hardly believe it’s time for the spring box! I actually quite like getting snow so I don’t mind winter sticking around a little more. Watch the unboxing video on Yuzen’s YouTube channel and read more below.

Yuzen is $33 per quarter (with boxes sent Feb, May, Aug, and Nov) and comes with around 7 or 8 eco-friendly beauty, skincare, food/snacks, and home products. Boxes are sent quarterly with no option to skip, but you can get one-time gift boxes too. Sometimes there’s a waitlist to get the subscription. They do not offer a referral program.

yuzen february-april 2016 spring box contents laid out yuzen february-april 2016 spring box info card front side with welcome message yuzen february-april 2016 spring box info card inside listing brands in box yuzen february-april 2016 spring box info card back side listing brands in box

MyChelle – Refining Sugar Cleanser: I’m always happy to receive a scrub! This one is wonderful to use and feels really good while smelling sort of milky. As you rub the sugar granules, they melt away and you work up a lather on your face. What a fun way to wash your face. This is a brand that I’m a fan of and will keep on my radar as I use skincare. Use code YUZEN by 4/30/16 for a free gift at MyChelle.

Aura CaciaEuphoric Ylang Ylang Aromatherapy Mineral Bath: Now I haven’t taken a bath in awhile, so I haven’t tried this just yet but I look forward to it. I can already imagine the relaxing experience and refreshing yet calming scent.

Wei of ChocolateJoyful, Gratitude, Love & Radiant chocolates: I think you’re supposed to savor these and let them melt in your mouth, but I was generally too impatient and bit right in, chewing them up. I did try letting one melt and found that my mouth felt somewhat dry afterwards. I love the flower shape and size, I love the concept, but I think the flavors are a bit strong for me. Use code YUZEN by 4/30/16 for 15-20% off at Wei of Chocolate.

80 Acres – Lavender Hand & Body Lotion: They always send me two boxes and in one was the lavender scent while the other had the blood orange one. I looove the citrus scent the absorption of the lotion. It’s more runny than some of the thicker lotions I’ve used, but I guess that would make it more of a balm or cream? Whatever the case, I really like smelling my hands now. 🙂 Use code YUZEN by 4/30/16 for 20% off at McEvoy Ranch.

everbelle – ultimate multi-purpose balm: This might be a small little tub but it packs a punch! I can smell the coconut origins and it does a great job of softening my hands. It’s very handy and the small size makes it easy to bring along anywhere. I’m surprised that this is their only product, so we’ll see if they expand to other items. Use code YUZEN by 6/1/16 for 20% off at everbelle.

Aimee Raupp Beauty – Love aromatherapy stick: Ooo the sweet fragrance of this oil is delightful. It smells like a tropical flower and there’s a hint of tartness. It’s great to get a whiff of this! Use code LOVE15 by 7/31/16 for 20% off at Aimee Raupp Beauty.

eslorchlorophyll lifting mask: Chlorophyll? Isn’t that what plants are made of? Well, it’s what makes them green. And yes, once you open up this you’ll find it’s very green! It looks rather like jello and is very gooey. It’s fun to rub around on your face and very cooling. Then you feel the tightening as it dries and you rinse it off. This is supposed to help with circulation, which would be great for me. Maybe I can use it all over my body for that? Use code YUZEN by 6/30/16 for 20% off at eslor.

It’s been great giving each of these a go and I enjoy using them. A few might well become new favorites. What do you think of these products?

*Disclosure: As a super fan, I was invited to be the Yuzen Ambassador to help them spread the word about their brand. I now receive the boxes for free. I was not compensated otherwise and all opinions are my own, irregardless of my relation to Yuzen. I just happen to think they’re awesome (as does everyone else I’ve heard from). 🙂

Escape Monthly October: London Box review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Alright, London time! I can hardly believe it’s been a year since we went there, so I’m certainly happy to get products from there. I hope to learn some good spots to hit up next time we go there. In the mean time, products from across the pond are a welcome sight and I look forward to try them all.

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/region. Each box comes with a guide for that area. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral commission program.

escape monthly october london box products showingescape monthly october london box info card escape monthly october london box info card opened with details of products included(click to enlarge and read full messaging)

Everything here was new to me, so that was great for introducing me to different items. I like that some of them went full out with the British look while others are just products you might go for any day as you shop around.

Here’s what came in the box:

Rick Steves’ Pocket London – I’m sure Panda and I can make good use of this guide next time we venture to London. I’ve never looked at a guide for London, so it should be fun to read about some hidden gems and go find those. I wonder if they chose this brand because Moon Handbooks doesn’t offer a general guide to London (instead they appear to have the guide to living abroad there).

Walkers’ Nonsuch English Creamy Toffees – I love candy like this and the flavor of this was yummy. Nice and chewy without being so soft it gets stuck all over your teeth. It’s basically like eating a caramel candy and I’m a huge fan of those. I wonder if this is related to Walkers the brand that’s the British version of Lays.

Hill Biscuits Custard Creams – I’m saving these for a rainy day, when I want a sweet snack to go with my tea. It just seems like it’d be a good companion for that sort of thing. I did bring them with my on my travels in case I want to eat them on the plane. They’d make a nice snack in flight when I get hungry.

Orico Rush Hour Vibrant Dry Body Oil – Good thing they put these in plastic baggies, because one of them leaked in transit. Luckily, it was all contained in the pouch and was just enough to permeate the label, but not create much of a mess. This is excellent timing as the weather gets cold and my skin dries more quickly. I’ve switched my lotioning to body butters and oils, so this fits right in to my routine.

Soapsmith soap samples – I always enjoy a little bit of soap and I look forward to using these. For some reason it feels really satisfying to finish a bar of soap, so these will certainly offer me that satisfaction faster. The scents are pretty strong and I like how refreshing it is to get a whiff of them. I expect they’ll foam well, which is always entertaining.

English Tea Gifts London English Breakfast tea caddy – What a cute container! I’ll have to think of how to reuse it when I drink up the tea. I generally prefer green teas rather than the darker teas the Brits like. I never really learned to add milk and sugar to my tea, so these are rather bitter. I might just try to lightly brew them (or this would make an excellent gift for someone).

London Taxi diecast – Panda got all excited when he saw this. It’s right up his alley along with toys, trinkets, and random collectibles. I think we should get him a bookshelf to showcase his little collections and we can add this mini taxi! I remember my first impression of a taxi just like this when I arrived in Scotland. I marveled at how much space we had in there, luggage and all.

Corkers Pork Sausage and English Mustard crisps  – These made a good snack, though I’d definitely opt for another flavor. The meat flavor thing seems popular in the UK, but it’s a bit strong and salty for me. Or maybe it’s overwhelming with intense umami sensation. I did like the texture of these a lot so the whole sunflower oil thing works for me. I also happen to love Hula Hoops, which are snacks they cook with sunflower oil too. It gives a crisper, crunchier finish.

I’m a fan of all the food items provided as well as the body products. The miniature diecast is cool for display, but I don’t know what to do with it. I would have been interested in something like that that also can serve a purpose. Perhaps as a little container or pencil sharpener or something. What’s your favorite from this London Escape Monthly box? If you want to sign up, try one of these codes (not sure which ones are still active): RICOESCAPE, CARIBBEAN, or LONDON for 20% off the lifetime of your subscription or GIFTESCAPE for 25% off.

Next up is Hawaii (again). Funny since I’ll actually be in Hawaii right before this box is shipped. It’s been just over a year since they previously did a Hawaii box and this is the first repeat theme, so I expect a new set of items to show me even more of what the islands have to offer. Either way, I do believe I’ll enjoy the products. There’s all sorts of goodness in the middle of the Pacific!

escape monthly october london box info card back with preview of next month's box theme of hawaii

[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!]

Petit Vour April 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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I feel super pampered from this box. It’s oozing luxury though the theme is Boheme Beauty. Perhaps it’s referring to the less mainstream products?

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!).

petit vour april 2014 box info card with boheme beauty theme contents of petit vour april 2014 box with jane scrivner skin elixir, lily lolo pressed mineral eye shadow quad in smoky rose, harvey prince yogini eau de parfum, and kimberly parry sea organics creamy cleanser

Jane Scrivner Skin Elixir – I like the herbal smell to this oil. It makes me feel like I’m healing my skin and it absorbs to make my skin super soft. It’s so weird to put oil on my face though, so I’ll use this sparingly.

Lily Lolo Mineral Eye Shadow Quad – What a nice full size product. It comes in a nice white compact and this Smoky Rose set includes a white, rose pink, brown, and deep chocolate. I’d have fun with this if I use eye shadow, but since I don’t I’ll trade this.

Harvey Prince Yogini eau de parfum – I don’t know anything about perfumes and they generally smell similar to me, so this reminds me other perfumes I’ve smelled. It’s a nice-sized bottle with a roll-on ball, which is the type of applicator I like. However, I don’t wear perfume, so this is another trade item for me.

Kimberly Parry Sea Orga1nics – I can definitely smell the sea influence in this cleanser and it’s nice. I love how this one foams up as you rub it. Feels really gentle and luxurious. Definitely a keeper!

Well, this time there was a little more on the beauty side of things versus skincare/body care so two of the items are types I don’t use. I think it’s great that they included two full size items though. What’s your favorite item in 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!]

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