Sunday, February 26, 2012

Feb. 2012 Eco-Emi - 1 Year Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary, Eco-Emi!  February marks the 1 year anniversary of the popular eco-friendly subscription box service Eco-Emi.  If you don't know what Eco-Emi is, it is a subscription service available for $15/month that sends between 6-10 samples/full-sized products that are environmentally friendly, organic, all natural, etc.  These products usually range from makeup, skincare, lifestyle, to food.  It is on par with many other of the subscription boxes available nowadays, but there always seems to be a little personal touch in every box.

I have been subscribed to Eco-Emi since August 2011, so I haven't been on board with them for a year quite yet.  But I have to say, this box is definitely rocking!  With a generous two full-sized products and quite large deluxe samples, this box is hard to beat.  I did expect that, since it is the anniversary box, there would be a few more products in the box, but given the value this box holds, I really cannot complain.

Upon opening the box, this is what I find:
Everything came nicely wrapped (as always! but it probably looked better because this is after I opened everything -- oops).
This month's card and a special gift: an Eco-Emi bumper sticker! This sucker is definitely going on my car.

All the products laid out - doesn't everything look lovely?

Lavender & White Tea Towelettes by Crystal Essence, 24 pack $9.99
I've used one of these so far and I am a fan!  It honestly kept me much drier throughout the day than anything I've tried before - and it's not an antiperspirant!  I felt fresh and clean the whole day.  I am definitely going to stock up on these - great for every day use and on-the-go use, too! 
Herbal Chocolate Mint Truffle Tea by Mighty Leaf Tea, 4oz $11.95
Haven't had a chance to brew this yet, but it sounds delicious.
Body Butter by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques, .7oz tube $6.50
Haven't used this either.  It is a solid body butter, and while that is a nice concept and it has a great smell, the clam shell makes it almost impossible to use for its intended purpose.  I would have to use my finger to warm up the body butter and then apply...not very effective.  LBC should have sent something else to sample that's easier to use in sample form.
Organic Soap Nuts by Greener Living, 2.2lbs $39.99
Don't throw away or regift something using the bag!  The soap nuts are meant to be placed in the little brown baggie and thrown in with your laundry.  You can find out about using the soap nuts as well as read more about their products at http://www.buysoapnuts.com/
Dagoba Lip Balm by Eco Lips, .15oz tube $3.49
I haven't opened this tube yet because I am still working through the balms from previous Eco-Emi boxes.  Maybe that's why Christine decided to give the lip balms a break for a while.  I personally love them (I lose/misplace mine all the time) but I would like to venture into different products.  This one sounds great though!

Sunblock by Dr. Robins, 3.5fl. oz $24.00
I am really excited to try this.  I am a bit weird in the fact that I am obsessed with good skincare but I don't wear sunscreen...yes, it's strange!  It hasn't been sunny enough here for me to justify using my sample already... but I can't wait to give it a go.  Even though it's targeted "for kids", I think anyone can enjoy this.  And the fact that it has natural SPF is great; I'm afraid to buy SPF from the store anymore.
Organic Energy Shampoo & Conditioner by Greenbody Greenplanet, $21.95 - $64.95 each
I've used these samples about two times now.  I wash my hair about every 4-5 days (mainly because I'm lazy), so I thought I would substitute it into my normal routine washing.  I actually do quite like them.  My hair doesn't get greasy as quickly as when I use different brands.  Probably have two more uses out of these samples, and by then I think I'll splurge on the full sizes.
OluvSuds Soap by Oluv Skin, 4.5oz $8.58
I don't think I've used a pure olive oil soap before because I was shocked using this.  It has a very pleasant smell and lathers well, but it is super slimy!  Like goop or something.  I will use up my sample, but I won't purchase a full size simply due to that fact.  There are other organic/natural soaps I can access, so I wasn't too wowed by this.

Freedom Lip Gloss by Revolution Organics (in color Freedom), .23oz $26.00
I honestly was really afraid of this gloss when I opened it.  Of course, I thought it was absolutely gorgeous, but I wondered, "Is this really that brightly pigmented? Is this going to work for me?"  But once I swatched it and applied it, my fears were easily swayed - the gloss definitely sheers out once you apply it.  And with my pigmented lips, it adds a beautiful, subtle flush and shine to my lips.  Definitely need to add a lip swatch here eventually.  I was also shocked that this is a full sized product with a retail of $26.  Holy cow, Revolution Organics!!  This is the most generous full sized product I've seen in an Eco-Emi box yet.  I really recommend this gloss.  Snag them for clearanced price of $7.95 at www.dermadoctor.com.

Overall, this Eco-Emi was super fabulous.  While I did expect a few more products seeing as how it's their 1-year anniversary, the sheer value of the box itself made it completely worth it.  I look forward to another year of Eco-Emi, and I recommend anyone who is curious to check them out!

Find them at: www.ecoemi.com

Late LOTDs & NOTD!

I wanted to post these the actual days I wore the looks, but I never had time to do it :(  So I apologize.  The two looks I will be showing you guys today is Watermelon and Dreaming of Spring.  I've been playing around a lot more with my pigments and wanted to know what you guys think.

Watermelon

Products used:
The Body Shop extra virgin minerals creme foundation (105 rose ivory)
Too Faced shadow insurance
Shiro eye shadows: Farore's Wind, Because We Can
Wet 'n Wild mega liner (black)
Maybelline bouncy blush (40 pink plum)
Revlon lip butter (strawberry shortcake)

A word about this look: This was actually the look I was going to do for Valentine's Day, but I decided not to do it then because I went to the gym & worked out, and I really didn't want to remove makeup after only wearing it for 4 hours.  So I completed it a few days later and loved this combo!  It was inspired partly by a look the lovely Caitlin (Shiro's owner) posted to her Tumblr.  It's very sweet and girly, and I totally love it!

Dreaming of Spring

Products used:
The Body Shop extra virgin minerals creme foundation (105 rose ivory)
Too Faced shadow insurance
Geek Chic Cosmetics eye shadows: Princess in Distress, Tomboy Princess
Wet 'n Wild mega liner (black)
Maybelline bouncy blush (40 pink plum)
Revlon lip butter (creme brulee)

A word about this look: I made myself a challenge to create a LOTD and use all of my Geek Chic shadows.  Since I have so many Shiro samples, my GC ones hardly ever get touched.  Thus, this look was born.  It's sweet, simple, and perfect for the coming spring.  I think this look would be perfect paired with a pink maxi dress and sandals.  Can you tell I can't wait for spring? (!)



Now onto nails.  I won't usually do NOTD because I very rarely change up my nail polish.  I wear mine for about a week, remove it, then go bare until I'm in the mood to paint them again.  But I just recently did my nails with my absolute most favorite color ever by Essie.  I painted my nails in Lady Like and my accent nail is Fiji (also by Essie).  I should have just done all my nails with Lady Like because I feel that Fiji contrasts with it a little too much.  I'll keep that in mind for next time.


Thanks for giving these a look!  I have many blog posts coming soon, I promise!  Once I get caught up in my school work, blog posts will definitely become more regular.  Sadly, I did not complete the task this break that I really wanted to accomplish (swatch all my Shiro eye shadows) but I can do that another weekend I'm home.  Look forward to my future posts!

Monday, February 13, 2012

LOTD 120213

Sorry I haven't posted swatches or reviews recently - it's very hard to do that while here at school.  So I'm here with my look of the day (LOTD)!


Items used: 
  • The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals cream foundation in 105 rose ivory
  • Too Faced Shadow Insurance
  • Shiro Cosmetics eye shadows in iShadow White, Farore's Wind, Bulbasaur
  • Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 40 pink plum
  • Yes to Carrots Lip Tint in natural smile

I definitely love Shiro's green shadows!  I will make sure to do more LOTDs in the near future.  So sorry for not having high quality pictures this time around.

Next week is my spring break, so I'll be sure to do many posts then!  Please look forward to it ♥