You all know that I'm a big fan of Birchbox, so this month, I decided that I'd try out another company that's very similar to Birchbox called Eco-Emi. It's basically the same idea as Birchbox. You pay $15 a month ($5 more than Birchbox. Shipping is free) and you get 5-10 samples of natural, organic, green, eco-friendly, or fair trade products. The products can be anything from makeup to food to household items. Eco Emi carries brands like Pangea Organics, Pure, Fortune Cookie Soap, Bubble & Bee Organic, Planet Botanicals and many more. You also get a card with all of the products that you got listed on it along with a few coupons and informational papers related to some of the products in your box.
Now for the fun part. What's inside my box or bag I guess I should say (it did come shipped in a box)!
Here's a look at the packaging.
When you take off the ribbon and open it up, it looks like this. It's a gift bag made of 100% recycled papers with soy ink.
All of the products are wrapped in colorful tissue made out of recycled papers.
My bag came with 15 different products.
A closer look at the creme eye shadows and the lip gloss.
This shot gives you an idea of how much product you get.
What's Inside My Bag?
Body Glitter in StarLight by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques-This is formulated with organic coconut oil and can be used anywhere on the body. It looks like a light pink color in the container, but I'm not sure if that's how it looks on the skin. If you're a regular reader of my blog, then you know that I hate getting glitter/shimmer on myself, so I won't be testing this out, but I'm sure it would be fun for those of you who don't mind a little extra sparkle.
Lip Gloss in Summer Melon by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques-This is made with 100% organic oils and natural coloring and flavors. It's a rosy pink color and has a mild berry scent to it.
Chewing Gum in Bubblegum Flavor by Glee Gum-This is made with all natural ingredients, flavors, and colors. The base is super chewy natural chicle harvested from Sapodilla trees in the rain forests of Central America. I tried this and wasn't a fan. It's pretty firm and tough to chew and the bubblegum flavor is gone after only a few minutes. I also didn't like the packaging. Once you open the box, there's no way to close it again. So you wouldn't be able to keep this in your purse unless you put it in a plastic baggie.
Shake & Go Smoothie in Tropical Tango by Vega & Sequal Naturals-This is a plant-based smoothie that's full of protein, fiber, greens, omega-3, and probiotics. The directions say that all you have to do is add water to the powder, shake, and go. I tried this and I'm not going to lie, it tasted awful. I can't tell you what it tasted like, but it sure wasn't anything tropical. Not only that, but the texture was also very grainy. Kind of like drinking sand. I shook it up for quite awhile, so I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to be or not. The pea green color didn't help sell it either.
Face Mask in Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry by Pangea Organics-This mask is supposed to improve the quality, tone, and texture of your skin. I've actually never tried a face mask before (can you believe that?), so I'm really excited to try this one!
Organic Coconut Wax Candle by Pure Light-This is made using organic coconut wax with aromas of exotic vanilla and sweet coconut. This is definitely my favorite product that I've tried so far. The smell is faint since the candle is so small, but what I can smell smells really good. It helps that I'm a big fan of vanilla and coconut. I might consider purchasing a full size candle once the sample is gone.
Vegan Lip Balm in Lemon Lime by Merry Hempsters-This lip balm has a very strong lemon-lime scent. I'm not a big fan of lemon-lime, but if you are, I'm sure you'd like this. This definitely isn't the most moisturizing lip balm that I've ever used, but it can get the job done. I wouldn't recommend using it on days when your lips are really dry and cracked though because I really don't think it would help much all.
Organic Deodorant in Pina Colada by Salubritas-Of all the products that I got in my bag, this is one of the ones that I'm most excited to try. The one I got has a very fruity/tropical scent (it smells really good!), but it's also available in 5 other scents. The directions tell you to scoop out a pea-sized amount with your fingernail, rub it between your palms until it's creamy, and then massage it under the arms. I'll probably bring my regular deodorant along with me on the day that I decide to try this out because I just can't imagine that such a small amount is going to keep me smelling nice all day long (especially in the summer).
Evening Facial Creme in Peace by Blissoma-This is an anti-inflammatory calming treatment for all skin types. I haven't tried it yet, but I can tell you that I'm not a big fan of the scent.
Organic Herbal Tea in Coconut Rum by Zhena's Gypsy Tea-This tea is organic and fair trade and is blended with green tea, sweet pineapple, fresh coconut, and island run. I'm not a tea drinker, so I won't be trying it, but I'm sure my husband won't have a problem testing it out.
Herbal Soap #1 in Sandalwood-Tumeric by Auromere Ayurvedic-This soap is recommended for blemished or oily skin. I don't have either, but maybe I'll use it as a hand soap?
Herbal Soap #2 in Vanilla-Neem by Auromere Ayurvedic-This soap is cruelty free and vegan and is supposed to be soothing and moisturizing for aging and delicate skin. Haven't tried it, but it smells good!
Stain Eraser by Naturally Clean & Enzyme Fresh Home-This is made with vegetable based enzymes and is supposed to wipe away almost any stain with a little scrubbing action. Will definitely be keeping this in my purse for my husband. I swear he spills something on himself every time we go out to lunch/dinner!
Overall, I'm really pleased with my first Eco Emi box. Now I just have to decide which one I want to keep getting in the future. Birchbox or Eco Emi? Do I go with Birchbox which is cheaper and comes with less samples, but has more product in each sample or Eco Emi which is a little more expensive, but comes with more samples that have a little less product in them? Help me decide!
I like the Eco Emi because it's more organic and natural, which I go for. Sounds fun but I'm not sure I would purchase it.
ReplyDeleteI just counted, and in 8 of the included products there was something you didn't like or are "meh" about. This includes more products but it seems like you like the stuff in Birchbox better.
ReplyDeletewow, that is a lot of samples! i've recently signed up with Birchbox and I cannot wait for my first box!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on some of this stuff and I'm having the same dilemma.. Birchbox or Eco- Emi? I think I'm going to wait another month before I give up Eco-Emi, but it just seems like the tiny tiny samples that you may only like half of, don't seem like enough for the money.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, the shake tasted HORRIBLE and I eat tons of stuff that other people can't stand.
I tried the deodorant, but kept thinking that I smelled body odor because of the sweet smell coming from my pits.
The tea was good, not great, but I'm not a green tea drinker so I'm not the best one to judge.
The face mask and the night moisturizer felt and smelled good, we'll see if a miracle happens overnight.
I really liked the gum, but agree that the packaging wasn't the best.
I haven't used the soaps, stain eraser, candle, or any of the cosmetics. Although the candle smells awesome! I only wish the makeup samples were big enough to use more than once! I feel like I'm 'saving' them for something special.
Anywho, just thought I'd put in my two cents, I haven't received my first Birchbox yet, but from what I've seen on YouTube, it might win over Eco-Emi even though I like the whole "green" factor.
We'll see.
I am wait listed on Eco-emi, although I was able to order a left over may box, which I'm still waiting to arrive, I'm also wait listed on cravebox, although I did win a chance to purchase a limited edition box (summer spruce up) which I received and loved..I am also wait listed at several other boxes. I do however receive birchbox monthly..I have belonged for 3 months now. The first box I received I loved..lots of products I could use, and a full size Stila glitter liquid eye liner in brown.li love it..the subsequent boxes however have been less than impressive..from bb creams ...that the tue was empty..to a ziplock baggy. It's been really awful..I am giving birchbox one more month..to see if it gets better. I slso dont like that birch bix has you fill out a questionare..but the things you get usually have nothing to do with your questionare..and the boxes are not all the same. I also belong to Test Tube Beauty..that only ships every 3 months..it's 30$ on the months it ships..and everyone gets the same items. I think each has it's pluses and minuses. My favorite so far is test tube.
ReplyDelete