Eco-Emi Review - November 2014

I know, I know - it's been forever since I've written a review. Crappy camera took away my motivation, but my cheap little Tracfone's camera brought it back!

Enough with the camera-love, on to the review. Eco-Emi used to be my most favorite subscription box. Don't get me wrong - I still love it - but I think it's no longer my favorite. It's been a bit hit-and-miss lately, however they kicked it up for November with a little bit of everything to make the month warm and cozy.

Here's what they sent:

African Black Soap by Coastal Scents: This is the only dog in the box. I've received it before from Eco-Emi - and just about every other subscription box I've ever had. I'm not big on soap, anyway - so a soap has to be really spectacular for me to use it. This one is just "meh" in my opinion.
Retail price: $12.95 for 16 oz.

Tea Light Candles by the Veda Company: For tea lights, these are quite generous in size. They are slightly taller than the average tea light. Lightly scented and from the Jewel collection, I received the Amethyst and Sapphire fragrances. I love candles, and these are reserved for my mom's remembrance candle holder.
Retail price: $15 for 30

Organic Trailbar in Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor by Skout: Food glorious food! I am so glad I received this flavor - chocolate and peanut butter go together like Kim and Kanye.
Update: Tastes like raisins - not like chocolate or peanut butter.
Retail price: $25.99 for 12 bars

Shea Body Butter by Muchie's Skin: My big gripe with body butters is that they are often really difficult to put on. They often are stiff and unyielding - this one, though, is thick without being stubborn. It glides on the skin, and absorbs quickly. Mine is Cucumber Melon - not really a fall scent, but it's nice nonetheless!
Retail price: $38 for 9 oz.

Sicilian Light Serum by Skin & Co Roma:  This is made in Italy, and that alone gave me a case of the happies! I love that I have never - or at least I don't ever remember - received a product from Eco-Emi that was made in China. This product is sure to give my old lady skin a case of the happies as well!
Retail price: $47 for 1 oz.

Veggie-Go's by Naked Edge Snacks: The company promises 1/2 serving of fruit AND 1/2 serving of veggies in every strip. However, I don't think this will be a hearty snack - it's super thin, kind of like a fruit roll-up. My box contained the Sweet Potato Pie flavor, and it's only 20 calories. Heck, I could eat 5 in one sitting and still have calories to spare!
Retail price: $27.79 for 20

Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa by Cisse Trading Co.: This is a snacky kind of box, but I don't mind. In fact, I'm tickled. I received the Dark Chocolate with Cinnamon Hot Cocoa flavor, and can't wait to throw down some milk and have me some cocoa before bedtime. It's what us old ladies like to do: drink warm milk and sleep it off.
Retail price: $26.90 for 10 packets

Lipstick in Skid Row by Medusa's Make-up: Score - I got a full sized product! Wish I had received Baroque or Lolita - those colors would be more complimentary to my skin color. Still, this will make a great Christmas gift for someone - it's lovely and edgy and I want more! Plus it's made in my favorite place: the good old U. S. of A!
Retail price: $12

Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum by Lashem: I've received these types of products before, and they're really not for me. While I love the idea of lash enhancers, I just never seem to actually use them. If you do, let me know about your experience in the comments.
Retail price: $70 - size not specified


Nitpicks: Eco-Emi hasn't gotten any better about proofreading their little information cards. They totally misspelled Medusa's Make-up - and while they were only missing an apostrophe and the hyphen, it's the company's name. This seems to be a continuing problem - and as someone who's aware of how much a company's brand means to them, I know this probably irritated Medusa's Make-up a bit.

They also forgot a few commas in the verbiage on the front. They really put a lot of work into making these informational cards attractive - too bad they don't put extra effort into proofreading them as well.

Lasting Impression: Food glorious food! But seriously folks, this box was a really nice mix of items. A cosmetic, some body care, a home item and delicious food. All that's missing is a DVD and a masseuse. 

So what am I thankful for this month? Well, for you dear reader, of course! Oh and my hot chocolate and nap time. Yeah, that's what it's all about.

Thank you, too, Eco-Emi, for bringing me a whole year of delights!

Eco-Emi April 2013

Eco-Emi had a little insert in this month's box stating that they were late. Uh... what? You're late every month. It's a good thing you're a subscription box and not a girl, otherwise you'd be buying pregnancy tests by the bushel.

But I digress... The theme of this box was Spring. I think. It wasn't clear - but the card said that this time of year I will feel a weight lifting off of me if I remember to put myself first. And you know me, this homegirl always puts herself first, so this box is right up my alley!

Here's what was inside:

Oluv Care by OluvSkin: This brand doesn't really excite me - I received an Oluv soap in a prior box. But, this is one of those "amazing" salves that does all kinds of good things, from preventing diaper rash (who's gonna change mine?) and repairs minor cuts and burns. I have several different kinds of similar salves - I think I'll take this one to work in case I get a papercut or shank a co-worker.
Retail price: $5.36 for .25 oz.

Moisturizing Hair Milk by Shea Radiance: This stuff smells DELICIOUS. But don't eat it - put it on your hair instead. It's a vegan moisturizing hair milk - unfortunately it does have alcohol in it, so I'm not sure that I'll use it. It just smells so dang good... I might have to try it and hope it doesn't strip my color.
Retail price: $16 for 8.5 oz.

Unscented Deodorant Towelettes by Crystal Essence: Oh boy. My favorite: foil packs. But, I guess since these are towelettes, they really couldn't give a different kind of sample. I admit to being curious about these - but homegirl likes fragrance. Still, with all the damn hot flashes I get, I think it would be wise to stick these in my purse in case I need to freshen up before a meeting.
Retail price: $2.99 for a 6-pack

Dahlia Creme Eye Shadow by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: This is a beautiful color. And unlike other Lauren Brooke samples I've received, this one is actually generous. Weirdly, it's infused with an "organic vanilla" scent. I wonder what an un-organic (inorganic?) vanilla scent is like? And do my eyelids really need to smell like vanilla?
Retail price: $9

Organic Gluten Free Guacamole Dip by Simply Organic: Oh what fun! This is why I love Eco-Emi. Not only can I make myself beautiful with my Dahlia eye shadow, but I can eat my way to happiness, too.
Retail price: $1.69 for an 0.8 oz packet

Organic Hemp Shine Lipstick by Colorganics: I would have been more excited if this had color to it - basically, it's a glorified lip balm. *yawn* But it is a full size product - yay! 
Retail price: $17.95

Dead Sea Mud Facial Mask by Rainwater Botanicals: This will be fun to try. I know - I usually hate masks. But this one is ready made! I don't have to do a thing except to slap it on and drink some wine while it dries. Or doesn't. Bonus: it's from an etsy shop - support independent business!
Retail price: $12 for a 3 oz. jar

Comforting Geranium Mineral Bath Salts by Aura Cacia: I LOVE this brand - and I love bath salts (the real kind... not the druggie kind). This is a scent I haven't tried yet - and I'm waiting for that perfect day and the perfect wine to try this. I think it'll be tomorrow - we'll have stormy weather - what better time to soak in a hot bath with a glass of wine and a book?
Retail price: $3.29 for a 2.5 oz packet.

Nitpicks: The colorless Colororganics lipstick. How can one call a lipstick colorless? Isn't it a lip balm then? Plus, what is a company with the name "color" in their name doing with a colorless lipstick? It makes no sense.

At the same time, I know that Eco-Emi sends out what the company gives them. And Colororganics probably had a buttload of these to offload - I mean what woman in her right mind buys a seventeen dollar and ninety-five cent lip balm?

Another nitpick: the little card that announces all the goodies in the box had numerous misspellings. Not such a big thing, that is until one realizes that the names of some of the companies and products were misspelled.

Lasting Impression: Lots of good products: Lauren Brooke eyeshadow. Aura Cacia bath salts. And Guacamole dip - ole! Plus, Eco-Emi really makes these boxes up like a huge present - lots of things to unwrap, and always a nice little bag inside. This time it was a pink satin bag - so pretty!

Eco-Emi February 2013

First things first: I love Eco-Emi. I really, truly do. And so it pains me to write my first "meh" review of one of their boxes.

Now had this been a regular box, I might not have been disappointed. But it was their anniversary box - and I expected great things. Not necessarily full sizes... but I did expect a lot of the cool items that has made Eco-Emi what it is today - a unique, eco-friendly, and much coveted monthly subscription box.

The box was also late, and there was some sort of screw up and tracking notices did not go out. I can forgive the lateness: they were hit with a snow storm. And things DO get screwed up once in a while - Mercury is in Retrograde after all - still, those two issues PLUS the underwhelming anniversary box really lent this month a blah flavor.

Without further ado, here is the box:

Serenity Vegan Hair Gel by ily: I haven't tried this yet, but it's supposed to be good for both curly and straight hair. I don't need to use it here in Nevada - the air is dry, so my hair doesn't get frizzy. But I will use it when I go to the Bay Area, which wreaks havoc on my hair. This stuff smells like Jello (that's not necessarily a bad thing!).
Retail price: $16 for 8 oz.

Exfoliate foaming vegan cleanser by Suki: It's a small sample, and I'll use it - but it's not exciting. However, it does smell good - well, like Jello. (Strange how the hair gel and the cleanser smell almost exactly alike, yet are from two different companies.)
Retail price: $32.95 for 4 oz.

Berry Red lip gloss by Purely You Minerals: The one thing in this box that got me excited. It's a nice color that I think wold look good on a majority of women. It's kind of gooey, though, and messy to put on (it came in a pot, but the retail product comes in a wand with an applicator). It tastes like peppermint and contains botanical essential oils and vitamin E.
Retail price: $7.99

Pumpkin Spice Bars by Athena Bars: This is a repeat item - kind of. They sent a blueberry flavor in November. Personally I didn't think it tasted very good, but apparently it was so popular that they repeated the item with a different flavor to for us to try. I'm hoping this one is better - and I do tend to like pumpkin-flavored goodies.
Retail price: $22.68 for 12 bars

Key Lime and Mint Gum by Vitacare: This is another repeat item in a different flavor. Last March, I received the Pomegranate Gum. Personally it wasn't my thing: the flavor didn't last long, and as soon as the flavor went away, my mouth felt dry. 
Retail price: $1.99 for a 12-piece packet

Collagen & Almond enriching moisturizing lotion by Aubrey: What is it with people? Can't they captailize their products anymore? But I digress... this is - say it with me now - A LITTLE FOIL PACKET. And you know how homey hates those. 
Retail price: $9.99 for 12 oz

Peppermint Spice Lip Balm by Moody Sisters: This is the third Moody Sisters product I've received. I love that Eco-Emi supports their etsy shop. I also wish that Eco-Emi would find some other etsy products to promote. Don't get me wrong: I love Moody Sisters. It would be nice, however, to try something new from a different company.
Retail price: $3.95

The Amazing Trio packet of grass. Okay. It wasn't really a packet of grass... it's a "whole food drink powder" and it's raw and gluten free. It's also kind of nasty - and it seems like the "good for you" grass products always are. But it IS full of nutrients that are good for your health, so suck up a little nasty to feel good.
Retail price: $21.99 for 15 packets

Nitpicks: As I mentioned before, an anniversary box evokes excitement and surprise - this box had very little - if any - surprise. Repeat products. Repeat companies. Additionally, there was not even one item that could be classified in the "wow" department.

Lasting Impression: This particular box was packed up beautifully. All the products were contained in a lovely silver tin with a see-through top. Eco-Emi really does put care into their packaging, and it shows.

Despite this less than stellar review, I still love Eco-Emi. I do hope they can get through this slump and revisit their roots - which is what an anniversary is about. I want to challenge them to remember to keep surprising their subscribers with new and innovative green products - to seek out new companies and new products. Happy Anniversary, Eco-Emi - may you have many more.

Eco-Emi December 2012

As always, Eco-Emi was a delight to receive in December. This is probably the best of all the subscription services I receive. It never fails to deliver - never! Their December box is always generous - I haven't been disappointed in a December box yet!

All the items featured in Eco-Emi's December box are all Leaping Bunny Certified products. What does that mean? Well, the Leaping Bunny Foundation reviews products to insure they are curelty-free - and if they are, they qualify for Leaping Bunny emblem. 

Here's what was inside December's box:

1) blissoma Adaptive Energy Tonique: This is a hydration facial product - and believe me, here in Nevada I can use it!
Retail price: $21.99 for 4 oz.

2) Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream: I've tried this before, and I like it! In fact, I'm a big Burt's Bees fan. This is a nice size to put in my purse.
Retail price: $13 for 3.2 oz.

3) Auromere Licorice Toothpaste: Yuck. I was excited that this is a full size product, but um... seriously? Who wants to brush their teeth with licorice flavored toothpaste? Not me, that's for sure.
Retail price: $5.99 for 4.16 oz

4) Chocolate Mint Lip Butter by Organic Indulgence: I actually received this before - and I am FAIRLY certain it was from Eco-Emi. But... maybe not. Homey is getting older and her memory isn't as good as it used to be. Still, I love having these lip balms as they make nice little gifts for people.
Retail price: $2.95

5) Vanilla Bean Granola Chips b Willamette Valley: A nice little treat to try - admittedly I haven't broken into these yet, because I had company for the holidays and it would have been rude to eat these in front of them. I'm taking them with me tomorrow to work - hopefully they are worth every calorie!
Retail price: $4.99 for 6.2 oz

6) Aiyana eau de parfum from Tallulah Jane: I absolutely love this scent - it's so me! It's soft and a tad floral, but also kind of hippie-ish. The description states it's a blend of Moroccan Rose balanced with notes of vanilla and rock rose, then brightened with Italian lemon. I normally don't go for rose-scented fragrance, but this I like. Must be the vanilla and Italian lemon that tone down the rose enough for me to enjoy!
Retail price: $48 for 1 fl oz.

7) Fundamental Face Scrub:  This is one of those hated foil packet samples, but I believe I can get two uses out of this one. And guess what? It's made in my favorite place: the good old US of A!
Retail price: $16 for 8 oz

8) 100% Pure Vanilla Bean Nourishing Body Cream: Damn. They had five different scents to give out, and I got Vanilla Bean. Every time I get a lotion, it's either peppermint or vanilla - I would have enjoyed the coconut! I've actually tried other 100% Pure products before, and they are nice. Still... this is one of those dreaded foil packets - enough for one use.
Retail price: $15 for 8 oz.

9) Eco-Dent: I received two sample products: a dental gum called Between! and a dental powder in Mint (much better than licorice if you ask me). Still, these are very small samples, and I'm not afraid to say I'm disappointed in the size.
Retail price: $1.79 for 12 pieces of gum, and $8.09 for 2 oz. of dental powder

10) Bulldog Skin Care: We received a sample of Original Moisturizer for men - blerg. Last time I checked, I didn't have a penis.
Retail price: $6.99 for 3.3 fl. oz.

11) Apricot Eye Therapy by Better Botanicals.  Another stingy little foil packet! I feel my inner Grinch reappearing.
Retail price: $18.99 for 0.5 oz tube

Nitpicks: Five of the samples were one-use only foil packets (although I am fairly certain I can squeeze out two uses from the facial scrub). That was a huge disappointment. This is the most foil packets I've received in an Eco-Emi box - I guess everyone is tightening up their belts lately!

Lasting Impression: Because the box was so generous, they survived my subscription box cuts! Plus, Eco-Emi has a waiting list - and I didn't want to go through the hassle of being put back on that list. Last time, it took about three months or so before I was able to join!

While I'm disappointed with the over abundance of foil pack samples, Eco-Emi still was one of the best boxes I received in December. They remain one of my favorites!

Eco-Emi October 2012

One of my all-time favorite subscription boxes arrived in my mailbox to give me yet another case of the happies!

Eco-Emi never fails to deliver - and I suppose that's why they always seem to have a waiting list. Who would be foolish enough to give this subscription service up? Not me!

As soon as I opened the box, I smelled something delicious and was instantly intrigued... Here's this month's delights:

1) Maximum Curl Defining Cream by Shea Radiance: Honestly, this is the one product that didn't excite me at all. I know everyone wants something particular from their subscription service. Personally, I'm happy with most anything but hair care items - and that's not Eco-Emi's fault!

This is a leave-in styling hair conditioner which promises to create "perfect curls." Well let me tell you something: I've spent 40+ years trying to UNCURL my hair - why oh why would I want to turn around and use something that will curl it? 
Retail price: $16 for 8 oz.

2) Tea Tree Facial Cleanser by Zen Society Skincare:  Uh oh... I think I'm about to sound like a big whiner... Tea Tree isn't my favorite scent. That said, I am very excited to receive a facial cleanser to try. It is supposed to "brighten" tired and dull skin (don't look now, but my skin is yawning). The sample is of a very generous size. Bonus: It's made in the good old US of A!
Retail price: $16 

3) Vanilla Almond Granola by Ola Foods: I'm a low carber, so I don't normally eat granola. While I will probably never purchase this product, I will most definitely enjoy having a little carb splurge. I mean, who in their right mind can resist VANILLA ALMOND anything? Certainly not this whiner!
Retail price: $5.99 for 9 oz.

4)  Copper Kisses Lip Gloss by The All Natural Face: I LOVE The All Natural Face - I was able to try a couple of their eye shadows a few months ago. Now I have what looks to be a full size lip gloss to make myself beautiful with! Whiners want to be pretty, too!
Retail price: $4.60 for .43 oz.

5) Star Anise & Coffee Handmade Natural Soap by Dew Puff: This is what made the box smell so delicious!  I'm not a big soap person, but I do keep a bar right near the bathroom sink. This morning I threw away the remnant of the bar that was there and replaced it with this glorious scented gem!
Retail price: $7 for one 4.5 oz bar

6) Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate by Shaklee: Shaklee? They're still around? Wow... who knew? Well, Eco-Emi knew... that's for sure! 

What I'm about to say is going to sound totally Republican of me, but I really don't care if my cleaners are green or not. WHAT? Did I just hear you gasp? Well... sorry... but it's true. I am switching over, slowly but surely (peer pressure and all)... still, I'm not really sure I like this whole idea of mixing my own cleaner. I like the pre-made stuff - I'm lazy like that.
Retail price: $12.15 for 16 oz.

7) Organic Fruit Snacks by Tasty Brand: This is my absolute least favorite product in the box. I really can't eat stuff like this - but that's not Eco-Emi's fault. I will probably bring this to work and surprise a co-worker with it when they're having a bad day. 
Retail price: $29.95 for 30 bags

Nitpicks: This box just comes later and later in the month - and homey isn't happy about that. Additionally, I know food products are hit and miss with everyone - so I'm not blaming Eco-Emi for the fact that I can't eat the fruit snack thingy - it's not their fault. Still, I admit to being disappointed when I saw it. But then I got the happies thinking that I could share it with someone and pass on the happy!

Lasting impression: The instant I opened the box, I was hit with a delicious scent. The fragrance wafting out of the box instantly put me in a happy, expectant mood. The samples in the box were all generously sized (with the exception of the all-natural cleaner). Plus, the box represented a good mix of products: snacks, cleaner, skin care and cosmetics. Wow!

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Eco-Emi August 2012 Box

Of all the subscription boxes I receive, I love Eco-Emi the most. It’s the perfect mix of beauty, home, and health products all in one reasonably priced box! They do what Conscious Box does, but Eco-Emi does it better and cheaper!

This month’s box tickled my fancy! Here’s what was inside:

Orchard body glitter by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Okay, I’m not a body glitter girl. But, I do like Lauren Brooke products so what the heck? I’ll give this a whirl the next time I go disco dancing with the Bee Gees!

Retail price: $12 for 4 grams/$6 for 1.5 grams

Tin Slider Lip Balm in French Vanilla by Naiad Soap Arts: Ooooh, the memories! I had something almost exactly like this when I was a teenager, only it wasn’t chockfull of natural ingredients, like this one is. I will be keeping this baby for myself, thankyouverymuch. But… my only gripe with lip balms like this is that it’s applied with a finger, and then you have to wipe off your finger, etc. And this is what I remember about this type of product from my teen years – the girls’ bathroom was FULL of finger swipes on the wall next to the mirror from girls who used the wall as a finger wipe after putting on lip balm/color.

Retail price: $4.00 per tin

Organic Hydrating Sugar Scrub by Moody Sisters: This is my second product from Moody Sisters. I love that Eco-Emi is supporting small businesses – this one is on etsy.com. This is a good size sample, and so I expect to get either one very generous use out of it, or two very stingy ones!

Himalayan Rose Soap by Auromere Ayurvedic: If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: I am a gel kind of gal. The soap I have to wash my hands on my kitchen sink is a gel. The soap I use to shower with is also a gel. I rarely use soap… but this one, oh this one I can’t wait to use! It smells wonderful and is reminiscent of this store I used to go to when I was a kid called House and Garden. It smelled great – and this soap smells like that store!

Retail price: $2.95 for a 2.75 oz bar.

Soothing Organic Milk & Oat Bath with Calming Chamomile by Aura Cacia: I love Aura Cacia products! I was tickled pink to see this in my box. You probably don’t know this about me yet, but I am Bathtub Girl™. There is nothing I like more than a nice, long soak in the tub with a glass of wine and a good book. I’ve used the Soothing Organic Milk & Oat Bath with Healing Helichrysum and it was wonderful. I can only imagine this one is as good – or better!

Retail price: $3.29 for one 1.75 oz packet.

Organic Raw Pecan Butter by Artisana: The December 2011 Eco-Emi box contained a packet of Artisana’s Raw Cacao Bliss. Let me tell you, it was heavenly. Seeing a new product to try from Artisana gives me the happies.

Retail price: $10.20 for an 8 oz. jar

Cool Calm & Collected Citrus Mint hand & body lotionby Better Life: Damn, only one little packet. No fear, your homegirl has already tried this product and can say with absolute certainty it’s wonderful! It reminds me a little of Deep Steep products – so if you like Deep Steep, you’ll also like Cool Calm & Collected!

Retail price: $6.99 for 12 oz

French Green Clay Facial Mask by Rainbow Research: Masks are the one product homey doesn’t use – I don’t have breakouts or pimples, so I don’t use them. I know, I know – that’s not the only thing they’re good for. Still, facial masks are not my bag. Too much trouble for too little payoff. I might be using this in a future giveaway package – keep your eyes peeled.

Retail price: $8.49 for an 8 oz. jar

Lettuce Mesclun Q’s Special Medley Organic Seeds by Botanical Interests: Woohoo! Seeds to plant! This makes me very happy! This is the first year I’ve had any success whatsoever in my garden, and I can’t wait to plant even more stuff! Nothing gets you in touch with yourself as much as gardening (you thought I was going to say something else, weren’t you?).

Retail price: $2.39 per packet

Four herbs from Frontier Natural Products: The packets are small – approximately 1/8^th of an ounce each. The herbs received: Lavender, Rosemary, Mint, and Lemongrass. The herbs were packaged in a beautiful purple organza bag, along with a card with some suggestions for use. I was really happy with this product, although I would say of all the products, this seemed to be the most controversial on the blogs/reviews. Some people are totally unhappy with it – and those tend to be the make-up people – you know, the people who subscribe to Eco-Emi, even though they know it’s not a beauty-only subscription, and then find some reason to whine about the fact that they received herbs and tea and stuff instead of make-up products. Boo the frick hoo!

Eco-Emi is a subscription I won’t be giving up any time soon. It’s the one subscription box that consistently delivers fantastic products. Plus, they always seem to have a waiting list, and I don’t want to have to wait again to get a box (I waited about four months before there was an opening to subscribe). Yep, homey isn’t going anywhere – Eco-Emi, you have a fan in me!

Interested in Eco-Emi? Sign up here - it's $15 a month. This box does what Conscious Box does - only better and cheaper!

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