White Apricot’s Green Grab Bag

Another Awesome Monthly Subscription Box

 

  Okay, I admit it!  I am obsessed!  Obsessed with monthly subscription box services!  They have them for everything from make up to clothes, from food to candy, from pet products to children’s educational activities, and so many more!  Another popular movement, which is gaining in popularity everyday, is the Green movement, or the movement to use more environmentally or eco-friendly, organic and all natural products.  Put both of these together and what do you get? White Apricot’s Green Grab Bag!

   For over five years White Apricot has been keeping us informed about all the latest in natural, organic and vegan beauty products.  It has been the go-to site for any information you are seeking concerning any and everything green that has to do with skin care, hair care, cosmetics and fragrance.  A while back, the people at White Apricot got together and decided it would be even more fun for us, the readers, to be able to experience these green beauty products, to be able to try them before we buy them.  So they came up with the Green Grab Bag, a monthly subscription box where you will receive AT LEAST six eco-friendly, green ‘mini’ (sample to small sized) beauty products delivered right to your door.  This way, not only do you get to try new eco-friendly, green beauty products, but you also get to decide whether or not they are right for you before you go out and pay full price for products you are not even sure you will like!   Pretty neat, huh?  Best of all, it costs only $15 a month, with free shipping!

   In December, I was lucky enough to get to try the Green Grab Bag and I instantly fell in love!  Although it arrived in a box, inside was a pretty brown bag with a green leaf pattern, and the products inside were nestled in green tissue paper and green curly paper.  The bag handles were tied together with green and tan ribbons that had a product description card attached.  A very attractive presentation, and in keeping with the eco-friendly theme, all of the packaging is made from recycled paper products! 

  As soon as I had opened the box, I caught a whiff of my absolute favorite aroma, Lavender, which served to increase my excitement about discovering what was inside the bag!  I quickly opened the bag to find six wonderful mini products by top brands, a few product brochures and even some discount codes!   Check out what was inside!

Zosimos Botanicals Raspberry & Honey Facial Mask $8 for 1 oz. jar

What They Say:  Zosimos Botanicals hand crafts their cosmetics and skin care products using only the purest essential oils, waxes, herbs, fruit extracts and floral waters.  Everything is made in a wind-powered studio, in small batches, custom made fresh for you upon ordering.  Their products are all cruelty-free and made without synthetic chemicals such as parabens, nanoparticles, sulfates or other toxins.  Their Raspberry and Honey Dry Facial Mask is ideal for sensitive skin.  It contains Rhassoul Clay which is a very gentle clay that cleanses pores, adds nutrients, stimulates and tones the skin, while drawing out toxins and impurities that tend to age the skin. This mask helps stimulate circulation while gently cleansing it.

What I Say:  This was my first experience with a dry clay mask that I had to mix myself.  It was very easy to make, you simply add water and mix until a paste forms.  Then you spread it over your face and neck and let dry for about 10 minutes then rinse with warm water.  I was very impressed with the results!  My skin looked very clean and healthy, and I was surprised that it did not feel dried out and tight after rinsing since the mask draws out oils, dirt and impurities;   instead it left my skin silky smooth and moisturized.  Better yet, the results lasted for quite a few days.

 

Nature Balance Wellness Body Butter  ($21 to $23 depending on scent and size)

What They Say:  Natural Balance Wellness uses certified organics, fair trade and non-genetically-modified ingredients from natural sources to create their skin and body care products.  They use sustainable, made by hand processes, and the products are free from petroleum, parabens, sulphates, glycols, artificial fragrances and colors.   The Love Me Lavender Body Bitter contains all natural lavender essential oil which has a history of being used to aid in blood circulation, soothe headaches and promote sleep, as well as having antiseptic properties. It is a safe oil to use on children. Magic Marigold Body Butter is perfect for sensitive skin. It is a subtle fragrance that is a blend of organic Sweet Orange essential oil and organic Calendula infused in organic Sunflower oil for healing and hydration.

What I Say:  The Love Me Lavender happens to be my favorite as I absolutely love the scent of lavender!  While the thick and creamy body butter leaves my skin incredibly soft and moisturized, the lavender scent, which lingers for quite awhile is very relaxing and soothing to my senses.  The Marigold magic is also nice and thick and creamy, and leaves my skin soft, moisturized and smelling wonderful.  The scent is very subtle, and sweet and refreshing.  I found this body butter works very well on rough patches of dry skin, especially on my feet!  Both body butters absorb quickly without leaving a greasy feeling.  The scents are not so strong as to be overbearing, nor are they so weak you do not benefit from them.  A little bit of butter, goes a long way!

 

Pangea Organics Facial Toner $12 for 1.8 fl. oz..

What They Say:  Pangea Organics Facial Toner is made of all natural, organic ingredients, and is gluten-free and vegan.  This toner completes the cleansing process by removing left-over traces of dirt and oil, while refining pores.  It also serves to prepare the skin for moisturizer.  It is recommended for use after cleansing and before moisturizing.  Yet it is also ideal for use throughout the day to refresh, remove impurities and awaken your senses.  This particular toner is perfect for oily to blemish prone skin as it contains Argentinean Tangerine and Thyme.

What I Say:  I use this toner both after cleansing in the morning and at night, as well as through out the day.  It has a wonderfully refreshing scent, and it only takes one to two sprays to provide enough toner to cover my entire face.  When used after cleansing, you can feel it tingling on your skin, and it leaves it feeling even cleaner!  I also use it during the day on my face and neck for the invigorating, aroma-therapeutic scent, and the refreshing feeling it gives my skin.

 

Elegant Minerals Eye Shadow $12 for 10 g.

What They Say:  Elegant Minerals organic cosmetics are made from 100% pure crushed loose minerals, and are all natural and free of all harmful ingredients such as parabens, talc, preservatives, fragrances, carmines, petro chemicals and more.  Plus, they are never tested on animals.  Their mineral cosmetics are weightless, and the pure mineral pigments reflect light to give an amazing, long lasting finish. 

What I Say:  This beautiful matte shade, Poinsettia, is a subtle reddish-pink and really draws attention to the eyes.  It can be applied dry for a soft, elegant look, or wet for a bold, dramatic look.  It is easily applied with a brush, and it only takes a small amount to completely color my eyelids.  It is very long lasting, and is easily removed with cleanser and water.

 

Purple Prairie Botanicals Lavender Soap $3.99 4 oz. bar

What They Say:  Purple Prairie Products are made with the finest, organic ingredients combined with herbal infusions and natural essential oils.  All products are free from parabens, synthetic dyes and fragrances, sulfates, detergents, petroleum and phthalates.  Their Lavender Soap Bar is naturally probiotic and astringent which is great for oily skin.  Lavender also calms the skin and the senses.   This soap is a perfect all purpose body and hand washing soap.

What I Say:  I love the way this soap smells!  Since it is made with only all natural, organic ingredients, you will not get that rich, thick lather that is actually the result of chemicals, but you do get enough soapy lather to know you are thoroughly cleansing your skin.  While Lavender soaps work great on oily skin, many I have tried left my skin too tight and dry feeling, this soap does not do that, instead my skin feels very soft and smells wonderful!  A truly relaxing experience!

 

Emily Baby and Adult Skin Soother $13.99 for 1.8 oz. jar

What They Say:  Emily’s Baby and Adult Skin Soother was originally created to soothe their baby’s eczema.  It is made with only pure and natural ingredients and does not contain any colorants, artificial fragrances, preservatives or long lists of chemicals.  It is perfect for skin problems such as eczema, and dry, itchy, red irritated skin.  It is perfectly safe for use on babies, children and adults..

What I Say:   Emily’s is a great, all natural skin soother.  Made from olive oil, Angelica Sinensis Root, beeswax, Potentillae Chinensis Herb and Mentha Haplocalyx Herb, it is non-greasy and absorbs quickly.  It has no noticeable scent, and leaves skin smooth, soft and soothed!  It is perfect for winter skin that is dry, itchy, chapped and red.  I have also used it as a lip balm on chapped lips and the relief was instant!

 

My Verdict

   White Apricot’s Green Grab Bag is a wonderful way to try tons new green products.  I absolutely loved getting my first bag, and enjoyed the opportunity to learn about and try all of the great products that were inside.   Although the products are ‘minis’, many of them I am able to use over and over, definitely enough times to really get a feel for the product and see how it works for me.  This is very important to me as I have found that I have to use a new product for at least 8 to 10 days in order to see how it really works.  I dislike spending money on a new product that seems to work well the first few uses, then over time come to find out it really does not work well for me after all!   Green Grab Bag is the perfect way to try products before I buy, and it is a great deal at only $15 a month!  I also appreciate how many of the products came with codes for discounts if I want to order the full sized editions. 

  Another neat benefit of the Green Grab Bag is that you can go to the site and click on any of the tabs under Beauty Tips and Tricks to find specific details on how to use your products. Even better, when you discover a product you really like, click on the Shop for Deals and Discounts tab to get great discounts on the full sized version of the product using a special code just for readers!   The White Apricot site also has an Exclusive Offers tab where you can find even more discounts on products and services you find on their site!

How Do I Get It?

   You can easily subscribe to the Green Grab Bag where you get to experience and discover eco-friendly, green beauty products made by top brands!  Simply log on to http://www.greengrabbag.com, click on the Grab It Now tab, choose one of the two subscription options ($15 per month or one year for $145, a 20% discount), fill out the form, then sit back and wait for your first Green Grab Bag to arrive!

  Be sure to follow Green Grab Bag on both Facebook and Twitter, and White Apricot on Facebook and Twitter to find more great eco friendly, green lifestyle and product information, tips, products, services, deals, promotions and so much more concerning  living a green lifestyle!