Saffron Rouge Inner Circle January 2014 Subscription Box Review

Saffron Rouge is an on-line organic beauty store that also offers a monthly subscription service called the Inner Circle.  Every month, you will receive deluxe samples of product from any number of organic beauty lines.  As someone who is very interested in green beauty, signing up for this service was a no-brainer. Before signing up, I checked out a few reviews of previous months boxes to see what they typically offer.  I loved what I saw, so I was really excited to see what my first box would bring. 

Saffron Rouge Inner Circle Subscription Box:
*Cost: $24.99/month
*Products:  An assortment of deluxe sized samples of premium organic beauty products

All the products were wrapped up tightly in a Suki wash cloth.  I've never seen the products packed like this in any of the reviews I had read so I was pretty sure the wash cloth was somehow related to the contents of this month's box.  

Every box comes with a letter detailing the products in the box.  It also includes a discount code to Saffron Rouge for all the items featured in the box. This box was designed around a theme to "kick off 2014", featuring products used for cleansing. 

Sensitive Cleansing Bar To-Go 1.42 oz $5.95 ~Amazon Affiliate Link
This bar is made with Shea Butter and can be used on the face and body.  It has a very pleasant lemony smell. 

Suki Wash Cloth $11.95
100% organic cotton wash cloth.  This will come in handy.  I always have use for wash cloths.

Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream 1.01 fl.oz. $16.20 ~Amazon Affiliate Link
This is a really good size sample, the full size is only 0.7 fl.oz more.  I am not familiar with Dr. Hauschka's products.  The enclosed instructions say to only use once or twice a week for dry skin, which is my skin type, so I am not sure how this will work out with my skin.

Red Flower Red Flower Yuzu Mimosa Sea Algae Wash 32.5 ml $4.55 ~Amazon Affiliate Link
This body wash has a nice floral scent. I received one of Red Flower's candles in another subscription box.  So, I am a little bit familiar with this brand.  I'm excited to try out their body wash.

DR. ALKAITIS Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser  $5 (total guess on price) ~Amazon Affiliate Link
Dr.Alkaitis is yet another brand I haven't heard of before.  The sample included is rather small but it says only a dime size amount is needed per use, so I should get a few uses out of this to get a good indication on whether or not I like it. This is a rather high end product.  The full size is super pricey stuff at $65.  It would have to be pretty darn amazing for me to shell out that kind of money on a cleanser, but it kind of does sound like a pretty unique cleanser.  The soap base used for this cleanser has to mature for 6 months prior to use. Kind of sounds like fine wine, doesn't it? 

Konjac Pure Compact Sponge $10.99
I've been using a similar konjac sponge from a company called Dew Puff for awhile now to cleanse my face with. It was about time to replace it, so this one will do nicely.

My Two Cents:  This box cost me $24.99, and I received almost $55 worth of product.  Since I purchased this subscription hoping I would be introduced to new organic beauty brands/products, I am very happy that it delivered.  I was introduced to many new products I had never heard of before.  Overall, I am happy with all the different cleansers included in this box but I was really hoping for some kind of make-up product to try.  Hopefully the next box will be more make-up focused!

What are your thoughts on the Saffron Rouge Inner Circle January 2014 Box?

Dr. Bronners Magic "All-One!" Organic Lip Balm Beauty Review

Temperatures here in Nebraska are ridiculously cold today.  We, along with many other areas of the US, are experiencing what the weather forecasters are calling a Polar Vortex.  Our wind-chills could dip down as far as -40F.  I'd say that is some dangerously, bitter cold. 

Even though this is definitely the extreme for here in Nebraska, our winters are nasty cold which always wreaks havoc with my skin.  I am always struggling to keep my skin from drying to the point it looks and feels like the Sahara Desert!  Blech!!!!

One area that is especially experiencing critical levels of dryness are my lips, so moisturizing lip balm is extremely important to have on hand at all times.  I've been using Dr. Bronners Magic "All-On!" Organic Lip Balm for a few weeks now and am very happy with the results. 

Dr. Bronners Magic "All-On!" Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint (0.15oz) $2.99

* Ingredients: Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Organic Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Mentha Peperita (Peppermint) Oil, Tocopherol

My review:

• Packaging: Packaged in a pretty standard Lip Balm plastic twist up dispenser.  The only gripe I have about the container is that they sealed it almost too good.  I had a heck of a time getting the sticker off of the cap so I could open it up.   
• Texture & Application:  The lip balm is semi-solid and glides onto the lips very smoothly.  There is a slight cooling & tingly feeling once on.
• Scent & Flavor: It has a very pleasing peppermint scent.  There really is no flavor to this lipbalm which I think is a good thing.  You don't want to be licking your lips anyway, because it aids in drying them out.
• Extra Bonuses:  The Dr Bronner brand is Made in the USA.  I love buying USA made products!  This product is also certified Organic and is not tested on animals! 

Verdict: 
I am very thrilled with how well this product has worked for me. First and foremost, I love that it is made with organic ingredients.  This is very important to me, besides, I once heard that the average woman will eat what constitutes to an entire stick of lip-balm over the course of a year.  This is so gross to think about but as long as it's not any of the nasty, un-natural chemicals and toxins then I am much more comfortable with the thought!  It has also, definitely, helped moisturize and heal my chapped, cracked lips which is sort of the whole point, right? :)

~Chrissy