Quarterly Co.: My Subscription Addiction #MSA01 Subscription Box Review

The Quarterly Co. is a really unique subscription box service.  They offer a wide variety of curated boxes from different celebrities and cultural icons.  Each box will have products which reflect that curator, along with a description card detailing why the curator selected each product in their box.  It's a fun way to learn the thought process behind everything in your box and really gives you a better understanding of the curator. 

I have been eagerly anticipating this box since I first heard My Subscription Addiction was added as a new curator at Quarterly Co.  If you've never heard of the blog My Subscription Addiction, it is essentially the home ship for fellow subscription box addicts like me. The blogger, Liz, subscribes to every subscription box imaginable and provides her readers with what I find to be very honest reviews of their contents.  I probably check her website a few times a day and have found it an invaluable resource for making my own decisions on what subscriptions to purchase for myself.   
That being said, I eagerly subscribed to her first Quarterly Co. box even though I had no clue what would be in it.  Well, I guess that's not entirely true. Since I read her reviews religiously, I did have a pretty good inkling this box would be right up my alley, and I was not disappointed at all.

The Quarterly Co. My Subscription Addiction Box #MSA01:

*Cost: $50/box.  Boxes are shipped every three months.
*Products: "Thanks to subscription boxes, Liz is now ingredient-conscious. Her picks in the categories of beauty, fashion and lifestyle will be free of ingredients like parabens and paraffin, and full of natural ingredients to keep you healthy and beautiful." (Quote via Quarterly Co. website)

Each box comes with a letter from the curator detailing the story behind the products chosen for that particular quarter.   The theme of this box is "Fall Favorites." I love this theme as Fall is my favorite time of the year!  One detail I've noticed right off the bat is that Liz has included the value of each item in the box.  Bravo, Liz!!!  I wish all boxes would do this. I always like knowing how much bang I got for my buck!

Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss in Guava (0.14 fl oz) ~ $15  **Full Size**
I'm always super excited to get make-up in a subscription box. I've been using Juice Beauty's Tinted Moisturizer for about a year now but I have yet to try their lip gloss. The color included in my box is really flattering for my skin tone.  It's fairly sheer, giving my lips an added shine with a soft hint of extra color.  I also noticed it goes on smoothly; not at all tacky or sticky like some glosses.  This is definitely a win for me!

TATCHA Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder (2.1 oz) ~ $65  **Full Size**
This product alone more then pays for this box.  I am sure I would never have bought this on my own since it is a tad on the pricey side, so I am over-the-moon excited to try this cleanser and exfoliator.

Fig + Yarrow Cardamon + Coffee Body Scrub (4.5 oz) ~ $22  **Trial/Travel Size**
Fig + Yarrow is a new brand to me.  Their website is loaded with all sorts of wonderful all-natural beauty products that left me itching to buy, buy, buy.  If this body scrub is half as wonderful as it appears it will be, I'll be in BIG trouble! :)

Raw Naturals Soy Candle in Chai Latte (5 oz) ~  $24  **Full Size**
This candle smells fantastic.  It's still kind of hot and summer-like here but my house is going to be all spicy and yummy smelling when Fall officially rolls around.

Simonetta Infinity Knit Scarf ~ $25
I was so surprised this is only $25, it feels and looks so luxurious.  My scarf was red with a black herringbone pattern (there were four different colors you could get), which is perfect for a gal who loves the Nebraska Cornhuskers. GO BIG RED!!!  This must be a piece designed specifically for this box because I couldn't find it on-line anywhere. 

Just Fab Coupon ~ 75% off
Just Fab is a monthly subscription service for shoes.  The coupon is 75% off the first box.

My Final Two Cents: 
This subscription box is definitely a winner in my book.  I paid $50 and received $151 worth of goodies. There was a great mix of beauty, fashion and lifestyle items.  I am so happy with everything in my box.  I know I'll use absolutely everything in it. The only bad thing I can say about it is that I'll have to wait a whole three months for the next one!

~Chrissy

Disclosure: I am an Amazon.com Affiliate.

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?

Seasons Box Review (August): An Eco-Friendly Monthly Subscription Box

Today I received my August Seasons Box. You're more than likely thinking...."It's the end of September and she's only now getting her August box!  What the..?"  Well, as I understand it there was a change in ownership and as with any kind of big change sometimes things like this can happen while the kinks are all being worked out.  It doesn't bother me at all, in fact I am really excited to see all the goodies the new owners have in store for their members every month! 

General Seasons Box information:

*Cost:  $34.90 per month.  You have the choice to either order a single box or opt for the monthly automatic service.  I really love companies that offer their customers the opportunity to make a one box purchase.  Many subscription box services only offer the automatic monthly purchase, so if you want to try just one you have to go through all that hassle to cancel before getting charged again the following month.

*Products:  Every month you are guaranteed  3-5 FULL SIZE products that are eco-friendly and tailored to the mind, body and home.  I can't emphasize how amazing it is that you get full size products.  I've tried quite a few different subscription box companies over the last few years and so many of them stuff your box full of all sorts of itty bitty samples.  I'm not knocking samples sizes by any means.  It is a great way to try a lot of different products.  The problem is I also started to notice the same products were showing up over and over again in my boxes.  I would much rather have 3-5 full size, hand picked, quality products every month.  I feel like I am getting the most out of my money this way!

August Seasons Box Products: 

*Theme:  "Get In Touch With Nature"

*Tiki Lotion Bar (1oz): $8  Vegan lotion bar with ingredients like green tea butter, wintergreen & spearmint essential oils.  This product smells good enough to eat although I wouldn't recommend it. I really like the container and size of this product too.  I'm always looking for a great lotion to take with me on the go that doesn't take up a lot of space inside my purse.  This will be perfect! 
The lotion itself goes on smoothly, in a light layer and doesn't feel greasy on your skin. 

* Puur Mist (4oz):  $8 These are handmade products and can be found on Puur Body's Etsy store.   The ingredients are: apricot kernel oil, isoproyl miristate, fragrance essential oils.  Right away, my eye zeroed into the isopropyl miristate.  The name itself, doesn't exactly sound natural to me so I had to look it up.  In my research I found: 1. It is actually spelled myristate.  2. It's a synthetic oil which helps the skin absorb products more readily, and 3. On all the websites I checked out, it is considered safe to use and is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.  A couple other things I learned is it can also be very drying on the skin and is not recommended for acne prone skin.  My skin is already dry and is acne prone so this is probably something I wouldn't use on myself.  The website is worth checking out because there were many other products I would have enjoyed trying out, like a shea butter shampoo bar which looked wonderfully intriguing!  I'm always looking for a great natural shampoo to try. 

*Eat Green Tea (100 grams):  $25  Certified organic edible green tea leaves.  The company also tests the product for heavy metals which can commonly be found in soil.  I was very intrigued by this product.  Just 1 TBSP = 30 cups of brewed tea (I really limit my caffeine intake, but after reading the website I was relieved to find out that the caffeine content does not equate to 30 cups of green tea. You'll be getting the equivalent of only one cup of green tea per serving.  Thank goodness for that!).  I will more then likely try this out in my morning smoothies!

    *Vapur Anti Bottles Two Pack (0.4 Liters/ bottle): $11  BPA free.  These bottles are very portable, will flatten when empty and can be rolled for folded up for easy storage when not in use.  When full of liquid, these bottles are designed to stand up.  How cool and fun is that!!! 

August Seasons Box Total Cost:  $52

August Season Box Review: 
My favorite product in this box is the Tiki Lotion Bar.  I am also excited to check out the Eat Green Tea product.  It isn't something I would have probably ever bought on my own, which is one of the reasons I love subscription box services like Seasons Box.  It is such a fantastic and fun way to discover new products.  I love the plastic Vapur bottles.  They could come in handy while out on a walk or even just working out in the yard. The only product I personally won't be using is the Puur Body Mist because of my skin type.  It may work for one of my friends though!

What are your thoughts on the August Seasons Box?  Are there any other great eco-friendly services I need to check out?