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November Adore Box

November 23, 2017

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission. Products in this post were provided to me for reviewing purposes.

Another month, another fun new subscription box to try out!
I recently received the November Adore Box and have had fun playing around with all of the goodies inside. To be completely honest, the knit headband isn’t totally my style but I know it will make a fantastic gift for one of my friends. That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about these subscription boxes… If there’s ever something in it that isn’t totally my style or I know that I won’t ever use it, I can store it aside for when someone’s birthday is almost forgotten, or I need a hostess gift on the fly.

I received in my box two skincare samples from Hippie Skin, and although they look small, the product is quite concentrated, so you really don’t need a whole lot. I’m always looking to try out innovative new skincare brands, and I’m excited to see what else this one has to offer. The little jars are also perfect for traveling!
I have not tried out the blister balm yet, because I tweaked my ankle and haven’t been able to wear heels recently, but I will definitely be utilizing it during these upcoming holiday months.

I would say that the most impressive item, and the one I will use the most often, is the cuticle oil pen from OPI. I have been doing the powder dip technique on my nails for the past couple months, and find that my cuticles do need a little extra love. This one is in a super convenient click-pen, with a brush that lets you disperse as much product as you want, where you want it. I can’t tell you how annoyed I get trying to squeeze out oil from a tube only to have it squirt out everywhere. Definitely a repurchase when I run out.

All in all, this box was worth the $15 it sells for and more, especially since I got to try out a new skincare brand, and have a gift for a friend in a pinch. If you’re interested in signing up for Adore Box, you can take 50% off your first month with code HALFOFF.

Clean Head to Toe with Soapbox

August 17, 2017

Hello, loves!
Today, I’m happy to be reviewing the newly redesigned Soapbox line of products, including their hand soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner. The old packaging, I must say, was quite lackluster and nothing that I would reach for in the store. They’ve completely redone it, to have a chicer and more inviting vibe, while still being offered at very budget-friendly prices, which I’m never mad at. One thing that definitely stood out to me about that brand, before I even cracked open one of the bottles, was that Soapbox is truly a company that gives back. To date, they’ve provided more than 2.6 million bars of soap to people in need, both in and outside of the U.S.! You can even type in the code found on each bottle to find which project your purchase is contributing to! Such a phenomenal idea. Now.. On to the good stuff!
I’ll start with my favorites. The Citrus & Peach Rose hand soap is seriously one of the best smelling things I’ve ever used. It’s the perfect blend of fruity and floral and the ideal soap to display proudly in my guest bathroom. I love that the scent lingers for a little while on hands, not overwhelmingly so, but mildly present.
When I saw that the body wash was coconut and sandalwood, I was a little iffy, because I’m kind of over the sunscreen-scented bath products that have been inundating the market lately. This one, thankfully, has a great balance of the sweetness and nuttiness of coconut, along with the subtle musk of sandalwood, making it the perfect unisex wash. It also leaves my skin nice and smooth and has a lovely lather.
Moving on to the shampoo and conditioner, I didn’t find the conditioner quite as favorably. I think that my long, color-treated (re: damaged), hair requires a bit more moisture than the conditioner provides. I didn’t feel the softness and lushness that I do with some other brands. The shampoo did it’s job of making my hair feel clean, like I was actually ridding it of all of the dry shampoo and various products I throw in my ‘do, but without stripping it of the natural oils, so that I will give positive marks for. The scents of the hair products are also on the more neutral side, and would be great for leaving in the guest bath as well, because everyone could use them. I’m actually planning on cutting my hair very soon, so I’m going to try out the conditioner again and see if maybe the condition of my locks had something to do with my less-than-stellar experience with it.
All in all, the standouts are the hand soap and body wash. I would absolutely purchase these again, and am already thinking of next ordering the Pomegranate & Plum hand soap for fall. Soapbox is offering my followers 20% off with code Kristinsoapbox and all of these products are available as of today! I hope you enjoyed reading my “honest-as-always” review on how to get clean head to toe with Soapbox!
😀

All products from Soapbox.

Shot by Holli Z Photography.

This post was sponsored by Soapbox. Items in this post were sent to me for reviewing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spring Box of Style Review

April 12, 2017

Hello, loves!
Let me first say how excited I was to finally receive the Spring Box of Style from the Zoe Report! It’s almost worse when you get teasers of which items will be in a subscription box; I’m starting to think I’d rather just be surprised haha! I definitely was looking forward to the “hero” item, which did not let me down.

Before I get ahead of myself, I wanted to share that this exact box is currently $20 off when you use my link here and code “FRIENDS20” at checkout until midnight on Friday, April 14th! Now, without further ado, so you can know if it’s even worth it haha, here is my Spring Box of Style Review!

First up, the “hero” item, this versatile bag from Tribe Alive. Retail is $238, which I personally wouldn’t have paid for it, just because I wouldn’t spend that much on a bag right now. It is very well made, the leather and woven material look very high-end, and I love that it has some structure to it, and is quite roomy. It did take a while to relax and had the “folded” look for the first week I had it, so don’t expect to wear this one straight out of the box. The second time I wore it out, I had a woman try to find it online right then and there so she could buy it, she loved it so much! Thumbs up to this item!
Next up is the multi-way earrings from Adornmonde (retail $62). Subscribers were given the choice between gold and silver, but I didn’t really care because my ears aren’t pierced! I reached out to Team Zoe and was informed that there wasn’t another option to choose from, so these will be re-gifted. No value in these guys for me.
The Symbology scarf (retail $50) was also an item I wasn’t quite sure about… The color (a true red), doesn’t immediately speak to me as a spring item, and the shape isn’t something I reach for in my current scarf collection. I honestly haven’t worn it yet, and might wait until summer, when I’m breaking out my brighter colors. I love the idea of it artfully tied over the strap of a bag, but I’m not one to wrap a scarf around my arm or as a necktie. Others may find this item more worthwhile.
I’d been wanting to try the Tatcha skincare brand for some time, and am happy to have received the Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder (retail $65). Again, a little pricier than I normally spend for an exfoliating product, but this one is pretty cool. The packaging is gorgeous, and this very gently foamed up and scrubbed away dead skin, leaving my skin feeling pretty fresh and clean. I didn’t notice any discernable scent, but I’m completely fine with that. Perhaps not a product I’d purchase again, but glad that I’m getting to test it out.
Another item I was stoked about was the glass water bottle from BKR. After seeing these babies all over the internet, I knew that I wanted one but didn’t want to invest the $35 they go for. It is, of course, heavier than regular plastic bottles, but you also aren’t going to risk anything leaching into your water. Plus, the color is SO pretty.
Lastly, as part of the box, the Butter London nail polish in Piece of Cake (retail $18). This one I was a bit disappointed in. I did three layers, because you could still see my nail with only two coats. It chipped very easily and looked uneven and slightly chalky. I haven’t used many polishes from this line before, but it doesn’t have me wanting to search out more shades.
I did also receive, as an annual subscription member, this adorable tassel keychain, which I adore. It’s been on my keychain since the day I got it, and I love the little bit of flair it gives to something usually pretty mundane.

One thing that was pretty cool about this season’s box is that everything in it came from female-founded brands. The only thing that didn’t was the item not pictured here, the Stella Artois chalice. I still have no idea why this was included, as it seemed so out of place. It does have a really pretty etched pattern on it, just not sure it’s relation to the other products.

All in all, I’m loving the bag, the water bottle and the keychain. I value the box at about $160, in terms of the use I will get out of the items, which is not a bad deal at all! If you’re interested in subscribing, for one season, or an annual membership, use my link here to sign up!

This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing items through these links may provide me with a small commission. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Nourish Organic Skincare Review

March 23, 2017

Hello, loves!
You may or may not have already heard of the skincare brand Nourish Organic, but I’m here to tell you all about them! Well, as much as I know from using the products on and off for the past year or so. I’ve previously featured their eye cream in my “Top Natural Skincare Picks” post, which I used until I literally could not squeeze another drop out of it. I initially found the brand at the Natural Products West Expo, a major event where pretty much everyone in the natural products realm shows off their newest goods.
I first fell in love with their packaging; a mix of clean, feminine and old-school apothecary. I adore the botanical-like drawings of things like avocado and watercress, highlighting the star ingredients in each product. As I said, my first introduction to the brand was through the eye cream (called the Renewing + Cooling Eye Treatment), which has since been upgraded! My apologies for not taking a picture of this, but the new version has a smooth metal tip, to cool and help reduce puffiness when you apply it. You still have to use your fingers to tap it in, but the coolness of the metal definitely helps me perk up in the morning! The formula has nothing major to help ward off wrinkles, alleviate dark circles, etc., but it provides just the right amount of moisture around the delicate eye area. I alternate it with a more mission-based cream that I use at night. I recommend this cream for anyone who has dry, tired eyes.
Next up, is the Restorative Night Cream! Again, this is not a problem-solving cream, other than for providing a lovely layer of moisture on the skin, after cleansing and before bed. It makes my skin SO soft, and I really like that it doesn’t feel super heavy. Some night creams I’ve used feel like a mask, and make me feel quite uncomfortable when I’m trying to get to sleep! This has a nice slightly herbal scent that’s not overpowering, but is actually fragrance-free. At first, I was a little put off by the small size, but then I realized it was only $25, and I’ve paid double that for a product double the size, so it’s quite on par with what I’m used to.
Lastly, is the Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser. This is a product I absolutely turn to when I can tell that my makeup remover wipe did not do a thorough enough job. It’s a very modest product, but it feels luxurious to use at the same time. It gets my face really clean, but not that tight, obnoxious kind of clean. A comfortable, fresh clean. I think this one also smells really good!
Overall, I would definitely purchase all three of these products again and am excited to try more from this brand. The prices can not be beat, and are on par with the “fancier” drugstore brands. Considering the quality of the ingredients, the fact that the products are organic, good for sensitive skin, and really cute, I don’t see how you can go wrong with this brand!
Side note, this post was not sponsored, I just wanted to share some things are really working for me right now. I hope you enjoyed!

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission.