Trying out Herbivore Botanticals Skin Care

This post about my experience trying Herbivore Botantical's skin products is long overdue especially considering I made my purchase on April 6, 2014 and it shipped on April 15, 2014. 

I purchased the facial skin care set via their Etsy shop that consisted of pink clay mask and soap, nourish facial serum and facial toning elixir for $68.00 plus $7.50 shipping. The sea mist sea salt hair spray skin refresher in the lavender waves scent for &18.00 with reduced shipping of $5.50 and the dead sea clay soap for $9.00 with reduced shipping of $2.00.  My grand total was $110.00. 

My receipt indicated since the items were made in small batches it would take 3-6 "business days". I eagerly awaited my order.

 A wonderful whiff of clean greeted me as I opened the box.

I'm a sucker clean looking simple packaging and really like the glass. Herbivore didn't disappoint there!  I admit I also liked how nice the glass bottles looked displayed together.

What did surprise me was the lack of "seals" on the packaging.  That may have changed since my purchase.

 

 The other was the closures didn't match.  Not a big deal but set up in my all white cabinet the black top stood out like a sore thumb.  

The other issue was the sprayers themselves seemed to be on the wrong bottles.  The hydrate spray for the face came out stronger while the sea mist for my hair I had to keep pumping.  "Sea mist" lavender get's a thumbs up!

 

The sizing of the soaps was accurate.

I preferred the "pink clay" soap.  It produced a low soft lather and had a nice light scent.

The "pink clay mask" is a powder that you need to mix with water.   The smaller the container you use the better.

I scooped out the power with a plastic disposable knife added some warm water, and stirred with a disinfected metal nail cuticle pusher.

The "pink clay mask" is a very fine powder that needs to be mixed well.  The consistency will be little grainy.

I picked up the mixture with a small spatula and placed it on a stiff bristled "fan" brush to apply it to my face.  It dried fairly quickly and crusty and I removed the mask with facial sponges.  A washcloth will work just fine. For me, some old cosmetic industry training still sticks.

Herbivore's facial "hydrate" spray.  I really like this product.

My absolute favorite product was the 1oz "nourish" restorative facial serum. At the time of my purchase "nourish" by itself it was $36.00 for 1 oz/ 29 ml size.

I also was very pleased with how this product dispensed.  An eye dropper helps keep the product from picking up any residue you might have on your hands.

I was disappointed when I went to purchase "nourish" again that it had been discontinued and replaced with a new formulation called "Phoenix" I wrote to Herbivore expressing my disappointment wishing they had "nourish" and added "Phoenix" to the line up.  It was my hope being a smaller skin care business they might make a batch of  my beloved "nourish" 1 oz size in the round dropper bottle or better yet put back in their product line. 

Here is to hoping Herbivore doesn't change their "hydrate" and "sea mist" sprays.

Herbivore Botanicals are available at their own online site , select retail shops and Etsy.

No compensation of any kind was received from Herbivore Botanicals.  Opinions expressed are based on my personal experience, yours may differ. Photos copyright 2014 beach house living.

Margaritaville Sunglasses: A product review

Do emails offering gift certificates for stores, guest posts, advertising...etc. sound familiar?  I've turned down all requests I've received to offer gift certificates to places like CSN stores, and others but this email was for something I would actually use and trust me would put through some paces.

 It's something I have done.  I have included a new item or design every once in awhile sort of like a gift with purchase and ask my clients what do they think.  Other times I have simply boxed them up and sent them out.

I live close to water and I'm a boater.  Okay boating season is over but there is still some bright sun in North East.  I responded yes to the inquiry from Margaritaville Eyewear for those two reasons and when the snow hits it can be blinding.

My box arrived and, I honestly couldn't believe it was true. They they were in a fabulous khaki semi-hard zippered case.  I was liking that already.

I had my choice of any style I wanted.  I went with the Calypso with black frames.  To be honest I liked the brand name too.  When I do indulge in a cocktail it's a Margarita

I wear prescription glasses meaning most "plastic" lenses I can only wear if I'm out in the yard or sitting around.  I don't know how they did it but, I would swear I could see clearer and crisper then with any other plastic lenses I have ever tried.  I thought I was imagining it.

I checked their site and found that Margaritaville lenses have Margaritaville Polarized Technology (MPT) for short.  If you click the link you will see a demonstration.  I've had other sunglasses with polarizing lenses that were nothing like these.

Spring temples are a great feature.

Here is a better look.

A strap that actually secures into the frame instead of around it.  No slippage happening there.

A nautical tropical soft pouch polishing cloth was also included.

I liked the case has a clip on it.

No fumbling in your beach tote for the case.

As for fit.  These sat perfectly on my nose.  I tilted my head up and down and even did a few jumps they barely moved.  They rested perfectly around my face too.

 

The inside of the right arm has "watching the sun bake".

It made me laugh. I thought it was fun touch too.

Love, love the palm tree logo.  It's also discreet and not overdone.  

It's just right! I hope they don't ever change that.

Would I buy them? Yes!

I am already considering a pair for me DB in the aviator style.

He is a sunglasses maven. 

You can read more about them and purchase them here.

The fine print.   It is my own personal opinion and yours may vary should you decide to purchase a pair.  I was not paid to write the review.  I did receive the calypso Margarita sunglasses gratis to be able to write the review.