Recently, I heard about
Influenster... a website where you can discover new products, read and write reviews, and on occasion, Influenster will send out VoxBoxes to a limited amount of their subscribers. I was super excited to receive the news that I would be receiving my first VoxBox from Influenster... the Sprout VoxBox... that would be filled with sample products for me to try! I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes and have agreed to share my honest opinion.
The
Influenster Sprout VoxBox arrived on my front porch about a week ago. It came in a sturdy, bright orange box.
Once opened, I discovered products from six different companies as well as a postcard from
Influenster complete with product descriptions. Right away there were several products that I couldn't wait to tear into. I hadn't tried any of the brands that were sent in my Sprout VoxBox.
EatSmart Snacks Three Bean Garlic Hummus Tortilla Chips
I absolutely love tortilla chips and could basically eat them every
day of the week. My diet goals prohibit me from doing so however and
just recently I've challenged myself to choose carrots and a greek
yogurt based dip over my frequent chip snacking. It's been a good change
for me, but I was excited to try the EatSmart Snacks Tortilla as
another healthy alternative.
First, let me just say that these are delicious. I was a little concerned that the garlic would be overpowering or leave a bad aftertaste, but it did neither. Not only did they have a great flavor but they also have 14g of Whole Grain, 2g of fiber, and I could literally pronounce ALL of the ingredients on the ingredient list! I have a friend who is a nutritionist and I brought all the food products from the VoxBox to her to look over and she approved them all. She was happy to see that there was 2g of protein in each serving of these chips. She said as always chips should be eaten sparingly, but if you are going to eat them this was definitely a good option! Did I mention they are also gluten-free and made with non-GMO ingredients!
ECOS Laundry Detergent
I also received the Hyperallergenic ECOS Laundry Detergent with Built-in Fabric Softener. This detergent has a lot going for it. On the package it says it is free of formaldehyde and dyes, never tested on animals, safe for septic and HE washers. We are chemical conscience in our house, so these are all things I like to see in a laundry detergent! However, there are some ingredients on the list that I would consider chemicals of moderate concern from EWG...in particular COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, PHENOXYETHANOL, and METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE. It's also contains 'Fragrance", though I did read on their website that "The fragrance is a low VOC (volatile organic compound), and has passed
the EPA’s Safer Choice criteria for fragrances, which means it is not a
known allergen and has low toxicity. Safer Choice also indicates that
the fragrance is not a known carcinogen, or developmental or
reproductive toxin." I appreciate that!
The detergent worked well on our clothes and did not have an overpowering fragrance.
Orgain Organic Protein Powder in Vanilla Bean
I've been trying to incorporating more protein in my diet and one of the easiest ways for me to do this is with a protein shake around lunch time. I was excited to try this and in my book, the Orgain Protein Powder was a definite win! It has 21g of plant based protein (Organic brown rice, hemp, chia and pea proteins), no added sugar, gluten free, SOY FREE!!!!, Dairy free, and non-GMO! I mixed it with some water, ice, and couple chunks of banana. The flavor was yummy and consistent. It wasn't chalky or gritty like some protein powders can be. I checked it out on Amazon and the price point is the range of what we would usually pay for protein powder, so I'm thinking I will be buying this in the future!
Hair Food Moisture Collection
I've struggled to find hair products that were more health/enviromental-conscience and worked well. Many that I've dried were Argan Oil based, which unfortunately causes unwanted breakouts for me. The Hair Food Moisture Shampoo is free of silicones, parabens, and mineral oil, and the Conditioner is also free of parabens and mineral oil. The fragrance was a light honey scent that I really enjoyed. It left my hair feeling soft and fresh. The price point is higher that I personally like to spend on shampoo and conditioner, but if I see this on sale anywhere, I will definitely snatch it up!
Curate Bars (Dark and Tempting flavor)
Ok, so have you seen this t-shirt...
...It says FIT(ish): semi-fit; kind of fit; someone who likes the idea of being fit but equally likes food. This. Is. Me. I love food. All sorts of food. But it needs to be yummy food. The Curate Dark and Tempting with Balsamic Fig and Hazelnut Bar is
yummy food. This is not a nutty bar, but a chewy one...my favorite kind! I could definitely taste the fig and orange citrus but its not at all overpowering. It has a hint of a chocolate flavor (am I getting that from the hazelnut, maybe?). The Sunflower kernels and balsamic give it a nice sweet and salty vibe. And to top it all off, my nutritionist friend said it would make a nice after-workout snack! There are no artificial preservatives, non-GMO, gluten and soy free, and 6g of protein! I've already added these to my Amazon subscription!
Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 Supreme
Vichy LiftActive Supreme
The Vichy Lift Active Serum and Supreme moisturizer both state that they are useful for reducing fine lines, brightening and firming skin... all things that need! I received a small one-time use sample of the serum, and a larger sample size of the moisturizer. I really liked the way the serum went on, it absorbed well into my skin and didn't feel heavy afterward. I didn't see a difference in the way my skin looked, but I wouldn't expect to after one use. I have used the Vichy LiftActiv Supreme however and I still feel like the jury is out on that one. On one hand, it seems like a good moisturizer and I like that it is paraben free. On the other, it feels a little greasy initially going on and it definitely sits a little heavy on the skin. The first time I used it was after a shower. When I started to blow dry my hair, it got a little warm in the room and I realized the moisturizer was dripping a bit off my face. I haven't noticed any difference in my skin. I'm willing to give it a few more tries until the sample is done and will certainly update here if I have any changes of opinion.
I had a lot of fun reviewing products for
Influenster. I'd encourage you to check out their site and reviews and hope to receive more VoxBoxes in the future!
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