Deleting the naughty...with Yuzen February

Got the first Yuzen seasonal box. Spring is in the air, and the theme of this box. Take time to celebrate affection, commitment and the planet!

The box arrived as lovely as usual, with pretty paper and ribbon and a nice message. I really don't mind that this one went quarterly. It truly is easier on the pocketbook and makes it a little more enjoyable for me, no stress!

On to the products:

Essence of Vali Eau de Parfum:
I really love the Sleep oil product we got in the previous box, so am excited to try this out. It is a very earthy, warm scent, reminiscent of patchouli or sandalwood. I think of this as more of a fall scent though, but am planning to give it a try the next time I see my husband. It is supposed to be sensual and serene. Perfect.

Jane Iredale Lip Treatments:
A bag of 3 little mini's from left to right; Just Kissed Lip Plumper in Tokyo, Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink, and Lip Drink. These are super cute miniature lipsticks. Love mini's! The first I tried was Lip Drink, went on smooth and smells like lemon. I haven't tried the other two yet, but the stain is a nice peachy light color, so I think it will go well with my skin tone. The Tokyo plumper is a little to pinky-rosy for me, but I will at least try it.

Red Flower Candle:
This is my second mini tea light candle from Yuzen, and I really love the scents. This one is Italian Blood Orange. It smells very citrusy, almost like grapefruit. Love it, and plan to use it in my kitchen for the summer.

Spa Technologies Marine Repair Cream:
I am excited to try out this product on my 40 year old face! I have been hearing a lot about marine products lately and they are a hot commodity. I want to nip these forming wrinkles in the bud now so I will give this one a serious try.

Juara Avocado Banana Moisture Mask:
This is a leave-on mask made from all active botanicals. Avocado for hydration and banana puree for optional moisture. This will be a great quencher for the current season, actually. It is horribly dry and cold and might be what my skin needs.

Naturopathica Espresso Mud Body Scrub:
I am not sure on this one. It looks like bird poop and smells like day old coffee with cream in it. But...I am willing to try it on a day where I feel less than zippy. Containing ingredients like coffee arabica, sarsaparilla, volcanic pumice and black silt clay, it will exfoliate and well as remove impurities. I have read that using coffee on your skin can be a stimulant too, so this would be great for a quick scrub on a tired morning.

Kneipp Deep Sleep Mineral Bath Salts:
This is going to go perfectly with some new tea I picked up this weekend when visiting my husband. I have been having trouble sleeping with all the anxiety from this move, so I was looking for some easy, natural remedies. I bought a box of Tazo Rest, which is an all natural herbal infusion tea of rose petals, valerian root, lemon balm, honeybush, orange peel, lavender, ginger and some citrus oils. It smelled horribly strong, but the flavor was actually wonderful and mellow. I fell asleep at 9 or so. I'm not sure if it was the tea or if I was just tired, but, whatever. So, the next time I am sleepless in Minnesota, I am going to combine it with a warm soak. These salts are made with natural thermal salt and contain the essential oil of valerian root and hops. Yes, please. Induce sleep on me.

Nova Monda Chocolate Truffle Hearts:
Nova Monda has been in Yuzen boxes before, so I had no doubt these would be delicious. They were. I ate them already. Two chocolates, one Sea Salt and the other was Cacao.  Yum.


All in all, a great box. I am only unsure of the espresso scrub. But, the whole point is to try new things and find new favorites.




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Deleting the naughty...with Yuzen January

My Yuzen box for January arrived with a little bittersweet message reminding me they are going quarterly, with seasonal boxes for Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. So, it is with a little sadness I write my review for the last monthly box.

This months box was a theme on new beginnings and inspired awakenings. With that - on to the products.

Aromafloria Stress Less Foaming Bubble Bath:
I am looking forward to a nice soak with this product. A bubble bath to soothe the soul, it contains lavender to soothe and relax, chamomile to calm and rejuvenate and sage to relieve mental fatigue. 100% organic, with no synthetics, parabens or formaldehyde, you can safely soak and cleanse away the day. Mild and non-drying can be used to calm itchy skin because it is ph balanced. It smells divine and it will do me some good, I can tell.

Tilvee Lavender & Lemon Hydrating Lip Balm:
Made with cocoa butter, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, shea butter, almond oil, avocado oil, beeswax, and contains vitamin e, lavender, lemon and rosemary. This tube of balm is wider than an average chapstick, so it does have a lot more coverage on the initial application. I didn't care for the scent right off the bat, but once you apply, it goes away and you get the aftertaste of the lemon (only slight) that takes over and you don't notice anything else.  I like the lemon essence, it's really nice and that's what stays with you.

Sweet Riot Cacao Nibs:
One calorie per nib, yes, you read that right, and packed with antioxidants. These little treats are 65% dark chocolate covered cacao nibs, made out of cacao from Latin America. The chocolate is dark and rich enough that a small portion is very satisfying. It also comes in a cute little tin container to recycle.

Essence of Vali Sleep -a Bedtime Ritual:
I think this product is going to come in very handy for the next several months of my life. With all the stress of trying to sell my home, single parent while my husband has relocated already and trying to find a new home, I am not sleeping well at night. My mind is SOOOOO busy. Made with lavender, marjoram, cedarwood and ylang ylang, the mixture of essential oils is meant to ease you into sleep...with one drop. The directions clearly state to NOT use this on your skin, but to apply to a corner of a handkerchief or tissue inside your pillowcase, or in stressful moments, put on a tissue and breathe in. I am going to use this tonight.

Pangea Organics Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Face Cream:
Made for dry/sensitive skin, the cream hydrates and well as provides anti-aging, antioxidant, smoothing and calming. The red mandarin is refreshing, nurturing and elevating. The rose softens lines, is rehydrating and balancing. To use: After cleansing and toning, you apply a dime sized amount to your face, neck and decollete by gently patting it with an upward, rolling motion. Best if used both morning and night.  It smells nice, lightly scented, reminds me of a spa, lol. Very aromatic.

Shea Terra Organics Moroccan Argan Oil:
This is my third little vial and dropper of argan oil, so it must be THE hot beauty item this year. It is a multi-tasking wonder, and I've written about it before. I am not a fan of applying it all over my face or in my hair directly, but I do use it directly on the fine lines around my eyes, but I do need to be more consistent and get this into my daily habit, like flossing. I think then I will see the real results. We got a nice little cheat sheet for 10 uses for the oil. Wrinkles, stretch marks, crow's feet, lips, nails, cuticles, hair, flyaways and bath water softener. With that being said, I resolve to start using this miracle oil daily.

Acure Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo and Conditioner:
Designed to bring lots of moisture to your mane. With argan oil, CoQ10 and Omega 7, this shampoo brings a triple moisture system to repair damaged hair. 100% plant-based product and is vegan and is cruelty, sulfate, paraben and phthalate free. It has a wonderful almond scent.


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Deleting the naughty...with Yuzen December

The December Yuzen is here, it's here! I am still in love with this subscription service. Kudos to them for keeping the quality up. I love that the second you pull the box out of the mail bag you are enveloped with the scents of what awaits you inside.

And again, the contents were packaged so lovely, pretty paper and ribbon and mesh gift bags that I tucked away for gifting later.

This months message: Tis the season to be Zenful!
So, the contents were beauty products galore, for a holiday party or just needing personal downtime, it has what you need to get through the stressful holidays.



Spa Technologies Hydrating Laminaria Oil:
Scented with Ylang Ylang and Bitter Orange essential oils, Laminaria is seaweed oil. I first tried out the oil on my 4 year old daughter. She has eczema, and it is bothering her terribly right now with the dry, cold weather. She is so itchy and begged me to put her medicine on her, but this product says on the label "intense treatment for dry and sensitive skin...gentle and effective for skin rashes, psoriasis and eczema. After her bath tonight, I rubbed her down with it, put on her jammies and sent her to bed. I am anxious to see if it helped calm her skin a little in the next couple days of use. This product can also be used as an after sun moisturizer.


Ambre Blends Four Essences Natural Fragrances:
I love these! The cute little vials are filled with organic ingredients. The one vital oil that is in each is amber oil. Activated by body heat, they are long lasting and completely individual, reacting with your own body chemistry. The sampler pack contained one of each of their scents and the descriptions from their website follows:
Ambre: clean, euphoric, sensual
Unmasque: 13 oils, to ground you and allure others
Solace: vanilla, for comfort and attraction
Invoke: jasmine, sandalwood and rose, a kiss of spring

SpaRitual Nail Polish:
The hot little numbers arrived in a bright red hue "Hunk Of Burnin' Love" and a multi-tasking base and topcoat in one. DBP, Formaldehyde and Toluene Free and a high gloss UV protectant. Great for the holidays!

Tara Spa Therapy Stress Relieving Bath Salts:
Therapeutic salts to relax and release everyday stress and tension made from herbal extracts like velerian skullcap and hops, and essential oils ylang ylang, lavender and chamomile, sea minerals and electrolytes. Nothing artificial here, except the artificial reality I am trying to create, that I'm really alone at some exotic spa. Not two feet away from my kids who are tucked in bed.

Red Flower Candles:
We got to enjoy another treat from red flower this month, and this time we got a candle!  I am quickly falling in love with this brands products. The candle was Ocean, and a lovely aqua color. The candle is really little, but there is something delightful in the little glass jar it comes in, I can imagine using it for other things somehow, like shots or extravagant, rich, chocolate desserts.


Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Cleansing Bar:
Sea Buckthorn is touted as a "superfruit" used for centuries by Tibetans. Full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids, it is designed to get rid of pollutants and to renew and revitalize your skin. These bar soaps seem to be making a comeback, and I personally love that. They are so much better for your skin, so much better than the perfume filled store bought shower gels any day.

Missy J's Truffley Treats:
Out of everything in the box, this was the only thing that I truly didn't get excited about. They aren't terrible, but for me the mix of chocolate, lime and sea salt doesn't taste good to me. But, others may love them, it is entirely a personal thing. They are, however, wonderful for a healthier lifestyle, containing no dairy, wheat, refined sugar or caffeine. Like I said, they weren't awful, but they aren't something I would buy...maybe a different flavor.

Yuzen, you did it again, and I enjoyed, and am still enjoying the December box!


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Deleting the naughty...with Yuzen November Box

I am in love with Yuzen. They truly have a way of making me feel a little bit special and even though I am aware I pay for this service, I feel like it's a gift. Being a graphic designer for the last 16 years, and working in public relations and marketing, I am a victim of my own profession. I fall hard for a great concept, beautiful packaging, intentionally designed pieces and customer service.

Again, the box arrived packaged with a pretty bow, and with the Yuzen paper, lovely gold and burgundy fall colors with a note. All the items were put together in a little brown mesh bag.

I am thrifty, and I will admit, these tissue papers, bags and ribbons are too pretty to throw away, so I carefully place them inside the mesh bag they come with, and I've stored them away to use for little birthday gifts, Christmas gifts and such. They will come in handy next month when I make little gift bags for teachers and our mail lady. I think reusing these little extras follows suit to the eco-friendly, natural philosophy Yuzen stands for.

I am excited about the products in this month's box.

Savane Organic Skincare Purifying Toner in Rooibus:
This product is made from certified natural and organic African botanicals that have been used to protect from harsh climates and anti-aging. It is made from Rooibos extract, ethanol, vanilla planifolia, patchouli oil, frankincense oil, rose geranium oil.  The first spray took me back a little bit, very strong and overwhelming. Once it dried a bit it the scent was very earthy, I could tell there was patchouli. I am not sure if I care for the scent, but I use toner regularly, so I will use it and update after a week how I liked the cosmetic use of it.

Keeki Organic Lip Shimmers:
This lip product is made from pure organic ingredients. Ingredients are beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, peppermint oil, vanilla flavor and mica for shimmer. I got the Sophisticated color and I really liked it on me, I looked, for lack of better words, healthy. Like I had just a healthy color on my lips, and it brightened up my face a bit. No more pale nudes on me, this was a nice change of pace. I could feel the peppermint cooling on my lips but there was very little flavor to it.  Nice product!

Shea Radiance Whipped Shea Butter with Kalahari Melon:
Body butters speak for themselves. They are thicker than lotion and cream and last longer. It is very light and not melon, but some sort of fruity, nutty kind of scent. More of a natural shea. I didn't mind it. It lingers of a natural skin, soap scent.

Zents Bath Salts:
The description for these says they soothe everyday muscle strains, stress, promote circulation, remove toxins and keep skin soft. I don't typically use bath salts because I thought they were not good for women, but these are paraben, phthalate, sulfate and dye free, so I am going to give them a try. I have used Bert's Bees sore muscle stuff before, and survived. I would rather use something natural than say, Calgon. My box had 2 packages. The EARTH scent is for strengthening and grounding: sandalwood (love), siberian fir and frankincense. Very candle like. MANDARIN is for warming and invigorating: ginger, mandarin and cardamom. This reminds me of the orange spice herbal tea in scent. This product also comes in lotions, body oils, perfumes, body wash, soaps, shampoos and conditioners and has other lovely scents available: pear, water, fresh, petal, fig, ore, sun and oolong. I will be drawing a bath tonight and will update.

Simple Squares:
Made from organic ingredients: cashews, almonds, honey, coconut, vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon and cloves. This whole food snack contains no wheat, gluten, dairy or soy and is kosher. I got the cinnamon clove flavor. It's a soft square, not hard like those really crunchy granola bars, but raw and chewy. You can see the chunks of nuts, coconut and and taste heavy cinnamon and clove. It was pretty good. My 4 year old said she liked it but she didn't beg for bite after bite. The clove flavor might be too intense for little ones.

So, thank you again, Yuzen.  You delivered another box that I had a ton of fun exploring. I used every last bit of last month's products, and I am pretty sure I will use all of these too.


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Deleting the naughty...with Yuzen Box October

Woohoo!! The arrival of my first Yuzen box. I have been anticipating this one the most. It costs a little more but it promises an experience. "A little zen every month." I'm all about the experience and as far as I am concerned this first box has delivered.

Price: $26/month, cancel anytime or $78/3 months, Quarterly

The package arrived in an ugly old express mail bag. But, upon opening, the sensory experience begins. The box is wrapped in a lovely little bow that could easily be reused.  I take it off slowly and gently fold it.

Once the lid is opened, the package is prettily wrapped in tissue paper to match the theme of the box, which is Autumn, and the special piece of paper tucked around it called Yuzen, made by Japanese artisans. It is beautiful, and I neatly wrapped this and the tissue paper too!

You can tell immediately this box is a labor of love for this couple. You can feel it coming out of the box.

So, onto the contents. The outside of the note is a message about the box, and the inside lists the products, a description about each and why they chose that product.

Red Flower Yuzu Mimosa Sea Algae Wash:
This body wash is supposed to tighten pores, enhance elasticity and give skin a silky feel. It is the size of a hotel amenity wash. I like the smell, a citrusy orange smell that starts out strong but mellows. Definitely an aromatherapy energizer! It foamed up nice, rinsed off clean and didn't feel dry or squeaky, like soap. The scent as far as I can tell didn't stay with me all morning. I liked this product.

Red Flower Plum Blossom Silk Cream:
The lotion came in a tube the same size as the wash. It is very soft, floral and light. Reminds me of the smell of the blossoming crabapple tree we have that scents our entire yard every spring. Soft, didn't feel greasy to me. Absolutely lovely

HollyBeth Organics Rose Geranium Face Moisturizer:
For nourishing, hydrating and balancing skin. I am of the middle aged persuasion, so am in need of just a little extra help on my face, a little extra moisturizer would hopefully help with some of the wrinkles. The scent is a little overpowering for me, too much citrus something or other.

Eco-Armour Bergamot and Grapefruit Shaving Foam:
Meant for sensitive skin, the formula is supposed to help eliminate nicks, razor burn, bumps and hairs. All natural and botanical. I like the smell: clean, light, a little like fresh soap with a soft citrus scent. It didn't go on like a thick foam, though, which is what I was expecting. It was more like those foaming hand soaps. I was probably using it wrong, as I was in the shower and didn't shave dry.

Jamu Certified Organic Massage, Body & Hair Oils:
Made with blends of sunflower, coconut, jojoba and exotic essential oils. The scent I received is Coconilla. It smells like a vacation in a bottle, travel sized bottle anyway. It's scent for me was a cross of suntan lotion and pina colada. I love it. I want to go on a cruise right now. I want to lay on a beach in the Caribbean right now. Who needs Calgon when you can get massaged with this. The only thing I don't know is if these oils would stain the linens. I posted the question on their facebook page and their response came same day. "JAMU & Organic Spa Rituals wrote: "Hello Yuzen Friend! JAMU Organic Massage, Body & Hair Oils, like all massage oils, may leave residue on sheets ~ therefore, special care is suggested to soak sheets after massage use, then launder ( with some fresh lemon, Bali style, with the laundry cycle). Also, suggest to air dry, so oils do not set into linens ~ InJOY Coconilla, and consider JAMU Ginger Spice for winter wellness ~ Namaste ~."  I was lucky enough to talk my husband into giving me a back massage. I asked him what he thought about the massage oil...he said "Who cares about the oil, I got to rub my wife!" So, there you go.

Nova Monda Cacao Indio:
 This is a little jar of happiness. You can eat the ganache right out of the jar by the spoonful or you can melt it for topping. The sheet says you can even make hot chocolate with it...mmm mmm. I can't review this right now because that's what I am saving it for...a nice, hot cup of homemade cocoa on Christmas Eve.

Matt's Munchies Premium Fruit Snacks:
This package contains a 1oz serving of a fruit snack. The flavor I received is Mango, made from organic mango puree.  That's it. No other ingredients. I opened the package and thought I would see a bar type of thing, but it was more like a fruit roll-up. Except it was divided into bite size squares. I loved that! You didn't have to try and tear apart one large sheet, you just peel off a square and pop it into your mouth. At first the flavor put me off....don't eat this and then sip your coffee...nasty!  But on it's own, it was really tasty, very strong fruit flavor and I didn't notice any bad aftertaste. My 3 year old asked for more.  Pretty yummy!!

My verdict: All in all, this is a lovely little box, filled with things that were pampering, exotic and indulgent. I loved it and cannot wait for the next one. November can't come soon enough!

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