You guys, It’s almost December. As in 2018 is almost over! I can hardly believe it. It’s been such a full and exciting year, both personally and on this blog, and I can’t wait to take a moment to sit down and reflect next month. But before we kiss this year goodbye, there is one more month — probably my 2nd favorite — to hustle and make it happen. And if you are still on the fence about transitioning your skincare to clean, non-toxic beauty, this month’s Boxwalla Beauty Box, featuring Earthwise Beauty, is yet another opportunity for to dip your toe in the water, discover a new brand, and take steps towards cleaning up your beauty cabinet.
First of all, if you’re new around here, hello… I have a bit of a clean beauty subscription addiction. One of the brands that I will never stop raving about is The Boxwalla. Lavanya beautifully curates boxes featuring products that are just beyond exquisite; and it’s not just beauty, they also curate book & film boxes which are an experience unto themselves. I’ve discovered some truly beautiful skincare through boxwalla, and the value is always stellar.
*I received this Boxwalla Beauty Box for review, but as always, all opinions are my own.*
Earthwise Beauty
This Boxwalla is inviting you to experience shinrin yoku, or “Forest bathing” with Earthwise Beauty. ‘Forest Bathing’ is the Japanese therapeutic practice of taking in the atmosphere of a living forest. Lavanya (Boxwalla co-founder) thought that Earthwise Beauty embodied that experience, and I have to say I agree. Ava Zhan, the founder of Earthwise Beauty, uses fresh, minimally processed medicinal herbs, plant butters and oils to create highly potent skincare.
Earthwise Beauty is the epitome of small-batch, organic skin care. Not only are they highly potent and certified cruelty free (by three different organizations), but they are also passionate about sustainability at every step of the supply chain. From the ingredient selection and product development to their packaging and shipping materials, Earthwise is trying to make choices that earth-friendly. This is brand ethos I can get behind.
This box, which features two full-sized products, is a steal with a Boxwalla Subscription. Valued at $174 you can experience Earthwise Beauty for only $49.95 with no commitment (cancel anytime); but trust me, every single box is more than worth it– in price and experience.
Be sure to subscribe before December 5th to get this incredible deal. You can SIGN UP HERE.
Resiliency Face Serum
The Resiliency Face Serum ($64) is a fast absorbing gel serum designed to firm and plump the skin. This serum is Earthwise Beauty’s take on the ultimate anti-aging serum, and with the stellar ingredient lineup, I do not doubt that it will do just that. Made with an aloe vera base, this is both soothing to irritated skin, and also rich in antioxidants. You’ll also find a high concentration of carrot seed essential oil, great for regenerating skin tissue; german blue chamomile, vitamin E, and two types of Helichrysum.
Helichrysum is an important essential oil for scar reduction and for wrinkle reversal, which makes them great for skin care. But, perhaps even cooler, is that Helichrysum is also used in wound and burn management by medical aromatherapists, which makes them excellent for aiding in the healing and reduction of acne. I love that Ava uses two types of Helichrysum (Croatian and Bosnian helichrysums), to offer a broader healing profile. I mean, don’t mind me, I’ll just be geeking out in the corner.
This serum absorbs quickly and has a unique scent (reminds me of fermented raisins). I have no doubt that this face serum is highly potent, I can feel the depuffing effects after just a few uses, but I’ll be I’ll be sure to add a followup when I’ve had time to make it through the jar, because I’d most like to see how it works at healing acne scars. I have a few scars on my chin, which is a bummer because I never have acne, but when I do breakout, I inevitably scar. Ugh.
Yasuni Face Balm
The Yasuni Face Balm ($110) is different. I’ll admit it took some getting used to, but I am so glad I didn’t give up. This balm, named after the Yasuni National Park, a biodiverse rainforest, is one of the most unusual balms I’ve ever used. If you aren’t aware, I’m kind of a balm girl. For example, I have two holy grails listed on my site at the moment, and they are both face balms. I always expect that I’m going to love a balm straight away because they can seriously do no wrong, so when I didn’t initially adore this balm, I was a little confused. This balm, formulated without essential oils, has a firmer texture and a more earthy scent then I’m accustomed to. And those surface-level features are what initially gave me pause. But, I wanted to be able to give this pot of golden forest medicine a fair trial. I committed to using it for a few weeks, and I am so glad I did.
Yasuni face balm is made from cold-pressed plant butters responsibly sourced from the Amazon rainforest. You’ll find Cupuaçu butter, Tucuma seed butter, kokum butter, and deeply penetrating Bacuri butter to name a few. Additionally, this balm is formulated with acai oil, green coffee oil, marula oil, and cranberry and raspberry seed oil. All these beautiful ingredients work together to control oil production, gently exfoliate, and decrease blackheads. It does all this while providing a high dose of antioxidants. Lastly, the lack of essential oils (mentioned earlier) makes it perfect for sensitive skin.
The merits of sticking with it
After a few uses, my face was hydrated and supple. My skin drank this balm right up. The scent, while on the earthy end doesn’t linger. Additionally, the firmer texture became a non-issue as soon as I got used to the formulation. This balm melts beautifully with the heat from my face and hands. A little goes a long way, so start with a small pinch of product, and the balm will absorb in no time.
A perfect way to use this balm is to layer over the Resiliency Serum after you’ve cleansed and toned. I’ve found that I don’t need an oil moisturizer when I use this balm, but if you’re feeling unusually dry, this balm would be great over your usual face oil. Now that I’ve had a few weeks to play with this balm, I can definitely say that I’ll keep in my winter skincare swap rotation. Here is to not judging a book by it’s cover.
Ready to give Earthwise Beauty a try?
SIGN UP HERE to get The December Boxwalla Beauty Box featuring Earthwise Beauty. This box is only available while supplies last or until December 5th. And at $49.95, you can’t try out this beautiful brand at a better price point. Get it while you can, and be sure to tell me what you think in the comments below.
Have you ever tried Earthwise Beauty? What are your thoughts?
Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix
