Pages

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

November Snakku Review

Back in September I wrote my first review for Snakku (read that review here) and I was incredibly impressed by everything about their box! Their November box is just as great and filled with delicious treats.

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Snakku sends hand-picked, authentic Japanese snacks that you can only find in Japan (and more well-known favorites) to your door each month. Here are their pricing options:
  • Monthly: $38.95/month
  • Three Months: $115.50 every three months ($38.50 per box)
  • Six Months: $225.00 every six months ($37.25 per box)
Shipping is free to U.S. addresses. Every subscriber is also automatically entered to win a deluxe box valued at over $100!



As you can see, Snakku takes great care with their beautiful packaging! I loved the pink wrap on this month's box. The snacks are all well protected inside with paper strip padding. Even though the snacks are delicate, I've yet to receive one that was broken or crushed.


This month's box featured snacks from boutique shops in Tokyo. Here's what was inside, moving clockwise from top:
  • Mukashi no Senbei - This is one of the "popular snacks," meaning it's more widely available outside of Japan. They're old school rice crackers that have been grilled in a fire kiln. I love rice crackers and these had a great crunch and simple flavor.
  • Double Anzutsumi - Another popular snack, these are stuffed mochi cakes. They came in the sweet potato and red bean flavor.
  • Kinesha - These are seasonal folded butter biscuits and they are amazing! They're from a lesser-known snack store in Ginza and come in three flavors (plain, maple, and chocolate) to represent the autumn foliage in Japan. I can't even describe how delicious these were--perfectly buttery and full of flavor. The maple one was my favorite!
  • Tokyo Banana - How adorable is the packaging on these? They're found only in Tokyo and are very popular there. They're fluffy sponge cake made from real banana with a banana maple custard filling. I am not the biggest fan of bananas, but these are pretty good!
  • Nidoage Mochi - This is a double grilled soy glazed mochi cracker. I absolutely loved these and I wish I had more! The soy flavor is so good. These are also one of the popular snacks.
  • Tokyo Banana Pie - This is a delicate biscuit made by Tokyo Banana, also with very cute packaging! I liked these better than the Tokyo Banana because the banana flavor was less strong and the cookie was crisp and light.
  • Mame Yakko - These are the three white/clear packaged treats on the left hand side of the photo. The snack in the red packaging is actually one of the Kinesha cookies; I accidentally included it in this photo instead of with the other Kinesha. Anyway, the Mame Yakko are made by a small shop in the Ginza neighborhood and are made from a mixture of edamame beans and rice. The cracker is doused in a secret broth before it's baked, lending a crisp, clean, savory finish. These have a great crunch and tasted great! The flavors include edamame, spicy dashi broth, and traditional roasted kinako soybean.
  • Season Meiji Horn - These popular snacks are a delicate biscuit sandwich made with Japanese purple yam. I haven't tried them yet, but I love the purple color!
  • Sweet Sake Soft Candy - These are the last of the popular snacks and are a mellow candy made with real rice sake. I haven't tried these yet, either, but I'm very interested to see what "mellow" candy tastes like.
Bottom Line: I really enjoyed the November Snakku box! I love trying snacks that can only be found in Japan, and I like that they include so much info about the shops that make them.

Monday, November 23, 2015

November Beauty Box 5 Review

November's Beauty Box 5 has a "Boosted Basics" theme, and I really liked the items they sent this month!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Beauty Box 5 sends five deluxe samples and full-sized products for only $12 a month! Shipping is free to U.S. addresses and $3 to Canadian ones. They send everything from color cosmetics to skincare, and more!


It looks like there were a lot of foil samples this month, but they're actually mostly full-sized products that just happen to be in that type of packaging. I thought the variety this month was really good.

  • Kaunis Facial Mask ($14.95, full-sized) - This is an anti-aging sheet mask from a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free company. It contains plant extracts that help to regenerate skin.
  • LA Fresh good day. day moisturizer ($11.76 for .5 oz) - This is a wonderfully light and silky facial moisturizer made with an anti-aging botanical complex.
  • Altchek MD Eye Gel Pads ($4 for two pads) - These soothe puffiness, fine lines, and tired skin in 30 minutes. I like using these when I need to relax.
Bottom Line: This month's box had a total approximate retail value of $30.71! I feel like Beauty Box 5 has been sending some really high-value boxes as of late and I've been very happy with the sample selection.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

November Birchbox Review

I really liked my Birchbox this month; the samples I got were well-tailored to my preferences and I even got a perfume that I've been wanting to try for a while!

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, Love! Post contains referral links.


November's theme was "Feeling Fancy." I didn't love the color scheme, but the flower pattern on the box is really pretty.


I received five samples this month and, as I said before, I was really happy with the selection. I liked how balanced the types of products was, e.g. not all hair or skincare products. Here's what I got:
  • Juliette Has A Gun Gentlewoman - I've been wanting to try this since I learned about it through Scentbird, but they were out of stock when I requested it and then I cancelled my subscription. Anyway, this perfume is a masculine scent with notes of neroli, bergamot, lavender, and a musky base. On paper I thought this sounded perfect for me because I love spicy, masculine scents, but it was a little bit too flowery and not enough spicy for me.
  • amika Nourishing Mask - This is a leave-in mask to help hydrate damaged hair. I heat style daily so I like to keep masks like this around. I haven't tried it yet, but I've used other amika products that I've liked so I'm sure this will work well for me.
  • NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil - I love how pretty this little bottle is! This oil can be used to moisturize hair, face, and body. I'll probably use it mostly on my hair.
  • MAKE Face Gloss - I think this is basically a highlighter, but based on the description I'm not entirely sure. It supposed to give dull skin a "dewy, healthy radiance," but I have oily skin so I never really am looking for a "dewy" look. I posted this for swap.
  • LOC Complete Collection for Lips - Okay, this isn't the complete collection, it's just one lipstick, but that's what it's called on the Birchbox site. LOC (Love of Color) is their new brand made with YouTuber Tati Westbrook. I picked the color "Wildest Dreams" for sample selection and I love it! The formula is pretty creamy for a lipstick and it applies smoothly and evenly. This is the perfect bright red for holiday parties!
Bottom Line: I'm very happy with my box this month! I'll use every product except for the MAKE Face Gloss, and I especially love the LOC lipstick.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Farmacy Beauty New Day Gentle Exfoliating Grains Review

Back in September I reviewed Farmacy Beauty's Hydrating Coconut Gel Masks (read that review here), and today I'm back with another great product from their line! The New Day Gentle Exfoliating Grains with Echinacea GreenEnvy is a gentle exfoliant that's great for all skin types.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.




The New Day Gentle Exfoliating Grains are made with Farmacy Beauty's patented Echinacea GreenEnvy, a variant of echinacea purpurea that contains the highest known concentration of the phytochemical cichoric acid. This phytochemical is a potent natural antioxidant that protects your skin by inhibiting the enzymes that break down collagen. It also normalizes the skin pigmentation process to create an evenly-toned complexion. You can learn more about Echinacea GreenEnvy by watching the brand's video here.

I have sensitive skin, so I try to use exfoliators that won't cause too much irritation. The New Day Gentle Exfoliating Grains are perfect for this because they contain fine, gentle little beads that help remove dead skin. Natural cranberry seeds provide a deep clean and lift away debris, rice bran powder loosens dry skin cells and absorbs excess oil, and a complex of white willow bark, carrot, green tea, and marshmallow soothes, protects, and calms the skin.

To use the New Day Gentle Exfoliating Grains, dispense the desired amount (I used about a quarter-sized amount) onto your palm and add water to create a foaming exfoliating cream. Then just apply to your face and massage in, then rinse with warm water. I loved how this left my skin feeling fresh and new, but also nourished and moisturized!
  • Visit Farmacy Beauty to learn more and browse their full line of products!
Bottom Line: If you're looking for an exfoliator that won't rough up your skin too harshly, I definitely recommend the Farmacy Beauty New Day Gentle Exfoliating Grains! It contains wonderful ingredients that left my skin feeling soft and smooth.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Sockflow Review and Coupon

Winter is coming and that means cold feet! That's what it means for me, at least. I love getting new pairs of fun socks to wear under my boots or when I'm just lounging around my apartment. Sockflow is a new subscription that sends socks from South Korea in all types of patterns and styles!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Sockflow has men's, women's, and children's socks available at a variety of price points. They have premium dress socks and stylish fashion and wool socks. Here are the pricing options:
  • Two pairs of stylish men's/women's socks: $20 per month
  • Two pairs of stylish kid's/baby socks: $20 per month
  • Two pairs of men's/women's wool socks: $25 per month
  • Two pairs of premium men's dress socks: $30 per month
  • Three pairs of stylish men's/women's socks: $25 per month
  • Three pairs of stylish kid's/baby socks: $25 per month
  • Three pairs of men's/women's wool socks: $30 per month
  • Three pairs of premium men's dress socks: $40 per month
Free shipping is included for all of the subscription options. The socks ship from South Korea, but no customs or duties handling charges are included in the pricing (in other words, you don't have to pay for that).


I received two pairs of women's fashion socks and one pair of (what I think are) wool socks. They are all from the brand "Socks The Language" and are mid-calf length. I like tall socks, especially ones with fun patterns, because my feet are always cold and they're fun to wear when I'm lounging around. They're also nice to wear with tall boots during the fall and winter.

I didn't receive my package right away because the USPS didn't leave it at my door. Instead, I got one of those pink slips that said either come pick the package up or have it redelivered, so that's something to keep in mind if you subscribe. Otherwise, the shipping was fairly quick considering the socks came from South Korea.

The socks themselves are nice and soft and fit well. I chose to receive small ones because my shoe size is 5.5. The wool socks are especially soft and will be really nice once the snow starts falling. I hate having cold feet despite the fact that I'm wearing heavy winter boots!
Bottom Line: I think Sockflow is a fun subscription, albeit the pricing may be a bit expensive for some. The socks are great quality and the patterns I received were a lot of fun, so I think it's definitely worth giving a try!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

November I Am Glamm Review

There are new subscriptions popping up every day, but I've noticed a trend that they're becoming more and more expensive. That isn't to say they aren't worth the price, but sometimes I wish there were more affordable options out there for people like me who are on a budget! I was recently introduced to I Am Glamm, which fits the bill at only $8.99 per month!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


I Am Glamm sends three beauty samples and one jewelry item each month for $8.99. You can sign up for a 60-day pack for $17.49 or a yearly pack for $95. When you sign up you'll fill out a profile with your beauty preferences. They ship to the U.S. and Canada, and it appears that shipping to U.S. addresses is free (when I created a profile it didn't add more to the total for shipping charges). I couldn't find anything in the FAQ about whether shipping to Canada incurs an extra fee.


My November shipment came in a bubble mailer and was packaged inside as seen in the photo above. All of the products were wrapped up in tissue paper and tied with a pink frilly tie.


The bag contained the following Contents List. I'm assuming that the entire list is all of the possible items you could get, which I'm not sure is the best way to go because people might be annoyed that they did or didn't get certain products. For example, Milani as opposed to MAC. I don't have a preference there, but I could see it being an issue for some. Anyway, here's what I did get!
  • Bar'd Soap Sample - These soaps are handcrafted in Sonoma County, CA (according to the little card that came with it). I took a look at their website and they have some pretty interesting soap names. I didn't take this out of the plastic packaging yet, but I can't smell a scent through the packaging. It's got glitter in it with the letter T, though.
  • Milani Eyeshadow in Fiji Flower - I think this particular eyeshadow has been discontinued because it isn't on the Milani website. It's a light purple shimmer that will look great as a highlighter.
  • Milani Retractable Eyeliner in Purple Quartz - I'm glad that this will match with the Fiji Flower eyeshadow. It's a glitter liner, too, so I'll save this for nights out.
  • Bone Ear Cuff - This isn't quite my style, but it's still a fun piece.
Bottom Line: I am not sure of the total approximate retail value here, but it's definitely worth the $8.99 tag. I think I Am Glamm is a fun subscription for anyone who is looking for a monthly surprise that won't break the bank!

Friday, November 6, 2015

Treat Your Lips to Carmex!

I can't stand the feeling of dry, chapped lips so I'm never without some sort of lip balm. Carmex is one of my favorite brands because their balms are super effective and also affordable!

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Carmex has been soothing, healing, and protecting lips for over 79 years. Their moisturizing lip balms come in a bunch of different shapes, sizes, and flavors, but they all provide lasting relief. They also have a line of products that offer sun protection, too!

What I love most about Carmex is that their products are so inexpensive. Don't be fooled by the price tag, though, these balms work better than pretty much any others I've tried! They leave a slight tingling feeling that I love, and they actually soothe my lips to offer long-lasting moisture instead of just coating them in wax like some other balms.


The Carmex Lip Balm in a Tube is the form I'm most familiar with. The squeezable applicator allows you to use as much or as little as you want, and it glides smoothly onto your lips. The original flavor contains menthol and camphor to provide cooling pain relief, cocoa butter for a smooth, velvety feel, and mineral oil to soften and hydrate lips. It also contains lanolin that works to retain moisture. The tube is also available in cherry and strawberry flavors.

The Carmex Lip Balm Click Stick is made with petrolatum to aid moisturization and create a long-lasting barrier, candelilla wax for long-lasting wear, and cocoa seed butter for extra moisture. It also has broad-spectrum sun protection against UVA and UVB rays and up to 80 minutes of water resistance! I received the strawberry flavor to try (it's so nice!), but this also comes in cherry and original.

Last but not least, the Carmex Lip Balm in a Jar is the original packaging that has been around for 78 years! Like the tube, it contains menthol and camphor as well as petrolatum and lanolin. The jar might not look that big, but a little goes a long way so this lasts for quite a while.

Each of these balms retails for only $1.59! Like I said earlier, I've been using Carmex for years and they definitely deliver on their promises. I think they're also great for those who suffer from cold sores. I noticed that their occurrence lessened once I started using Carmex.
Bottom Line: I love Carmex and I highly recommend their lip balms for anyone who's looking for a deal on lip care! They offer a variety of flavors and applicators, and all of them offer long-lasting moisture!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Good Earth Beauty Spiced Pumpkin Brulee Perfume Review & Giveaway

About a month ago I reviewed the Good Earth Beauty Spiced Pumpkin Brulee Whipped Body Cream (read that review here) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good Earth Beauty also has a Spiced Pumpkin Brulee Perfume, made in partnership with MOD Perfume, to keep you smelling deliciously of fall all day long!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


The Spiced Pumpkin Brulee Perfume smells the same as the whipped body butter, so you can layer it over for even more fragrance. The top notes are sweet, creamy pumpkin cake batter, the middle notes are rich vanilla caramel, and the base notes are made up of hints of spice. I love the sweet, spicy blend and I think it smells delicious! Kind of like a pumpkin latte, if that helps you imagine the scent better.

What I like the most about the perfume is that it's cruelty-free, vegan, and organic. It's also made of simple ingredients:
Organic Olive Squalane, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Grapeseed Oil, Natural Orchid Extract, Pure Essential Oils and/or Natural Fragrance Oils.
The perfume comes in a rollerball with .5 fl oz of product inside. Although that may seem small, a little goes a long way and Good Earth Beauty states that one bottle should last 4-6 months. The perfume oils are highly concentrated, with no alcohol or water added as diluting agents. I wore this all day yesterday and the scent lasted for about eight hours before it started to fade.
Bottom Line: If you're looking for a lovely gourmand scent to help celebrate fall, I highly recommend the Good Earth Beauty Spiced Pumpkin Brulee perfume! It smells wonderful and I love that it's also cruelty-free.

If you'd like to enter to win a bottle of the perfume, enter using the Rafflecopter below! This sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents aged 18+ and ends at 12:0) AM on Friday, 13 November 2015. Please see the bottom of the Rafflecopter form for full Terms and Conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway