October Petit Vour Review

I'm a little sad to report that this will be my last Petit Vour review for a while because I've cancelled my subscription.  The October box was nice, but I'll explain why I cancelled later on in the post.

If you're not familiar with Petit Vour, it's a monthly subscription that sends out vegan "beauty minis" from cruelty-free companies only.  I was initially drawn to the box because I only shop cruelty-free.  It costs $15 a month with shipping included, and is an easy and enjoyable way to be introduced to cruelty-free brands.

I had been a subscriber since May, when the box launched.  With the exception of one box, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the shipments I received.  The reason I cancelled was because although I enjoyed the samples, I found that I wasn't completely overjoyed by the size of the products.  Most boxes had a high retail value, but I'm strange in that I'd rather receive more lesser-priced samples than three or four high-value samples.  So in the end I realized that even though I really did like getting my Petit Vour boxes each month, I felt that I could live without them so I thought it best to save the money.

The first item I received was a Devious Lipstick by The Elixery ($18).  This is a completely new brand to me, and apparently the lipstick is hand poured and compounded from scratch.  As you can see from the photo above, it's a deep red that's great for fall and winter.  I haven't used it yet, but I can't wait to have an occasion to wear it!

My favorite sample in this box was the Skinny Legs Signature Massage Oil by Ally's AromaRemedies ($12), even though I did notice a typo on their packaging (one of my pet peeves).  At first I wasn't sure how often I would use it because of the "massage oil" name, but after reading more about the product I realized that it can be used as a daily moisturizer.  The blend encourages "body purification, circulation, shaping, and relaxation."  It has a warm, earthy scent, and I applied it on my arms and legs after showering.  It moisturizes incredibly well, as can be expected from a body oil.

The last two samples were the Aiyana Natural Eau de Parfum by Tallulah Jane ($1.59) and the Pure Balance Moisturizer by Root Science ($14.75).  I really loved Root Science facial moisturizer right away, but I wasn't so sure about the perfume.  I liked the moisturizer because my skin gets incredibly dry and flaky in colder weather, and a face oil like this really penetrates deeply and moisturizes so well.  This one is organic and promotes a beautiful complexion without any harsh synthetics.

When I smelled the perfume, I was initially turned off because it had very strong floral notes (not my favorite).  I figured it was worth trying, though; so I wore it to work one day and ended up loving it!  The top notes are heavily floral, but the middle notes are spicy and rich and I felt that it was a wonderful fall scent.

Bottom Line: As you can see, the October Petit Vour box had a nice assortment of high-quality samples, which is why I was sad to ultimately cancel my subscription.  It really wasn't a reflection of the box itself, because I love that they're highlighting cruelty-free brands.  The main reason why I cancelled was to save money.

September Petit Vour Review

Sorry for posting this unboxing so late!  September's Petit Vour box was another good one.  I've enjoyed this box quite a bit so far, and this one had another great variety of items.  If you're unfamiliar with Petit Vour, they're a beauty subscription that sends only cruelty-free and vegan products to you for $15 a month.

The total value of this box was $37.60, so more than double of what I paid for it.  While the items add up to a substantial value, two of them were foil samples and the nail polish was worth $16 on its own.  I really liked all of the items included, but something about this box did leave me wanting something more.

• Arbonne Lip Polish Sample Set ($12.20) - I'm not a fan of these lip glosses.  They included six different colors to try, which was nice for variety's sake, but the informational card states that they "deliver superior shine without the stickiness," and I disagree.  I found these to be incredibly sticky.  I would still be interested in trying them out of a tube and not a packet, though.
• LVX 5-Free Nail Lacquer ($16) - This item had the highest value in the box.  I received the shade "Dark Matter," which is a gray creme that reminds me of Zoya's Noot.  It's an appropriate color for fall, but I would have preferred something with a little more flair.
• The Excellent Tea Company Superb Black Tea ($.90) - I haven't tried this tea yet, but I'm sure I'll like it because I haven't yet had a tea I didn't enjoy.  This one is an African Black Tea that's from Rwanda and fair-trade certified.
• Neuma NeuSmooth Shampoo and Conditioner ($1.50) - Neuma is one of my favorite hair care brands so I was really happy to receive these to try.  The sample includes a shampoo, conditioner, and deep conditioner.  So far I've used the shampoo and conditioner and my hair felt so soft and moisturized after!
• Pura Botanica Natural Soap Bar ($7.00) - I love soaps and this one is the perfect for me!  The scent is Chai Vanilla and it smells delicious.  I love spicy scents like chai, and I liked that the scent on this was very subtle.

Bottom Line: While I sometimes wish Petit Vour included more items of lower value as opposed to four or five with a higher value, I continue to appreciate the fact that they send only cruelty-free products.  This box is an excellent resource for anyone who is looking to convert to using only cruelty-free beauty!

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

August Petit Vour Review

Oops, this review is a little late!  At least it's still August, though.  This is my fourth Petit Vour box, and I really enjoyed the items they sent this month.

The total value for August's box added up to $46.41.  One thing I really like about Petit Vour is that they include the exact item values for each product on the informational card, so you don't have to bother with figuring out the sample's value based off of the full-sized price.  Plus, this box only costs $15, so I definitely got my money's worth yet again.

The first product I noticed was the Enfusia Dead Sea Bath Salts ($2.99) because I could smell them right away.  The scent is Gardenia, which is not something I would normally choose for myself, but these actually smell wonderful.  I don't often take baths, but I could see how these would be perfect for a relaxing soak at the end of the day.  According to the informational card, they're full of natural calcium and magnesium and are enriched with ocean proteins and essential oils.

Next up are the Shorganics Lavender Lemon Lip Balm and Unscented Body Lotion ($4).  I love getting lip balms, and this one smells great and is nice and smooth.  It's smells more strongly of lavender than lemon, but I really like it nonetheless.  The lotion is also very nice.  I like getting lotion samples because they're perfect for sticking in my purse.  The Kroma Makeup Botanical Lipstick ($29) is a full-sized product and the most expensive item in the box.  The shade I received was "Margarita," and it's similar to the color of my lips so this is a nice nude shade.  I like it better than most lipsticks because it's nice and moisturizing.  Also, this brand is not to be confused with the Khroma line by the Kardashian sisters (it's much better).

The Bodyography Veil Foundation Primer ($10) is my favorite item this month!  I'm currently using benefit's The Porefessional as a primer, but I recently learned that they aren't actually a cruelty-free brand, so once I use up the tube I won't be buying more.  Bodyography's primer arrived at the perfect time, and is pretty comparable to benefit's.  It's a little less thick, but does the job just as well.  Petit Vour also included a packet of Kelapo 100% Virgin Coconut Oil ($.42).  The last time I received one of these I didn't know what to do with it, and a lot of people suggested that I use it in my hair.  I did, and now I love using it!  It leaves my hair feeling so rich and moisturized, so this packet will definitely go to good use.  It can also be used for cooking.

Bottom Line: Petit Vour has been doing an excellent job of sending cruelty-free and vegan samples each month.  I highly suggest subscribing!  They are also now shipping to Canada for only $25 a month.

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

July Petit Vour Review

After a meager showing with the June box, July's Petit Vour was an improvement.  I wasn't blown away by this box, though; it was still just okay to me.  I want to stick with this service a little bit longer because they are brand new, but I have a feeling that after a box or two more I will end up cancelling.

The reason I'm considering cancelling is because I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth with this box.  I want to love them because they feature only cruelty-free and vegan products, but I think I would feel better if this box cost $10 as opposed to $15.  There were two full-sized products this time around, though, so I suppose my perspective is still being skewed by last month's disappointing box.

• Beauty Without Cruelty Natural Eye Pencil in Delft Blue ($16.95) - This is the third blue eyeliner pencil that I've gotten from a box, and I don't understand why they send them.  I'm a pretty traditional girl when it comes to eyeliner--just give me black or brown.  In no universe can I pull off wearing blue eyeliner.  I'll save this to give to someone who will use it in the future.
• Sumbody Soap in ahh-vocado ($1.98) - I love handmade soaps!  This one is cute and green and smells really ripe and citrus-y.
• Mun Aknari No. 1 ($6.33) - At first I thought this was another perfume sample, but it's actually an argan oil and prickly pear seed oil blend that can be used to soften and nourish the skin.  The package says "Nighttime Dream Youth Serum" on it.  My issue with this sample is that the vial is 2.5 inches long, but it's only filled up to the 1 inch mark.
• Kimberly Sayer Tangerine and Calendula Cream ($2.40) - I'm excited to use this night cream because it's for oily and combination skin.  My box contained three 1.5 mL packets.
• Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish in Rescue Red ($17.00) - I was glad to get a nail polish in this box because they're one of my favorite beauty products to receive.  I've already used this once and it glided on very smoothly and was opaque after three coats.  These polishes contain tea tree oil, vitamins, and wheat protein to help nourish your nails.

Bottom Line: July's box was much better than June's, but I'm still not in love with this service.  The overall value of this month's box was $44.66, but I'm still not that impressed with it because I'm not overjoyed with any of the items.  The nail polish is probably my favorite, but I still haven't gotten that, "Wow, this box is amazing!" feeling that I've been hoping for.

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

June Petit Vour Review

June's Petit Vour box was not as good as May's, and I think more than a few members were disgruntled with the product selection.  It was not my favorite assortment of items, but I'm willing to give Petit Vour more of a chance because this was only their second box ever, and I appreciate that they only feature cruelty-free and vegan brands.

This month's box contained six items total and had a value of over $60 (according to Petit Vour, I don't really bother to add up values for my items because it doesn't really bother me), but the complaints came from the fact that the samples were so small, and the gift certificate we got didn't include shipping.  Here are my thoughts on the items:

• Mineral Hygienics Gift Certificate - I've received two of these from other boxes and I've never used them.  It's good for $15 toward any item, but some people were getting upset because it didn't cover shipping costs.  I already knew that from having gotten them in other boxes, and honestly I don't understand why there was such an uproar this time.  The cheapest shipping option is $5.25, which to me does not seem like a big deal at all.  Furthermore, this is the fault of Mineral Hygienics, not Petit Vour.  I understand that people may feel that they shouldn't have to spend more money to get the item, but in that case I say, just don't use the certificate!  But to each their own, I suppose.  Oh and Petit Vour even went above and beyond after hearing customers' complaints and will be providing everyone with Petit Vour points to use in their shop equivalent in value to your shipping cost.
• Baudelaire Acorelle Perfume - I don't like perfume samples.  Of all the boxes I've received them in, I've only ever liked one.  I hope that Petit Vour doesn't include them often.  The scent is described as "lotus bamboo," and I didn't love it.  It's not bad, but I prefer scents that are have warmer notes than this.  I did like that it was an atomizer and not just a vial with a stopper.
• (Skingen)^x (Anti-Wrinkle Comple)^x, (Eye Comple)^x, and ^x(Foliator) - Petit Vour included these samples because they wanted to send us a high-end brand, which I can appreciate, but the foil packets were so small that I don't think I could ever truly judge their performance off of such a small sample size.  The wrinkle cream is a much more substantial sample, but I don't have wrinkles.  I know it can easily be used for preventative care, but I am currently inundated with skin creams.  I'm going to offer this to a friend or family member.
• Barre Pirouette Cinnamon Pecan Bar - This was so yummy!  I like bars like this because I eat them for breakfast most mornings, and this one kept me feeling full and satisfied.  It had the perfect mix of cinnamon and nuts in it, and I would definitely purchase them in the future.

Bottom Line: This was not my favorite box, but as I said at the beginning of my review, I'm definitely willing to give Petit Vour more of a chance.  I think they learned a lot from customer feedback this month, and their responses were amazingly kind.  I wouldn't be surprised if July's box blows us all away!

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

Petit Vour Review and Unboxing

I'm really excited to bring to you a new subscription box called Petit Vour -- I was asked to review their first box and I jumped at the chance.  The reason why I'm so excited about this subscription is because they only feature cruelty-free brands!

Petit Vour costs $15 a month and is available to the 48 contiguous states (they don't ship to APO or FPO boxes).  You can also purchase a three month subscription for $43 or six months for $82.  Both of these options are one-time charges.  The only added fee is for residents of Texas; you'll have to pay tax (I feel your pain, Texans--I have to pay NYS tax on some of the other services I subscribe to).  Currently you have to request an invite to join, and since I received this box to review I am not sure how long the wait period is on becoming a member.  I do know that once you are able to purchase a subscription you fill out a beauty profile so that Petit Vour can tailor products to your preferences.

I really liked the branding on their box.  Rabbits are my favorite animals, so I really like the theme they have going here.  They also have "Be Bold, Be Kind" written on the other side of the box, which I didn't take a picture of.  I really like that because I think it definitely sums up what they're all about!

The first item I noticed when I opened the box was the nail polish, because I love nail polish!  I thought it was a Scotch Naturals polish but it ended up being a different brand (not that that's a disappointment).  The box contained five items total, most of which were sample-sized.  I believe the nail polish is full-sized.

So here's what was in the May Petit Vour box!

• Acure 100% Organic Hair Care - This shampoo and conditioner set is vegan, fair-trade certified, and Leaping Bunny certified, all three of which I love.  I'm not sure what the volume of these samples is because there is no measurement written on the bottle, but they're a good size for sampling.  The informational card says that Acure uses "cutting-edge plant stem cell technology."  I'm definitely curious to see how my hair reacts to this.
• Misa Three-Free Nail Lacquer - I'm not sure if everyone got the same shade, but mine is a pretty pink called "First Kiss."  It's a .5 oz bottle, which is the standard size for nail polishes, so I'm fairly certain that this is full-sized.  It has a slightly fuchsia sheen, so I think it's going to look really nice for summer.
• Tsi-La 100% Natural Organic Eau de Parfum - I think the name of this is "Fiori D'Arancio."  I'm not the biggest fan of perfume samples, but I'm willing to give them a try.  This one has notes of orange blossoms, tangerines, and neroli flowers, with vanilla orchids and honey.  Based on that description I thought I was going to love it, but it's just okay to me.
• Odacite 10-Day Skin Treatment - The products weren't actually in the box, but we were provided with a gift certificate with a coupon code to order them.  The certificate is good for a skin consultation via email, personalized skin routine, and seven freshly made products.  What a great deal!
• Go Raw 100% Organic Spirulina Energy Bar - I've had spirulina products before, maybe even the Go Raw brand (I don't entirely remember), and I do like them.  I'm going to take this to work tomorrow to have as a snack

• Learn more about Petit Vour and request an invite to join
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest

Bottom Line: Overall I am very impressed with Petit Vour!  I'm going to support any company that's cruelty-free, and the ones featured in this box are even better because a lot of them are vegan, organic, and/or fair trade certified as well.  I think this box is an excellent option for any beauty enthusiast, and is a great introduction to how wonderful cruelty-free beauty can be for those who might not be as familiar with it.

*Disclaimer: I received a box from Petit Vour to facilitate my review.  I was not monetarily compensated and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.