My First iHerb Haul + a Giveaway!

I’m always on the hunt for outstanding products and equally awesome places to shop. iHerb is a great place to find affordable, natural and organic personal care products, food, and home goods. Not only am I a fan of iHerb’s product selection and prices, but I also admire their commitment to the environment through many eco-friendly initiatives like using recycled packaging, providing paperless orders, donating profits to various international charities, and the use of carbon neutral UPS shipments.

Read on to hear about my experience shopping at iHerb* and what I picked up in my first order. You can grab $5 off your first order using my code: BLG494. Plus, enter to win a $50 iHerb giftcard at the end of this post! (There will be 2 lucky winners!)

I know a lot of green beauty enthusiasts and bloggers who frequently shop at iHerb but I had never personally placed an order before. I was pleasantly surprised with the selection at iHerb, there are many brands I am familiar with and lots that I’d never tried before. iHerb is also affordable and easy to order from many locations outside of the U.S. Their referral program is also a simple way to spread the word about iHerb to friends and to take advantage of loyalty rewards whenever you make a purchase.

I was pleased to see quality makeup and skincare brands at iHerb like Mineral Fusion, Honeybee Gardens, Acure Organics, DeVita, Weleda, and Badger at iHerb. And at such reasonable prices, you’re spoilt for choice!

iHerb also offers free shipping in the U.S. for all orders over $20 with fast and hassle-free shipping. After placing my order, I promptly received confirmation emails regarding my items being processed for shipment and received my package within 4 business days. Super fast!

After hours pursuing all that iHerb has to offer, I decided on a mix of beauty and home good items from brands I had not tried before. Read on to hear my initial thoughts on the products I picked up:

Earthpaste, Peppermint: Natural mineral toothpaste is something I have tried before but not one of my priorities. As someone who’s worked in a dental practice before, I’m still dubious about many natural dental products claims. I’ve heard a lot about Earthpaste, a popular toothpaste made from food grade Redmond Clay, essential oils and natural minerals so I figured I’d give it a try. I choose the Peppermint flavored Earthpaste (there are also Wintergreen, Spearmint, Lemon Twist or Cinnamon options) and though I’ve only used this toothpaste for a short time, I’m impressed with it so far. I actually don’t mind brushing my teeth with Earthpaste as I believe it cleans just as well as my conventional toothpaste and leaves my teeth feeling fresh. The texture does need a little getting used to as it’s a bit less creamy than conventional toothpastes and the taste isn’t as strong, but I’ve gotten used to this quickly. I’m still not sold on the overall benefits, but I will continue to use Earthpaste. $5.12

Heritage Products Rosewater Mist: This is a simple rosewater mist that many people have raved about especially due to the affordable pricing. I’ve been looking for a new facial toner, one that isn’t overpriced and one that’s accessible (this brand can also be found in Whole Foods Markets). This mist is lightweight, deeply absorbing, gentle and can also be used as a body spray or for aromatherapy purposes. Some people also use this product as a makeup setting spray. The scent is also fresh and floral while not overbearing. While this mist simply keeps my face hydrated and soothed, I think the Rosewater and Glycerin formulation might be a better choice for more skin-benefitting results. Nevertheless, I love the scent, the soothing properties, and the value of this product! $4.80, 4 fl oz. (other sizes available)

Just a Leaf Organic Tea, Chamomile Blossom: I’m always looking for great loose teas to try and this Chamomile Blossom tea sounded like something I would enjoy. Chamomile tea is a soothing tea that also has many other benefits like treating upset stomachs, migraines, insomnia, and helping digestion. I personally like the taste of chamomile tea, though it’s also nice to know all the healthy benefits of this tasty blossom. This tea comes packaged in a handy resealable bag and is a nice size at an affordable price. $6.90 for 2 oz.

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Lipstick, Tuscany Rose: I’ve never tried any products from Ecco Bella  before but I have been curious. The FlowerColor Lipsticks (made with vegetable waxes, oils, and mineral pigments) intrigued me and even though I don’t need anymore lip products (but I’m addicted!) I decided I had to try this lipstick in Tuscany Rose. The formula of this FlowerColor Lipstick is smooth, blendable, and lightly moisturizing. The pigmentation and lasting power of the lipstick is impressive, though I do find the formula to be a bit drying as time goes on. The color does looks great with my skintone and my lipstick color preferences: Tuscany Rose is the perfect, natural cool-toned red color with pink-leaning tint. The black packaging is pretty and sleek, though I was surprised with how compact the lipstick tube was. The only thing I do not like about this lipstick is that there is a strange, balmy, almost synthetic taste when I initially apply it, though it does fade. $17.96

DeVita Absolute Minerals SoftLines Eyeliner Pencil, Absolute Obsidian: I didn’t realize DeVita made makeup products as I’ve only tried their popular SPF moisturizer. I’m always on the hunt for a great eyeliner that stays in place on my oily lids. First off, this eyeliner pencil is HUGE. It has a smudger on one end and the pencil on the other, but it seems so impossibly large to be a real totable eye pencil or something a normal person can hold comfortably. Not sure what they were thinking. I also hate the type of sharpener that’s doubles as the eye pencil cap, it’s sharp (I’ve nearly nicked my finger on it) and rests right on top of the pencil rather than away from. Maybe I’m being picky? The liner itself is okay: I like how the formula is thick and creamy, it glides gently on the eyes and draws neatly and the pigmentation of this shade is a really nice, deep black. However, the pencil is no match for my oily lids and does smudge on me, though not as easily as some other pencils I’ve used. Oh DeVita, next time just don’t make this pencil so strangely large and I’d maybe consider purchasing it again. $11.97

Mineral Fusion Blush Bronzer Duo, Rio Blonzer: My sister really enjoys Mineral Fusion powder products and I have been searching for a nice powder bronzer/blush compact to try. I was surprised by how much I really like using this Mineral Fusion Duo. Both the blush and the bronzer have a nice, fine powder texture with great pigmentation and lasting effects. Both sides of this product blend well and do not irritate my skin nor feel too dry or cakey. The bronzer is a really nice, iridescent copper-y color that looks quite dark in the compact but doesn’t appear severe on my cheeks. A little goes a long way though as this bronzer is quite pigmented, so I’ve learned to just apply a very small portion to my cheeks. The blush is a pretty, “just pinched” natural peachy-pink color that is sheer but buildable. I think it complements my light/olive skintone well. This duo will definitely be handy for traveling with and I can’t say enough about the great quality and beautiful pigmentation of this product. $25.49

Mineral Fusion Top Coat: I still have not found a clean nail polish top coat that works, so I was curious about this one from Mineral Fusion. I’ve already used this a few times now and sadly, it does not work for me. I’ve applied this top coat right after I paint my nails and it does nothing to protect the nail polish nor does it feel like a lasting treatment. Whenever I’ve used this, my nail polish seems to chip much quicker and easier. The scent of this top coat is also very, very strong and the brush is a bit too long and floppy. Definitely not to my liking. I’m still going to play around with it and use it as I paint my nails but I do not think I’d purchase this again. $6.80

Pacifica Smolder Eye Lining Gel, Tahitian Pearl: I’ve not tried much from Pacifica but this Smolder Eye Lining Gel looked interesting and also doubles as an all-over eyeshadow. I chose to try this in Tahitian Pearl which from Pacifica’s website is described as a “pearlized Green/ Grey with Gold Dust” color though I find it to appears on my lids as a more deep grey shade with gold flecks. Either way, the color is very pretty and unique to me. The texture of this product is interesting, it glides on the eyes but also has a bit of pull and feels a bit like a soft powder. I find it easy to line my eyes with this product because of the creamy yet stiff formula, which allows me to get a precise shape. As an eyeliner, this product could be a bit more pigmented and long-lasting. I’ve found this product blends and covers nicely as an eyeshadow. If you’re a newbie with gel liners, this may be a good product to start with. I like that it doubles as an eyeshadow and the color is very pretty. $14

Pacifica Length & Strength Mascara, Supernova: This product has been raved about by many as an affordable, accessible, green mascara. My sister actually really loves this mascara so I was curious to see if I liked it as well. The mascara wand seems pretty large and fluffy, and usually I don’t prefer this shape or size for my small eyes. However, I think the brush helps provides very full lashes. I was impressed by the formula, it coats the lashes evenly and provides nice volume without feeling very heavy. I do think the brush shape and formula amounts to more lash volume and fuller, longer looking lashes.

I prefer more overall definition in my lashes which I do not see from this mascara but it is overall, a well-performing product. I also liked how long-lasting and non-irritating this mascara was, it does a great job of keeping my lashes curled. This mascara doesn’t smudge, was also easy to remove and didn’t damage my lashes at the end of the day. For a mascara that is pretty affordable, well-performing, and available at tons of physical stores (like Target and Whole Foods), I’d say this lives up to the hype! $14

EcoTools, Soft & Dramatic False Lashes: I don’t wear false lashes, I’m not even sure if I know how to apply them correctly, but these affordable, eco-friendly falsies from EcoTools peaked my interest. I wanted something a bit more natural and subtle-looking, so I chose the Soft & Dramatic (Style 1259) which are flared, tapered lashes. I think they are a bit fuller than I’d envisioned but they really do make my eyes pop! I’m still a bit scared to wear them out in public though. This pack of lashes comes with a slant-tip applicator (that also has a spoolie brush on one end) and lash glue that is “safe for everyday wear” as it is “paraben free, phthalate free, latex free, formaldehyde free, cruelty free, and never tested on animals” (as described on the EcoTools website).The lashes and glue are pretty comfortable from my quick testing and actually easier to apply than I’d imagined. (Yes, I know you can see my real lashes underneath the falsies in my photos above, I obviously still need work on more precise application.) EcoTools also describes the lashes as “hypo-allergenic, and dermatologist tested”. These lashes are pretty but quite bold for me, I think I may have to trim them because they’re way too long on me. $5.99

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the generous folks at iHerb, I’m excited to give away a $50 iHerb shopping spree to two lucky readers! To enter, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

The giveaway is open to participants anywhere that iHerb ships (please check HERE first). Winners must have an iHerb account (register with iHerb) to claim the prize. Shipping will be taken care of by iHerb but winners located outside the US, are responsible for any additional taxes/duties/brokerage fees levied to them by their Customs Agency and/or Postal Service. See all contest terms/conditions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This post is sponsored by iHerb and contains some affiliate links. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting this blog and sponsors so that I can continue to provide fun and fresh content like this for Plein Vanity!