Argan Oil: Josie Maran VS. Trader Joes

Price:
Josie Maran's 100% Pure Argan Oil is $48 for 1.7 fl oz.
Trader Joe's 100% Organic Argan Oil is $7 for 1.7 fl oz.

WOWZA! I got a few samples of Josie Maran's Argan Oil, checked the price online, and thought to myself: "The Argan Oil at Trader Joe's was NOT that expensive!"

But, what's the difference? The ingredients?
Let's check out these ingredients:

Ingredients:
Josie Maran's 100% Pure Argan Oil ($48 for 1.7 fl oz.): Organic and Natural Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil
Trader Joe's 100% Organic Argan Oil ($7 for 1.7 fl oz.): Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil

So, Since only Josie Maran's Argan Oil has 'Natural' Ingredients, but both have Organic, What's the difference between Organic & Natural?

I like Birchbox's explanation:
"The difference between a label of "natural" versus "organic" comes down to regulation. “Certified organic” is a claim that’s heavily regulated by the USDA. To qualify, a product’s ingredients must contain absolutely no toxic pesticides, toxic synthetic herbicides, or chemical NPK fertilizers—and, in the case of animal products, no antibiotics or growth hormones.

On the somewhat startling flip side, there is virtually no regulation around labels of “natural” or “all-natural." In the most nefarious instances, products may simply contain plant-derived ingredients that are highly processed and potentially even harmful. Yikes."

No wonder Josie Maran's label has to have "Pure" instead of "Organic" - it has "Natural" Ingredients.

Summary:

• Josie Maran's 100% Pure Argan Oil, $48 for 1.7 fl oz.: Organic and Natural Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil (Natural = Extra Chemicals)
• Trader Joe's 100% Organic Argan Oil, $7 for 1.7 fl oz.: Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil (Organic = No Extra Chemicals)

Verdict:
Well, Trader Joe's is not only cheaper, it's 100% Organic. I'd say that is better than a Dupe. It's a replacement!

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!!

Birchbox VS. Ipsy Round 6: July Samples

Ipsy Vs Birchbox; June 2018

Ipsy Goodies!

Birchbox Goodies!

Details of Birchbox's Goodies. 

I love that Birchbox comes with a list of your items, but Ipsy sends you an email with a list of the products. Ipsy comes with a small card, but it is just the month's promotion, not a list with tips on how to use your new samples.

Eyeko came in both boxes! This never happens! I never get one brand in both boxes!!!
In the Ipsy box, I got Eyeko's eyeliner and in my Birchbox, I got Eyeko's Brow liner.

This month was so close it was almost a tie:

Birchbox's 5 samples for July are ALL amazing. I feel like it almost never happens with Birchbox. This month, I love the light parfume from Oribe, I need the hair serum for my lackluster and thin hair, I am in LA and obviously need anything anti-pollution for my skin, ADORE anything from Kiehl's, and love to do my brows so trying Eyeko's liner will be fun!

Ipsy's 5 samples for July are ALL good, but not amazing. I do love the charcoal peel mask, the mauve color of the RealHer Lipstick, and the Eyeko liner, but I have not tried the Ittse eyeshadow or the bkr Paris water balm, but they both look like they are good quality. The blue Ipsy bag is adorable and perfect for summer.

So, who is the winner for July? BIRCHBOX! I love all the samples and can't wait to play with them. It has been a long time since I have felt this way!!!!!

Score after 6 rounds:

Birchbox - 2

IPSY - 4

The Story Behind the Glam Bag Battle:

This is the 5th round of Who Wore It Better: Subscription Edition! Is Birchbox vs. IPSY

I recently gifted myself a year subscription to find out: Could IPSY be better than Birchbox?

Subscribe and find out

I will be revealing what they sent me each month in this blog series to determine a final winner in the end.

I hope you are enjoying my Subscription Box Battle. Join me next month when the battle continues!

What is Kombucha and Why is it so Popular?

I recently attended the Bloom Art Show and they had a Kombucha truck from GT'S Living Foods giving away samples. I have always wanted to try Kombucha, but here in LA, I feel like it's mostly the snotty people who drink it and asking them any questions is never a good experience.

So, when I saw the GT'S truck giving away little cups of Kombucha and asking people to try it - I had to! It's so expensive ($3-6) for trying a beverage, but this truck was giving samples away for free!

I had the Bloom Kombucha from GTS with Elderflower, Jasmine, and Violet. I guess it's a limited edition flavor, so I better savor the two bottles I have!

What did I think? DELICIOUS, LIFE CHANGING, EYE OPENING - LOVE IT!

The art show was immersive and beautiful. I hope they come back because I would LOVE to go again and take my friends. It was so fun!!!

BLOOM LA - Isn't it beautiful! 

BLOOM Art Show 

Yeah, I liked it. I was having fun at the art show and it was nice trying a new, fancy beverage I have always wondered about.

After trying it, I came back to take this photo. I said "I will have questions later, so I am just going to take this photo here to answer them all." The GTS employee agreed. I feel like it answers all the questions I have. FAQ also found here: http://gtslivingfoods.com/faq

I think Kombucha is popular because it is a delicious Probiotic and it has many health benefits. Don't find that too often in tasty, fizzy beverages!

Found here: http://gtslivingfoods.com/faq

What do you think? Do you like Kombucha? If so, which brand and flavor is your favorite? So far, I also tried the Health-Ade California Grape and it was sooooo gooood! Let me know in the comments below your favorites so I can try them!

Birchbox vs. IPSY Round 5: June Samples

Ipsy is this month's winner. The Facescrub, the probiotic eye cream, and the concealer - I just love it all! And, I got a blue bag, which I prefer, over the red. Yay!! Ipsy has a really great questionnaire and system to try to get you products they think you will like, but Birchbox doesn't seem as curated to me.

Score:
Birchbox - 1
IPSY - 4

The Story Behind the Battle:

This is the 5th round of Who Wore It Better: Subscription Edition! Is Birchbox vs. IPSY

I recently gifted myself a year subscription to find out: Could IPSY be better than Birchbox?

Subscribe and find out

I will be revealing what they sent me each month in this blog series to determine a final winner in the end.

HEY: I GIFTED THESE TO MYSELF. BOTH BIRCHBOX AND IPSY ARE NOT SPONSORING/PAYING ME FOR THIS POST OR MY OPINIONS.

I hope you are enjoying my Subscription Box Battle. Join me next month when the battle continues!