You know what’s even better than getting a package in the mail?
The absolute delight of getting a package that smells amazing, filled with wonderful handmade soaps and salves, from a [mostly]* vegan company!
I recently had the pleasure of this experience when I received a small box of goodies from Etsy seller Funk Off. The little shop is run by partners Michelle and Chad, and promises “To Keep You Fresh Not Funky”. They asked me to put their motto to the test and sample a variety of their products. Um, yes please!
* Funk Off is now in the process of selling out the last of their non-vegan items and will be switching over to an entirely cruelty-free, animal-free line! Yay!
Kiss This! Vegan Lip Balm – Vanilla
Of course, I dove right in with the chappy. See, I’m a lip balm freak and I gotta say, the vegan pickin’s are pretty slim! I’m slowly going through all the available options out there, to put together a comprehensive review. And, well, this one just shot to the TOP of the list!
This is my ideal balm: not too gummy, not too grainy, not so sweet I actually want to eat it, haha. It’s got a lovely smoothness that leaves my lips feeling moisturized with just the tiniest tint of shine. Truly, the *perfect* texture. And the scent is spot on: appealing but not edible. What can I say? I LOVE IT!
Keep It Fresh Body Spray – Lavender Vanilla
Mmmm, this is delicious. This one is a bit edible-smelling, but luckily it’s not made for mouths so you’re safe. The biggest problem may be that your sweetheart tries to eat you up – not such a bad thing!
The vanilla definitely dominates here, with the lavender hiding in the background for a certain je ne sais quoi. I’ve been spritzing this on after my daily dog walks, and I find it super refreshing. Just make sure to give it a good shake, as the oils tend to settle at the bottom.
Later, Gator Lotion – Oatmeal Milk and Honey (but vegan!)
This lotion is rather intense – very spicy, like strong chai or holiday baked goods, haha. It’s not an unpleasant smell, but it’s just not so much my style. I prefer a more subtle scent in lotions, as I use a lot at once (whole body). I found it a bit overwhelming for me.
That said,the consistency is great and it goes on very well. I’m a self proclaimed lotion snob and I can attest that this is a quality concoction. Not too greasy but not at all thick, it rubs right in without any issue. For those that like a heavy scent, this is a great lotion.
Vegan Soaps – Assorted
These are really, really great soaps. They smell strong but not overpowering, and are elegant in their presentation. Each bar has a layer of ground apricot seed pressed into the top for an interesting visual affect. When you use the soap the apricot seed disperses, creating a grit in the lather. At first I was freaked out by this – “hey man, there’s sand in my soap!” But I quickly realized that this is an AWSOME built in, all natural, exfoliant. Insta-love!
I was sent 8 samples to try: spring mountain mint, lavender vanilla, sandalwood vanilla nag champa, moon goddess, vanilla blackberry sage, sapmoss bonsai, oatmeal milk and honey, & cool mountain moss. Of course I tried sapmoss bonsai first!! Not that it matters since preferences vary, but my favorites were lavender vanilla, moon goddess, and omg the vanilla blackberry sage is so yummy!
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Conclusion: I feel like there are two schools of body products – the ‘spicy/musky/incense-y’ variety, and the ‘cool/light/mild’ type. Funk Off is definitely the former, with bold aromas that are meant to be fully experienced. It can be a bit much (for me, personally) in an all-over body lotion, but I love that richness in a fancy soap. It’s indulgent and ancient and absolutely soothing.
Overall, I’m very pleased with these products. I love to see vegan ingenuity and it’s great that there’s a growing market for awesome compassionate care items. I think these would make perfect gifts for the coming holidays, or as a sweet treat for yourself (because don’t you deserve it?!)
And speaking of gifts, Funk Off is offering a little goodie bag to one Bonzai reader! All you have to do is visit their site, and then leave a comment here telling me which product you’d like to try. It’s that easy! The contest will close at midnight on Sunday 29 August, and I’ll draw the winner on Monday morning.
Now, get thee to funk off!
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http://smalltowninthecity.etsy.com tara
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/selahno/ Selah
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