March 21, 2011

Product Review: Pangea Organics Lip Balm, B

It's just another manic Monday, isn't it? I had a great weekend with my girlfriends but now it's time to get back to work. As many of you probably have figured out, I really love trying new products...and then blogging about them. So when I heard about Birchbox, my ears perked right up.

What is Birchbox you ask?!
Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.

Co-founders Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp met at Harvard Business School. They created Birchbox to help women cut through the clutter of the beauty world to find products that really work for them.

The Birchbox:
Each month, you'll receive a  selection of 4-5 samples that we’ve tried (and retried) ourselves.  You'll receive anything from skincare to makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.  Check out our past products here and our ever growing list of brand partners here.

**********

Fun, isn't it?! So, today's product review revolves around an item that was included in my March Birchbox - Pangea Organics Lip Balm. The scent/flavor/type that was sent to me is the Italian Red Mandarin & Rose. This .25 oz. lip balm retails for $12. And just for a references, my other fave lip balm, Burt's Bees, costs roughly $2.99 for .15 oz.
Some deets from Birchbox & Pangea Organics:

Talk about a Chapstick upgrade. This organic lip balm is so moisturizing you won’t need to reapply — though the scents are so yummy, you probably will anyway. The extra-large tube means more balm and less waste — a good thing all around!

Organic oils, vitamins, and essential fatty acids sink into your lips to provide a moisturizing shield. Each flavor packs specific benefits: the aromatic Italian Red Mandarin with Rose soothes sensitive lips; Egyptian Fennel Grapefruit & Sweet Orange energizes with antioxidants and vitamins; and Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom calms and heals cracked skin.

Social responsibility, ecocentric bodycare. The company is obsessed with creating gorgeous skincare that nourishes the body. All Pangea products are luxurious while still being organic, fair-trade, and cruelty-free. Their commitment to high-quality organic ingredients means more antioxidants and fewer fillers.

All three flavors of Pangea's lip balm are natural and petroleum-free, and can even double as a cuticle balm.

And my review: 

The Good: It.smells.incredible. WOW. I am blown away by the scent and the super smooth product. I also don't have to reapply as often, so the moisturizing components are great. I also appreciate the organic ingredients and the fact that Pangea Organics donates 5% of all proceeds to Women for Women International, a nonprofit that supports women who have been through war or other conflicts.

The Bad: The retail price is quite steep for a lip balm - regardless of how amazing it feels and smells.

The Verdict: This balm earns a solid B from me. I love the scent, the smooth product and the philanthropy associated with the brand. Even though you most certainly get more balm per tube, it's still a bit pricey!