Reviews
Athletic Greens
Experience
It's tough to like this product since the taste isn't for me, coming from someone who enjoys the taste of a green juice or smoothie – it's oddly sweet and feels a bit pasty like protein powder. I appreciate the brand's mission to create an accessible option for vitamins + supplements to promote better gut health, but these are of course things that people can get through a well rounded diet. The suggested use is 8-10oz with one scoop but I've been using 16oz+ just to get the mixture to be more palatable and less grainy, though it still becomes grainy at the end no matter how many times i shake or mix while drinking – this makes it tough to drink as an everyday beverage, which the brand is trying to promote. Unfortunately it's a miss for me and I'll be canceling my subscription.
Feedback
The powder is the biggest flaw - I've tried other brands where there's a concentrated liquid and those seem sooooo much more successful both in taste and solubility. The plastic water bottle with stainless steel / heavy lid is also really strange from a product perspective – it also makes the bottle topple more easily when empty.
Magic Molecule
Experience
Really love how this product can be used for so many skin issues - I've been testing this since they did a product launch in SoHo (just wanted to test the freebie) and can say it has helped heal + sooth my skin! After the initial product test, the small team behind the brand has given me their developed formulas, which I really appreciate since they welcome genuine feedback. A few applications I've used it for: contact dermatitis / skin rash, surface cuts / cuticle tears, mosquito bites / blisters, post-workout cleanse when I don't have time to shower immediately, general additional cleansing when needed (a light application pre-skincare when i have a breakout).
Feedback
The ingredient list is simple and very straight forward - sodium chloride is a salt derivative, which is why it cleanses and I definitely appreciate that it's been packaged in a way where it's easy to toss into a few totes / suitcase / purses so it's more accessible.
Fellow
Experience
I purchased the Fellow x Great Jones (green) electric kettle and would say it was one of my favorite purchases this year. Yes, it's expensive and no, it isn't necessary. I've used so many electric kettles in the past and also have a very simple stove top pour over kettle with no thermometer. The electric kettle was an "upgrade" purchase for me and I use it constantly for my iced pour over coffees, matcha lattes, and miso soups since it has such great temperature control. It looks great on the counter and was a great purchase for me to make my apartment feel like a more permanent home.
Feedback
Expensive.
Native
Experience
My boyfriend religiously buys this deodorant now and it's fully replaced his previously beloved Old Spice after I got it for him. We swapped over to natural deodorants a few years ago and this one does a great job at masking odor. I really like that they have a plastic free option - the existing plastic option is good for those who don't necessarily care about low-waste, so hopefully it converts to being plastic-free in the future. Great that it's accessible in drugstores, online, and other big box retailers for those who don't have the option to shop online or in boutique shops.
Feedback
It is on the pricier side, and doesn't seem like it needs to be given the ingredient list and volume per tube. Really wanted to love it for myself, but it caused my skin to breakout so I don't use it as my daily deod. Could be a good product for people with less sensitive skin.
Graza
Experience
Got the "drizzle" and I've been adding it to everything. I've purchased quite a few of these new olive oil brands, and I think this one is my favorite so far. The brand itself does a great job of making the product feel elevated but accessible. Not to mention the flavor profile is pretty good. I know people are skeptical since it's a new brand in a plastic bottle, but I'd say it was worth the money and quality. Great gift for a friend, even better gift for yourself.
Act+Acre
Experience
I got the cold pressed hair care kit + scalp detox and scalp renew products. I still have the two scalp products (which are nice but I have other scalp products I like more), and had to giveaway the shampoo and conditioner. It left my hair feeling so greasy and crunchy and not clean and hydrated. The brand says there's a transition period for hair to go to "clean" products, but I was already using very clean ingredients and shampoo and conditioner bars. Context for hair type: asian woman, medium thick hair (not super thick), and naturally wavy. Pretty bummed to have spent the money and to have had a bad experience with the products, but some people say it really works for them.
Feedback
I think the brand name has more hype than the products and it's pretty overpriced. Save your money and use products that you know work for you.
Dieux Skin
Experience
Really love their silicone eye patches - sometimes I use an eye cream, other times I just use an extra hydrating serum or cream. I think it's a great way to customize your skincare routine and what you may need. I also follow their founder on tiktok and think she's so well informed and feel like I can trust her advice! I think any item from this brand would make a great gift for a friend or even coworker.
Zing Pantry Shortcuts
Experience
Really loved this on my eggs and toast and excited to try it out on noodles and with some thinnly shaved beef. Read up on the story behind Lava and its flavor is inspired by Shacha sauce, which I could tasty immediately and absolutely loved. I think it's a super savory, spicy and sweet modern chinese bbq sauce and love supporting these AAPI businesses that are highlighting asian flavors.
Beam
Experience
I used Beam as my go-to CBD when they first launched. It was a great starter CBD and straightforward about their ingredients and sourcing. It's pretty a pretty high price-point (like most CBD) but reliable. I've since found other brands I like more, like a dissolvable tablet rather than digested pills or oil.
Bala
Experience
Super cute and stylish weights! I've had my bangles since they launched and they've withstood the test of time. Love the fun shapes they've created for standard weights, like their beam and bars. Really great gift!
Feedback
Price point is pretty high