Apologies in advance to those of you not in the U.S.  While you don’t have access to this service, perhaps you’ll be interested in the products I tried.

Green Grab Bag sells eco-friendly beauty product samples.  At first, they were subscription only, delivering 6+ samples a month for $15 which including shipping.  I never tried out their service.  The frugal-control-freak-who-abhors-excess in me couldn’t do it.  (What if I got a perfume sample I disliked?  Or a face mask for oily skin?  Or makeup in a color that wasn’t mine?)  But when they started  their Build a Box Program which allows you to HAND PICK the samples you want, I was easy to woo.  (Like my colors, I like my body products hand picked!)

I tried out the smallest size box which, like their monthly subscription service, is $15 including shipping for six samples.  From more than 55 items, I chose:

Cocoon Apothecary Rosey Cheeks  Discovering this facial cream alone made the box worth every cent. Hands down the nicest moisturizer I’ve used.  Fans of rosehip oil and shea butter check it out. Not too much, not too little – but just the right amount of moisture for my finicky skin.  The rose scent is very, very subtle.

Tsi-La Fleur Sauvage Organic Eau de Parfum The other perfumes on offer actually all sounded nice. This  one sounded bewitching and it is, indeed, intoxicating.  I spent ages on the Tsi-La website having fun, learning about their perfumes and how you can layer them.

Aimee’s Lotions’n’Potions Revitalizing Eye Cream   I ran out of eye cream so picked two. This one is lovely and creamy.

Moody Sisters Eye Cream  When looking at the Moody Sister’s website, I discovered this can also be used as a cuticle cream!  And, indeed, that’s how I am enjoying using it – actually on my entire hands not just my cuticles. Its consistency reminds me of coconut oil and my hands love it.

Shea Terra Organics Pink Guava Pomegranate Whipped Shea Butter Body Cream  This is much thicker than I expected and lacks the heavenly scent I’d hoped for but it is nice on elbows and heels.

Suntegrity Vegan BB Sunscreen in Light.  This is why I love the Build a Box program – because I know I need Light not Medium and *I* get to choose.  I was really impressed by this product  in terms of consistency and feel.  I still prefer matching skin tones more precisely but this came really close for me and if I hadn’t just found a better match, I’d probably be buying it full size.

The Build A Box program is currently made up of products from past subscription boxes but they are planning on introducing completely different samples too.  Products are added monthly.  Customer service is fantastic.  (I had questions answered super fast!)   Go forth and sample!