Subscribe
A few months ago I received a package containing the following items: Full-sized freebies from the Yes to Carrots company. I've used them the entire summer and so far I'm pretty satisfied. Yes to Carrots touts itself as a company that places importance on using fewer chemicals and more natural ingredients. All of their products are paraben-free and have at least some natural ingredients, any natural ingredients are certified organic, and some finished products are vegan (containing no animal products, such as beeswax and honey).
Yes to Tomatoes Totally Tranquil Facial Hydrating Lotion ($14.99)Made for those with oily/combination skin, this combines "the hydrating power of 26 Minerals from the Dead Sea with yummy organic tomatoes, rosemary, and red pepper, rich in anti-oxidants and powerful sebum absorbers." The key ingredients are rosemary and red peppers, anti-oxidants "great for keeping your skin clear and healthy." This also contains tomato, a source of lycopene which is another anti-oxidant that also aids in protecting skin from sun damage.
Review: The moisturizer comes in a clear pump dispenser, which is great because 1) it's sanitary and 2) you know how much product is left. The product is light and absorbs quickly without leaving skin feeling greasy or looking shiny. I didn't experience the powerful sebum absorbing quality as stated on their website, but my face wasn't any more oily as a result of using this product. I've noticed that none of the facial products by Yes to Carrots are labeled "non-comedogenic," but I didn't break out from using this. A little goes a long way--I still have a lot of product left! There are two things I don't like about this moisturizer: It has an added fragrance and lacks spf. The smell is not necessarily unpleasant (a sweet scent), but stays on my skin longer than I'd like (it does disappear after a while). The addition of spf would have been nice, especially on sweltering summer days when I didn't feel like layering a product that provides protection.
Yes to Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in Natural Smile ($4.49)(Photo to the left not mine.)
These lip tints are "all-natural formulas made with 95% organic ingredients soothe, condition and moisturize." It also qualifies as a Natural Product Association (NPA) product and "contains only synthetic ingredients specifically allowed under [NPA] standard that do not have suspected human health risks."
Review: At first glance I immediately thought of Burt's Bees and their Lip Shimmer. To be quite honest, this is very much like Burt's. Both products come in similar slim tubes and both leave a cool, pepperminty sensation on your lips. The finish is slightly glossy with a hint of shimmer. I was given the shade Natural Smile, which I LOVE. It's a shade with just enough pigment to give my lips a nice, healthy color. I would definitely repurchase this once I run out. My only qualm with this product is the lack of spf protection. The Burt's version doesn't either. Here is a side-by-side comparison of Natural Smile and Burt's Bees in Watermelon:
Yes to Carrots Lip Butter in Citrus ($3.79)(Photo to the left not mine.)
The lip butter is all-natural and made with certified organic materials. "The farming, handling and manufacturing of every ingredient and the final product have met the stringent guidelines of USDA's National Organic Program. And it's all grown using environmentally sound practices without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides that could be harmful to our bodies or Mother Earth."
Review: Less greasy feeling than Kiss My Face lip balms, I would choose this over KMF any day. The citrus scent is refreshing and reminds me of Altoids tangerine sour candies. I've used this every day since receiving it. Again, my only qualm with this product is the missing spf.
I am most definitely not the only person to have received free products from Yes to Carrots as I've seen quite a few reviews from other bloggers. Contrary to what some bloggers have stated, Yes to Carrots is not a completely all-natural company. Some of their products do contain ingredients such as Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, and Sorbitan tristearate, so if you're picky about ingredients you might want to take a closer look at the label. To their credit, Yes to Carrots doesn't describe itself as "all-natural," but I don't think the average consumer looks beyond the front of the label. YtC does carry a few all-natural products, such as the lippies above. What sets YtC apart from other natural beauty brands, such as Burt's, is the use of organic ingredients. Would I recommend you try YtC? Sure. At drugstore prices, this stuff's pretty affordable. It's also easy to find. You can find YtC online or in stores such as Target and Walgreens.
