Indie Style Awesome Box

It's Awesome! :}

I've purchased subscription boxes in the past, including Julep Maven and Birchbox, and they haven't really been my "thing." I usually received nice items in each monthly surprise box, but more often than not the products weren't usable for my hair type, skin type, etc. The concept behind most subscription boxes is simple: you pay a set price, get a surprise box of samples that exposes you to new brands and products, and ideally you would then invest in the full-size version of your favorite products. As previously mentioned, most of the subscription boxes I had received weren't really catered toward my beauty preferences, and I found most of the samples rather lackluster. Enter the Awesome Box, with a similar concept but much more appeal than others.

Taken directly from the Indie Style blog, Indie Style "is a site specifically devoted to promoting indie business through a bi-monthly mailing of samples and goodies. It’s designed to offer you a wide variety of indie samples, pulled together in one place. The Awesome Box is a collaborative effort between indie companies to support each other and grow."
Some features that make it different from others: the Awesome Box isn't a subscription box, so you're not obligated to purchase one every time they're offered. Also, you'll know before you purchase exactly which indie companies will be participating in the upcoming Awesome Box, though the exact products will be kept a surprise. Most importantly, the Awesome Box doesn't exist as a means for profit; instead, the purpose of the Awesome Box is to support indie businesses by offering samples of their products to consumers who may not have tried them before. From this comes an appreciation for indie business owners and an awareness of the high-quality, unique products produced by indie companies {way better than mainstream companies in most cases, in my opinion}. If you want more details about Indie Style or the Awesome Box, please check out the Indie Style blog linked to above, and also HERE.

*Note: the next Awesome Box will be sent out in February, and goes on sale in January. Check the blog for the exact dates. The boxes are first come, first served, with a limited quantity available, so I highly recommend stalking the Indie Style blog when it gets close to the release date. But save one for me! :}

Now for the fun part! Here's a run-down of everything that was included in the very first Awesome Box {this was considered a "mini box" so it has a smaller amount of items than the regular box will — although I thought for a mini box it had a pretty freakin' great assortment}.

:::  Whimsy Beading coupon
:::  Geek Chic eyeshadow samples (3) and coupon
:::  Innocent + Twisted Alchemy sample and coupon
:::  EM Jewelry earrings
:::  One Hand Washes the Other solid perfume sample
:::  Evil Shades Cosmetics Deviant Lipstick sample and coupon

:::  THE ITEMS  :::

{A list of items inside and an extra goodie bag}

{Wrapped in tissue paper with the handmade ornament and candy cane}

{All of the items included in the Mini Awesome Box}

{Earrings by EM Jewelry - gorgeous!}

{The sample from Evil Shades Cosmetics}

{Swatch of the Evil Shades Deviant Lipstick in Jenaveve - Natural Light}

{Swatch photographed with a flash}

{Sample from OHWTO - 1605 Solid Scent - check out the description of this complex and awesome scent HERE}

{Sample from Innocent + Twisted Alchemy}

{Swatch of the color "Innocent + Twisted" - Flash}

{Swatch photographed with a flash, blurred to show sparkle}

{Swatched over NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk - Natural Light}

{Samples from Geek Chic Cosmetics}

{Swatched over NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk - Natural Light}

{Natural Light - Katamari King}

{Natural Light - Across the Narrow Sea}

{Natural Light - Solid Snake}

{Photographed with a flash}

{Photographed with a flash, blurred to show sparkle}

:::  THE OPINIONS  :::

Indie Style's Awesome Box did exactly what it set out to do — it exposed me to new indie companies I had not tried before, and I ended up placing orders with two of them so far! I envision the Indie Style project becoming a big deal in a short amount of time, especially as more people buy it, blog about it and spread the word. It's such a lovely way to support indie businesses, try new things and appreciate all of the hardworking talent we have in our communities! I'm not disappointed with a single item, and in fact, I adore everything! To top it off, the mastermind behind Indie Style, known by many as simply "Grey," included a handmade ornament with each mini box, giving it an extra personal touch that exceeded expectations. I hope you'll consider purchasing the February Awesome Box, if you hadn't already planned on it. I would love to see this concept really take off!

Stay Fabulous!