Testing this out

Since purchasing this, I've used it twice. Despite the jars being 6 ounces, you don't need all that much product. As an added bonus these two products are a solid complement to one another. A few years back they sold bath bombs which haven't been seen since. So I assume they figure everyone showers instead.

Charcoal and Peppermint Clarifying and Exfoliating Shampoo

If you were thinking this shampoo would be black you are wrong. This shampoo when opened is actually silver. And yes, it will leave your hair squeaky clean. But the neat thing about this is that there are ground-up walnut shells to help exfoliate your scalp. So this is refreshing on many levels.

The smell here is peppermint but there is also tea tree oil that adds to the tingly nature. All of which makes this refreshing.

My hair was nice, clean, and smooth when I used this product.

But a clarifying and exfoliating shampoo isn't what I'd reach for each day. This is something I'd use once or twice a week at most.

My hair is relatively long and past my shoulders but using a reasonable quantity I'll probably be using this for the next 2-3 months.

Deep Moisture and Shine Hair Mask

If you bought Trader Joe's 12 Days of Beauty, I'm pretty sure this is the same hair mask that was found in that set. The only problem with the 12 days of beauty is that sample was large enough for single use.

Now, this container even if your hair is long should get you through at least a month if you are using it once a week.

There wasn't a discernable fragrance here other than the coconut oil found in the conditioner. Now, some of you might be asking yourself, "Is this different than Trader Joe's Coconut Oil and Shea Butter Hair Mask?" And my answer is yes.

When Trader Joe's makes something with new packaging that means there have been some changes. So these are different products. Both are solid in their own right. This product also asks for 5-10 minutes of your time. The other hair mask only asks for 3-5 minutes.

In any case, I didn't have any problems with my hair looking or feeling greasy afterward. And yes, my hair was silky and shiny.

But would I buy this on its own? Absolutely.

The packaging

The packaging here is pretty but functional. The box keeps the two tubs together. The box also allows it to be wrapped up as well.

Overall

This was a solid buy. The exfoliating shampoo was gentle enough to feel good. And yes, the deep conditioner isn't something you'll use every day but it left my hair feeling oh so soft.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I picked up an extra Trader Joe's Hair Rescue Set for the season. This is another item that I would love to see sold year-round.

Did you try it?  Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The products

So all three products knocked it out of the park for me. I might have passed on this if it haven't been for the 12 Days of Beauty which was in my local stores for what seemed like only a couple of days before being out of stock.

This trio contains three new products:

Vitamin C Serum

When I tried the Vitamin C serum in the 12 Days of Beauty it was hands down my favorite. It smells slightly citrusy. But fragrance aside, I used it every morning for a week and it made my skin feel soft, smooth, and never dry. I had no breakouts from using this. I really hope this appears on shelves as a regular because if you had told me it came Sephora I would have believed you. I'd gladly pay $10 just for this one item.

Glow Face Mask

This is less of a mask and more of a moisturizer. When I applied a thin layer it absorbed right into my skin. I'm sure if I globbed it on then maybe it would need to be wiped off. But treat this as a gentle moisturizer before bed. Again, I had no breakouts after a week of using. There was a slight smell of citrus that my nose could detect on this one. My skin didn't feel oily in the morning. It just seemed to be nice and balanced.

Lip Balm Butter

O...M...G. This was the curveball here. During the winter months here in New York it gets cold and wearing a mask at work all day causes my lips to be very dry. I'm a huge fan of Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. But I'm no fan of the over $20 price tag. Well, I don't say this lightly but this Trader Joe's Lip Balm Butter is just as good as Laneige. Yes, I said what I said. My lips felt phenomenal after using this and for hours after it had worn off. My lips are very soft and I don't feel the need to reach for my chapsticks during the day. The packaging here is boring and the tube only needs the gentlest amount of pressure to release a more than adequate amount of product. But holy cow, this product knocks it out of the park for me. And yes, this I'd pay the $10 for.

The packaging

So it's gift season, but despite this being a likely gift they did fairly well with minimizing the amount of packaging here.

Overall

I might have bought a couple for myself. And a few for family. But yes, this is probably one of the best sets I've seen in a while.

But let me be honest here, I can only hope after the holiday season we see these products back on shelves individually. This gift set is absolutely worth every penny. Heck, it is even worth picking up an extra one for yourself. I rarely rave about products here, but this is a stellar set for any beauty junkie.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Merry and Bright Skin Care Trio if they sold these products individually. And yes, don't be afraid to Treat Yo Self on this one.