High quality, organic, cruelty-free, non-GMO, $3 — wait, $3? Brandless, an online grocery store, sells everything from olive oil to toothpaste all for exactly $3. And you can get your hands on these cheap, no-brand products at the Brandless pop-up on West 14th Street.
Brandless decreases the cost of items by eliminating the steps between supplier and traditional retailer, bringing products straight from the supplier to you doorstep. Wanting to try these items in real life, I visited the Brandless pop-up store — named Pop-up With Purpose — at the Milk building in Chelsea.
As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by vibrant Instagram photo opportunities and employees eager to help. I immediately ran towards the tall colorful cereal dispensers full a variety of snacks for visitors to try.
My favorite treats were the Dark Chocolate Quinoa Bites, Toasted Coconut Cookie Thins and the Crushed Pepper & Truffle Oil Popcorn. The sweet and crunchy Dark Chocolate Quinoa Bites have definitely become my new guilt-free late-night study snack.
There was also a fair trade coffee stand, where I tried a cup of cold brew made from a Dark Roast Cold Brew Coffee Bag. All the Brandless coffees are organic and fair trade-certified, which ensures that the people involved in the production are treated ethically and paid fairly.
Visitors can sit at the Yummy station to sample organic salsas, soups, peanut butter and much more. The Organic Hot Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa was sweet, spicy and chunky — the perfect combination.
At the Beauty Station, try multiple Brandless beauty products such as the Night Cream and Grapefruit Facial Cleanser. The Grapefruit Facial Cleanser — full of antioxidizing fruit extracts — foamed up gently, and my skin felt squeaky clean and fresh with a mellow grapefruit scent.
The Night Cream was lightly scented and instantly moisturizing, leaving my face feeling replenished from the harsh, cold air outside. Brandless has eliminated over 400 questionable ingredients from their beauty products and every product is free of parabens, sulfate, phthalate and animal testing.
There are aisles with over 300 Brandless products on display with descriptions, including but not limited to tree-free bath and facial tissues, kitchen utensils, stationary, vitamins and baking mixes. At every station, visitors are encouraged to give feedback about products and discuss their own take on a #brandless lifestyle.
While items were only out for trial and display, visitors could purchase a $33 best of Brandless bundle which included 11 of customers’ favorite Brandless items such as Almond Butter, Facial Toner and a Silicone Slotted Turner.
Pop-up With Purpose is the perfect spot for students interested in eco-friendly, affordable products to learn more about Brandless products and give their own feedback. Make sure to take a quick visit to this pop-up with a purpose near campus to experience Brandless products, get some coupons and take #brandlesslife photos.
The pop-up is open Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Email Joyce Shin at [email protected].