LoveLula April 2017 Beauty Box

If you have been following me, you know I do not like receiving subscription boxes without knowing what will be inside before I open them. That is just how am I like and I tend to not like the contents in such cases. Go figure! I have been following LoveLula subscription boxes for a while now and recently they have stepped up their game and their boxes make me wish I was a subscriber. So I became one. This is my first subscription box from LoleLula.

Madara Brightening AHA Peel Mask RRP £20 for 60ml

I actually already had a full tube of it waiting to be used. I am a big fan of acid peelers, however, I do prefer a mixture of both AHA and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) acids. BHA (a.k.a. salicylic acid) can help to exfoliate, reduce sebum production and clear out those congested pores, whereas AHA is more geared towards those with dry and ageing skin. As with all acids, this might not be the product for those with hypersensitive and fragile skin. If you are new, it is better to "start low, go slow" - use a little amount and leave for a shorter period of time, gradually building up how long you can leave the mask on.

Ingredients: Aqua, Lactic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Floral water, Glycerin, Galactoarabinan, Mycrocristalline Cellulose, Glucomannan, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl, Mica ( CI 77019 ), Pyrus Cydonia (Quince) Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra (Elderflower) Flower Extract, Aroma, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Cellulose gum, Xanthan Gum, Limonene

Vegan, gluten free, nut free

Greenfrog Botanic Geranium & Peppermint Handwash for moisturising and smooth hands RRP £2.65 for 100ml

I have accumulated quite a number of shower gels from Greenfrog Botanic, all waiting to be used. However, handwash is not something I had tried from this company. I love that they make their products from soapberries which are very gentle to the dry and sensitive skin. My hands can get very dry, sore and itchy so I avoid overly drying soaps! The little travel size of hand soap has tempted me to pop it into my bag and use it when I am out and about (instead of that less pleasant soap in dispensers).

Vegan

Apple and Bears Grapefruit and Seaweed Luxury Body Wash RRP £5.00 for 50ml

I have been wanting to try something from this company for quite a while now! This travel size body wash is fantastic for keeping in a gym bag and the uplifting smell is great after a workout, none of that overpowering synthetic smell the person in the next shower cabin is using.

Apple and Bear donate a portion of their profits to Breast Cancer Care. Of course, donating money to charity is very important and demonstrates high moral values of the company which is not after making their money, but also gives back to the community. I am wary of human charities because of potential involvement with animal testing, which is particularly common with cancer charities. I have looked on Breast Cancer Care website and they do NOT appear to sponsor animal testing. The donations go to supporting individuals, providing information and campaigning for better care.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Oil Distilled, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract*, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract*, Laminaria Digitata Extract*, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Flower Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Myristica Fragrans Fruit Oil (Nutmeg), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Limonene, Linalool. *Ingredients from Organic Farming
Vegan, organic, made in the UK

FoM Anti-oxidant Hydra Plump and Firm Cream RRP £14.70 for 15ml

This is the first time I have encountered this company and the luxurious packaging is quite a stunner. The cream is aimed at all skin types and light texture will give a matte finish, making it fantastic for day use. This does contain shea butter and brown algae, so bear in mind if it clogs your pores. Other fantastic ingredients include green tea extract, Vitamin B3 and hyaluronic acid.

Due to being a small (ish) sample, I have decided to keep it for my summer trips.

Ingredients: AQUA (WATER). ROSA DAMASCENA WATER. CETEARYL ALCOHOL (AND) POLYSORBATE 60. GLYCERINE. PRUNUS DULCIS (ALMOND) OIL. PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL. VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL. ROSA CANINA FRUIT (ROSEHIP) OIL. SCLEROCARYA BIRREA (MARULA) OIL. CITRUS PARADISI (GRAPEFRUIT) OIL. BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER). CETYL ALCOHOL. FUCUS VESICULOSUS (BROWN ALGAE). CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT (GREEN TEA) . NIACINAMIDE. SODIUM HYALURONATE. HYDROLYZED SILK PROTEIN. VERBASCUM THAPSUS (MULLEIN) EXTRACT. TARAXACUM OFFICINALE (DANDELLION). TOCOPHEROL. CENTELLA ASIATICA (GOTU KOLA). GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT. PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT. RHODIOLA ROSEA ROOT EXTRACT. *SIGNATURE ESSENTIAL OIL COMPLEX PHENOXYETHANOL AND CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. CANANGA ODORATA (YLANG) OIL. PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS (GERANIUM) FLOWER OIL. XANTHAN GUM. *BENZYL ALCOHOL. EUGENOL. ISO EUGENOL. BENZYL SALICYLATE. GERANIOL. FARNESOL. LINALOOL. BENZYL BENZOATE. CITRAL. LIMONENE. CITRONELLOL. (NATURALLY OCCURRING IN ESSENTIAL OILS).
Vegetarian (silk), made in the UK
Contains phenoxyethanol

Marlenha Bloom Anti-Age Complete Rejuvenating Treatment Sample

Reading the ingredient list, my eyes were caught on "Parfum". As you may be aware, companies do not have to disclose the ingredients behind the "parfum" which gives a potential loophole to put anything, even very dangerous ingredients. I like to clarify what is the source of perfume if there is no information on the website or no asterisk saying it came from essential oils. I have emailed the company about the origin of "parfum" ingredients and received irrelevant (although quick) reply that the products are safe to be used in pregnancy. OK, that is great, please answer the question! Finally, the answer came - "our fragrance are not natural but they are only 0,15 % of the product and our "natural" customers are satisfied about it". Does that mean if you are not satisfied with artificial fragrances you are not their customer? Also, "it is only a small percent of the product" is a common argument for using parabens. Just because it is a small proportion, does it mean anything can be used? I am not prepared to debate these questions further so this sample will find another home. And I will not be using it or anything from this company.

Ingredients: Aqua, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Acetyl Octapeptide-3 Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Opuntia Coccinellifera Flower Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Glucose, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Lactic Acid.
Vegan

The value of the box according to my maths is £42.35 but LoveLula states £44. The subscription is £12.50 per month with free delivery so that is a great value. Overall I am very happy with this box and I hope they will keep up with the good work. The only product I did not like came as a tiny sample so I am OK with this loss.

Disclaimer - products are bought by me with my own money. Please check the official website for up to date information regarding every product. All information presented in this article is the opinion of the author and cannot be taken as a fact.

Agave Bun x