Review: The Pip Box April 2017

The Pip Box is a relatively new cruelty-free monthly subscription box which offers 5 full sized and travel sized skincare, makeup, body and hair care. The primary focus is on cruelty-free hence natural and vegan items are not guaranteed. 50p from every box is donated to Animal Free Research UK charity.

The value of the box is at least £35 with subscription service costing £18.34 (£14.99/box + £3.35/delivery) or 3 months pre-pay service £50.55 (£13.50/box + £3.35/delivery). One off purchase is also available so you can try the box without feeling committed (TIP - search online for a discount code, there are quite a few 10% off codes going at the moment).

This box is the third edition and personally, I think this is the best one so far because coincidentally all items are natural and vegan. There is usually a reveal of the "star" product of the box, however, the rest of the items are kept secret. Personally, I do not like it, especially when products are not guaranteed to be natural. Nonetheless, all boxes were a sell-out, proving there is a demand for such service.

Freyaluna Geranium and Lime Revitalising Body Oil RRP £28 for 100ml

I did not like all of the items featured in the previous boxes and following what I said earlier you might wonder why I decided to get a box. The answer is simple, this body oil was revealed as a star product. Initially, I was not the greatest fan of body oils, I found then to be too greasy. Not sure if I have convinced myself of the opposite or just the change of body oils now made me an avid fan. Usually, I like to moisturise my legs with body oil straight after a bath and if I have any troublesome dry spots, I would top them up with a balm. 

Each subscriber received one of the two varieties - geranium and lime or lavender and ylang-ylang. I am not a fan of lavender so I was very happy to find out I received the other variety. The amber glass is topped wit a cork stopper, giving is almost antique appearance. Essential oils of geranium, peppermint and lime are revitalising and toning to the system and coconut, olive and grapeseed oil will moisturise the skin. If you are not a fan of body oils, you can use it as a bath oil due to a high amount of essential oils that will create a wonderful aroma in the bathroom. 

Ingredients: Vitis Vinifera (grapeseed) oil, Olea europaea (olive) oil, Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, essential oils of Aurantifolia (lime), Pelargonium graveolens (geranium), Mentha piperita (peppermint), Citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel, Citrus nobilis (mandarin), Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel, Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) leaf.

Vegan, made in the UK

Freyaluna Peppermint Beauty Balm RRP £4 for 10ml

Another item by Freyaluna, this multitasker can be used lips, hands, body, hair etc. As before, the balm came in 2 options - peppermint and lavender hence I was extremely happy to find out both of the items from this company came in flavours that I wanted. I love peppermint for the numbing and soothing feeling it can give to the sore and itchy skin. A few years ago I was struggling with eczema at the back of my knees and more extensive patches on my legs. Being stuck on a holiday without a steroid cream, the itch was driving me insane. Out of desperation, I purchased a spray lotion which contained peppermint oil and luckily it was able to control the itching until the end of vacation. 

Ingredients: Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, prunus armeniaca (apricot kernel) oil, alpha topcopherol (vitamin E) oil, essential oil mentha piperita (peppermint). 

Vegan, made in the UK



PHB Ethical Beauty Clarifying Shampoo with Argan and Vanilla RRP £3.95 for 50ml

I was quite excited to see a clarifying shampoo because pretty much all of the products encountered in subscription boxes were skewed toward people with dry skin. I have an oily scalp, however, this shampoo was also designed with dry and itchy scalps in mind. Oat and aloe vera can help to soothe irritated skin and mandarin oil can help to control flakiness and excess sebum. The shampoo comes in a travel size bottle so, bearing in mind the holiday season is approaching, it is very handy to throw into the bag.

Ingredients: Aqua & Avena sativa (Organic Oat) kernal extract**, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Coco Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera)**, Veg Glycerin**, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Organic Sea Buckthorn)**, Argania spinosa (Organic Argan)**, Canaga odorata (Ylang Ylang), Citrus nobilis (Organic Mandarin)**, Pelagonium graveolens (Geranium), Quillaja saponiaria, Vanillia planifolia (Organic Vanilla)**, Jasmin grandifolia (Jasmine), Cymbopogon martini (Organic Palmarosa)**, Rosa centifolia (Rose), Sodium Bicarbonate. *Linalool, *Geraniol, *Farnesol, *Limonene, *Citral, *Citronellol, *Eugenol, *Benzyl benzoate, *Benzyl alcohol, *Benzyl salicylate. *Occurs naturally in essential oils. **Ingredients from Organic Farming 

Vegan, organic, made in the UK

PHB Ethical Beauty Brow and Lash Brush RRP £7.95

I absolutely love my spoolie brush to separate the eyelashes and comb through my eyebrows. I cannot stand clumpy "spider-legs" eyelashes so I always brush through with the spoolie after applying mascara. This brush could be the alternative, on one side it features bristles to brush through eyebrows and on the other side a comb to separate the lashes.

Tisserand Aromatherapy Sweet Dreams Roller Ball RRP £5.95 for 10ml

I have accumulated a number of the famous aromatherapy roller balls by Tisserand. They are a good alternative to aromatherapy sticks by Scentered, especially if you are looking for a vegan option. This edition of the Pip Box featured one of the Essential Survival Kit roller balls and I have received the sweet dreams version, designed to soothe into sleep using a blend of lavender (main notes), sandalwood and jasmine essential oils. The blend is applied to pulse points, such as wrists and temples. I like to apply mine just before going to sleep. I have seen others using aromatherapy roller balls as perfume, however, they do not have very long longevity. 

Ingredients: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Copaifera Officinalis (Copaiba Balsam) Oil, Cedrus Deodara (Cedar) Wood Oil, Tocopherol, Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress) Leaf Oil, Fusanus Spicatus (Sandal) Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Limonene*, Linalool*

Vegan, made in the UK 

The overall value of this box is £49.85 and the enclosed information leaflet contained a number of coupon codes.

I will not subscribe to this box because there is no guarantee all items will have natural and safe ingredients. Cruelty-free does not mean safe and some of the items featured in the previous boxes contained ingredients I would not put on my skin, such as mineral oil. However, if the product reveal catches my eye and justifies the purchase, I might buy a one-off box.

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