LoveLula April 2017 Beauty Box

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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 

Morning Routine Spring 2017 - Mini Review

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The change of season coincided with some changes in my skincare current skincare collection. In fact, I have managed to finish all of the products used in the winter routine so the spring version features some new brands and my new favourites. You might notice my morning routine contains quite a few products. This does not mean that you need all of them. Or some of them. Or the same number in your routine. This is what works for me so this is what I use. You can be as simple or as complex with you skincare as you want, just do not forget your SPF. My SPF cream is not featured in this mini-review because it is not natural hence I would not repurchase it again and wold not want to recommend it either.

Elderbrook Cordials - The Not Squash

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Hands down, tea is my favourite drink. In fact, seldom you will find me in my own home without a warm cuppa in my hand, sipping away (or setting aside to cool and completely forgetting about it - oh, the British tragedy!). While teas are excellent at keeping me warm during the cool winter season (and the current spring, it was snowing just a few days ago), the fast approaching summer made me remember that I was rather resistant to drinking my usual earl grey last year when the long-awaited temperature went over 20 celsius. I absolutely love the sunshine and warm weather, however, what can I drink if not the favourite herbal infusion? I am not keen on just water and store bought diluting squash is full of sugar so an alternative must be found! Luckily, I was registered with Thrivo which allows accessing different discount codes. I came across the Edlebrook cordial which were offering a whopping 75% off so I was too curious to pass on this opportunity.



balm balm

Current lip balms

12:59

Hey, lippy you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind!

The packaging of lip balms can be a bit of dilemma - on one hand, a balm that comes in pots tend to be made from tin or glass hence more environmentally friendly than twist up plastic tubes. On the other hand, twist up tubes are more hygienic when you are on the go and waste less product as balm remains on your fingers. What to choose?
Hurraw! lip balms are my favourite lippies because the ingredients are top notch, the oval shape is unique and the flavours are very yum (my previous review is here). I have been using Hurraw! balms for several years in a pretty religious fashion but lately I thought about exploring the field a bit more. Somehow it got out of hand when I realised how many lip balms I have on the go at the moment.
Balm Balm Rose Geranium Lip Balm in Pot RRP £5.50 for 7ml
When I went green, this was the first lip balm I started to use because it was widely available in my local Boots and the range was quite budget friendly. The smell of geranium is quite strong so it could be a problem for those sensitive to strong smells. The texture is a bit grainy, which is frequently encountered with beeswax-based balms. The finish is very rich so it is great for people with very dry lips but not the best base for lipstick application (unless you blot it first). I typically use it before bedtime to ensure my lips are moisturised for the night. The balm comes in a plastic pot and it is pretty much a more solid version of their squeezy tubes balms.

Ingredients: Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), helianthus annuus (sunflower oil), cera alba (beeswax), calendula officinalis (calendula oil), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba oil), pelargonum graveolens roseum (rose geranium oil)
Vegetarian (beeswax), UK brand, 100% organic

Eco Lips Mongo Kiss with Pomegranate Lip Balm RRP $2.99 for 7g
This was the last moment purchase from iHerb. Typically, if I shop on iHerb and my order is less than £14, I try to make it up by getting a lip balm and my choice went to this unfamiliar brand. The main selling point is the ingredient called Mongongo oil, which is rich in micronutrients and vitamin E. This unique ingredient is 100% organic and sourced from a local village in Zambia, providing local women with additional income. The lip balm is a whopping 7g and a large diameter means applying lip balm is very quickly. The pomegranate flavour is slightly sour, personally, I like it but I have seen the reviews complaining about the smell (the unflavoured version is available in the range). The texture is very smooth and my lips feel very moisturised. The balm comes in a twist up plastic tube. Because of the large size, it can be an all over body balm on the go.

Ingredients:   *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Cera Flava (Beeswax), Fair Trade Certified TM *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, *Pomegranate Flavor, *Schinziophyton Rautanenii (Mongongo) Kernel Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E), *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Extract.  *= Certified Organic Ingredients
Vegetarian (beeswax), organic, fair trade

Fushi Hydrating Lip Balm RRP £5 for 10ml
I picked up this little glass pot when it was massively reduced so I decided to see if the price is justified. To be honest, you do get 10ml of product which is more than a typical balm from a twist up tube. On the other hand, this means having to warm up the balm with your finger for a little longer because this balm is very solid. The balm is super smooth and glides evenly on my lips. It gives a very sheer coverage so I like to use it before applying lipsticks. The lightness of the formula means the lipstick colour will still be pigmented but my lips are nicely moisturised. The smell is of peppermint with a hint of lemon which really floats my boat. The peppermint does not give a cooling sensation though. I really like this balm, however, I would not recommend it to those with very dry lips. Fushi is certified organic and committed to having environmentally friendly practices (such as incorporating biodegradable packaging material and reducing energy expenditure by turning off their equipment at the end of the day), however, I was surprised to see the lip balm does not have any organic ingredients (or at least, none were marked as organic).

Ingredients: Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), Persea gratissima (Avocado oil), Simmondsia chinesis(Jojoba oil), Cera alba (Beeswax), Mentha piperita (Peppermint essential oil), Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium essential oil), *Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), +Limonene, +Linalool, +Citral, +Geraniol, +Citronellol.
Vegetarian (beeswax), UK brand

Evolve Organic Beauty Lip Treat Vegan Lip Balm RRP £10 for 30ml
This little pot came in Naturisimo vegan discovery box so it is only a sample size. I find it very similar to the lip balm by Fushi except it is a bit more solid (for example, you would not be able to apply it with a lip brush) and almost odourless. The full tub will cost £10 for 30ml which is a steal compared to other balms. The lip treat is, of course, a multipurpose product and can be applied all over the body, not just lips. The ingredients do not feature any waxes, instead, there are nourishing shea and cocoa butter. This probably accounts for light texture when applied to lips and solid consistency in the pot. Just like Fushi lip balm, I like to apply this lip treat before putting on lipstick. I keep them both on my table, so when I am getting ready, I can easily reach out.

Ingredients: Helianthus annuus seed oil,* Butyrospermum parkii butter*, Theobroma cacao seed butter,* Glycerin, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed oil*, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil*, Sucrose laurate, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit water*, Tocopherol.
* Organic.
Vegan, organic, UK brand

Epic Blend Pineapple-Mint Vegan Lip Balm RRP £3.99 for 4.2
This lippie comes in a white and green plastic twist up tube which gives me a vibe of very conventional lip balm, something you can pick up in any shop (but in the UK you definitely have to order it online). The brand has a designated vegan line which features carnauba wax instead of beeswax. The flavours are offered in a decent variety and went for pineapple and mint. I find this balm very similar to Hurraw because it gives the same richness of the application and fun flavour does not feel overpowering or synthetic. If you are looking for a good dupe for Hurraw balms, this is pretty close.

Ingredients: Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Candelilla Wax, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Flavor, Peppermint Essential Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract
Vegan, organic

Trevarno Skincare Lip Balm Stick RRP £3.90 for 4.5 ml
Last but no the least this hypoallergenic all natural and organic balm only has 4 ingredients. This is a great find for those who are sensitive to smell because it is absolutely odourless. Great alternative for people with sensitivities, however, this balm still features my favourite calendula - this wonderful plant has been used for centuries due to its healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Calendula petals are also a great addition to the tea. Personally, I like a big of fun smell so this balm is too plain for me but it is great at moisturising my lips so it definitely has its place on the market.

Ingredients: Olea Europaea Symphytum Officinale* (Olive Oil infused with Comfrey), Olea Europaea Calendula Officinalis* (Olive Oil infused with Calendula Petal), Cera Alba* (Beeswax)
Organically Produced*
Vegetarian (beeswax), 100% organic, UK brand

Lip balms are my favourite skincare products and despite the rich diversity on the green market, Hurraw! lip balms still remain my favourites and I cannot forsee any other lippie replacing them in my handbag. The Epic Blend lip balm comes very close in this competition and I am interested in exploring their range further.

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 

Benecos

The Natural Beauty Box March 2017

16:51

The month has flown so quickly and I am already unpacking another box from the Natural Beauty Box. The theme of this month is English Garden. To my mind springs fields of flowers and intoxicating aroma. Vivid colours and whispering wind. (My English teacher would be so proud of the demonstrated alliteration).


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