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

00:11

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).


hurraw

LoveLula March 2017 Beauty Box | Review

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Arguably, this is one of the most know natural subscription boxes. It is available on the monthly rolling basis and only costs £12.50 to the subscribers with the box value at least twice the amount (from what I have gathered). If this is such a popular option with affordable price, why have I not reviewed a box before? The answer is simple, I do not like receiving a subscription box and not knowing what will be coming my way. In addition, on the website, there is a selection of previous boxes and for quite a few of them, there were items that I would not buy myself (due to questionable ingredients, previous bad experience or simply not liking the product). However, the last couple of boxes looked very good. LoveLula occasionally has offers when they offer the remaining boxes as a free gift when you purchase for a certain amount. I quite liked the look of the March box and I had a couple of things I wanted to try from their website so naturally, this box landed on my doorstep (OK, my lovely mailman brought it all the way to my floor and handed it over).

 PHB Ethical Beauty Brightening Hand Cream with Neroli and Ylang Ylang RRP £9.95 for 50ml

I am loving this company, its ethics and its entire range is vegan! To be honest, I am enjoying so much discovering their range and products, I cannot get enough! I love hand creams because I have very dry hands and I go through hands creams like they are going out of fashion. This hand cream is a handy 50ml size which makes it great for popping into the bag or keeping at work. The pump mechanism means the inside is kept fresh for longer. A blend of neroli, mint and ylang-ylang is too heavenly to share the cream with anyone!

 Ingredients:Aqua, Aloe barbadensis** (Organic Aloe Vera), Helianthus annuus**, Butyrospermum parkii** (Organic Shea Butter), Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Vegetable glycerin, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Glyceryl stearate, Hippophae rhamnoides ** (Organic Sea Buckthorn), Citrus aurantium fruit oil (Orange), Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli), Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang), Citrus Aurantium flower oil (Neroli), Mentha Pipertita (Peppermint), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Bicarbonate. *Limonene, *Linalool, *Citral, *Farnesol, *Geraniol, *Benzyl alcohol, *Benzyl salicylate, *Eugenol, *Isoeugenol, *Benzyl benzoate. *Occurs naturally in essential oils, **Ingredients from Organic Farming
`Vegan, organic, UK brand

 Laidbare For Richer For Porer Miracle Mask RRP £7.99 for 50ml

I have actually used this one before because it is very budget friendly. The smell has a tiny hint of seaweed and you also get a bit of exfoliation (I don't know what is providing this exfoliation, it looks like some sort of coarsely milled plant). This mask is clay (kaolin) based to draw out the impurities, and rose water and liquorice helps to soothe and calm the skin. It is packed with nourishing shea butter so it does not over-dry the skin (some people can break out from shea butter). Overall it is a great refreshing mask that you can repurchase time and time in confidence.

 Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Kaolin (Clay), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (coconut),Isopropyl Myrisate(Palm Oil), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice,Glycerin (Coconut),Cetearyl Glucoside (Sugar),Glyceryl Stearate(Palm Kernal),Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower water,Zea mays (Corn Cob)Powder, Cetearyl Alcohol (Palm Kernel Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii(Shea) Butter, Illicium Verum (Star Anis) Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol (Naturally Derived Preservative), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Citrus Aurantrum Dulcis(Orange)Peel Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra(Liquorice)Extract, Laminaria Japonica(Japanese Seeweed)Extract, Citrus Nobilis(Mandarin)Peel Oil, Tocopherol(Vitamin E), Xanthum Gum(Naturally Derived Thickener) Limonene(Essential Oil), Potassium Sorbate(Naturally Derived Preservative), Sodium Benzoate(Naturally Derived Preservative)
Vegan, UK brand

 Hurraw! Papaya and Pineapple Lip Balm RRP £4.99 for 4.3g

I was excited the most about this one! For so many years Hurraw! is my hands down most favourite and adored lip balm brand. I am seriously in love with their products and their interesting flavours. And the most amazing part? It is all vegan, none of the beeswax! This is one of the new flavours and since I have so many lippies on the go at the moment, I will keep it closed for a while. One of the unique features of Hurraw! is the shape of the tube - it is oval, so when you pop it into your pocket it is less likely to slip out. I have previously written about Hurraw! here.

 Ingredients: *Carica papaya (papaya) seed oil, *Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, ‡Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, *Theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, *Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, *Natural flavors, Tocopherol (vitamin e) *organic & cold pressed ‡wildcrafted
Vegan, organic, wildcrafted

 Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Organic Facial Moisturiser SPF 30 RRP £26.50 for 120ml

This is only a sample so a great way to try before you buy. This moisturiser should be great for my oily face due to a very light formulation. SPF is provided by both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and offer broad-spectrum (i.e. UVA and UVB) protection. This is designed to be for acne prone skin, however. I would question the decision to include coconut oil and shea butter because, as mentioned before, it can clog pores and cause a breakout. Also, I was surprised to see lemon oil in the product specifically targeted at sun-protection because citrus oils can cause photosensitivity and hyperpigmentation. 

Ingredients: DEIONIZED WATER, ZINC OXIDE (MINERAL SUNBLOCK), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (MINERAL SUNBLOCK), SUNFLOWER SEED OIL, LECITHIN, SAFFLOWER SEED OIL, EMULSIFYING WAX (VEGETABLE), GLYCERIN, COCONUT OIL, ALOE VERA LEAF JUICE, SEA ALGAE EXTRACT, LEMON OIL, SHEA BUTTER, GREEN TEA, JOJOBA SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN-E), EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL, XANTHUM GUM (VEGETABLE), BENYZL ALCOHOL (PLANT ALCOHOL PRESERVATIVE)
Vegan, contains coconut oil

 Seascape Island Apothecary Unwind Body wash RRP £16 for 300ml

I left this one until the end because this was the biggest disappointment. The bottle looks beautiful (on the pictures) and the design just screams of a luxurious experience. However, when I picked up the bottle and flipped to see the ingredients, I was horrified. The list looks like a conventional body wash full of health-hazardous ingredients which are known to be irritants to the skin. I have looked at the rest of the range and the ingredients look very similar, giving me an impression of "green washing". The official website lists ingredients with an explanation of the origin, such as "Cocamide DEA (a foaming agent sourced from Coconut Oil)" - are they trying to make it seem like this is a natural ingredient? As in, this is made from coconut so it must be safe. This is definitely not true, just because something is natural, does not mean this is true (think of poisonous mushrooms and snake venom - 100% natural and organic!). Their selling point seems to be the fact their products is made from 100% essential oils and no synthetic fragrance. To me, this is another demonstration of trust issues and why you always have to read the ingredients list. I will not be keeping this body wash and especially will not be using it. Please read up on the ingredients yourself for each of the product and make an informed decision whether you think a product is safe for your use. EWG is a good place to start.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Linalool, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Triethylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate
Vegan, contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (sulphate), Cocamide DEA (EWG rating is 7, possible carcinogen, known irritant), Disodium EDTA (penetrator enhancer), Triethylene Glycol (EWG rating is 1-4), Propylene Glycol (EWG rating is 3, known irritant and penetrator enhancer), Methylchloroisothiazolinone (EWG rating is 6, known irritant, possible carcinogen), Methylisothiazolinone (EWG rating is 7, known irritant, possible neurotoxin).

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UPDATE

 I wrote to LoveLula customer service expressing my concerns over the ingredients in the body wash. They have replied the next day, saying they would like to look further into the ingredients I have mentioned and offered Jonh Masters Organics bare unscented body wash. 5 Star for customer service guys!

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The total price of the box is £39.43. The fact I will not be using the body wash does bring the "power of bargain" down. On the positive side, I have not actually paid for the box and received it for free. This does not influence my decision and I am still giving my usual critique. Incidentally, the whole box happened to be vegan, I just wish there was something else instead of this body wash.
Disclaimer - the box was a free gift with purchase but I have purchased my shopping 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

Acure

Organic and Affordable - Acure | Review

07:52

"What is the catch?" You ask after reading the title. "It's an American brand which is not widely available in the UK" I reply.


Just like my favourite Uma Oils, I was introduced to Acure by Teri Miyahira in one of her review videos. While the prices on their official website look very appealing, it is rather hard to find this brand at the side of the pond and when you do, the price tag can be disproportionate. One of the options could be to shop on an international website which delivers to UK (Lucky Vitamin has a delivery option which allows pre-paying the import tax). Alternatively, you can shop from iHerb and try to keep your order value below £14 to avoid the above-mentioned tax (correct on the day of posting, may be subject to change).

It is not enough to be natural, it also has to work. What a great motto to carry the brand and its values. Family owned company, the products are full of natural and organic ingredients, plant based oils and essential oils. Their charitable links include non-profit breast cancer charity Unite for Her and student-led sustainability movement providing education and empowerment for the younger generations - Turning Green.

Acure Facial Cleansing Creme RRP $9.99 for 118ml


This moderate thickness cream cleanser is primarily targeted at people with dry to normal skin types. I love cream cleansers because they feel so gentle on my skin so I break the rules and use them on my oily skin. The cleanser smells of divine sweet peppermint (but does not have a cooling effect, which I was worried about in winter time). Smells so good I have accidentally tried to brush my teeth with it (do not, I repeat, do not try to repeat my mistake. This cleanser does not taste well).

I reserved this cleanser for AM routine and it was so gentle I was able to wash my eyes with it too. This cleanser features moisturising cocoa butter and argan and olive oils. It also has plenty of fruit extracts, such as pomegranate, acai and rosehips. My attitude towards beneficial ingredients is that I'd rather see them in products that remain on skin and do not get washed down the drain. Just think, the cleanser will spend a minute or two (at most!) on your face before you will wash it off. If you want to get the maximum benefit from the ingredients, they would need to be in contact with your skin for a much longer time. In other words, if you are thinking of splurging, spend your money on a high-quality serum, toner or facial oil instead of a cleanser. 

Overall I found this cleanser to be very gentle, non-greasy and effective as part of AM routine. 

Ingredients: water/eau, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, euterpe oleracea (acai) fruit extract*, rubus fruticosus (blackberry) fruit extract*, rosa canina (rosehips) fruit extract*, punica granatum (pomegranate) fruit extract*, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract*, matricaria recutita (chamomile) flower extract*, aspalathus linearis (rooibos) leaf extract*, potassium olivoyl, hydrolyzed oat protein, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, avena sativa (oat) kernel meal, glycerin, disodium cocoamphodipropionate, sodium PCA, cetearyl glucoside, sorbitan olivate, glyceryl oleate, gluconolactone, glyceryl stearate SE, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, salvia officinalis (sage) oil, glyceryl caprylate, chrondus crispis extract, potassium sorbate, argania spinosa (argan) kernal oil*, mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil, vanilla planifolia fruit oil. *organic ingredient

Vegan, organic 

Acure Radical Resurfacing Treatment RRP $17.99 for 41ml


This item is on their more expensive side of the range. The product is promised to reduce trouble spots, blotchiness and brighten up the complexion with butterfly bush and Poet stem cells. To be honest, I have never heard of these ingredients before. As with the cleanser, the ingredients list has nourishing oils and herbal extracts. 

This treatment is advertised for AM and PM routines which leads me to believe it is very gentle. And this perhaps is the reason why I did not see any results with it. On the plus side, it did not break me out or clog my pores. It can also double up as a light moisturiser. Unfortunately, I did not see any resurfacing results after using this product so it is safe to say this was not for me.

Ingredients: purified water/eau, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, euterpe oleracea (acai) fruit extract*, rubus fruticosus (blackberry) fruit extract*, rosa canina (rosehips) fruit extract*, punica granatum (pomegranate) fruit extract*, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract*, matricaria recutita (chamomile) flower extract*, aspalathus linearis (rooibos) leaf extract*, glyceryl stearate citrate, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl caprylate, cathamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, cocoglycerides, vegetable glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, sodium levulinate, potassium sorbate, glyceryl laurate, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, tocopheryl acetate, chlorella vulgaris extract, argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil, ubiquinone, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) oil, Lavandula officinalis (lavender) oil, evernia prunasti extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, buddleja davidii (butterfly bush) cell culture extract, narcissus poeticus (poet's daffodil) callus extract. * organic ingredient

Vegan, organic

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 opinion of the author and cannot be taken as a fact.



Agave Bun x

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