Hi Lovelies,
Welcome back! And welcome if you are new here xoxo
Umm, a little confession here – despite being so happy with the latest Love Lula beauty box (not one but two make up products, you people!) I am sort of late posting about it.. Insert blushing emoji here. Love Lula is the only subscription box I am getting, and I am really happy with it. I’ve been getting it close to two years now, and I have to say they do a very good job at including a good variety of products that are a delight to discover. I have to say I am looking forward to each new month in anticipation to what’s to come – Christmas or Birthday present for yourself each month, anyone? They ship worldwide, and the price is 14.95£ monthly recurring for UK customers, and for us international gals there are two options of three months (52.50£) or a year (210£) including post and packaging. Green beauty boxes are a great way to discover new items you might have missed otherwise, and I love that anything coming from LoveLula is cruelty free and guaranteed not to have any toxic ingredients – they have very strict criteria for any product they accept, and that is taking the guesswork off your shoulders. This month we have four full size products at a value of 70£ – say what? From my experience the value of the boxes is around this mark more often than not, so it is well worth your money. I think the lowest I’ve seen was 49.50£. And there’s always a 25% discount on the brands featured in the box as well.
Just like I do with my blogger picks posts, I have decided to give feedback about the products from the last month’s beauty box too. I think this will work well for all of us, you will get more from the post than just first impressions, and I will be forced to be more consistent – win win, right?
So let’s see what’s in this month’s Love Lula box? I thought you will never ask 🙂
HURRAW MOON BALM (4.99£ for 4.3gr)
I was delighted to see this in my box, as it is is a firm favourite for the last five years or so – repurchased before it runs out, no less. Seriously, just check my Yearly Favourites – in all the ones I have done to date, you will find this. I love all of the Hurraw lip balms, but while others are on rotation, this is always in my stash. I was just running out of my old one, so it came just in time. Thank You Love Lula! Many people who love Hurraw tell me they have never tried Moon Balm, and I really recommend that you do – not only it has a different texture than other lip balms, but it works so well overnight at soothing and repairing my dry lips – I can’t and never want to be without it. Holy Grail product right here. Raw and organic ingredients, check. Fantastic formula, check. Dreamy vanilla scent, check.
INGREDIENTS: Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, *Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, ***Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, **Theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, **Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, *Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, *Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, *Argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil, *Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) seed oil, *Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, Tocopherols (sunflower), **Vanilla planifolia (vanilla) bean, ***Myroxylon balsamum (peru balsam) oil, Matricaria recutita (blue chamomile) flower extract *cold pressed / organic **raw & organic ***wildcrafted
INIKA Certified ORGANIC LIQUID EYE LINER (19£ for 3.5ml)
Another certified organic product? Yes please! Inika eye liner that I have been dying to try for absolutely ages? YES PLEASE! This product was part of the reason I did a little happy dance, haha. Despite never properly reviewing their make up, I use Inika for many years now, and I have to say I am really impressed with almost all the products I have tried from them. Inika blush Peachy Keen is my Absolute Favourite Green Beauty Product Ever – want more beautiful and all natural Nars Orgasm dupe? This is it! (Check this post for more than 20 more natural dupes for it and don’t forget to see my Green Beauty Swatch Gallery post too). Mascara? Amazing! Blushes and bronzers? Amazing? Foundation? From what I remember, great. Let’s see if this product lives up to the expectation. My first impression of it is that it could be ever so slightly more pigmented, as it left sort of a gap in the middle of the line when I applied it. Great ingredients though, and did I mention it is vegan? I am currently pinning it against my other favourite natural liquid liner, Couleur Caramel one. I will keep you guys posted in the next month’s post. As you can see, this item alone covers and exceeds the value of the box!
INGREDIENTS: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin*, Camellia Sinensis (Black Tea) Leaf Extract*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Aqua (Water), Lactobacillus Ferment, May Contain (+/-) Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007). *Certified Organic
SARYA COUTURE MAKEUP ORGANIC EYESHADOW – MOCHA (17.80£ FOR 3.5G)
Another item I was really happy to see in the box! I just reviewed Sarya Couture Make Up (see here) and I am really impressed with the line. The shadows are pigmented, so are the lipsticks, and I am really happy with everything I’ve got. Let me tell you, this is one company I am keeping my eye on, when they will release new products, I want to know! Sorry my vegan friends, this isn’t for you..
INGREDIENTS: Certified organic, 100% natural and bio ingredients. Contains luxurious, organic ingredients such as: Bio Shea Butter : rich of natural Vitamins A, E and F, Karanja oil: bactericide properties, Avocado oil: moisturizer action MICA, ZEA MAYS STARCH (ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH)*, SQUALANE, ZINC STEARATE, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, TOCOPHEROL, SILICA, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER (BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER)*, PRUNUS ARMENIACA KERNEL OIL (PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL)*, PERSEA GRATISSIMA OIL (PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL)*, PONGAMIA GLABRA SEED OIL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL*, MAY CONTAIN +/-: CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE), CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES), CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET), CI 75470 (CARMINE) *From organic source
MADARA DEEP MOISTURE GEL FOR OILY SKIN (28£ FOR 50ML)
Madara is the brand featured heavily in Love Lula boxes, so I am not surprised to see this product. Unfortunately I do not have an oily skin, plus I have seen witch hazel water as the first ingredient, ingredient that does not do well for my dry and sensitive skin. After testing loads of products for The Beauty Shortlist 2019 Awards I swore to myself to lay off testing new skincare products for a while, so in short, I am still making my mind up about what to do with this product. I have tested it on the back of my hand and the texture seems very smooth and velvety.
INGREDIENTS: Aqua Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch-hazel) Leaf Water* Alcohol Glycerin Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract* Sodium Magnesium Silicate Plantago Major (Plantain) Leaf Extract* Quercus Robur (Oak) Bark Extract* Salvia Officinalis (Salvia) Leaf Extract* Sodium Levulinate Sodium Hyaluronate Sodium Anisate Lactic Acid Sodium Phytate Aroma**
+ ZUII SELF TANNING SAMPLES (SACHETS)
I will admit I am yet to use those, it is way too early to rock sunkissed look here in Ireland, I am still in the pasty-white mode, haha. But as soon as I will be ready to change my mind to more summery vibes, I will take those out. Let’s just hope they won’t dry my skin out like every other tanning product I’ve tried to date.
Now let’s see what I think of the products from February Love Lula Box? These will always be my honest thoughts, so if I will or won’t like the product, I will say so. Very rarely I end up not using the product, but I will always tell you about it and the reasons behind it.
CRAZY RUMORS HOT COCOA 100% NATURAL LIP BALM – 3.99£ FOR 4GR*
Just like I predicted in my last post, I didn’t get the chance to use it as it was quickly snagged by Green Life In Dublin Princess Junior, she is six and you can see what else she uses here. Crazy Rumors is a favourite in our casa due to the myriad of fun scents – you will never get bored with them!
INGREDIENTS: 100% Natural & Vegan Ingredients (the good stuff): Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Organic Olive) Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Organic Shea) Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Glycine Soja (Non GMM Soybean) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Organic Carnauba) Wax, Aroma (Natural Flavours), Tocopherol (Vit E), Eupatorium Rebaudianum Bertoni (Stevia)
WALDEN ‘A GENTLE RAIN’ NATURAL PERFUME OIL – 17£ FOR 10ML*
Walden happens to be one of my favourites when it comes to natural perfumes, especially their A Different Drummer, which hasn’t left Top Three spot ever since I got it. You can see my review of it here, and let me tell you I enjoy it so much that I have it in all sizes, from full bottle of perfume, to a roller to a teeny tiny cutesy roller in 2ml (a part of their discovery collection in roller format). A Gentle Rain was released last month, subscribers of the beauty box did get to experience it first – see, it pays to be a subscriber! Not only you get all sorts of fun goodies to try, but sometimes they are brand new releases too. This perfume didn’t end up in my Top Three, but I still enjoy it, especially layered with more sweet smelling perfumes. It is quite masculine on it’s own. The base notes start with a blend notes of vetiver, lavender green and clary sage, followed with oak moss, labdanum and patchouli. The heat that follows is composed of bergamot, smooth orris, sandalwood and timeless rose de mai.
INGREDIENTS: Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Santalum album oil, Pogostemon cablin leaf oil, Myrocarpus frondosus wood oil, Salvia sclarea oil, Vetiveria zizanoides root oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Evernia prunastri extract, Cistus ladaniferus oil, Iris pallida root oil, Viola odorata oil, Rosa centifolia flower extract, Hibiscus abelmoschus seed oil, *d-Limonene, *Linalol, *Oakmoss extract, *Farnesol, *Citral, *Benzyl Alcohol, *Geraniol, *Citronellol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Eugenol. *Naturally occurring in essential oils.
PHB ETHICAL BEAUTY – NEW GENTLE MOISTURISER – 20£ FOR 30ML*
PHB Ethical Beauty recently had an overhaul, lots of new changes in all areas, from new formulations to new packaging, and this is one of the brand new products I believe. Despite swearing to myself to not try any new skincare for at least six months post judging for The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2019, the curiosity got the better of me and I tested this product. What can I say, the blogger in me always wins ? It really is gentle moisturiser, it is essential oil free too, so keep that in mind if it relates to your situation. It does have a natural scent to it, kind of sweet at first, herbally later, but it does not linger. I will be honest with you, due to the combination of factors that it left my skin a bit tight, could be felt on the skin, already having my Holy Grail skincare line in a form of Bella Aura and to a slight excess of products, I now use it as a hand cream. I hope Green Beauty Gods won’t thunder down me on this. I works great that way, for me at least. I am keen to try more products from the brand down the line – like PHB Ethical Beauty NEW Skin Perfector Bio-Gel, PHB Ethical Beauty NEW Conditioner & Detangler, and PHB make up, of course ? Just check my Pinterest wishlist here.
INGREDIENTS: Aqua, Aloe barbadensis** (Organic Aloe) leaf extract, Helianthus annuus** (Organic sunflower), Butyrospermum parkii** (Organic Shea Butter), Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Veg Glycerin**, Prunus Armeniaca** (Organic Apricot) Kernel Oil, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Glyceryl stearate, Coco glucoside, Tocopherol, Phytic acid, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium Bicarbonate. **Certified Organic Ingredients
SEASCAPE ISLAND APOTHECARY SOOTHE SLEEP OIL – 10£ FOR 8ML*
I am familiar with this product already because it was one of the things I tested for The Beauty Shortlist Awards this year, so I didn’t need another one. Just like I told you in that post, due to having the product already and personal dislike of lavender, I will be passing this product to one of my friends who loooves lavender. A win win situation if you ask me.
INGREDIENTS: itis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Citrus Arantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Limonene (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Linalool (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Canaga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Geraniol (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Citronellol (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Hydroxycitronellal (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Tocopherol (a skin conditioner sourced from Vitamin E), Benzyl Benzoate (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Citral (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Benzyl Salicylate (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants), Farnesol (a fragrance component naturally occurring in fruits and plants).
So there they are, my new box, my initial reactions and thoughts on the products. Hope you found that helpful xo
Now, your turn – are you getting Love Lula Beauty Box yet? What are you waiting for? Psst. let me tell you a little secret, Love Lula not only gives previous month’s boxes at the start of new months for all orders 60£+, but from time to time you can purchase one off box(es) here, so keep your eyes peeled. The price is a bit higher than the subscription price point, but you will know what you are getting and you will still be getting a fantastic value for your money. Did I mention they will send it to you for free worldwide??
If you want to, shop away at Love Lula* (no more), one of my favourite online shops! I’ve written over 50+ blog posts related to products found in this online shop, as well as their wonderful Beauty Box (also no more), that I love so much. In the case you missed it, find my Natural Beauty interview with a CEO Sonia White here and all the other posts in this Facebook album here. Too many blog posts to link up individually, let me tell you this much 🙂 See my top recommendations on “Bloggers Recommend” Love Lula page here and if you want to know my rather extensive wishlist, you can check out my Pinterest board here – I’ve been working on it for the last few days, and I am far from finished! Follow me there for all the updates – and let’s be friends all over social media, shall we?
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See Mother's day gift guide - all from Love Lula here
See my last Love Lula related post, my blogger picks for March
Lots of Love,
Renata.
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