Love Lula Beauty Box July 2018

Hi Lovelies,


Welcome back! And welcome, if you are new here 💕💕💕

Love Lula Beauty Box July 2018

How are all of you, I hope you are well?
Today I wanted to share the contents of the latest Love Lula beauty box - and it is exciting one! I really wanted to try Chobs sheet mask and the Infuse My Colour range, and I already know I love Balm Balm and Ooh! products - the latter released their new Hemp face oil in this beauty box, so I am super stoked to try it. But let's not get ahead of the game and let's talk about the products individually, shall we?


My Haircare Infuse My Colour Treat Conditioner (Silicone Free) 18£

I must confess at first I thought this is one of their shampoos - I am eyeing them for a little while now. I am not big on conditioners, but of course I will try this and will get back to you. I really hope this won't weigh down my fine hair like most conditioners tend to do. The ingredients sound good, apart from the phenoxyethanol and parfum, so I am excited!
What's more, it is cruelty free (like all products from Love Lula) and gluten free - can we get a hallelujah??
This is a first of three four full sized products in this box.

Ingredients:
AQUA/WATER/EAU, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) OLEOSOMES, GLYCERIN, HYDROXYPROPYL STARCH PHOSPHATE, BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PARFUM, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM (NEROLI) OIL, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL,CITRUS TANGERINA (TANGERINE) PEEL OIL, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, SODIUM PHYTATE, LINALOOL, LIMONENE, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE


Balm Balm Organic Tea Tree Face Balm £8.95 for 30ml 

Second full sized product in this box, and I was quite happy to see this is tea tree oil version instead of a plain one for a change - I seem to have accumulated quite a collection of balms and I am quite slow at going through them - insert shy face emoji here! I am a big fan of tea tree essential oil - I talk about it as one of my Top Three Natural Products in one of my old posts here, and i still stand by it - so any product containing it is welcome by me! I currently am experiencing an unwelcome perioral dermatitis outbreak due to accidentally glutenining myself - so my neck and the top of my back are itching like crazy. I tried this balm immediately and it did seem to offer relief. Fingers crossed!

Ingredients (the list is short and sweet):
Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Helianthus annuus (sunflower oil), Cera alba (beeswax), Calendula officinalis (calendula oil), Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba oil), Tea tree essential oil. Limonene* (naturally occurring component of tea tree oil)


Ooh Organic Balancing Hemp Oil

I love love love hemp oil, and I have been known to buy food grade hemp oil to use as my face and body moisturiser in my (broke) past - and getting this oil triggered those memories immediately. The oil is very good for your skin, mind you! I am not sure if I want to open this immediately and test or leave it unopened for when the autumn rolls around? You see, I have been die hard oil lover and user - that was all I used for my facial moisturizer for the last five years prior to getting my dermatitis, and I soon learned that facial dermatitis hates oils - I didn't want to listen or admit this fact to myself, but it is true my dears, and I had to give them up as a sole thing to take care of my face - with a very heavy heart, mind you! Now all I use are Bella Aura products (review with 15% discount code here) and I will allow only selected face oils in winter, when my face needs that extra step to face the elements. I might give this to someone who would appreciate it more than I do or add this to the body lotions, not sure yet. I love pampering routines, but I also love sharing the green beauty love with people around me, you know?
This is a third full sized product in the box, and theres no need to list the ingredients - there's only one, organic Cannabis Sativa oil.


Chobs Aloe Sheet Face mask

When Chobs appeared in Love Lula, they captured my attention immediately! I have purchased a few of their sheet masks and Healing Hello Barumi Soothing Essence roll on thingy (I talk about it in "Products For My Five Year Old Princess// And Yours" post here) and although I am yet to try the Aloe mask, I have tried their Collagen mask, which I really loved, so I am excited to try more of them. Company's customer service deserves another top notch mention - when I got my sheet masks I was kind of confused at the stamped date on them, one said December 2017, and the rest January 2018. Not too sure whether that's the date they have been made or use-by date, I contacted the brand via DM on Instagram and they have responded within two minutes, despite it being midnight in their country!! How's that for an excellent customer service?  (they are from South Korea, and I didn't even think of the time difference, sorry! Now I begin to understand my own DMs at 2am asking for a cleanser or whatnot recommendations).
Chobs is a brand I will review in a few coming weeks, I have been lucky enough to get generous PR package from them, so needless to say I am hard at work testing everything behind the scenes. By the way, if you want to know what new products I get/buy, I always do Instastories on what's coming through my door, so make sure to follow me to see them. Let's look at the ingredients, shall we? Oh, by the way, they claim to put generous 25ml of essence in every packet of sheet masks, so I think you might benefit from reading my post "How To Make Any Sheet Mask Last Longer" here - in it I reveal my tricks on how I make the masks work harder, and no, I am not suggesting you use the same mask over and over again :)

Ingredients:
Aqua, *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, **Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Limonene, *Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, *Citrus Limon Peel Oil, *Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, *Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Angelica Gigas Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Linalool, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, *Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, *Rose Extract, Citronellol, *Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Geraniol, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Citral * : Organic Ingredients / ** : Made using organic ingredients, 100% natural origin of total (by COSMOS-standard)

And now for a few sample sizes the box contains:

🗹 Apples & Bears Bergamot & Green Tea Hair & Body Wash (deluxe sample)
Apples & Bears are on my list to try, and I was thinking of purchasing a few minis, so this is appreciated and I will be trying it in the shower later tonight. What's a bit funny, the package says "hair & body wash" but when I looked on the website I could only find body washes, so not too sure if they are rebranding existing products or is this a preview of some new products to come?

🗹 D’Alchemy Age-Cancellation Booster
Not too sure if I want to try this sachet on my very sensitive skin - I find they are never enough to get the real feel of the product, and my skin really rebels if I try too many things. This looks like it is aimed for oily skin anyway, so I might pass this on, especially as the product was never on my radar anyway. Sorry Love Lula! As much as I love discovering new things, I want to keep my skin happy too. Especially now, with active dermatitis outbreak :/

🗹 John Masters Organics Rosemary & Arnica Body Wash
I have to be honest, I stopped supporting this brand when they sold out and changed the formulations for the worse without telling their customers soon after - they lost all my respect then and I have to say it is very hard to go back from that. I am not a big fan of paying big bucks for a body wash, so I am not getting a full size of it. Skincare with active ingredients suitable for my skin, yes, I am happy to part with my hard earned cash. Body wash? No, I am happy to go budget here - and we all know there are budget brands who do fabulous products with clean ingredients for way less. Sorry, if you think otherwise - it's just my honest thoughts and we can agree to disagree.  

If you want to see many other posts on Love Lula beauty boxes as well as product reviews, they all live in this Green Life In Dublin Facebook page album here. I used to list them down at the end of each post, but I soon found the list is nearly as long as the post itself, so this is way easier. Nearing forty posts people :) And have you seen my Natural Beauty interview with Love Lula CEO Sonia White? I still can't believed she said yes to it :)

So, all in all I am happy with this month's box - this provided us with four full size products, so you are more than tripling your money here - this box is worth whopping 53£ and it is often more than that, up to 70£ value! Even if I can't use one of the products myself here and there, I'll take that - it is so fun discovering new green beauty products I would have missed otherwise. Let's not forget there is always 20% off coupon for the brands featured that month, so that gives you substantial additional savings too. 

I think this is a great way to switch your products to clean products without spending a fortune if you are only starting out your green beauty journey. I know I still love getting new products, nearly ten years in into my green beauty journey I still get excited getting boxes in the mail. What about you?   

Love Lula Beauty Box

                                            You can subscribe to Love Lula box here. 

 
                                    Or shop LoveLula website here.

  
Are You subscribed to Love Lula Beauty Box too? What is your favourite product from Love Lula? Please share with me, I would love to know! 

(you can see mine here by the way 😊)

See all Love Lula related posts in this Facebook album

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That is all for today. Prepare for the onslaught of posts and reviews in the near future - the blogger in me is bursting at the seams, the only issue is finding the time to do it. Am I the only one finding it a bit difficult juggling all these life/work/kids/balance balls with kids at home in summer?


Lots of Love,
Renata.

Enjoy my content? I would appreciate any  tip into my PayPal Tip Jar - any donation will get You my eternal gratitude and more awesome green beauty reviews Your way. I weed out all the greenwashing products so You won't have to.

*the box is part of LLABP - I am very thankful to be a part of their blogger family xo

My Skincare Routine /// Natural & Organic

Hi Lovelies,


Welcome back! And welcome, if you are new here 💕💕💕

Bella Aura products - save 15% with code "renata15"

How are all of you, I hope you are well?

As you can see from the title, today we are talking about my everyday skincare routine. I have done a post like this long long time ago, about a year and a half ago, and while my routine stayed on the minimal side, my products have completely changed. You see, having such a uber sensitive and dermatitis prone skin, I was having such a hard time finding the right products for me - we all know our skin changes after we hit that big 3-0 and for me it was followed by perioral dermatitis out of the blue (see my story here. I promised an update, and that is still in the works, can somebody come over and kick my booty so I could finally get round to it??). Long story short, I had to completely overhaul my routine and change all the products - if having sensitive and highly reactive skin wasn't bad enough, my dermatitis patch would flare up on contact with almost 90% of the products. Don't get me wrong, I love green beauty, of course I do, but I was having such a hard time finding my products, and was kind of growing tired of playing of this will-my-skin-react-or-not game. I finally had to admit to myself that my skin is too sensitive for most of what green beauty has to offer. Just when I thought I finally had reached that sweet spot of perfecting my skincare down to a T, I would suddenly get a reaction either to a new product or a new combination of existing products. SO NOT FUN. When I looked back to my old skincare routine post (see it here), it reminded me of those times. Don't get me wrong, products I talk about in that post are all great products, and I still think highly of them, but at the same time I am so glad I don't have to play that stumbling game of using a little bit of Earthwise Beauty here, a little of ISUN there, maybe I can add a little of NYR or DrHauschka there, oh, and I really want to add Mahalo into the mix, but will my skin be able to handle this concoction and that much of actives? 

Thankfully all of these problems were solved in one go - please step forward Bella Aura (review) created by fabulous boss babe Yasmine Jones. Let me tell you this straight - I didn't have high hopes for this line, and knowing the higher price point I kind of wanted not to like it deep down (don't ask), but it took only two days of trying the products to fall deeply head over heels in love with the line - and seeing my dermatitis patch heal on day three, sealed the deal even further. That's when I knew this is what I want to use for ever and ever from now on, even thought it is not a budget line. You see, you can't put a price tag on beauty, and having a clear skin is priceless. Just ask anyone with troubled skin! Having good skin day(s) gives you wings and this new found confidence, and that, my friends, is priceless. Besides, that would be money well spent, as I know this is the best line for me - no more guessing game if the product will work for me or not. I can forget about it, and just keep going on with my life. Fast forward six+ months, Bella Aura is still what I use, and it's all I want to use - and let me tell you, that's an amazing feeling! I simply know it will work brilliantly for me, and I am looking forward to my skincare time every single day. And no more dermatitis flare ups (unless I gluten myself unknowingly), how amazing is that? Any of you's who deal with dermatitis know the feeling, it makes you feel on top of the world, doesn't it? I have so much of love and respect for Bella Aura and the resilient and amazing woman behind it - and I want to shout from the rooftops about it.

So, let's see what my skincare routine is like these days?

Even though I am a green beauty blogger, I actually use very little products in my day to day life - mainly Bella Aura line, which takes care of my skincare needs, plus very few other additional products that I will tell you about in just a second.


AM Routine

In the morning I mist my face with either camomile or rose water by Alteya Organics (review) or some gentle toner and wipe my face clean (I don't wash my face in the mornings) to prepare it for Bella Aura Daily Repair Moisturizer (2 pumps) mixed with Antioxidant Booster (1 pump). I'll pat it onto my skin and move on to Instant Lift Eye Contour, which I try to half-pump to get just the right amount of product, and gently pat it into my under eyes. By the way, watch Yasmine's video on her IG page for some fabulous face massage techniques while you are doing your skincare - I sure learned a thing or two! Next goes on my sunscreen, all natural of course - at the moment (for the last four years actually) I am using Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Organic Facial Moisturzer SPF30 or this new Madara Plant Stem Cell Age Protecting Sunscreen SPF30  this didn't work out for me, broke me out and was way too dark. It was replaced by W3LL People BioTint Multiaction Moisturizer SPF30 in Light and I haven't looked back since! And then my skin is ready to face the day.

Skincare routine - natural and organic products

PM Routine

In the evening I wash my face with Bella Aura cleanser (of course), taking my eye make up with either organic coconut oil or jojoba oil, and then move on onto Bella Aura Night Cellular Renewal cream, mixed with Antioxidant Booster, followed by Instant Lifting Eye Contour. My skin is calm, happy and nourished, and I need nothing else for the most of the time. For the times I decide to pamper myself, I love a good mask, and the ones I love are Caffeine sheet masks by 100%Pure, which I dubbed Hannibal masks - I'll spare you the selfie of me wearing it, although I have it in my IG feed somewhere way down. I am not too happy about the plastic waste that comes with it, for this reason alone I rarely allow them for myself, but boy, they do make your skin red carpet ready. Another masks I love the most is manuka honey masks, to which I add some ingredients from my kitchen cabinets - talk about edible mask, right? See my post here and you will be glad you did :) I worked hard to bring you 12 different recipes, so you will definitely find a variation to suit your skin. I will also reveal the trick how I get my manuka honey for much cheaper. If you want to see a post on my full mask collection, please do let me know and I'll be happy to do that for you. For the times when my skin needs something more moisturizing (think cold weather and/or freezing wind) I add a drop or two of facial oil or a balm on top. 
I am very light handed with exfoliation, it is taken care of by using a Konjac sponge with my Bella Aura cleanser for every day, and I will use a specific product in a form of l'Odaïtès Pépite de la Palmeraie - Gentle Polyphenol Exfoliator once a week. My super sensitive skin thanks me for this super streamlined routine. That's it! Yasmine has done a brilliant job with this line, and I really respect and appreciate all the hard work that went into it. If you want to know more about the beautiful natural ingredients she uses in her emulsions, please see my blog review, I have loads of information there.

 I am definitely not one of those beauty bloggers/vloggers who pile on everything they have on the skin - maybe it works for some people, but not for me. I am telling you, you need way less products than you think you do, and what's best, your skin will thank you for it too.



*Update from 2020 on why I no longer choose to support Bella Aura brand - while I still think products are fantastic, I also have to say I am ghosted and probably dropped as an ambassador. I still love the products & I will try to repurchase them with my own money when I am in better financial position. At the moment the story is that my DMs and emails go unanswered for months. The only time I got a reply, it was very vague “we do not know what we will do with Ambassador program” type, yet I see it is still going strong – just without me. It stings and I have to think if I still want to continue to support the brand who would play ghosting games and not be straight with me once asked head on. I have no time for shadiness, when I was nothing but loving and supporting towards them. That’s not the energy I want to bring into this year and my life going forward.



I have a few more blog posts on the way, Get Ready/Un-ready With Me kind of ones, where I will touch on more products and techniques in a more elaborate way, I'll include make up and bodycare too, because I am constantly asked about it - so please stay tuned xo

See all my posts here

Please make my day and share this or any of my blog posts on social media - it helps to get the green beauty word out and for that I Thank You!

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That's all for today. See you here very shortly!

Lots of Love,

Renata.

Natural & Organic Empties June 2018

Hello Lovelies,

Natural & Organic Empties - Green Life In Dublin

Welcome back! And welcome, if you are new here 💕💕💕

So, it is that time of the month again.. No, not that time, silly, empties time :) Every month it goes like this:
Week one - "I used up no products, I will have nothing to talk about this month!"
Week two and three - "Okay, I will have some things to talk about, I see some product coming to an end"
Week four - "Where did all of this came from??"

You can expect mini reviews on each product and of course I will tell you if I am going to repurchase the product or not. Honesty is what sets me apart from other bloggers, and whoever said that - thank You!

Natural & Organic Empties - June 2018

Rose water (edible kind)
This I have been using to wipe my face in the mornings. Good, cheap as chips and of course I am going to repurchase it, have been doing so for ages.

 
Calia Moisturising Shampoo
This I bought for myself from So Natural Beauty ages ago, and put away to wait its turn. Guess what? Mr Green Life In Dublin have finished the whole bottle before I reached for it! It was neatly tucked away in my stash and everything - and when I said I bought /needed that for review purposes, he smiled ear to ear and pronounced 'tell them it's good'. Long story short, I made him buy ALL Calia shampoos, because the boy had to learn it's lesson! I am testing their Balancing shampoo now.

 
Tea tree oil
Used for everything from zits, cuts to disinfect. I talked about it in my Top Three Natural Favourites post and I make sure I am never without it.

 
OreganolP73
Extract of wild oregano that I use instead of antibiotics. Another product I make sure I am never without! I also talk about it in my top 3 natural products post, (see the link above) so make sure you read it if you are interested in it :) I also talked about it like a million times since.

 
Jack N Jill toothpaste
The only toothpaste my 5yr old will use, so yes, it is a repurchase for sure. It is also in my every empties post.

 
Kingfisher toothpaste
Not too sure if I am going back to this, l am not loyal to my toothpastes. I have TheraNeem one waiting to be open, am using Ecodenta one as we speak and eyeing up a bunch more from Ecco Verde!

Natural & Organic Health & Wellness Empties

Nyr Organic Thyme & Honey Cough Syrup
It is organic and I find it truly works. So I make sure I stock up before every winter.

 
Udo's Adult Probiotic Blend 17billion
A crucial key in managing my perioral dermatitis! Probiotics are all the rage at the moment, and for a good reason - I could write up a whole blog post on my thoughts on them, but to sum it up I'll say I really feel the difference when I take them vs when I don't. If you only want to take one thing when it comes to supplements, I suggest it's probiotics. That's how much I believe in them.

Related - see my Natural Health iHerb List

 
Mindfull Earth Balancing Aromatherapy mist
Bargain from TKMaxx (have you seen my post on their beauty section yet? It can be found here) - love all things aromatherapy made with natural ingredients and essential oils - if I will see it again, will buy for sure.

 
100%Pure Maracuja Oil mascaras x2
Hmm. Hmm. Well, I will be frank, this pisses me off - this is fantastic natural mascara that will rival conventional mascaras, and will last you months and months - if you will get a fresh one, that's it! I have been a customer for well over five years now, so I know it should smell of blueberries, or chocolate, depending which one will you go for, black or brown. This one smelled of alcohol once I opened a tube, and irritated my eyes (just like the rest of me, my eyes are very sensitive). Knowing full well mascaras smell of alcohol when they are old, I complained. To be fair 100%Pure sent me a replacement, but guess what - it arrived the same, smelling of alcohol straight up! This is not the first time either, so I am sad to say this is where we part ways. Love the formula but if they can't guarantee consistency, I am out. After all I paid full price for it and it costs like high end product. 100%Pure, if you are reading this, I am happy to send them back as long as you cover the costs.


100%Pure green tea eye masks
Not too sure what to think of them yet, I only tried one from the pack of five - and they irritated my under eyes! After a few minutes my under eye area started heating up and tingling so much that I had to take it of asap! Not too sure what to make of it I tried it again the next day, using the same pair on the different side (yes, I am frugal like that, if I can make a product work harder, I will do exactly that) and the same thing happened! So disappointing!


100%Pure Collagen sheet mask
Now, I found this amazing! Just like Caffeine Sheet Masks, this made my skin red carpet ready - and I wish I had bought 5 of these instead of those green eye masks! I don't think I am going back to the brand anytime soon, and EU stores that carry the brand (that's Naturisimo and Ecco Verde for you) neither have this type of masks. Sigh!
 

Cannuka soap
Us brand that combines manuka and hemp oil - I will talk about their products very soon, so keep your eyes peeled if you are interested. 

 
Meadows hand cream
Nice product from an Irish company, I have a review here if you want to see it? This isn't empty, it is changing smell, so I think it is time to replace it. Not getting the same product due to having Chobs one on the way to me - that's the reality of green beauty bloggers, as soon as you are kind of done with one product, an offer comes for the next and you are moving on at such a speed that you almost never go back to the products you had. It does not mean the products are bad in any way, I just wanted to make it clear.

 
Voya Mama Oil
This I had a pleasure of trying for The Beauty Shortlist Mama & Baby Awards, and I enjoyed every drop of it - kind of obsessed with luxe body oils at the moment! And yet again, I have a few products lined up.. Blogger's problems, much?



Pure Anada Garden Facial Mist
Facial mist by my favourite Canadian brand - I have a few Pure Anada post on my blog, and for those of you who didn't know, their mineral foundation is my Holy Grail foundation for the last two years running - fullest coverage I have come across! This Garden mist came so in handy in this heatwave - and this was a part of the giveaway we collaborated on, so I hope that the winner enjoyed it as well.


That's all for today lovelies! What have you finished up lately? Please share with me, I would love to know!


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Lots of Love,
Renata.