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

P.s. Please make my day and subscribe & 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!

Follow me on

my new blog Greenlifeindublin.com

Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube.


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

What I Bought in May - Natural & Organic Beauty

Hello Lovelies!



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

100%Pure haul - make up

100%Pure haul - masks

*Before we start, I am obliged to let You know that Google collects data while You are browsing my blog. If You are not OK with it, please feel free to exit right now, no hard feelings, promise!

Ok, in this post I will share with You what I've bought in May - I've been planning this post for a while now, at first I thought it was going to be one of those minimalistic no-buy type of post, so I've been snapping food and lifestyle pictures all May, but... And that's a big BUT - in the last two days of May I've managed to spend nearly 200€ on green beauty! Umm, my finger slipped 😄
So I will scrape the food/ lifestyle haul pictures and focus on green beauty instead. They weren't that exciting, honestly, and I will list the stuff anyway. Isn't natural beauty products everybody's favourite thing? I think so!

So, in no particular order, here's what I bought in May and my initial impressions of everything:

Hynt Beauty Pinkibelle Lipstick - say hello to my new signature lipstick!

💕 Hynt Beauty Pinkibelle Lipstick 

Haven't stop reaching for this lipstick for the second month straight - hello, new obsession! And my signature lipstick too - see it in my IG feed. Second Holy Grail item from the same brand, not bad at all, huh? If You follow me for any length of the time, you will know that their Duet Perfecting Concealer is my fave for years and years! I have not one, but two reviews on it, please see them here and here. Coming back to the lipstick, I have to say it is love from the first swipe, and it is definitely going straight to my Summer Faves!
(See the brand in GlowOrganicBrighton too) 30€

Deep Steep Argan Oil Hand Wash

💕 Deep Steep Argan Oil Hand Wash

 Natural and a bargain at 6 or 7euros, what more could you want? Sometimes found at TKMaxx, so be sure to check my post out about TKMaxx beauty section here - it is one of my worst kept secrets to where to find clean products in Ireland & Dublin - and I worked hard on that post! 80+ photos prove it :)



💕 TheraNeem Neem Mouthwash & Toothpowder

Mouthwash is a repeat purchase, and toothpaste I think I have tried before too? Mouthwash cost over 15€ and the toothpowder around 7€, but I am taking my dental hygiene very seriously, so I am swallowing the costs. And I am oil pulling with sesame oil by Fushi while I type this too! I am about to order some Living Libations dental care too, as I really miss what I had from them - they work amazingly well. See my holistic dental routine post here. Need to save up a bit first, mind You.


💕 Organic Neem Oil

Bought to treat a persistent rash, and it worked amazingly well! I think I will use the rest up in my weekly scalp masks, it is amazing for hair, as well as being good all rounder too. Just the smell issue! Some brands are better than the others. 


💕 A.Vogel Pollinosan Nasal Spray

This I bought in the hopes to manage seasonal allergies too - I really loved the look of the natural ingredients, but I have to say I struggle with it - the packaging is so bad imo, my 5yr old is refusing to use it point blank, so I am left on my own here. It is housed in a plastic bottle with a manual spray pump, but it does not disperse fine mist into your nose - think more of a garden hose. You are left with pools of liquid up your nose, and of course you have to blow your nose asap, and then you are left with no product. Packaging fail if You ask me, and I don't think I will repurchase it because of it. If You happen to know a better nasal spray product, please let me know! I am looking for one with herbal extracts, not simple saline solution, just wanted to be clear.

Around 10 or 12€. All of this was purchased in The Health Store in Dublin. As well as my regular supply of Rice Dream organic rice milk (love the taste, minimal ingredients with no added sugar or carageenan and reasonable price), Koko margarine (love the yogurts, but not this spread) - again, if You happen to know dairy free butter alternative that would taste nice, or close to real butter, please do me a favour and comment below! Most of them taste horrible, and the only one I liked was discontinued like a month later, I was ready to cry! It was rapeseed and coconut spread from Aldi, fleeting visit around a few months ago - and like I said, it was discontinued just a few weeks later. It was in orange packaging and cost around 1€ only - I am so mad at myself for not taking photograph of it or even remembering the brand name! Insert every sad fave emoji you can think of here. And I wasn't able to find it ever since. I also bought a bunch of yummy healthy Japanese food after discovering our new fave restaurant Yamamori and Asian Market nearby!


💕 Rosewood massager thingy

I find it soothing and relaxing, and I haven't put it down since :) 


💕 "Oud"
Umm, I guess I should have done a research (aka guick Google) before buying it off the stall holder in George's Arcade - the oud turned out to be fake. She had frankincense resin with jasmine and other things I was eyeing to buy next, but I ain't coming back now. The loss was a mere fiver.


💕 Frankincense resin, charcoal tablets, matrioshka doll, Palo Santo sticks, soy candle and Nag Champa incense sticks. The haul came over at just over 30€ at Pagoda in Ilac Shopping Center. I also buy my soap nuts there.


Umm, so this is where my post (and the haul) was supposed to end in my head, buuuut I managed to drop nearly two hundred quid in the last two days, and I can't wing my way out if it :) In my defense, both were pretty awesome deals and I am glad I bought them. I am sure I will be singing a different song when my credit card bill hits next month though!

So, my first haul was from 100%Pure - and it was discovered by pure accident. I was browsing the IG one day (as you do) and I saw the awesome GWP or gift with purchase in other words on Ashley's aaquino22 page, and it pulled a massive trigger in me I dropped whatever I was doing and I was browsing 100%Pure page immediately! I;ve kind of been ignoring the brand for the last year or year and a half due to them increasing the shipping to EU to 25€ instead of previous 7, and free shipping limit to 125€ instead of previous 45. As you can imagine, I was not happy with them! A few things from them hold a Holy Grail status for me (I am looking at you Peacock Ore Lip gloss, Caffeine Masks and Maracuja oil mascara) but the other things didn't quite work out for me, namely skincare, so I never ordered from them since the increase in shipping.. until now. 
I must also say that Naturisimo and Ecco Verde also carry the brand, but they never have deals on them. I never knew Ecco Verde carry my beloved Gemmed Lipgloss - why has no one told me that before?! I've been crying crocodile tears ever since I ran out of it a year ago! These are perfect natural dupe for Juicy Tubes, and I have a whole post dedicated to it here.
Oh, Renata, will you ever list the damn products without massive de-tours?
Here's what I got and my first impressions of things:



💕 Gemmed Lip Gloss in Peacock Ore

One of my Holy Grails from the brand, and one thing I will be repurchasing as long as they will make it. I hope that never happens, because 100%Pure are known for discontinuing things at random, like Dandelion lipstick I wanted to get. Perfect natural Juicy Tubes by Lancome dupe if you ask me, and see my post on them here.


💕 Maracuja Oil Mascara

Another hit, it is amazing imo, just one thing to let you know - I find they are very inconsistent with the freshness of them. If your mascara smells in any way of alcohol and not the fresh blueberries/ chocolate it is supposed to smell off, complain and ask for replacement. If you get a fresh one, it lasts for ages, well over 6months with daily use (I know I should be parroting the 3months rule as a blogger, but let's be real here), if it smells of alcohol, it is already off and it is time to chuck it. See my full review and comparison to their original mascara here.


💕 Lipstick in Peach Bellini

The one in silver sleek bullet, my favourite formula from them all. Sadly this does not show up on me one bit! I have had one of these like 3-4yrs ago and it was lovely, I remember using that with pleasure, when I am normally not even a lipstick person. Sadly in a hurry I didn't check what shade I had, and just chose the one I like the look of. Oh well, I guess I will layer it up with some other products, I tend to do that a lot. 


💕 Caffeine Masks x5 pack

These masks are amazing, even for my uber sensitive skin! I try to save them for special occasions as they are not that cheap and I am not happy with the plastic waste I create using them, but they take care of everything I need to take care of - brightness, skin evenness, my skin is left hydrated, plump and even dermatitis is temporarily gone. I have a full review of it here. I have had a love-hate relationship with the brand, all these reviews are from the love period. Don't forget to check out my post on how to make these masks (or any sheet mask) go further, I am revealing the trick that will save you so much money, you will be glad you read my post! And no, I am not suggesting you reuse the same mask over and over again, honey! Find the post here.


💕 Eye Hydrogel masks x5 pack

These are a cult favourite in the green beauty community, thus influencing me to get them. Well, I tried it once, and I have to say the first impressions aren't great - after 5 mins or so, my under eyes get very hot and itchy, how odd! I had no visible irritation once I removed them, so not too sure if that's how they work or what, but I had the same reaction once I reused them two days later. Not too sure what I will do with the rest of the pack. I should have gone for one pair, not bulk pack.


💕 Collagen Sheet Mask

I wish I have gotten five of these instead, this was amazing! I really hope these will reach EU distributors sooner rather than later!

💕 And now for the gift with purchase that came with my order. It all came in gorgeous cork baggie, which I immediately repurposed as my work bag - let me know if you would love to see a post on my desktop essentials? I tend to use 100%Pure baggies, as unlike many others, these tend to have a zip and not drawstring, so I find uses for them around the house.


💕 Water foundation in Sand

I haven't had luck with their foundations, and the last time I ordered one was before they even had Sand as a shade, ages ago. So I was very nervous about getting this. First impressions after one use - it collected into my pores within minutes, the coverage is more on the medium rather on the full side, and it lasted about half a day only without setting. Also, be sure to blend quickly or you will be left with streaky face. The shade is too dark and very orange on me, so I am not even sure if I will be able to wear it or not. See, no luck with their foundations. Powder products (blushes and shadows, not face powders) I find good though.


💕 Multiple in Pink Grapefruit

I have had that before and it wasn't my fave product, I found it too natural on my cheeks (also quite wrong in shade for me, I can't wear anything with the blue undertone) and quite-ok-but-not-moisturising on the lips, so I planned to put this aside for a giveaway or something like that, but it took all of 0.25 seconds for 5yr old to unwrap it, the plastic seals and all! So I guess I either have a multiple for the summer, or I'll swap it? (it's not used, just opened)


💕 Flat top kabuki style foundation brush

Funny thing is, I was thinking of getting one of these brushes only a day or two ago - I was looking at all of these mini-bukis I've collected over the years, and thinking I'd like to have one like that, just with a proper handle. There you go, now I have one!


💕 Cassia Lipstick

Two words - matte. brown. Two more words - passing on!

All in all this was a good haul, and in a way I am glad I made this order, as you get value for your money with deals like this. Otherwise the brand is super expensive, at least for me. After years of being a stay at home mom, I finally started working, but on the weekends only (childcare system in Ireland is atrocious, way more expensive than anything else, including mortgage, long story, not for this post) so my play money is still next to nothing, which is why I have to make it stretch as far as I can. Green beauty is not exactly cheap - and this order was a steep one for one person. Thankfully I found a shopping buddy for the next time, just the question is, will the brand give us two goodie bags if we will make one order to split the costs?

Naturisimo Healing Beauty Discover Box - May 18

💕 Naturisimo Discovery Box

I usually skip those, but I went for this one as it contained all the items I wanted to try. It cost 17.95€ if I remember correctly, and it contained nine items, one full size mascara and then samples. They value the box at 70£, which I think is kind of laughable, but still, it was more than the price I paid for, and I am hoping I will discover some future favourites from this haul.


💕  Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strengthen Mineral Mascara

This is the one full sized product in this box, and the one I was most excited to try. At first I was going to put this aside, as I use Fitglow Beauty Good Lash mascara at the moment, plus I just acquired 100%Pure one I was excited to use, but the blogger in me took over, and I opened it by now. The brush is massive, and it looks like it should deliver volume and length, but it produces results that are not as dramatic as I'd hoped, just OK lashes, nothing special. Plus I find it comes off really easily, I have to remember not to touch my lashes at all during the day. I usually don't have this problem. We will see.


💕 RMS Beauty Translucent 'Un' Powder, 0.44g

A mini of iconic RMS powder I'd always wanted to try. This is pure silica, which I know shouldn't work for me (I've read/watched enough reviews to know it is not suitable for dry skin) and I don't have a formed opinion on it yet. I only used it once, to set my under eye concealer. I haven't noticed any difference, but please bear in mind it was only one use.


💕 Bellapierre Mineral Blush Powder in Autumn Glow, 4g

I think this is full size of it. Didn't like it as a blush, too orange/muddy/sheer - I like my blushes way more pigmented and in different colour. I also have acquired their Desert Rose blush in a set I'd bought in TKMaxx just last month, and I am not a fan of that either. I will try them some more, as well as on the eyes, but I see both of them exiting my collection in the near future.


💕 REN Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist, 9ml

This was one of the main reasons I'd bought this discovery box, as this product is in my wishlist for ages and I keep going back and forth about it. I love the idea of protection from blue computer rays, but I only had to use it twice to know I won't be repurchasing this in full size. The smell is gross, and it is very drying to my skin. If You happen to know another mist that protects from the urban pollution, please let me now? All natural of course :)


💕 Dr Hauschka Lip Gloss (Raspberry), 3ml

Lovely shade, I always wanted to try DrHauschka lip glosses. This has good ingredients, but lasted like the whole five minutes on my lips - and I wasn't even eating or drinking! So probably a no from me?
Hey, I said probably :) I am interested in trying their make up.

The box also contained Odacite Black Mint cleanser and Inika lip tint in Candy, and both of these went straight to my daughter - minty! I can't handle any mint anywhere on my body. Glad I tried Inika tint via this box, and not in the full size, as I've been thinking of ordering it. Hate when the mintiness in not mentioned in the description of lip products. 
The box also had Estelle & Thild foundation and tinted moisturiser sachet samples, and I have to be honest I am not even sure when or if I will use these. Up until this year I was very diligent about using every single sample in order to try and know about as much products as possible, but the truth is my skin is protesting wildly if I do so, and you can't form a fully rounded opinion after one or two uses anyway? Plus if I am not after a full size of the product, what's the point, right? 

P.s. sorry for the late post, I fell down the Ecco Verde rabbit hole and have been compiling wishlist well into four digits by now :) Plus I am making lots of changes in my life behind the scenes. 

So that's my haul for May, what did You guys get? More or less finger slips than moi? I want to know, so please leave a comment below or on any of my social media pages?

I hope You enjoyed this post and found it helpful? Then 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!

Follow me on 

my new blog Greenlifeindublin.com

Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube.

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.