The Natural Beauty Box - Summer Glow Review

July's "Summer Glow" collection from The Natural Beauty Box proved once more to be popular amongst subscribers - not only is everything inside all natural, cruelty free, and vegan, but also plastic free!  With six products worth over £47, this box definitely hit another home run!  With British beauty brands like Meadow Skincare, Flawless, The Ilex Wood, Mila's Apothecary, and Angel Face Cosmetics involved, this edit was full to the brim with fabulous formulas ready to get your skin glowing and your mind prepped for the sunny days ahead.

Each product included in July's The Natural Beauty Box contains minimal ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers (and with TNBB you never have to worry about nasty additives anyways!).  What more could a green goddess wish for??  Seriously, this is my favourite surprise every month, and it never disappoints.

I discovered several new brands thanks to this edit, and many new skincare loves - let's check them all out!

The Natural Beauty Box Review - Summer Glow Plastic Free



1] Mila's Apothecary Hedgerow Drops (10ml/£8):
Right off the bat The Natural Beauty Box has excited me by introducing a brand I was not previously familiar with.  Mila's Apothecary was founded by the talented Mila Wood, and I expect great things from this up and coming brand based on what I have seen so far.

Not only are the skincare products handmade with love and intention, but they are crafted with one's wellbeing in mind.  Mila's Apothecary combines local charm and mindfulness in their range of green goodies, utilizing ingredients from British meadows to highlight their healing properties.  And the Hedgerow Drops found in the "Summer Glow" collection is the perfect example of such qualities.

The Natural Beauty Box Review - Mila's Apothecary Hedgerow Drops

The aroma is so lovely, and has a fuller scent than most rosehip based oils I have come across.  Notes of sweet jam, juicy fruit, and delicate florals melt together into one sumptuous creation that captures the heart and beauty of summer.  The smell is gorgeous, and so different from the other oils in my collection.  It's definitely unique, and I am quickly becoming a huge fan.  The Hedgerow Drops are delectable and make for a sensorial treat that I can't help but stop and pause during my skincare routine to enjoy it, especially since it gets even more round and smooth in scent as it absorbs into your face.

The golden oil is fairly light, and not overly rich at all which makes it fab for warm weather or for days where your routine can't take much due to a sensitive flair up or break out.  Since my face isn't at all dry, I prefer lightweight products as otherwise it ends up sitting on top of my skin, and this fits the bill perfectly.  I do find this nourishing though, and it really helps soothe my skin and senses at the end of a long day.  I just massage a few drops in, go to bed, and wake up with a fresh and radiant complexion that is ready to glow!

I'm loving Mila's Apothecary Hedgerow Drops so far, and the fact that they're plastic free is another big plus for me.  I can use my own spare dropper to reduce waste, or carefully tip a small amount of oil out of the bottle if I am travelling - either way, it's fab!  I can't wait to see how this works for me through the colder weather, as I think it could bring such a dose of joy into the dark winter days and bring a lovely radiance all year long.

Ingredients: Strawberry Seed Oil**, Rosehip Seed Oil*, Hemp Seed Oil*, Rose Geranium Oil*, Lavender Oil*, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene    *organic + cold pressed    **cold pressed


2] The Ilex Wood Dandelion and Rosemary Salve (100ml/£12):
I fell for The Ilex Wood's Calendula Salve last time this fab British brand featured in The Natural Beauty Box, so of course I had high hopes for their Dandelion and Rosemary Salve.  And guess what - they didn't disappoint!

Holly, founder of The Ilex Wood, handmakes every product in Northhamtonshire and promises to deliver high quality, low cost, all natural goodies that all contain less than 10 ingredients.  I have to say based on my experience of the brand so far, she delivers on all of those ideals.  No plastic in sight, affordable and generous sizing, and such a gentle formula!

The Natural Beauty Box Review - The Ilex Wood Dandelion and Rosemary Salve

The first thing you notice when you twist of the lid of the tin is that this salve is not your average balm.  It has an incredibly delicate consistency that combines the light texture of a gel with the nourishing properties of an oil, and it is just so unique.  Much more 'wet' than a typical salve but not at all greasy, the Dandelion and Rosemary Salve absorbs fully after about a minute and has wonderful moisturizing benefits that make it the perfect addition into any bodycare routine.

A natural vegan herbal balm for tired muscles, aching hands and feet. Perfect for anyone who works hard with their hands, runs, cycles or does a lot of sport. // Dandelion and Rosemary salve is ideal for very dry and chapped skin.

I love using this on dry spots, my cuticles (which are a right mess right now as I've been picking and peeling due to stress!), and sometimes on the ends of my hair as an overnight mask.  It's so versatile, you can try it for just about anything!  I tried it on my lower back the other night as I've been in some discomfort since our long travels, and I did feel in much better shape the next morning upon waking up -- plus my skin was so soft!

One of my favourite things about the Dandelion and Rosemary Salve is the aroma - grounding, herbal, calming, and perfect for sharpening the mind, this is quickly becoming part of my writing routine.  I pop a bit on, breathe in the oils, and let the rosemary wash over my senses.  It's so lovely, but also a real help for me.  I really struggle with attention and focus, so anything that lends a bit of support is very much welcomed.  Especially when it is as healing as The Ilex Wood's formulas.

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), Glycine Max (Soy Wax),  Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Essential Oil)


3] Flawless Gentle Foaming Clay Facial Cleanser Kaolin & Oat (120ml/£7.95):
Flawless is a 100% cruelty free and vegan cosmetics company that makes PETA approved makeup brushes using synthetic fibres, sustainably sourced bamboo handles, and recycled aluminium ferrules, but they have also moved into crafting makeup and skincare products over the last year.  Their selections are varied, spanning eco-glitters, insect repellent, lippies, face masks, and more.  And one of the creations that has been on my radar for a while now is the Gentle Foaming Clay Facial Cleanser!

The Natural Beauty Box Review - Flawless Gentle Foaming Clay Face Cleanser

I was so excited when I saw subscribers of The Natural Beauty Box would be getting a full size pot of this innovative plastic free product.  I'm really loving powder formulas at the moment, so any chance to try a new one I am super thrilled about!

The Gentle Foaming Clay Facial Cleanser is designed to balance and rejuvenate the skin using gentle ingredients like white clay, jojoba oil, oats, and potent essential oils like pine, lime, and lavender.  You just take a small scoop of the dry mix, activate it with water, and voila -- you've got a milky cleanser ready to wash away any grime from the day!

I have to be honest, I don't love the smell of this.  It's got a hint of lime, but it just doesn't jive well with the lavender in pine for me personally.  I get a paste-like aroma that isn't unpleasant, but doesn't do much for me in terms of lifting my mood or soothing my mind.  However, I love how it feels on my skin so I can overlook that, especially if I decide to add a drop of a favourite facial oil in (perhaps a drop of Mila's Apothecary Hedgerow Nectar??) to elevate the scent.

The texture of this powder turns into a silky soft milk not dissimilar to a gentle face mask, and it is so easy to apply and to rinse off.  I love having a cleanser that can be easily removed without a muslin for days when my skin is feeling a bit more sensitive, and this definitely serves me well for that.  Once off, my face felt lovely, refreshed, and clean without feeling dried out.  I also find the clay helps keep blemishes at bay, meaning this doubles as an acne treatment - win!

Ingredients: Kaolin (White Clay), Oat Kernel (Avena sativa), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis), Pine Essential Oil, Lime Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Geraniol*, Linalool*, Limonene*, Citral* 
*occurs naturally in essential oils


4] Divine & Handmade Pink Himalayan Bath Soak (120g/£7.50):
This London based beauty brand has a firm stance against palm oil and is very upfront about all aspects of the business, making them a fantastic addition to any green beauty lovers routine!

Natalia, the brand's founder, writes "Divine And Handmade is a small team, we all love nature and believe that a holistic, plant-based lifestyle is the key to optimal wellness. Every one of our products is inspired by nature, and every ingredient that we include in our products is there for a specific, therapeutic reason."  Not only that, but every product is handmade and created in small batches to ensure each bottle is of the highest possible quality.

The Natural Beauty Box Review - Divine & Handmade Pink Himalayan Bath Soak

This is actually the second product I have been introduced to from Divine & Handmade thanks to The Natural Beauty Box, as I have previously received a bottle of their Pure Hazelnut Oil which was a great discovery.  I've actually almost bought a bottle of the Pink Himalayan Bath Soak before, but was waiting until my stash grew a bit smaller, so imagine my excitement when I unboxed this edit and found my very own jar inside!

The salts are a simple but stunning blend of himalayan pink salt, epsom salt, almond oil, and avocado oil, a concoction that makes for a relaxing and moisturizing soak in the tub.  

These ethically-sourced, rich in minerals Bath Salts are blended with Himalayan Pink Salts, Epsom Salts and Avocado Oil. The distinctive pink colour is due to the incredibly high mineral content, including potassium, magnesium and iron, all vital for good health. They will cleanse and detoxify your body and calm your nervous system.

I have to say I love that these don't have a distinctive scent, as it means I can mix them with any of my other bath treatments.  I can easily blend with an aromatherapeutic oil or foaming gel and have the ultimate bathtime experience!  They're nourishing, super cute, and a great addition to my bath treatment selection!

Ingredients: Sodium Chloride (Himalayan Pink Salt), Epsom Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt), Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil , Prunus Dulcis (Almond) Oil, Alpha Topcopherol (Vitamin E).


5] Meadow Skincare Hydration Boost Moisturising Face Balm (10ml/£10):
Subscribers were introduced to the beauty of Meadow Skincare back in February, and I was actually lucky enough to test out the entire collection earlier in the year as well.  So when I saw that the "Summer Glow" collection included a mini version of their Hydration Boost Moisturising Face Balm I was very happy, as this had become a favourite in my routine.

The Natural Beauty Box Review - Meadow Skincare Hydration Boost Moisturising Face Balm

You all know I have struggled with face balms in the past.  I have not once come across one that suited my fussy skin, and found most broke me out pretty much immediately.  I figured Meadow Skincare's Hydration Boost Moisturising Face Balm would be the same old story, and that my first try would prove my concerns.  So imagine my surprise when I applied as I would a day cream/moisturizer and my skin was glowing, smooth, and not irritated in the least!

"Hydration Boost Moisturising Balm balances oil production and imparts relief to dehydrated and ultra sensitive skin. Rich in sea buckthorn seed oil which has 30 times more vitamin C content than an orange, the plant seed oil blend is excellent at firming and hydrating skin, reduce pigmentation whilst protecting against environmental aggressors."

I found taking the tiniest amount (just skimming across the top really), melting it in between my fingertips, then applying as I would a facial oil worked best for me, and guaranteed I didn't overload my congestion prone face.  The golden balm is thick to start with, but when warmed it is a magical mix of lightweight while also feeling like an effective protective barrier.  I loved how this formula gave me an instant lift, making me look bright and glowy even when I was feeling super tired and meh.  It didn't leave any shininess or make me look greasy at all, but just helped smooth everything out.

The balm has a gorgeous uplifting aroma, a mix of calming lavender and soft but uplifting zesty notes, and it creates a moment of 'me time' as you apply.  I always like to breathe in the excess product on my hands, closing my eyes and just letting the scent wash over me.  Anyone else adore green goodies that double as aromatherapy treatments??

Ingredients: mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, butyrospermum parkii (east shea nilotica) butter, argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil, olive squalane, orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil, cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil, rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil, hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) fruit oil, euphorbia cerifera cera (candelilla wax), tocopherol (vitamin e), pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil (petitgrain), cymopogon martini (palmarosa) oil, citral*, geraniol*, neral*, linalool,* limonene*, citroneliol*, famesol*, (*naturally occuring in essential oils)

P.s. Grab 10% off your Meadow Skincare order using code SKYE at checkout!


6] Angel Face Cosmetics Bronzer Sample (0.5g/£2):
It's not often that The Natural Beauty Box selects a makeup product to include in the collections, but when there is one you can be certain it's going to be gorgeous.

Angel Face Cosmetics is another brand that is a new discovery, but I'm very happy they've been introduced to me.  Founded by Julie and Guy in 2018, their range was developed to ensure safe, affordable, and durable formulas that elevate simplicity to shine.  Free from pore-clogging and irritating ingredients like bismuth oxychloride, Angel Face Cosmetics' makeup is all ethically sourced, free from cruelty, and packaged sustainably -- and you can get a hint as to what this brand is all about in the sample of the bronzer thanks to the July edit!

The Natural Beauty Box Review - Angel Face Cosmetics Bronzer

The bronzer comes inside of a cute cardboard tube, making it super easy to take on the go for a touch up while out and about or while traveling.  It's such a fab alternative to single use sachets (an issue I'm tackling soon here on The ecoLogical), and I love how nostalgic the packaging is.  It reminds me of something from my childhood and is just so homey.

Inside you will find a loose pigment that is so deep in colour you would think it might just not suit your skin tone -- but don't worry, there's a reason why!:

"Our beautifully toned bronzer has a radiant subtle shimmer to it to create lovely warmth, contour and lift to your face. It comes in just one simple shade as the tone can be adapted by how much you use. A little goes a long way so if you are after just a touch of warmth this bronzer will go on and on making it very cost efficient. // It has been designed to have the right undertones to suit any skin shades to add warmth for the winter and a sun kissed glow for the summer. // It can also be mixed in with foundation or concealer to darken them if need be and used as an eye shadow or mixed with a lip balm/gloss to create a lip colour."
I love that Angel Face Cosmetics has opted for a 'one shade fits all' style product, as this cuts down on the stress of choosing from a million different options.  Honestly, this concept does seem to work great as I find if I use a small amount and blend it out it works for my ultra pale skin, but it is also super buildable if you need a deeper toned bronze.  And now I get to extend the summer glow a little bit longer, so I am well pleased!

Ingredients: Sericite Mica; Zinc Oxide; Iron Oxide 77891, 778161


The Natural Beauty Box Review - Plastic Free Summer Glow Edit


Overall, the July "Summer Glow" edit from The Natural Beauty Box was worth £47.45, nearly double the cost of the box itself!  That's a brilliant savings, especially when you think that many of these brands are hidden gems that would not have been discovered without the lovely Emma's help.

I really have been enjoying all six green goodies inside July's subscription, and I love that each of them will help me extend the summer vibes through autumn.  Mila's Apothecary and Meadow have such cheerful aromas, The Ilex Wood captures the scent of gorgeous herb gardens, Divine & Handmade's salts are so vibrant, Angel Face Cosmetics shines bright and gives a gorgeous sunkissed glow, and Flawless is so light and refreshing -- and of course everything is plastic free which is amazing!

The second plastic free edit was definitely a hit in my opinion, and I can't wait to see what the next quarterly box brings.  I'm sure it will be just as stunning!  If you aren't yet subscribed, you can sign up for either the plastic free collections or for the monthly deliveries - either way you're in for a treat with every collection!  Rolling subscriptions are only £24.95/month, but you can get money off for 3, 6, or 12 month packages.  Plus, you can grab 10% off your first box by using my link!

What did you think of the summer collection of plastic free, natural, and vegan friendly goodies?  Did you have a favourite inside, or are you loving everything equally?  I'd love to hear your thoughts, so let me know in the comments below! xx

4 comments

  1. I am a huge fan of bath salts, so I would have been really happy to see those within my box as a subscriber x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes I love bath products! they're so lovely :)

      Delete
  2. The plastic free edit sounds right up my street. Happy to purchase something that looks so nice and is also eco friendly.

    ReplyDelete

Share your thoughts!
(No links please!)