New year, new subscription box!  And the first collection from The Natural Beauty Box just so happens to be the quarterly plastic free edit.  The January delivery is themed around having a Fresh Start for the New Year, and I have to say I'm loving the idea!

Whether you are starting out with veganism or a cleaner living journey thanks to your 2020 resolutions or you are a long time eco beauty, this selection of green goodies is sure to kickstart the new year and give you the positive start you need.  With personal care essentials like toothpaste and deodorant as well as skincare treatments that will help keep your face and body nourished during the cold weather, the Fresh Start collection has everything you could possibly want!

Worth £62 altogether, The Natural Beauty Box really offers exceptional value for money, and I was excited to find a few brands I already love inside - Ben & Anna and Pure Purpose have been in and out of my beauty lineup for a long time now, and I have also enjoyed products from Lavera, Kind2, and Scence in the past as well.  Subscribers are sure to find some fab finds here, and I was super pleased myself of course too!

But let's jump into what was inside the latest edit from The Natural Beauty Box, shall we??

(P.s. I'll also be giving a look at December's collection at the end of this review!  The holiday period ended up being super busy and I missed giving my usual full thoughts.  I don't want to skip it though as it was a wonderful edit and deserves attention!!)




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No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad.  You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.

1] Ben and Anna Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste * (£8.95/100ml)

If you have been keeping up with my recent reviews, you will know that I am already a big fan of the Ben and Anna dental care range.  In fact, it made it into my Best Ethical Products of 2019 roundup for home and hygiene treatments!

This vegan friendly brand creates essentials like deodorant, mouthwash, and tooth treatments, all of which were developed to fulfill the lifestyle needs of founders Ben and Anna.  After their natural deodorants proved popular, they made the decision to extend their lineup and offer another daily go to: oral care.

"we succeeded in creating a sustainable series that combines everything that is important to us: high-quality ingredients of natural origin such as sea buckethorn, chamomile, activated charcoal, cinnamon and calcium give you durable, strong, shiny teeth and healthy gums. And, of course, this is all without animal testing and it`s free of any harmful and controversial ingredients such as phtalates, parabens, microplastics, SLS or formaldehydes."

In my opinion, this toothpaste is a smash hit. It hits all the criteria for me, tasting good, feeling good, and proving good for the planet too.  I have tried all three options now, and each is by far the best plastic free and natural alternative I have come across.

The Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste is "power packed for bright white teeth. With activated charcoal to dissolve discoloration naturally, sea buckthorn and chamomile to protect your teeth and natural mint for a boost of freshness."  It is pitch black in colour, and does make you look like some sort of demon as you are using it as it fills your mouth with a dark paste.  Makes it fun for kiddos though, yes??

The formula is smooth, with no gritty particles and no rough texture, and it tastes exactly like a traditional tubed version which makes this a brilliant pick for anyone who is feeling hesitant about swapping to a plastic free alternative.  Tim has hated every one I've had him try, but the Ben & Anna version he's fine with as it reminds him of a high street formula (but without all the nasties of course!) - so if it won him over, I'm sure the majority of people will LOVE this!

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Hydrated Silica, Sorbitol/ Sorbitol/Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Xylitol, Calcium Hydroxyapatite, Lauryl Glucoside, Charcoal (Bamboo) Powder, Aroma (Fragrance), Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Chamomilla Recutita (Camomile) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract, Mentha Arvensis (Peppermint) Leaf Oil, Limonene, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.

2] Lavera Basis Sensitive All Round Cream * (£7.95/150ml)

Lavera is a brand that I recommend to anyone seeking affordable cleaner beauty products that still offer quality results.  One of my top twenty under a tenner picks, Lavera has some fantastic skincare and makeup goodies that don't break the bank.

I've actually tried the All Round Cream previously, but as my skin is super fussy and congestion prone I found this formula too rich for my face.  For the body though, it offers a great moisture boost and will prove very handy in this chaotic, windy, stormy weather!

"Lavera Basis Sensitive All Round Cream is an ultra-rich moisturiser recommended for very dry skin and extremely beneficial for all skin types during cold winter weather. The all round cream comes in a handy tin containing all natural and organic ingredients to moisturise every part of your face and body, particulary the drier areas like heels, elbows and knees."

The formula contains organic shea butter, sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, and sunflower seed oil, all which provide a nourishing boost, plus hydrating melissa water, witch hazel flower water, and aloe leaf extract.  The ingredients all work together to bring balance, protecting and soothing the skin while also providing a much welcomed soft and supple feeling.

I find all Lavera products have a distinct fragrance that is fairly strong, so if you are sensitive to strong smells do keep that in mind.  That being said, it would make a great multi-tasker if you have very dry skin, and can be used after cleansing, showering, or bathing on both face and body!

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Alcohol*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Beta-Carotene, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Flower Water*, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Water*, Rosa Damascena Flower Water*, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Limonene**, Linalool**, Geraniol**, Citral**, Citronellol**, Benzyl Benzoate**, Benzyl Alcohol** * Ingredients from Certified Organic Agriculture ** Natural Essential Oils *** Fair Trade

3] Kind2 Conditioner Bar (£15.95/80g)

I have to admit, this is not a new discovery for me...  The Kind2 Conditioner Bar is actually one of the products I tested for 2020's BSL Awards!  For that reason, my lips are sealed about my full thoughts on this plastic free hair treatment until after awards are announced on Monday March 2nd.  However, I of course am happy to share what this vegan friendly product is in the meantime!

Kind2 is a haircare company out to make a difference.  Founded in 2018 by Sue, the idea was to reinvent shampoo and conditioner for the 21st century.  With a focus on ethics and sustainability, the range uses no animal products and ensures that everything from the packaging to the ingredients is thoughtfully chosen.

"Our formulas are vegan and free from plastic, soap, sulphates, silicones and parabens. Instead, they’re full of active plant based extracts to gently treat specific hair needs. Saving the planet doesn't have to mean bad hair.  KIND2 you. KIND2 the planet."

The Kind2 Conditioner Bar is a moisturizing bar suitable for most hair types, including normal, dry, and chemically treated.  This plastic free product is rounded to fit into the palm of your hand and to dry more easily, and the recyclable cardboard box provides a nice way to take this with you on the go for travel and weekend getaways.

As for the formula itself, "the power of coconut and cocoa butter combined with argan, macadamia and shea oils to detangle, hydrate and nourish your hair. A little bit goes a long way to restore your crowning glory."  In fact, Kind2 claims this bar will last the equivalent of 500ml of liquid shampoo, or a minimum of 80 washes!  If you're anything like me, that means this bar should last a good long time, making this a really good way to reduce waste and perhaps even save money.

Ingredients: Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Seed) Butter, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Argania (Argan) Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Panthenol, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Stearic Acid, Calcium Bentonite, Sunstone Powder, Kaolin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil, Cannabis (Hemp) Sativa Seed Oil, Melaleuca Ericifolia (Rosalina) Leaf Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Eucalyptus Radiata Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil, Limonene*, Linalool*.
* Naturally occurring in essential oils

4] Scence Cedar Fresh Deodorant Balm (£12/75g)

I've actually had the pleasure of testing out one of this brand's products previously (their face balm), so I was keen to explore the range even more when I found out they would be inside the January edition from The Natural Beauty Box.

Based in Cornwall, Scence Natural Skincare creates handmade, minimal waste products that use only natural and organic ingredients.  Founder Krista uses plant butters, waxes, and extracts to make effective and nourishing treatments that are safe for the body as well as the planet.

"I have always been interested in natural oils and the efficacy of herbs and felt frustrated that so much of the  natural skincare on offer was packaged in single use plastic containers and applicators. I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling this conflict and felt strongly that the way forward was to develop new ways of packaging the brand without compromising the environment. I was making balms for family and friends that needed help with eczema and sensitive skin so was particularly interested in addressing specific needs as well as developing a really effective deodorant that didn’t use questionable ingredients like aluminium"

The Deodorant Balm in Cedar Fresh has a comforting, woodsy aroma with a distinct sharp pine smell that is softened by grounding frankincense.  It's a fairly "masculine" scent, and while the fragrance is not my personal favourite, the balm itself is smooth and easy to apply.  This bicarb free formula is super gentle on the skin, causing no irritation or itching, making it ideal for everyday use.

So far I am finding this a great addition to my routine, as it provides long lasting protection against odor and has not caused any sensitivity to my underarms.  I find I can apply this first thing in the morning and I am still fresh late into the evening.  Plus, since it contains moisturizing ingredients I find it helps soothe an area of my body that often goes overlooked - such a great way to offer some TLC to a spot you don't tend to pamper!

Ingredients: Organic coconut oil, organic arrowroot, magnesium hydroxide, mango butter, sunflower wax, cedarwood essential oil, frankincense essential oil.

5] Pure Purpose Plum Oil (£17/30ml)

I've been super keen on Pure Purpose products ever since I first discovered this green beauty brand a few years ago.  Their Hemp Masque is a stunning treatment that hydrates and plumps the face, their natural deo cream smells so fresh and lasts all day long, and their coffee scrubs offer such a good exfoliation that renews your glow - so of course I was looking forward to trying out the Plum Oil!

I actually have tried out a plum oil once before, but was put off from buying a full size by the price.  The one I tried was nearly £80 - so over 4x the price of Pure Purpose!  Same ingredients, same size bottle.  So how does this compare??

Well, perfectly!  I am so pleased with this and I am so happy (and kind of shocked?) to find that Pure Purpose delivers the same benefits and results as the sample I tried of the higher priced product.  It smells absolutely delicious - sweet (almost like marzipan), juicy, and mouth wateringly moreish - and I find applying this has become something I look forward to as the aroma is just so addictive.  I find the Plum Oil helps lift my spirit and brings a sense of nostalgia with it that makes this such a fun and fragrant treatment to work with.

And it's no wonder this oil is called liquid gold!  Along with its gorgeous smell, it also packs a punch when it comes to moisture:

Being very rich in omega fatty acids and vitamins, Plum Kernel oil is hydrating, healing and it helps to protect the skin, nails and hair from free radicals. It has high concentration of oleic acid (moisturizing and emollient) and a high content of γ–tocopherol (highly resistant to oxidation).

Plum oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce the appearance of puffiness, irritation, dark spots, under-eye circles, wrinkles and dry skin. It is also good for soothing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

I find my congestion prone and semi-sensitive skin responds well to this lightweight oil, and I adore how soft and silky my face feels after application.  It definitely helps condition my skin, and I have also noticed that my complexion is looking more glowy and everything feels less tight.  This might just be my star product from January's collection from The Natural Beauty Box, and it is most definitely a wonderful discovery that I am excited to now have on my skincare shelf!

Ingredients: Prunus domestica (plum) seed oil.




And that's the whole Fresh Start collection from January's edit of The Natural Beauty Box!  It's a fab selection of daily essentials, and I think it is the best way to kick off the New Year.

Out of the five products, I truly am enjoying each and every one.  My favourite discovery is the Pure Purpose Plum Oil, but I am also so pleased with the Ben and Anna toothpaste which has already found a permanent space in my personal care lineup.  But honestly, all the green goodies in this edit are great, and I think the entire plastic free collection is so well thought out.

The Natural Beauty Box never disappoints me, and even after so long of receiving these monthly deliveries I still find new surprises each month.  I love the mix of brands, product types, and price points, and find it is such a well balanced mix that everyone is bound to find a few new loves with every box!

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!  February's edit is already shaping up to be a winner, with two reveals already up on Instagram.  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 New Year box full 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!




And as for December's box, just know that I am enjoying each product!  The edit included five products themed around "Christmas Glow," and I have to say the formulas most definitely brought some glitz, glam, and glow.  Subscribers were treated to a candle, soap, body oil, serum, and biodegradable glitter, and it was a fab mix of treats.  We got some goodies perfect for celebrations, but also items that were ideal for bundling up and keeping cozy.

Inside this edit (worth £65!), The Natural Beauty Box featured:

Upcircle Beauty Cinnamon & Ginger Soap: a gently lathering limited edition multi-purpose bar that smells like a Christmas chai latte - it's so festive, and the perfect aroma for this time of year!

Inzho Reindeer Candle: a limited edition soy candle with a lovely blend of essential oils, including clove, cinnamon, and sweet orange - this warms the heart as it flickers in the evening and fills the room with its fragrant notes

I Love Skin UK Serum: hydrating, non-sticky, and so soothing on the face, this serum combines hyaluronic acid and rosewater to plump and smoothe

Fairypants Biodegradable Silver Glitter: "Star" is a stunning metallic silver perfect for New Year's Eve or any party, night out, or fancy dress occasion, and it adds a shiny pop of sparkle!

The Spoiled Bee Cosmetics Bronze Body Oil: while it may not be summer yet, this bronzing body oil can reinvigorate the glow in your skin thanks to nourishing oils and biodegradable shimmer (including mica)

Overall this collection really delivered on its promise of Christmas Glow, and I found several new brands to explore even further in future!  What did you think about these products??  xx