I am one lucky girl. My husband spoilt me at Christmas to lots of makeup from my wish-list.
Here is what I got:
Two eyeshadow palettes from Tarte:
The differences between them are explained below but I wanted to cover what I love about both of them, just once.
The palettes feel very strong and sturdy. I’m not sure how deep the pans go, but potentially they could be very deep.
I love the big mirror in the lid. I think it slightly magnifies my face so I can see myself more easily.
Both palettes come with a leaflet giving two example looks that can be created and instructions on how to achieve it.
Tarte: Rainforest of the seaeyeshadow palette volume II
This palette is able to create everyday looks or dramatic evening looks. As I don’t get out much in the evenings, I’m choosing to use the darker shades to softly line my eyes. There’s a mix of matte and shimmer shadows.
Tarte: Rainforest of the sea has highlighting eyeshadow palette vol III
This palette has lighter shades and good for daytime looks only. All the shades have a shimmer. Although, I don’t find this palette as exciting, I do feel it is more practical for my lifestyle and will get used more.
Tarte: Lights, camera, lashes 4-in-1 mascara
So far, I am getting on alright with this mascara. Any mascara makes my lashes look better (or at least visable). It hasn’t irritated my eyes or left smudges or flakes under my eyes. I like it.
Tarte: Rainforest if the sea radiance drops
I had no idea what this was when I added it to my wishlist but it’s a best seller and I was curious. I’m still not sure even now I have it – lol.
It comes out on a pipette and is an oil. The oil has a gold shimmer to it. Is it skincare, makeup or a hybrid of the two?
I’ve been dabbing it on like a highlighter and like the effect. It makes my skin look healthier like I am glowing.
Two Axiology lipsticks
Before I go into the shades I want to tell you why I love these lipsticks.
Firstly, they contain no harmful ingredients. They do not support animal testing at all. They are certified vegan and don’t use palm oil.
I love the lipstick cases. You push the base and they pop up. It’s so satisfying! They look beautiful and are recyclable.
Axiology: Lipstick – The Goodness
This was my most used lipstick of 2018 and it ran out. I’m so glad to have it back. I’m sad I caught the tip in my excitement getting it out and now already looks used.
This lipstick is a shimmery nude shade. It’s just for lips but I like putting it on my cheeks too as a highlighting blush. It is very pretty and natural.
Axiology: Lipstick – Worth/Radiance
This will be my lipstick on 2019! It is an orangey red shade on me and looks gorgeous. It’s quite subtle and sadly doesn’t last long so needs to be reapplied but it is such a pretty colour. I love it.
Nui Cosmetics: Liquidfoundation – Intense Kanapa
This is my favourite organic foundation. I apply it with my fingers or a sponge. You can build it up easily to get the coverage you need and has a nice smell to it.
Would I recommend?
Yes! My husband has done really well. I am so happy with this haul which will keep me going during maternity leave.
Everything feels good on my skin, doesn’t irritate and looks awesome. I feel excited to do my makeup and play with my new products.
Have you tried any of the above or get any new beauty products for Christmas?
Skin Organics Clean Beauty is a subscription box with a selection of non-toxic, cruelty-free, organic and natural products. These may be skincare, body care or beauty products. Their aim is to help you discover clean, green and cruelty-free products and brands. They dispatch on 20th of the month.
Cost: £19.00 (+£3.95 P&P) subscription, UK
*****
As I am now on maternity leave, I have cancelled my subscription so there is no new box of cruelty free products to reveal.
My skin likes this mist and I’ve been using it daily as a toner. I, however, do not like bottle. When it is screwed up, it doesn’t spray. I have to loosen it for it to work and then it is still tricky to mist.
Although I’m not keen on the bottle the product is effective. I am still interested in trying lip venom by this brand and have high expectations that it will perform well.
Casa Mercarelli: Lemon & Clay Face Mask (sheet lists price as £8.00)
When am I suppose to have time to do a face mask? I now have a few face masks waiting. I feel my daughter is starting to get a routine but I don’t want to jinx it or scare her by appearing to attend to her wearing a face mask.
Butter Bar Soapery: Revive Body Polish (Exclusive product for subscription box – not yet for sale. Expected RRP £15.00)
I’m not a fan of scrubs so it has to be pretty special to win me over and this one did. This scrub deep cleaned my skin, removed any dryness and really hydrated my skin. My legs felt so soft, like silk. I was blown away! This felt like a luxury spa treatment. I would buy this again. It is so good!
BAO Skincare: Apricot Rose Face Polish (RRP £14.00 for 50ml)
Again, I’m not a fan of scrubs but I’ve been using this once a week and I look forward to using it. It’s very gentle although you can feel it working. My skin looks better as a result. I think it gets rid of dry skin and enables my moisturiser to be more effective. I’d buy this again too!
Eden Days Body: Hawaiian Haven Whipped Body Butter (Sheet lists price as RRP £6.50)
My underfloor heating has ruined this product. After melting into a messy oil, it has partial solidified. It is not in two parts, one oily and the other waxy. I can mix it up and it’s still great a moisturise but I don’t think the product is as good as it would have been in its original state.
It is a very affordable price so I may buy it again and give it another chance. I did really like it as an oil so I may let my underfloor heating melt it again lol.
Would I recommend?
My subscription is now cancelled but only while I adjust to a ‘maternity pay lifestyle’. I can’t express how much I will miss these monthly edits. I have loved discovering new products and organic brands.
If you are interested in being chemical free then this is the beauty subscription box for you! It contains a range of organic products from brands that are high end, award winners or start ups. I have not been disappointed by the contents and it’s encouraged me to try products I otherwise wouldn’t have and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
All the products meet the promise of clean, green and cruelty-free – so if that’s something you desire, this is a great box for you.
I shall soon be looking back at past boxes and sharing the products that stood out. Please share if you’ve tried any of these and what organic products or brands you love? Are your skin/body care products chemical free?
Skin Organics Clean Beauty is a subscription box with a selection of non-toxic, cruelty-free, organic and natural products. These may be skincare, body care or beauty products. Their aim is to help you discover clean, green and cruelty-free products and brands. They dispatch on 20th of the month.
Cost: £19.00 (+£3.95 P&P) subscription, UK
What was in my box?
Refresh
This months theme is Refresh. Inside this box are five products.
The card has details about all the products and discount codes if you decide to buy.
The Neroli essential oil in this mist has antibacterial properties to help combat breakouts and boosts skin elasticity. The Orange gives skin a vitamin C boost and is anti-inflammatory.
The brand is cruelty free, organic, vegan and uses sustainably sourced ingredients. Founder Luigi, created the first product, Lip Venom, for his sister and her friends as he didn’t agree with luxury skin care companies charging a fortune for products full of harmful ingredients and I must say, I was impressed with the prices. I never would have guessed this affordable brand is organic. I plan to return to try more, especially the debut product!
Casa Mercarelli: Lemon & Clay Face Mask (sheet lists price as £8.00)
The Lemon will exfoliate skin and remove dead skin. The uncontaminated mineral rich green clay from Sicily will draw out impurities and toxins from your skin.
This Italian brand is organic (certified by the soil association), has recyclable packaging and is free from nasty ingredients. The founder, Lucia, developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and had to change her lifestyle to recover from her illness. As a result, she developed this Italian inspired organic skincare brand.
Butter Bar Soapery: Revive Body Polish (Exclusive product for subscription box – not yet for sale. Expected RRP £15.00)
Packed with organic ingredients to buff & repair, cleanse & calm, boost circulation & target cellulite, and to firm & tighten skin tone. That’s a lot of promises!
I love that the products are created in a little workshops in London. The products are cruelty free, palm oil free and don’t use preservatives. They also had some beautiful and reasonably priced gift sets on the site and offer to custom make a gift set.
BAO Skincare: Apricot Rose Face Polish (RRP £14.00 for 50ml)
This product will exfoliate to reveal soft, smooth skin. It is full of nourishing ingredients so it won’t dry your skin out.
The founder has over 10 years experienced in the beauty industry and created a skincare line that actually delivers the results promised using botanicals and plant ingredients. All packaging is recyclable.
Eden Days Body: Hawaiian Haven Whipped Body Butter (Sheet lists price as RRP £6.50)
NB: think the underfloor heating has melted this product – I don’t think it should be an oil!
The Ylang Ylang is to nourish dry skin. The Neroli is to heal stretch marks and broken capillaries, and prevent scarring. It also rejuvenates and regenerates skin. The Lavender is to reduce scaring and speed up healing. It also reduces redness and blotchiness. Geranium is to fade scars and marks on the skin and improves melanin levels.
This 100% natural brand was born from a desire to go chemical free due to skin problems. This mother & daughter team handmakd all their products fresh for their customers.
First impressions on August’s edit:
I’ve recently fallen in love with face mists so I’m really pleased to have a new one to add to my collection. I’m not really a big fan of scrubs but I’ve already tried these since receiving and both the body polish and face scrub are so good I could be converted. I’ll try to find time to use the mask but I’m not a fan of the dry powder one’s as I find them messy, tricky to get right and time consuming.
Reflect on previous box
I’ve had a month to use the products I received and share my thoughts.
This is how I got on using the products from my July “Rose theme” box:
This box arrived just before my newborn arrived. The last week of pregnancy was exhausting and once my baby girl got here on 6 Aug 2018, I forgot all about me. It was a struggle to even find time to do this post – Aghhh!
However, all the products in this box are the usual high standard I’ve come to expect from skin Organics. They meet my ethical desires and feel luxurious. For me, this is the beauty box to beat.
Lola’s Apothecary: Delicate Romance Perfume Delux Roll On (sheet lists price as £20.00)
As pretty as this looks, I’ve not had a chance to use it. I was fortunate enough not to get any stretchmarks whilst pregnant and that could be down to the products I use or good genes. I will keep this in my cupboard as I do sometimes get trouble in the winter with dry skin and this helps with that too.
Odylique: Lip Liner – Rose (sheet lists price as £12.50)
I didn’t have time to check online how to use it so I just applied it how I felt worked and I really like it. The pencil is smooth and doesn’t drag along the skin but it has decent staying power. I used it with my …. lipstick and felt they were a good colour match.
Green People: Price of sample is unknown… Damask Rose Facial Oil (full size 30ml is £29 on website) & Damask Rose Moisturiser (full size 30ml is £20 on website)
The Damask Rose duo from Green People didn’t disappoint. I don’t know if I was meant to use them together but I did. They smelt lovely and made my skin feel so hydrated which was great as I have been suffering with some dry flakey skin recently.
Weleda: Price of sample is unknown… Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash (full size 50ml is £3.95 and 200ml is £7.95 on website) & Wild Rose Body Oil (full size 100ml is £25.95 on website)
Blame it on ‘baby brain’ but I have no idea where I put this. I’m sure it’s somewhere to prompt me to use it but I’ve no idea where. It will turn up and when it does, it’ll be a lovely surprise.
Zenon Kition: Floral Beauty Mist (sheet lists price as £9.99)
This has been refreshing on the hot days and first thing in the morning. Dare I say, I found floral scent a bit heavy for me – although it doesn’t last long. I’m not sure I would buy again but I’d certainly try other products by the brand.
Balm Kind: Alpine Rose & Lysine Lip Balm (sheet lists price as £12.00)
Initially, I didn’t like how oily this is as I hadn’t expected that. I continued to use it each morning and I really like it. It will last a long time as you only need a tiny amount for your whole lip. It’s very moisturising. I really like it and would consider buying again.
Alteya Organics: Age Defense Certified Organic Hand Cream (sheet lists price as £6.20)
My hands are seriously neglected so this was a lovely treat and the ideal size to throw in my changing bag. It had a rich traditional rose scent. It has a runny texture but dries quickly and leaves hands feeling well nourished.
Would I recommend?
My subscription is now cancelled but only while I adjust to a ‘maternity pay lifestyle’. I can’t express how much I will miss these monthly edits. I have loved discovering new products and organic brands.
If you are interested in being chemical free then this is the beauty subscription box for you! It contains a range of organic products from brands that are high end, award winners or start ups. I have not been disappointed by the contents and it’s encouraged me to try products I otherwise wouldn’t have and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
All the products meet the promise of clean, green and cruelty-free – so if that’s something you desire, this is a great box for you.
I shall soon be looking back at past boxes and sharing the products that stood out. Please share if you’ve tried any of these and what organic products or brands you love? Are your skin/body care products chemical free?
Skin Organics Clean Beauty is a subscription box with a selection of non-toxic, cruelty-free, organic and natural products. These may be skincare, body care or beauty products. Their aim is to help you discover clean, green and cruelty-free products and brands. They dispatch on 20th of the month.
Cost: £19.00 (+£3.95 P&P) subscription, UK
What was in my box?
Rose
This months theme is Rose. Inside this box are nine products.
The card has details about all the products and discount codes if you decide to buy.
Lola’s Apothecary: Delicate Romance Perfume Delux Roll On (sheet lists price as £20.00)
This is a multi-tasking product that can be used a perfume, aromatherapy or body oil. It is packed with ingredients that are good for your skin and can treat dull dry skin, stretch marks, ageing, redness, inflammation and has antiseptic properties. It has natural sources of omega 3, 6 and 9 and Vitamin E.
It sounds very impressive and I looks so pretty with the dried flowers floating inside.
Odylique: Lip Liner – Rose (sheet lists price as £12.50)
First to achieve certified soil Association and Fairtrade standards for their lip pencils, this is 100% natural and uses sustainable sourced wood. I’ve not tried this brand before and on viewing their website I can see they have a baby range…
I haven’t used a lip pencil in years so I’ll probably need to look up how to use it to check I’m doing it right. It is a very pretty colour.
Green People: The price of the sample size is not listed on the sheet.
Damask Rose Facial Oil (full size 30ml is £29 on website)
Damask Rose Moisturiser (full size 30ml is £20 on website)
I do really like rose so I’m keen to try this oil and moisturiser. I do have a few oils on the go but if I throw this into my hospital bag to try when I am staying overnight as it is a perfect travel size. This product is something I’ve considered buying in the past so I am really pleased to see it in my box and to finally use it.
Weleda: The price of the sample size is not listed on the sheet.
Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash (full size 50ml is £3.95 and 200ml is £7.95 on website)
Wild Rose Body Oil (full size 100ml is £25.95 on website)
I’ve always admired Weleda because the brand brings good ingredients and very competitive and affordable prices. I’m looking forward to giving these a try. They would be ideal in my hospital bag but I do already have a wash and oil packed…
Zenon Kition: Floral Beauty Mist (sheet lists price as £9.99)
It is 100% pure rose water and can be used on hair or skin to nourish and soothe. It can help with acne and rosacea and to be used after cleansing as a toner or on hair to strengthen. It can calm the mind from stress, anxiety and sleeping problems.
At the moment, any facial mist is my best friend. I am spritzing like it is going out of fashion. It is all that is getting me through this heatwave. To know this product has all the additional benefits and is full of good ingredients is an amazing bonus that is going to make me feel even better using it.
Balm Kind: Alpine Rose & Lysine Lip Balm (sheet lists price as £12.00)
This product is fully of natural ingredients and very hydrating with a gentle shine. Ingredients can reduce the occurrence of cold sores. Checking out this website it appears to be their only product – I think it is great to be supporting the start of UK business and it has already won an award as Finalist in the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2018!
I don’t suffer from cold sores but I do love a balm. I did apply this today and it came out a little oily which may be caused by the heat. I am going to try it again and obviously share how I get on in a months time.
Alteya Organics: Age Defense Certified Organic Hand Cream (sheet lists price as £6.20)
This hand cream is designed to fight the signs of ageing and discoloration but I am eyeing it up as a useful changing bag essential. It is 100% natural and promises to be easily absorbed and non-greasy. I am looking forward to putting it to the test.
Would I recommend?
Sadly, this is likely to be my last box for a little while as I am about to go onto maternity pay. However, what a beautiful box to end on.
I love the scent of rose and hoping that all of these products will become firm favourites. I know I will get a lot of use out of the mist because every day at the moment I am misting to keep cool. I also think the hand cream will be incredible useful in the weeks to come.
All the products meet the promise of clean, green and cruelty-free – so if that’s something you desire, this is a great box for you.
Reflect on previous box
I’ve had a month to use the products I received and share my thoughts.
This is how I got on using the products from my April box:
Sadly, I have been a bit stressed at work and returning home too exhausted to even pamper myself which has resulted in some products not getting used as expected. In addition, the past two weekends my little boy has been ill which steals my time and energy. Hopefully, June will be a better month and I’ll find a little bit of ‘me’ time.
Sofia Latif: Facial Oil (sheet lists price as £20.00)
Currently, I have too many facial oils so I’ve not had a chance to try this out yet.
Bowe Organics: Organic Lash Oil (sheet lists price as £19.99)
This month I got a lash lift and tint but before I did I gave this go. I don’t think I used it long enough to really notice a difference. It is a yellow oil and feels very natural and very hydrating. It did not irritate my eyes so that is good. I think once my tint has gone I’ll give this another go to see if it does make my lashes longer and fuller. I put it on before bed.
The Cosy Cottage: Mango Butter & Lemon Foot Balm (sheet lists price as £5.00)
My feet have been swelling so badly in these final weeks of pregnancy and during a heatwave. My husband has given me a foot massage more than once to help and it smells good and brought the swelling down. I love this product… and foot massages.
Lucidlure: Allava Hair Mask (sheet lists price as £5.50)
I’ve not used this. It has been so hot my hair has felt sweaty and gross. The last thing I want to do is put a mask on it. I’ve saved this treatment for the end of summer when the heatwave is over.
Refreshing Peppermint Facial Mist (sheet lists price as £4.25)
I am loving this. Peppermint is a lovely refreshing smells that perks me up. In this heat, I am loving anything I can spritz on my face and cool myself down. It is so good!
Peppermint & Lemongrass Pulse Point Oil (sheet lists price as £4.25)
I honestly can’t believe that I have managed to catch a cold in this heat wave. I struggled through my last day at work and today but this product has made it possible. I am determined to kick this cold before the baby arrives which is any day now (due next Saturday)!
