After receiving my first Natural Beauty Box in April, I promptly signed up to receive May’s box which promised to be just as good as the previous month. As always, the box was delivered promptly and was beautifully packaged along with some reading material from each brand.
The theme of May’s box was ‘pure and simple’, and always shows that the products have been carefully selected and deserve their place in the box – something which a lot of beauty boxes out there fail to do. As you’ll have seen last month, I couldn’t possibly open my Natural Beauty Box alone and must always have a helping paw from my handsome assistant…
There was a lovely mix of popular and niche beauty brands in May’s box and I love the fact that they are not only cruelty free, vegan and natural, but all six items are also carefully handcrafted here in the UK.
Despite having recently purchased some products from the brands above, I hadn’t had chance to try them out so all these were new to me and I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed…
Celtic Herbal: Natural Soy Wax Candle with Lime, Basil and Mandarin
I was so excited to see a lifestyle item featured in The Natural Beauty Box, and this candle from Celtic Herbal certainly didn’t disappoint. All Celtic Herbal products are made from the finest ingredients and are handcrafted in Wales. This particular candle is from their Purify range, and is made from soy wax which not only promotes eco-friendly clean burning but also lasts longer than traditional wax candles (this 105g jar will burn for around 25 hours). I absolutely love the uplifting fragrance which really fills the room with a zesty freshness long after the candle has been extinguished. I have to say that I love the fragrance so much that I’ve already got a list of other items from the purity range that i’ll be purchasing in the future, and will definitely be repurchasing some of their candles as gifts for family and friends – or even a little treat to myself.
Moksa Skincare: Wild Rose Toning Mist
I’ve been wanting to try Moksa for a while now so was very pleased to see it feature in last month’s box. All Moksa products are handcrafted in the UK and created by blending pure plant-based ingredients which have specific purpose – so no filler ingredients here! The Wild Rose Toning Mist helps to tone, soothe, hydrate and repair all skin types, remove residual dirt and oil from the skin – and it even helps to shrink pores too! I’ve never really been a fan of rose-scented products, however this mist has a subtle freshness which doesn’t have the overpowering rose fragrance. Since I’ve been using this mist, I have to say that the redness in my cheeks has calmed down, I’ve experienced no breakouts and my skin generally looks and feels happier. It is also lovely and refreshing to spritz throughout the day, especially during the hot weather, and has helped retain moisture in my skin. Thank you Moksa for creating such a great product – it is already on my repurchase list!
The Ilex Wood: Calendula Salve
This was the first time i’d heard of The Ilex Wood but after my experience over the past few weeks, it certainly won’t be the last! The Ilex Wood have a limit of 10 ingredients per product to ensure that the power of the plant-based ingredients are fully retained. Thanks to Calendula, this all-purpose salve is both healing and soothing on all skin types and is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and brightens the skin. It is great for use on burns, bites, rashes, scarring and eczema (among many other things), and is even safe to use on children and pets too. I’ve been using this on patches of eczema and as an overnight treat for my hands and I have to say that I’ve been impressed by the results of this silky smooth salve. My dry skin feels softer and smoother, my eczema was instantly soothed and less irritated and my hands and nails feel incredibly nourished. I also love the added bonus that it is handcrafted in my home county of Northamptonshire, so I feel like I am also supporting a local business as well as an ethical beauty brand. I can’t wait to try out more products from The Ilex Wood and will certainly be repurchasing this salve as it is a great multi-purpose product.
Mallow and White: Restore Facial Oil
Mallow and White have been on my radar for quite a while now and I’ve actually purchased a few of their products to trial over the next few weeks – so I was excited to try this facial oil beforehand. Mallow and White pride themselves on hand blending their award-winning products with only 6 ingredients or less. Their philosophy to combine luxury and simplicity is recognised in this little bottle of joy, as the results speak for themselves. The oil itself is lightweight and absorbs beautifully on the skin, even under make-up. My dry skin has certainly been less flaky since I’ve been using this facial oil, especially in the morning when I’ve used it at bedtime, and my complexion looks less lack-lustre and somewhat healthier. I love the scent, which is subtle but fresh, yet I like how it dissipates quickly when it’s on the skin. If you struggle to maintain moisture levels throughout the day, and want a facial oil which isn’t heavy or greasy, then this is certainly the one for you.
Pure Purpose: Orange and Turmeric Coffee Scrub and Mask
I do love a good scrub yet i’ll admit that I usually have a love/hate relationship with coffee scrubs as I love the feeling of my skin yet hate the mess and the overpowering smell of coffee. I have to say that this experience was different, as this preservative free pouch of exfoliating goodness left me reaching for the product time and time again. This scrub by Pure Purpose is anti-bacterial and not only acts as an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation but also enhances skin’s elasticity, moisturises, tones, and contains antioxidants to reduce pigmentation and blemishes – it’s even suitable to use on sensitive skin too. The scent is citrusy and energising, and leaves the bathroom smelling amazing. It also didn’t feel as messy as other coffee scrubs I’ve used in the past and I’ve used it both in the shower and bath without issue. My skin feels amazing after use and I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my dry skin, as it’s left feeling silky smooth and incredibly nourished due to the 5-minute skin mask element. I also love how a little scrub goes a really way so it is excellent value for money – a scrub that will definitely remain in my beauty supplies.
Conscious Skincare: Frangipani and Sweet Orange Body Oil
Conscious Skincare was another brand completely new to me, and i’m so pleased I discovered them as I love both their ethos and the look of their extensive product range. Conscious Skincare create their organic products in small bathes to ensure that you are purchasing the freshest possible product. I have to say that I was initially dreading the scent, as I expected it to be quite overpowering, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. It’s fresh and feminine, with the sweet orange being the dominant fragrance, and it’s designed to reduce stress and anxiety while calming and soothing the mind and body. The oil itself is very lightweight and absorbed almost instantly into my skin, yet my skin not only maintained moisture all day but it also had a non-greasy, healthy sheen which lasted for some time after use. My skin felt lovely and smooth, and retained the scent for the majority of the day. It’s a great product for this time of year and one which I will certainly repurchase in the near future.
It is fair to say that I have been seriously impressed by the quality and range of products within May’s box. I love the fact that none of these products are too pricey as I think it’s important to find products that you can use on an everyday basis without the fear that you won’t be able to afford on a long term basis. I can only applaud Emma at The Natural Beauty Box for curating yet another winning box – I have truly discovered 6 amazing brands that I can’t wait to explore further.
I’m now off to wait patiently for this month’s box of delights which is set to be just as good as this one – so watch this space! Remember, if you’d like to sign up for June’s box, you can do so here. There are a great selection of options available from one-time purchases to a full subscription, but you’ll have to hurry as boxes sell out quickly!
Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments below.
Take care,
Emma @ Beauty Folio x
Beauty Folio 