I was so excited to see The Natural Beauty Box taking part in plastic-free July by curating a box with a Zero-Waste theme. As always, there was such a great variety of products featured and a lovely mix of both well-known and niche brands to try out. I know I say that each month is better than the last, but I really do mean it when I say that The Natural Beauty Box just keeps getting better and better.
As always, my trusty companion and fellow natural beauty fan assisted me with the unboxing of July’s box…
The zero-waste box featured products which eradicate plastic packaging in favour of refillable, recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging to elevate the worldwide plastic waste pollution threatening our oceans. I feel that this selection of products just shows that the quality of beauty products is far from compromised by changing packaging, and actually demonstrates the reasons why we should all be going plastic free and zero-waste.
Sknfed – Organic Chocolate Bar Face Soap
Sknfed pride themselves on creating 100% natural products which allow nature’s best ingredients to feed the skin. This was the first time I had heard of the brand, and due to the fun packaging and product concept, I was so excited to try their Organic Chocolate Bar Face Soap. Not only is this face soap rich in antioxidants and perfect for blocking free-radicals, but it is also high in anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties too. The face soap itself is not only designed to cleanse but also exfoliate the skin too, and as well as looking like the perfect bar of chocolate, it also smells good enough to eat! I was expecting one square of the chocolate soap to equate to one application, yet I actually got around 3-4 uses from the one piece which makes it extremely good value for money, especially as the brand is highly affordable to begin with. At first I was worried that using a soap on my face would cause it to dry out, but I really didn’t need to worry as despite the soap lathering easily, the formula is mild and the exfoliating quality is very delicate. The skin-loving ingredients leave skin feeling clean, soft and super smooth. I didn’t experience any tightness or dry patches and i’ve been really impressed by the results. I even used this as a body soap, which had the same great results as using it on my face, so it would make the perfect travel companion if you’re looking for a multi-use product. Not only was my skin clean and fresh from cleansing, but it also smelt amazing too – just remember not to take a bite as it really won’t taste as good as it looks!
Zao Make-Up – Golden Sands Eyeshadow
Zao make-up products have been on my wishlist for a while, but until now I hadn’t got around to trying them out. Zao create premium cosmetics which are 100% natural, feature organic ingredients and have sustainable packaging. All of Zao’s cosmetic casings are designed to further reduce the use of plastics in our beauty products as they both refillable and made from bamboo. As well as using bamboo for the packaging of their products, Zao Make-up also use bamboo stem powder in the formulas themselves as it has remineralising, antibacterial and anti-free radical properties. What impressed me the most when I opened the eyeshadow was the magnetic closer, as I can’t count the amount of times i’ve snapped conventional comestic lids and been left with a product that ends up breaking shortly after. The Golden Sand shade is gorgeous if you are looking for a subtle shadow which has a reflex running through it, as this just gives a subtle wash on natural colour over the lid and can be easily blended with other shadows for the desired look. The powder itself is quite soft, which allows you to pick up the product with ease, and surprisingly has very minimal fall-down. I didn’t notice any creasing throughout the day and it had good staying power for a natural eyeshadow. Both the shimmer and the shade is incredibly flattering on most skintones and eye colours, and I can’t wait to try more from the Zao make-up brand.
Flawless – Diffusing Eyeshadow Brush
I am a huge fan of make-up brushes, and if it were possible, some would say that I probably have a few too many! I hadn’t heard of the Flawless brand before this month’s box arrived, but after using their Diffusing Eyeshadow Brush, I can’t wait to see what more the brand has to offer. Like Zao Make-Up, Flawless also use bamboo to create their brush handles, as well as using recycled aluminium ferrules which can by recycled once again when the brush is disposed. The PETA-approved synthetic fibres also have many benefits other than being cruelty free as they also eradicate make-up wastage and bacteria build-up which occurs with natural bristles. The Flawless make-up brush is sturdy and feels like it’s built to last. The Diffusing brush is a real all-rounder as the short bristles and pointed shape lend itself to a wealth of uses. From highlighting under the brow and applying shadow to the corners of the eye and lash line, to lipstick application and spot concealer. It makes light work of make-up application, picks up product beautifully, is very easy to clean and looks stylish among my other brushes. I have to say that i’ve already been adding some new brushes to my wishlist and can’t wait to try out more from the brand.
NINI Organics – Natura Miracle Mask
NINI Organics is another brand which is new to me and after seeing some amazing reviews online, I couldn’t wait to try this mask out for the very first time. NINI Organics pride themselves on handcrafting all their products in small batches to ensure that all their products are made to the highest possible standard. The Natura Miracle Mask contains some beautiful ingredients such as cacao, Australian pink clay, hibiscus and activated coconut charcoal to help heal and treat problematic skin types. As it is rich in antioxidents and BHA enzymes, it is perfect to detox the skin from pollutants and exfoliate dead skin cells. The powder formulation allows you to be creative with the liquids you mix with it, but I chose a classic chamomile and rose water combination to give the mask an additional soothing element. I have to say that I didn’t experience any redness or irritation after use and unlike other enzyme masks i’ve used in the past, I didn’t experience any heat during use. I was impressed by the results, as my face felt soft and smooth, and my lack-lustre skin looked considerably brighter after just one use. I’ve used this on several occassions now and the results just keep getting better and better. I love how you can really personalise it to your own skin concerns, and due to the small amount of powder needed with each applcation, this bottle will last a considerable amount of time.
Big Green Tree Trading – Intensive Hand Balm
I am always on the look out for great hand products, but am yet to find ‘the one’. Luckily, this Intensive hand balm featured in July’s box and has certainly changed my hands for the better. Big Green Tree Trading are a brand who create products from the finest ingredients possible and eradicate harsh chemicals from their formulas to ensure that the cleanest possible products reaches the consumer. Their Intensive Hand Balm is designed for dry and chapped skin which is in need of some TLC, is considered to be useful on skin with eczema and psoriasis symptoms and can also be used sparingly to keep skin in tip-top condition. This balm has a lovely fresh scent that is perfect for this time of year and dissipates relatively quickly on the skin. The balm has a surprising light texture that melts on contact and spreads across the skin with ease. A little goes a very long way, with just a pea-sized amount being enough for both hands. After just one application my hands felt instantly softer and the effects lasted for several hours. I personally enjoyed this as a more intensive treatment overnight, as my hands felt very nourished the next morning and was ready for the day ahead. My eczema on my hands was greatly improved after using this for around a week, as the redness, bumpy skin and small cuts were nearly non-existent and my hands looked as good as new. It has an instant soothing effect on any skin irritations and stopped any itching in an instant. I love the 30ml size, which is perfect for popping in your handbag and at just £5.00, I can’t believe how affordable it is. I can’t wait to try out more Big Green Tree Trading products in the future as this particular experience has been very impressive.
Friendly Soap – Peppermint and Poppy Seed
I’m a huge fan of Friendly Soap, as not only are they incredibly affordable but they are also great quality. Friendly Soap have a very eco-friendly manufacturing process as they use a cold-pressed method to remove any by-products making them a completely zero-waste brand. This was my first time using the Peppermint and Poppy Seed soap, which is handmade with nourishing coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil, as well as peppermint essential oils, to leave skin feeling clean, fresh and intensely nourished. The addition of poppy seeds gives an exfoliating effect which isn’t too harsh and leaves skin gloriously soft and supple. It lathers really well and doesn’t leave skin feeling dry or tight at all. The peppermint fragrance is a joy for both the skin and the senses as it’s so invigorating and remains on the skin after use. I highly recommend the brand to anyone looking for a natural soap which leaves skin feeling great, and I can’t wait to try out some more products from the range very soon.
Beauty Kubes – Unisex Hair and Body Wash
Beauty Kubes have been on my radar for a while now, so I was thrilled to see a sample of their Hair and Body Wash in July’s Box. Beauty Kubes specialise in creating zero-waste hair and body washes which not only removes plastic from our bathrooms, but is also kind, gentle and effective on our bodies. I initially wasn’t sure if I wanted to use a body wash on my hair and vice versa, but I decided to give it a go. The Beauty Kubes smelt amazing, with lemongrass, bergamot, cedarwood and Sweet Orange essential oils filling the bathroom with a zesty and fresh fragrance. The cubes are so easy to use, just crumble into your palm and add water to create a creamy lather. I used two cubes and had plenty of lather to use on both my body and long, thick hair. My hair felt squeaky clean as it rinsed out easily, and I didn’t experience any tightness to my skin either. My hair was full of bounce and vitality and my skin felt amazing and smelled gorgeous after my bath. I was very impressed by the results and am already planning on repurchasing these in the not-so-distant future.
I have been blown away by the quality of the products featured in July’s box, as they were perfectly selected for the zero-waste theme. I have discovered some great new brands and can’t wait to see what other products they have to offer. What makes The Natural Beauty box special is not only how each products featured is cruelty-free, vegan friendly and carefully selected to fit the theme but also that there is a great selection of niche brands that are extremely affordable and accessible to everyone.
August’s upcoming box has the theme of Quench and Glow, and judging by the product reveals on social media so far, it is set to be just as good as the Zero-Waste box. Don’t forget to head over to The Natural Beauty Box to sign-up as boxes sell out quickly!
Did you see my review of June’s Natural Beauty Box? You can find it here.
Take Care,
Emma @ Beauty Folio x
Beauty Folio 