As stated in a previous post about natural beauty subscription services, I long predicted that The Natural Beauty Box would be the best overall subscription service period for trying out greener beauty and personal care products. After a few delays, they officially launched in Auagust 2012, and I got my box a few weeks ago.

And I was right! This service truly is one of, if not the best out there! Here are several reasons why:

• All products are 95-100% natural
• At least 10-15 deluxe samples in each box (no foil samples)
• Ships internationally
• Filled with useful beauty tips and tons of coupons for every product in the box
• They promise to NEVER include the same product in 2 months

I’d also like to mention that the August 2012 box included two full-sized products, and an overall retail value of $122.16! Incredible! These samples will last me a while – one could probably sustain themselves off these alone if you’re low-maintenance, but if you really love the samples, please go full-size – you won’t regret it!

At any rate, subscribe and have fun discovering new brands – and feel secure knowing all the products you’re using are safe for your skin and good for the planet.Take a look at my brief review below: I had a chance to try out all the products over the past few weeks and am enthusiastic about nearly all of them.

Purchase any of these directly at The Natural Beauty Store!

Delizioso Skincare Spring Cream Blush 

This natural blush is creamy, soft and feels great on skin. While the pigment is bright in the pot, it softens up nicely after blending. It’s too standout on my tanned, warm undertoned skin (and I don’t normally wear blush anyway) but I can see this being a great color for those with cooler undertones.

 

 

Delizioso Skincare Nourish & Shimmer Lip Gloss in Strawberry

I’m a sucker for cute packaging – pair that with pictures of fruits and natural ingredients, and I’m all over it. I’ve been dying to try Delizioso Skincare’s cosmetics, especially their yummy looking lip glosses. So glad I had the opportunity with The Natural Beauty Box!

This lip gloss glides on easily with minimal stickiness and works just as well as the conventional brands. It smells fantastic, has a subtle taste and slicks on shiny and bright. The tint looks very light on my lips, but again I have a tanner complexion so I usually get browner lip glosses. Still, this is fantastic and I leave it in my purse for touch-ups.

Delizioso Skincare  Crisp Vanilla Body Cream

I’m a huge fan of Delizioso’s body creams and lotions. They all smell terrific and the scent lasts a very long time. They’re also extremely nourishing and leave your skin soft for hours. I’ve tried a bunch of their fragrances so far, but not Crisp Vanilla. It smells very nice – sweet, like vanilla cake, yet natural and not overpowering or headache inducing. I’ve smelled some really bad vanilla products in my day, but this one is excellent. I’m currently using my sample as a hand cream. :) This is perfect for vanilla fans.

Ariona Skincare Organic Argan & Camu Camu Facial Oil

Recently, I was using plain argan oil for my face at night, but I discovered that it was making me break out. I sadly had to stop using it, so I was understandably hesitant to try this facial oil since it has argan in it. But, I sucked it up and did so – and couldn’t be happier. The oil absorbs extremely quickly and leaves your skin very, very soft. Use it after exfoliation – no one will be able to keep from caressing your face. I know I couldn’t!

The gentle, subtle earthy scent has a touch of sweetness that you can really only catch as you apply it on your hand, and won’t overpower any other fragrances. You don’t need a ton of oil for this to work, meaning this sample will last you quite a while!

Happy Pumpkin Organic Skincare Hydrating Hair Balm

This thick hair balm has a lovely spicy pumpkin scent that’s perfect for the upcoming fall season! I used a dab of it on my ends after flat ironing and it helped sealed them into a slick finish. You don’t need a lot to work, so even the sample size will last me a bit! May be too greasy for thin or find hair though it works great on my thick and drier hair.

Beeseline Natural Petroleum Jelly Alternative in Strawbelline

I’ve already written a lengthy review on Beeseline here, so this sample was no different! (Hint: it works fantastically!) I do love the sweet strawberry scent – it’s a natural, believable scent, not like artificial candy.

Original Purity Skincare Wash Me Lavender Body Wash

This super gentle and simple wash just has 3 ingredients: aloe vera gel, saponified coconut oil, and lavender essential oil. With something so pure, this can work for a variety of things, likewashing your hands, hair, body and more! This is a potent formula and will last a long time. I used it for both my hands and arms as a test and it worked well, smells great and did not leave me feeling dry afterward.

100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

100% Pure’s eye cream is one of my all-time favorite natural products, and for good reason – it’s affordable, has wonderful ingredients, smells lovely, and most importantly – it works! My undereyes have been significantly less dark and puffy after using this for the past several months, and a tiny 0.5 oz tube lasts me ages. Caffeine helps skin by reducing puffiness and is often used on cellulite. This eye cream keeps my undereyes nourished and looking brighter every day.

M.E. Studio Lanai Sunset Natural Perfume

I’m normally not a big fan of natural perfumes or fragrances – I’ve never found one to be very pleasing to my olfactory scenes (except Pacifica’s). Additionally, being from Hawai’i means I’m going to be a tad more skeptical of any fragrance claiming to be inspired by the islands. Pacifica does it well, but what about this new scent here? I took a whiff and fell in love!

It’s a well-blended mix of Frangipani, Lotus, Magnolia, Casablanca Lilly & Musk- such heady, tropical floral scents, together forming a perfect scent for wearing while on vacation. It doesn’t seem too popular with others but being into floral scents lately, I personally adored it. It lasted about 5 hours on the skin.

Temptations Bath N’ Body Tumble Me Oats Cake Slice Soap

This soap’s very cute! It reminded me of cheesecake (when flipped upside down) and my husband even remarked on how yummy it looked. In the shower , it made  wonderfully luxurious soap . tons of soft lather, a hint of sweet almond scent with oatmeal, and left my skin feeling cleansed and soft. Great stuff, and the novelty of the cake look makes getting clean a bit more fun than usual!

Pure Anada Fruit Enzme Exfoliating Cleanser

This cleanser uses gentle beads to naturally exfoliate your skin while you cleanse. It has a soft, fruit scent, nothing too overpowering in my opinion. The consistency is a little thin, but not watery. It doesn’t foam, and it surprisingly did a great job and leaving my face feeling squeaky clean but not overly stripped. Also worked well against makeup.

Pure Anada Mineral Eyeshadow Variety

I’ve never heard of Pure Anada before this, but I’m glad I got to try their products so far! The cleanser surprised me with its efficiency, so I expected the same from the eyeshadow. The colors stayed on nicely and blended well, like any other eyeshadow you’d find in the drugstore. The neutral colors provided worked perfectly with my skin tone, and even left a light sparkly effect. Nice strong pigment. I blended and blended and it still looked natural yet enhanced my eyes. Good for the beginner as well as the expert makeup artist in you.

Zatik Natural Active Balancing Cream

Scents mean a lot to me, always have. Whatever I use has to smell nice, especially lotions and creams. Even if they’re for my face, I don’t want to smell something displeasing when I apply it. Zatik’s cream didn’t agree with my nose. Formula wise it was average – moisturized and didn’t make me break out – but I wouldn’t use this again.

Renu Derma Eye Cream

Unwilling to stray from 100% Pure’s eye cream, I was hesitant in trying Renu Derma’s. But I gave it a fair shot. After about 2 weeks, I did notice my undereyes feeling more moisturized than normal, but little effect on the darkness. However, I feel that with more time, it’d be pretty effective. It’s super creamy and smelled all right, and the little sample you get will last you a while. The price is what really turns me off – 100% Pure’s way more affordable so after my sample of this is done, I’ll keep using my fave little coffee bean formula.

Interested in The Natural Beauty Box? Purchase your box here or simply buy the full sized products at The Natural Beauty Store! I can’t wait for September’s box, and I intend to keep subscribing for as long as they’re around! :) Overall, The Natural Beauty Box gets a perfect 5 stars for the wonderful products, incredible value and for truly being a uniquely natural beauty solution for those wanting to be a bit more green! :)

Time to break the myth! Specially formulated facial oils made for moisturizing and softening aren’t just for dry skin types anymore. Anyone, even oily skin types, can benefit from the soothing, nourishing properties a natural facial oil can bring. They all use oil bases such as jojoba, grapeseed and almond, which are quick absorbing, non-greasy and are gentle enough for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try one, and lavish your complexion with the feeling of indulgence and pure hydration!

 

100% Pure Nourishing Facial Oil - $25.00

A dependable and simple facial oil with minimal ingredients, but enough benefits so you can see results without making your wallet cry. Includes a grapeseed oil base, antioxidants, lavender, rosemary, and black current for antibacterial and anti-aging properties. Doesn’t make you break out, either. Women of all ages adore this facial oil and give it an average of 5 stars.

Ingredients: Cabernet Wine Grapeseed Oil, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Organic Lavender Essential Oil1, Organic Rosemary Oil1, Blackcurrant Oil

1 certified organic by QAI

Skin Type: All

 

 

Blissoma by IrieStar Restore Deep Moisture Oil Serum - $29.99

More than 10 cold-pressed, unrefined seed oils are packed into this super potent facial oil perfect for drier, mature skin. Evening Primrose, grapeseed and jojoba serve as the carrier, while being topped off with a light blend of toning essential oils including Neroli and organic Helichrysum (aka Immortelle) for its topical healing properties. See my review on this here!

Ingredients: Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (grapeseed) Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Rubus ideaus (red raspberry) Seed Oil*, Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) Oil*, Vaccinium macropacrpon (cranberry) Seed Oil*, Calophyllum tacamahaca (tamanu) Oil*, Cannabis sativa (hemp) Oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn berry) CO2 Extract*, Calendula Officinalis CO2 Extract, Essential oils of Cedrus atlantica (atlas cedarwood), Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa), Citrus aurantium (neroli), Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum)*, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E), geraniol**, linalool**, limonene**, farnesol**
*from Certified Organic Agriculture
**natural components of essential oils

Skin Type: Dry, Mature, All

 

 

Pure Argan Oil (multiple companies)

Argan oil has been referred to as “liquid gold”, and for excellent reason! This fabulous substance, produced from the kernels of the argan tree in Morocco, naturally has a very high amount of Vitamin E, phenols, squalene, carotenes and essential fatty acids to protect, heal and moisturize skin, nails hair without damage or clogging pores or hair follicles. It’s super hydrating and absorbs quickly. Hair drinks it up, revealing near instant results. Argan oil can keep for about 12-18 months. Look for 100% organic argan oil when purchasing, as several brands carry their own.

•  100% Pure Organic Argan Oil - $19.00
• Acure Organics Organic Argan Oil – $14.99
• Shea Terra Organics Moroccan Argan Oil - $24.00
• Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil - $48.00

Delizioso Skincare Kelp Nourishing Facial Oil – $32.00

Lightweight and potent, this nourishing natural facial oil is made with blend of antioxidant extracts, Vitamin E and neem oil. Includes Magnolia Bark and Lavender as anti-inflammatory compounds for dry skin, and uses Black Current Oil as the base for a rich source of gamma linoleic acids. Kelp is a rich source of vitamins including vitamins B12, vitamin E, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients. See Delizioso Skincare’s video on this oil here!

Ingredients: *Ribus Nigrum (Blackcurrant Oil), Neem Oil, *Kelp, Extracts of *Magnolia Bark, *Rosemary, *Grapefruit Seed, *Orange, *Lemon, *Bilberry (high anti oxidant), *Sugar Cane, *Sugar Maple,  Infusions of *Peppermint, and *White Willow Bark, Vitamins E (a-tocopherol),  and *Lavender Essential Oil.

Skin Type: Dry, Normal, Sensitive

 

 

suki pure facial moisture – balancing – $32.95

Suki’s balancing oil is a a light breathable, normalizing complexion oil, recommended for nighttime use. Key ingredients include echinacea, chamomile & fatty esters with a jojoba, sunflower and grapeseed oil base. This facial oil helps fight bacteria, calms irritation, soothes skin, balances oil production, and moisturizes without clogging pores or feeling greasy.

Ingredients: jojoba (simmondsia chinensis), sunflower (helianthus annus), grapeseed (vitis vinifera), rice germ (oryza sativa), borage seed (borago officinalis) & hazelnut (corylus americano) oils, 100% natural non-gmo vitamin e (tocopherol), calendula (calendula officinalis), lavender (lavandula angustifolia), chamomile (anthemis nobilis), echinacea (echinacea purpurea) & rose (rosa canina) extracts, aroma (pure premium steam distilled essential oil)

Skin Type: All, especially formulated for acne prone skin, combination to oily & sensitive skin types

 

 

Pangea Organics Balancing Facial Oil – $50.00

Pangea’s Himalayan Geranium and Pomegranate Facial oil balances skin with a combination of beneficial oils derived from whole, organic, cold-pressed vegetables, seeds and nuts. Rich in naturally occurring antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamins, it nourishes, protects and combats the signs of aging. Geranium regulates oil, while antioxidant rich pomegranate supports collagen. Uses rosehip, argan and jojoba oil as the base.

Ingredients:  Rosa canina (Organic Rose Hip) Fruit Oil, Argania spinosa (Organic Argan) Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Butyrospermum parkii (Liquid Shea) Butter, Calophyllum tacamahaca (Organic Tamanu) Oil, Punica granatum (Organic Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Oenothera biennis (Organic Evening Primrose) Oil, Borago officinalis (Organic Borage) Oil, Squalane, Mixed Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Punica granatum (Organic Pomegranate) Extract, Camellia sinensis (Organic Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Rosa gallica (Organic French Rose) Extract, Pelargonium graveolens (Wildcrafted Himalayan Geranium) Oil*, Pelargonium graveolens (Organic Geranium) Oil*, Helichrysum italicum (Organic Helichrysum) Oil*, Rosa damascena (Rose Otto) Oil*

Skin Types: All skin types, a must for dry, mature skin

(image from Saffron Rouge)

 

Shea Terra Organics Rooibos & Vitamin E Anti-Oxidant Facial Serum – $26.00

This unique serum contains rooibos, an herb indigenous to South Africa. In tea, it has an earthy, vanilla like flavor. Rooibos is one of the most potent antioxidant ingredients in the world, more so than green tea. Shea Terra uses this with Namibian marula oil and a large dose of all-natural Vitamin E for a powerful, serious force against free radicals. Non-clogging and non-greasy.

Ingredients: Namibian marula oil, certified organic rooibos tea, all natural vitamin e

Skin Types: All

 

 

Stark Skincare CYPRESS purity + defense oil – $45.00

This antioxidant-rich, lightweight and quick absorbing facial oil has been formulated with 5 powerful plant oils that nourish and protect from environmental damage, with a blend of essential oils that regulate sebum production. Smells fantastic with a deep woodsy scent and finishes with a light, citrus vanilla-like scent that appeals to men and women equally. No preservatives and 100% natural.

Ingredients: Rice Bran Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Argan Nut Oil, Vitamin E, Cypress Oil, Bergamot Oil, and pure essential oils.

Skin Type: Ideal for combination, “normal” and acne-prone skin

 

 

 

Badger Balm Organic Damascus Rose Antioxidant Facial Oil – $11.99

This highly absorbent, antioxidant-rich, & rejuvenating facial oil uses Organic Jojoba, Baobab & Pomegranate as the base, and includes Rosehip, Calendula and Seabuckthorn oils for extra protection. Smells divine with with precious Organic Rose Oil and a supporting cast of true essential oils of Maillette Lavender and Roman Chamomile for a wonderful floral scent. Use to soothe, moisturize and noticeably improve skin texture.

Ingredients: *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, *Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Oil, *Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Oil, Essential Oils of *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), *Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto), and *Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile), and CO₂ Extracts of *Rosa Canina (Rosehip), *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn), and *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula).

*= Certified Organic

Skin Type: Ideal for dry, mature, or combination skin

 

 

John Masters Pomegranate Facial Oil - $30.00

Pomegranate is a popular ingredient for natural facial care due to its multiple benefits – antioxidant rich, anti-aging and a pleasant scent. John Masters’ blend of 14 organic plant and essential oils instantly penetrate and nourish dry skin. Also great for hands, feet and body. Uses sunflower, evening primrose, olive and pomegranate oil as the base. Rosewood oil naturally rejuvenates dry, dull skin, while sage acts as a cellular stimulant. Geranium oil balances oily and dry skin; stimulates blood circulation.

Ingredients: Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil,* olea europaea (olive) oil,* oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil,* punica granatum (pomegranate seed) oil,* lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower oil,* cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil,* pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil,* aniba rosaeodora (rosewood) oil,* citrus aurantium (petitgrain) flower oil,* salvia sclarea (sage) flower oil,* citrus reticulata (tangerine) peel oil,* rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil*

* Certified Organic

Skin Type: Dry and mature skin

 

100% Pure Cocoa Kona Coffee Body Wash – Review

This past weekend I got the 100% Pure Body Wash in Cocoa Kona Coffee (naturally), but all of the body washes are the same, sans the scent. I have also tried the body wash in Honey Almond and Coconut.

Lots of reviews on this product state that it’s a liquid. 100% Pure even says that because it’s not formulated with “water, gums, thickeners, or emulsifiers – or any other cheap fillers”, the consistency is thin. Still, lots of consumers are curious to what that actually means. When they say it’s a thin liquid, is it really a thin liquid?

Yes. Yes it is.

It’s pretty much like water – not thick or goopy at all. HOWEVER, the pump is a foam dispenser, so it comes out as such. It foams well right on your skin and works best with a bath pouf. It doesn’t foam as intensely as a soap bar does, or a body wash with a lot of surfectants and foaming agents, but there’s enough lather to show you that you’re getting clean.

It smells great. Fantastic, even. The cocoa coffee scent is permeating and seeps into your skin. The body wash rinses well and leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean, hydrated, and lightly scented, never dry or overly stripped. They work best when paired with the body scrub for maximum softness and scent. I use this along with my 100% Pure Cocoa Kona Coffee Body Scrub or any other natural coffee body scrub to enhance the fragrance, and it does last well beyond the shower and after you’ve dried off. Top it off with a generous amount of the Cocoa Kona Coffee body cream to smell like a mocha cappuccino all day.

The 100% Pure body washes come in a generous 17 ounces and only sets you back $15.00. The amount used up in my bottle was from 3 uses. I pump from 6-8 times on my bath pouf per wash. Sounds like a lot, but I do love my lather and besides, there’s so much product that I can afford to use a lot.

I like the body wash a lot, but my personal preference is using soap bars to get clean. Always have. Still, this one’s nice – just wished it had a bit more lather. For the ingredients, price, scent and functionality though, you can’t beat the 100% Pure Hydrating Body Washes!

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Juice)1, Organic Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose Hydrosol)2, Organic Lavendula Angustifolia Aqua (Lavender Hydrosol)3, Cocos Nucifera (Saponified Coconut) Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butte r(Cacao Oil), Extracts of Theobroma Cacao (Chocolate Extract), Theobroma Cacao (Pure Chocolate Absolute),, Corylus Americana Seed (Hazelnut), Garcinia Mangosteen Peel (Mangosteen), Organic Camelia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea)4, Calendula Officinalis Flower (Calendula), Opuntia Tuna Fruit (Prickly Pear), Punica Granatum (Pomegranate), Euterpe Oleracea Fruit (Acai Berry), Lycium Barbarum Fruit (Goji Berry), Morinda Citrifolia Fruit (Noni), Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui Berry), Sambucus Canadensis (Elderberry), Rubus Fruticosus Fruit (Blackberry), Organic Rubus Idaeus Fruit (Raspberry)5, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed and Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle), Hyaluronic Acid

1 certified organic by SGS Organic
2 certified organic by Ceres GmbH
3 certified organic by Lacon GmbH
4 certified organic by Oregon Tilth
5 certified organic by USDA

Certified Organic?:  Some ingredients are certified organic.

Average Price: $15.00 for 17 oz

Additional Notes: Liquid consistency. Works especially well with corresponding body scrub. Foams best with a bath pouf. Fairly strong scent,but fades upon washing so it shouldn’t assault sensitive noses.

Buy at: 100% Pure

Rating:

I bought this product with my own money, and was not paid by the company to give this review.