Well, twelve month's later The Cruelty Free Beauty Box is still going strong, and has even made some impressive changes in the last month that mean even more people have access to this cruelty free and vegan-friendly service.  Now offering 'Bunny Rewards' as an incentive program, reviews for full size products, and a 'build your own box' option that lets you choose exactly what you want and when you want it.  Continuing with the surprises, The Cruelty Free Beauty Box has now created their own label product -- I am really interested to see what else is in the works for the next year!

This month's box is extra special being the birthday box, and includes six items instead of the usual five, plus a sweet treat as an added bonus.  With a value over £54, the box is packed full of cruelty free beauty products that were chosen to "help get you in the mood for summer & start prepping for long summer days."  Plus, there were loads of prizes to be won in the May box, including five Vegan Bunny Co candles, a three month subscription to the box, Bunny Rewards, and an eighth surprise item.  They really brought the party favours!

While I was not one of the lucky winners for any of the above, I look forward to seeing the excitement unfold over on social media.  It is always lovely seeing others happy about ethical beauty!  I was, however, pleased with the majority of the contents included in the birthday edit -- I will be using four out of the six main items, and have discovered a few new brands to check out as well. Delune and Bubbly Badger are both completely new to me, and you all know how much I love finding new names in subscription boxes!  

We also have some reappearances from brands we have seen in previous boxes, like Okko and The Soap Story, and one label that has been featured in the mainstream boxes both here in the UK and across the pond in the US -- MannaKadar.  Overall, a great variety and each showcases a different aspect of The Cruelty Free Beauty Box.

While I am sure many will be thrilled to see a deluxe sample of MannaKadar's Blossom Floral Compact included in the box, I personally will not be using it as the ingredients are not up to my needs.  I will say, however, that the 3-in-1 blush/highlight/eyeshadow has a beautiful design.  The floral pattern really stands out and makes it look artistic and contemporary, and the colours look like they can suit a multitude of skin shades.

I have heard a few remarks regarding the size of this in the past from Birchbox subscribers, so I am happy to see that The Cruelty Free Beauty Box has marked it for what it is -- a deluxe size product rather than the full size BB markets these as.  I do still have to wonder about the size though, as the card states an RRP of £24 meaning this mini one is only £5 less than the full size.  Either this is a great value sample, or the proper product is still minute.  Something to keep in mind if you fall in love with this and want to repurchase.  I will say that this should last a fair time though, as my highlight and blusher go for months and months before hitting pan.

Ingredients: TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, POLYBUTENE, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2; ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHEROL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, [+/-:CI 15850, CI 16035, CI 19140, CI77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891]

The Soap Story is another item I might choose not to use, partially due to ingredients (I try to avoid alcohol based products as my skin is fairly sensitive) but also my choice not to over-sanitize (which is not good for you in the long run -- you are killing both the good and bad bacteria which can lead to more sicknesses than usual!).  I opted out of the last item from this brand as well as it contained SLS, but I think that the Hand Cleansing Gel is one my mum will really appreciate getting gifted as she works in a classroom all day and is a bit of a germ-freak.  The gel contains sweet almond extract to help keep your hands from drying out too much (as that is what alcohol does), and has a refreshing scent of lime that can help uplift your mood.

Ingredients: Alcohol Denat., Aqua, Polyquaternium-10, Glycerin, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet Almond) Extract, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, CI 42090, CI 19140.

The bonus item from Hollys Lollies is something that I think 5-year-old me would have squealed over -- it is a massive lolly that is almost the size of my face.  The flavour I got is Cherry & Amaretto Swirl and contains real alcohol rather than just flavouring which is a nice touch.  I may have a little bit of this, but I am not super keen on cherry sweet and sugar really messes with my brain and my body (thank you ADHD...) so I think my partner may have the joy of nibbling on this over the next few weeks.  I do think I will be getting some excellent photos for Insta with this though! 

Ingredients: Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Water, Malic Acid, Amaretto, Cherry and Amaretto Flavouring and Colours E122, E124, E129 and E171

The next four products are definitely going to be getting used, as they fit both my ingredient requirements and smell good enough to eat -- the sugar scrub and lip balm are seriously tempting! 

Delune is a name I have not come across before, and I was excited to read that the brand focuses on using not only all natural ingredients, but fair trade and organic.  Their products never contain the key nasties like artificial fragrances (which make me sneeze like you wouldn't believe), parabens, formaldehyde, phenoxyethonal (my enemy), and more.  Handcrafted in London, Delune is dedicated to product purity.  I can already tell I will be exploring more of their range soon!

The Coconut + Rose Facial Mist is very light and refreshing, and has a subtle smell that is not overwhelming.  I love a face spritz and actually use these throughout the day most days to keep myself focused (again, thanks ADHD...).  I also really like hydrosols like this as a toner as they are much gentler than traditional tonics.  While the instructions on the card say to use 5-7 sprays to fully saturate your skin, I found 3 was usually enough to make my face damp.  Most 100ml floral waters last me 2-3 months, so I look forward to seeing how this one fairs!

Ingredients: Provence Rose (Rosa Centifolia) Hydrosol, Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

I have actually already used this foot balm from Okko before, so I am happy to have another 'try me' tube.  The Natural Foot Balm Stick is made with organic calendula and eucalyptus, both of which are great for soothing tired and sore feet.  Calendula actually targets tissue regeneration and healing, whereas eucalyptus gives a further restorative boost while refreshing at the same time.  My last sample of this lasted about a month, which for £3 is a steal (full size £21)!

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Butter, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla wax), Unrefined Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Essential oils of Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf* & Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf*. Limonene**, Linalool**. *Organic. **Occurs naturally in essential oils.

Bubbly Badger is another new brand for me this month, and all I can say is YUM.  This Vegan Lip Balm in the flavour "Candy Hearts" smells absolutely incredible.  I honestly have to resist licking my lips after putting this on as it is just so sweetly fragrant -- and not in a sickly way.  I love knowing flavour oils are not used -- just simple syrups and sugars -- making this one product you don't have to stress over.  My lips feel moisturized since using it this morning, and I am looking forward to seeing how it fairs over the next few weeks!

Ingredients: Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Soy Wax, Glucose Syrup, Essential Oils, Sugar, Sherbert, Colouring.

Last but not least is the Strawberry Juice Sugar Scrub from none but The Cruelty Free Beauty Box.  This is the first product included with their own label attached, so I am so excited to give it a go.  Handmade in the UK by The Soap Shop specially for this month's birthday edition, the scrub smells mouthwateringly delicious.  

I am happy to see the ingredients list is simple, and there is not plastic wrap involved -- I love seeing zero waste products included in boxes!  The bar itself is very lightly pink and brings to mind the size and texture of PHB's scrub bars.  It contains cocoa seed butter which will help keep moisturized while also buffing away dead cells and promoting healthy, radiant skin.  You won't want to fully submerge this in water, as the sugar will start to break down pretty quickly.  Simply dampen the area and then very gently rub, then rinse.  Easy as that!

Unfortunately this product is not listed (at least not yet) on the shop, but I am really hoping I will be able to repurchase this in the future.  And I cannot wait to see if The Cruelty Free Beauty Box continues to do special releases like this sugar scrub bar!

Ingredients: Sucrose, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Parfum, Papaver Somniferum (Poppy) Seed, Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Oil, CI17200.

The first anniversary edition of The Cruelty Free Beauty Box is definitely one I am happy I didn't miss -- it has something for everyone as usual, and threw some great surprises in this month.  With makeup, skincare, and sweets, this box has a fab variety as well as very good value.  I also loved all the new features announced in the birthday box, and thought it was great there were so many prizes to be won.  I say hats off to you CFBB, and wishing you another successful year! 

If you are interested in The Cruelty Free Beauty Box, you can sign up for a rolling or pre-paid subscription here, or you can check out there newly launched 'build your own box' option.