Okay, so I will start off this post by saying I adore the Love Lula Beauty Box -- this subscription service is great for exploring brands and different types of products, plus it has brilliant customer service and has such a high value compared to the monthly cost you pay.  And I usually love the variety represented in each collection as there is always a little something for everyone no matter tastes, ingredient restrictions, or colour matching.

That being said, I have to admit, I was not so excited about the August edition.

This is one box that has the Love Lula family split, as some love it and some really really don't.  The reason why?  Well, let's take a look at the contents and find out.

not pictured: Kimberly Sayer sample sachet

This month's box contained two full size products, three deluxe samples, and one sachet.  Straight away I will say that the sizes of the samples were much smaller than usual -- both Gallinée bottles were just 5ml each and the Kimberley Sayer packet is just 1.5ml.  While the tubes give just about enough to get an idea of what the product is like, the sachet is just too small to have any idea how the formula will get on with your skin long-term.

Besides even just the small samples, this month's box actually contains a product Love Lula subscribers have received previously on not just one but TWO occasions (a fact that was brought up pretty often in comments about the collection).  A sample sachet of the Madara Peel Mask was included in the April box four months ago and a full size came in April's box last year.  I understand not everyone is a long term LL customer, but it was pretty disappointing to have a duplicate sent just over a year after the previous one arrived.  I haven't actually finished the original bottle, so I will be gifting this one.  That means my box automatically drops in value for me and I actually only get one full size product with a handful of samples.  Not the best month.

Even though I was a little underwhelmed by the August box, I know many newer subscribers were incredibly happy with their new green goodies.  The Facebook group was abuzz with positive comments, especially for the Madara Peel mask and the Bowe Organics lash oil.  Even a few members who have received the product before were thrilled as they love the formula so much.  Goes to show how much depends on preference!

So how do I actually feel about the products themselves?  Well, I really can't fault them!  Everything is genuinely great quality, I just wish the selection was a little more fresh and exciting.

Madara Active AHA Brightening Peel Mask (60ml): The AHA mask is a chemical exfoliation treatment designed to brighten skin, reduce appearance of fine lines, and unclog pores.  I found the formula was relatively gentle compared to other AHA products, but you still want to be sure to be careful when using this, especially the first few times.  It may tingle a little bit at first, but as long as you do not experience any irritation you should be fine!  Since I already regularly exfoliate, I use this only occasionally as and when my skin needs a bit of a boost. I'm not super keen on the smell (as with most Madara products it has a generic astringent lotion scent) but once applied it is not too distracting, and the results make it worthwhile.  

The peel leaves my skin so soft and smooth and really helps when I have an acne flair.  One extra tip for this treatment though -- moisturize straight after and don't skimp on the hydration.  Plus, your skin is much more susceptible to the sun's rays after chemical exfoliation, so if you are going outside be sure to pop on your sun cream!

Ingredients: Aqua, Lactic Acid, Glycerin***, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Floral Water*, Galactoarabinan, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Mica (CI 77019)****, Pyrus Cydonia (Quince) Fruit Extract*, Sambucus Nigra (Elderflower) Fruit Extract*, Aroma, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)****, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCL, Xantan Gum, Limonene**. * ingredients from organic farming ** natural essential oils *** made using organic ingredients ****pure mineral pigments


Gallinée Hand Cream (5ml): I have to admit, despite me not being too happy about the size of the sample, this hand cream is truly something else.  After just one application my hands felt like silk, and while I don't love the smell it is something I can live with.  I wasn't too sure about Gallinée at first as the products are all in plastic packaging and contain a fair amount of alcohols, but I can't hate on this hand cream.

94% natural, containing no animal derived ingredients, and suitable for both hands and feet, this formula is so lightweight and absorbed into my skin immediately on contact.  Talk about fast results!! Plus, "the ultra-active formula contains hydrating shea butter and brightening daisy extract, combined with a patented Triple Biotic Complex of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to help support your skin’s microbiome in the most gentle and effective way possible."  I may just have to buy a bottle of this for the winter months!

Ingredients: WATER CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE CETEARYL ALCOHOL ALPHA-GLUCAN OLIGOSACCHARIDE GLYCERIN LACTIC ACID AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER CETYL ALCOHOL CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE INULIN PERFUME (FRAGRANCE) POLYMNIA SONCHIFOLIA ROOT JUICE TOCOPHERYL ACETATE BELLIS PERENNIS (DAISY) FLOWER EXTRACT LACTOBACILLUS ARGININE MALTODEXTRIN MELISSA OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE (AVOBENZONE) ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE (OCTISALATE) XANTHAN GUM PHENETHYL ALCOHOL ALCOHOL SODIUM HYDROXIDE SODIUM PHOSPHATE BENZYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROACETIC ACID LIMONENE


Gallinée Hydrating Face Cream (5ml): While I love the hand cream, I am still not 100% sold on the face cream only because it is a little thicker than what I usually use.  I think my combination/sensitive skin will end up breaking out if I used this consistently, so I will hold onto it for the colder weather when my forehead and cheeks need extra moisture (especially since the cream shows hydration levels of the skin’s upper layers increased by 55% after 4 hours).  However, this would be a fantastic cream for more mature, dry, or irritated skin.

The 98% natural formula contains moisturizing coconut oil and antimicrobial organic myrtle which makes for a great pairing since coconut can lead to congested skin for many.  The myrtle acts as a balancing agent for the skin and works to help even skin tone.  I do wish we were given a larger size, as I would love to see the product's effects over time.  Oh well, maybe I will grab a tube of this come winter.

Ingredients: WATER GLYCERIN CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE HYDROGENATED COCONUT OIL ISOPROPYL PALMITATE SUCROSE STEARATE DICAPRYLYL ETHER ALPHA-GLUCAN OLIGOSACCHARIDE GLYCERYL STEARATE GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE INULIN LACTIC ACID POLYMNIA SONCHIFOLIA ROOT JUICE LACTOBACILLUS MALTODEXTRIN MYRTUS COMMUNIS LEAF EXTRACT ARGININE CAPRYLOYL GLYCINE POTASSIUM CETYL PHOSPHATE BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE (AVOBENZONE) ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE (OCTISALATE) CARBOMER TOCOPHERYL ACETATE UNDECYLENOYL GLYCINE TOCOPHEROL ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE XANTHAN GUM SODIUM HYDROXIDE SODIUM BENZOATE


Pure & Light Organic Revitalising Facial Exfoliation (15ml): I wasn't super keen on the last Pure & Light Organic product we received back in February, but I am much happier this time around with this cream.  The formula does not contain phenoxyethonal which means I can use it without worrying my face will go bright red and start burning (a huge plus, right?) and the smell is much more up my alley.  Lightly floral with a hint of sweetness, it is seriously perfect for keeping summer alive despite the chill.

I will say that the description is pretty confusing -- is it an exfoliation treatment or is it a cleanser??  It seems like a 2-in-1, but that makes me question why Love Lula included two types of exfoliation in the same box.  Over-exfoliating can be really damaging to your skin, and if you are just beginning with skincare then you may not know this.  I honestly think a little extra note should have been included to clarify some tips about exfoliating so no one ends up with a spotty face or raw forehead.

If you need any information or tips, do check out my mini-series I did on exfoliation!


Ingredients: Aqua (Spring water), Sesamum indicum (Sesame seed)*, Butyrospernum parkii (Shea butter)*, Cetearyl olivate/sorbitan olivate, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot kernel)*, Olea europea (olive)*, Cetyl alcohol, Prunus amygdalus (Sweet almond)*, Cera alba (Honey)*, Alpha tocopherol (Vitamin-E), Persea gratissima (Avocado)*, distillates of Cistus ladaniferus (Rock rose)*, Citrus aurentium fleur (Neroli)*, Rosa damascene (Rose otto)*, Essential oils of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree)* and Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)*, Avena sativa (Arctic oat) extract*, Althea officinalis (Chickweed) extract*, Rubus fructicosus (Blackberry seed)*, Rubus idaeus (Raspberry seed)*, Argania spinosa (Argan)*, distillates of Pelargonium asperum (Geranium)*and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)*, Cymbopogon martini (Palmorosa)*, Cananga odorata extra (Ylang-ylang)*, Aniba roseodora (Rosewood)*, Ribues nigrum (Blackcurrant) extract*, Sodium hyaluronate acid*, Helychrisum italicum (Immortelle)*, Lavandula stoechas (Wild lavender)*, Commpiphora molmol (Myrrh)*, Rosa damascena (Rose otto)*, Acidum siliccium, Calcium fluoratum *certified organic ingredient


Bowe Organics Lash Oil (10ml): So this may just be the item that saved this box from being a total loss for me.  Not only does this have the second highest value in the August selection of green goodies (and is also the only other full size product in the box), the all natural vegan-friendly Bowe Organics Lash Oil is a product I have eyed before and just never got around to buying.  I like the idea of a lash oil and have been tempted to make my own in the past, but this saves me from having to find a vial to decant my oils into!

The oil actually has a pretty simple formula despite its claims of having "luxurious" ingredients.  Four components make up the serum: rosehip, jojoba, castor, and vitamin E.  The blend is done incredibly well though which makes this product feel more lush than you would expect.  The instructions say to apply the oil with your fingers, but as I feel that is a little unsanitary I will be repurposing an old mascara wand that I have sanitized.  This will also allow the liquid to be coated onto my lashes evenly and fully so I get all the benefits!

While I can't give any information yet on results, I will be updating in a few months time!  We will see if my lashes have lengthened, thickened, or are better protected as Bowe Organics says they will be.

Ingredients: Rosa Canina Seed Oil* (Rosehip), Ricinus Communis Seed Oil* (Castor), Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil* (Jojoba), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) *certified organic ingredients


Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 (1.5ml): I do really like this moisturizer from the use I got out of the sachet, but I just can't know for sure how my skin will react with frequent use from so small a sample.  The consistency is light and doesn't seem to congest the skin like other creams that contain SPF, and I love the zesty smell.  I will have to buy a full size (or maybe a few more sachets) so I can get a better feel for the product before giving a final verdict.  While it is nice to have a few sachets to grab for a weekend getaway, I find it frustrating when trying to figure out if a product is really for me.  Plus I do wish Love Lula would stop counting these as an item and consider sachets a bonus freebie.

Ingredients: water/aqua/eau, zinc oxide & titanium dioxide (mineral sunblockers), tinctorius (safflower) seed oil*, Citrus limonum (Lemon) oil*, wax, glycerin, Chondrus crispus (carrageenan), Butyrospermum parkii (shea) nut butter*, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract*, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, xanthan gum, dehydroacetic acid, behenyl alcohol, citric acid.