There is a (mis)understanding that going green is expensive, time consuming, and a lot of effort.  Well, I have to say in my experience that is the furthest thing from the truth, especially now that there are eco friendly businesses like Vertue Box on the market.  With subscriptions that deliver innovative products at an affordable price, sample packs that allow you to try before you buy, and now options like the "Little Green Box," switching to green beauty and home essentials has never been easier or more affordable.


Those looking to change over their products want to make sure the investment is going to be worthwhile, so it can be tricky to take the plunge without knowing what works and what doesn't.  And while going to beauty counters is a great way to trial high street and high end products, it can be tricky to find retailers that offer decent priced sachets or generous sized try me pots of natural formulas, and near impossible to find samples of wellbeing products and everyday household goods.  That's why I was so excited by the introduction of such a service by Vertue Box!

While I have not been a regular subscriber, I have followed Vertue Box for a very long time.  I love seeing each collections's reveal, and I have discovered many new eco friendly brands through their posts on social media.  In fact, I first discovered my beloved Earth Harbor through Vertue Box!  I also love that they have their own shop, and I pick up green goodies every now and again when I can't resist one of their fab deals.  During their last flash sale, I picked up a bottle of vegan supplements, a try me pot of cleansing balm, and their latest addition, the Little Green Box.

The Little Green Box is a fantastic taster selection of green goodies that is available to order as a one off purchase for just £10.  Everything inside is natural, vegan friendly, and cruelty free.  I honestly was stunned by how great this price was, especially after seeing what you get inside.  I love that Vertue Box is making the transition to nontoxic ingredients accessible to all, and is including a great variety of products and mix of brands for every budget.  This means that every taste is catered for!

Inside the box you get nine treats (13 individual items in total), including tea, skincare, SPF, and soap.  While a total value is not given by Vertue Box, I estimated the collection as a whole is worth in the ballpark of £20.  However, don't discount the added and 'priceless' value of the benefit of the goodies coming in a totally curated collection.  Plus, you get some samples that are not available for retail sale which is pretty exciting.

But enough chat -- I'm guessing you want to know what is in this Little Green Box!


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* This post contains affiliate links
No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad.  You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.


Dragonfly Tea:
I love a good cuppa, and Dragonfly offers organic goodness at an affordable price.  Each of their Dragonfly Speciality blends is certified by The Organic Food Federation, and all are free from artificial flavourings, preservatives and additives.  Plus, the bags are plastic free meaning you can sip without worrying you are compromising your (or the environments) health! 


Two individual tea bags are provided, one is the Cape Malay Chai flavour, and one is Moroccan Mint.  One really fun touch about these teas is each tag has a quote printed on them, like this one from O. Kakuzo: "Let us linger in the beautiful foolishness of things."  Things like this just help brighten your day, so I love the detail.  I also like that Vertue Box included both a caffeine free option and a blend that can be enjoyed later in the day without worrying about compromising sleep.  The Cape Malay Chai ended up being my favourite, as the green tea was *very* potent, but both were worth trying.




Green People Beauty Boost Skin Restore (1.5ml):
This is a great affordable green beauty brand, and a great name to feature in a box for beginners.  Founded in 1997, Green People has been a leading figure in the world of natural beauty for a long time.  They promise to "never use aggressive ingredients or synthetic chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, alcohol (ethanol) or synthetic fragrances or colourants, and to never test on animals," plus almost every single one of their products is budget friendly.

I had not tried the Beauty Boost Skin Restore prior to getting the Little Green Box from Vertue Box, so I was happy to have a sample sachet to trial.  With Everlasting Flower, Wakame, Green Marine Macro Algae, Avocado, Tara Bush, Shea butter, and more, this beauty treatment is ideal for giving your skin a restorative boost.  This rich cream is not a daily moisturizer, but rather a mask of sorts.  By incorporating 1-2 times a week, you can deliver intense hydration and nourishment, fight free radicals, and stimulate collagen production naturally.  Plus, it smells lovely and helps boost your mood thanks to ylang ylang and mandarin!


Odylique Avocado 24-Hour Replenishing Cream (1.5ml):
I have been trying more and more from Odylique over the last several months, so I was excited to see a sample from this budget friendly brand included in the Little Green Box.  Nearly everything in this skincare line designed for sensitive skin falls in between £10 and £30, and all is free from synthetic chemical irritants and possible allergens like artificial fragrance, lanolin, wheat, dairy and soya derivatives, salicylic acid, peanut oil, and common allergen tree nut oils.

Vertue Box's Little Green Box includes the 94% organic Avocado 24-Hour Replenishing Cream, an intensive moisturizer that aids skin regeneration.  The formula firms, soothes, hydrates, reduces signs of aging, and nourishes, and can be used as a day cream for those with dry skin or as a night cream for those with normal or sensitive skin.  This is very rich, so use sparingly, especially if you have a face prone to congestion.  I like to use it in a way similar to the Beauty Boost formula from Green People, and pop a bit on as a mask once or twice a week when needed.  How would/do you use this??


Madara Trial Set (5 x 1.5ml):
I have tested so much from this EcoCert natural beauty brand, so I was actually familiar with most of the sample sachets included here.  Inside the Trial Set you will find two day creams, a serum, a night cream, and an eye cream.  All five are part of the Time Miracle range, meaning they are specially targeted for mature skin that is need of additional TLC.  These formulas are ideal for those worried about fine lines, wrinkles, tired complexions, cell renewal, and collagen production.  While a bit on the pricier side, I have to say that Madara's anti-aging products are worth the splurge.


The set includes Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream, Total Renewal Night Cream, Ultimate Facelift Day Cream, Age Defence Day Cream, and Cellular Repair Serum, all of which have been dermatologically tested and have shown visible results on those in the trial.  For example, the Age Defence Day Cream had "91% report smoother, more radiant skin" as well as "62% improved synthesis of dermal collagen" and an impressive "100% confirm visibly reduced fine lines and wrinkles with improved skin elasticity and firmness."  These products are no joke when it comes to anti-aging, and in fact my partner has been using a selection of Madara's products to help treat sleep lines when he goes through bouts of insomnia.

I will say my sachets had dates that were way past (May 2018), but they seemed alright still - I know what the products feel/smell/look like and they were the same, so... fair game?

You can find various reviews of Madara here on The ecoLogical.


Luna Kloris Go For the Glow Face Oil (no size given, but ~3ml):
This is a very unique addition, and one I am thrilled Vertue Box included in their Little Green Box. Luna Kloris launched "Go For the Glow" back in July 2017, and it has become a hit amongst those lucky enough to try it.


Formulated with the highest quality plant oils, it is easily absorbed into the skin providing you with a powerful dose of naturally occurring antioxidants and vitamins from green tea, sweet mandarin, jojoba and rosehip. It has a sweet citrus smell from the lime and mandarins - great for all skin types as it is a light-weight oil which leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and soft!

This sample of face oil has been a delight to use despite its small size.  Luna Kloris' creation is non-greasy yet very nourishing, and it absorbs really well so you don't feel like you have product just sitting on top of your face.  Just a drop or two is needed for my skin to feel soft and moisturized, and I love how the oil gives me a dewy glow.  It really helps bring a renewed vibrancy, and I have to say my face has been looking all the healthier since introducing this golden wonder to my routine.

"Go For the Glow" gives a boost of radiance to dull and tired complexions, but it also works to soothe the mind.  In terms of aroma, it is very uplifting, full of bright and zesty citrus fruits.  It has a sharpness to it at first that is enlivening, but does mellow out into a fuller scent that is perfect for calming the mind so it can be used effectively both day and night.  I'll definitely be sad when this beauty is gone.


Maison Meunier Radiance Coffee Scrub (no size given, but ~50g):
I have been loving this brand since being introduced through judging for 2019's BSL Awards, so when I saw a sample pack of their Radiance Coffee Scrub would be included in the Little Green Box I was thrilled for the chance to try more of their range.  I am usually not keen on products like this, I will be honest, as I find them far too messy.  Coffee grounds are exceptionally bad for pipes, so I always find properly cleaning up a bit of a faff as I have to ensure nothing gets washed down the drain.  But I made an exception for Maison Meunier, and I have to say I'm glad I did!


The scrub smells fantastic, pairing the glorious bitter depth of coffee with the sweetness of brown sugar and the fruitiness of grapefruit.  It is like a burst of sunshine when you open the packet, and as you begin to apply the product on the skin you can't help but feel any gloomy thoughts slip away.

I also love that this is fairly gentle on the skin, effectively buffing away dead cells but not rubbing so hard that your body is left red or sore.  I like to let the damp grounds sit on my skin for several minutes so I can soak in all the benefits of the coffee seed powder, epsom salts, and oils - trust me, you will want to let this sit anyways just so you can inhale the lovely aroma.  After a single treatment you can see and feel the difference in your complexion - my legs, torso, and arms were so soft and smooth, and looked so much more radiant and healthy.  I'll be using this regularly to get myself glowing for summer, but am still trying to find an easy cleanup method.  Any suggestions?


Nini Organics Natura Miracle Mask (15ml):
If you have not heard of Nini Organics, I highly suggest you go follow them on Instagram for a daily dose of energy, joy,green beauty, and fabulous dancing.  This organic brand creates spectacular formulas that bring balance and harmony to your routine.  No bulking agents, no harsh ingredients, and no artificial additives, meaning what you get is pure plant powered goodness.


The Natura Miracle Mask was actually one of my picks for best face mask of 2018, and I have been loving it through the new year as well.  In fact, I picked up the Little Green Box *because* it included a mini bottle of this luscious cacao treatment.  The formula combines with tropical coconut, floral hibiscus, earthy pink clay, and bold spirulina, and it packs such a powerful punch.  How?  Well, Natura Miracle Mask provides a gentle exfoliation to renew skin and bring a natural glow to the face, plus it acts as a healing treat for acne prone skin as well as a deep detox for those exposed to the daily grime of city air.  True multi-tasking beauty!

Nini Organics has created a superfood blend for your face that is high in BHA enzymes, detoxifying ingredients, and antioxidants, all of which work together to become a "pollution solution!"  Plus it smells fab and is really versatile in terms of what it can be mixed with!  Some Nini recommendations?  Carrot juice, almond milk, kambucha, mashed avocados, mashed fruits like blueberries, raspberries and watermelon...  A recent favourite of mine is to add a pump or two of a luxurious gel to milk formula like Okoko Cosmetiques' Secret du Dragon cleanser/mask - it brings this already luxurious experience up another notch and is purely pampering.


Savon de Marseille Fleur De Lotus Bar Soap (125g):
Everyone washes their hands (well, hopefully!), so it is important that this key household product is gentle on your skin and doesn't contain any nasties that can hurt your health or any aquatic life.  Vertue Box has delivered a plastic free option that fits the bill!  Not only is this soap free from harsh ingredients like SLS, it is also super pretty so your guests will be impressed with your parisian flair.


Savon de Marseille's soap contains moisturizing shea butter to help nourish your hands and provide anti-aging properties, plus lotus flower oil.  The lotus flower is full of vitamin C, B complex, antioxidants, and a host of other minerals, making this ingredient carry many skin benefits.  The extract has the ability to clear blemishes, aid healing of minor cuts and scrapes, and even help control sebum production (making this fab for those who suffer from oily skin!).  Plus, this unique essential oil has useful aromatherapeutic qualities as well.  The sweet floral fragrance works to calm the mind, promote relaxation, and ease tensions.

This is the only item in the Little Green Box I will be gifting on, as I personally avoid products scented with parfum unless the label makes it very clear that the fragrance is purely from essential oils.  Based on the very strong smell, I think this is fragrance oils which often give me a headache, so I will pass on to someone who doesn't have this criteria.  I have popped the ingredients list for this one down below, as I did find this a little tricky to find with a quick Google search.  I don't tend to buy a product if I can't find the full list of ingredients first, so hopefully this will help you with your decisions!  And if I am wrong about the parfum origin, do let me know -- I'm always open to being corrected!

Ingredients: sodium palmate, sodium palm kernelate, aqua (water), parfum (fragrance), papaversomnifrum seed extrat, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*, glycerin, sodium chloride, tetrasodium EDTA, tetrasodium editronate, hexyl cinnamal, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, limonene, geraniol, linalool, butylphenyl methylpropional, CI 12085 (red 36), CI 77492 (iron oxides)
*from organic farming




Overall, I think Vertue Box has hit a home run with this starter kit for those interested in a greener lifestyle, and I would recommend anyone who is looking into making the switch pick up the Little Green Box to sample some of the fabulous formulas out there in the world of natural beauty, wellbeing, and lifestyle products.  Even if you have been using eco friendly goodies for a long while now, I think this sample set could introduce you to some amazing stuff.  I personally got one just because I knew I would enjoy having some smaller sizes for traveling, plus I wanted to test out some new treatments from businesses I love already.

But enough about what I think... I want to know YOUR opinions on the Little Green Box!  Do you think the variety is good?  What about the value for money?  Decent brand and budget representation?  Let me know, as I think it is important to talk through what might help newbies (and what will keep them on board).  Pop your ideas down in the comments below!

Also, I'm curious to know if you would like to see Vertue Box offer more budget boxes like this to "try before you buy."  Is this the sort of thing you would like more of?? I for one would love to see more edits of the Little Green Box!

If you want to pick this kit up from Vertue Box, you can buy one for just £10!  And if it's your first purchase you can even grab 10% off by using my link! Plus, if you get a few extras from the shop you might even qualify for free shipping.  Can't beat that! xx