The Cruelty Free Beauty Box subscription has been one of my top picks for vegan and cruelty free goodies ever since they launched three years ago, so of course I was thrilled when they reached out to ask if I wanted to check out their latest anniversary collection!

For those of you who have been around since the beginning, you'll know that I was one of the first customers and was a happy member of the monthly edits for a long time - each box has always included a selection of skincare, wellbeing, and makeup treats from a mix of brands (big and small!).  I was always super impressed by the quality of products, and found several long term favourites from my deliveries!  Plus, I adore that they have their own beauty shop where you can shop all the businesses featured as well as their plastic free range.

I reviewed this subscription frequently when I first started The ecoLogical, and the only reason I don't regularly get the boxes anymore is because my cupboards were full of products and my income is not super steady.  In fact, that's the reason I don't get any subscriptions at the moment!  However, I always look up what was inside each new edit because I can't help but love the reveals and keeping up with The Cruelty Free Beauty Box.

I was so excited to be sent the "Original" beauty box this month, not only because it includes some gorgeous green goodies, but it is their third birthday and I was so pleased to be a part of the milestone!  This is their 31st collection, and that is just SUCH an amazing accomplishment and deserves to be celebrated.  The subscription box world is fierce and super competitive, but The Cruelty Free Beauty Box always manages to hit a home run and keep customers excited to come back each and every month.  And June was no exception - just check out what was inside!:

1] Le Papier Lip Balm in "Linden Flower" (6g/£7.95)

Oh. My. Goodness.  How had I not heard of Le Papier until now??!


This brand is connected with Beauty Made Easy, and it is the first of its kind in the whole world.  They introduced "a whole range of products that are plastic-free, biodegradable, vegan and based exclusively on natural ingredients" plus their raw materials are sourced sustainably.  They use paper wrappings that you can peel off as needed, and all of that comes from a Scandinavian forest "managed in sustainable way" (which honestly I would like more info on!). Their idea is that "when you have used up your lipstick, you have also used up the packaging!"

Basically you just peel off the paper whenever you need more product - no twisting device, no faff, no plastic!  It's really a simple but clever solution, and I love that Le Papier has developed such an eco friendly lip product.

I got the Linden Flower version of the lip balm in my box - it is fab, and I am really liking how smooth the consistency is!  It glides across your lips with ease and is super comfortable to wear.  There is not much of a scent to it, or at least not a noticeable one, so this is the perfect pick for those searching for a fragrance free formula.  It's totally transparent (no tint), but I find it adds a nice shine to my lips and makes them feel soothed and cared for.  This is a lovely product to wear on its own or to layer underneath a lipstick, and I've definitely become a fan pretty quickly!

Ingredients: SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS OIL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, HYDROGENATED COCONUT OIL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER, HYDROGENATED SOY POLYGLYCERIDES, STEARYL HEPTANOATE, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, ORYZA SATIVA BRAN WAX, STEARYL CAPRYLATE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED WAX, GLYCEROL HYDROGENATED ROSINATE, TOCOPHEROL, TILIA CORDATA OIL, ORYZA SATIVA BRAN OIL, GLYCINE SOJA OIL

2] Bella Forever Hawaii Twist Facec Mask (50g/£14.99)

Natural, simple, and soothing - that's what Bella Forever promises with their range of green goodies!  I had not previously tried anything from this beauty brand, but I'm so happy that The Cruelty Free Beauty Box introduced me!


"Many beauty products on the market today are not suitable for sensitive skins, including Annabella (founder of Bella Forever). Her own story was one of fragile skin which couldn’t cope with numerous cosmetics and makeup preparations available on the high street. Her skin protested repeatedly showing its irritation with rashes and soreness and she began to notice just how many products used alcohol, mineral oils and synthetic fragrances! Hello Bella Forever, the gentle, natural beauty brand!"

And the Hawaii Twist mask is most definitely a gentle treatment designed for all skin types.  The blend of yellow clay, lavender, and tea tree works to deeply cleanse your delicate facial skin, renew and restore for added softness, and improve overall complexion - all without the need for a mile long ingredient list!  The free radicals in the clay help draw out impurities, but unlike other clay bases this one is designed to help hydrate the skin rather than leaving it feeling dry.  How great is that??  I'm really looking forward to seeing what results Bella Forever's Hawaii Twist bring me over time.

Ingredients: Yellow Clay (Illite), Lavandula angustifolia (Lavander), Melaleuca Alternafolia (Tea Tree)

3] Sknfed Peppermint Foot Balm (50ml/£7.95)

I'm a long time lover of Sknfed, as this UK based brand is all about using the power of nature to feed your skin.  They utilize gentle and effective ingredients that are nontoxic, plus they are great about minimizing packaging and plastics!


Their Foot Balm is a creation I had not tried previously, so I was excited to test out another formula from their all natural lineup.  This organic treatment contains nourishing oils and butters that have been blended together to ease irritated skin and heal cracked heels, and it couldn't have been sent at a better time.  It's sandal weather now after all!

With shea butter and cocoa butter, vegetable derived glycerin, aloe vera, and flax seed and olive oil, the Peppermint Foot Balm is definitely something that has been designed to provide relief, and I can't help but be an instant fan.  It smells so lovely, is not too rich or slick, absorbs really well, and gives a slight cooling sensation that is super refreshing for tired and sore feet.  While it is more of a lotion than a balm, I have to say this is definitely a wonderful pick me up and will be great for use after long walks or overnight!

Ingredients: AQUA, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER*, THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTER*, GLYCERYL STEARATE***, CETEARYL ALCOHOL***, GLYCERIN (VEGETABLE DERIVED)**, LINUM USITATISSIMUM SEED OIL*, OLEA EUROPAEA FRUIT OIL*, SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE***, SUCROSE STEARATE***, MENTHA PIPERITA OIL, MENTHA SPICATA OIL, BENZYL ALCOHOL(1), COCO-GLUCOSIDE***, XANTHAN GUM***, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE POWDER*, COCONUT ALCOHOL***, TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), LACTIC ACID***, DEHYDROACETIC ACID(1)
*Organic Ingredients **From Organic Origin ***Plant/Vegetable Sources (1) Organic compounds approved and accepted in natural cosmetics

4] Grums Coffee Hand Scrub & Wash (120ml/£14.95)

Love coffee?  You'll probably be a fan of Grums!  This Coffee Hand Scrub & Wash uses recycled organic coffee grounds collected by cargo bike from La Cabra Coffee Roasters in Aarhus, Denmark, and it will bring you that caffeine kick but with a twist - it's for your skin!


The formula works to get rid of dead skin cells, stimulate blood circulation (which can decrease inflammation and visible signs of aging), improve absorption of other products, cleanse the skin, and provide a silky smooth base.  Grums uses minimal ingredients, all of which are hypoallergenic, and you'll be sure to find yourself impressed by how quickly you'll feel and see a difference in your skin.

I'll admit I'm not always the biggest fan of coffee scrubs as I find them pretty messy, but my first impressions of the Grums Coffee Hand Scrub & Wash is pretty positive so far - it comes out in a fairly thick paste and surprised me by creating a bit of a lather when you begin to massage the product into the skin.  This makes it so the coffee bits don't get all over the place, and you get the full effect of the formula!  I could just enjoy the light coffee scent, the buffing sensation of the grains, and the super smooth skin that was the result of a quick exfoliation.  Definitely a hit!

Ingredients: Aqua, Coffea Arabica/Robusta Seed Powder, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Citric acid

5] Ascent Mini Bubble Bar in "Beach Bound" (100g/£4.25)

Tim loves a full on bubble bath, so he was excited to hear that my version of the birthday box includes a giant bubble bar he can use!  Other alternatives subscribers could receive were the Shower Steamers or the Bath Balls, both of which provide their own kind of fun!  That's because Ascent creates handmade bathing and beauty formulas that help create a lush routine for some selfcare.  They come in a range of colours, shapes, and fragrances, and are made to be gentle on the skin - no harsh sulphates here!


I received the Beach Bound bar which is a bubblicious product that contains melted cocoa butter and hydrating vegan friendly glycerin, and it smells like summer with notes of pineapple, banana, almond, coconut and tonka bean.  It's shaped like a star fish which is super cute, and I love the seafoam shade - I just know this will turn the water a gorgeous colour and will add to the beachy vibes!  I also love that it comes inside of a compostable wrapper so I don't have to feel guilty about the packaging, and the ingredients are pretty mild so our sensitive skin won't be irritated.  This is definitely going to be a lovely treat for the weekend, and I think we'll get quite a few baths out of this single bar since you can cut it up into several pieces pretty easily!

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycerin, Potassium Bitartrate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Polysorbate 80, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Coumarin, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Chloride, Mica CI 77019, CI 77891, CI 77007, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77288

6] Laidbare 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner (30ml/£6)

Laidbare is one of my top picks for affordable green beauty brands, so I was excited to see them included inside the June collection as I think this is a range everyone can enjoy no matter what your budget is.


The DIY! is actually a product I've tried before, and I think it is a great option for people trying to reduce the amount of steps in their skincare routine.  Instead of needing two separate treatments to cleanse and to tone, Laidbare combines them into one easy to use formula:

"With Liquorice and Aloe Vera for exceptional anti-bacterial properties that reduce inflammation, tone and strengthen the skin. Apple Secrets Extract helps protect your skin cells and Brazil Nut Extract is a valuable antioxidant working hard to condition, nourish and repair."

The cleanser/toner has a lightweight almost gel-like texture that is super refreshing.  It definitely gives a fresh faced clean feel to your skin, and it lathers up almost immediately which makes it so easy to fully apply.  I find you only need a tiny bit and that is more than enough for a thorough cleanse!  And despite all the foaming action, it isn't too harsh and I find my skin feels soft and energized after use.  Plus, it smells so invigorating!

Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Benzl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Limonene, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Citrus Aurantfolia Seed Oil, Parfum, Sucrose Laurate, Lauryl Glucoside, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Juice, Citral, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Punica Granatum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate

7] Balade en Provence Pink Clay Cleansing Bar (80g/£12.99)

You all know I love a good plastic free product, so of course I was excited to see Balade en Provence inside the June collection.  This organic zero waste company is all about reducing plastic and minimizing excess.  Instead of unnecessary packaging and water based formulations, they opt instead for solid creations that are multi-purpose, long-lasting, and effective.


The Pink Clay Cleansing Bar looks to be exactly that, with an oil base that works to gently wash away dirt, makeup, and daily grime.  The cold process bar is handmade with coconut oil, rosehip oil, aloe vera, French green clay, shea butter, field mustard seed oil, and grapeseed oil, and it has been designed to cleanse your face without drying out your skin.  I love the subtle aroma and find it really calming, and the light green tint to the bar is gorgeous - this is definitely a fab little product that can help reduce plastic waste!

With the wedding coming up I am being extra careful about what I introduce into my skincare routine, and as I know coconut oil is a trigger for my congestion prone skin I have decided that Tim will luck out this time and get treated to this lovely cleansing bar.  He converted to plastic free shaving bars and shampoos a few years ago (actually, largely thanks to The Cruelty Free Beauty Box!!), so I know he will really enjoy Balade en Provence's Pink Clay creation.  However, after the wedding I will definitely be stealing this back to try out for myself!

[P.s. Item 7 actually had an option between makeup and non-makeup.  The makeup product was a lipstick from Le Papier!]

Ingredients: Cocos nucifera oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Aqua, Brassica campestris seed oil, Sodium hydroxyde, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Kaolin, Rosa rubiginosa seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder

8] Raw Halo Chocolate in "Mylk & Vanilla" (22g/£1.10)

Oh how I love a good piece of chocolate, and Raw Halo always delivers a delicious morsel!  I have been a fan of this brand for some time now, and I was so happy to find a mini bar inside the June edit from The Cruelty Free Beauty Box.  This was just the perfect addition and added that little bit of extra sweetness to the collection.


Organic, vegan, gluten free, and zero plastic, Raw Halo is definitely a brand that is totally in sync with what I want from a snack.  This is as guilt free as it gets, and I can't help but rave about how great this UK business is!  I mean, they even partner with One Tree Planted - how amazing is that??

The chocolate is so yummy, with a creamy texture thanks to coconut cream and a gentle sweetness that makes this super moreish.  Honestly it took so much willpower not to just open this straight away and eat it.  I resisted so I could grab a photo, but I'll admit it did not last long after that picture was taken - whoops!

Ingredients: Raw cacao butter*, coconut sugar*, raw cacao powder*, creamed coconut*, lucuma powder*, natural vanilla flavour (0.2%). *Certified organic. Cocoa solids 52% minimum.




As you can see the June birthday bash box had a ton of full sizes, and all the samples included were really generous as well.  No tiny minis here, and no wasteful sachets!  I really appreciate the quality offered here, and the value is undeniable - worth more than double the cost of the paid price, The Cruelty Free Beauty Box has put together a top knotch edit!

Overall, the contents inside my "Original" box have a value of over £70, and the variety is really special - I don't know of any other box that includes so many products, let alone such a great mix of skincare, makeup, bath treatments, and chocolate!

I also love how many small businesses are represented here.  I'm already a fan of Sknfed, Laidbare, and Raw Halo, but I had not tried products from the rest (and some I had not even heard of previously!) - this means I discovered five new cruelty free and vegan friendly brands thanks to The Cruelty Free Beauty Box, and that's something I cannot put a price on.

I definitely will be restarting my subscription as soon as I am able, as this is a beauty box I just hate to miss out on.  Each month offers something new, and the value and quality is always spot on.  Plus, I think it is great that there are so many options to choose from now.  The Cruelty Free Beauty Box has not one, but THREE subscriptions to pick from: the "Original" which has 5-8 beauty products inside, the "Mini" which contains 3-6 plastic free beauty products, and the "Deluxe" which has 7-12 beauty, snack, and lifestyle goodies.

Each of these boxes offers a minimum of double the value and are delivered every two months (so every February,  April, June, August, October & December!).  And guess what - if you subscribe today you can still get the birthday collection!!  You can get this as a rolling subscription or a one off box, but be quick so you don't miss out!

And if you are ever in the need of a restock on anything do check out The Cruelty Free Beauty Box Shop - they have SO much amazing stuff stocked, and you can   Get 15% off your first order, plus grab free standard UK shipping on all orders over £40!  Only need a few things?  Don't worry - normal delivery charges are super affordable, so you don't have to worry about being slammed with a crazy charge when you get to checkout.

Have you tried The Cruelty Free Beauty Box subscription before?  I would love to hear your thoughts, and if anything in particular from the birthday bash box stands out to you.  Would you want to scoop up any of these goodies in the shop?  I definitely will be checking out more from several of these brands, and I already have my eye on Le Papier lipstick, Sknfed Organic Blueberry Glow Mask, and several Bella Forever formulas!  What are you liking the look of?  xx