Happy Planet Box is in the house - so who is ready for some more subscription box fun!?  

I was kindly gifted the launch box over the summer, and recently The Evolution reached out to let me know they were surprising me with another delivery!  The latest launch is the Autumn Edit and is packed full of all natural and vegan friendly goodies that are perfect for the switch in seasons.

If you missed my last review, The Evolution is an online retailer that specializes in eco staples and offers a wide range of plastic free and low waste products.  From bathroom staples to travel essentials, skincare to laundry, this is a place where you can get it all!

"We thought we were too busy to be eco-friendly, too pre-occupied with daily commute to look for high quality products which are good not only for us but also for the environment. // This is why we have created The Evolution, a place where you can find all that you need for your busy modern life, but which will not ruin our planet. // Things which you can reuse. // Things which will not end up in the landfill. // High quality items which will help you reduce the amount of waste your family produce. // Things which will make you feel good about yourself. // Being eco-friendly is not difficult but it requires our thinking to evolve."

The Evolution launched their seasonal subscription box over the summer, and it was definitely one that brought a smile to my face.  So of course I was thrilled to open up the August Edit when it arrived at my door - with give eco friendly treats that range from the edible to the spreadable, this collection is ideal for a pick me up, discovering new indie brands, or topping up your beauty cupboard.

For this delivery, Happy Planet Box selected products "which will help you protect your skin from the approaching cold weather and survive sleepy autumn days," but also took care to ensure the skincare items would be nourishing enough to combat the windier and wetter days.  Curious to see how they did?

Friendly Soap Peppermint & Poppyseed Natural Soap:

Friendly is big favourite of mine when it comes to affordable and effective plastic free goodies, and I have been using their soaps for years now.  I absolutely adore their range as it encompasses all sorts of scents (as well as shampoos, cleansers, etc.!) and have never had a bad experience with their products.  They keep the ingredient lists simple, and rely on perfect formulations to give results rather than packing their bars full of additives and fillers.

One of my favourite creations from Friendly is the Detox bar, as I find the exfoliation gives my skin exactly what it needs without being too harsh or gritty.  However, the Peppermint & Poppyseed bar is definitely going to give that one a run for its money!  When I opened Happy Planet Box and saw this soap tucked inside I was super pleased, and once I opened the box to have a sniff I went from happy to totally thrilled.  The scent is incredible!  So refreshing and uplifting, and exactly what I want to refresh my body, hands, and mind no matter the weather.  This is perfect for waking up in the morning, or for revitalizing your senses in the evening if you need a bit of a energy boost.  Plus, it's great for clearing the sinuses a bit!

I really like how the poppy seeds within the soap give a gentle but effective scrub while also making my entire bathroom smell divine.  Like the other products I have tried, this gives a really nice lather (without the use of SLS or other harsh sulphates!) and does not leave that clinging residue that most other soaps do.  It doesn't dry out the skin, and overall is just a fab pick for a soap that can wash your hands or your body while not breaking the bank - a great addition by Happy Planet Box!

Ingredients: Sodium olivate, Sodium cocoate, Aqua, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Mentha piperita (peppermint) essential oil contains limonene, Papaver somniferum (poppy) seed

Peppersmith Sugar Free Peppermint Mints:

I'll admit I am a huge fan of mints but hardly ever have them, so when I saw that there was a little box from Peppersmith inside I was keen to have that fresh fix back in my life.  While most mints (and sweets in general!) you find while out and about are housed in plastic wrap and plastic pots, this brand has a different take - their range of gums and mints are entirely free from unnecessary waste!  Not only that, but they are plant based and use xylitol instead of sugar as a sweetener which makes this breath freshener suitable for diabetics as well as for your smile.

Studies have shown that xylitol can slow the growth of harmful bacteria as well as kill up to 90% of these cavity causing agents, making it an effective preventative that can help your teeth stay stronger for longer - who would have guessed a mint could do all that?!

On top of that dental care goodness, Peppersmith has created four flavours of Oral Health Foundation approved chewable tablets that tastes fab and that are perfect for after meals when you're dining out or snacking at work.  With Hampshire grown peppermint (Black Mitcham to be specific - a crop native to England!), vegan friendly carnauba wax, gum arabic, and vegetable based calcium stearate, this mint is simple and sweet without the addition of anything artificial!  It is definitely a packet that I am enjoying, and I will be on the lookout for more when my box is empty.

Ingredients: Xylitol, Gum Arabic, Calcium Stearate, Peppermint Oil, Carnauba Wax

Pura Cosmetics Revitalising Raspberry Lip Scrub:

I love a good lip scrub, and Pura Cosmetics make a great vegan friendly one - this isn't my first jar and it certainly won't be my last as it is a fab affordable option with lots of varieties to choose from.  There is no plastic in sight with the packaging, and it is a very generous size.  My previous pot of the Pina Colada scent lasted me about five or six months, so I expect this will be a similar run.  I only exfoliate my lips once per week, as otherwise I find it can do more harm than good.  Done properly though, I find my lips look fresh and radiant without any product on, and when I do choose to wear lipstick it goes on much more evenly and without any unseemly rough patches.

The scent of the Revitalising Raspberry Lip Scrub is super sweet and brings back memories of childhood summers, sticky cotton candy, and laughter in bright sunshine   It's very much like a sugary candy (Tim thinks it smells of Welch's soda!), and is super aromatic when you open the pot and as you apply.  Plus, the hot pink colour is pretty fun too, making this a lovely treat for kids and adults alike!

The grain of the sugar is not too large, making it easy to use and a great exfoliant that is not too rough.  I find it moisturizing as well thanks to the apricot kernel oil and coconut oil, and it makes for a great weekly treatment to keep lips smooth and healthy.  It helps buff away dead skin and provides a clean base for lip products and helps more intensive nourishing oils absorb better - definitely a great choice for the cold seasons!

Ingredients: Golden Caster Sugar (Sucrose), Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera), Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus Armeniaca), Mica (Mica) & Flavouring Oil (Extract Flavor)

Heavenly Organics Lavender Hand Balm:

In the summer edit of Happy Planet Box subscribers were treated to a gorgeous oil from the eco friendly Heavenly Organics, and this time we have the pleasure of trying out another delight from the range - the zero waste solid hand balm!

This formula is pretty special, as not only is it unique in terms of texture (it isn't a glossy or whipped treatment like many you find on the market), it also has a stunning design that sets it apart too!  This nourishing bar packs a punch with pure organic antioxidant rich cocoa seed and vitamin intensive shea butter, and the simplicity of the ingredients makes its effectiveness all the more special.  And despite the richness of this dynamic duo, I don't find the balm itself too heavy at all - it doesn't clog pores, and once it is warmed with the natural heat of your body it is so easy to manipulate across your skin and applies smoothly, evenly, and without any fuss.

Heavenly Organics has six versions of this, including an unscented one, but I have to say the lavender is just so delectable I can't see myself straying from this tranquil aroma.  It's bursting with calming notes that inspire peace, and it instantly eases tension - it's truly a healing experience for both your hands and your mind.  I love how fragrant it is despite being so gentle, and it has been a joy to use.

Ingredients: Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter Organic, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Tree Butter, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil Organic, Geraniol*, Linalool*, Limonene*.    *Occurring Naturally In Essential Oils

White Rabbit Chocolate Orange Lip Balm (15ml/£7):

Another familiar face in the Autumn Edit of Happy Planet Box is the plastic free powerhouse White Rabbit - this natural and vegan friendly beauty brand offers skincare staples that are free from "animal-derived ingredients (such as beeswax), Parabens, SLS, Silicones, Mineral oils or derivatives of petrochemicals, artificial fragrances, artificial colours, or anything else confusing and synthetic."  They aim to create products that are not only effective and kind to the planet, but that also offer aromatherapy benefits that can soothe the spirit as well as the skin.

Their Chocolate Orange Lip Balm is no exception, and I am actually already a fan of this moreish formula.  The blend of shea and cocoa seed butter, sweet almond and castor seed oil, olive wax, and Vitamin E work together to provide a dose of long lasting moisture.  I find it both healing and soothing as the balm has a slickness to it that allows it to apply easily and gives a nice glide to the lips - perfect for those wanting a gloss-like experience without any of the sticky feeling!

White Rabbit adds a bit of sweet orange essential oil to their creation to give it that Terry's chocolate orange scent, and while it has a gorgeous aroma you don't have to worry about being tempted to lick it off since there is actually no taste to the balm!  Perfect for those who want the uplifting notes without the orange flavouring, and a great boost during the cold weather as it brings a dose of sunshine despite the cold and dark days.  It's a perfect pick by The Evolution!

Ingredients: Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Olive Wax, Sweet Orange Essential Oil

And that's the Autumn Edit of Happy Planet Box!  All five vegan, plastic free, and natural goodies were really well suited to the season I think, and I love all of the brands that were included.  It was fun discovering Peppersmith, and of course I was pleased to try out something new from Heavenly Organics and some old favourites from Friendly Soap, White Rabbit, and Pura Cosmetics!

I would love to hear what you think of the latest collection of the Happy Planet Box, and if you have a star pick at all.  What catches your eye the most??

And if you haven't checked out The Evolution or Happy Planet Box yet, do head over to see what they offer and all the options available.  You can subscribe to their quarterly deliveries or browse what they have in the online shop - either way I bet you will find loads of sustainable essentials that you would enjoy! xx