Native Box April 2013

May 8, 2013 by 5 Comments

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I’ll never get over my excitement about getting a mystery parcel in the mail. This way I can pretend I have a secret admirer or an old-timey benevolent patron or that I’ve won a special prize in a contest I never entered. A recent mysterious arrival was this month’s Native Box ($15 + $5.95 shipping/month), which features a range of sustainable lifestyle samples. April’s Native Box has an approximate dollar value that is slightly higher than the total cost of the box including shipping (by about a fiver). My top picks are the spicy Your Inspiration at Home South American Dukkah, the sweetly spiced Bondi Chai Club Cinnamon Chai Latte stick, the Jack and Jill Natural Toothpaste in Blackcurrant (which makes an occasional appearance in our house already on account of Johanis’ love for the packaging), and the Natralus Paw Paw Ointment (which combines the impressive powers of lanolin and fermented paw paw). The only product that I won’t use is the Byron Bay Detox Foot Patches – my inner skeptic refuses to even momentarily entertain the idea of drawing out systemic impurities through my feet while I sleep.

The April 2013 Native Box contains:

~20g sample of Your Inspiration at Home South American Dukkah [vegan] ($18.95/180g)
One stick of Bondi Chai Club Cinnamon Chai Latte [vegan] (.53c/stick)
Full size Ajita’s BBQ Vege Chips [vegan] ($2/50g)
One pair of Byron Bay Detox Foot Patches ($3.95/pair)
Full size Jack and Jill Natural Toothpaste in Blackcurrant [vegan] ($5.85/50g)
Full size Natralus Paw Paw Ointment ($2.99/7g)
Two 30mL samples of Serene Valley Shampoo & Conditioner [vegan] ($20/200mL)
Mrs Fields Anzac Biscuit & Herbal Extracts Herbal Fresh Hands sachet

Note: These products were provided for consideration in accordance with the Disclosure Policy. The Natralus Paw Paw Ointment is marked as vegan in the information flyer that is included with the box, but the product contains lanolin as an ingredient, which could be considered to be non-vegan (as it is an animal-derived product). In addition, the Byron Bay Detox Foot Patches are also marked as vegan, but the website notes that the product may contain shellfish.

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Your Guide to Sustainable Sample Boxes

March 31, 2013 by 3 Comments

Once upon a time, I was subscribed to three monthly beauty box subscription services. As well as finding that my bathroom cupboards were starting to overflow with samples, I also felt the products I was being sent didn’t gel with my personal ethics. Often, I would receive products from brands that I wouldn’t ordinarily touch with a barge pole. I ended up unsubscribing from all of them, one by one. I remember moaning to dear Sabine from Echolife that I wished there was a sample box subscription service that just featured ethical and eco-friendly brands. She suggested I start one up myself, to which I responded that I was 100% too lazy. And unorganised. With no business sense. Thankfully, others were less hopeless, and now there is a range of sustainable sample box subscription services to choose from. Let’s take a look.

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Lust Have It Eco Box ($29.95 AUD incl. shipping/quarter) *

Lust Have It are Australia’s largest beauty box subscription service, with a popular ‘mainstream’ monthly beauty sample box. In September 2012, Lust Have It launched a new quarterly ‘Eco Box’ (actually packaged in a drawstring hessian bag), featuring 6-8 ‘premium sample-sized’ eco-friendly beauty and skincare products. The semi-reformed beauty blogger in me really digs this box. The first box is a thoughtful mix of well-known ‘natural’ brands – Avado, Burt’s Bees, Kosmea – and some previously-undiscovered gems. Thank the lord, there are no sample sachets in sight. FYI: Lust Have It have stated that the dollar value of each Eco Box will be over $100. Some full-size items are available from the Lust Have It online store, but for many of them you will have to scout around the Net.

Biologica Lady Lya Eyeliner in No. 382 ($20), full size = $20 value
Avado Sensitives Organic Gel Exfoliant ($14.95/100mL), full size = $14.95 value
Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Treatment ($19.95/110mL), 30mL sample = $5.45 value
Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb ($9.95), full size = $9.95 value
Sranrom Awakening Vitality Body Lotion ($30/200mL), 75mL sample = $11.25 value
Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost ($39.95/20mL), 10mL sample = $21.95 value
Wicked Wix Organix Baby Jar in Bliss ($14.95/57g), full size = $14.95 value

Total value = $98.50 AUD

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Native Box ($20.95 AUD incl. shipping/monthly) *

Launching in November 2012, Native Box is a monthly sample box subscription service, featuring a range of eco-friendly and ethical lifestyle products. Native Box seems designed to give you a little taste of everything – each box contains 10+ samples. The website doesn’t have an online store, but each month you are provided with each brand’s website address. The information sheet also notes which products are vegan, which is brill. In December’s box, there was a balanced mix of skincare products, super foods and supplements, mineral makeup, tea, and snacks. The snacks – the veggie chips and gingerbread man – got snapped up immediately. I’m not so keen on the inclusion of sample sachets (they are packaging-intensive). I’ll also pass on the spirulina sample – there are only select circumstances in which I’ll take tablets divvied up into a little plastic baggie by a stranger, and this is not one of them.

Phytocare Omega Smooth in Sweet Lemon ($19.80/250mL), full size = $19.80 value
Island Sky Hand Made Goat’s Milk Soap (price unavailable)
Adorn Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Coral Pearl [vegan] ($15/1g), full size = $15 value
Ajitas Vege Chips [vegan] ($2), full size = $2 value
Ayana Organics Vanilla Body Butter [vegan] ($37.65/250mL), 5mL sample = 75c value
Morelife Spirulina 1000mg Tabs [vegan] ($27.95/500 tabs), 20 tablet sample = $1.10 value
Gingerbread Folk Chocolate Gingerbread Man [vegan] ($1.60), full size = $1.60 value
Adore Tea Australian Green Tea [vegan] ($9.50/50g), ’2-cup taster’ sample = 95c value
Kuranda Chinoa Health Bar [vegan] ($3), full size = $3 value

Total value = $44.20 AUD value

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Notox Box ($25 AUD incl. shipping) *

Launching in October 2012, Notox Box is a monthly sample box subscription service, featuring a range of eco-friendly and ethical lifestyle products. You can buy a full-size version of all the products included in the Notox Box from their online store – the online store has a very nifty function that allows you to see whether or not each product ticks the following boxes: certified organic, fair trade, cruelty-free, vegetarian, vegan, hand-made, and made in Australia. Notox Box has a smaller number of samples than Native Box, but happily in this case there were no sample sachets to be found (apart from the teabag). This box had the slimmest value-for-money ratio, but I certainly wouldn’t have felt ripped off if I had bought it. February’s box contained a balanced mixture of skincare, homewares, food, tea, super foods and supplements – and that candle smells like heaven, I swear.

Blacktea Soy Candle in White Tea & Ginger [vegan] ($44.95/300g), 57g baby jar = $8.55 value
Olive Oil Skincare Co. Olive Oil Soap with Manuka Honey ($6.95), full size = $6.95 value
Nutra Organics Super Greens + Reds [vegan] ($39.95/250g), 3g sample = $1.20 value
Power Superfoods Cacao Powder Gold [vegan] ($12.95/225g), 5g sample = 30c value
Absolute Organic White Quinoa [vegan] ($5.95/400g), full size = $5.95 value
Spiral Foods Mung Bean Chips [vegan] ($4.95), full size = $4.95 value
Pukka Love Tea [vegan] ($7.95/20 sachets), sample sachet = 40c value

Total value = $28.30 AUD value

I totally get the sustainability arguments against sample box subscription services, no matter what the contents – they are inevitably packaging-intensive, need to be posted in the mail, and can be wasteful (if you do not use some of the products). However, they are also an awesome way to find out about smaller sustainable brands and explore new things, and you all know (if you follow me on Twitter) that I have no issues with palming off my unwanted stuff to anyone who will take it. If you subscribe to one of these sample boxes and you find you do not use some of the products, make sure you find them a good home – I find when I leave a box of goodies on the lunch table at work, everything is gone in a blink of an eye.

* These products were provided for consideration in accordance with the Disclosure Policy.

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Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser [Night Before Christmas Design]

January 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Steamcream 3-in-1 MoisturiserContinuing my long tradition of irrelevance, I thought I’d show you my brand new Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser in Night Before Christmas ($21.65AUD). Well, it’s 331 nights before Christmas. If you’re cringing right now, I strongly recommend you avoid my loungeroom, where you may happen upon a half-dead Christmas tree.

My love for these multi-purpose moisturisers is deep, strong, and well-documented (see here and here). Made in the UK, Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser is created with natural ingredients (although it does contain tiny amounts of parabens as a preservative) using an unusual steam infusion method. The end result is a delightfully wobbly, lavender and rose-scented, super-moisturising cream. And it’s vegan!

I kind of think that the best thing about Steamcream 3-in-1 Moisturiser is the tin. Although the contents are always the same, each metal tin features a limited-edition design. As well as working with established designers, Steamcream runs a design competition every year (see the 2012 winner, ‘Lighht From Space’, here). Once you’ve finished the tin, you can wash it and use it to store bits and bobs.

I was able to snaffle up one of the marked-down Christmas design tins on ASOS left over from the holidays. A total cheapskate at heart, I am content with it being Christmas on my face all year round. That design is now gone, but there are lots available on ASOS at the moment – I thought this one might be fitting for The Cat’s Pyjamas?

* Steamcream does not participate in animal testing. It is a vegan brand. This post contains affiliate links.

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Vegetarian & Vegan Australia Day Barbeque Ideas

January 25, 2013 by 8 Comments

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIt’s Australia Day this Saturday, one day of the year when it is literally considered unpatriotic not to grill something. Eight months into meat abstinence (LOL), it still feels a bit weird to be a vegetarian at a barbeque. It’s not that I’m ever confronted by people questioning my dietary choices (because I don’t hang out with jerks), but barbeques in Australia are meat-centric experiences and if not adequately prepared I’m struck by FOMO (that’s fear of missing out, Mum). Whether or not you celebrate Australia Day, here are some hand-picked vegetarian and vegan barbeque ideas:

Jamie Oliver Killer Mexican Barbecued Corn on the Cob
I love corn on the cob. Grill it and cover it with cheese, chilli, lime and I would marry it if I could.

101 Cookbooks Grilled Salt and Vinegar Potato Slices (vegan)
Yum! This is the souped-up version of the plain potato slices we threw on the barbie growing up.

The Pioneer Woman Grilled Zucchini with Yummy Lemon Salt (vegan)
I also love grilled zucchini. The addition of lemon salt makes it so fresh and zingy. Do want.

Post-Punk Kitchen Quarter Pounder Beet Burgers (vegan)
BAM. These are for real. I’m the type of vegetarian who perks up at the description of their ‘vaguely disturbing meat-like appearance.’ These contain heaps of plant-based protein as well.

Veggie Num Num Sundried Tomato and Pinenut Seitan Sausages (vegan)
Packet vegetarian sausages at a barbeque are a bit depressing, aren’t they? I am pining for one of these with tomato sauce wrapped in soft white bread.

Delicieux Crunchy Cucumber Salad
After I’d filled up with grilled veggies, burgers and sausages, I’d so appreciate this simple, cool, crisp salad.

Easy as Vegan Pie Lamingtons
I know, I know. I couldn’t resist.

PSA: The molten gorgeousness on my nails is Zoya Nail Lacquer in Jules, which I snaffled up for $5AUD from Jac’s blog sale this week.

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Hurraw! Lip Balms

January 18, 2013 by 6 Comments

Hurraw Lip BalmsSee, this is one of my issues. When something is very cheap and very good, it somehow disables my inner censor that tells me, “No. You do not need them all.” Anyway. Hurraw! is a vegan lip balm brand based in a tiny ski town called Whitefish in Montana, USA. All Hurraw! lip balm ingredients are vegan, raw, certified organic and/or fair-trade. Standard lip balms cost $3.79USD and fancy ones – with sunscreen or a richer formula for night-time – cost $4.29USD.

Hurraw! lip balms are made by infusing oils with a range of fruit zests, seeds, pods, barks, and roots (for a better explanation, see here). There’s a cleverly-edited selection of scents and flavours: bright, zingy flavours like mint, lemon, lime; afternoon tea flavours like Earl Grey tea, coffee bean, spiced chai; soft, sweet flavours like vanilla bean, chocolate, almond. None of the flavours are overly sweet. I miraculously narrowed my selection to five lip balms – Moon Balm, Chai Spice, Coconut, Earl Grey, and Lime.

Shipping was $6.35USD and my order took about a week and half to arrive from the US. I got a kick out of the fact someone had annotated my receipt, writing ‘Made today!‘ next to Chai Spice and ‘LOVE!’ next to Moon Balm. Good job on congratulating me on my choices, Hurraw!, it has totally enabled my continued stalking of your website. The lip balms feel lovely to wear and they withstand better than regular lip balms; it was 44 degrees Celsius here yesterday and they coped admirably.

In conclusion, get some of these lip balms. If you don’t want to order them straight from the source, Australian natural health and beauty store Relauncher also stocks some of the flavours (for $6.95AUD each with free shipping).

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Pop of Pink: Vegan & Sustainable Shoes Under $100

January 12, 2013 by 3 Comments
Pop of Pink

For most of the year, I wear pretty much the same thing every day: blue skinny jeans and a grey or white tee-shirt. Depending on the weather, add or subtract a grey or beige cardigan or jumper. I’ve come to develop a deep appreciation for brightly-coloured scarves as a way of distracting people from the fact I’ve been wearing essentially the same outfit since time immemorial. I’ve been gravitating towards brightly-coloured shoes lately too (see: my Pinterest) for the same reason. I hate that pink is thought of as a ‘girls’ colour’ (still?!), but I love the colour itself – so bright and happy.

1. TOMS Shoes Indo Women’s Vegan Classics ($51.25AUD)
For every pair of TOMS Shoes sold, they donate a pair to a child in need (see here for more information about how it works). So, you get to help a child and also own a pair of super-cute pink Aztec print shoes — double win. These shoes are vegan.

2. Melissa Ultragirl Glitter II Ballet Flats ($69AUD)
I featured the gold glitter version of these Melissa shoes in my Sparkly and Sustainable New Year’s Eve post. Melissa shoes are made from recycled and recyclable plastic. Have I mentioned that they smell like bubblegum? These shoes are vegan.

3. Olsenhaus Vegan Journey Thong Sandals in Pink ($91.80AUD)
Olsenhaus is a US-based vegan shoe brand. I think their ‘About’ page is vaguely insane, but hey, their products tick my boxes (so to speak) and these Summer sandals are cute (and a bit more subtle than the rest of my selection). These shoes are vegan.

4. FAIR+TRUE Upcycled Vegan Thong Sandal in Multi ($65.80AUD)
FAIR+TRUE is a sweet up-and-coming sustainable fashion brand based in the UK. These shoes are made in a fair-trade arrangement in Vietnam using recycled fabric. Are they thongs? Are they sandals? Either way, can I get away with wearing them to work? I’m asking the hard-hitting questions.

5. Lalesso African Print Ballet Pumps in Pink ($46AUD)
Lalesso is a South African fair-trade fashion brand formed by two young women named Alice Heusser and Olivia Kennaway. All of their products are made in a fair-trade arrangement in Kenya. I just like everything about these and I want them on my feet right now. These shoes are not vegan (sorry!).

Pink shoes — yay or nay?

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My First iHerb Haul + Discount Code

January 10, 2013 by 2 Comments

0S7A9044iHerb is a US-based online natural health superstore that stocks over 35,00 products across a range of categeories, such as beauty (yay!), food and grocery (yay!), and supplements (not really my style, but yay anyway!). The products are generally cheaper than you would find in Australia and shipping to Australia starts at $5.70AUD (for orders weighing in at less than 1.8kg).

I thought it’d be easy to keep my order under that weight, but an hour of frenzied clicking later, I had to do a soul-crushing cull. I’ll be back for you, all other 34,992 available items! I put in my order on December 30 2012 and it arrived on January 10 2013 — I think eleven days isn’t bad for standard shipping all the way from the US *IMAGINES OCEAN LINER MAJESTICALLY TRAVERSING THE OCEAN*.

My first iHerb order included vegan faux-chicken ramen and pad thai for sneaky late-afternoon work snacks; faux-chicken stock cubes for making faux-chicken noodle soup; the next step in my relentless pursuit of the perfect vegan marshmallow; sleep balm for an upcoming article on sleepy-time goodies; certified organic and sulfate-free hand wash; an experiment in water-based nail polish; and some hippy deodorant:

Dr. McDougall’s Vegan Chicken Ramen ($1.65AUD)

Dr. McDougall’s Pad Thai Noodle ($1.65AUD)

Edward & Sons Not-Chick’n Bouillon Cubes ($2.40AUD)

Dandies Air-Puffed Marshmallows in Classic Vanilla ($3.80AUD)

Badger Company Lavender and Bergamot Sleep Balm ($8.50AUD)

Organic Indulgence Foaming Hand Wash in Sweet Cherry & Almond ($5.80AUD)

Honeybee Gardens WaterColours Water-Based Nail Enamel in Hippy Chick ($7.10AUD)

Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant ($11.65AUD)

First-time customers will receive $10USD off their order of $40USD or more, or $5USD off their order of less than $40USD, with the code VCR843.

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New Year’s Eve Nails of the Day

December 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Mirenesse Bullet Proof Nail Lacquer in Charleston Me

It’s time to get glittery! This is two coats of Mirenesse Bullet Proof Nail Lacquer in Charleston Me* ($29.95 AUD) — a complex mixture of purple and silver micro-glitter in a darkened purple base —  topped with a coat of ELES Mineral Makeup Rapid Dry Finish* ($21 AUD). If the finish looks slightly lumpy, it’s probably because I’m slovenly and painted over the top of my chipped Christmas manicure.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

* These products were provided for consideration in accordance with the Disclosure Policy. Both Mirenesse and ELES Mineral Makeup are cruelty-free brands. Mirenesse is a vegan brand. 

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A Sparkly & Sustainable New Year’s Eve

December 27, 2012 by 3 Comments
Eco-friendly/ethical New Year's Eve

I have a history of utterly rubbish New Year’s Eves. Some of the more spectacular events over the years include: poisoning myself and feeling certain that I was actually dying and WHAT WOULD MY MOTHER THINK (spoiler: I survived); being stood up by my then-boyfriend at midnight and having to catch the bus home alone and unhinged; travelling interstate with my best friend to celebrate the occasion, only to have her fall and hit her head on the edge of a gutter and spend the rest of the night in the emergency department. Sigh. As I’ve gotten older (and more antisocial), I’ve opted for low-key celebrations that tend to minimize any chance of disaster. I think last year I may’ve even had a nice time. This is a recipe for a sparkly and sustainable New Year’s Eve — just add your beloved and champagne.

1. Lush Party Popper Bath Ballistic ($2.95 AUD)
It’s time for me to admit that my kind of New Year’s Eve party is a bubble bath party for one. Possibly two, if Johanis becomes too jealous of my bright pink and purple citrus-scented lagoon. I don’t know when I became an actual hermit but the transition seems to be complete.

2. Made Nyota Recycled Brass Earrings ($28 AUD)
These dear earrings are made from recycled brass. Made is an UK-based fairtrade accessories brand and all of their products are made in a workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. Prices range from approximately $19 AUD to $210 AUD and shipping to Australia is at a flat rate of approximately $25 AUD. You can also find some Made products on ASOS here.

3. People Tree Confetti Print Sleeveless Dress ($42.75 AUD)
This 100% organic cotton confetti-print dress is literally a walking celebration. People Tree are a pioneering UK-based fair-trade and sustainable fashion brand that work with producers in fifteen developing countries. People Tree is my favourite fashion brand at the moment and the reverse seasons mean that what I want to buy is always on sale. Score. Shipping to Australia is at a flat rate of approximately $15 and you can also find some People Tree products on ASOS here.

4. Melissa Ultragirl Glitter Flatties in Gold Glitter ($75 AUD)
Nothing says New Year’s Eve like a glitterbomb in bubblegum-scented shoe form. All Melissa shoes are vegan and constructed from a malleable PVC that is comfortable to wear and completely recyclable. The closed styles have in-built air holes, in order to avoid the dreaded stinky-foot. I feel like plastic isn’t the most eco-friendly material out there, but Melissa operates with a zero-waste model that includes recycling all factory waste and recycling overstock shoes from last season into new styles. Prices range from $24.95 AUD to $385 AUD. Shipping within Australia is free and you can also find some Melissa products on ASOS here.

5. Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Mood & Glow Boosting Blush in Rose* ($21.95 AUD)
So, we’ve now reached a point in marketing where a beauty brand is literally selling us happiness. That aside, Physician’s Formula is one of my favourite animal testing-free beauty brands: what’s not to love about kitsch hot pink foil packaging, love hearts, and the scent of violets? If you’re raising your eyebrow right now, just know that I am disappointed in you. Swirled together with a blush brush (which are currently on sale from vegan brand Furless Cosmetics^) the individual colours create a clean bright pink.

6. Natio Rich Colour Creme Gloss in Alive* ($15.95 AUD)
Is it just me who thinks Australian cruelty-free beauty brand Natio is staging a bit of a comeback recently — particularly with their lip products? I know it’s totally obvious to feature a classic red lip for New Year’s Eve but I cannot help myself. Even if you’re celebrating in the bath, New Year’s Eve is a fancy time. Natio are serious when they say rich colour, by the way: this lip gloss is an opaque bold pink-red.

Here are arm swatches of Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose and Natio Rich Colour Creme Gloss in Alive:

Physician's Formula Happy Booster Mood & Glow Enhancing Blush in Rose and Natio Rich Colour Lip Gloss in Alive

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?

P.S. Check out Planet Ark’s Festive Season Green Guide — it’s a comprehensive but totally user-friendly guide to reducing your environmental impact over the holiday season.

* These products were provided for consideration in accordance with the Disclosure Policy.

^ This is an affiliate link. If you use this link to make a purchase, I receive a percentage of the existing sale price.

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Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion Loves Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB)

July 16, 2012 by 4 Comments

Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion

As our skin faces extreme elements such as winter’s cold winds, we can experience dull, parched skin. Enriched with a delicate infusion of aloe vera, nettle, horsetail and burdock combined with rosehip, avocado and jojoba oils to hydrate thirsty skin and improve elasticity. Suitable for all skins types.

During July and August 2012, Sukin will be donating $1AUD from the sale of each Hydrating Body Lotion ($19.95 AUD/500mL) to Keep Australia Beautiful. Sukin’s fundraising campaign coincides with Keep Australia Beautiful Week (August 20-26), which aims to remind people about the simple things they can do in their daily lives to reduce their impact on the environment. Do you remember going on excursions to pick up rubbish in primary school during Keep Australia Beautiful Week? Maybe it was just my school that used us a tiny chain gang.

Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion is an easily-absorbed, medium-weight body lotion with the distinctive Sukin fragrance – mandarin, lavender, vanilla. Sukin is one of my favourite Australian skincare brands; each product is formulated without sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, artificial colours or fragrances (and a whole bunch of other ingredients I’d rather be without). Sukin is also 100% carbon neutral and 100% vegan.

Note: Sukin do not conduct animal testing or used animal-derived ingredients. This product was provided for consideration in accordance with the Disclosure Policy.

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