Review and Giveaway and Discount Code: Blue Oak Valley's Lilly Range (Personal Care)

I am honoured when I was told that I'm the first person to review Blue Oak Valley's Lilly Personal Care Range. I'm also happy because it's a package for the mummy (me!) and not for my kids, which is rare! With this product range, it is also the first time I'm using organic body care products.


So what is Blue Oak Valley (BOV)?

Blue Oak Valley is a Malaysian company that specialises in organic, cruelty-free and natural products. Entirely plant-based, it is eco-friendly and aims to reduce the use of packing material, source-sustainable ingredients and recycle waste.

BOV commitment is that they use the finest natural ingredients which have been sourced from proven and effective botanical extracts from all over the world. BOV only uses ingredients that are 100% natural and certified organic by authorized agencies. They build partnership with suppliers and farms that share their vision and commitment, and believe in the numerous benefits of organic personal care and home care products. BOV selects ingredients for their efficacy and real benefit rather than their aesthetic value.

Their philosophy says that BOV only uses active ingredients from naturally and organically grown plants. They do not use any animal products, silicones, chemical sunscreens, paraben preservatives, phthalates and petrochemicals. BOV products are non-allergenic, SLS and SLES free, Alcohol-free, and also 100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Their slogan 'Organics For Life' says everything about them with their note to the customers "each time you use our products, you are helping to mantain a healthier and sustainable environment, home and lifestyle. One by one we can change the world and make it a better place."

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I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package and saw this nice BOV organizer bag that comes with the Lilly range of products. Wah...something unexpected and kinda made my day! Everybody loves a good surprise!

This organizer bag is really useful (I've never owned an organizer bag before!), and now sits inside my Longchamp bag as it helps to organize my stuff.  How handy is that.

So these are the 4 bottles that I received for reviews.
Scalp Cleansing Shampoo Organics, Conditioner Organics, Hand and Body Lotion Organics, and Body Cleanser Organics.

Some of the salient feathures for all BOV products:

Energized (BAE technology)

Hypo-allergenic

No artificial colours or fragrances

No Petrochemicals

No Parabens or Pthalates

No animal by-products

No Animal testing

SLS and SLES free

So let's get on with the reviews on each product:


1) Scalp Cleansing Shampoo Organics

INGREDIENTSAqua, Herbal Extract Mixture: Soap Bark Tree, Horsetail, Burdock*, Wheat Amino Acids*, Quaternized Coconut Foaming Oil, Wheat Germ Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis*, Glycerin, Grape-fruit Seed Extract*, Lactic Acid, Dlyceryl Cocoate, Soy Lecithin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Essential Oils*.(*Certified Organic)

The first thing I noticed when I used this was the smell. I didn't know herb-infused shampoo can smell this nice. I was pleasantly surprised! It smells so raw and herbal yet fragrantly mild.

With my hair cropped shorter now (shoulder length), I only needed 1 pump and it is enough for my hair. Maybe because the fact that I've got little hair too. But it sure is lasting.
I'm also surprised that it lathers quite well for an organic shampoo. Usually my kids' organics shampoo don't lather much.

I haven't used organics shampoo on myself before and I must say that my hair is loving it. I used to have oily scalp, and before end of the day, my hair especially my fringe is very oily and I hated it. But now I feel my hair is less oily at the end of the day.
This pure formula is made with raw and active plant ingredients that strengthen, protect and moisturize hair to leave it soft and full of body.

I am also someone who washes my hair daily, and now with organics shampoo, I feel more safe to be washing it all the time without harmful chemicals stripping my hair off their natural state. And I feel really fresh after a hair wash. Totally loving it!


2. Conditioner Organics

INGREDIENTS
Aqua, Chamomile*, Horse Chestnut, Nettle, Burdock*, Wheat Amino Acids*, Lavender Oil*, Mandarin Oil*, Jojoba Oil*, Soy Lecithin, Vitamin E*, Aloe Vera Powder, Grapefruit Seed   Extract*, Olive Oil*, Wheat Germ Extract*, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Centrimonium Chloride, Macadamia Oil (*Certified Organic)

It has the same nice raw, herbal-infused smell as the shampoo, so my nose is liking it.
But unlike the shampoo, I need a few more pumps to cover my hair ends. The conditioner is rather runny. So although it says that it is a concentrated conditioner, the runny liquidity makes me feel that it is not concentrated enough, so I tend to use a little bit more than what the instruction says. It takes about 2-3 pumps before I felt my hair ends goes all shiny and coated with the hair conditioner. I'm not sure if it is just me, but I always tend to finish my hair conditioner way much faster than my shampoo. Not just this brand, but same applies for me for other brands too. Ratio is about 1:1/2. I finish my hair conditioner and I still have about 1/2 bottle of shampoo left every time. So maybe it is just a me kinda problem. Anyway, just to let you people know. 

But after using it, it tames my dry ends and gives my hair a healthy shine with this strengthening conditioner. It also moisturizes and detangle my hair making me very easy to comb after I pat-dry it. I am someone who cannot live without hair conditioner, or my hair just won't comb. And this one does a good job.

The ingredient which list the jojoba and macademia nut oils nurture and smooth, while wheat and milk proteins helo protect and restore elasticity. Burdock and nettle renew and invigorate hair follicle and scalp, which is why my hair feels good after using it.

3. Body Cleanser Organics

INGREDIENTSAqua, herbal extract mixture: horse chestnut, horsetail, nettle, burdock*, jojoba oil*, macadamia oil*, lecithin, guar gum, lactic acid, grapefruit seed extract*, soap bark tree, hydroxymethylglycinate, cocoamidopropyl betaine, quaternized coconut foaming oil, wheat germ extract*, aloe barbadensis*, glycerin, essential oil* (*CERTIFIED ORGANIC)

This is my favourite in this range. This body cleanser is an exclusive blend of pure natural, herbal and organic ingredients and natural foaming substances, with the same pleasant raw, herbal-infused smell as the other products of this range.
And just like the shampoo, it only requires very little amount and is enough to cover my whole body from head to toe. Another thrifty product :)

Using this body cleanser, with its smell and all, it makes me think back of the time when I was in Tanjung Rhu Resort, as the hotel also uses such herb-infused smell body shampoo. It gives me a luxurious feeling and I feel great after every use.
It also leaves a lingering smell after shower. Nothing too strong, just a mild fragrant of the pleasant herbal-infused smell that I love.

It somewhat has the spa-like smell and feeling whenever I use this body cleanser. You know when you go for spas, they tend to use those herb-infused body oils when giving you massages. And after that they also use herb-infused body wash when you go for a bath/shower. Yes, that is the kind of smell and feeling I've got when I use this body cleanser. So that is why this is my favourite product. It gives me a luxurious feel to it!

I tend to use this more often, especially when I bathe at least twice a day. I only wash my hair once every day, but I never fail to use this body cleanser every time I bathe so that I emerge clean and nice-smelling after my shower. And since this is organic, I use it with peace knowing that it does not contain harmful substances. Love it!

4. Body Lotion Organics

INGREDIENTSAqua, Herbal Extract Mixture: Witch Hazel, Calendula*, Marshmallow, Safflower Oil*, Glyc-erin, Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Extract*, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethyl-glycinate, Jojoba Oil*, Chamomile*, Stearic Acid Triple Press, Refined Palm Kernal Oil, Ylang-Ylang*, Wheat Gem Extract*. (*CERTIFIED ORGANIC)

This is another non-greasy lotion that I give a thumbs up to. It is also rather runny, but unlike the hair conditioner, I love this runny milky lotion as it absorbs easily into my skin, especially on my dehydrated legs. My legs must be really 'thirsty' as it just absorbs it super fast like nobody's business. So I lather it on my legs very generously every night, hoping that this would gradually make my legs less dry. It seems to work really well, and I feel the skin on my legs are not so 'tight' anymore.

I also apply this lotion on my body, which I seldom do, but I know I should. So every few days, I would apply this lotion on my whole body after my shower. It is ruch in pure herbal extracts, it moisturizes and nourishes the skin.

Love the smell just like the rest, with the chamomile, aloe extract and ylang-ylang give it a mild exotic floral scent that lingers for quite a while.


GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

I am pleased to announce that Blue Oak Valley is sponsoring 1 set of Lilly Range to 1 winner. This Lilly range set consists of:
- Scalp Cleansing Shampoo Organics (300ml)
- Conditioner Organics (300ml)
- Hand and Body Lotion Organics (300ml)
- Body Cleanser Organics (300ml)

Yes, 1 winner will win this whole set of Lilly range!

HOW TO JOIN

All you need to do is just Like Shu-Yin's Sactuary's Facebook Page, and also Like Blue Oak Valley's Facebook Page and leave a comment in this blog post. It is this easy. Please leave an email address for me to contact you.

This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE!

Giveaway ends on 30th June 2013 11.59pm Malaysian time.

The winner will be chosen randomly on 1 July 2013 and will be posted in this post and will be contacted via email. If no reply from the winner within 48 hours, then I will announce for a new winner.


TO PURCHASE WITH DISCOUNT CODE (ONLINE STORE ONLY)

More good news! Thanks to Blue Oak Valley, you get:

- 25% off STOREWIDE at Blue Oak Valley website for 2 weeks special (until 31 June 2013) using discount code SHUYIN25,
- and after that will be 15% off  for 12 months (until 16 June 2014)using discount code SHUYIN2013.
- Only applicable for online sales.


TO PURCHASE AT RETAILER

If you wish to see and hold (and smell!) the products before you make a purchase, BOV products are also available in stores.
Here is the list of retailers:

- Amaryllis Salon & Day Spa
- Rumah Tanjung Day Spa & Salon @ Damansara Heights
- DNA Boutique
- Perfection Hair & Beauty Centre
- BeBe Dream
- Bebe Totz
- Buggy Baby Boogie (online retailer)
- Cotton Picking
- Fabulous Mom
- Fit For Two Fitness Services
- Twins Baby (coming soon)

If you wish to know more on the addresses of these retailers, or if you have any other questions or enquiries, you can send an email to enquiry@blueoakvalley.com


For more info, you can also visit Blue Oak Valley website or their Facebook page.

WINNER(S) ANNOUNCEMENT

Thank you to all who participated in this giveaway. The winner of the Blue Oak Valley's Lilly Range Set is Christine Teo!
Congratulations! You should have received an email from me on how to collect the prize(s).

This Lilly range set consists of:
- Scalp Cleansing Shampoo Organics (300ml)
- Conditioner Organics (300ml)
- Hand and Body Lotion Organics (300ml)
- Body Cleanser Organics (300ml)






* Disclosure: I received the Scalp Cleansing Shampoo Organics (300ml), Conditioner Organics (300ml), Hand and Body Lotion Organics (300ml), and Body Cleanser Organics (300ml) for review purpose, but no monetary incentive was received. All text and opinions are of my own and represents my honest opinion of the product(s).