mellow NOIR: What good are natural cosmetics from “The Lion’s Cave”?

The Germans’ thirst for coffee is felt to be steadily increasing. Hardly anyone can resist this aromatic, brown bean. What many did not know before: With the discarded coffee grounds and its valuable active ingredients, excellent high-quality natural cosmetics can be produced. And that is exactly the idea of ​​the founder.

“mellow NOIR”: that’s behind the product

Julian Köster, founder of sustainable, clean and vegan cosmetics made from coffee grounds, has always been really fascinated by coffee. But nature is also very important to him. Unfortunately, the fact that the small bean is so popular also has its downsides. In Germany, around one million tons of coffee grounds are thrown away every year like a waste product. The thought of converting and refining the residual materials into high-quality materials, probably more of a wishful thinking for many – but not for Julian Köster, because he spent weeks and months grappling with the properties of coffee.
Also noteworthy: Due to unavoidable emissions, the founder donates to selected and certified climate protection projects. In addition, for each Product of “mellow NOIR” donated a tree.

The coffee oil contained in coffee grounds has a special effect on the skin. It contains valuable fats that naturally strengthen the skin’s barrier and help the skin retain moisture. The coffee oil has an antioxidant effect and helps the skin to regenerate quickly. At the same time, it stimulates the body to produce collagen, which can make the skin firmer. And the best thing is, our raw material does not have to be specially produced. mellow NOIR is a product that, thanks to its effectiveness and sustainability, does something good for the skin, the environment and other people.

“mellow NOIR” on “Die Höhle der Löwen”

With his product, he proves that valuable coffee oil becomes an important trendy ingredient after upcycling. In this way, he combines sustainability with natural cosmetics and directly makes the world a bit better. This means that nobody has to go without their coffee, but they can still think about what to do with the coffee grounds afterwards (e.g. use it for their own compost to achieve nutrient-rich soil) and protect the environment. But can the founder of “Die Höhle der Löwen” also convince the investors with his idea?

Judith Williams from “Die Höhle der Löwen” was the happy lioness out of three offers that the founder ultimately decided on. She has decades of experience in the beauty sector and was the founder’s dream investor right from the start.

Sustainability has been an important issue for my company for 23 years. Upcycling is the most sustainable production process for organic cosmetic products. I am therefore happy about every sustainable product that makes our life better. That’s why mellow NOIR not only thrilled me, it really blew me away. Developing natural cosmetics from high-quality raw materials that would otherwise be thrown away is gigantic.

This is what natural cosmetics promise

How are sustainable cosmetics used and for whom are they suitable?

Facial moisturizer

For best results, you can use one to three pumps of the Facial moisturizers Massage gently into cleansed facial skin every morning and evening. The fluid is also suitable as a make-up base.
It is recommended for sensitive, mature, dry, normal skin, combination skin and men’s skin.

Vitamin C serum

The Vitamin C serum you can apply it gently to the cleansed facial skin with two to three pumps in the morning and evening and massage it in – ideally before you use the day or night care. Like the cream, the serum is suitable for mature, sensitive, dry and normal skin, but also for combination skin and men’s skin.

Concentrated Booster

From Concentrated Booster Apply one or two drops to the cleansed eye area in the morning and evening and pat it on the skin area. The pipette helps you to keep an eye on the amount. Tip: If you not only want to do something about dark circles, but also treat an angry wrinkle, laughing line or forehead wrinkle or simply dry areas of skin, then you can use the booster.

“mellow NOIR” in the BRIGITTE TEST

For my BRIGITTE test I get three different products from “mellow NOIR”: Facial Moisturizer, Vitamin C Serum and Concentrated Booster.
Above all, the cream should provide the skin with sufficient moisture for up to 24 hours, care for it and protect it from stress factors and harmful environmental influences. The vitamin C serum is supposed to prevent light-induced skin aging and alleviate oxidative stress as well as ensure radiantly beautiful skin. The Concentrated Booster is supposed to tighten the skin immediately and make the face look awake and lively.

But do the beauty products by “mellow NOIR” from “The Lion’s Den” really do what they promise? And can they convince at the end of the test?

The first impression

When unpacking the package, I am thrilled, because the natural cosmetics are packed in a sustainable cardboard box – without any plastic – and the three different beauty products come in glass bottles. The founder of “mellow NOIR” from “Die Höhle der Löwen” has already convinced me. But what about natural cosmetics?

Facial moisturizer

The moisturizing day and night fluid from “mellow NOIR” comes in a 50 ml clear glass bottle with a pump head to my home. I get the first important information (also in English) as well as the ingredients relating to care on the back of the product. I am only looking in vain for application help. Instead, I discover the small, important note that the cream should not be stored above 25 degrees.

Vitamin C serum

The Vitamin C Serum from “mellow NOIR” is in a white 30 ml bottle, also with a pump head contain. On the back of the natural cosmetics I read more about the effect of the serum, discover the ingredients and look forward to instructions on how to use it.

Concentrated Booster

The concentrated booster from “mellow NOIR” is located in a 15 ml milky glass with a pipette. On the back of the product, probably due to its small size, only the ingredients are listed.

During the application

Facial moisturizer

The fluid is rich, but absorbed quickly and leaves no shine on my face. The slight smell is of course similar to that of coffee, but is by no means unpleasant or even penetrative. After applying it several times, even I, as a non-coffee drinker, quickly get used to the slight smell. The fact that the fluid provides the skin with a lot of moisture is definitely true, because my face feels good all day long, without my skin starting to stretch or dry out. And after the cream has been able to soak in for a few minutes, I can also apply my make-up without any problems.

Vitamin C serum

Unfortunately, the pump head and I have a bit of a hard time with the vitamin C serum, because when I pump the pump, something of the serum is constantly missing instead of on the palm of my hand. That’s annoying, but there are definitely worse things. The serum is coming slightly yellowish therefore and has a pleasant, light coffee scent like the fluid above. From the feeling it definitely takes a little longer to fully absorbwithout leaving a sticky film on the skin. With the Facial Moisturizer as care afterwards, the two care products work well together, pampering my skin with moisture throughout the day – without making it shine.

Concentrated Booster

The booster is a real miracle that one had to wait a long time for because after applying a drop to each eye area and massaging it around the eye area, it really doesn’t take long before my skin in this area completely tightened is. I am so convinced of this product that my enthusiasm spills over into my husband and I should always use the booster on him in the morning – with success, because he also praises the booster. We would love not to walk around without him at all. The booster from “mellow NOIR” hardly smells, is quickly absorbed and pleasantly cools the skin.

“mellow NOIR”: My conclusion

Even if I’m not a fan of coffee at all – what my family and friends still don’t understand today, “mellow NOIR” was able to totally convince me with their natural cosmetics. I get used to the slight smell of coffee quickly and natural cosmetics do what they promise. That is great and unfortunately not necessarily taken for granted in the beauty sector today! The three care products are in harmony with each other a great set that I would not want to do without in the future, regardless of whether my skin is dry or tends to have combination skin, because it is almost always suitable. A great plus point for making as many skin types as possible happy.

Did you miss an episode or want an overview? All further information about “The Lion’s Den” can be found here.

Sources used: The lion’s den, Vox, mellow NOIR