Memebox Global #12 Unboxing and Review

happy weekend everyone!  today i'll be reviewing Memebox #12 (part of their standard series of memeboxes).  i'll spare you the description of what memebox is and will direct you to my last few posts if you're curious (and please do check it out if you don't know what it is - it's awesome!)

without further delay: memebox 12!

First up we have:

1.  Ryo Anti-Hair Loss Treatment ($3 value)

Description: Infused with biota seed, coix seed, green tea and gold extracts, this hair treatment will not only prevent hair loss but also re-energize and strengthen thin, damaged hair. Its excellent cooling formula will gently soothe and nourish your scalp at the same time.

Thoughts: I don't really have any use for an anti-hair loss treatment, unfortunately (fortunate really) so I will probably give this away.  I've heard it smells strongly of ginseng, so even if it works well as an overall hair treatment, I probably wouldn't love it anyway.  The ingredients looked interesting though, so I looked up a few of them.  Biota seed is apparently often used for hair loss and baldness, but it has also been recommended to prevent the graying of hair (source), which sounds good to me!  I recently realized my gray hair count went up from 1 to 3 so while I'm not really worried about it now, two more years of this new job of mine and I might need this... Coix seed is also known as Job's Tears, allegedly to represent the tears Job shed through all his suffering.  I'm curious about 1) who saw these seeds and said "you know what? These don't just look like tears - they look like Job's tears and 2) who said "hmm these seeds of suffering sound like the perfect remedy to my sad, balding head".  According to this site, coix seed is valued for its "cooling" property, so I guess that's where the cooling comes into this product, though I'm not sure how that helps with hair loss.  It's also supposed to have a number of other benefits, though none I saw that had anything to do with hair.  Green tea, on the other hand, seems to be touted all over the place as a hair growth stimulant, though it looks like it may be related to increasing testosterone, which I'm guessing many Memebox fans have on interest in.  That being said, I doubt the topical use of a hair mask would be potent enough to affect anyone's hormones.  Last but not least (or perhaps it is the least (effective)), I haven't seen anything on gold extract (and honestly I'm not really sure what it is) so I kind of feel like it's either poorly translated or just there for show.

2.  banila co. Claypatra Mineral Salt Clay Pack ($2.52 value)

Description: The 100% pure mud extracted straight from the Dead Sea (consisting of 32% salt and minerals) effectively removes any excess sebum, dead skin and external pollutants clogged up in your pores.  The mineral-rich formula also delivers deep hydration and nourishment to the skin.

Thoughts: I'm a skincare junkie, so this was my favorite product in the box.  I found it a little bit disappointing, though, that not only was it a pretty small container from the get go, but when you turn it upside down, you see that the interior of the jar is even smaller.  Given how little product there is to start with, that extra unused space could be one more application of this mask!  Which is unfortunate, particularly since I liked it the first time I used it.  It was very creamy and didn't tingle like some other mud masks, nor did it feel like it was pulling on my skin once it dried.  I left it on for about ten minutes and when I washed it off, my skin felt pretty smooth.  What I was more impressed with was that my pores actually seemed to look tighter and cleaner (unlike when I use the Originals charcoal mask, which seems to draw everything in my pores to the surface but then leaves it there, making my nose look like a sebum version of Whack-a-mole).  I'll have to see if I still feel that way after using it a few times, but as of right now I'm pretty excited to keep using it, and may end up buying the full size if it keeps up.

3.  Plagentra White Mark Cream (plus foils of the cream, lotion and massage gel) ($5.7 value + some foil packets)

Description for the cream: Ever been stressed over stretch marks on your belly or on your thighs?  Plagentra's White Mark Cream will be your life-saver, with its scientifically approved formula to treat overly stretched skin and balance out any uneven skin tone on your body.

The foil packets were technically listed as a separate item, except that we were instructed to use the cream (bottle) on any areas with stretch marks, whereas the instructions for the packets say to apply the lotion and cream over your face, and then massage the gel on your thighs and legs.

Thoughts: First of all, I would not put stretch mark cream on my face.  This may be just a psychological thing - if they had just marketed it as a cream that targets uneven skin tone that can also be used on your body, I would try it on my face in a heartbeat.  But since it seems to be for stretchmarks and primarily for your body, I'm hesitant to use it on my face.  Also, this seems to be a three-step process - the cream is labeled step I, the lotion Step II, and the massage gel Step III - but the instructions and my instinct are all out of synch. First of all, I would typically expect to start from the lightest (the gel) and end with the heaviest (the cream).  Second, the instructions from Memebox don't indicate that you use these together, aside from applying both the lotion and cream to your face.  Lastly, it's unclear if these are supposed to do different things, but looking online at the manufacturer's website, it appears that the massage gel prevents and reduces stretch marks and helps slim thighs and calves with the "lymph drainage through cool massage and shrinkage of skin". Yea, ok. I'll report back to y'all about my newly slim legs next week. Meanwhile, the lotion appears to also prevent stretch marks and also help skin texture and tone (it does contain niacinamide as well as address wrinkles, pigments and "goose bumps".  This one is also said to reduce cellulite through removal of body water and waste in the cellulite layer.  I have a feeling that will be about as effective as the gel. And finally, the cream seems to be intended for older stretch marks.  I'm actually relieved that this one doesn't also promise some sort of slimming effect, though I still don't expect to see any different from using 15g of this stuff.

4.  L.vida Nail Polish (in Hyacinth Bouquet) ($7)

Do you need a description? This is nail polish. It is blue.  It comes in a pretty bottle.  I'll probably give this away as it's not a color I'll really use, but it seems like a good enough polish. The picture is one coat, and no top coat.

5.  Inter-cos Smooth Sensitive Removal Cream (250 ml (full size) - $43 according to Memebox)

Description: This unique spray-type removal cream allows you to remove any unwanted hair from even the most sensitive areas of the body.

Thoughts: $43 for hair removal cream seems a bit high to me, and I can't say the packaging makes it look particularly luxurious.  It is a pretty large bottle though, so I will get a lot of uses out of this.  Memebox is notorious for marking up the prices on these info cards, so I wouldn't be surprised if the retail value is actually less than this.  In any case, this is indeed a spray-on hair removal cream, presumably so designed to minimize the mess and getting it all over your hands.  That being said, I'm not a huge fan of the spray design.  I don't think a spray is a very good delivery system for cream - this comes out kind of thick, so I ended up with a very uneven layer on my skin - I kind of had splotches with big clumps of lotion and other areas that barely got any.  To get a thick layer all over, I think I'd have to spray a ton, which would ultimately waste product. Also, it's kind of drippy, so I would spray in one area but if I sprayed a lot, it would start dripping down instead of staying in place.  I think I might just spray into my hand next time and then apply that way for more control.  Anyway, Memebox says to leave it on for 15-20 minutes then wipe away, and that you may have to use it more than once for "perfect removal".  The bottle says to leave on for 5 minutes and then test to see if the hair comes off when you scrape it with one of the popsicle sticks, then leave on for another 1-2/5 minutes (it's not really clear) if you need more time.  Silly me, I thought I should follow the manufacturer's instructions because they must know what they're talking about.  Sadly, my hair did not really come off after 5 minutes and upon discovering this I had to reapply where I had scraped off, so I let it sit for another 5, then jumped in the shower because I was tired of it dripping everywhere.  At that point I still kind of had to scrub a bit to get the hair off, and it definitely left quite a bit.  That being said, it definitely did work, but I think next time I'll just leave it on for the full 20 (it didn't irritate my skin at all) and I think it should be pretty effective.

6.  Palan Crysence Organic Essence (120 ml (full size), $60)

Description: Highly praised by beauty experts and hair designers, Palan's famous hair essence is a non-greasy lotion type treatment for dry, damaged hair that you don't have to wash off.  Made from natural herbal ingredients, it's extremely gentle and deeply moisturizing.

Thoughts: Really Memebox?  Labeling this as being worth $72 when it says on the box itself that the price is $60?  Whatever, doesn't bother me, but it's just careless on their part.  It is a nice sleek (and quite large) bottle (and very substantial) and I very much appreciate that it comes with a little plastic stopper that keeps the pump from being pumped inadvertently (great for travel!).  Anyway, I was not particularly excited about this since my hair is already fairly healthy and I don't really use leave in hair products (or if I do, I use Beauty Protector, which I already love) because they tend to just weigh my hair down or make it greasy, and rarely have a positive effect.  So I was going to give this away, but for some reason I just couldn't resist trying it out (for the sake of the blog, of course).  It's a white lotion-type essence, similar to a lot of other leave-in conditioners out there.  I wouldn't say I love the smell, which is hard to describe but kind of like your average hair product with a slight herbal hint) but it's not bad either, and it's very faint and does not linger in my hair.  As for the product itself, I put in a quarter sized amount in my almost dry, medium length hair, and it actually did make my hair softer.  It didn't seem to do much else (but I don't style my hair either - just air dry) but I like soft hair, so I guess maybe I'll actually use up the rest of this.

Final verdict: this was not the most exciting box for me, given that almost all of the value of the box lies in the hair removal spray and hair essence, both of which I will use but neither of which will have me jumping for joy.  Throw in the anti-hair loss treatment, and you've got a pretty heavy hair-care oriented box.  Given that Memebox sells specific Hair and Body boxes that you can buy if those are your interests, it's a bit disappointing to see so much hair-related stuff in this box (though to be fair, the spray is really a body product, but if you then add in the stretch mark cream, this is that much closer to a Hair + Body box).  I also wish there were more skincare (or at least a bigger sample of the Claypatra mask!).  One of the biggest draws of Korean beauty products for me is how much they care about their skin, so what I really want is access to some awesome new skincare products.  But oh well, you can't win every time, and it's certainly not a bad box by any means, just not one I'll be remembering for years (or months, or weeks, really, until I get my hands on the next box...) to come.

Let me know if you guys had any thoughts or questions about any of these products as I'd love to hear other opinions!

As I mentioned in my last Memebox post, there are a couple codes I have to share which are still going on:

right now, if you order through here, through July 30 you can get $5 any order of over $100, and you can get $3 off the Bubble Pop Cosmetics Superbox (note: Superboxes are for full-sized products).  this box looks super fun and there are two spoilers already, the Brilliant Sparkling Powder Set and OSEQUE Melting Cleanser:

Brilliant Sparkling Powder Set:
The CO2 bubbles created when you blend the sparkling powders with water will penetrate deep into your skin, effectively removing all pore-clogging impurities and blackheads for good! These sparkling bubbles will not only leave your skin spick-and-span but also deliver deep moisturizing, brightening, and tightening results! 


OSEQUE Melting Cleanser ($40 retail value)
If you’ve experienced any skin irritations, break-outs, or dehydration from using skin stripping cleansers, OSEQUE’s Melting Cleanser is the perfect solution! Deep clean your pores with this gentle cleanser made from Co2 spring water, quillaja treeextracts, and 17 amino acids for a flawless and luminous complexion!
to get the discounts, you can also use the codes AFFILIATE-1806-RSVYH-XRLS for the $5 off $100 and AFFILIATE-5467-FXZ6R-OUBV for the Bubble Pop Box.   hope you enjoyed the review, and stay tuned for more coming up shortly!

July 2014 Birchbox Unboxing

and now for something completely different!

today i received my july birchbox, something i have not yet reviewed.  birchbox was my intro to beauty subscription boxes, and is so far the only one i have stuck with the entire time.  while i get tired and bored of others, something about birchbox just keeps me coming back for more.  perhaps it's the fact that it's only $10 a month, compared to other subscriptions that can be a bit pricier.  or perhaps it's the fact that i generally find myself getting to try a decently wide variety of products with birchbox, and despite the fact that everyone loves getting full sizes, it's actually kind of a relief that you can only fit so much in a birchbox that it can't add too much to my ever-growing hoard of unused products.  or perhaps, and most likely, i LOVE the point system.  basically, you get 4-5 products (sometimes more) every month, and you get 10 points, equivalent to $1 credit in the birchbox shop.  so as long as i do these super quick and easy reviews (really just ratings), i get to enjoy a fun surprise every month, try new beauty products constantly, and ultimately it only costs me about $5 a month.  pretty freakin' awesome if i do say so myself.  on top of which, the point system incentivizes me to actually use the products every month so i can get my points, whereas i have to admit that with other boxes, i sometimes excitedly collect my new products, then shelve them away for the "right time" to use them, only to forget about them while they clutter up my room.

anyways, onto the july box! this month since i got my box before the 10th, i managed to go spoiler free, which hasn't happened in a long time.  it reminded me how fun it is to be totally surprised.  note to self: stop checking spoilers already... in fact, this month birchbox let us choose one sample (or rather, we could choose between two samples, and then choose the color of whichever we picked).  i, however, being careless with my emails, apparently deleted that email without even looking at it, so i didn't even know which one of those i'd be getting.  in any case, here's the box:

from left to right (clockwise) we have:

1.  Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain in Valentine (full size is $20)

this is one samples we could have chosen - it was between the lip stain (two colors) and the Ruffian nail polish (three colors).  at first i wanted the nail polish since i don't use lip stains often, but i'm intrigued by the texture of this. it's creamier than other, gel or liquid based lip stains of tried (benefit and theBalm, in particular).  perhaps because of the texture, it doesn't dry as fast as the benetints which makes it easier to blend, and it also seems less drying.

 apologies for the lighting - i work late hours and rarely have natural light for my photos, so the lip stain is pinker than it appears in these pictures.  this is birchbox's representation of the color, although honestly i think it's more true pink and less orange than that picture looks too.  in any case, it's a fun summer color that's not too bright but can undoubtedly be layered on for even more color, and in an initial swatch on my lips, it does seem less drying than other lip stains, although as someone who is dependent on lip balm, i would definitely layer some balm over this for additional comfort.

as you can see it blends pretty far without leaving stain lines, which i'm pleased with! also the more you blend the more sheer it is, so you can see i blended this a decent amount beyond the initial application and it's still definitely noticeable, but you could easily build up more color with no trouble.

2.  Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel ($48 for full size)

i've gotten a whole lot of peels like this in various subscription boxes over the years - thin gels that instantly start pilling on your skin, claiming that the pilling is your dead skin cells coming off - and this one seems pretty much like the others.  i've always been wary of these, since i read that it's just a chemical reaction in the gel making it ball up on itself. i'm no scientist so i won't make any claims one way or the other.  these types of exfoliants/peels do generally leave my face a bit smoother/softer/less flaky, though how much of it is due to the chemical exfoliation and how much of it is due to the fact that i'm massaging little beads of something around my face for 2 minutes, i don't know. that being said, this did help get rid of some minor flakiness.  however, it also gave me a very mild sensation (i don't want to say burning since it didn't burn, but it was like 5 steps down from burning), so if you have sensitive skin, maybe test this on a small patch first.  final verdict - i will continue to use this up (though there isn't really that much in there, considering they tell you to use a quarter sized amount) but don't think i'll be shelling out $48 for it anytime soon.

3.  NAOBAY Body Radiance Lotion (full size is $24)

to be perfectly honest, i'm always pretty unimpressed and unexcited about getting body lotion in subscription boxes.  i rarely need body lotion on anything but my hands, and even then, i'm rarely impressed with lotion. best case, it gets the job done. worst case, it's too greasy, too watery, too powdery, or smells funky.  so i don't have much to say about this one.  the description says it has olive oil and avocado to naturally hydrate and soften the skin.  this one isn't thick and greasy, which i like, but it's also nothing special for me.  it doesn't seem more hydrating than other lotions i've tried, and i'm not a huge fan of the smell.  it's not bad per se (unless i stick my hand right under my nose, in which case i don't really like it at all. it's not really sweet or floral. i'm not sure it smells like avocado or olive oil either, but it does lean more to the savory side of scents, if that makes any sense...).  it doesn't seem to extend far though - i can only smell it when i press my hand right up against my nose.  ultimately, not a win for me, but that's ok.  lotions never are.

4.  Ofra Universal Eyebrow Pencil (full size! $13)

even if i got no points for this box, this pencil would make up for the entire price of the box, so everything else is basically a freebie (or sweet gwp).  that being said, i have to admit i wasn't giddy with excitement over seeing an eyebrow pencil, since i rarely do anything to my eyebrows besides pluck them, but i actually really like this. the shade is supposedly "universally flattering" (see pic below - it almost looks a little greenish on my screen, but rest assured it's brown).  i can't say if that's true or not, but it definitely worked well with my eyebrows (which are very dark brown).  it went on smoothly and is apparently waterproof, which i guess is good next time i want to go swimming with well defined brows... it says to gently smudge with a small brush, which i feel like kind of defeats the purpose of having a convenient pencil (at least for someone who doesn't really have a real brush set or carry around brushes).  thankfully i discovered it works just as well to just smudge it a bit with my finger (and somehow my finger even came away pretty clean!) minimal effort, and my brows actually looked much improved, to my surprise.  given how easy it was and the difference it made, i will probably continue using this regularly (hooray for it being full sized!)

UPDATE: as requested, i've uploaded a photo of my brows with and without the Ofra pencil. the picture on the top is my untouched brows, and the picture on the bottom is with a few swipes of the pencil blended (not very well.. i may have been late to work) by finger.  still looks completely natural, but more defined and less haphazard.  i'm also about as far from being an expert as you could get so it would probably look better in the hands of someone more experienced :)

5.  100% Pure honey cream wash gingerade Shower Gel (full size is $15)

last but not least, we have our "beauty extra" (i.e. what is supposed to be an extra that doesn't count as one of your 4-5 samples).  sometimes these are a bit different than the other samples (e.g. we've gotten pens, drugstore finds, notecards, etc.). this one is pretty in line with normal birchbox samples (i've gotten tons of body washes, and another month i got two identically sized packets of lotion).  body wash is another thing i really do not get excited about.  if it cleans me and doesn't dry or break me out (which is true for basically every body wash i've ever tried) and doesn't smell bad, it's fine with me.  i don't get a kick out of using fancier or nicer body washes.  that being said, "honey cream gingerade" sounds like it could be delicious! i'm not even taking a shower until tomorrow morning but i couldn't resist tearing this open just a tad to see how it smells.  verdict - it smells pretty good.  nothing mindblowing that would make me buy it, but pretty good.  it also looks slightly liquidy for shower gel, but i'll get a better sense of that when i actually use it.

UPDATE: ok, this shower gel is in fact super liquidy.  the information card describes it as a "richly foaming cleanser" and tells you to use sparingly.  that is about as far off from my experience as you could get.  first, i put it onto a spongy-type loofah thing i use, and it basically disappeared.  it soaked right in and i basically felt like i was scratching myself.  there was no lather whatsoever.  so then i used the second packet (i.e. not sparingly) with my hands, and that gave me no lather either, so i basically spread it around until it washed away.  on top of that, the smell? eh.  nothing special.

anyway, that's my july birchbox for you!  if you have any desire to try out birchbox, you can sign up here (warning: referral link). you won't regret it!

Memebox Scentbox #3 Grapefruit Unboxing and Review + coupons

hello again!

today i continue my streak (if you can call it that) of memebox reviews/unboxings.  this time i'd like to show you a new type of box - the scentbox.  a scentbox is, shockingly, a box that's themed around a particular scent.  the first three (perhaps of many) scentboxes memebox offered were rose, baby powder and grapefruit.  i'm not a huge fan of the first two, but i love the smell of grapefruit and at $15 (plus $6.99 shipping) for 3-4 full-deluxe sized products, i couldn't resist (then again, i can't seem to resist memeboxes no matter what the theme or cost, so it's a bit of a moot point).  i won't go into details about memebox again except to say that i'm seriously loving it, and skip to the bottom of this post for some codes/discounts (warning: they are affiliate codes).

anyways, onto the box itself! [apologies in advance for the crappy photos - i wanted to get this out, but getting home at midnight means no natural light...]


at only $15 (compared to normal memeboxes, which are around $23 and go up if they're superboxes or otherwise themed), this scentbox was less chock full than other boxes, which is fair.  the box included the following:

1.  Evas Mimi Lauryne's Dress Perfume Mist de Grapefruit (full size) ($18)

Description: Mimi Lauryne's Dress Perfume Mist is an all-around scented mist for refreshing and riddling of any stenches from your clothes, beddings, curtains, sofas, and even inside your car.  A quick spritz of this citrus juiciness infused with grapefruit, lilac, orange flower, violet, and musk fragrances will lift up your mood and spirit!

 Initial thoughts: soo this is a fancy febreze?  that's the impression i get.  i sprayed this on my pillow and it smells nice enough - not overwhelmingly of grapefruit and more sweet than tart, but nice.  a lot of people seemed really excited about this mist.  i personally thing it's a nice alternative to febreze or other air fresheners but is otherwise pretty unremarkable.  also, the smell didn't seem to last all that long on my pillow.

2.  Kael28 Sun Killing Grapefruit Gel (full size) ($30)

Description: With more than 16,200 mg of real grapefruit extracts packed inside, this all-in-one ultra-hydrating soothing gel combines all the functions of a toner, an emulsion, an essence, a cream, a soothing [sic] and a sleeping pack. Deliver deep hydration and treat signs of aging with this multi-player!

 Initial thoughts: first of all, what is "sun killing gel"? does it kill the sun? does it kill my skin? is it for skin killed by the sun?  i'm just not sure. second, i'm assuming they're using the comma in the non-american way (i.e., 16.200 grams rather than 16,200).  sixteen thousand grams of extract would be a whoole lot of grapefruit extract.  third, it's a pretty lofty claim to call this a toner/emulsion/essence/cream/soothing (a soothing what? what is a soothing...) and sleeping pack.  to me it honestly seems like a glorified (but admittedly nicer) aloe gel for sun burnt skin.  this website has a bit more information, including that the grapefruit has a "trouble-soothing effect" [sic] on acne, but that it also makes skin shiny.  i'm guessing they mean in the "dewy" sense of the word that seems to be all the range in asia right now, but i am unfortunately good on the dewiness and have no lack of shine in my life.  so i will probably not be using this on my face, although maybe if i'm feeling reckless i'll try it overnight.   i did try it on my body, and it is in fact similar in consistency to aloe.  it absorbs fairly quickly but didn't leave my skin feeling particularly moisturized, and also left a very mild sensation on my leg - not burning, but a very very mild version of it.  which reminds me, i'm not sure i'd want to put something citrusy and acidic on my sunburnt skin... but i guess i'll try it if need be.  in any event, while this may come in handy this summer (or what's left of it), i don't see myself getting a whole lot of use out of it as i won't have many opportunities to get out into the sun, so i'm not particularly thrilled about it.

also, the smell is very very faint, but i suppose i detect a hint of grapefruit.  being a scentbox, though, i'd expect more grapefruity smells...

3.  Sun Smile Hydro Gel Choosy Fruit Lip Mask ($2 each)

Description: Enriched with collagen, vitamen E, and jojoba oil, Hydro Gel Choosy Smile is an easy-to-apply, gel-type lip pack for delivering moisture and vitamin nutrition deep into your dry, chapped lips.

Use: place over lips for 15-30 minutes, then pat in the remaining essence for full absorbance [sic - just trying to stay true to memebox...]

Initial thoughts: i so wanted to try one of these as soon as i opened my box so that i could include a review of it, but considering i only have two, i decided it was a waste to use it right before going to bed.  so i'm going to use it at a time where it might be better appreciated (*date night* ahem) and will report back.  they do look mighty strange though, based on the picture in the corner, so this is definitely a pre date night thing.

also, YOU CAN USE THEM FOR YOUR NIPPLES?? that's... super random.  i think i'll refrain from testing out that use of these lip masks, but hey if anyone was desperately in need of an all-in-one lip/nipple mask, boy are you in for a treat!

final comment: these are labeled as "fruit", and there is no mention of grapefruit.  not that i mind that much, but why were these included?

4.  Happy Fam Deo Fresh Grapefruit ($20 for 20 sheets)

Description: Happy Fam Deo Fresh tissue with its powder formula allows you to quickly and easily refresh your sweaty, smelly under-arms throughout the daytime.

Initial thoughts: wow, memebox really thought we needed help with our bodily issues, huh?  first they give us a mist for our "stenches" and now we get deodorant wipes for our smelly under-arms.  useful for the summer, i suppose.  that being said, while these will certainly get used, i'm also not especially over the moon about these - rarely do i get up in the morning saying "gosh, i can't wait to use my deodorant wipes today!"  but oh well, what can a girl do.  also, i opened up the pack and this doesn't smell strongly of grapefruit either... what gives, memebox?  where are my grapefruit scents??

Final verdict: for ~ 22, i can't say i didn't get my money's worth.  if i wanted all these things, i'd easily pay more than $22 for them.  sadly, however, none of these products really get me going, though they will generally get used.  one thing i do wish though is that, as stated above, there would be MOAR GRAPEFRUIT SMELLS!  i got grapefruit as a theme, but as a scentbox, i felt like it kinda dropped the ball, aside from the mist (which is nice smelling, don't get me wrong, but not strongly grapefruit in my opinion).  but who knows, maybe the lip masks will smell like grapefruit, or maybe these deodorant wipes, when mixed with the stench of my body, will combine into something magical and grapefruity.

________

anyways, onto the coupons!  as part of the memebox affiliate program, i'm pleased to bring you various promotions (to be updated regularly).  right now, if you order through here, through July 30 you can get $5 any order of over $100, and you can get $3 off the Bubble Pop Cosmetics Superbox.  this box looks super fun and the first spoiler is the Brilliant Sparkling Powder Set:

The CO2 bubbles created when you blend the sparkling powders with water will penetrate deep into your skin, effectively removing all pore-clogging impurities and blackheads for good! These sparkling bubbles will not only leave your skin spick-and-span but also deliver deep moisturizing, brightening, and tightening results! 


to get the discounts, you can also use the codes AFFILIATE-1806-RSVYH-XRLS for the $5 off $100 and AFFILIATE-5467-FXZ6R-OUBV for the Bubble Pop Box.   hope you enjoyed the review, and stay tuned for more coming up shortly!

Memebox Global #11 Unboxing and Review

so i am officially obsessed with Memebox.  it is literally my favorite thing right now.  i get so excited when new boxes come out, and don't even get my started on when i'm waiting for one to arrive.  the agony that comes along with not having detailed tracking information in korea or not knowing how long customs will hold onto my package is, well, embarrassing, to say the least.  much like the large pile of hot pink boxes piling up in my room that my roommate undoubtedly thinks is beyond excessive.

anyways, i briefly described Memebox in my last post, but in short, it's a service/shop that sends out tons of curated boxes full of awesome and fascinating korean beauty products.  you buy one-off boxes, so it's not a subscription service, but they release new collections all the time (no really, all the time.  it's really bad for my self-control...).  there's the general Memebox, and then they also have themed or branded boxes that can be really fun. the regular memeboxes tend to be $20-30, but there are plenty of boxes that are cheaper (~$15) or more expensive (for some of the branded or themed boxes, or "superboxes" which are supposed to be full of full-sized products).  it's always been a great value for me - i don't really care about the monetary value of a box, but it's always full of things that more than make up for the price i paid. more importantly, the amount of fun and cool things i get to try (often full sized if not very generously sized) is worth way more than what i pay for it!

anyway, today i'll be showing my Memebox #11 (no theme here). as usual, i am extremely pleased.

as with every memebox, there's a card telling you what everything is and how to use it (super useful if, like me, you can read korean about as well as you can go fishing with your bare hands).  so in this box we have the following:

 1.  Dear By Enprani Believe in a Bottle Moistfull Booskin

Description: Booskin is a word made from combining 'booster' and 'skin toner'. Without the need for a separate toner and a first essence serum, this smart Booskin will relieve your skin with deep hydration and nourishment, boosting up the effects of skincare to its maximum.

The box says "Don't be jealous of her bright and flawless face anymore. The amazing Booskin is prepared for you. This boost

your skin more moist and elastic amazingly [sic everywhere]! 'Believe in the power of Booskin'"

Price: about $23 here (random website so take with a grain of salt) (as usual, i am just pulling these prices as estimates only, because the prices Memebox lists don't always seem accurate)

initial thoughts: Dear By Enprani already seems to have a good reputation for the curiously named Bounce Cheese Cream that everyone seems to rave about (i have yet to try it), so i'm already looking forward to this.  i have a few questions though.  1) why did "toner" not make it into this new word? why not boostoner? 2) what is first essence serum and why do i need to combine these hypothetically separate steps that are currently non-existent in my skin care regimen?  sadly i don't have an answer to the first question, but my impression is that this is supposed to be a combination toner and serum, although to be perfectly honest this doesn't seem like much of a multitasker to me.  but i'm ok with that.  the instructions say to dab on an "adequate amount" as the first step of your skincare routine. i put some on my hand, and it was definitely thicker than a traditional toner, and maybe even thicker than some serums - almost a gel-like liquid. i didn't notice much of a difference on my hand (though to be fair it didn't need any hydration), but i think the more sensitive skin on your face might feel more of a difference.  it was just the tiniest bit sticky, but not necessarily in a bad way, though i'd have to test it out on my entire face to really tell how it affects me.

2.  Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cinema City

Description: Delivering abundant nutrition and moisture to your skin for an egg-smooth texture, this multi-functional CC cream will brighten up your complexion, protect from the sun, and take care of signs of aging as well.

Price: ~$24 at the same random website

initial thoughts: awesome name (what is a dinoplatz? can i have one? i can't decide if it should be some sort of dinosaur accessory or a medical procedure).  super cute packaging.  a dinosaur climbing the empire state building (at least that's what i'll say it is)?  i am on board.  as for the product itself, it seems like it might be a bit light for me (and im pretty light skinned).  my hand is darker than my face though, so i'll have to test it out. as far as texture goes, it didn't seem like it would be cakey, which is good, but my hand is also much smoother than my face, so i have some testing to do.

3.  Hope Girl Nail Travel Bling Bling Set - Sugar Mint

Description: Hope Girl's professional quality nail lacquers are densely pigmented, quick-drying and super long-lasting. The results are unique camera-ready nails just moments after application.

Price: $10 on Memebox (on sale from $14, but $10 is roughly what i found elsewhere)

initial thoughts: cute idea, cute packaging.  i love that they're designed to be able to work together for cool nail art the way it's illustrated on the back of the box. unfortunately, i don't really wear blue or overly sparkly nail polish, so this will be going to someone else, despite my curiosity and desire to play with it just once.





4.  Witch's Pouch Radiant Lolli Tint #3 Funky Bloom

Description: This moist-full lip tint will plump up your lips for a more radiant, younger look.

Price: $14 according to Memebox

 initial thoughts: this is the second lip tint i've received from Memebox, and maybe lip tints just aren't really my thing.  this one has an interesting texture - like the Booskin, it's a bit more gel-like than other tints i've tried.  it also lives up to its name as it most definitely tinted (stained, more like) my hand in the time it took me to take a picture of the non-blended swatch (and has not budged overnight!).  as is the case with a lot of other tints, this one is mildly drying, but nothing a swipe of lip balm on top wouldn't fix.  that being said, i don't think it lives up to its promise of being "moist-full" (side note: where is this word coming from?? it seems to be popping up everywhere in korean beauty products, but i just can't get behind adding "-full" to an adjective.  perhaps if i weren't so tiredfull today i would be more enthusiastic about this.)  anyways, my last comment on this is that the color isn't as bright of a pink on my lips as it is in the container, but, and maybe i'm applying it wrong, it gives me that "i just ate a popsicle" look, which is, interestingly, the same thing the last lip tint did.  this is fine if that's what you're going for (or if you're going for that gradient lip thing that i will never attempt to pull off), but considering i spend most of my time in a conservative office, it's not really what i need on a day to day basis.

5.  illi Fresh Moisture Body Lotion

Description: This gentle, re-hydrating body lotion can be used on both your face and your body.  It will glide over your skin without being sticky and deeply replenish your dry, damaged skin texture.

Price: $22 here

initial thoughts: apparently amore pacific owns illi - who knew? (i don't know why i say this as if i've ever heard of illi before... but shh let me pretend).  love the design. it reminds me of the kind of thing i'd see in Muji (a japanese design store). as for the product itself, it seems pretty unremarkable.  i know a lot of people thought it was actually very drying.  i didn't experience that, it just isn't something i'd go out of my way to buy.  it smells citrusy but not amazing (again, some people complained it smelled too much like cleaning products, but i didn't feel this way).  it was strangely watery/liquidy once i rubbed it in, but it seemed to work just fine.  i don't think i would use this on my face, though that just may be a psychological block against using body lotion on my face.

6.  illi Green Tea Brightening Mask - total aging care

Description: This 100 percent cotton mask drenches the skin with green tea, amino acids, minerals and organic acids, while working to revitalize, comfort and provide intense hydration.  It immediately replenishes dehydrated skin, leaving it refreshed and cool.

Price: $3 each or about $12 for four

initial thoughts: not much to say until i try it, except that i think it's strange they call it a brightening mask when the description says nothing about brightening. in any case, i love masks, green tea and brightening, so i will definitely give this a try.

7.  Purederm Botanical Choice Pure Solution Eye Cream

Description: Purederm Botanical Choice Pure Solution Eye Cream not only prevents water loss from the skin, but it also replaces lost moisture. With the power of White Flower Complex, Niacinamide and other botanical emollients provide abundant nutrition and amplifies the skins [sic] natural ability to look healthy. This cream's light and fresh texture absorbs easily into the skin and gives you a smooth and radiant finish.

Price: $34 according to Memebox

initial thoughts: full sized product!  of course eye creams are the ONE product i have waaay more than enough of and the last thing i need another full size of, but i can't complain.  the description certainly sounds hydrating and nice, albeit ungrammatical.  i don't really have any under eye issues at the moment though, so eye creams are basically all the same to me in terms of results since i don't see any, so it's all about the texture.  i haven't opened this yet since i have so many already, but will update once i do.

Memebox: TonyMoly Superbox #9 Unboxing

Tony Moly Memebox Unboxing

hi all!

in my attempt to start getting this blog up and running, i want to share my newest obsession: memebox.  or more specifically, a beauty box that delivers awesome korean skincare and beauty products that are super fun to try. i could go into more detail about what exactly memebox is, but if you're reading this you probably already know, and if not, there are tons of bloggers out there who do a better job at it than i will, so i'm going to get straight to the point.

i ordered the tonymoly (or tony moly, according to wiki) superbox, which is supposed to come with full sized products.  now, i've never tried tonymoly before, but their packaging is just SO cute that i couldn't resist.  the box was $39 plus shipping (about $7, but split between two boxes that were upgraded to express shipping, which means it only took three days for it to get to me from korea O.O.  pretty awesome).  anyways, this is what was included:

 1.  Tomatox Magic Massage Pack

Description: Enriched with fresh tomatoes and pearl powders, Tomatocs Magic Massage Pack brings you a multi-functional facial care, providing double effects of both a massage cream and a wash-off pack.  Its soft, creamy texture will gently remove any residues on your skin, leaving it deeply energized and brightened.

Price: $10.49 on Amazon*

initial thoughts: how adorable is this?  i'm excited to try any pack (translation: mask). i've never been impressed with cream masks before (to be fair, i haven't tried many) but i'm always willing to try something new.  it also comes with an internal lid and a little spatula to keep things sanitary.  it seems very creamy and smells nothing like tomatoes, thankfully.

*Amazon prices are just a guidepost I use - these are not necessarily retail price.

2.  Nail Foundation Kit

Description: This gentle nail polish kit contains no chemical compositions and is consisted of three nude colors - #1 Pale Beige, #2 Classic Beige, and #3 Camel Beige - perfect for a basic, feminine look.
(7 ml each)

Price: seems to be between $5-$6

initial thoughts:  i'm not a nail polish buff so i don't care too much about what goes into my polishes since i use them infrequently, but free of chemical compositions doesn't sound bad?  more importantly for me is the color, and i'm all about nude nails, so i'm totally into this set.

3.  Floria Nutra-Energy 100 Hours Cream

Description: This ultimate facial cream is packed with fermented extracts from argan oil, rosehip oil, evening primrose oil, calendula flower oil, and borage oil to provide intense hydration that will last for up to 100 hours.  By deeply nourishing and filling up each layer of your skin with resilient, moisturizing energy, Nutra-Energy Cream soothes, hydrates and maintains your skin's full potential all day long.

Price: $19.99 on Amazon

initial thoughts?  i don't expect to get 100 hours out of this, but that's ok with me.  my bigger issue is that i have young (ish...), oily skin, not one in need of extra hydration for days on end. this may go elsewhere, or i might try just because I WANT TO TRY EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD. it comes with a pump, which some people might appreciate. the packaging is otherwise underwhelming to me compared to the rest of the box, though, but i guess not everything can be adorable.

4. Egg Pore Silky Smooth Balm

Description: This balm type primer gives you a smooth, silky skin tone & texture by tightening the enlarged pores and meticulously filling in the fine lines and acne scars on your skin.

Price: $16.00 on Urban Outfitters

initial thoughts:  hello, super cute packaging?  i'm sorry, i'm just such a sucker.  put these in boring old bottles and i'd be indifferent to them. that being said, i've read good reviews about this and will certainly try it out as a primer. [sidenote, maybe it's just me being a language nerd, but "meticulous" isn't the kind of adjective i'd use for a beauty product, unless the balm is just that careful about filling in my pores.]

5.  Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist

Description: If you feel your face gradually becoming shinier from facial oil not long after finishing your makeup in the morning, this Sleek Mist would be just what you're looking for.  With extracts from cabbage, pineapple, and lemon, it will quickly soothe and re-adjust your skin to look nice and silky again.

Price: $14.00 on Urban Outfitters

initial thoughts: y u so cute tonymoly?  if this actually helps with oily skin, i will be all over it.  it's kind of small for a full-sized mist (60 ml) but i don't mind.  i haven't had much luck with mists in the past so i probably wouldn't want a bigger one anyway. i just tested it out on my early-evening face and it didn't seem to do much for oil, but i'll have to try it out more.  i've never heard of cabbage and pineapple extracts, so it's definitely unique for me.

6.  Petite Bunny Gloss Bar - Juicy Cherry

Description: Lipstick and lip gloss combined together in the form of a creamy lip crayon, the Petit Bunny Gloss Bar softly melts onto your lips for a long-lasting rosy look. I'ts easy to use and easy to apply whenever and wherever your lips need a little bit of color or hydration.

Price: $8 at Urban Outfitters

initial thoughts: cute, yet again.  although the bunny looks a little bored...  would i whip this out at my conservative office? probably not.  but i have plenty of other places to whip it out so i don't mind. i'm super picky about lip colors and textures (nothing sticky or drying, please), so here's to hoping i end up liking this.

7.  Mr. Smile Patch

Description: With this hydro-gel type cooling patch, you won't ever have to worry about those folds along your smile lines from the sides of your nose down towards the ends of your lips.  The black secrety complex consisting of black bean extracts, blueberry extracts, black sesame extracts, and mulberry extracts will help nullify the thick creases that may hold you back from smiling to your heart's content.

Price: $3.90 on some website i found before i got tired of searching

initial thoughts: yet again, love the design.  do i need a patch for my smile lines? no.  will one set of mustache patches get rid of and prevent my not-yet existent smile lines? no.  will i wear them and feel awesomely silly and send pictures and snapchats to all my friends? totally.

final verdict:

very rough value of this box is about $78, though to be honest i'm not one who cares all that much about the retail value as long as i'm happy with the contents.  i was super excited to open this and am definitely looking forward to trying all of these (come back for detailed reviews!) so i am a happy camper.  i know others have been disappointed with brand-specific superboxes before, but i thought this was totally worth the products i got, the sheer excitement of opening it and it being a total surprise, and the sheer cuteness factor.