Just looking at these pictures of my Memebox Blackheads No More is making me yearn for early Fall again. It’s my favorite time of the year, when the weather is warm and comfortable, and the leaves just started turning yellow. Can’t believe I took these a couple weeks ago, and now it’s all white, cold, and snowy outside. Blackheads No More box doesn’t need a special introduction, and the description is pretty straightforward. As someone with combination skin, T-zone is my most troublesome part of the face, so I am always on the lookout for products that can help normalize that area and clear out the pores. Memebox sold this box for a whopping $39 + S&H, which is among their most expensive boxes, but luckily I had a few points saved up and after using a discount code the total was $33 including shipping. Let’s see what 30 bucks got me!
HOW IT WORKS
Memebox Global is not a typical subscription service. They periodically curate boxes filled with assorted beauty products popular among Koreans, and those Limited Edition bundles are sold on first come first serve basis. Prices vary depending on the type of the box. Memebox ships internationally, so make sure to check on their website and see if they ship in your country – chances are they do. All themed boxes tend to sell out fast, so by the time you read this review this particular box might not be available for sale anymore.
Click here to see available boxes.
COUPON CODES
Take $5 off your order of $30 or more using code ZTE2V0 or Q8J3LJ. Expires 11/30/2014.
Take $10 off your order of $50 or more using code SUDWG3. Supposed to be expired, but apparently still works for some. Worth a try!
Take $5 off your purchase of 3 boxes or more using code MEMEBUNDLE3.
Take $8 off your purchase of 4 boxes or more using code MEMEBUNDLE4.
Get free shipping on orders above $70 from Memeshop using code FREESHIPPING.
Order over $100 using this link and receive $5 off automatically at checkout, no code required.
Order over $150 using this link and receive $10 off automatically at checkout, no code required.
Migabee Hot & Cool Pore Care Set – If you read my previous Memebox reviews then you know that I came to really love Migabee products, their snail&bee line in particular. This travel-sized trio is aimed to address the issues associated with oily, and clogged pores in the nose area in particular.
How to use: Start by spreading Hot Pore Peeling System [red text] over your face, avoiding eye and mouth areas. Gently peel away after 10-15 minutes. Next, apply Cooling Mask Clean 3in1 [blue text] all over your face, avoiding eye and mouth areas, wait 3 minutes, and rinse off with lukewarm water. Finish by spraying the Peppermint Witch Hazel Spray Mist [silver square spray bottle] to soothe the skin. Recommended for combination and oily skin types.
I tried this trio once so far, and woah, they weren’t kidding about the Hot Peeling System, it actually feels hot like my face is on fire, and I really don’t like that sensation at all. It’s a murky off-white gel that feels a teensy bit gritty when first applied. After 10 minutes the burning stopped, but started again when I had to scrub it off of my face. I followed up by using the Cooling mask, and it really did feel cool on the skin. The mask looks like muddy toothpaste, but at least it’s pleasant enough. After 3 minutes, I washed it off with lukewarm water, and sprayed my skin with the Peppermint mist to seal in moisture and close the pores. I admit, this system does work, and it drastically improved my complexion in just one session, but man that hot gel burns my face so bad! Skincare routine for me is something to look forward to, it’s supposed to be an enjoyable SPA experience, so I doubt I will use Step 1 ever again. Mud mask and peppermint spray were nice, I’ll empty them out eventually for sure.
Nella Fantasia Pore Control Astringent Gel – I just want to note that we really don’t get that many astringents in Memeboxes, it’s usually brightening, anti-aging, or moisturizing serums and ampoules. This gel was revealed in one of the official box spoilers, but I didn’t really care for it, because I mainly bought this box for Migabee. Nella Fantasia Pore Control Astringent Gel is supposed to help problem skin by regulating oil production, controlling blackheads, and refining & tightening enlarged pores.
How to use: Apply to clean skin after toner and essence. Recommended for oily and acne-prone skin.
To me, this gel-type toner seemed pretty ordinary, and my skin didn’t feel any different after using it. From bits and pieces of information I collected on various sites it seems like this gel is made with alpine spring water, lemon, grapefruit, jasmine, and rose oils, and all of it sounds promising, but like I said, it really did nothing for me – the pores looked the same, and the skin produced the same amount of oil. I looked around in several online shops that carry Nella Fantasia and looks like only one of them still carries Nella Fantasia Pore Control Astringent Gel, which is deeply discounted. I wonder if the company is planning to discontinue this product.
ProYou Pore Control Foam Deep Cleanser – I have a gazillion cleansers in my stash waiting to be used, so it’s hard for me to justify opening a new one when I have several others scattered all over my bathroom. I did like other products from this brand though, they seem to be well-formulated, and high quality, so maybe I should give it a shot after all.
How to use: Spread a thin layer of cleanser over your face and wait for oxygen bubbles to appear. Massage the bubbles into the skin and wash off with lukewarm water. Recommended for all skin types.
Memebox says this cleanser creates oxygen bubbles on the skin that lift up the impurities from the pores so they can be easily washed off for instantly clearer complexion. I tried a few products like that before from Missha, Malin+Goetz and Elizavecca, and they are particularly great at helping get rid of sunscreen and BB cream. Once I empty out one of my current cleansers, I’ll open this one for sure.
Dermahouse Deep Cleansing Cream – Another cleanser??? That’s three in the same box, if we don’t count the peeling gel [or four, if we do]. I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m just not feeling this one.
How to use: Massage an appropriate amount into your skin to melt away makeup and wash off with lukewarm water. Follow up with cleansing foam. Suitable for all skin types.
Memebox card says that it’s a creamy type cleanser that is used as a step one in Korean skincare routine, so instead of cleansing oil or balm, and before foam cleanser. I read a few Korean blog reviews [thanks to Google translate] and people seem to like it, so maybe I can give it to someone as a gift.
Cheek Room Pore Brush – Oh nice, a tool! I like getting tools like eyelash curlers, makeup brushes, tweezers, nail files, and other goodies; it’s a nice break from skincare and makeup-heavy boxes that we always get with Memebox, and believe it or not, but I never tried a facial brush that wasn’t powered. Memebox says that it costs $36, but there’s just no way that it does. I saw brushes literally like this one on ebay for $5.
How to use: Apply a forming cleanser and gently massage damp skin with the brush in circular motions paying extra attention to the T-zone. Suitable for all skin types.
I got different results with different cleansers. My skin got itchy and irritated when I used this brush with Cleansing Dessert from Cacao box, but I had no problems with MAX Clinic Caviar Massage Oil Foam Cleanser from Global #8, so I guess I need to look for products that don’t contain soap. Overall, I loved the way it feels on the skin, because the bristles are very fine and soft, but it’s definitely not a replacement for Clarisonic.
Purederm Charcoal Nose Pore Strips – I used these nose strips before and really liked them. Asian nose strips have more grip to them than Western ones, and I love that, because they get a lot more junk out of my pores.
How to use: Spread one strip over soaking wet nose, wait 15 minutes, then carefully peel off. Suitable for all skin types.
Nothing else to add really, because like I said, I love these pore strips, and will probably buy more. They’re cheap and effective.
THE VERDICT
After taking a second look at this box, I decided that I didn’t like it very much after all. Four cleansers is a but too much, but getting a few extra nose strips was nice. Memebox also majorly overstated the value of that brush, which I’m sure was taken into consideration when coming up with the high price point of the box. All in all, I feel like I majorly overpaid for Blackheads No More, but I’ve seen several positive reviews, so hopefully some people feel like they got their money’s worth. Too bad I’m not one of them.
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| Migabee Hot & Cool Pore Care Set | $32.52 |
| Nella Fantasia Pore Control Astringent Gel | $21.59 |
| ProYou Pore Control Foam Deep Cleanser | $34.00 |
| Dermahouse Deep Cleansing Cream | $13.55 |
| Cheek Room Pore Brush | $5.00 |
| Purederm Charcoal Nose Pore Strips | $2.00 |
| Box Retail Value | $108.66 |
Eh, you win a few, you lose a few. 🙂
My favorites for oily skin are Kate Somerville Clearing Mask and Murad Pore Reform.
What a great box!
I am yet to order my first Memebox. I get overwhelmed & can’t decide & when I do, the box is sold out! You got a ton of stuff for your $33!
I would want to try the peel-y things, I always get those!
I wouldn’t be able to use most of these products but it’s a great one for someone who does.
I’m obsessed with pore strips!
Bummer on the hot peeling trio. I have low tolerance for that.
That hot peel sounds awful. Sounds like a rosacea flare up
I like this box, but don’t love it. A few items I would use though
The hot peel sounds horrible. I had that happen one time with a Clinique product and I was shocked because their stuff is supposed to be tested on like 200 people before it can hit shelves, if even a single person reacts they go back to the drawing board.
I love Memebox, and I would have use for these products, but I’m not feeling it, either. Too many run-of-the-mill products. The bubble cleanser sounds nice, and maybe the hot/cold system if it didn’t burn… Bummer!
I should probly buy some pore strips haha
I wouldn’t want all that skincare but I’d like to try the brush, just the brush so the box wouldn’t be worth that. I keep wanting to try this but I’d want a makeup box.
Love the nose pore strips, I used them before and they are fantastic.
I love seeing what you get in these boxes. They’re always so interesting.
You always get the best boxes