Memebox (미미박스) Boxing Day #2

Remember I told you that I put all of my un-reviewed Memeboxes under the Christmas tree? This was one of them. When I bought Boxing Day #2, I already knew it would be filled with mostly samples, so I didn’t expect a haul… Girls, look at this pile! I swear, Memebox makes no sense, and sometimes their cheapest boxes turn out to be better than high-priced ones.

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 $3 off your order of $30 or more using code LODCS6. Expires 1/31/2015.
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.

DERMA B Fresh Moisture Body Lotion – Sometimes you try a lotion, and you immediately know that it was formulated for dry or sensitive skin: this is one of those lotions. It has no distinguishable fragrance, and has creamy consistency that spreads well and absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling comfortable and protected. It’s like a skin blankie 🙂

How to use: Massage the lotion into skin after the shower. Suitable for all skin types, especially dry and sensitive.

I already tried this lotion in Memebox Global #5-2, which was ages ago, and liked it back then, too. Like I mentioned in that year-old post, it feels a little drugstore-ish, kind of like a slightly better version of Lubriderm, but it’s a very good product regardless of its actual price.

BANILA CO. Claypatra Mineral Salt Clay Pack x2 – I love this clay mask! It was previously featured in several boxes, and I personally sampled it once in Global #12. It has slightly gritty texture that doesn’t feel too scrubby when you rinse it off, making the entire experience even better. After each application my pores get degunked pretty well, and the surface of the skin looks brighter and feels smoother.

How to use: Spread a thin layer evenly over clean face, and rinse off after 10 minutes. Suitable for oily and combination skin.

Clay-based masks are recommended for people with oily and combination skin, because they help control oil production. Banila Co also enriched this concoction with Dead Sea minerals that condition and purify the skin even further, so it’s like a little miracle in a jar. Look up some blogger reviews, I guarantee that most of them will be glowing. Overall, I think this is an outstanding product; and hey, we got two of them in this box!

HANSKIN Bio Origin Royal Ampoule B.B SPF30 PA++ – I am probably one of the biggest fans of this serum-like BB cream that really feels like a fantastic medium to full coverage foundation. It’s so highly pigmented, one drop is all I need to cover my entire face, and maybe just a dab extra to fully conceal problem spots. No concealer necessary.

How to use: Spread a drop or two over cleansed, toned, and moisturized skin, and pat in for even coverage. Let it set. Suitable for all skin types.

I first tried this BB-ampoule in Memebox Global #10, and been obsessed with it since. What are the chances that we get a full-sized bottle in one of the upcoming boxes? I wish Memebox carried this in their online store at a reasonable price, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

TONYMOLY BCDation All Master SPF30 PA++ – You’re probably seeing this BB cream on my blog for the millionth time now, but I will still tell you the same thing – it works for me. I know, a lot of people were not happy with this sample, mostly because it only comes in one shade, but it’s a good match for me, and it provides great medium to full coverage for everyday wear.

How to use: Apply an adequate amount to your skin and blend out using your fingers, foundation brush, or makeup sponge. Suitable for combination and oily skin types.

There aren’t that many product repeats that I like seeing, but this BB cream is one of them. I previously got it in Global #8, Global #15, and Luckybox #12, and also swapped for it a few times, making this my seventh tube.

BANILA CO. Clean It Zero x4 – I’ve been dying to try these highly raved-about cleansers, and finally got my hands on not one, but four samples, yay! In a nutshell, they are petroleum jelly balms that should be used as a first step in a multi-step cleansing routine. They melt off the makeup, so it’s easier to remove completely [it’s a known fact that most of us still have traces of makeup on our skin when we go to bed, unless we cleanse thoroughly every night].

How to use: Take out the balm with a spatula and gently massage into skin, then rinse off with water or wipe away with a tissue. Follow up with a foaming cleanser and a toner. Suitable for all skin types.

We got two types to try – Original and Resveratrol, but honestly I don’t think it matters, because whatever is left of this cleanser on the skin should be immediately washed off by a foaming cleanser that follows in the standard multi-step routine, that goes like this: Balm or Oil >> Foam >> Toner. In comparison to my current favorite cleansing oil from Tatcha, Banila balm turned out to be just as effective at actually making the skin look and feel clean, but left it definitely needed to be washed off, where Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil is like three steps in one. So the winner here is Tatcha for sure, but Banila balm is a great inexpensive option and it does the job.

DR.YOUNG Pore Syok-Syok Cleansing Gel x2 – And here’s the type of cleanser that you should follow up after using Banila balm – something like an oil-free gel-type product that can quickly lift up and dissolve the remaining traces of petroleum jelly and dirt still clinging to it after step one.

How to use: Warm a pea-sized amount between your palms, and gently massage into the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a toner. Suitable for all skin types, except very dry.

Memebox product card [it’s posted online, we didn’t get an actual printed card] says that it’s enriched with agrimonia eupatoria root extracts, and lime extracts, but I don’t think it really matters in cleansers, since it’s all going down the drain anyway. What matters is the pH, and whether or not it contains irritating chemicals. I like cleansers that have either AHA or BHA because that way I also get some acne-fighting and antiaging benefits.

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Dinoplatz Cinema City – I love TCFS’s cartoonish packaging, and their Dinoplatz series are among my faves. How cute is that sauropod hugging what I presume is Empire State Building?

How to use: Spread a pea-sized amount over clean, moisturized skin and blend to smooth out the pigment.

This CC cream is a complexion-evening perfector which is recommended to use if you already have pretty good skin to make it look brighter and healthier without heavy coverage. For everyone else, it will work as a primer base to use under foundation. I received the same sample in my Global #11 box, and remember liking it back then, because it was a good color match.

MISE EN SCENE Perfect Repair Treatment Pack – This rich nourishing hair mask won Korea’s Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards in 2014, and it’s a legitimately good product. So far I collected three tubes of it, plus samples and full sizes of other products from the line – I like using them myself and they also make great little gifts.

How to use: Massage into damp hair after shampooing, leave for 2 minutes, and rinse off. Suitable for all hair types.

I think this mask was featured in several boxes, and I previously got it in Global #15 and Miracle Masks. The effect rivals everyone’s favorite Pure Smile Snail hair treatment!

SEVEN DROPS High Protection Moringa Light Sunblock SPF50+ PA+++ –  Sunscreen is my daily staple, and I’ve tried dozens of different brands, so I have a pretty good idea what I like and don’t like.

How to use: Apply a dime-size amount to your face after cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, and pat in for absorbance. Suitable for all skin types.

I actually think this one is quite fabulous: it does have that typical strong sunscreen scent, but the runny milky formula blends into the skin really well, without leaving any traces of white cast. I think I want a full-sized bottle of it now.

RYO Anti Hair Loss Treatment – This scalp-scaling conditioner is meant to gently exfoliate the skin and stimulate the follicles so the hair grows thicker and longer. I tried similar treatments before, and they do work, but it takes months to finally see the difference.

How to use: Apply generously over clean wet hair and massage into hair and scalp. Leave for 3 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

I received this sample in Global #12 and Hair Salon boxes, and I plan to give this one to my Mom, because she loves trying hair-enhancing and stimulating products. The fragrance is very earthy and lingers on the hair, so I can see that it would not be everyone’s cup of tea.

WITCH’S POUCH Radiant Lolli Tint 03 Funky Bloom – This Lolli Tint has nothing to do with benefit’s Lollitint, although both are clearly lip and cheek tints. I first received it in Global #11, and remember liking it back then, although in the end I didn’t use it much at all.

How to use: Apply to the center of your lips and blend outwards for that “just bitten” stain effect.

The stain color is very pretty and lasts all day on the lips through eating and drinking. There are three things Korean makeup companies are known for – gel eyeliner pencils, BB creams, and lip tints, and I am almost never disappointed when I try anything from those categories. Now, things like lipsticks and eye shadows I would still rather buy from places like Sephora.

THE VERDICT
This box was chock full of products, and even though most of them were old warehouse clearouts, there were plenty I was hoping to get more of, like Hanskin BB ampoule or BCDation. So glad I bought this one!