Remember my Wishbox reviews a few months ago? Looks like there is now another Korean beauty sampling service available that ships internationally, and this one is quickly gaining popularity thanks to massive blogger buzz. I’ve been monitoring it since Box #2, just because I wanted to make sure that it’s a worthy investment, and finally decided to buy #5-2 [#5 was sold out at the time, but Memebox created #5-2 with mostly the same samples as #5 and two substitutes]. I also went ahead and pre-ordered a Luckybox, #7 and #8.
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.
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| Memebox Global #5-2 – it’s packed with goodies! |
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| Derma:B Daily Moisture Body Lotion |
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| Nuganic Customize Pore Control Essence |
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| Aromatica Tasteless Aromatherapy Roll On |
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| Lipozone Body Ampoules |
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| L’Oreal Shine Caresse Lip Color in 604 Bella |
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| CNP Laboratory Cleansing Perfecta Gel |
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| Panier des Sens Rose Liquid Marseille Soap |
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| Physiogel Sample Pack: Cleanser, Cream, and Intensive Repair Cream |
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| Dear Jane Touch the Silk Velvet Primer and Glam on your Shimmer Bomb |
Derma:B Daily Moisture Body Lotion – One of the biggest items in the box, this is a very generous travel-sized sample, and it was one of the first products I tried. It’s emollient and feels comfortable on the skin, but doesn’t sink in immediately, so it’s best used at night. The lotion had a low end drugstore’ish feel to it, but hey, who cares? Aveeno is popular because people love it, and I’m guessing this one is popular among Korean women for the same thing.
Nuganic Customize Pore Control Essence – Koreans love using essences in their beauty routine, so we can pretty much expect one or more in every Memebox. Essence is a bit thicker than a toner but thinner than a serum, so the typical daytime skincare routine looks like this: cleansing oil -> cleansing foam/gel/cream -> toner -> essence -> serum -> whitening moisturizer with SPF -> eye cream. This particular essence is aimed to minimize the appearance of pores and control the oil production without making the skin feel too tight and uncomfortable. I liked the way my T-zone looked throughout the day, it was moisturized and not nearly as shiny as it usually gets.
CNP Laboratory Cleansing Perfecta Gel – This cleanser is ideal for people who wear BB creams and mineral sunscreen every day, both of which can be really hard to completely remove from your pores. In fact, most Korean BB creams contain SPF, so the popularity of these deep cleansers is hardly surprising. It’s used as any other similar product – apply a pea-sized amount on your palm, create some foam by rubbing your hands together, and gently apply to your face before washing it off with warm water.
Aromatica Tasteless Aromatherapy Roll On – At first I thought this is a little perfume roll-on, but this is actually aromatherapy oil used for meditation and enhancing yoga practices. Pretty cool concept, actually! This almost medicinal blend of fennel, vetyver and patchouli smells very relaxing and really helped me fall asleep faster.
Lipozone Body Ampoules – I have not tried these body ampoules yet, because they’re best used right after a workout, and I’ve been a lazy bum this past week. Each ampoule contains a blend of essential oils and active ingredients that penetrate deep within your skin and increase micro-circulation which in turn makes your body burn the excess fat.
Panier des Sens Rose Liquid Marseille Soap – I’m sure most of you heard the term “marseille soap”, but not everyone knows what it is. This type of soap has been produced in Marseille, France for over 600 years, by using vegetable oil as a base. As much as I like roses, the fragrance is almost overwhelming, and I don’t really like that in my products, so I’m just trying to use a little bit when I wash my hands. It’s very gentle and non-drying, so I think if I decided to purchase it, I’d just pick a fragrance-free or olive oil version.
L’Oreal Shine Caresse Lip Color in 604 Bella – Now this is kind of unexpected, but apparently many Korean women love L’Oreal products just as much as we do! Shine Caresse lippies are basically drugstore dupes for YSL Glossy Stains at a third of the cost, and I look forward to trying this one out. I’m not sure if this shade is even available in the US because I can only find international reviews for it. Bella is supposed to make the lips look wet and dewy while providing subtle “just bitten” tint. Asian beauties love that youthful look, so I’m not surprised at all to see this product in my box.
Physiogel Sample Pack: Cleanser, Cream, and Intensive Repair Cream – So far I tried the cleanser and the cream, and my experience is very much positive. This gentle cleanser can be used either waterless or washed off with water [which is what I’d prefer to do, since I have combination skin]. The moisturizer is also very pleasant and soothing, I used it on my neck and decolletage area and it made the skin so soft and smooth.
Dear Jane Touch the Silk Velvet Primer and Glam on your Shimmer Bomb – I haven’t tried these yet, but one is a primer and the other is a body shimer/highlighter. Not quite sure what to expect from either one, but I look forward to using them when I get the chance 🙂
Also according to the product list, there were supposed to be two more foil samples included – Leaders CC Cream and UV Moist Sun Gel; both were missing from my box. I sent them an email, maybe they’ll at least give me some points if they can’t send the samples.
THE VERDICT
I do feel like box #5-2 is a bit weaker compared to previously released ones, but I did enjoy the variety and the opportunity to try out products not easily available in the US. I look forward to my Luckybox, #7, and #8 in hopes that they will include some Korean makeup 🙂
I’ve been thinking about adding a few ramblings here and there in every post from now on. As a reader I always enjoy when bloggers get personal with their audience, but somehow it never clicked in my brain that I’m a blogger, too. Many of you are bloggers yourselves, so I’m curious, how personal do you get with your readers? And those of you that don’t blog, do you like when other bloggers share things about their life?
| Product | Retail value |
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| Derma:B Daily Moisture Body Lotion | $4.00 |
| Nuganic Customize Pore Control Essence | $46.00 |
| CNP Laboratory Cleansing Perfecta Gel | $7.66 |
| Aromatica Tasteless Aromatherapy Roll On | $15.00 |
| Lipozone Body Ampoules | $16.00 |
| Panier des Sens Rose Liquid Marseille Soap | $1.61 |
| L’Oreal Shine Caresse Lip Color in 604 Bella | $9.99 |
| Physiogel Cleanser | $1.33 |
| Physiogel Cream | $1.08 |
| Physiogel Intensive Repair Cream | $1.20 |
| Dear Jane Glam on your Shimmer Bomb | $0.28 |
| Dear Jane Touch the Silk Velvet Primer | $0.32 |
| Box Retail Value | $104.47 |
I can’t believe that I’m saying this because I like skin care a lot but it was a bit too much skin care in one box for me.
korean beauty is all about skincare. having youthful, radiant skin is beautiful in most asian countries, whereas having flawless, model-esque makeup is beautiful in western society. But i would feel the same way. I love both skincare and makeup, but memebox does have a TON of skincare products.
Indeed, Korean women (and men!) are huge on skincare. in a typical woman’s arsenal you might find a dozen moisturizers and essences, and maybe one lip gloss, one mascara, BB cream and a blush.
I do appreciate it when other bloggers share tidbits about their life. I don’t like boxes that are so skincare heavy like this. Yuck.
I actually love trying skincare products, and always looking for my HG items, so this box was perfect for me. But I can see how many people would be disappointed.
i have that l’oreal lippie and i really like it.
I just tried it yesterday and I agree, it’s wonderful 🙂
L’Oreal and Lipo make me happy, but def wayyyy too much skincare. Or I’d be all over it.
Understandable, especially if you like makeup more. I’m huge on skincare, so I was happy to try everything 🙂
The Lipozone sounds very interesting. I would be interested to hear more about those.
I’m planning to finally exercise today so I’ll actually get a chance to use it. I wonder if it will really help 🙂
Great value for the box but I am not convinced I would get any use of it.
I agree, the value is incredible! However, it’s wasted on those who prefer trying new makeup over yet another moisturizer. I’m a skincare girl, so this box was awesome for me, but most of my friends would have been disappointed.
$30 ain’t bad for what you’re getting! I think it’s certainly an interesting concept for someone like me who wants to try more international products!
Indeed, and it’s fun to see what international products are popular in Korea.
I love trying international products, but you’re right – a drugstore brand is a drugstore brand no matter what part of the world it’s from. I’m always reminded of how popular Foster’s beer was when I was in college – then I found out it’s the cheapest Australian beer, and most Aussies wouldn’t drink it! lol. So, international isn’t always better. As for sharing/blogging, I’m still finding my way with that! I think a little personalization is nice, though.
I’ve been living under a rock or something because I haven’t even heard of Foster’s beer 😀
This is definitely interesting but I probably wouldn’t use all that skincare. I’ll be interested in your Luckybox since I’ve never heard of it.
I’m still searching for my HG skincare, so I’m happy to try new things, but as you said, for someone who is perfectly content with their routine, a makeup box would have been a better fit.
Korean skincare products are great! I’ve tried Physiogel in the past and I like it too. It’s ok to share some personal info but only if you are comfortable w/ it. As a reader (and blogger), it makes you a bit relatable if you strip down a lil 🙂
Thank you for your input, Kath! I just felt like nobody would care about the personal part, because this is not a lifestyle blog, but maybe I’m wrong. We’ll see 🙂
Wow, you got a ton in there!
Sure did! And it all came down to come great value, too.
You always get good stuff in your boxes 🙂
Haha, thanks Betzy! Sometimes I’m not too happy, but usually I’m head over heels with my monthly goodies 😀
what an awesome box!!! love the loreal lippie
You should see the unboxing of box #6, they got some sweet stuff there! I’m so jealous that it sold out before I had a chance to buy it. Seriously, google it, you won’t regret it!
I like when beauty bloggers share a bit about their lives as well. Makes the person more relatable. I say, ramble on : )
Thank you! Will do 😀