I literally received Memebox Thanksgiving For Me and Thanksgiving For You box bundle today, so this is more of an unboxing/first impressions kind of review to give you all an idea about the products inside. According to my affiliate dashboard, quite a few of you purchased these boxes, and I would love to hear your thoughts on them when you get a chance to try the goodies!
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.
Clio Virgin Kiss Tinted Lip Balm #22 Electric – This was the spoiler product released after the boxes have already shipped, and at first I was a little intimidated by the color, but after googling some swatches I found out that it’s actually not so scary.
How to use: Apply on the lips with a brush or straight from the tube for sharper look, or pat in with your fingers for popsicle pout effect [gradation lip]. Suitable for all skin types.
Clio is a very good cosmetic brand from Korea, their products compare to benefit, Too Faced and Urban Decay in terms of pricing and overall quality. This lipstick has a soft balmy texture and feels very moisturizing on the lips. I first swatched it lightly on the back of my hand to check pigmentation, and as you can see in the picture above, the color actually looks very wearable [not that bright orange isn’t wearable, but many of us simply can’t pull it off]. #22 Electric has a little bit of pink to it, so it’s more of a grapefruity color than straight up orange. I tested it for wear, and eventually gave up, because it’s been 4 hours and the balm is still on my lips, so I wiped it off with a tissue to discover a lovely trace of lip tint, which is the same color as the lipstick. Overall, I’m loving it way more than I thought I would, and looking forward to using it in my daily looks.
Jaminkyung Gokmul Care Ultra Ampoule Toner – This looks pretty fancy for a toner: the outer packaging feels expensive, the bottle itself is made with thick matte glass, and even the cap is nice and weighty. And honestly, I didn’t know things like ampoule toner even existed, so I’m just really curious to try it. Also, my current toner from Tosowoong is about half-empty, so the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
How to use: After cleansing, shake the bottle to combine the layers, dispense a small amount to a cotton pad, and wipe the face with it. Suitable for all skin types. It’s recommended to use within 12 months after opening.
Memebox card says this two-phase toner contains some sort of a 6:4 “golden ratio” of whole grain-infused essence water and camellia oil that will deliver a moisture boost and rebalance the skin. I think this is my first gokmul product so I don’t have any prior experience, but I know I love camellia oil – it’s the main ingredient in my favorite Tatcha cleanser. So far this box is looking good!
803 Palzza Cream – Straight off the bat I’ll be Captain Obvious and say that I totally dig the packaging. It looks fun, bright, and pop-arty, and really makes me want to peek inside. I know pretty much nothing about the brand, so I had to refer to my Memecard for some guidance. From the looks of it, 803 is a series of creams that target specific areas of the body. 803 line is made by a tiny no-name indie beauty brand called MinkiBox. Their website is currently under construction, and Facebook page has 170 likes, so they are definitely not well-known. As much as I love discovering popular Korean cosmetics, trying these small batch indie brands is pretty fun, too!
How to use: Massage the cream into the targeted area of the body using techniques from the booklet for best results. Suitable for all skin types.
There were three variations sent out – Palzza, Sam N, and Young, and each of them has specific instructions on how to use it. I got the Palzza cream, which is designed for smile lines, and the small insert booklet inside the box even has pictures with massage techniques. The cream inside looks like it’s very thick and rich, and there is no noticeable scent – maybe a little hint of something powdery, but that’s about it. I didn’t swatch it because I’m not sure I will use it yet, so this is all the info I can give you right now as far as my first impressions go. For the reference, the other two varieties are for dry/sagging neckline [Sam M] and moisture boost for body/face [Young].
Sally’s Box 4Set – I am on cloud ten, girls! This mask set is a repeat from Memebox Global #14 and it was a huge hit, so I’m super excited to get more of these babies. These are some of the best hydrogel masks I’ve tried so far and they actually work wonders.
How to use: Place the mask on your face, wait 20 minutes, then gently take it off and pat in the remaining essence. Suitable for all skin types.
Each set comes with four masks: Delight Panthenol Hydrogel Mask, Delight Ceramide Hydrogel Mask, Delight Collagen Hydrogel Mask, and one Love Recipe Apple Mask which is vinegar-based and the sheet itself is made either of pulp or cotton, I forgot. But really, I feel like I have to mention this again – these hydrogel masks are absolutely amazing.
Tonymoly Hello Bunny Perfume Bar – I was hoping to receive one of these bunny items in a Memebox one day, and they were one of the products I thought we’d get in Cute box editions. I think everyone got the same scent – Momo Fruity – which Memebox describes as a mix of lemon citrus top, with the heart of freesia and white rose, and the drydown of sandalwood and musk, which actually sounds pretty good.
How to use: Apply as often as needed directly to pulse points, like wrists, neck, and behind the ears. Suitable for all skin types.
Despite its cutesy appearance, the packaging doesn’t look cheap at all – every detail is in its place, there are no sharp edges or print flops, and the size is convenient to carry around in a purse. I think it could also make a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for girls of all ages.
Ariul Stress Relieving Purefull Cleansing Foam – I already have this exact cleanser that I just received in a Memebox Global #15, and I still haven’t tried it, but judging from other bloggers’ experience, it seems to be a good one.
Hot to use: Dispense a pea-sized amount on wet hands, lather well, massage the foam into the skin, and rinse off. Suitable for all skin types.
By the way, at the time of this review there is an Ariul Thank You Gift Set available in Memeshop, which costs only $30 for a bunch of products, free shipping + a full-sized mystery gift.
Pisteo Bright & Pure C Serum – Looks pretty nice, doesn’t it? I actually thought this was a fragrance sample before I took a closer look at the packaging. Memebox says this potent serum helps replenish moisture, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, firm, tighten, brighten, and rebalance the skin. So basically, it does everything.
How to use: Replace the flat cap with the dropper lid and apply a few drops to the skin in the AM after cleansing and toning. Suitable for all skin types.
According to the company, this is a seven day supply, because there are measurement marks on the side of the bottle, so you always know exactly how much to use. I will probably start tomorrow or the day after, and we’ll see if my skin drastically improves after one week.
THE VERDICT
Honestly, this box was expected to be a gimmick full of leftovers, but it actually turned out to be pretty amazing! I am still euphoric over those sheet masks and Tonymoly fragrance bunny; I think Memebox really did a great job curating this box, because it feels so full of amazing things, and everything is great quality.
Product | Retail value |
---|---|
Clio Virgin Kiss Tinted Lip Balm | $23.64 |
Jaminkyung Gokmul Care Ultra Ampoule Toner | $34.10 |
Sally’s Box 4Set | $14.00 |
Ariul Stress Relieving Purefull Cleansing Foam | $11.66 |
803 Palzza Cream | $8.88 |
Tonymoly Hello Bunny Perfume Bar | $7.89 |
Pisteo Bright & Pure C Serum | $19.55 |
Box Retail Value | $119.72 |