Memebox Luckybox #5

I can't seem to help myself, I'm loving all these subscription boxes! This particular box is especially intriguing to me because all of Memebox's products come from Korea. When I was in intermediate and high school, I was absolutely OBSESSED with Korean Dramas. If you're familiar with KDramas, you can understand how addicting they are. I would always admire the actors/actresses' skin and hair because they always looked so perfectly manicured. That's why when I discovered Memebox, I just had to have one! I ordered Memebox Luckybox #5 (Ordered 5/15, Shipped 5/19, Arrived 5/22).

So a little bit about Memebox... Like I mentioned before, all the products in Memeboxes are from Korea and are supposedly best-sellers there. It is not your typical subscription box in the sense that it does not come on a regular schedule, but you have to purchase each box individually. There are a variety of Memeboxes and they are called: Memebox, Superbox, Luckybox, and they've recently brought back Nakedbox. There are also other specialty boxes that target different areas like pores, hair and body, or facial masks. There are even boxes with specific scents and colors. Like subscription boxes though, Memebox keeps the identity of the contents of each box a surprise until it gets to your door (with the exception of Nakedbox, which is for people who want to know what they're getting when they buy it and ships right after purchase). Memeboxes are shipped on a schedule in order to keep the secrecy of their contents until all recipients get their boxes. Please note when the actual ship date is when you purchase your box, it may be a while before you actually receive it and it's not due to the mail, but the specified ship date.

Okay, lets get into what's in my box:

Leaders Insolution Mask Sheet - BIO Medi-curing Mask - Aqua Dressing (20mL) ~ $3
This is a full size product that is supposed to hydrate and moisturize skin and claims to dramatically reduce signs of wrinkles. Wash, tone, remove paper from mask, attach mask to face and rest for 30-40 minutes. Remove mask, gently pat face to allow essence to absorb onto face.
(5/25) This mask is a challenge... I have a really small face (I'm a super tiny person in general) so it didn't really fit my face right. But it was okay because you just press the mask to your face and it sticks nicely. Just make sure you adjust all the holes in it to match your face. I was getting a little irritated with it falling down my face so I only left it on for 30 minutes instead of 40. Even though it says to just pat face dry, I rinsed my face with water because it felt really sticky and the serum never seemed to fully penetrate into my skin.

Miguhara B.P Cream (3mL x 2) ~ $7.40
This cream serves as a BB cream and primer. I love that I got two small samples, they're easy to travel with and stuff in a purse. This cream is actually pretty amazing. It goes on smoothly and feels great on your skin. It's very sheer and powdery even though it's a cream. It even smells incredible; I am loving this cream. As I've mentioned, I usually don't like these creams but I think I would actually buy this one. I would just recommend that you don't apply this directly to dry skin since it seems to enhance the appearance of dry skin. Apply after a light moisturizer if you have naturally dry skin. I guess it's a good thing I got 3 moisturizers in my Memebox! I used this first with the Tea Tree oil and I actually really like it. I could see myself using this on the daily.

Dr. G BIO-RTx Mentor Cream (20 mL) ~ $35
There are 3 different creams that I could have received (3,5 or 7). I got 3 (for oily skin) which is described as such: controls sebum production and enhances the skin to ensure that the skin retains a moisture balance without getting too oily.
(6/9) This moisturizer absorbs well into my skin and I love how soft and smooth it makes my face feel. Lately it's been making my skin a bit sticky because the weather's been humid and hot.

LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence (20mL) ~ $32
Light-textured tea tree oil formulated with sensitive skin in mind. Made from 90% tea tree extract, LJH's Tea Tree 90 Essence clears, moisturizes, and brightens troubled skin, targeting acne and delivering deep nutrition for a replenished complexion. Key ingredients include sea buckhorn and centella, asiatica, plants known to delay the skin maturation process and speed up the healing of damaged tissues. Apply to clean face.
Oils tend to last a long time, which I love. This is a fairly large bottle so it'll probably last forever (or at least until I can find an even better product). It absorbs quickly and is non-greasy. We'll see if it clears an brightens my skin though.
(6/9) I think this actually does whiten my skin. I've been using it pretty religiously and I think my skin is a little lighter.

Tonymoly Delight Tony Tint #2 - Red (1.5 mL) ~ $0.50
One of the bestselling lip tint in Korea, this tint instantly gives vivid red color to your lips with just a single touch. It creates the long-lasting, radiant lips, popular among Korean beauty lovers. Apply small amount of the tint from the inside to outside of your lip. Apply before lip gloss to give natural gradient lips.
I don't really like lip tints because the color often times is uneven as drier parts of the lips tint darker than others. My bottom lip tends to tint far more than my upper lip. Also, it tends to dry out the skin and the color flakes off giving an even more uneven appearance. This product is no different than others I've tried before so I won't be buying any lip tints, but I don't mind since this product was super cheap. One thing I like about it though is that it smells great; smells like a fruity bubblegum scent.
(6/4) Okay, so I gave this another go and I actually love it. I paired it with my City Lips Orchid lip gloss and it looks amazing. The color is vibrant and alluring. I applied it before I went to bed as a test and the color stayed all night and still looked fabulous in the morning!

Dear by Enprani Bounce Cheese cream (30 mL) ~ $35
This facial cream has a very unique bouncy texture to it, coming from high concentration of milk serum, also known as Whey, which is a good source of natural protein and works to re-hydrate and firm up your skin. Apply on your face evenly after toner or serum.
(6/9) Not sure if it's the humidity getting to my skin, but all my moisturizers that I loved are now making my skin extra oily, this one especially. The first application went on great and absorbed well, now it makes my skin feel sticky.

Dr. Jart V7 Eye Serum (15 mL) ~ $38
Offering intense care to the sensitive eye contour area this eye serum was made from a complex of 7 vitamins - A, B3, B5, C, E, H, and F. This capsulized, stabilized vitamin complex brightens the skin and rids of any dark circles. Apply on the eye contour after cleansing, It is recommended that you use the ring finger when applying, to avoid unnecessary stimulus.
I'm not sure if this is a true Korean product, the back says "Made in Korea" and has some Korean characters on it but I've heard of this brand through both Birchbox and Ipsy. I don't have (well at least I don't think I have them) an issue with dark circles or bags under my eyes, but have tried these creams/ointments before. This one looks like an actual medical ointment as it comes in a foil tube that has to be punctured to use. It feels rather oily and greasy too, but it doesn't leave a shine as others sometimes do.
(6/5) I've tried a lot of eye creams/ointments/gels and they all seem to give me eye pain and headaches. This one is no different so I'm discontinuing it.

O& Soap Berry Bubble Cleanser (100 mL) ~ $25
Saponin from the zest of soap berry is known to have excellent cleansing effect and was even used by Indians as a soap cleanser. The soap berry together with mineral water creates bouncy-textured bubbles to thoroughly remove all residues, dead skin cells, and sebum for a naturally-glowing complexion. Spread the bubbles generously over dry face and gently massage in a counter clock-wise direction. Rinse off with warm water.
This product came in it's own separate box, but immediately after removing the bottle inside, I noticed a large stain on the box. I really hate when this happens because it could mean that the product is faulty and that useful product was lost. I do, however, love this cleanser. It makes my skin feel so clean! The only complaint I have about this product is about the packaging. I don't like how the cap is completely removable and can be completely detached from the bottle. I feel like this makes it more susceptible to cracking and breaking (due to dropping or stepping on it, etc.). Other than that though, so far it seems like an excellent daily cleanser.


The products are most obviously from Korea since all the words on the products are in Korean. Memebox includes a leaflet giving a brief description and directions for use in English. It also states the price of the full sized products.

I paid $23.00 for the box, $6.99 for shipping but got a $3 off coupon so I spent a total of $26.99 for this box. I am so crazy ridiculously happy with this box! There are so many full sized items and these are products that I will actually use and will last me a while. I recently got rid of my skin care regimen so I'm open and excited to be trying a bunch of new products. I was previously using Proactiv and my skin was still breaking out, like A LOT. This is a much more affordable alternative, plus I get a variety of products to try and the ingredients are much better for my skin. Not to mention, I'm not so secretly hoping that I'll start to look slightly like those Korean actresses in the KDrams.

Again, this was a GOOD DEAL. I've already purchased a box for my dad for father's day (Memebox For Him #2) because he too is OBSESSED (even more than me) with KDramas. Hopefully he'll let me review his box after he opens it (I may just give it to him early ;) ).

After I purchased my first two boxes, Memebox came out with three new specialty boxes: Milk box, Whole Grains box, and Oriental Medicine box. I felt it was highly appropriate (and absolutely necessary) to purchase the Oriental Medicine box, I'm going to be a pharmacist after all. I am loving, downright LOVING Memebox. I could just cancel my BB and Ipsy subscriptions to get one Memebox a month, but I won't... not right now anyways. We'll see in a few months how this all plays out.

If you are interested in Memebox, check out their website at http://us.memebox.com.

XOXO,

Sami

May 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag

My first Ipsy Glam Bag, the May edition, arrived today (Shipped 5/8, ETA 5/16, arrived 5/17)! I am really impressed with the timing of this bag. After waiting 3 weeks for my first Birchbox, I appreciate the fact that Ipsy gets me my bag in only a little over a week. It also came in a cute pink bubble wrap bag that I LOVE! Ipsy gets an A+ for presentation.

On May 12, I got a sneak peak of what would be in my May bag as Ipsy revealed the contents of my personalized Glam Bag:

• Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask (60 mL)
• Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF 50 (30 mL)
• Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo #1- Celestial & Opal
• Boo-Boo Cover-Up - Medium (10 mL)
• SWISSCO Electroplated Eyelash Curler - Purple

I was really excited to get the hair mask and eyelash curler, the bag is super cute to boot! Okay, so first impressions, I was pleased to see that the sample sizes were extremely generous compared to Birchbox. The cover-up, eyeshadow and eyelash curler appear to be full sized items.


Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask (60 mL)
I absolutely love hair products, especially hair masks because I have long hair and neglect to cut it as often as I probably should so I have dry, split ends. My hair is also thick, coarse and heavy, which also means my scalp is susceptible to being oily often. The product says it can be used as a weekly mask or daily conditioner, either way, it should be applied generously, wait for 2-5 minutes and rinse out thoroughly. It can be used alone, or enhanced with a few drops of the eva NYC Hungry Hair Oil Treatment. I've used it once, and so far so good. I really love that I got a good sample size of this product so I can try it for a while; I plan to use it weekly. It has a nice smell, sort of beachy, but I can definitely smell the argan oil, which I like. I may actually end up purchasing this product in a full size. This product can be purchased in the size I received (60 mL retail price: $12) or a larger 500 mL jar (retail price: $40).

Hang Ten Classsic Sport SPF 50 (30 mL)
This product definitely arrived just in time for summer! I use a lot of acne products that thin the skin so a moisturizer with SPF in it is highly recommended. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of wrinkles or dark spots, so sun protection is a must. This sample size is decent and a perfect size for my purse. It does feel a little oily (significantly less than a regular sunscreen, but definitely more than a normal moisturizer should), meaning that I will probably only use this when I go in the sun as opposed to on a daily basis. I'm also not fond of the smell; it smells a little woody and like a typical body sunscreen. The full size product (180 mL) retails for $12.99.

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo #1 - Celestial & Opal
There were two different Duos with different color palettes. The one I got (the colors are called Celestial & Opal) is a more natural palette. The colors are both very sheer, one is a matte light pink and the other is a tan with a gold shimmer. When I first opened the compact, the cover dislodged from the bottom, making it feel cheap. The cover easily reattached though and I think the sample product was specially made for this Ipsy bag. This duo is regularly a part of a four color palette called the Mystical Supernatural eye shadow palette (retail price: $14). The colors are described as follows per the Pacifica website:

• Opal - opalescent pinkish-white perfect for highlighting and creating a natural look. Use on brow bones, inner eye and even as a liner. 
• Celestial - Creamy dreamy beige with a little bright pearl ideal for lids and highlights.

Boo-Boo Cover-Up - Medium (10 mL)
Like I mentioned in a previous post, I don't usually apply any sort of cover up to my face which, includes concealers. I've tried others before but have not been impressed. I actually am surprised at how much I actually like this product. First of all, this is a full sized product that retails for $19.99, double what I paid for the bag. Second, the shade matches my skin tone perfectly, blends well, and feels non-greasy on my skin.

SWISSCO Electroplated Eyelash Curler - Purple
I was initially really excited to get this; I had hoped to get this when spoiler #3 came out on FB and I saw it amongst the other products. I already have a reliable eyelash curler (I use a Chanel eyelash curler on the reg), but I'm always down to try new tools. After trying it out, it feels cheap and doesn't curl as well as my regular curler. In fact, this curler retails for about $5 and I purchased a curler from Target a while ago for about $3 and I think that one curls better than this one and feels sturdier.


If you want to order any of the products that were included in the month's collection, Ipsy has many special offers and discounts. Some are pretty significant (i.e. the Eva NYC site has a code for 65% off total purchase!).

I am really happy with the products I was able to try this month with Ipsy. I can see why there is a wait list for this subscription. The only thing I would have liked is a card with all the products I received and their prices, similar to what Birchbox does. To find the prices, you have to click on the links of the product, which takes you to the product website. Some links take you directly to the item within its site, whereas others will take you to the site but you have to search for the product. It becomes even more difficult when the samples are specialized for Ipsy sampling and appear different from the full sized products. I am especially happy with the Boo-Boo cover-up, its something I would have never purchased in a store or tried myself had I not gotten it in my Ipsy bag. I love that the products come in a cute bag. While the bag isn't the best quality bag, it can be used for cosmetics or other things. It is an additional benefit in itself. Lastly, Obviously my last name is Chang, so I love a good deal. This bag was a GOOD DEAL. The quality and quantity of the products I sampled are fantastic and I am so, so happy! Ipsy is definitely getting an edge on Birchbox, but we'll see who wins this month when my May BB finally arrives (probably in June).

Please let me know if you are interested in subscribing to Ipsy so I can refer you!

XOXO,

Sami

April 2014 Birchbox

I received my first Birchbox today! I ordered it on April 21 and finally received it 3 weeks later (ETA was 5/8, but I guess that's what you get for living in Hawai`i). I accidentally registered for Birchbox twice so I received two boxes this month (they happily credited my card for one box, even though it was my error). I had answered my quiz with the same answers so the items in both boxes were exactly the same. This is what was in my box:

• Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner - Bhura
• Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle
• Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream - Light to Medium
• Color Club Gala's Gem Collection - Aquamarine Azulino
• KIND Healthy Grain Bar - Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner (Bhura)
I have been using the same eyeliner for years and was excited to try something new. I usually use a MAC Fluidline for my upper lids and a MAC twist up pencil for my lower lids, both in a black color. Bhura is described as a brown color, but it looks like a deep purple color to me. I applied this to my upper lids and it seemed smooth. Then I applied it to my lower lids and the color clumped in my lashes. The clumping caused particles to get stuck in my eye, irritating it. I had to remove all the liner completely. Needless to say, I will definitely NOT be converting eyeliners anytime soon.

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle
I love hair products so I was excited to see this item was coming in my box. Some of it spilled in one of my boxes, but it smelled great and the spill did not deplete much of the bottle's contents. This product claims to do all of the following: instant detangled, thermal protector, UV protector, seals cuticle, smoothes hair, locks in color, adds shine, weightless, non-greasy, conditions, for all hair types. I'm not sure if all these claims are true, although I can attest that it does smooth my hair (although my hair is already pretty smooth) and is non-greasy. I also really like the smell. It kind of smells like coconut and vanilla and matches my current shampoo/conditioner regimen. Not sure if I would buy this since I like my current hair products and I think they work better than this one. I currently use a variety of Organix (now known as Ogx) and I love how they make my hair soft and shiny.

Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream (Light to Medium)
I have never been a fan of foundations... this cream has not changed my opinion. The cream feels sticky on my skin and the coverage is far from flawless. Then again, I'm pretty critical of the term "flawless." The coverage of this cream though was not even adequate, but it's okay, I prefer the natural look anyway. 
(5/16) After I tried this and didn't like it, I gave it to my mom to try; she's been trying to find something similar to use. She said she liked the texture and it felt like it wasn't heavy or greasy. She mentioned that the coverage was minimal but liked that it has SPF 30 in it.

Color Club Gala's Gem Collection (Aquamarine Azulino)
This is by far my favorite item in this box! I've already painted my toenails and I absolutely LOVE it! I was originally hoping to get two different colors, but I'm now satisfied that both are the same color. This sample was the perfect size since I like to change my toenail colors often and I don't like larger bottles because it gets harder to use as the contents are reduced and as the polish ages. Application was truly flawless with a smooth, glossy finish; I used two coats. Aquamarine Azulino is a "pearly sky blue with a hint of shimmer," according to the BB description and I believe it is accurate. The polish that got on my skin completely came off after taking a shower. 
(5/13) Overnight, the polish hadn't completely dried yet so my sheets imprinted on my big toe (because it has the thickest coat of polish). This is common with many of the lower grade polishes, so I just added another coat. I still love this polish.
(5/14) Okay, now this polish is getting on my nerves. I added the one additional coat in the afternoon yesterday, and tonight, I sat with my feet under me and the fabric of the chair I was sitting on imprinted on my big toe. I can't believe how long it takes for this polish to set, not sure if I would buy this on the reg.

KIND Healthy Grain Bar (Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt)
I have seen this in Target and in commercials so I was happy that I would finally get to try it. I am not impressed. It tastes like an energy bar, which I am not a fan of, and the texture is a bit too crunchy and crumbly for my taste. I'm not a fan of messy foods either. KIND bars will continue to be absent from my shopping list.

I really like being able to try different products and I'm pretty happy with the ones I've gotten to try this month. Here are the products I will be receiving and reviewing next month:

If you're interested in subscribing to Birchbox, please let me know so I can refer you!

XOXO,

Sami