Memebox x CutiePieMarzia Unboxing

Memebox Stats

What is it: Memebox is a South Korean store and site where you can purchase boxes filled with South Korean skincare and cosmetics, often exceeding the cost of the box. The contents of the box are secret (similar to subscription services), though spoilers are released. There is no recurring subscription.

Cost: They generally run $23-$34 a box before shipping.

Shipping: Shipping is $7.99 a box for standard(15-22 business days) or $22.99 for expedited (3-5 business days)

Personalization: There is no personalized quiz, but you can chose whatever boxes you want based on whatever themes appeal to you.

Points system: The points system here involves “memepoints.” Memepoints can be earned for certain purchases, won in contests or sometimes given out by the company. Their value is dollar for dollar (i.e. 3 memepoints is $3 in the shop). If you buy 5 individual boxes over a period of 3 months you become a VIP and get bonus perks.

Awesomely unique:

1. This gives access to Korean products that may be difficult to find otherwise.

2. You can choose what boxes you want to buy based on theme and you aren’t forced into a monthly subscription.

3. Value sets give you expedited shipping for purchasing multiple boxes in a set. You only have to pay $7.99 to ship all boxes in the set and it’s expedited.

4. There are coupon codes and Memebox often throws out memepoints.

Unfortunately unique:

1. The shipping charges are a huge downer.

2. Shipping takes forever.

3. If you find a product you love in a box, it may be difficult or costly to purchase again.

4. Since the company is South Korean it can be hard to communicate with them and they operate in a different time zone (emails are sent and boxes are put up while I’m sleeping).

5. They take a while to respond to emails (I’ve even had an email completely ignored).

Where: us.memebox.com or use my referral link http://us.memebox.com/user/magicofmascara

            Lately Memebox has been releasing boxes curated by popular bloggers and youtubers. This box was curated by Cutiepiemarzia. She did a video about the box here > http://youtu.be/pBmwd9lW3wg , you should check it out. Anyways, she hadn’t actually tried anything in the box herself, but I was enamored as soon as I saw it. For the blogger collaboration boxes, Memebox reveals everything in the box, from the get-go. No surprises here.

           On to the goodies. This box had 6 full size products with a total value of $88 and I paid $30.99 ($23 + $7.99 shipping). The value of this box wasn't as great as some others they've put out, but this is definitely more about curation than value.  

 

            First is the Beauty People Snow White Special Edition Season 2 set ($54). It includes mini size eyeliners in the colors, glimmer black, glimmer brown, glimmer bronze, glimmer gold and glimmer beige. I own two full sized Beauty People eyeliners, and those twist up. This need to be sharpened, but included in the box was a bonus sharpener, which is nice. I haven’t tried it out, though. As far as the eyeliners go, I freaking love these. The quality is awesome. They are super pigmented, glide on smoothly and do not budge. In fact, this set is why I bought this box. A set of my new favorite eyeliners, plus a cute-as-hell Snow White tin was irresistible. And it makes the value of the box. I found this same set on Amazon for $47 + $5 shipping.

            Next up is an adorable Tinted Balm by Petit Friend in PK01 Crown Pink ($8). It smells like strawberry candy! I just mix the two colors together when I apply it, because it would be way too much effort to keep the damn crown intact. It gives a cute bubblegum pink color that way, anyways. It’s also pretty moisturizing and doesn't settle into liplines.

(The outer packaging removes easily, but you could also leave it on and still be functional)

(Without the wing sleeves.)

(Left: Volumer Essense, Right: One Step Base)

            Included, as well, are two full-size products from It’s Skin. We have the Babyface One-Step Base in 01 Lavender Pink ($8) and Babyface Volumer Essense ($11). I don’t know exactly what “volumer” means, but after a while of buying these boxes, you get used to unique uses of the English language. Anyways, the volumer essence is super sticky. I’ve only used it once, because of that. It’s got a liquid-gel hybrid texture and smells like baby powder. It's supposed to brighten and reduce wrinkles so I may have to give it another go, though. I haven’t used the primer much, because it gives a white cast on it’s own and I don’t wear much foundation. It has a lotion-like texture and smells like Herbal Essences shampoo. 

            I wasn’t too excited about the L.vida Nail Polish in LC-34 Pink Orange ($6) until I got it. I applied it a few days ago (qithout a base coat) and didn’t have any chipping for at least 3 days, which is pretty good for me. On the fourth day the polish from my pinky nail popped off and so I peeled the rest off. I’m awful with nail polish. I hadn’t used a base coat and nail polish always pops off, so please don’t take my little review as characteristic of the wear. 

            I did like the finish. I had a jelly texture and I was able to do a successful jelly sandwich manicure with it, but with two coats it would appear to have a crème texture on the nail. Pretty versatile. The color is also adorable for spring and summer. Overall, I don’t think Korean nail polish has anything special to offer over American polish brands, but this polish was a  pretty good formula for only $6.

  

            I’m always excited to get a mask in a Memebox, since masks are hugely popular in Korea. I still haven’t tried this Pure Smile Gelee Labo Strawberry mask ($1), so I can’t testify about its smell, but I did get another Gelee Labo mask from this brand in another box and loved it. It smelled good, had the texture of jam (no joke) and left my skin really soft. It wasn’t sticky and was a lot of fun to use. I’m really excited to try this one.  Overall, probably the most fun I’ve had with a $1 mask.

            I really enjoy getting Memeboxes and this box was no exception. Let me know if you have questions about any of the products I mentioned.  I suggest you head over to Memebox’s website and click around. WARNING: once you buy a box you will get addicted. Have fun!