Beauty – Lisa Preziosi

Product Reviews: Kbeauty Haul from Althea!

Okay this post has been a very very long time in the making, but it’s a lot of fun so hopefully worth the wait.

If you’ve followed my blog for a while you know that I am obsessed with Korean beauty products. They come in adorable packaging and have ingredients that sound like they belong in a witch’s cauldron (bee venom or snail mucus anyone?) and they solve problems I didn’t even know I had (like angry scalp!).

You can imagine my excitement when the awesome folks over at Althea offered me a $100 gift card to go on a shopping spree and try out their products.
Who is Althea you ask?
They are a beauty retailer that offers authentic products shipped straight from Korea, including a wide variety of Korean beauty items including skincare, makeup, hair products and more. They also offer limited edition themed boxes for individual purchase. They have free shipping to the US on purchases over $50, but international shipping costs will vary.

After I managed to calm myself down, I made a spreadsheet (as one does before a shopping spree) and tried to figure out the things I’d love to try and the things I thought you guys would be interested in seeing.

One of the great things about Kbeauty and Althea is that there are tons of great products at really affordable price points. Koreans have very intense skincare routines with lots of products involved so it makes sense that they want a wide variety of affordable options. I also found the Althea site to be a lot of fun to navigate with separate sections for items that are new or trendy.

My order arrived quickly and in lovely packaging. Now onto my choices!

The Black Liquid Liner
Blingsome – Tinted Brush Liner
(Retail Price: $5.75)
Description: “With 0.01 mm brush, draw from thick to detailed eye lines. With deep and rich black color, make vivid eye lines! Film coating that prevents from erasing and smudges! Doesn’t erase from running water but tepid water can clean all!”
Verdict: Smudged on me
Black liquid liner is a staple Kbeauty product and a must have for most beauty mavens. As someone with hooded eyes I’m always looking for smudge-proof liners. The pros on this are that it is a rich deep black shade and goes on incredibly easily. Unfortunately for me it smudged a lot. I tried it first without eye primer and that was a disaster. I tried it later with a primer and it faired much better, but it didn’t hold up to an entire day of wear. I have oily hooded lids, so this might work out just fine for someone with less smudging issues. The color saturation and the brush were wonderful and at only $5.75, it’s worth taking a chance on.

The Eye Shadow Palette
Etude House – Play Color Eyes Cherry Blossom
(Retail Price: $21.40)
Description: “Romantic Pink Color Shades A shadow palette delivering various makeup looks with romantic and lovely point colors and natural shade colors. Soft & Silky Texture Highly adhesive soft texture delivers vivid color and helps pearls last all day without cracking or settling into fine lines. Purpose: The 10-color eye shadow palette colors your eyes with pink color resembling cherry blossoms dancing in spring.”
Verdict: Leans warm but quite pretty
An eye shadow palette like “cherry blossoms dancing in spring”? Sold! These shadows went on easily and had a nice color saturation. I found the colors leaned warm so a lot of them ended up turning more orange on me, but the shades were still wearable. I think this palette would be a great fit for folks with neutral or warm undertones. The packaging was lovely and I appreciate that it is plastic rather than cardboard, as the plastic holds up much better to wear.

The Cushion Compact
Beauty People – ABSOLUTE LOFTY GIRL CUSHION FOUNDATION in Cover Beige
(Retail Price: $23.00)
Description: “Spherical Powder for Perfect Coverage! Micro cover powder seamlessly hides acne and hyperpigmentation for clearer complexion. Propolis extract increases lasting power and adherence, for perfect fit to skin. Special 3 layered sealing system for Cushion foundation container. Automatically seals to prevent air inflow and evaporation of contents. Brightening, Anti-Wrinkle, UV Protection.”
Verdict: Only the coolest packaging ever
Cushion Compacts are a trend from Kbeauty that crossed over to the US in recent years so I knew I had to include one on the list. Once I saw the packaging on the Absolute Lofty Girl Cushion Foundation I had to have it. It is the coolest looking compact ever and I’m already trying to figure out what I can use it for once I finish the foundation in it. As a really pale, cool/pink undertoned redhead, I was concerned everything would be too warm or yellow for me. I opted for the “cover beige” which looked more light and pink. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. I figured it probably wouldn’t work and I’d have to mix it with something else to wear it. Shockingly it blended right into my skin tone. I wore it without any problems. It’s a light coverage, goes on smoothly and didn’t look strange on me at all. Definitely a win!

The Hair Product
Piolang – Raspberry Hair Vinegar
(Retail Price: $7.00)
Description: “Acid balanced for hair and scalp. Raspberry Vinegar 25,000mg!”
Verdict: Like!
I haven’t had a chance to try out too many Korean hair products so I wanted to add one to the list. I always hear folks raving about using Apple Cider Vinegar as a hair rinse, so I figured I’d try out this specially formulated raspberry hair vinegar. Since moving to my new house, my hair has sort of freaked out at our water situation (low water pressure & hard water) so it’s difficult for me to gauge how effective hair products are for me at the moment. I can say this has a really nice smell and the packaging makes it easy to apply. It seemed to give my hair a bit more softness and shine, but I’ll need to keep using it and see how it works over time. If you dig vinegar hair treatments, definitely consider this so you can smell like berries instead of like pasta salad.

The Cleanser
Aritaum Poyan Lip & Eye Remover
(Retail Price: $8.00)
Description: “Slathering oil onto your face at the end of a long day may sound counterintuitive, but let us tell you, it’s one of the best cleaning methods around! Aritaum’s Poyan Lip & Eye Remover is a fantastic contender for K-Beauty’s double cleansing method and removes all traces of makeup while prepping the skin for a foam cleanser. This hydrating remover is made with gentle ingredients too, so it won’t irritate your delicate eyes while you’re gently rubbing that mascara away.”
Verdict: N/A
I haven’t had a chance to use this one yet so I can’t give you a verdict, but oil cleansers are my go to for makeup removal and they are a staple in Korean beauty. If you haven’t tried one, I highly recommend them. They remove even the most hardcore makeup without much fuss. Definitely give an oil cleanser a try.

The Multi-Tasker
Skinfood Fresh Fruit Lip & Cheek Trio in Plum
(Retail Price: $7.25)
Description: “They say all good things come in threes right? We’ll do one better: Skinfood’s Fresh Fruit Lip & Cheek Trio kit comes in three colours that have double the use! Choose from an array of colours which offer rich pigmentation in a creamy formula that’s easy to blend out and leaves a dewy finish on the cheeks or lips. Great for traveling, this convenient little kit comes with a metal casing that protects the products from annoying dent marks, making this perfect to throw into your bag or purse. Did we mention that we also love the subtle fruity fragrance this trio has? Yum!”
Verdict: Love!
I wanted to choose a multi-tasking product and since I adore cream blushes I thought I’d try one of these skin food trios. The plum shades really appealed to me and I have to say this is my fave item from my haul. The colors are easy to blend and look incredibly natural on me – both as cheek and lip shades. Normally when you get a multi-tasking makeup product it’s good at one thing and not so great at the other, but this looks works well for both uses. If you’re doing some shopping on Althea, I recommend trying one of these out. At only $7.25 it’s a great buy.

The Snail Product
Pure Smile Snail Scalp Hair Care – Shampoo + Treatment
(Retail Price: $10.75)
Description: “Unclog and remove impurities on hair. Treat scalp for healthy, silk-smooth hair.”
Verdict: Like
I have some really weird fascination with products that have snail products in them so I needed to include one in my haul. My hair and scalp have been in atrocious shape so I thought I’d give this product set a try. It has a pleasant scent and the texture is a touch slimy but it rinses out easily. At first it made my hair feel a bit coarser, but after using it again it softened up. I felt like it also didn’t create as much buildup in my hair as other shampoos and conditioners. I’ll need to keep using it to see if it makes a difference over time.

The Pore Product
Nella – Pore Jelly Pop Blackhead Remover
(Retail Price: $13.50)
Description: “The blackhead eraser that removes all blackheads! Use the Blackhead Remover Jelly Brush to achieve silky smooth skin!”
Verdict: N/A
Korean beauty advertisers really really talk about your pores a lot, and they have a ton of products to help you clean them out and make them disappear so I wanted to include some kind of funky pore product in this haul. Cue the “blackhead remover jellybrush”. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to use this one yet, but the brush has a really cool texture and at the very least will be fun to use.

The Eye Primer
ABBAMART – 4 Ur Eyes Brightner & Primer
(Retail Price: $9.50)
Description: “Long lasting eye makeup with brightened eye parts.”
Verdict: Good for the price
As I’ve mentioned I have a huge problem with eye makeup migrating all over my face. Even the most “waterproof” of formulas will smudge if I don’t use a primer, so I figured I’d add one to my haul. This one intrigued me because it included a brightener. I tried products with and without this primer in order to gauge how well it worked. It definitely worked better than using no primer at all, but I don’t find it to be quite as effective as some of the higher end brands I’ve tried. The brightener isn’t bad, but I find that the applicator puts out too much product and then it’s difficult to blend, but if you use the right amount it blends in quite nicely. Overall, for less than $10 this is a good buy.

The Lip Tint
Etude House – Dear Darling Water Gel Tint in Dracula Red
(Retail Price: $3.90)
Description: “Be Etude House’s darling with their Dear Darling Water Gel Tint! Thanks to this pigmented, moisturizing formula, your lips will be left with a tint that lasts all day without drying them out. Infused with pomegranate and soapberry extracts, this product helps to nourish the lips too for a fresh, kiss-ready pout. Pucker up!”
Verdict: Hit!
A lip tint in a Kbeauty haul was a must. Unfortunately they didn’t really have swatches of the red shades, but for a less than $4 I could engage in a bit of whimsy, so I opted for “Dracula Red.” The tint has a huge color payoff and as you wear it, it does fade and ends up as a more understated red. This was a fun addition to my haul.

OVERALL
Verdict: Love!
While I’m familiar with Memebox, Althea’s site was completely new to me and I really enjoyed getting to explore it and try new products. I spent just slightly over my $100 spree, adding $9.15 from my own pocket to cover this haul. I received a ton of products for that price and none of them irritated my skin and I found all of them to be of excellent quality. Part of what I think makes the Kbeauty craze so popular is that they offer a ton of quality items in lower pricepoints. I feel like their drugstore priced makeup is just leaps and bounds ahead of what we have here in the US. They also have unique ingredients and adorable packaging that adds a bit more fun to the usual beauty shopping. The shipping was fast and everything was packed nicely. I wouldn’t hesitate to order from them again and if you’re interested in trying out some Korean beauty products, I’d definitely recommend them as a source.

Have you or would you ever try Korean Beauty Products?
Why or why not?

THE BACKSTORY
Althea where Beauty meets Korea. Althea is a beauty retailer that offers authentic beauty products shipped straight from Korea to the US including skincare, makeup, hair products and more. They also offer limited edition themed boxes for individual purchase.

Shipping: Free Shipping from Korea to the US on purchases over $50
(International Shipping Costs will vary.)

December Product Review: Bobbi Brown City Collection – Paris

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a product review and I thought some fancy makeup would be a perfect topic as we head into party season. This year Bobbi Brown introduced their “City Collections” which featured palettes, eye liners and lipsticks based on New York, London and Paris.

Frankly, they were all amazing, and when I found a great coupon deal online, I decided to splurge and try out a city out for myself. My budget allowed for one palette and one gel eye liner.

After chatting online via instant message with a Bobbi Brown makeup specialist (which you can do for free) and uploading a photo of myself, I was able to finally decide on the Paris palette and matching gunmetal longwear eye liner.

PARIS PALETTE

The Description: “Exclusively for our 25th anniversary, Bobbi introduces a collection of limited edition palettes celebrating three iconic fashion cities. Inspired by Parisians’ effortlessly chic style, the Paris Palette features four shadows in nude and deep gray shades plus the perfect, fresh shade of blush—all in a collectible mirrored compact with an illustration by renowned artist Richard Haines..
Featured in O, The Oprah Magazine (November 2016)”
Cost: $65.00

To start, this palette has really beautiful packaging. I actually don’t mind spending a little more for a product if the packaging is very attractive. Eyeshadow palettes can have a pretty long shelf-life, so you’ll be looking at that lovely compact for quite some time. Plus sturdier packaging (as opposed to cardboard) holds up so much better over time.

I have other Bobbi Brown eyeshadows and they are my go to staple, for blendable neutral eyes. They aren’t as pigmented as other shadows (like MUFE) but they are great for creating subtle natural looks and they apply easily.

Like my other Bobbi Brown palettes, the shades on this one aren’t super pigmented, but you can build them for more color. When you’re dealing with grey (or really dark) shadow I think that’s a plus. The palest shade pretty much just blends into my skin.

The darkest shade can be used as an eyeliner, or for setting over a gel eyeliner.

The blush goes on easily and is a surprisingly wearable shade. It gives a subtly bright pop of color, that makes you look healthy but without looking like you’re wearing a ton of makeup. I also used it for my eyes to add a little pop to the grey tones and it worked quite well.

My one problem with this palette, is one I have with some other Bobbi Brown ones – staying power. Even with my sturdier eye primers, the eyeshadows tend to disappear very quickly. The blush had better staying power and when I used the darker shade to set eyeliner, that seemed to last long as well.

SWATCHES:
(Liner on the far left, then the eyeshadow shades from dark to light, and the blush).

(It’s hard to see, but the lightest shade is swatched right before the blush.)

Verdict: Like
If the shadows could stay a bit longer for me, this would definitely be a love. Even so, I like the subtle, sophisticated way these shadows layer. The shades are timeless and would work on a variety of skin tones. I was afraid the gray would be too dark for my pale skin, but the colors were chic and not goth at all.

CITY COLLECTION – LONG-WEAR GEL EYELINER – GUNMETAL INK

The Description: “A Dark Steel”
Cost: $26.00
Verdict: Too hard to apply
I have hooded, oily lids so my eye products tend to disintegrate or migrate all over my eyes. The best luck I have with creating a winged eye look that lasts more than 10 minutes, is to use a gel liner and then set it with eyeshadow. I have an espresso brown from Laura Mercier that I adore and I really wanted to try out a grey, but Laura Mercier’s color options are severely limited. This Bobbi Brown one seemed perfect. The color on this is great, but even with several different types of eyeliner brushes, I found it really hard to apply. It’s not at all in the same league as the Laura Mercier version. I’ll keep experimenting, but I think I’m just going to have to hold out until Laura Mercier puts out some new shades.

With my coupon code, I got the above plus 5 free samples (see below) for $65.27 (including tax), so I’m still happy with my purchase, even if the eye liner wasn’t a win.

If you love a makeup brand, be sure to shop around to various stores to get the best deals and freebies. Department stores and brand websites can often give you a lot more bang for your buck than Sephora or Ulta. They often feature coupon code and freebies you don’t always see in other places.

If you’re interested in the City Collection, the London palette is still available as well and Bobbi Brown is currently offering 6 free minis with purchase.

MAY PRODUCT REVIEW: Innersense Organic Haircare

So for May, I’ve got a real treat for all of you that love organic and natural beauty products. The wonderful folks at Innersense sent me their haircare line to review. I’ve got a ton of fun products for all different kinds of hair types, so let’s get to it.

First, let’s start with a little bit about Innersense Organic Beauty:
“Nature is at the Center of Innersense Organic Beauty. Our products are crafted from pure, certified organic plant ingredients your hair will love. Enjoy the hydration, moisture, shine and color protection only pure nature can provide and fall in love with the beautiful truth of innersense organic beauty.”

Who doesn’t want nature to make their hair pretty and shiny? It’s so much better than when machines do it.

“Innersense products are handcrafted from a rich combination of carefully selected certified organic and biodynamic plant extracts, rich in emollients and nutrients, high in antioxidants. Our products are built to restore hair’s natural balance, leaving it healthy, full of body and shiny.”

Am I the only one who gets excited when I hear the word “antioxidants”? I think it tricks my brain into thinking I can undo all the damage pollution from the Lincoln Tunnel has done to me.

It’s also important to note that Innersense is a certified green company, for those of you looking at beauty companies that are into environmental sustainability.

Now my hair is naturally red, thick, wavy and currently so long it’s bordering on sister wife territory. It’s prone to tangles, frizziness and I often get dry scalp (maybe a little TMI on the last one). Just so you have a reference point for my product experiences.

Color Awakening Shampoo
(Retail: 8.5 oz: $24.00; 32 oz: $60.00)
Description: “A gentle cleansing therapy for color-treated hair, this formula creates a gentle bath for the hair and scalp. Sunflower seed oil, a natural anti-oxidant, protects color from fading and leaves hair naturally clean without residue or dryness.”
Verdict: Love!
This shampoo had a wonderful citrus scent that I adore. It didn’t irritate my sometimes sensitive scalp and had a nice lather (which is hard to come by with many natural shampoos). It also didn’t weigh down my wavy hair like other brands have. My hair isn’t color treated, so I can’t speak to it’s properties in that regard, but it definitely felt gentle. This one was a winner for me.

Color Radiance Daily Conditioner
(Retail: 8.5 oz: $26.00; 32 oz: $68.00)
Description: “Formulated to nourish color-treated hair with natural proteins, aromatic oils and flower essences, this beautiful formula prevents build-up and includes sunflower seed oil for color protection..”
Verdict: Great for folks with Color Treated Hair
My first impression on this was the scent – unlike the light citrus of the shampoo, this had a heavier floral scent. For me, it was a bit too strong, but I could see other people really enjoying it. This conditioner did a fabulous job of making my thick knotted hair, soft and manageable, but I noticed that when I used it every day I got a bit of build-up that weighed my hair down. I offset this by using a clarifying shampoo. I think because this is made for color-treated hair, it may be a bit strong for my natural locks, but it really did a remarkable job of getting the tangles out of my hair. I think this would work amazingly well for folks with color treated hair, so if you’ve got a fab dye job, you may want to try this conditioner out.

Harmonic Healing Oil Soothing Treatment
(Retail: 1 oz: $22.00; 4 oz: $65.00)
Description: “A rich blend of sacred healing oils and flower essences, this product is ideal for soothing dry skin and scalp. With certified organic safflower and evening primrose oil, and the healing properties of sacred tamanu oil, this luscious oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and antioxidants. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for deep tissue massage and dry or irritated skin.”
Verdict: Like!
I’ve tried a lot of scalp oils and products and I really liked this treatment. It smelled lovely, (whereas other natural brands sometimes just smell like cooking oil) and it wasn’t super greasy. I haven’t tried it for my skin yet, but I really like that it’s multi-purpose as well. My favorite scalp treatments are scrubs and I’d love to experiment with combining this treatment oil with some salt to exfoliate.

Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
(Sale Price 8.5 oz: $19.79)
Description: “Natural oils, fragrant herbs, flower essences and a touch of honey leaves hair perfectly balanced and ready for any style. The natural orange blossom fragrance makes this a refreshing delight for all the senses.”
Verdict: Like
This has a lovely scent, wasn’t too heavy, and left my hair soft. It didn’t really make much of a dent in my frizziness, but it left it feeling refreshed.

Curl Control Quiet Calm
(Sale Price 8.5 oz: $19.79)
Description: “Certified organic shea butter sets and hydrates curl while rice bran oil and oat kernel extract combines to protect hair when blow drying smooth.”
Verdict: Like
This had a soft scent and wasn’t harsh or heavy on my hair. I don’t blow dry my hair often so I didn’t get to try this out as much as the other products, but I really like having a natural product I can use to protect my hair against heat styling.

I Create Hold Styling Gel
(Sale Price 8.5 oz: $19.79)
Description: “Take control and embrace your style. Certified organic honey acts as a natural resin; organic rooibios tea adds antioxidant protection, while rosemary extracts crate incredible shine.”
Verdict: Okay
I’m not a gel person, I’m much more of a sea salt spray, let it dry, bohemian type. This gel wasn’t super heavy or tacky like some can be, but it didn’t work so well with my normal wavy style. I imagine it would work better with other hair styles and textures.

I Create Volume Volumizing Lotion
(Sale Price 8.5 oz: $19.79)
Description: “Add lift from roots to end with certified organic honey and aloe. Wheat germ amino acids combined with eucalyptus provide moisture and nutrients to improve elasticity and shine.”
Verdict: On the Fence
My hair is already thick, so I’m not sure I’m the target audience for this. I’m also accustomed to volumizing products that give a big bang and this one is a bit more subtle. I think this is a product suited for folks with thinner hair.

I Create Finish Finishing Spray
(Sale Price 8.5 oz: $19.79)
Description: ”This versatile spray, provides hold and manageability. Aloe and rice proteins provide moisture and strength, and certified organic lavender soothes the senses.”
Verdict: Like!
I’m not much of a hairspray person. And I hate, hate, HATE stuff that makes your hair hard or sticky. This is a lighter hairspray so if you want to beehive your head, I don’t think it’s going to work, but for less aerodynamically challenging hairstyles I think it works well. I like that it doesn’t harden my hair or smell like a chemical factory.

A couple products they sent me were more suited for short styles, so I couldn’t really try them out, (nor did I know anyone with suitable hair) but there’s no reason I can’t share some info on them with you all:

I Create Inner Peace Whipped Crème Texturizer
(Sale Price 3 oz: $16.20)
Description: ”This crème will leave any style peacefully texturized throughout the day. Certified Organic shea butter and fruit oils are whipped with wheat protein to condition and strengthen hair, while sunflower seed extract prevents color from fading.”

I Create Inner Reflection Finishing Polish
(Retail 3 oz: $18.00)
Description: ”Add control and reflection to any style. Shea butter, wheat grass an sunflower seed extract condition hair and protect color form fading.”

Overall: Hit!
Except for the Color Radiance Conditioner, whose scent was a bit strong, I thought the products all smelled lovely. They were natural but not overpowering. Since I’m fairly no frills when it comes to styling, my favorite product was the Color Awakening Shampoo which I’d gladly purchase on my own. The styling products all come in really generous sizes and with most of them, a little product goes a long way so even if you are paying $20ish for a bottle, it will definitely last you awhile. I’d love to see Innersense expand the line a little more with a conditioner with the same scent as the Color Awakening Shampoo, an exfoliating scalp treatment and a sea salt spray.

The products all have a very natural feel to them and if organic beauty is important to you, this is a great line to check out.

How important is it to you that your beauty products be organic or natural?

December Product Reviews: Memebox –I’m Dual Pore Brush,Snowflake Cleansing Balm & Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask

It’s time again for some fun with Korean Beauty Products. The folks from Memebox always send me fun things to review and this month I got a bunch of products I was super excited to try out.

Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask by Elizavecca
(Memebox Retail: $12.00)
Memebox Description: “This bubble clay mask is both a deep-cleansing makeup remover and pore cleanser in one! With its special formulation of charcoal powder, it deeply penetrates the pores to thoroughly get rid of deep-seated dirt while supplying proper nutrients to keep the skin healthy and supple. It not only cleanses, refines and tightens pores but it also helps control excessive sebum which usually causes the pores to be clogged.”
How to use:
“Scoop a proper amount of the Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask and spread evenly on dry, uncleansed face. Wait for 5 minutes until bubbles start to appear then gently massage it all over the face to melt down dirt. Rinse off with lukewarm water.”

Verdict: Hit!
I gave this mask a try and it actually starts bubbling pretty quickly. After waiting the prerequisite five minutes, the product looked pretty horrifying, like you had grey fluffy cauliflower growing on your face, so I recommend locking the bathroom door unless you want to traumatize your Significant Other (or any small children in the vicinity). I rubbed in the product, then rinsed it clean as instructed. It washed away much easier than other clay masks I’ve used. My skin afterwards definitely felt much cleaner and quite a bit smoother. I was concerned the product would be drying but it absolutely wasn’t. I think this is a superb mask for only $12 and could be a lot of fun for at home spa night with or without your closest friends (just don’t let one get a picture of you pre-rinsing).

I’m Dual Pore Brush by XO Memebox
(Memebox Retail: $12.00)
Memebox Description: “Bring your cleansing routine to the next level with I’m Dual Pore Brush. The first step to perfect skin is a good, thorough cleanse. Our ultra-soft microfiber and silicone brushes detox, rejuvenate, and retexturize. The white microfiber brush is made with 550,000 microfiber bristles that deeply clean pores without irritating the skin. It draws impurities and blackheads out of the pores for incredibly soft and even skin texture. The pink silicone brush is made with gentle silicone bristles that help remove stubborn blackheads and whiteheads. When gently pressed against the skin, it helps reduce puffiness in addition to restoring circulation and resilience.”

DIRECTIONS:
To Use the “Ultra-Soft Microfiber Brush”: “Wet the microfiber brush head with warm water and add a small amount of facial cleanser. Gently massage your face in a circular motion.”
To use the “Ultra-Gentle Silicone Brush Side”: “Press against the skin to restore circulation. Gently massage your T-zone in a circular motion with foam to remove blackheads.”
A helpful Membox Graphic!:

Verdict: LOVE!
Sadly this is currently sold out, but I’m sure Memebox will bring it back. The white side is super soft and the pink side gives a nice exfoliation. I actually own a Clarisonic Mia and even with the sensitive brushheads, I can’t use the product every day. This is much gentler and I like that it has two different types of bristles. The handle has a nice weight to it and this product definitely feels more expensive than the $12 price tag. If you’re looking for a versatile, affordable facebrush, definitely give this one a try once it’s back in stock.

Nooni Snowflake Cleanser
(Memebox Retail: $13.00)
Memebox Description: “Good cleansing helps maintain an even canvas for seamless application of skincare and makeup products. We designed the ultimate oil cleansing balm to give you a gentle cleanse every day. Cleansing Balm, Oil & Milk – all in one: Unique sherbet changes its texture as you cleanse so you can enjoy the benefits of a cleansing balm, cleansing oil, and cleansing milk all at once. Revitalize with Jeju Water: Water is a key component in most skincare products. This cleanser is made with mineral-rich Jeju spring water that promotes vitality and elasticity of skin while you cleanse. Nourish & Moisturize: Shea Butter, Citrus Peel Extract, and Lotus Flower Extract keep the skin feeling moisturized and supple.”
DIRECTIONS:
A not so detailed graphic from Memebox (but cute nonetheless):

“Step 1: Cleansing balm – It starts off with a balm texture that melts into your skin like snowflake. Cleansing balm allows for a mess-free, easy application.
Step 2: Cleansing oil – The balm turns into an oil as you massage into your skin. Cleansing oil is the most powerful form of cleansing that dissolves makeup, sunblock and oil-based impurities such as sebum.
Step 3: Cleansing milk – Massage once more with wet hands to emulsify the oil. Cleansing milk gently lifts away the oil and water-based impurities such as sweat and dirt.
Rinse off with lukewarm water. Your skin will be left feeling soft and moisturized (and not oily!). Follow up with your regular moisturizer routine.”

Verdict: Like
I was interested to see how this would compare with my regular oil cleanser and sadly it’s not a replacement for that. Oil cleanser can remove heavy makeup as well, while this requires you to remove your heavy/waterproof makeup first (which Memebox mentions on the site). That being said the cleanser itself is lovely. It has a balm like texture that works well with the included facebrush or with a Clarisonic. It melts away and gives you that squeaky clean feel without drying your skin. The size I received was a deluxe sample so for $13 you’d get a much larger size. I think it’s a great price for the product and if you’re someone who wants the benefits of an oil cleanser, but doesn’t like the feel of oil on your skin, consider giving this cleanser a try.

COUPON CODES!
FREE SHIPPING on orders of $30 or more, no code needed
Buy 2 or more boxes on our APP and get $5 off using ‘BOXPARTY’
5% OFF Chocolate & Wine Box with code ‘OHWEFANCY’

15% OFF skincare products with code ‘LOVEYOURSKIN’. Get flawless skin with Korean cosmetics!
15% OFF Korean makeup products with code ‘makeuplove’.
15% off your 1st Korean cosmetics purchase! Use code ‘WELCOME’

THE BACKSTORY
Memebox is the leading Korean beauty retailer, carrying curated boxes & individual items (pronounced Mi-mi-box) is the #1 beauty box provider in Korea and has recently come to the US. Their boxes include the “most trusted most trusted, best-loved Korean beauty products at everyday prices.” Memebox carries different types of beauty boxes along with full-size, Korean beauty products in their Memeshop. Unlike subscriptions, you purchase these boxes individually as they are released, so this is a great option for the commitment phobes who don’t want to be locked into a beauty subscription. There are tons of fun themes and pricing options.

Costs vary depending on the box.

Memepoints:
You can also get memepoints based on your purchases. Each 1 Meme Point can be redeemed for $1.00. (The maximum memepoints you are allowed to spend on an order is 50)

December 2015 Product Review: Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

For one of my December product reviews, I wanted to talk about Cover FX Custom Cover Drops. I got these several months ago and wanted to play around with them for a while before I finally wrote up my review.

A little about the product: “A revolutionary drop formula of concentrated pigments that allows you to weightlessly transform products in your beauty regimen into your ideal coverage.”

This sounds like magic. Tell me more.

“This innovative formula contains Flash Fusion Technology, so as soon as you drop in and mix with your favorite product, nothing but pure pigment is left behind—allowing you to customize your ideal level of coverage. Blend them with anything liquid to create your desired coverage, including moisturizers, serums, oils, primers, foundations, and tinted moisturizers that are water-, oil-, or silicone-based. Simply adjust your coverage by the number of drops you add. The pigments are coated with lecithin, which is biochemically similar to the skin, to ensure seamless blending, precise control, and the smoothest application.”

Wow. So basically you add these nifty drops to anything you put on your face and it turns it into a foundation. You adjust the coverage by the amount of drops you use. You can see why I was sold on this and had to try it out.

Now I bought these drops for a very specific purpose. I have cool, pink undertones and most products out there have warm, yellow undertones. It is super hard to find foundations, CC creams, BB creams and so on with the right coloring for my skin tone. In particular, my favorite CC cream (It Cosmetics) leans just a touch too warm for my taste. As soon as I read about these Cover Drops I wanted to use them to adjust my favorite products for a better match to my coloring.

I looked for the palest pink option and chose P20.

The product has an odd consistency – it’s both thick and thin at the same time. You really need to give the bottle a good shake to get it right. I didn’t swatch this because it’s not designed to be used alone. This is made to tint other products.

This is an item that you really need to play around with in order to get just right. The amount of drops you add, really depends on what product you are starting with. I found that 2 drops into my It Cosmetics CC cream in “Fair” worked really well. It added just enough pink to the shade to match my complexion. It’s also worked well in turning some of my too yellow Korean BB creams into something much more appropriate for my skin tone. You could use these drops in so many ways – particularly if you aren’t a regular foundation wearer. You can add a couple drops to your sunscreen for a light coverage, or into your regular moisturizer. It’s a super easy product to incorporate into your existing routine.

Verdict: Love!
I purchased this from Sephora for $44.00 (plus tax) and it was well worth the money. You use so little of the product that the bottle will last indefinitely. If you are someone who has trouble getting facial products to match your complexion, I highly recommend trying out these Cover Drops. They really allow you to customize all of your products to make them work better for you.

Do you have trouble finding Foundations or CC creams that match your complexion, or do you already have a favorite that works perfectly? (And please share your top picks!)

October Product Reviews: Memebox – TONYMOLY Panda’s Dream Brightening Eye Base & Memebox Puffs

It’s time again for some fun with Korean Beauty Products. The folks from Memebox always send me fun things to review and this month I’ve actually got a favorite product of mine.

Panda’s Dream Brightening Eye Base by Tonymoly
(Memebox Retail: $12.00)
Memebox Description: “Instantly see improvement in the appearance of dark circles with ingredients that soothe and specifically target the under eye region, to visibly improve puffiness, eye bags , and dark circles. Properties also include revitalizing eye wrinkle treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Create energized and brightened under eyes with this easy-to-use, on-the-go skin treatment. You can also use this product as a highlighter to add definition and create a dynamic, multi-dimensional look.”

DIRECTIONS: “Apply directly to the under yes where dark circles or puffiness are most prominent. Use as a highlighter and apply to nose bride, forehead, chin, cheek bones for definition. Blend into skin for a natural and flawless finish. Re-apply throughout the day as needed.”

Verdict: LOVE!

I actually own this product and talked about it during my NYC Feature where I visited the TonyMoly store. I use this regularly under my eyes. It’s definitely brightening, but if you plan to cover your dark circles you should use it in conjunction with a concealer. If you’ve tried Benefit’s Fakeup, it’s very similar to the hydrating core around the color. The product goes on smoothly and is nicely hydrating. I use it regularly beneath my stronger concealers so that the delicate skin of the under eye area doesn’t get irritated or dry. I’d never thought to try this out as a highlighter, but thanks to Memebox’s handy dandy little card I’ll be making this even more of a multi-tasker. And it goes without saying that anything TonyMoly is super adorable. I mean who doesn’t want an eye brightening panda in their makeup case? This is a great buy for $12 and I can’t recommend it enough.

Meme Puff Set 5 pcs by XO Memebox
(Memebox Retail: $5.00)
Memebox Description: “Your search for the perfect air cushion pact ends here. Simply take your favorite facial makeup and pat, pat, pat with Meme Puffs! These Rubycell antibacterial puffs are the same puffs encased in air cushion pacts that deliver the flawless, airbrushed finish. With its skin-fitting technology, it lets your makeup directly touch your skin and fill even the finest lines. Plus, there’s no need to worry about having to wash it over and over again as it is antibacterial and won’t accumulate dirt.
If you already own an air cushion pact, it’s a great idea to occasionally swap out the applicator.”

DIRECTIONS: “Pair with face makeup of your choice – foundation, BB cream, CC cream. Or pair with your old air cushion pact. Gently press the cushion puff against the cushion foundation until an appropriate amount of product is released. Pat gently onto the face to create an airbrushed, moist finish.”

Verdict: Like
I really like that these sponges are antibacterial. It’s also great to have a nice alternative to using that same old sponge in your compact. The sponge seemed quite sturdy and the application was good. The five pack at $5 seems a pretty reasonable price since a sponge should last quite some time. If you’ve got a cushion compact with a sponge that has seen better days consider grabbing a pack of these.

COUPON CODES!
FREE SHIPPING on orders of $30 or more, no code needed
Buy 2 or more boxes on our APP and get $5 off using ‘BOXPARTY’
5% OFF Chocolate & Wine Box with code ‘OHWEFANCY’

THE BACKSTORY

Memebox is the leading Korean beauty retailer, carrying curated boxes & individual items (pronounced Mi-mi-box) is the #1 beauty box provider in Korea and has recently come to the US. Their boxes include the “most trusted most trusted, best-loved Korean beauty products at everyday prices.” Memebox carries different types of beauty boxes along with full-size, Korean beauty products in their Memeshop. Unlike subscriptions, you purchase these boxes individually as they are released, so this is a great option for the commitment phobes who don’t want to be locked into a beauty subscription. There are tons of fun themes and pricing options.

Costs vary depending on the box.

Memepoints:
You can also get memepoints based on your purchases. Each 1 Meme Point can be redeemed for $1.00. (The maximum memepoints you are allowed to spend on an order is 50)

September Product Review: Memebox – Ciracle Blackhead Off Sheet

It’s time again for some fun with Korean Beauty Products. The folks from Memeboxalways send me exciting products to review and this time I have Ciracle’s Pore Control Blackhead Off Sheet.

Ciracle Pore Control Blackhead Off Sheet
(Memebox Retail: $15.00)
Memebox’s Description: “Keep your skin clear and get rid of all those stubborn blackheads! This unique blackhead eliminator is in a sheet form which effectively allows the essence to fully sit into the pores to be able to soften the dirt out and eliminate it completely. It also controls excessive sebum production to prevent further appearance of whiteheads and blackheads.”

There is nothing that K-beauty hates more than blackheads and “excessive sebum”, hence the constant stream of products to tackle those very issues.

This kit comes with a jar of circular sheets soaked in some type of blackhead removing solution, tweezers and q-tips.

The directions say to apply the pads to a clean face and press until they adhere. You leave them for 20 to 30 minutes, then rub the q-tips around the area to remove blackheads. After, you rinse off with lukewarm water.

I found the circles hard to apply to certain areas of my face. You are supposed to be able to use these on your cheeks and chin as well, but I couldn’t get mine to stay on my chin. The feel of the solution reminds me a lot of a typical Korean facemask. It’s the same kind of feel against your skin and the same consistency in the liquid.

I have sensitive skin and I was fine for most of the time the pads were on. Toward the end of the time limit, my skin near my eyes was feeling a little dry. I didn’t have a reaction, but I did follow up with oil cleanser and moisturizer.

Verdict: Like

After I was done, my pores did seem notably cleaner. I’m not convinced that this removes blackheads, but it does do a good job of cleaning out your pores. I like that it’s not as rough on your skin as those adhesive style strips and the small circles allow you to place the mask exactly where you want it. They are a little difficult to work with for some areas of the face, but you could work around them by applying and then laying on the couch.

I couldn’t find this product for individual purchase on the Memebox site, but it is part of the Ciracle Box, which looks pretty awesome. It’s got a deep cleansing oil, a snail mask, and tons of other goodies. If I didn’t have a giant skincare stockpile, I’d be nabbing it for myself.

Are blackheads a problem for you? If so, what is your beauty solution for dealing with them?

COUPON CODES!
FREE SHIPPING on orders of $30 or more, no code needed
Buy 2 or more boxes on our APP and get $5 off using ‘BOXPARTY’
5% OFF Chocolate & Wine Box with code ‘OHWEFANCY’

THE BACKSTORY
Memebox is the leading Korean beauty retailer, carrying curated boxes & individual items (pronounced Mi-mi-box) is the #1 beauty box provider in Korea and has recently come to the US. Their boxes include the “most trusted most trusted, best-loved Korean beauty products at everyday prices.” Unlike subscriptions, you purchase these boxes individually as they are released, so this is a great option for the commitment phobes who don’t want to be locked into a beauty subscription. There are tons of fun themes and pricing options.

Costs vary depending on the box.

Memepoints:
You can also get memepoints based on your purchases. Each 1 Meme Point can be redeemed for $1.00. (The maximum memepoints you are allowed to spend on an order is 50)

Terra Bella Box: September 2015 & a Lip Trio Giveaway!! & Coupon Code

For TGIF, I’ve got something really special. Not only do I have a review of the new natural beauty subscription box, Terra Bella Box, but they were awesome enough to give me a lip trio as a giveaway for you, my oh so awesome readers. The rules and info on how to enter are below.

Terra Bella Box offers two box options, the regular box offers 5-6 natural beauty items, while the “lite” version has 2-3. For details on pricing, including prepayment discounts, jump down to “The Backstory”. There is also an exclusive coupon code for my subscribers, use SUBTHERAPY to get $3.00 off the month to month subscription price.

Now let’s get to the box!

Adorable little packaging and inside we have the ever so important info card. (You’d think every box would have one, but a lot don’t and it really makes a huge difference.)

Salacia Salts in Midnight Garden
(Estimated Retail: $10.00)
Description: “Exfoliating soap with pure Atlantic sea salts in one of 3 scents ~ Shoreline, Midnight Garden or Seersucker.
Verdict: Gift
This is a beautifully packaged soap, but I received the “Midnight Garden” scent and it’s a touch too strong for me. I really think the “Shoreline” scent probably would have been perfect. This is lovely though and I’m going to add it to my Christmas 2015 gift stash.

Wellsmith Bath Bombs in Aloe and Lavender
(Estimated Retail: $6.00)
Description: “Refreshing bath bomb sampler duo in Green Tea/Aloe and Lavender/Vanilla.”
Verdict: Hit!
Bath bombs are so much fun and I find Lavender super relaxing, so this is a great fit. The card lists the value at $6.00 but I can’t find a duo in the Wellsmith Etsy shop and just one bath bomb seems to cost $6.50. It seems like Terra Bella’s cost on this one is underestimated.

Olivü 426 Travel Perfume Sprayer in Vanilla Sandalwood
(Estimated Retail: $5.00)
Description: “Travel perfume sprayer in Vanilla Sandalwood.”
Verdict: Gift
In general I’m not a fan of perfumes in beauty boxes because they are so personal. I can’t wear many scents and unfortunately I find the sandalwood in this a bit strong for me. I’m going to gift this to a friend who enjoys these types of perfumes. This brand does offer a ton of other options and the $5.00 price tag is super affordable so I may try out a few other of their offerings that are more my speed.

Robbins Essentials Goat’s Milk & Honey Lotion in Oatmeal & Honey
(Estimated Retail: $7.50)
Description: “Goat’s Milk & Honey Lotion in Oatmeal & Honey.”
Verdict: Like!
This lotion absorbed quickly and didn’t leave me feeling greasy. I definitely found it to be on the lighter side as far as moisturizers go. The biggest thing I noticed was the scent – it’s almost like brown sugar and it stayed with me all day. I kept catching whiffs of it and being surprised that I smelled like breakfast cereal (but in a good way, I swear). I didn’t see this exact version in Robbins online store, so I linked to a larger size.

Herbanluxe Cosmetics Mascara in Black
(Estimated Retail: $11.99)
Description: “Vegan Handmade Mascara in Black”
Verdict: Like
Vegan mascara is a tough thing to do well. This mascara isn’t the kind that is going to give you a super dramatic eye, but instead offers a more natural look. My eyes are sensitive and my lashes are oily, so mascara tends to bleed all over my face and make my eyes and skin itchy. This one didn’t smear and it didn’t give me any reactions. I prefer bolder mascaras in general but this is nice for a more natural look. If you’ve been in the market for a vegan mascara you may want to give this one a chance.

OVERALL

Verdict: Hit!

I received this box for free, but the regular month-to-month price is $37.95. The estimated retail value came out to $40.49 (and that’s using the lower price for the bath bombs). It’s hard to navigate the world of natural beauty products because there are so many small businesses in large marketplaces like Etsy. Natural beauty subscriptions are a great way to introduce you to brands you might never hear of otherwise. I’ve tried lots of natural beauty products and these brands are all new to me so I feel like this box was successful even if all the items weren’t to my exact taste.

Now to the super exciting part…drumroll please…

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!

The winner is…drumroll please….Southern Sugar!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered. I’ve got more giveaways planned so please check back soon!

Terra Bella Box graciously sent me this fabulous lip trio to giveaway. I like to keep things relatively simple so here are the rules:

1. You need to have a mailing address in the US. (Sorry international peeps!)
2. You need to “like” the Terra Bella Box Facebook page.
3. You need to leave a comment on this blog post.

You’ve got until Friday September 18^th to enter.
Winners will be randomly selected.
I’ll announce the winner once they’ve been contacted and a mailing address confirmed.

Good Luck and thanks for reading!

TERRA BELLA BOX NEWS!
A Limited Edition Holiday Box is available!

Limited Edition Holiday 2015 Box: $65.00
“A Limited Edition Terra Bella Box that will ship in December. Each box will contain more full size products and will have a higher retail value than the regular Terra Bella Box. Very special and unique items that are our very favorite things, just in time for the holidays.”

THE BACKSTORY
“Terra Bella Box is a subscription service that sends you 5-6 natural beauty products each month. Variety is assured with your subscription to Terra Bella Box. You won’t end up with a cabinet full of face washes. We handpick the best lotions, scrubs, cleansers, moisturizers, cosmetics, masks, and everything in between, all sourced from fantastic small businesses that handmake their products using some of the best natural ingredients–not harsh chemicals. Subscribing to Terra Bella Box is a way to support a local economy–not a large corporation–so you can feel good about where your money is going.”

COUPON CODE:
There is also an exclusive coupon code for my subscribers, use SUBTHERAPY to get $3.00 off the month to month subscription price!

Cost:
Terra Bella Box (5-6 natural beauty products):
Month to Month: $37.95 per month
3 Month Prepay: $107.84
6 Month Prepay: $209.67

Terra Bella Box Lite (2-3 natural beauty products:
Month to Month: $17.95
(There are no prepay options for this box)

August Product Reviews: Memebox Yeondukong Fix Lip & Cosrx Blackhead Silk Fingerballs

The great folks at Memebox always sent me fun and funky products to review. For August, I received the uber mysterious Cosrx Blackhead Silk Fingerballs and the cheerful Yeondukong Fix Lip.

We’ll start with the lip product.

Yeondukong x Memebox: Fix Lip #01 Red Orange
(Retail: $12.00)
Keeping up with Memebox’s recent theme of having special celebrity curations, “Yeondukong is a 25-year-old, ultimate “gwiyomi” beauty guru from Korea. She shares beauty tips that are quick and easy, perfect for students and workers who want to look great on the go.”

“What it is: This super pigmented 3-in-1 is pigmented like a lipstick, moisturizing like a tint balm, and evens out dry, patchy lips like a primer. It gives a great color payoff that makes the lips naturally plump and pretty. Formulated with mango, grapeseed, apple oil, and honey extracts to nourish and moisturize the lips. Its long-lasting formula allows the color to stay intact for up to 12 hours.”

This is Memebox’s photo that shows the color after 12 hours of wear:

Verdict: Hit!
As you can tell by my swatch this is hardcore orange on me–like prison jumpsuit, see me coming from across the street, orange. But the formula on this product was fabulous. The lipstick went on smoothly and had a gorgeous color saturation. It was hydrating, although after wearing it for a few hours my lips did feel a bit dry, so it’s not one stop shopping for lip hydration. The lipstick was long-lasting but mine didn’t get that 12 hours of wear as shown in the Memebox photo. After a bunch of hours and a pizza dinner, it had mostly faded but there was still a bit of an orange tint. Even though this color is out of my comfort zone, it was so bright and saturated that after a while I started to like it. If Memebox introduces a cooler red shade, I’m going to be all over it. This is a great lipstick and I think it’s worth the $12.00 pricetag. If you like orange reds, definitely consider giving this a shot.

Blackhead Silk Finger Ball 12 pcs
(Retail: $4.58)
I’m going to be honest here, when I first got these I couldn’t figure out if they were packing materials or an actual beauty product. Thankfully, Memebox sent out an email to bloggers with more info and directions.

“What it is: A finger ball made of 100% natural silk. Used to massage and gently exfoliate the skin to reveal healthy, youthful skin.”
Directions:

Verdict: Does anyone ever think that Korean beauty manufacturers are just punking us sometimes?

So these are like blackhead finger scrubbing balls? Why not just make silk pads similar to a konjac sponge? I don’t quite get it. I dutifully followed the instructions, but I didn’t see much change in my blackhead situation. It did remove a little leftover makeup, so it does function as a basic face sponge/exfoliator but I’m not seeing this as having any real impact on removing blackheads. If you want to scrub your face using just your fingertips, then this is just the product for you, but if you’re like me and are fine usually a regular face sponge, you can pass on this one.

As usual, I had a lot of fun trying out these Korean beauty trends, even if they all weren’t wins for me. Korean products are a great way to mix up your beauty routine and have some fun with your makeup and skincare.

What do you think of the Korean beauty trend in the US? Are the products exciting or just a bit too weird for you?

COUPON CODES!
FREE SHIPPING on orders of $30 or more, no code needed
Buy 2 or more boxes on our APP and get $5 off using ‘BOXPARTY’
5% OFF Chocolate & Wine Box with code ‘OHWEFANCY’

THE BACKSTORY

Memebox is the leading Korean beauty retailer, carrying curated boxes & individual items (pronounced Mi-mi-box) is the #1 beauty box provider in Korea and has recently come to the US. Their boxes include the “most trusted most trusted, best-loved Korean beauty products at everyday prices.” Memebox carries 4 main types of beauty boxes: Memebox, Memebox Special Editions, Superbox and Luckybox along with full-size, Korean beauty products in their Memeshop. Unlike subscriptions, you purchase these boxes individually as they are released, so this is a great option for the commitment phobes who don’t want to be locked into a beauty subscription. There are tons of fun themes and pricing options.

Costs vary depending on the box.

Memepoints:
You can also get memepoints based on your purchases. Each 1 Meme Point can be redeemed for $1.00. (The maximum memepoints you are allowed to spend on an order is 50)

July Product Review: Memebox HDReady Marsala Cream Matte Lipsticks & Coupon Code!

For July, Memebox sent me some fun makeup to review. The MAKEUPBYEVON + Memebox line introduced a trio of Cream Matte Lipsticks in different shades of Marsala. (Use ‘MEME10′ to receive 10% off your order!)

My first thought: Who is Evon?
A little recon on the Memebox site gave me the answer:

“NY-based self-taught MUA Evon inspires everyone to discover beauty through makeup and self-transformation.”

“I knew I wanted to go into makeup when learned that my makeup can make other people feel beautiful. As a makeup artist, it’s always been a dream to design my own beauty products. I decided to work with Memebox because I knew that K-beauty is all about the latest technology and high quality formula. My HD Ready Collection with Memebox is for people who want that sophisticated, professional look with minimal effort…”

Memebox’s Description of the Lipsticks:
“Evon chose the perfect matte lipstick formula in three different shades from the Marsala family, Pantone color of the year. This cream-to-powder formula glides on beautifully and sets to a velvety semi-matte finish that’s not drying or uncomfortable on the lips. Can be used on the lips and on the cheeks. Paraben free..”

If you’re into beauty and fashion, then you know “Marsala” has been everywhere this year and it’s a shade that can be an awesome chic neutral or a horrible brown mess. I was interested to see which category this set fell into.

#HDReady Cream Matte Lipstick #01 Shy Marsala
(Memebox Retail: $10.00)
Description: “Classic pinky nude beige, the lightest shade on the marsala color spectrum”
Verdict: Hit!

#HDReady Cream Matte Lipstick #02 True Marsala
(Memebox Retail: $10.00)
Description: #02 True Marsala: warm soft brown with a hint of marsala red undertone
Verdict: Hit!

#HDReady Cream Matte Lipstick #03 Daring Marsala
(Memebox Retail: $10.00)
Description: sensual, bold, and rich wine a.k.a. Pantone marsala
Verdict: Love!

At the words “matte” and “cream”, I immediately worried that these lipsticks would be super drying and cakey. They absolutely were not. They went on smoothly and had excellent staying power. No matte lip product will ever be hydrating but these didn’t have that horrible-make-your-lips peel factor.

“Shy Marsala” might be a little pale for our lovely darker skinned ladies, but I think it will work well on the paler to medium skin tones. It gives that natural sunkissed, JLo-esque vibe. The “True Marsala” is a touch more orange than the other two shades, but very wearable. My surprise favorite was the darkest shade “Daring Marsala”. I was sure it would look awful on my pale skin, but it absolutely did not. It has this sort of 90s retro brown lipstick vibe and reminded me of this awesome “Toasted Almond” Revlon lipstick I rocked back in high school. (I loved that damn lipstick). These shades could have gone horribly wrong on me with my pale skin and pink undertones, but they didn’t. They are great neutrals for every day wear and I think they’ll look fabulous on most ladies.

If you buy these as a set of 3, you can save $10. I think they are well worth the price at $10 and a steal at all three for $20. I’d happily pay that price for the set.

Have you rocked an “Marsala” makeup this year?

COUPON CODES!
Use ‘MEME10′ to receive 10% off your order!
FREE SHIPPING on orders of $30 or more, no code needed
Buy 2 or more boxes on our APP and get $5 off using ‘BOXPARTY’
5% OFF Chocolate & Wine Box with code ‘OHWEFANCY’
15% OFF skincare products with code ‘LOVEYOURSKIN’. Get flawless skin with Korean cosmetics!
15% OFF Korean makeup products with code ‘makeuplove’.
15% off your 1st Korean cosmetics purchase! Use code ‘WELCOME’

THE BACKSTORY

Memebox is the leading Korean beauty retailer, carrying curated boxes & individual items (pronounced Mi-mi-box) is the #1 beauty box provider in Korea and has recently come to the US. Their boxes include the “most trusted most trusted, best-loved Korean beauty products at everyday prices.” Unlike subscriptions, you purchase these boxes individually as they are released, so this is a great option for the commitment phobes who don’t want to be locked into a beauty subscription. There are tons of fun themes and pricing options.

Costs vary depending on the box.

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