Memebox Luckybox #3

I had to dip my toes into the hype of Memeboxes after countless visits to us.memebox.com and seeing the boxes fly off the shelves sell out within days (even hours at times) of going live.

For the uninitiated, Memebox is a Korean beauty subscription service based in the US with three boxes designed to cater to differing needs: Memebox, Superbox and Luckybox. Luckybox contains popular items from past sold-out Memeboxes, and according to the blurb on the site, may contain new favourites that are impossible to resist.

Of course this service is not without its drama. I could go on all day about the dissatisfaction regarding the contents of an older Memebox, disgruntlement that arose when it was announced that shipping to some international destinations would be halted and etc but that is not why you are here right? Haha!

This is an unboxing post and will be peppered with my initial impressions (as it only touched down a few hours ago). Without further ado, let's delve into the contents of the box:

① Miguhara B.P. Cream 미구하라 비피 크림 (3 ml ×2) | ₩ 37,000 for 30 ml
② Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream 홀리카홀리카 스킨 앤 굳세라 수퍼크림 (10 ml) | ₩ 18,900 for 60 ml
③ Ryoe Jayang Yunmo Anti-Hair Loss Treatment 려 자양윤모탈모방지트리트먼트 (100 ml) | ₩ 10,000 for 200 ml
④ Dr. Jart V7 Eye Serum 닥터자르트 V7 아이 세럼 (full size; 15 ml) | ₩ 38,000
⑤ LJH Dr's Care Vita Propolis Ampoule 이지함 닥터스케어 비타프로폴리스 앰플 (5 ml) | ₩ 25,900 for 15 ml
⑥ Lanoa Natural Sulfur Soap 라노아 천연 유황 비누 (full size; 100 g) | ₩ 12,000
⑦ Derma:B Daily Moisture Body Lotion 더마비 데일리 모이스처 바디로션 (100 ml) | ₩ 16,000 for 400 ml
⑧ Flower Men Energy Factory Moist Boosting Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask 꽃을든남자 에너지팩토리 모이스트 부스팅 히아루론산 시트 마스크 (full size; 25 g ×2) | ₩ 2,500 each
⑨ HeartFace Ultra Pore Care Sleeping Pack 하트페이스 울트라 포어 케어 슬리핑팩 (20 ml) | ₩ 35,000 for 100 ml

Altogether the box has a value of ₩ 90,183 ≈ US$ 87.30 (prices are taken from the official Korean website for each product and not the card), more than triple the US$ 23 subscription worth.

I am... well... underwhelmed. Why? There are far superior products from previous boxes that I would have liked to see (Gowoonsesang Total Active Dual BB Cream, Cremorlab Mineral Treatment Essence, Secret Key Snow White Cream, MAX Clinic Caviar Massage Oil Foam and Jaminkyung Gokmul Care Creamy Cleansing Masque) and I thought that Memebox team could have included more full sizes instead of these itty-bitty samples. Hmmm... am I nitpicking too much?

Would you pay US$ 23 for this box? And are you interested in reading a review of any of the products listed above?

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February 2014 Modbox

There are no guarantees for beauty subscription services. You may treasure the items you receive one month, abhor them the next, and fall right back in love the following month. This will never happen with Modbox because you get to select your own samples across 3 categories.

The blogger kit featured in this entry is a little different from the normal box because it contains a good number of samples that are up for selection. It came in a little over a week ago, so that calls for short reviews:

Shaire London Hair Perfume Dry Shampoo (full-size) eliminates greasy scalp and funky odour in a single spritz. It sends forth a cooling gust, which is a welcome bonus but the icing on the cake is the absence of a white cast. It is nothing like other dry shampoos, which is a fact that we brunettes are thankful for.

Popularised by Asian brands, peeling gels have made a foothold in the exfoliating world and in Rescare Aqua Peeling Face's (full-size) case, comes in a unique foam form. Washing off the eraser-like shavings created by a gentle massaging action is a surefire way to reveal smoother and brighter skin.

Miacare Acne Patch for Day (3 patches) shows up like a beacon so it is not advisable for you to step out of the comfort of your home with it stuck on your face. Worse still, it does not combat pus filled pimples... nasties are left there slowly sucking away my vitality (I am joking but you get the gist!).

Natural herbapeutic extracts (Eucalyptus, Clove, Fennel, Anise, Salvia, Catechu, Commiphora, Cinnamon, Myrrhis, Chamomila, Ratanhia, Mint, Glycyrrhiza, Sage) Xylitol and Cyclodextrin Complex encompassed in Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Toothpaste (20 g) and Dentiste' Oral Rinse (50 ml) are clinically proven to decrease bad morning breath in 93% users after the very first night.

They take the necessary preventive measures against gum disease to ensure good oral hygiene and to keep breath fresh and clean. Everybody can use them and that includes pregnant women and people suffering from respiratory problems.

I was skeptical when I read their claims 'instant, long-lasting fresh breath' and 'banish bad morning breath and keep gums healthy' but boy, was I proven wrong. The toothpaste does not feel as minty as my regular one plus it leaves a strange aftertaste so the mouthwash is definitely a livesaver.

Combined, they make a formidable team! I never thought that I would get this excited over dental care products.

If you want to buy your own Modbox, they are RM 9 each excluding shipping. Get it before the samples run out!

Disclosure: Press sample.

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November 2013 Bag Of Love

bag-of-love.com is shaping up to be the subscription service to watch out for. They usually furnish their subscribers with awesome samples, but they certainly upped the ante for the November bag.

Bag of Love is like Ipsy, where the samples are tucked into a bag instead of a box for RM 39.90. The November bag comes in the form of a denim snap closure Levi's bag. The interior was somewhat of a letdown because all that red check is a mismatch and for some reason, brings family restaurants to mind.

And now for the part where you get to find out what the sizes of the products are...

The star product is the Panasonic Pocket Doltz Toothbrush (full-size). A useful gadget that exceeds the subscription fee is more than enough to make any girl happy!

I have squirted tons of Clarins's Double Serum (7 ml) on the back of my hand every time I set foot into Sephora. Getting to trial it on my face might influence Clarins's sales figure hahaha.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Aura EdT (1.2 ml) highlights femininity with raspberries and a rich bouquet of floral notes. It is very sweet in a sensual way and transitions into a powdery musky scent in a couple of hours. On a personal note, I do not care for perfume vials being included as part of the five main products as these vials can be easily procured from the counters.

It has been a few years since I have used any Dove products so it is nice that I get to revisit this brand. Dove Hair Therapy Hair Fall Rescue Shampoo (90 ml) and Conditioner (80 ml) smell pretty good and my sensitive scalp could take them without experiencing itchiness. One only wishes that they are free from sulphates and silicones.

Do you subscribe to Bag of Love? If so, what was your favorite item this month?

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October 2013 Vanity Trove

Vanity Trove stepped up their game when they announced the conception of personalised boxes. This box is my first box since they made the change, and boy was I thrilled when it came in the mail.

The first product that went into my cart was Kose Infinity Pure Advance Serum II (30 ml). It was featured in an older trove, and I liked it so much that I had to get another bottle. When I run out, I will definitely get a full size!

Next up is Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Melanin Control Night Capsules (7 capsules). The name itself is attraction grabbing, plus I enjoyed my Ceramide capsules so I figured that I should give this variant a look.

On to the stuff I am most excited about, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (10 ml) and Nuxe Nuxellence Jeunesse (15 ml). They have been on my wishlist for the longest time and getting to trial them before I invest is both good (what if I hate them?) and bad (what if I love them?) news for my wallet.

Last but not least, I ended up with two miniatures - Initatic Energizing Smoothing Fluid (10 ml) and Coherence L.IR Day & Night Lifting Cream (15 ml) - from Lierac. I am new to this brand but I trust that they will deliver. All Lierac has to do is hint at a French heritage and I will blindly follow haha.

This month's Vanity Trove was an excellent one because the products were all up my alley despite the teeny-tiny sizes. Isn't it obvious why? They were all handpicked by yours truly!

Disclosure: Press sample.

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L'Oreal Professionnel Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo & Masque

My initial impression of the Obsessive Beauty box pinpointed L'Oréal Professionnel Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo and Masque as the standouts.

The description:
This range promises to nourish and smooth unmanageable frizzy hair against humidity. Smoothing Shampoo is infused with Oil Incell Technology - a combination of Incell and nourishing Olive and Argan oils - to provide lasting smoothness while Smoothing Masque contains Polymer AR to bathe hair in hydration.

ღ Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo

Name: L'Oréal Professionnel Paris Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo
Price: RM 79 for 500 ml
Made in: Spain

I won't pretend I wasn't disgruntled when I noted that Smoothing Shampoo has Sodium Laureth Sulfate as its second ingredient. All shampoos should be sulphate free! The smell gets top marks though - it is botanical yet fresh.

Luckily it is up to snuff so far... it feels gentle and does not make my scalp itch. For a shampoo with SLS, the foaming action is unexpectedly weak. Since L'Oréal Professionnel already decided to include this ingredient, they might as well serve up a rich lather.

Good as it may be, I still have misgivings about the formulation, which is why I am not giving this shampoo the green light.

The full ingredient list for Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo:
Aqua/Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Coco-amphodiacetate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Ricinoleamido MEA-Sulfosuccinate, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Methylparaben, Salicylic Acid, Ethylparaben, Hexyl Cinnamal, Olea Europaea Oil/Olive Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Oil/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Methylparaben, Butylphenyl Methyl-propional, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Parfum/Fragrance.

ღ Liss Ultime Smoothing Masque

Name: L'Oréal Professionnel Paris Liss Ultime Smoothing Masque
Price: RM 67 for 200 ml
Made in: Spain

With my long hair constantly being blow-dried on full blast (without a heat protecting product), I have been trying to minimise the damage using masques instead of conditioners.

This masque slips through my hair as easily as other masques. It softens, detangles and adds shine without causing build-up. The scent is stronger in the shampoo, so you if you like your hair to smell fabulous, this masque might not be for you.

And since I raised a fuss about the ingredient list for Smoothing Shampoo, I am going to do the same for Smoothing Masque. I wish that it is free from silicones, otherwise, I would definitely recommend trying Smoothing Masque.

The full ingredient list for Liss Ultime Smoothing Masque:
Aqua/Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cetyl Esters, Trideceth-5, Methylparaben, Trideceth-10, Benzyl Salycilate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Chlorihexidine Dihydrochloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Linalool, Parfum/Fragrance.

I am terribly disappointed by my initial impression but I shan't give up because the box holds other treasures!

Disclosure: Press samples.

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March 2013 Vanity Trove

This month's Vanity Trove is themed Temptress. Doesn't that sound intriguing?

(Source: vanitytrove.com/my)

Let's have a look at the treasures nestled within my box!

① Lunasol Skin Fusing Powder Foundation (0.60 g) and Smoothing Makeup Base (1 g ×2) | Made in Japan

② Timeless Truth Orchid Extract Whitening Mask (30 ml) | Made in Taiwan

③ Asian Potions Hand & Body Lotion

④ Être Belle Sensiplus Hydrasilk Day & Night Cream SPF10 (5 ml) and Sensiplus Hydrasilk Gel Tonic (2 ml) | Made in Germany

⑤ Bio-Essence Bird's Nest Bio-Energy Firm & Brighten Eye Cream SPF15 (3 ml)

I really liked the variety of products. There was a little bit of everything, from skincare to makeup and even bodycare. Timeless Truth and Asian Potions were a pleasure to discover and I highly encourage you to check them out. To my surprise, my box had a Bio-Essence sample. This brand came out from nowhere! The leaflet made no mention, so receiving it was a nice treat.

That said, the March box did not knock my socks off. I would have liked the samples to be more substantial and even though Vanity Trove never made the promise that you would receive a full size item (unless you count the sheet mask?), issuing one (at the very least) would please their subscribers.

And since I am in the process of nitpicking, switching the courier service might be something for Vanity Trove to think about. Any slower and a name change should be on the cards, perhaps to Snail Worldwide Express? A package usually takes a day to reach me, but this service took a week! *pftt*

Each box of hand-picked beauty samples is delivered to your door each month for RM 60. What do you think of the March box? If you are interested, you can find out more at

✤ Website: vanitytrove.com/my/
✤ Facebook: facebook.com/VanityTroveMalaysia
✤ Twitter: twitter.com/VanityTroveMY

Disclosure: Press sample.

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February 2013 Vanity Trove

To think that the exact same time last year, I was green-eyed over the marvelous beauty subscription services in the UK and the US. Fast forward to a year later, beauty subscription services are thriving over here with new boxes debuting every so often.

Vanity Trove has been very active in the beauty subscription service sphere and is the only box that I know that has subscribers outside its home base. Previously, everyone received the same box but now, Malaysian subscribers will receive products and vouchers curated to the Malaysian market.

Vanity Trove's debut Malaysian box was delivered to my doorstep a few hours ago. The boxes are supposed to be shipped out between the 21st and 25th of each month but the February trove was delayed due to the burst of public holidays and long weekends.

Slides open. Drawer-like packaging made of thick cardboard.

Laced with shredded paper.

Handy product information leaflet.

Handwritten card.

A lifestyle extra! Mini box of treats for the chocolate lovers'.

Now, on with the show!

① Wella SP Smoothen Shampoo & Smoothen Mask (30 ml each) | Made in France

② Oriks Wild Ginseng Stemcell Twister Essence (5 ml) & Wild Ginseng Stemcell Essence Twister BB Cream (2 ml ×2) | Made in Korea

③ Benefit the POREfessional (15 ml) | Made in USA

④ b.liv by Cellnique Off With Those Heads (3 ml) | Made in Singapore

⑤ Di Palomo Tuscan Rose Moisturising Body Wash (25 ml) | Made in England

The hype built up by the Vanity Trove team as well as this being the debut box made it worthy of anticipation. Would they go all out and spoil us with a host of full-size products? The reality paled in comparison to what I had imagined... I was let down by the lack of a full-size product, doubly so, considering that subscription is steeper than others at RM 60 a month.

That said, the February box featured an interesting meld of brands, both domestic and foreign, which gave the box a global feel. I was particularly charmed by Oriks and Di Palomo and I would not have known about the latter if it was not for Vanity Trove.

I am looking forward to using everything in the box, but I would hold onto my horses and observe a few of their upcoming boxes first before I sign up for their service. Hopefully it will improve as the company finds its footing in the saturated Malaysian beauty subscription service market.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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