Memebox Special #50 Step-by-Step Skincare Review and Unboxing

I was so psyched when my latest Memebox arrived on my doorstep, because it's an entire Korean skincare routine in a box (minus the cleanser but I have enough of those anyway)! I've been using the multi-step Korean skincare routine since last summer and I can't believe what a difference I've seen in my skin. If you missed my post that details the entire routine, please click here.

This latest Memebox makes it easy to follow the routine and they've chosen some really stellar products that are multi-tasking so you can skip a few of the steps and shorten it a little bit. Let's take a look!

This box cost $29 and contains 6 full size products worth $189! This is what I love about Memebox...the value is always excellent.  Where else can you get an entire skincare regime for $29?

Every box includes a card that details the products and how to use them. If you're new to Korean skincare products, they're way ahead of Western skincare formulations in terms of cutting edge ingredients and research.  When things become popular here (like BB Creams for example), we often find out that they've been popular in Korea for months or even years before making their way here. Korean products are also typically filled with active ingredients rather than a lot of filler, and the market is so competitive there, the products are often a lot cheaper than an equivalent product here in the US.

1. Mizon Alcohol Toner Mojito 150ml

us.memebox.com/ustk-alcohol-toner-mojito

Product Description
Fancy a bottle of mojito for your skin? This unique facial toner is formulated with all the ingredients found in a glass of mojito – lime, sugar cane, sparkling mineral water, apple, and peppermint leaf juice! The lime complex will prevent skin impurities from clogging up the pores and the mineral-rich components will refresh and deliver abundant nutrients to dry, tired skin.

How to use
Apply to face with a cotton pad or with your hands. Use it right after cleansing as the very 1^st step into skincare.

Korean toners are nothing like the astringent formulas we're used to in the US.  They're soothing and help to refresh and balance your skin after cleansing.  This one smells incredible, just like a Mojito! It felt so refreshing on my skin and made it feel soft and less tight after my double cleanse. Mizon is a really popular brand and is gaining popularity in the US- they even sell it at Urban Outfitters! I absolutely love this toner and will continue to use it every day.

2. insobeau Super Yellow Intense Renew Essence 30mlus.memebox.com/ustk-super-yellow-intense-renew-essence

Product Description
An anti-aging facial essence made with a special idebenone formula for effectively treating fine lines & wrinkles as well as brightening up uneven and dulled complexion.

How to use
After toner application, apply a dime-size amount of essence evenly over face and pat it in for full absorbance.

In the Korean skincare routine, the next step after toning is serums and there are three types...Essences, Serums, and Ampuoles. An essence is a thin, almost watery consistency, a serum is slightly heavier, and an ampuole is a heavier weight serum with more concentrated ingredients. This step can include one product or several depending on the skin issues you want to fix. This essence contains Idebenone, which is the active ingredient in Prevage (and you know how expensive that is!). 

It's a very lightweight consistency and disappears into the skin quickly. I'm excited to see results with this...I've tried Prevage and I loved how it made my skin look and feel.  It was just so expensive I couldn't keep using it, so this was a very welcome addition to this box!

3. Migabee Royal Jelly & Honey Energy Ampoule 12mlus.memebox.com/ustk-royal-jelly-honey-energy-ampoule

Product Description
A highly concentrated facial ampoule enriched with nutrition-rich royal jelly and royal honey extracts. It will soothe, moisturize, and strengthen skin’s natural protective barrier.

How to use
After essence application, apply a couple drops of ampoule evenly over face and pat it in for full absorbance.

An ampuole, as I talked about above is a thicker, more concentrated serum.  This one contains royal jelly and honey to strengthen the skin.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to use this because it leaked out into the box.  The bottle is actually still sealed but it looks like it leaked around the dropper.  I was bummed because I love ampuoles! 

4. She’s Uris Rice Water Double Action 80g – in stock in Memeshop (with extra info there too)us.memebox.com/rice-water-double-action-cream

Product Description
A moisturizing water-drop type facial cream. This Rice Water Double Action is a smart, multi-functional cream for hydrating, tone brightening, and wrinkle refining. Its formula includes rice bran water, adenosine, cacao extracts, and various herbal ingredients.

How to use
Apply directly to face and pat it in for full absorbance.

The next step is moisturizing, and this cream does double duty as both a wrinkle-fighter and a brightener. These are two  things I look for in a moisturizer so this is perfect for me! 

This is a water-drop type cream that feels very lightweight and absorbs quickly without a greasy feel. The texture reminds me a bit of Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream.

5. Tonymoly My Sunny Milky Sun Cream SPF35 PA+++ 45gus.memebox.com/ustk-my-sunny-milky-sun-cream-spf35-pa

Product Description
A mineral oil free sunscreen that works to color control uneven skin tone and to protect skin from UV exposure. It’s extremely gentle and it leaves skin silky soft and smooth, with a healthy glow.

How to use
Apply directly to face at the very end of skincare routine.

The final step in the Korean skincare routine is sunscreen.  I admit, I almost never wear it unless I know I'm going to be outside for a while in the summer (and never in the winter).  But I need to get better about it so I'll definitely start using this when the weather gets a little warmer.

It feels lightweight and non-greasy but it does leave a bit of a white cast to the skin once absorbed. That's because this contains a physical sunblock rather than a chemical one, which is actually more effective and natural for your skin. 

6. Taphre Special Care Mask 25ml – in stock in the Memeshopus.memebox.com/special-care-mask

Product Description
Enriched with propolis extracts, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and various fruit & nut extracts, this Special Care Mask helps replenish, repair, protect and soothe skin against dehydration and aging, for a much softer and more luminous complexion.

How to use
Cleanse face and apply toner with a cotton pad. Unfold the mask and spread it evenly over face, aligning the eyes, nose, and mouth properly. Rest for 15~20 minutes, remove mask, and pat in the remaining essence for full absorbance.

Some nights, you may want to add on to your routine with a mask or a scrub.  This paper mask is for firming and lifting the skin, and I'm all for that! I have a ton of masks but this one actually sounds interesting so I think I'll try it this week.  

Overall, I loved this Memebox and have already been using all of the products (except for the ampuole that leaked).  It's a fantastic box for anyone looking to get into Korean skincare.  Unfortunately, it's sold out, but in the link below, there's a 4-piece starter kit that simplifies the routine down to only a few steps.  One of the products in it is the Skinfood Black Sugar Cleansing Oil, which I use every day during my double cleanse...it's awesome! Also, get $5 off a $50 order using this code:
$5 off orders above $50 for USA Shop and XO Memebox items. Use code: FABFIVE