It occurred to me as I was writing my last Memebox unboxing that I often do quick little first impressions with how I feel about the products that I receive in these boxes as far as wanting to try them, but they rarely get reviewed once I have. I decided to go back through all of the boxes I've received so far and do reviews on the things that I feel like I've used enough that I can do a decent mini-review of the products. Overall, I'm really happy with Memebox as a whole. I've loved almost every box that I've gotten from them and have been pretty happy overall with the products that I've gotten. Even though I haven't liked everything and have had to give a couple of things away because of skin type, I always feel like I get my money's worth with these boxes.

So, that being said and without further adieu, let's take a closer look at the products.

** All previous unboxing posts will be linked on the graphic for each box. 

MEMEBOX LUCKYBOX #1

1. Glory Vegan Nail Lacquer in T-015 Yanggaeng

This nail polish is actually a really interesting colour. At a glance, it looks like it's a fiery copper colour, but it's actually a really beautiful red shimmer with slightly larger gold glitter in it.The brush that comes in this polish is a traditional round brush that is just big enough to make application really easy with this polish. The finish is very, very pretty and the wear time is actually pretty impressive. I didn't have any trouble with this chipping and it wore quite evenly until I removed it. I'm actually really, really impressed with this polish and would love to try more shades to see if there's consistency with the formula. It's a pretty expensive polish, if Memebox is to be believed, and I think it holds up nicely with other high end polishes that I've used. If I have one complaint about this product, it's that it has a very old school, very almost toxic kind of smell that reminds me of the 80s.

2. Dear by Enprani Bounce Cheese Cream

This was the product I was most excited about from the spoiler on this box. I think it was also the product that was definitely the most buzzed about. It's actually really cool. When you tap your finger into it and lift away, you take thin strings of the product with it that look quite a lot like the melty cheese strings from a slice of pizza. Even though it's quite thick and seems like it would be heavy on the skin, this cream smooths in really easily and sinks into the skin to leave it feeling really soft and supple. I've used this several times before deciding that I'm going to save it for winter, since it's a little bit too moisturizing for my summer skin. One thing that I love about this product is the smell. It smells absolutely divine, without smelling at all like it's perfumed (at least to my nose.) I really have a feeling that this is going to be my favorite come winter when my skin is parched.

MEMBOX LUCKYBOX #2 

1. Espoir Color Fit Rouge Gloss

I am completely obsessed with this lip gloss. It actually might be my favorite gloss that I've tried this year. This shade is a beautiful mauve colour that I think looks really classy on the lips and pairs nicely with lipstick. I think that I'm going to really love this shade come fall particularly, because it is really understated and I think the shade falls right in line with a soft autumn look. The real win on this product, however, is the formula. It's a cream shade without any shimmer, which is absolutely how I prefer my lip glosses. The formula is very pigmented and a little bit thick but without feeling at all goopy. It applies really smoothly and doesn't get sticky at all, but somehow manages to have quite good wear time. I'm telling you, this lip gloss is good enough that I'm really anxious to try some more Espoir products in the near future. If you can find it, which is proving difficult, I definitely recommend it.

  MEMEBOX TONYMOLY SUPERBOX

1. Tomatox Magic Massage Pack

I've so far only used this twice, but that isn't necessarily because I don't like it. Although, I'm not sure if I actually do like it either. Bear with me. When you twist open this crazy tomato packaging (let's be honest, massively huge points for TonyMoly packaging!!) there's a little spatula for application, which is a nice addition, and you find a little tub of white cream. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't really a white cream. When you smooth this on your face and massage it in, you would think that it would just sink into the skin and disappear, but that is not the case. While you wear this mask, you look like you are the undead. I'm telling you, it's very unattractive. I didn't love how it felt when it was on, but once I rinsed it off I really liked the way my skin looked. However, it felt a little bit sensitive and... just odd after rinsing it off. The next day, I didn't have one of those skin days where everything was tight and gorgeous and I think it might have given me a couple of little breakouts. Now, it sounds like I blatantly didn't like this, but that actually isn't the case. I feel like this made my skin very soft and supple and I think that with extended use it could get me a little closer to that amazing K-Pop idol skin... which, let's face, is the biggest selling point of Korean beauty ever. I think I need to use this a few times to see how I really feel, but I think it probably is very user dependent with this particular product.

Before I start this, I will admit that I haven't had a ton of luck with pore smoothing products in the past so I might not be the best person to review this. However, I'm still going to. First, the good. The packaging is so adorable that it has been on my vanity ever since I got it. It's not luxe or anything like that, but it is really adorable and different - which can definitely be said for pretty much everything from Tonymoly. Also, this smells absolutely wonderful. The scent is light and citrus-y, it almost reminds me of a lemongrass and lime kind of combination. That was definitely the first thing that I found with this. Now, I don't really love the texture of this because it's somewhat crumbly and because of that I find it difficult to work with. I don't feel like it smooths into the skin as easily as I might like. I haven't tried it as an all over primer, which I think will be the way that I try to use it next, but as a targeted pore filler it really didn't do what I wanted it to. I have a feeling that this is perhaps meant for younger skin and would probably do a really good job on a teen or someone in their early 20s, but in my early 30s it just didn't get there for me. I'm going to keep playing with and see if I can make it a little more effective for me, if only because it's adorable and I love the smell.

MEMEBOX 10 MINUTE BOX

1. Secret Romance Hair Essence

This was actually, by far, my least favorite box that I received, even though the lipstick absolutely made it worth the cost for me. I wasn't really sure how I was going to feel about this product, but after using it a few times I actually feel overwhelmingly positive about it. I actually use this on damp hair right after I've washed it as a sort of treatment. It has a kind of slippy, oil-like texture and I like to massage it into the ends of my hair after washing. I find that it does a good job of making my hair feel soft and look very pretty. It's said to have a "sensual rose" scent, but I find it to be more complex than that - which is good, because I don't particularly like the smell of rose. This smells lovely and I often find myself luxuriating in the smell of my own hair... Anyone else do that? Overall, I really like this and it will continue to live in the bathroom for post shower use until I use it up. Repurchase though? Probably not.

MEMEBOX OFFICE ESSENTIALS BOX

1. LoveyDovey Perfume Fabric Mist

Who gets excited about what is essentially fancy Febreeze? This girl right here. I'm actually pretty impressed with the way the Office Essentials box actually did contain products that have become office essentials, and this is one of them. This lives on my desk at work for those days when maybe I just don't feel quite so fresh come afternoon. It's summertime, it happens. The nozzle on this bottle gives a very fine mist, which is definitely a plus when you're going to spritz something onto your clothes. I really love the smell of this particular one. To me, this smells like clean, fresh laundry and I love to be able to perk myself up like that in the middle of the day. I've also used this as a room sprau a couple of times and it worked quite well. This was kind of a weird addition to the box, I thought, but I'm actually really glad that they sent it.

2. Pure Smile Refresh Tissue

This box actually was really quite random, but I really liked it for that. These little cloths are like a little midday shower alternative. Sometimes my office can get a little bit hot and sticky in the summer and I feel the need to just give myself a little refresh. With these, I can just pull out the little cloth and dap or wipe around my neck and chest and I just feel a little bit fresher than before. I actually keep one of the packets of this in my purse as well, for anytime that I need a little something. I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to making sure I smell good, so these are a big win for me. The fruity smell of them is maybe a little bit juvenile, but I'm not mad at it. I actually think I might purchase another pack of these, if only because they're really inexpensive on the Memebox site and it's a pretty damn good alternative to baby wipes, let's be honest. Please tell me I'm not the only one who has no baby but keeps baby wipes around?

3. RiveCowe Sebum Control Convenient Pact

This baby is LIGHT. Obviously Korea has a definite preference for the palest of pale skin, which I can't really get behind as someone who feels that beauty should not be exclusive like that. However, for someone who is (for most months of the year) a pasty, pasty palester, there is something to be said for the fact that so many of these things match me. And for my winter skin, this pact will definitely match me. At the moment, I have a bit of colour in my face, but I fade pretty quickly once summer is over and this will be bang on. I don't love the colour of the compact itself, but it can't be helped and it isn't a deal breaker. This is actually a really lovely mattifying powder that takes away shine with just a teensy bit pressed into the skin with the accompanying puff. So far, I really like this, but the true test will be once it actually matches me and I can really put it through serious tests. My early impressions, however, are that this is a really solid, hard working powder. 

4. VerySix 6 Seconds Kissing Lip Gloss

I really, really like this. I personally think that it's more of a glossy balm than a lip gloss, but I guess that's just semantics. I actually keep this on the side table in the living room so that I can apply it when me and the man are hanging out on the couch watching movies and whatnot. I find that I always need a little bit of something on my lips at that point, for some reason. This product is infused with honey, Propolis, and jojoba seed oil to hydrate your lips and I really feel like it does. My lips always feel really good with this one. One huge sign that I really love this product is that I'm willing to look past the rose scent and keep using it. I think that this is one lip product that actually won't be too far off from an empties post, which again is a big plus. I think I might have to repurchase this. Have to. I know. 

5. Maxim Mocha Gold Coffee

I believe I said in my original unboxing of this that I had always wanted to try Korean coffee after seeing the little instant packets in so many dramas. I had a feeling that I was going to like it... but that feeling wasn't entirely correct. It was fine, I suppose, and I got my coffee fix on the two mornings that I used these, but I definitely wouldn't say that these are going to become a fixture for me. First of all, I'm not sure that I trust the combination of instant coffee and whitening powder in one package. I feel like there must be stuff in there that I would feel questionable about if the ingredients were in English. Second of all, it just doesn't have the kick that I want my coffee to have. It's a little watery, a little weak, a little sweet without being tasty sweet. Overall, just not my thing. That being said, I'm so excited that these came in the box just so that I could say I tried them. And who knows, maybe one day I'll just break down and pick up the pack of 100 that I saw at the Asian grocery store for $20. Who knows! 

MEMEBOX

COOLING CARE SPECIAL BOX

1. Secret Key Intense Ice Sleeping Pack

Obviously I've only had this box for a few days, but that doesn't mean that I didn't get a good use of these products in this weekend. I was excited, it had to happen. And actually, I feel like the boxes that don't have the full 8 products in them end up getting delved into more quickly, maybe because they're less overwhelming. I don't know. The texture of this pack reminds of me Icy Hot. You know, the gel that you rub on sore muscles to try to relieve them? I have a lot of experience with Icy Hot from skiing injuries and sore muscles when I was younger, and this kind of looks and smells a lot like it. It's a blue gel type product that you press into your skin after your evening skincare routine and wash off the next morning. It says that it's best to apply it between 10pm and 2am, which I did both times. I used this the first night I got it and I didn't see all that much result the next morning. However, my skin was absolutely freaking out last week so I wasn't entirely expecting much. I used this again last night and my skin looked gorgeous this morning. I mean... Hydrated and healthy with tightened pores and a really beautiful texture. I'm definitely going to keep using this and cross my fingers that this morning wasn't just a fluke.

2. awesome Aqua Whip Hug Foam Cleanser

So I think I said that I've been looking for a new cleanser when I did the unboxing of this. I had high hopes for it, even though I had that voice in the back of my head that was telling me not to hope too much when it came to this product. I can tell you, after using it over the weekend, that I feel like my high hopes have been completely fulfilled. When I first put a little bit of this in my hand, I was a little put off. It reminded me of something that I've used in the past and I feel like whatever that something was, I didn't actually like. This is a very thick, creamy consistency that has a little bit of that pearly look to it. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure you know what I mean. So I was a little bit disappointed until I started rubbing it into my face. It is so rich and creamy that I couldn't believe it. The foam is thick and smooth and just feels incredible. I was surprised, considering the texture which would lead me to believe it would smell perfumey or over the top, that it actually smells very, very herbal. I can't actually put my finger on which herbs, because my sniffer doesn't work that way, but it's just incredibly herbal smelling and I like it. Hands down, though, the best thing about this is that my skin feels so clean when I rinse it off. Like. Crazy, squeaky clean without feeling dry and tight. I followed up with my usual lemon witch hazel for toning and my skin just loves it. I've already looked into repurchasing this on the Memebox website, that's how into it I am. I would perhaps even go so far as to say this is my favorite item I've received in any of my Memeboxes thus far.

3. The Skin House Aloe Water Mist

I LOVE MIST!!!!! Seriously, as though I haven't said this about a gagillion times, I really love facial mists as part of my every day beauty routine. I feel like a really good mist is one that you can use absolutely anytime. I like to mist my face before makeup, after makeup, after cleansing, whenever I'm feeling a little unfresh and gross.... Basically all the times is when I like to use mist. This one is really, really nice also. This gives a slightly more concentrated mist than I might like, but not so much that I feel like it's dousing me. It smells fresh and light and natural, which I really like. I feel like when I mist myself with this, it gives my skin that little boost of perk that I like in a mist. It takes away any powderiness of my makeup but doesn't give it a caked up type feeling, and it gives my skin that soft, supple bounciness that I took for granted when I was 22 and wish I could get back. Yes, I beg the universe to give me back my 22 year old skin fairly often. I love this mist and I would definitely purchase it again.

OVERALL MEMEBOX THOUGHTS:

Best thing about Memebox: I think there are two things tied for the best things about Memebox. The first is definitely the value. I've never felt disappointed by what I've received or felt like I didn't get enough bang for my buck. The second thing is getting to try products that are outside the typical Korean beauty shopping experience. Most of the brands that I've received in these boxes are ones I've never seen in my K-Beauty shopping, and I love that. There's definitely some real gems.

Worst thing about Memebox: Waiting. I could never bring myself to pay as much for shipping as for the box, so I've always gone with the standard $6.99 shipping. For me, that usually took 3-4 weeks. Also, ordering boxes that wouldn't be ready to ship for over a month really bummed me out because I'm sort of all about instant gratification. All of that said, I feel like Memebox is doing a really good job of handling both of those concerns by adding the Ready To Ship page and by offering free upgrades to express shipping for items from that page as well as for value sets. It's a good business model for them because it absolutely makes me shop more.

Favorite box that I've received: I thought hard about this one because it's the most recent, but my gut tells me that it's the Cooling Care box - which I had little to no interest in at first. This box contained 5 products and had the lowest monetary value of any box I'd received, but I will absolutely use 80% of the products, and so far 60% of them are huge winners for me. The runner up would probably be the Office Essentials box, which really surprises me as well. One thing I'm learning about Memebox is that I will pretty much always be surprised.

Least favorite box that I've received: By far the 10 Minute Box is my least favorite. This was another that I didn't know what to expect from, but this one came up a little short for me. Don't get me wrong, there are some good products in there, but there were also weird doll lashes and a perfume roll on that I can't stand the smell of. Overall, this one just didn't really ring with joy for me.

Favorite product I've received: Like I said just before, I'm pretty sure that my favorite product is the cleanser from the Cooling Care box. It's just incredible. Other stand outs would be the Bounce Cheese Cream and the Espoir lip gloss. 

So there you have it, a little bit of a gigantic, wordy update on a lot of the products from previous Memeboxes. I have 4 Memeboxes that should be arriving to me within the next couple of weeks and I can't wait to unbox them and see what kind of crazy madness they have for me coming up.

I definitely recommend Memebox to pretty much any and every beauty lover out there. There are always new boxes being released and there's something for everyone.