Hey, Beauties near & far!  I’m crazy about this new(er) little company and their vision!  So, won’t you join me as we dig in to my 4th installment of the 3b box, Beauty beyond borders?!

About:

3b is a growing startup based in Seattle, bringing you products from Japan, Korea & Taiwan.  As a member; each month, you will receive a bag filled with multiple samplings and a postcard containing instructions on how to use all of your new products!  Billing and shipping begins around the 21st-22nd of each month.  You can follow along on Instagram @the3bbox for tips and other info such as key ingredients.  The brand is currently in the process of gaining you exclusive access to full sized products so you can stock up on your favorites after sampling!   The samples inside are either deluxe or contain multiples of the smaller foil packs and such, providing enough of the product to determine whether it’s a win or not! (plus some full sized masks and products.)

What to expect:

For $12.00 each month you will receive

• A pouch containing four to five deluxe Asian beauty samples that are new or popular in Asia but hard to get your hands on. The products will change each month, and you’ll get to try new skincare, haircare, nailcare, and cosmetic products. Sample products range from go-to brands such as Lioele, Etude House and Skinfood to high-end premium brands like SK-II, Kanebo, and Sulwhasoo. Don’t worry about not being able to read Japanese or Korean – we’ve got you covered with English translations of descriptions in each box.
• Tips on how to use products
• Unlimited access to our team to answer any questions you might have

From the Company (their story):

3B is the product of a few friends, trips around the globe, and the vision of changing the way we all discover beauty products overseas. In places like Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, we discovered some of the best beauty products we’ve ever used– but they were just incredibly hard to find back home.

So many of us can spend hours reading product reviews, never being quite sure about what works, nervous about making a commitment to such a large and expensive bottle. 3B’s mission is to eliminate borders when it comes to finding the perfect beauty products. Some of our favorite products come from Asia, but sadly we can’t all take a flight to Japan to find the newest eye cream. 3B takes away the guesswork and lets you try amazing products that may feel out of reach. We’re constantly on the lookout for hidden gems that are making their way on the market, or classic go –to products. Sign up for 3B and re-imagine global beauty with us.

Here is where you can sign up or check it out for yourself!

The ‘Bag’:

The Goods:

Leaders 7 Wonders Amazonian Acai Anti-Pollution Mask: 1 sheet Mask $6.00

This sheet mask is an ultra thin bio-cellulose type designed to purify and detoxify your skin from pollution and neutralize sun damage.  I have used several versions of this Leaders 7 wonders line and I love them.  They come packaged, soaked in serum (of course), and have a protective film on either side.  Remove one side’s film, apply free side to face and then remove to top film.  The mask itself is an ultra thin mask with a really flexible silicone feel.  It molds and adheres to every contour of your face perfectly and stays put.  It’s the only mask type that once on I can move my face and mouth around freely without effecting its placement.  So comfortable.  I also like these types of masks simply because, even despite the serum’s ingredients, the mask’s texture alone, smooths your skin and plumps fine lines.  I obviously can’t tell what effect this masking product has against pollution or even sun damage after only one use..(pollution probably ever) but I love how my skin looks and feels directly following this mask.  Most sheet masks I prefer to use in the evening as the serums can take so long to fully soak in (especially if you pat on all of the remaining product from the pouch for maximum benefit) and they are often too sticky and/or sit too thick on your skin to apply makeup without having to wash it off; but these, I prefer to use prior to makeup application b/c the serum makes for a good base and your whole face is immediately much more smooth and plump.  Love.

goodal Waterest Lotus Water Cleansing Tissue: 20 pack prices varied. 80 count $13.99

I’ve used a few goodal products, including one of the waterest items, but had not seen the cleansing tissues.  I use these cleansing/makeup removing cloths like crazy and have a few favorite types.  I love them for traveling, lazy nights and to remove the majority of my makeup prior to cleansing.  This version was nice, had a light pleasant scent, felt cool and refreshing and took off almost every trace of makeup with just one cloth.  They were gentle on my skin, left it soft and worked just as I want a product like this to work.

Etude House Age Defense Essential Softener:  Deluxe Sample.  Full Size $26.40

Oh Korean Beauty; every time I think I have the perfect million step routine down, you throw another product and step at me…and in true 3b fashion, they’ve found the product for that additional step that has me thinking eh; what’s one more.. Right? 😉  This softener is designed to use just after toning, prior to any other step and is formulated to prime, rehydrate and also enhance the effectiveness of your moisturizer…as other product types do as well, but I love all of these light, thin, Korean product types that amp up my moisture level without being heavy and pore clogging, like the traditional night time, anti-aging creams; which simply would not work for my skin and always break me out.  I went without much needed moisture and skincare for so long, for fear of breaking out prior to trying products such as these, from Korean/Asian beauty brands.  This water light, gel like (but lighter) product has zero stickiness and a very light, pleasant scent, (faintly rose, maybe) is intended to provide smooth and firm skin from the inside; keeping it moist by delivering moisture deep into the skin’s dry inner layers.  Because I already use so many products; I decided to use this just after toning, before applying a making product, for a kick of moisture and aiding in the effectiveness of my mask.  By day; I use it just before a light moisturizer.  Definitely plan to purchase the full sized version.

 

Tony Moly Floria Nutra-Energy Emulsion:  Deluxe Sample.  Full Size $27.00

…and now we have emulsion too what the?!  Ok; so, this is basically moisturizer, just a lighter version designed to balance skin’s oil to moisture levels; so no new steps.  (phew) I like it because it’s still a lighter, less heavy product than most moisturizers, yet I feel like it really hydrates.  There are few moisturizers I can use for day time and most are light gel types or the amazing Lush vanishing cream.  This product is an anti-wrinkle, nutritious moisturizer that gives the skin ideal moisture balance and a firming effect, making skin healthy and radiant through the product’s skin energy activating power.  This product is nearly impossible to remove from the tiny bottle it is in, requiring you to manically tap on your hand until you have enough product to apply to your face, once you do, it feels like a very light lotion.  (I’m sure the full sized product is not this way.)  I definitely like this, it works for me, but I’ve not determined if it is worthy of replacing anything existing, and I’ve no room to add it in, but I plan to use it up and see if I like it less or more than my current day moisture.

Hera Waterin Gel Serum: 5 Sample Packets.  Full Size $55.00

Ok, now this product, which is a pricier brand, Hera, an Amore Pacific Company; uses really interesting technology, which makes perfect sense both scientifically and for use by someone like myself, living in the very dry climate I do.  The product site says to use this just after emulsion, yet I typically would use a serum prior to a moisturizer.  I’m guessing maybe after toners, softeners and light weight emulsions but prior to your moisturizer…unless you are using an emulsion as your only moisturizer.. Either way, the serum contains Pinitol, which is a stable extract found in the carob plant, which helps maintain the plant’s moisture levels, helping it remain unaffected from the effects of its climate: cold, stress, draught..this serum is designed to do essentially the same for your skin, helping it naturally readdress moisture levels in skin that has become used to dry weather and extreme temperatures.  These ingredients are said to be similar to skin’s lipids, strengthening the skin’s barrier and keeping absorbed moisture in the skin.  This serum smells lovely and has a water light consistency that absorbs quickly in to skin without stickiness.  I can likely get 10 uses total, from the 5 little packets.  While I like the instant and lightweight moisture I receive from this; I can’t say whether this product does anything exceptional, that sets it apart from much lesser expensive Kbeauty products, nor am I certain I will be able to tell with the limited usage I will have.  I will continue to use this until I run out in order to see.

Another successful month for me; this month’s bag had some really great items in it and plenty of new concepts for me to learn of and try.  I’m still impressed with this little sampling sub.  I think this sub would be a great intro for anyone wanting to try out Asian beauty products on a budget.  Totally digging this company and looking forward to seeing how they grow!

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Thanks for reading!

-Kelli xoxo