*above info is courtesy of Pink Seoul’s site

Box Options:

$39.95 every two months

(retail value over $60.00)

Customized with at least 4 full sized items + an accessory)

Delivered every 2 months

$49.95 every two months

(retail value over $80.00)

Customized Box with 10 K-Beauty Mask products + an accessory item.

Delivered every month

*New  Pink Seoul Rewards Program:

Create a Store Account Get 50 points as a welcome bonus.

Make a Purchase Get 10 points for every $1 you spend (excluding any shipping fees, taxes & purchases of gift cards)

Refer a Friend Get 1,000 points for every new referral that successfully completes a first-time purchase.

1000 points gets you $5.00 off, 2000 $10.00, 4000 $20.00, and 6000 $30.00

Lets get to the box, shall we?

The Box:

The goods:

The Masking Products

The Face Shop Real Nature White Tea The Blanc: $2.00

I love the packaging for this mask line and I believe this is the first white tea mask I have ever used.  This mask line uses traditional medicinal herb extracts.  You can definitely smell the white tea and I really like the scent but it is a bit strong which some may not like.  It wasn’t irritating in any way or crazy strong while wearing it.  It had plenty of essence and b/c I enjoyed the scent I used the remaining product on my neck and chest, shoulders, etc.  My skin looked improved, slightly brighter once removed and had some added moisture, nothing major, but a good enough daily pampering mask

Mediheal Mogongtox Soda Bubble Sheet Mask: $4.00

If anything, this mask is fun!  I’ve used plenty bubbling detox type masks but this is the first sheet version I have tried.  The mask, as you can see from the photo, is designed for only the bottom half of your face, but there is so much bubbling product craziness; you can apply it to your forehead too, if you like.  It goes to work as soon as you put it on and it is really tickly!  The bubbling increases for some time.  After finally having enough bubble madness I removed the sheet and kind of scraped the remaing fluff in to the sink, patting the rest in to my skin.  It certainly gives you the whole ultra clean detoxed skin feeling you sometimes need and while I did not really notice a reduction is pore size, my skin looked smooth and shiny.  I enjoyed the mask and think it’s a good product for that once or twice a week deep cleanse.

…yep

Lindsay Natural Mask Pack (seaweed): $15.00

Lindsay  Mask Brush:  $5.00

OK; I grouped these two products together because I used one with the other and I can’t give the mask brush much of a review.  (I also could not find it anywhere to check pricing or provide a link.) I was really excited for this nice sized, multi-usage bag of natural seaweed mask [powder]. I love the Lindsey Modeling Masks and expected to really like this too.  I was also really happy that a nice looking masking brush was included!

…so I set up my little station.  My info card states a mixing ratio of 1(powder):20(water) I poured the powder in first and tried adding water second.  I likely should have reversed the order as no amount of water I could fit in the bowl would turn the mask in to anything usuable.  It looked like congealed oatmeal…congealed for a week.

…adding more water was no help as it stayed separate from the ‘mask’,  I tried adding honey (it also stated additional ingredients that could be used for specific skin needs) thinking the thickness of it might help blend this mess, but it only made it worse.  I could have glued a broken vase back together with this ‘concotion’ though.  I also broke my masking brush trying to stir this mess. ;/ which is why I couldnt really review it.  (It seemed nice enought though.)  It took me forever to clean this mess up, a mess better suited for the kitchen than my bath.  When I finally finished that, I slapped a sheet mask on and called it a loss.  I’d planned to revisit the ‘project’ [starting out] with the proper ratio and adding the powder to the water instead; unfortunately, I forgot that this product required refridgeration upon opening.  A few days had passed so I figured it best to toss the product.  So… who had better results than I?  I’d love to know what it was meant to turn out like, how you liked it…or if you had issues such as I [did]

The Major Players

Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence: prices online vary quite a bit for this product; about $15.00-$26.00

Oh the essence, the supposed dupe or similar product to the forever raved about SK-II.  To start; I have used SK-II.  I began using SK-II (which started in Japan) before I ever began a really serious skincare routine, comprised of mostly Korean beauty products, following the steps typical of Kbeauty.  I went through an entire bottle of the water/like product without ever really noticing any change in my skin’s condition.   At the time I was struggling with adult hormonal breakouts and it also did nothing to help in this arena.  Now I must admit; if it was helping in another fashion, even slightly, I may not have noticed due to the condition my skin was in…but because this is where I was struggling so much, it was my only real focus.  Before finishing the first bottle; I received a free, smaller bottle, which I still have.  I ended up switching to a much less pricey essence that cleared my skin up and in conjunction with an additional product in the same range it  cleared it up altogether, for more than a month.  But, as it often seems to, those products turned on me and the breakouts began again with the new products being unable to help or fix the issue any longer…so it is kind of a never ending battle for me with skincare and finding the proper products to keep my dehydrated skin hydrated with out starting or exaserbating breakouts.  I began using this essence a couple of weeks ago.  I was not comparing them side by side, but it seemed a similar experience to SK-II (water like)  I have noticed people use it differently too, some seem to use it as a toner, with a cotton pad, claiming it exfoliates and the like.  I use mine after an exfoliating toner, pouring a few drops on my hand and pressing in to skin as I was instructed to do with the SK-II.  As far as results; I’ve read so many claims of results just following application of SK-II and results while comparing this Secret Key product: instantly brighter skin, more moisturized and a plethora of other things but I never noticed anything changing in my skin just after applying either, other than my skin being slightly damp…so I’m not certain why others seem to.  Secondly, so many steps come in to play following the application of the first essence, it’s a bit hard to tell.  I can say that this has had no adverse side effects and my skin is worlds more hydrated than it was a few weeks ago; but, I am also following this product up with another new one: Manyo Factory Ultra Moist Re-birth Ampoule (up next) so who’s to say how much this product has leant to my skin’s overall condition.  Another factor I find true is that the two products definitely seem to play well together and I am happy with the condition my skin is currently in and plan to continue using the pair together.

Manyo Factory Ultra Moist Rebirth ampoule: $23.00

This is the product I was most excited for and the product that seemed to yield the most results.  This serum/ampoule contains 30% Hyaluronic Acid, a variety of Botanical Extracts; Niacinamide, Adenosine and Collagen to help with skin brightening and elasticity, while replenishing skin’s moisture.  This stuff is somewhat thick and does leave your skin quite sticky.  I usually do my whole skin care routine quite a bit before bed, so everything can fully absorb in to my skin and not my pillow, so it’s fine, but I would not like it for day time use.  After cleansing; I tone, follow with an essence and then use this and other treatment products before my final moisturizer.  Within a day or two my skin was much brighter, had a new glow to it and was the least dehydrated it’s been…since I can remember.  I have been pleased with the state my skin has been in moisture wise b/c that alone erases 5 years from my age.  It’s ultra frustrating when your skin is both dry/dehydrated and broke out as the dryness really ages you, especially once you reach a certain age.   I was impressed with this product and hope that it will continue to improve my skin’s condition; giving it the ‘rebirth’ I yearn for!

The Makeup

Etude House Bling bling Eye Stick: $8.00 (you can snag these on amazon for just under 5 bucks, free shipping)

I received the shade white star, but the stick is available in 6 shades, I believe.  White star is your typical shimmery white/pearl shade that works well in the inner corners of your eye.  The product is OK but I have similar items I prefer.  It’s nice enough for the low price though and the packaging is cute.  It’s easy to apply and does so  fairly smoothly.

Swatch

(The Second) Accessory

Skin Food Hair Pads: $5.00

This is just a cute little duo designed to hold back hair for washing, etc., serving as a wide barette, adhering to hair like velcro while avoiding kinks that fine, straight hair can get from traditional barettes and bobbby pins.   It really is only suitable for those with very fine hair or maybe to hold back shorter, wispy hairs after the majority of your hair is already pulled back…but cute, nonetheless.

The Samples

Tony Moly Banana Hand Milk:  Sample.  Full size $6.00 and up

I have had this in a full size before, its a nice hand cream.  I love banana scented Korean beauty items.  This is a product you can find for quite a bit less all over Amazon.

The Face Shop Chia Seed No Shine Intense Hydrating Cream:  Sample.  Full size around $17.00 (on Amazon)

I keep meaning to try this but it’s pretty hard to say if I’ll be able to tell if I like it from just one use.  Anybody use this stuff?  It sounds like something that could work well for me.