Memebox #4 unboxing, review, photos: International beauty box

It was Pat from Portugal (also a beauty box fan) who told me about the Memebox, in a comment on my blog, no less! Memebox is a Korean beauty box that ships worldwide. Oh, another of those, you ask? Patience!
Memebox lets you order their boxes every couple of weeks (though they ship out much later) and they sell out in minutes. I am NOT exaggerating here. I managed to book boxes #4 and #5, but not #5.2, #6, #6.2 or #7 - I held out for a second too long and they sold out before I could type "www" in the address bar.
My Memebox #4 was sent by express mail service, tracked every inch of the way, and arrived in three days' flat. And, now that the box has turned up, I can tell you it is a great find at $23 (used to be $21) per box - postage varies but isn't more than $6 or so worldwide tracked and you can get points and vouchers. To subscribe, go here -  make sure you tell them Renu of My Beauty Junction sent you and you may get some extra points!

Here are the contents of my Memebox #4 Global Edition.

Packaging of the Memebox

The Memebox is a nice, sturdy box, slightly larger than Glamabox, which I have dumped unceremoniously after two consecutive sub-par boxes. Memebox comes in an external bag and with enough bubblewrap. I can't tell you if the boxes vary in colour as this is my first one, but if you wait till mid-February for my next box, we'll both know.

Inside, there's a product card with details of all 10 products (please click on the photograph to enlarge it). Yes, I know I said 10. There are T.E.N. products in this box. None of them is a sachet. Or a tiny 2ml vial. No expiry date in 2014 or before. I've seen 2016 and 2015 so far. Hear that, some-beauty-boxes-that-I-shall-not-name-again?
I was delighted to find so many items inside the box. The last two Glamaboxes were so disappointing, both in terms of brands sent out, quantities and number of items. Here, I've got Laneige and Iope and more. And, for those who are iffy about Korean cosmetics, most of these are listed as natural and/or mineral, or handmade and/or made from herbs and/or essential oils.

Here's what's inside my #4 Global Edition Memebox.

1. Goodall Repair Plus Essential Oil 15ml
2. LJH Dr's Care Vita Propolis Ampoule 5ml
3. Lanoa Natural Handmade Soap 100gm
4. The Shampoo Plus Natural Waterless Shampoo 50ml
5. Clio V 21 Water BB Cream 15ml
6. Iope Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning Program 18ml
7. Laneige Snow Crystal Lip Gloss 3gm
8. T.E.N. CremorLab Mineral Treatment Essence 100ml
9. Peripera Peri's Tint in Mandarin Juice 2.5ml
10. Danahan Bon Yeon Jin Essence 12ml

You know some of these - the Laneige gloss, for instance - are going into my giveaway inventory untouched, but here's a quick look at the rest.

Goodall Repair Plus Essential Oil 15ml

This is a multi-purpose oil for the skin, cuticles and hair - I'll be using it for the latter. This essential oil is derived from argan, macadamia, olive, jojoba, camellia, green tea and sunflower seeds. Blimey! If that won't sort out my dry, frizzy hair, nothing will.

LJH Dr's Care Vita Propolis Ampoule 5ml

This contains propolis harvested from bees. Whoa, you don't have to crush the bees to squeeze it out, it's the sealant in their hives, and it is used in some medicines, waxes and musical instruments. It is supposed to bring out the luminosity of the skin. It can be mixed with moisturiser or foundation - will definitely give it a shot.

Lanoa Natural Handmade Soap 100gm

This is a 100% handmade, natural soap and is going straight into my shower after my TBS Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower Gel is over.

The Shampoo Plus Natural Waterless Shampoo 50ml

This is made of oregano and is free of silicone, petroleum, ethonal, surfactants and artificial pigments. I have given this a whirl over the last couple of days. It is foam-based, not powder based. You hit the hair with the foam and massage it in. There's a mild smell of.... baby powder? But nothing strong. When it dries - colourless - it removes grease from the roots and makes my hair fresher. Nice! This is an excellent cheaper alternative to my HG Oscar Blandi dry shampoo.

IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning Program 18ml

You pour this on the cotton pads provided, measured out with the markings on the bottle, and apply it to the face. In three days' time, it promises skin clearing and regeneration. I'll hold out on this till month-end, when I retire temporarily from public life over root canal and wisdom tooth extraction, so even if it breaks me out, no one will ever know, except for you.

T.E.N. Cremorlab Mineral Treatment Essence 100ml

Another paraben-free, artificial pigment-, fragrance- and denatured alcohol-free product. I love this box so much for not parking dodgy products on me! This is derived from hot spring waters and is supposed to tighten pores. I think this is a toner - will be giving this away sealed as I have around four full bottles of toner.

Peripera Peri's Tint in Mandarin Juice 2.5ml

Move over, dusty rose! Why didn't anyone ever tell me orange would look so good on the lips? This is a beautiful, buildable tint with fruit complexes. The tint is a non-milky, more orange version of Cha Cha Tint. You can apply it on the cheeks and lips. Like most other lip tints I've tried, it is watery and does run, so I need to get a burnt orange lip liner. How cute is that external box?

Here's how it looks on me without and with flash, with just one light-handed coat and no lip liner (some bleeding).

Danahan Bon Yeon Jin Essence 12ml

A serum made of red ginseng and "herbal extracts". It is meant to fight wrinkles and enhance the skin's elasticity. I don't have wrinkles yet, but am considering giving it a try as a preventive.

Bottom Line
For the $27 I paid including postage (the box alone was $21 and $6 for international express mail), this is such a steal. I love the mix of makeup and skin care, the nice ingredients and brands and the super-generous sizes. This is the best beauty box I've found in Asia so far - that ships worldwide, and, along with Lip Factory (makeup-only) should give me my regular beauty fix. I have ordered Memebox #5 as well, but #6 and #7 are all sold out thanks to my indecision. I am considering renaming this to Birdbrain's Beauty Junction as I await release of box #8.
Disclaimer: My own money, not PR. I don't get points for referring you, though you do.