This post is giving me such mixed emotions, as it's my first ever sponsored post. I wanted to procrastinate for a couple more days even, but it's been over a month(?!) since I even posted anything. I've got stuff coming, I swear! I'm just trying to get used to my work schedule and it's just...it's been crazy.
About Mishibox
Mishibox is a new US-based Korean Beauty subscription box that debuted back in June. It costs $19.95 with free shipping in the US and $5.95 to ship to Canada. For that price, you get 4-6 deluxe samples and full sized items of the following categories: Skincare, Makeup, Beauty tools/accessories, Haircare, Bath & Body, Nailcare, Fragrances.
The Box
I Snapchatted the live opening of this box. It didn't impress me, and I was feeling all annoyed at having to review it, because this company is seriously so awesome. But I'll get to that later.
Magis Lene Cell Precieux Toner
WHAT: This luxurious and highly concentrated toner made with caramel and colloidal gold provides both whitening and wrinkle care functions. The Cell Precieux line helps your skin maintain its balance to preserve your natural beauty.
HOW: After cleansing, use a cotton ball (for exfoliating) or fingertips (for moisturizing) to apply the toner to your face. Gently wipe with the cotton ball, or pat and tap your face with your fingertips to help with absorption.
Retail Price: $65 | 120 ml/4.05 fl oz
Ingredients:
Glycerin, Water, Alcohol, Betaine, Viola Tricolor Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pearl Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Propolis Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-51, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Steareth-20, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Caramel, Chrysin, Propylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Lecithin, Colloidal Gold, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol
Magis Lene Cell Precieux Emulsion
WHAT: The luxurious and highly concentrated emulsion from the same Cell Precieux line also provides both whitening and wrinkle care functions. Use together with the bonus serum and cream samples for the best results.
HOW: After toner and serum, take an adequate amount of the emulsion and gently massage onto your face with fingertips. Follow with the cream. Order recommended by Magis Lene is Toner, Serum, Emulsion, and then Cream.
Retail Price: $69 | 120 ml/4.05 fl oz (emulsion), $135 | 45ml/1.52 fl oz (serum), $170 | 50 ml/1.69 fl oz (cream)
Ingredients: (Emulsion)
Water, Glycerin, Viola Tricolor Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Himanthalia Elongata (Brown Algae) Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pearl Extract, Propolis Extract, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Soluble Collagen, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Trideceth-6, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, PEG-75 Stearate, Steareth-20, Adenosine, Ceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Sucrose Distearate, Chrysin, Polyquaternium-51, Panthenol, Ceramide 3, Xanthan Gum, Folic Acid, Caramel, Cholesterol, Raffinose, Propylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Lecithin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Colloidal Gold, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients: (Serum)
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Viola Tricolor Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pearl Extract, Propolis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Thymus Quinquecostatus Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Prunus Persica (Peach) Flower Extract, Acacia Farnesiana Flower Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-51, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Bisabolol, Steareth-20, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Butylene Glycol, Chrysin, Panthenol, Caramel, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Sucrose Distearate, Ceramide 3, Folic Acid, Cholesterol, Raffinose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Lecithin, Colloidal Gold, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients: (Cream)
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Viola Tricolor Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyquaternium-51, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycosyl Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Vegetable Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pearl Extract, Propolis Extract, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, C12-13 Pareth-23, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Trideceth-6, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, C12-13 Pareth-3, Bisabolol, Ethylhyxylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Magnesium Aspartate, Sarcosine, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Potassium Aspartate, Steareth-20, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Sucrose Distearate, Chrysin, Panthenol, Ceramide 3, Xanthan Gum, Folic Acid, Caramel, Cholesterol, Raffinose, Propylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Lecithin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Colloidal Gum, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol
Skylake Silk Cocoon Hair Conditioner
WHAT: This rich hair conditioner made with real silk cocoon extracts and hydrolyzed silk cocoon extracts that contain natural proteins and other natural nutrients will keep your hair healthy, soft, and energized. Highly recommended for those with weak, damaged, and/or dry hair. Use with your Skylake shampoo from your June MISHIBOX!
HOW: After washing your hair with your shampoo, apply the conditioner onto your hair and massage with extra care to your roots. Wash off with warm water.
Retail Price: $5 | 25 ml/0.84 fl oz, $36 | 500 ml/16.9 fl oz
Ingredients:
Skylake Oriental Herb Water (Water, Morus Bombycis Leaf Extract, Angelica Gigas Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Angelica Dahurica Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Inula Helenium Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extrac), Cetearyl Alcoho, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Pentylene Glycol, Silkworm Cocoon Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Argania Spinsoa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethiconol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate Polysorbate 80, Lactic Acid, Dimethicone, C12-15 Pareth-3, Amodimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Panthenol, Ceteareth-20, Cacao Color, Disodium EDTA, Benzophenone-9, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Fragrance
Holika Holika Basic Nails (2015 SS Collection) (Sunshine)
WHAT: Finish off the summer with these bright and long-lasting nail colors from the Holika Holika 2015 Spring/Summer Collection.
HOW: After preparing your nails by applying one base coat onto your clean fingernails, apply your nail polish. Use two coats for best results. When dry, finish off with a top coat.
Retail Price: $5 | 10 ml/0.33 fl oz
Ingredients:
Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimetllitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Stearalkonium Bentonite, n-Butyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Octocrylene, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Polyvinyl Butyral, CI 11680, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Cleomee Snowy Pore Balm
WHAT: Say good-bye to oily skin with this soft white pore balm made with donkey milk and oil that minimizes the appearance of your pores and fine lines, brightens skin, neutralizes redness, and evens out uneven skin tone. Great for sebum control. Spatula and sponge included.
HOW: Take an adequate amount of the balm using the spatula and then apply onto your face with the sponge. Use this lightweight pore balm on your clean skin either alone on your T-Zone or your entire face as a makeup primer.
Retail Price: $25 | 25g
Ingredients:
Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Propyl Paraben, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Donkey Milk 0.04 mg, Donkey Oil 1,225 mg, Argania Spinosa Kernal Oil, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyl Paraben, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Fragrance
Cleomee Donkey Real Milk Oil Mask
WHAT; Treat yourself to a mini facial at home with this highly moisturizing sheet mask. The donkey milk and oil blend works to provide whitening and wrinkle care while also providing soothing and nourishing effects.
HOW; After cleanser and toner, place sheet mask onto your face for 15-25 minutes. Gently pat remaining essence to help absorption. We recommend using this sheet mask at night so you can wake up to soft and moisturized skin in the morning. Store in fridge before use for a refreshing feel.
Retail Price: $3.50 | 25g
Ingredients:
Purified Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Niacinamide, Donkey Milk, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Sodium PCA, Witch Hazel Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrizate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 80, Tocopherol Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine HCl, Maltodextrin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Fragrance
My Impressions
When I first opened this, I wasn't impressed. To be honest, I'm still not impressed. There's nothing in here that makes me go, "Ye gods! Let me take this box straight to the bathroom and slather everything on right now!" There's not even anything that made me immediately go, "Ooooh...." And the nail polish... I just don't care for nail polish. I don't care for anything really, aside from skincare products. I know they kind of have to be in there, but nail polish would've come dead last on any list of what I would want in a subscription box. Especially yellow nail polish.But.
 |
| They include an extra one in every box since people thought the sticker was so adorable. |
But cute don't pay the bills, which brings me to my second reason... I subscribed because I wanted an affordable way to find new skincare products. Because I can't just go through Avecko and haul dozens of random products from unknown brands, crossing my fingers that they're not duds. I lose sight of that sometimes, when I open a new box and there's nothing there that I immediately recognize or blows my mind with how gorgeous the packaging is. And you know what? Mishibox does an excellent job, especially considering this is their 4th box. Ever. Every box includes a couple of items from a new brand or two, and usually an item from an established brand. They're at minimum deluxe samples, which allows you to at least feel out a brand and decide if that's something you're interested in, and ultimately, isn't that the whole point of a subscription box?
This box introduces (to me, anyway) Cleomee in the form of a full size Pore Balm (what?) and a sheet mask. They both have donkey oil, and actually look pretty interesting - especially once I actually opened up the Pore Balm and saw that it had a couple of accessories. Holika Holika is a pretty recognizable brand, and I'm sure there are people out there who would love to try things outside of their skincare lines, even though I don't care for it. I was pretty excited to see the Skylake conditioner, as the shampoo rocked my socks off back in June. I still have a tiny bit of the shampoo that I've been saving actually, so I get to try them as a set (also adorable that they left that in the description, "Use with your Skylake shampoo from your June Mishibox!"). Magis Lene is new (to me) too, and sounds like a super luxe brand, possibly to compete with Sulwhasoo from the sound of some of the ingredients, so having basically a whole skincare line in samples to try out is quite thoughtful.
So out of the 6 items, I'm willing to try 5. I consider that a win even though it doesn't look crazy impressive. And that right there is why I will keep supporting Mishibox. Even when the boxes are underwhelming, you can see that they put thought into it - and who knows? Maybe there is a new favorite in there. It's not a bunch of random things they slap together. And when they get feedback, they work on it, and they improve. They provide full, English ingredients of all the products on their site. They advise you to patch test on the info card, and they show you manufacturer date vs. expiration date. They don't artificially mark up the worth of their items 10x...
Would I recommend someone drop $20 a month on Mishibox? If you're like me, and are willing to spend that much to explore new brands without having to do the research and pay for Avecko fees and shipping, I totally think it's worth it. But if you want to get more familiar brands or a more themed box, you're probably better off using Memebox when they have something closer to what suits your fancy, or saving up your monthly budget to make a proper haul instead.
