Memebox Special Oriental Medicine

Memebox Oriental Medicine

I initially passed on this "Oriental" box when it first came out, probably for the same reason I've passed on any "Asian" skincare products all my life, only because I'm Asian and like some misbelieving that Western products are more superior.  Well, I'm glad this 36-year old self decided to give things a try (hello Memebox!).  My only regret is not discovering Asian skincare sooner.

This box was first shipped out July 4th and soon after pictures of these boxes were posted online. This was the first box that truly regret not buying, but lucky for me it was restocked shortly after and I was able to buy one before it sold out again. Not only is it the prettiest box I've seen, the product looks pretty amazing.

This box was selling for only $23 plus shipping and contents included the following (prices in USD):

1. D'RAN Wonder Serum, 30ml ($30)
2. Purederm Korean Herb Mask, 19ml x 2 ($2)
3. Donginbi Donginbidam Red Ginseng Aqua Oil & Red Ginseng Aqua Pack Essence, 5ml x 2 ($27)
4. Hanhui CC Cream, 50ml ($30)
5. Shib Jang Ceng Chun Ji Heang Hand Cream, 80ml ($17)

Total value of $106. With points and codes I managed to buy this box for $16.99 including shipping. (Check here for current codes and promotions)

D'RAN Wonder Serum, 30ml

1.D'RAN Wonder Serum, 30ml ($30)

Memebox Product Description: "Made from 20 different Korean medicinal herbs such as ginseng, black hoof mushrooms, licorice, portulaca, and ganoderma, the Wonder Serum delivers abundant nutrients and moisture deep into your skin to erase those ears off your face, for a revitalized, glowing complexion."

How to Use: "Day and night, apply the serum on your face and gently pat it in for better absorbance.  Use it before skin toner application."

UPDATE: 9/12/2014 -  I've been using this serum as my daily serum night and day for the last two weeks. My skin remains soft and smooth, as it has been ever since I've been using Korean products for the last few months, so I can't tell if this has made any more improvements. Definitely hasn't made it worse. I like this serum, it comes out as a thick liquid that absorbs quickly.  I don't know why the instructions from Memebox says to use it before toner, but I've been following the general rule of thumb, "the thinner products comes first, then the thicker products."  The only con with this product, personally, is that it definitely has the smell of oriental medicine...its not as strong as walking into one of those Chinese Herbal stores, but that familiar smell is definitely there, mixed with a lime-like fragrance. Luckily its not to overbearing and goes away quickly. I see myself using this up completely, but probably not something I would rebuy, unfortunately for the smell.

Purederm Korean Herb Mask "Yoon-an" Hydrating Mask

Purederm Korean Herb Mask "Soo-an" Moisturizing Mask

2.Purederm Korean Herb Mask, 19ml x 2 ($2)

Memebox Product Description: "Randomly selected from Myung-an Brightening Mask, Jung-an Refining Mask, Yoon-an Hydrating Mask, Soo-An Moisturizing Mask) Enriched with organic Korean herb extracts, these masks each carry their own functions according to the various ingredients utilized.  They're all high in vitamin E and collagen to maintain the moisture/oil balance in your skin.  Also, the mask material is thick enough to deliver sufficient nutrients in a short time spec."

How to Use: "After cleansing, place the mask sheet over your face, making sure to geta ll the edges nice and clean.  Reset for 12-20 minutes and remove.  Gently pat in the remaining essence into your skin."

Donginbi Donginbidam Red Ginseng Aqua Oil & Red Ginseng Aqua Pack Essence, 5ml x 2

3.Donginbi Donginbidam Red Ginseng Aqua Oil & Red Ginseng Aqua Pack Essence, 5ml x 2 ($27)

Memebox Product Description: " Donginbi is a super premium brand only found in Korean beauty department stores.  The Red Ginseng Aqua Oil and Aqua Pack Essence series is effectively renowned for its delicate packaging designed to reflect traditional Korean porcelain.The red ginseng extracts have powerful medicinal formula that effectively smooth and lock in moisture, ultimately making your skin silkier and smoother."

How to Use: "After skin toner application, take 3-4 drips of the aqua oil and gently pat it in.  The repeat the same step with the aqua pack essence."

I'm waiting impatiently to try his duo next, once my current serum from Minibox 3 runs out. I'm now a fan of double cleansing with oil and foam, so this should be interesting to be using an oil and essence set.

Update: August 20, 2014: I used up these two little bottles in no time. The packaging makes it appear like a deluxe sample, but with only 5ml, it only lasted me about a week and a half. The bottle is definitely deceptively bigger than the content (both bottles are a pump).  The Aqua Oil is a clear fluid that was very quick absorbing. The Aqua Essence is a white cream, slightly thicker than the oil, but still very light. Both had only a light fragrance to it.  With this small sample that didn't last too long, I really can't tell if it does anything for me. I'm definitely not willing to pay this much yet for the full size product ($27 for these samples).  However, I won't turn away from this brand yet. I'll wait until I graduate from the more affordable Korean brands, before I venture into this next level of spending.

Hanhui CC Cream, 50ml

4.Hanhui CC Cream, 50ml ($30)

Memebox Product Description: "The unique CC cream is infused with red ginseng extracts, cactus extracts and galactomyces fermented extracts to make your skin silky smooth and shine with a natural glow from within. It's not like a BB cream in that it brightens up your skin tone.  A CC cream works to even out and cover up visible pores and fine lines on your face, controlling your complexion to look its most natural yet flawless in its imperfection."

How to Use: "Use your hands or foundation brush to evenly spread out the CC cream on your face."

My first CC Cream. Seeing this in the box made me absolutely want to buy this box.

Shib Jang Ceng Chun Ji Heang Hand Cream, 80ml

5.Shib Jang Ceng Chun Ji Heang Hand Cream, 80ml ($17)

Memebox Product Description: "Made from 110 years old ginseng extracts, shea butter and olive oil, this hand cream is extremely rich in nutrients and delivers deep revitalization to your dry, easily -roughened hands.  Its highly moisturizing formula allows for a fast, soft absorbance and long-lasting finish."

How to Use: "Apply the hand cream whenever your hands feel dry or coarse."

Overall I'm very impressed with this box. Can't wait to test things out and hopefully they work as good as it looks. Unfortunately this box is no longer in stock. Visit my Memebox page for complete list of Memeboxes currently in stock.   If you are looking for savings, visit my blog post Memebox Current Promotions.  

For all Memebox promotions, especially time-sensitive sales, consider joining my Facebook group Memebox Promos and Sales.

For this month only, you can get Memepoints on the purchase of select Memeboxes. You can only get this deal through a Referral-Only Deal link.  Using the same link, you get $10 off on purchases over $100 by using any $5 off promotion code in combination, eg. U9WV4E.