Memebox Special #36 Meme's Pouch - review

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Well I was super-restrained not to open this straight away when it arrived last week! Since my Violet Box turned up on Wednesday, when this showed up the day after, I decided to 'prolong' the joy and wait until this week to get stuck into it. Not entirely sure how I managed that. No guarantees it'll ever happen again ; )


My first thoughts when I opened this earlier were mixed: it didn't look like the most exciting box, but it's grown on me. I think the problem was that the first thing I saw was the perfume (a bit of a no no in these things I reckon, unless it's a sample - fragrance, more than anything else, is so so personal), and the second was the blotting papers. To me, blotting papers are the most useless beauty product ever made. Maybe some people use them, but anyone with normal to dry skin? I don't think so.

Anyhoo, like I said - the box grew on me.

Before we get stuck into things, here's my October Affiliate Codes:
  • October $5 coupon code: 0IXX
  • Get $10 off automatically at checkout when you spend $150 or more, using the link below
  • Get $5 off automatically at checkout when you spend $100 or more, using the link below
Just click the Memebox banner to the right of this blog, or click here to enter the Memebox website and start shopping : )

On to the box!


A nice mix of products: skincare, haircare and makeup.


You can tell just by looking at the mix of products that Memeboxes are better value than any of the Oz subscription boxes. Everything in here is full size and the box cost only $23US!


As always, I'll write down my initial thoughts on the box now and then update this post once I've used everything.


Evas by Marait Eau de Perfume (RRP $30 for 30ml; received full size)

Apparently Memebox selected three of the most popular fragrances from 327 different scents by this brand. It's hard to believe the one I got (No.60 Baies Noires) is too popular - it's noted as being made from sweet blackberry, grapefruit, bay leaf and cedar wood. I smell Ralph Lauren's Safari unhappily doused in sugar syrup. Foo. Might use this as a bathroom freshener ; )

UPDATE: Well, I have tried to swap this in various FB Swap groups, to no avail. What I might do instead is donate it to a charity my friend works for (one that supports women) or donate it to my local op shop.


Valley Sous Hair Solution Protein Therapy Perfect Mist (RRP $21 for 150ml; received full size)

This apparently contains over 20 different kinds of protein and natural ingredients such as argan oil, rosehip oil and assai oil for delivering rich nutrition and much-needed  protein into you damaged cuticles. It's also perfumed with a fresh fruity musk fragrance. To use, apply either before or after blow-drying your hair.

My first thought when I saw this was: oh no, not another hair smoothing product (I've got so many in backlog because I've received a bunch in beauty boxes and it takes me donkey's ears to get through one), but this looks like it's a different kind of product and I'm excited to give it a go. A bit nervous about this fruity musky scent though. Will keep you posted.

UPDATE: I've used this a few times now and really love it. It helps my damaged hair (dyed ages ago but the highlights have almost grown out - thank god). It definitely makes my hair feel nicer and stronger, and happily the smell is fine - not overpowering, which was my concern. 

My only tip with this would be: don't use it if you've just used a heavy treatment mask in the shower (as I had the first time I used it, and the treatment left a residue behind), or your hair might feel overloaded with product.

Evas Rose Mine Perfumed Hand Cream (RRP $12 for 60ml; received full size)

There were three products you could have received; I got the 'Maybe' scent (a fruity floral fragrance infused with lychee, apricot and poppy). Apparently this brand is renowned for its handcreams, so I'm pleased to have received it - notwithstanding that I've got a couple of full-sized handcreams waiting to be opened once I've finished the MOR one I'm using. Handcreams go down well in this house since Mex uses them more than I do ; ). 

UPDATE: This handcream is lovely and rich and I'm glad I received it. I had thought it mightn't be heavy enough for my dry hands, but I was happily surprised. I cheated and opened this one before the MOR product was finished - but only because I'd just finished the handcream I keep beside my bed and needed a replacement. While the smell is a bit sweet, it's not too bad and I can live with it.


Etude House Blotting Paper Pact (RRP $6 for 50; received full size)

While I have no use for this, the packaging itself - while I hate the pink - is actually sturdy and decent. Considering this costs a measly $6, I'm wondering about the quality of the paper! Indeed, I'd almost hang on to this to use the compact (which comes with a nice mirror - see below) as a mixing tray.


Not a bad little compact, yes?

UPDATE: I've put this in my bundle to swap in any of the FB Swap groups I'm a member of - fingers crossed someone wants it.

If I can't swap it, it's likely destined for the presents pile - though I'll have to investigate who of my family/friends would ever use something like this. According to the product description, it's made from hanji - the traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees - and is gentle to skin and aims to remove excess facial oil and sebum. If only I had excess facial oil - then I wouldn't need all the moisturising products I own!


Croquis Alight Pact (RRP $35 for 10g)

This is the most interesting product in the box I reckon, and the one I'm most excited about. It's a nice, sturdy and good-looking compact containing coloured marble powders that apparently give your skin more definition and a fine lustre for a nice, silky finish to your makeup. You're meant to apply it to areas where you want more definition and shine, so I'm guessing it's a highlighter. Yay!


Looks fancy, yes? Might have to open it soon and give it a go, even though it's not like I don't have enough highlighters on the go already.

UPDATE: I've now used this and love it, and it's by far my favourite item in the box. In quality, it reminds me of the MAC highlighter I used a few years ago when I was Maid of Honour at a wedding. I'll do a full review of this product once I've played around with it some more, but it's now pride of place in the beauty cabinet (or 'it's gone straight to the pool room', to use Oz lingo ; )).


Such a pretty design. And you get four colours in one : ) It's also subtle and doesn't contain noticeable glitter - woot woot!


Drww Mix & Match set (RRP $47 for 1.5g x 5; received full size)

This is the most expensive item in the box, and I'm really not sure about the look of it. I don't know whether it's the pink cardboard packaging or the look of the products themselves, but it looks kind of cheap and barbie-ish to me - like play makeup or something.

It includes lip and cheek products as well as a concealer. You can mix and match to create new colours (which is what the empty hole is for). I guess I should reserve judgement 'till I try it.


UPDATE: I liked this much more than I thought I would. Although the colours look like lollies in their pots (I'm referring to the top three colours - the middle bottom product is a concealer and the one to the left of that is a sheer gloss), they're not so 'look at me' when applied and add a nice sheer and wearable glow to your lips or cheeks. Again, I'll do a full review of this soon, along with swatches and more comments.

Verdict

Well, this was definitely worth the $23US price tag - the total value of the box is $151. Having said this, without the highlighter compact I wouldn't be so happy with it: I think the perfume and blotting papers turned me off a bit, since that's a third of the box I won't use and can't easily give away as presents (who's going to want them?!).

I think I was so bowled over by the first Memebox I received, the Earth & Sea Cosmetics box, that it's pretty hard to top that. What I'll do is trial the products and see if I get more excited by things.

Did anyone else receive this box - if so, what did you think?


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