little white truths

I'm still not sure how I feel about this box. On the one hand I'm glad I received a BB cream (I was half-expecting to, considering the theme) and a lipstick in my colour (peach); on the other I'm wondering how the hell a glitter product and a shimmering primer wound up in a 'natural makeup' box, particularly when we were promised 'a palette of earth baked colours' from Memebox in the box's description.

I mean really. Glitter? Two glitter products? Natural? I have to say I'm annoyed about that, and from the other unboxings I've seen, I'm not the only one.

But moving on...

At least there's a good mix of products: two for face, two for eyes, one for lips and one apparently multi purpose (that's the glitter tub, which I'll look at more below).

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some general disappointment about this box - it'll be interesting to see what score it gets once the reviews come in. I can't imagine it will have too many stars. It mightn't be a bad box, it's just that some of the products were unexpected, based on the box's theme.

Before I look at each item in turn, here are my December Affiliate Codes:

Just click the Memebox banner to the right of this blog, or click here to enter the Memebox website and start shopping!

The Superbox #73 F/W Natural Makeup cost $23US (plus $6.99 shipping, although I bought it as part of a set and only paid one lot of shipping for both boxes).

Please note that all prices quoted below are in USD, and that I'll update this post once I've used everything and trialled it properly. Initially, I'll just take a look at the items in turn and give you my thoughts on the contents. All items in the box are full-sized.

Leporem Perfect Whitening Blemish Balm (RRP $23 for 35ml)

What annoyed me about this was that I couldn't find any (English) information about it online or on the Memebox website. Eventually I came across a description in Korean, which thankfully told me that the product does contain sunscreen: it's SPF 35 PA++.

Despite my love for BB creams with high SPF, the word 'whitening' makes me nervous. I don't want anything that makes me look like Casper - I'll be decidedly unfriendly if so. Like many, I'd prefer something that adapts to/matches my skintone?!?!?! Fingers bloody crossed.

According to the card, this product also offers effective sebum control and wrinkle care, and gives you satiny smooth skin texture while brightening a dull complexion and delivering a healthy glow.

We'll see. I'm suspicious.

I did try it on my face, but I looked deathly pale and washed it off straight away. I won't even bother reviewing this product separately because it's unsuitable for my face.

As with other Korean BB/CC creams that are far too pale for me, I've started mixing them in with some of my normal sunscreen and using the mix to cover my face, neck, dec and shoulders. Might as well get some use/benefits from them, and diluting them means I don't end up looking like I've washed myself in bleach.

ddung Lipstick (RRP $24 for 3.5g)

While I still think the name of this company is up there with the least thought-through on the planet (along with Jelly Pong Pong), I'm pleased with this inclusion. I was lucky enough to get DL10 Pure Peach (the other options being beige and orange), and while I might have been happy with any of those, I've got enough nudes and brights in the lipstick department and could have done with something in the mid range (which this looks like, based on swatches I've seen).

According to the card, this product comes in three sheer, toned-down coral and pink hues perfect for the F/W season. It adheres tightly to lips with lasting suppleness and radiance while offering a satiny, long-wear finish.

Big claims. I'll open this soon and give you an update and pictures - I just want to finish an open lipstick before I get stuck into another one.

UPDATE: While I love the colour of this lipstick and it feels nice and creamy on, it's not a great product. It certainly doesn't 'adhere tightly to lips' and its lasting power is pretty rubbish.

Also, the quality is suspect: I just used it again and it broke, so I now have a broken lipstick that's covered in puppy fur from the carpet!

Another issue I've found with it is that it sits in creases and looks patchy on, so I need to wear a gloss over the top to avoid the whole wrinkled lip look. What I might do with this is add it to a tub with some gloss, to see if I can create a more wearable product from it.

Hmph. Hoh well.

LadyKin Close Up Decuple Shimmering Primer (RRP $12 for 30ml)

This is a highly suspect product, considering the box's theme. According to other bloggers, it does indeed have noticeable glitter bits in it - so why would I want this if I've ordered a 'natural makeup' box? I mean really. I'll give it a crack in the near future and let you know what I think.

Apparently it's suitable for all skintones and aims to prep and smooth uneven skin texture before applying base makeup. It leaves skin feeling supple, soft and non-oily, with a sheer hint of shimmering pearls. Hmph. Not what I wanted in the box. If it doesn't work for me, it's destined to be sent to a better home - but I'll still review it for you before sending it on its (perhaps un-merry) way.

UPDATE: I've used this a few times now so can comment on it properly - and I'll do a full review of the product once I've tried it with different foundations and in different weather conditions etc.

Fortunately, the shimmer isn't too noticeable and so it's a product I'll definitely use, since I do mix illuminator in with my primer anyway.

I've now done a full review here, if you're interested in the product.

Not sure I'd wear it on its own (as I would eg MAC's Strobe Cream), but let's see. It has a pleasant smell and is quite rich/moisturising, and I'm enjoying using it. I'm not sure it's the best primer in terms of making your makeup last longer and performing skin-perfecting functions (eg like reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines), but I'd say that about most primers I've tried anyway.

I'm glad to have received this product and I'll use it, although I still don't think it belongs in this box.

DD'ell Stay Forever Gel Eye Pencil 04 in Espresso (RRP $14 for 1.2g)

Now this I will use (unless it's rubbish), and it belongs in the box. A brown eyeliner is definitely in the 'natural makeup' category and I switched to using browns a while back, since it looks so much more natural to use neutral tones for lining than it does using black. Hurrah Memebox! A good inclusion.

According to the card, this is a creamy gel pencil liner that glides smoothly on and stays put for the entire day without smudging or fading (I don't actually believe this, but we'll see). It's a gentle formula for sensitive eyes and comes off easily with warm water. It's free of alcohol, talc and other nasties.

I'm looking forward to trying this one out.

UPDATE: This is a decent product and it's one I'll definitely use. Happily it's a colour I can use both as an eyeliner and as a brow filler.

As you can see from the above swatch, it creates a decent line. Below I've given it a really good rub, and it stood up very well (it was a seriously good rub ; ) ).

I've worn it on my eyes (including the lower waterline) and it lasts pretty well and doesn't transfer, so I'm happy about that - with my puffy eyes, most liners end up where they shouldn't very quickly (due to the rubbing of my eye skin on the line).

For me, this and the primer are the only two decent (or even reasonable) items in the box.

Mustaev Color Powder Starlight Opal (RRP $22 for 2.5g)

Yes, that's right - $22 glitter in a natural makeup box. Bah humbug. No idea what I'll do with this. Probably review/swatch it and then send it on its (definitely un-merry) way.

According to the card, it's a multi-purpose pearl powder that comes in a sheer, warm silver. It can be used alone as an eyeshadow or mixed with loose powder, lip gloss or cream to add gleaming sophistication to an everyday natural look.

'Gleaming sophistication' they say! Well I never. And here I was thinking that I'd look like Tinkerbell on smack. Silly me.

UPDATE: I'm giving you a few natural light shots of this product here, plus a swatch, because I'm not going to bother reviewing it separately.

Look at that! My golly. Pretty, but not for me. It's gone straight to the presents pile. How annoying. If it didn't have noticeable glitter (but instead was finely milled enough to provide a nice sheen), I'd likely have kept it. Foo.

Tonymoly Delight Circle Lens Mascara 03 Clear Circle (RRP $4 for 8.5g)

While clear mascara is admittedly a boring product, it's a fair-enough inclusion in this box (thank golly) and one I'll actually use. On my eyebrows.

Apparently it adds volume and shine to your lashes without the black colour. We'll see. My lashes are almost black anyway, and they're short, so I suspect this isn't the right kind of mascara for me. You can also use this product over 'average mascaras' for extra volume and lasting power.

Eh. I'm happy with the mascaras I use. But yes, my eyebrows will enjoy this, no doubt.

UPDATE: I won't bother giving you some swatches of this - I'm not sure you could tell the difference to my lashes/eyebrows anyway. It's a clear gel that works ok for taming eyebrows, but doesn't do much for your lashes. Sure, it does add an extra coat so I guess it thickens/extends them a little, but not to any great degree. Still, at least it'll get used.

Verdict

Obviously, I'm not over-mooned about this box. I have a sneaking suspicion that only the lipstick and eyeliner will get used (at least as they're meant to), and the mascara will serve an alternative purpose.

I hope I'm wrong. What I'm not wrong about, is that this box is having an identity crisis: what's the theme? It's not natural makeup, so what is it? Is it just a leftovers-type selection of products that they didn't quite know what to do with? I half-want to write to Memebox and ask where the 'palette of earth baked colours' is that we were promised. Maybe I should.

Anyhoo. The box cost $23 and the RRP value is $99, so it's technically worth the outlay. But not if you're not going to use the majority of it because it wasn't what you were expecting.

Thank god I've had some decent boxes from these guys recently, otherwise I might be more than a little grumpy ; )