My 3b Beauty Bag Unbagging for September 2015

It’s time to start the September Beauty Subscription unboxing blogs! I know I’ve been slacking on reviews but I’ve got some exciting personal stuff going on which I will update everyone on as soon as I can. I anticipate September and October to be very exciting! 

My first unbagging will be the 3b Beauty Bag subscription. 3b (beauty, beyond, borders) is a monthly subscription service that that focuses on Asian beauty. For $12.00/month they send you four to five sample to full sized samples of beauty products. The 3b beauty bag is a great way to experience Asian beauty products without having to break the bank (or go on a scavenger hunt). 

Now, All The Things! 

I saw this product and thought “Oh no”. This is the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream sample size – full-sized price $25.00. This is a Japanese brand that was developed by a pharmacist in 1957. The issue for me with this product (which I have tried before) is the smell. It smells like a mix of coconut oil and Vicks VapoRub. I do have to say that I love the way Vicks smells (yeah I’m weird) but I cannot see slathering it all over myself as a moisturizer. The lovely smell is due to camphor, which is also used in Vicks VapoRub. I have been told that it’s an amazing product. I just can’t get past the smell. 

Here we have the RiRe Luxe Eye Lash Essence that was promised to us in last months 3b bag. This product is full sized with a retail value of $4.74. This lash essence helps to strengthen eyelashes with peptides, black bean extract, and black sesame extract. 

You apply the Lash Essence daily at bedtime to clean lashes coating the entire eyelash from the root up. I’ve heard a lot of positive reviews for this product. I’m going to try it out on a Friday in the event i have an allergic reaction. Ya know, enough time to get some anti-inflammatory medication into my system and be able to see – smile. There is no scent to speak of and the product is clear. The brush want has a ball at the end that reminds me of the ItCosmetics Hello Lashes wand. I will report back on how this product affects my eyelashes (if at all). 

I had the Leaders Mediu Therapy Hand Cream Collagen Therapy in my hot little hands for 2 minutes – full-sized value $4.00. Just enough time to take a few blurry pictures before and identify it as a Korean product before my mother snatched it away. My mother has a problem with eczema on her hands and as soon as she saw that this is to help with elasticity she was more excited then I’ve ever seen her about a product I’ve received in a beauty subscription. 

This hand cream contains collagen extract and honey and I know that’s not a lot of information. However, the box has been coveted and stolen so I can’t do a translation of the ingredients just yet. It has a subtle scent that smells a bit like verbena. It’s very fresh, not overpowering, and dissipates a few minutes after application. I will let you know how it works on my mothers hands. 

The last product in this bag is the Secret key Honey Bees AC Control Spot Remover full-sized $16.07 (on the Secret Key Website it is more expensive but I used the memebox.com website for price). This product contains bee venom, tea tree oil, and salicylic acid as well as propolis to help with excessive sebum secretion. To sooth the skin Secret Key added Centella and Portulaca extracts. It does not contain parabens, mineral oil, benzophenone, orphenoxyethanol, or artificial color. 

If you’re familiar with Murad Acne Spot Treatment then you’ll be familiar with the formula, consistency, and smell of this product. If you are unfamiliar with the Murad Spot Treatment, the product is clear and gel like. It goes on smoothly and has a bit of a artificial/acetone smell to it. I have not tried this product yet but am very hopeful that it will work as well as the Murad product. Which would be a huge savings (and Korean – smile). 

And that ladies and gents is my 3b beauty bag unbagging for the month of September. I’m happy with most of the products. The Yu-Be sample is a huge no for me. However, the price of the bag was worth having my mother act like a kid over the Leaders Mediu Therpahy hand cream. I’ll also use the RiRe Essence and the Secret key Spot remover. So, overall this was a great month for 3b. 

Unboxing of the 3b Beauty Subscription box for Feb 2015 - Spoilers!

I love Korean Beauty products. Not only do they use more natural and high-end ingredients but they’re Korean. Who could not love something Korean – smile? This is my unboxing of the 3b beauty subscription box (bag really) for February 2015. 3b (beauty, beyond, borders) is a monthly subscription service which provides five Asian beauty products to your front door (gotta spice it up a little here). They are usually deluxe sized samples but they seem to include one full sized product every month. They are $13.00 a month and you can check them out here https://the3bbox.com/ 

Now All The Things! 

First thing out of my lovely purple satchel is this Etude House Collagen Moistfull Essence. For those unfamiliar with Asian beauty will probably say “What is an essence?”. In a nut shell essence helps your skin at the cellular level to turnover old skin cells (I’ll post a full Korean Skin Care breakdown soon). Everyone knows I love my Benton HighContent Snail Bee Essence and I’m not sure I want to try another. However, I hear great things about Etude house. 

Now this I’ve been eyeing to try for a while now. The Banila co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Blam hypoallergenic and goes from a solid balm into an oil on the skin. We all know that oil breaks up makeup the best and I hear that Clean it Zero breaks up makeup like no one’s business and works for sensitive skin. As we all know my skin is a schizophrenic off their meds at times so I am super excited to try this. 

Now we have actual oil! The Laneige Perfect Pore Cleansing Oil uses coconut oil to break up water proof makeup as well as excess oil and sebum on the skin. I know it might seem counterintuitive but oil is a very good cleanser for your skin. Used properly it will not cause blemishes or breakouts. It actually works to sooth and calm the skin from acne and sensitivity. I say used properly because…if you pour the whole bottle on your face you’re probably going to have a problem. 

I’m so glad I got these Skinfood Oil Control Film Sheets because I need them in my life. I’m going on a trip in April and I love having the blotting sheets for those times when my face is a bit shiny. Since my skin is dry if I use powder to try to get rid of shine I can get that cakey/dry look. Not a good look for me. Blotting papers are the key to keeping the shine away without ruining makeup. 

This my friends is worth the price of the bag and then some. The Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream is a product I was literally going to buy online this week. This eye cream contains 80% snail mucin is all-natural, cruelty-free, and is anti-microbial with included anti-oxidants, proteins, and glycolic acid. I am almost out of eye cream so this is perfect timing. 3b must be reading my mind.

I really love this subscription service. It provides people with Asian beauty products which they wouldn’t be exposed to normally and is a great value. I love trying new things and while I enjoy other subscription boxes this one is totally different in a really good way. If you’re looking for something different then the norm go I highly recommend the 3b beauty box.

January 2015 3b Bag Review! Spoilers!

This is my January 2015 3b Beauty bag review. 3b is a monthly Asian Beauty Bag subscription which sends you 5 Asian beauty products (Sample sized to full sized) for only $12.00 a month. Check them out here https://the3bbox.com/. They are a new company and this is their second monthly bag so let’s get to ALL THE THINGS! 

So, first thing I saw (of course) was this Tony Moly product. How could you miss it? I also know what this is because I see it all the time. This is the Tony Moly Peach Hand Cream and is a full sized product. If you’re unfamiliar with the Tony Moly fruit hand creams I’m here to tell you they’re great. They smell amazing and are really hydrating. I didn’t buy the peach hand cream because I’m not a fan of fake peach smells but I shouldn't have worried. This smells amazingly like fresh peaches. I just love it. 

The second product is the My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Acid Mask. This is a Taiwanese mask which restores moisture. I have not used any My Beauty Diary products but I have been going mask happy lately. This will be the next mask I use. 

The Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara is a waterproof Japanese Mascara. I have not used this brand before either but I am not opening this just yet because I am trying out a Dior mascara at the moment. As soon as I do I’ll post a review (wow…that rhymed). 

I am super excited to try the Laneige Firming Sleeping Pack. Laneige is a Korean brand and this mask is said to restore intense moisture as well as sealing it in overnight. I will use this tonight. 

Last but not least is the Nature Republic Flower Jelly Drop Gloss. Again another product I will not be opening right away because I have a ton of lip products open right now. I’m also not a fan of flavored lip glosses so we will see how this one fares. 

That’s my 3b bag for January! The second bag was great and I can’t wait to see how they grow!

3b Subscription Box First Impression and Review

Wow, today I got a lot of stuff in the mail which included three Memebox boxes and this new beauty subscription from 3b. Since I don’t want to inundate you with 3 blogs in one day (oh but I am tempted) I have decided to do a quick first impressions on the 3b subscription service. 3b is a new subscription box service that focuses on Asian beauty products (think of it as a Birchbox but Asian beauty). For $12.00 a month you get a pouch (pouch in a box and its purple this month) which has 5 deluxe Asian beauty samples. You can find more information about them at http://the3bbox.com/

Now onto the box (pouch)! 

I didn’t realize what this was at first so I just ripped it open like the beast that I am. Because of that you don’t get to see the packing box. It really just was a plain cardboard post office box so nothing fancy. 

This also came with a nice little note address to me. Yes, my name is Genie. I have heard all the jokes, yes it’s spelled that way, no I can’t grant wishes, yes I like my name, and yes I’m half-Korean and named Genie.

 

First product is The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Wipes – I’ve never used any cleansing wipes. Don’t judge me - I know I’m behind the times. This product claims to be a soft cleansing tissue that contains rosemary extracts along with healing herbs (I like when it’s that vague – what KIND of herbs Ye ol Face Shop? Hm?). I’m always very leery of new things that touch my face. Have you SEEN my face after a reaction to a product? If not take a look! It’s right over there (pointing). I’m going to have to spot test this before I even think about rubbing it on my crazy face and I’ll update you as soon as that happens. 

Next we have the Etude House Moistfull Collagen Kit – The kit contains 2 bottles of face stuff (technical term). The first (Freshener) is a toner and the second (Emulsion) is a moisturizer. The Moistfull Collagen kit supplies much needed collagen and hydration to your complexion as we head into colder months. Another brand I haven’t tried…you don’t know my life! I know it’s at Sephora and I guess what stopped me before was the fact that I was looking for things I couldn't find easily. Because…well who wants things to be convenient…? I think I have a problem.

This product I am very excited to try. This is the K-Palette 1Day Magic Liquid Eyeliner – This product is full sized. It has a brush applicator and is waterproof. I’ve been on the hunt for liquid eyeliner that would go on well and stay on without flaking. My eyelids/eyes are anti-makeup. Before eye shadow primers I couldn’t even think about putting anything on around my eyes. Well I could have but the raccoon look is so last season. Now…will this flake? Will my eyes like it? Will my eyeballs burn and turn red? Wait for the update! 

The last product in my pouch is Nature Republic Nail Polish – this is also a full sized product. This nail polish is red-orange and I’m not sure about it – laugh. I haven’t tried it on but seriously, I wear orange nail polish, so this shouldn’t be a big shock to me (smile). 

So what do I think? I think this was a pretty good sample box for Asian beauty. This is a new box so I don’t know what the next few months will bring but so far it looks like it’s going to be a good subscription. If you want to check them out this is their website http://the3bbox.com/

Also, just so you know. I bought this box with my own money. I get nothing if you click on the link above. I always give an honest review and will never tell you something is good or worth it if I don’t believe it is.