Charcoal, volcanic ash, and seaweed are all surprisingly fantastic cleansing ingredients. Charcoal is of course used in a variety of industrial filters and purifiers, and seaweed combats acne and reduces toxins. I was really excited to get the Earth & Sea Memebox and slather myself with clay and kelp. The box didn’t quite meet my expectations, but it’s a fantastic box all the same.

Memebox is a Korean Beauty mystery box. They generally release new boxes each week; some are themed and others miscellaneous products. All items are Korean, usually lesser-known brands. Boxes range in price (starting usually at $23 USD) and standard shipping (which takes a couple of weeks) is $6.99 USD per box ordered (so if you order two boxes, it’s $13.98 for shipping). Boxes are usually pre-ordered to be shipped at a later date, although they do have some ready to ship now.

Memebox products come packaged in a sturdy pink cardboard box with crumpled tissue paper for padding. The box then comes in either a pink bubblewrap mailer or a shipping box if multiple boxes are shipping at once. The products are usually arranged neatly and are often sealed by the manufacturer.

tosowoong Super Aqua Cooling Gel (80g)
“an ultra-cooling cream gel that provides long-lasting freshness and comfort to the face and body. Full of minerals and nutrients from glacier waters, this gel is ideal for cooling overheated skin and relieving irritated skin. Deep sea minerals also strengthen and moisturize skin so that you can have firm and supple skin all day.”

I could just sit this jar on my desk as a paperweight and stare at it for relaxation. The product is a thin blue gel that feels cool on my skin. I purchased a similar Western product that was feature in an Ipsy bag several months ago and it broke me out, so I’m a little concerned that I may be allergic to the marine minerals, but I’ll spot test it on my arm for a week or so to make sure I can use it. It’s a lightweight moisturizer that absorbs well if used sparingly, but too much feels sticky for awhile, so be careful.

Secret Nature Volcanic Ash Pore Pack (100g)
“Enriched with organic Jeju complex and mineral rich volcanic ash, charcoal, green tea, and pine needle extracts, this pack works wonders for controlling excess sebum and tightening enlarged pores.”

I love clay masks. I mean, I love masks of all kinds, but clay masks always make my skin look like freshly turned porcelain after I use them. Pine needle oil is good for anti-inflammation and antifungal effects. The charcoal and ash purify, and the green tea soothes and calms skin. Jeju is a gorgeous South Korean province that’s a volcanic island, and the source of a variety of trendy and effective skincare ingredients. This mask went on smoothly, and after I washed it off, my face looked flawless, but my skin was a little dry. Follow up clay masks with moisturizer, since the clay draws out moisture from the skin.

Dewytree Mineral Healthy Sun Cut Loose Powder SPF36 PA++ (10g)
“Enriched with natural minerals and essential oil for maintaining your skin’s moisture level and leaving a long-lasting silky finish to your makeup. It uses an air pocket puff that doesn’t clog the pores with powder application.”

This isn’t what I would have expected in this box, and I would have preferred a kelp mask or cream instead of mineral powder, but I like the no-mess application of this packaging with a little mirror on the lid.

Shara Shara Black Charcoal Mask Purifying
“Contains high concentrates of charcoal powder and volcanic ash complex for clearing your skin of dirt, impurities, and sebum clogging up your pores. It also works to soothe and protect sensitive skin with its wine and aloe vera leaf formula.”

I really wish Memebox would send three of the same type of mask in boxes that contain masks, because just one use isn’t always enough for me to decide if I want to buy more of a product. This one feels cool and soothing, and is black instead of white or translucent, so that’s an extra awkward factor when I open the door for the UPS guy with it on my face. 😀

Elizavecca Elastic Pore Mask Cleansing Foam (120mL)
“Made from 6g of charcoal, 3g of collagen from pig skin, and spider extracts, it’s a mask and facial cleanser all in one. This black mask will penetrate deep into your pores, clearing away all dead skin cells and blackheads with bubbles as fine as a spiderweb.”

Holy crap, spiders. SPIDERS, YO. I hate spiders, so it actually gives me great satisfaction to imagine them crushed and processed into this cleansing mask. Also, can we talk about the Charlotte’s Web cuteness of the packaging? ADORBS. Although, it’s less cute when you realize the collagen in the product comes from pig skin and the cutie pie spider is smushed and crunched up in a factory somewhere. It’s like when I was in high school and our lab instructions on the fetal pig dissection had a happy smiling cartoon pig on them with its guts spilling out and clearly labelled. Yes, my lab partner and I named our fetal pig Wilbur.

For this cleanser to have best effects, apply it over a mostly dry face (add a little water to help it spread) and massage it in for three to five minutes before rinsing. Collagen adds elasticity, charcoal purifies, and I don’t know what the heck spider extracts do, but that’s many fewer spiders in the world to crawl out of my drain while I’m showering and scare the bejesus out of me.

Unless they decide to retaliate for my using this product.

…oh, crap.

Ariul Spa Water 24 Hours Moisturizing Refreshing Mist (100mL)
“Made from pure spa water extracted straight from Belgium, rich in minerals and various amino acids. It works to deliver an instant replenishment into your skin, creating a moisture barrier for preventing dehydration all day long. It can also be used as a boosting serum for enhancing absorbency of other skincare products.”

i sprayed this on my face and felt instantly refreshed. It’s cool and gentle, without any residue or stickiness, great for any time of day. I spritz it after teaching my sophomores, when I want to duck my head in a vat of water to clear it. 😀

While I wanted this box to have more earthy and sea ingredients than mineral powder and spring water, I love the products I got in this box and would totally purchase an E&S2!

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Next up: Maybe Memebox Tea, maybe Saturday Swatch; it depends on how tomorrow goes.