Unboxing Beauty

Just a few days before November and I am finally getting my Beauteque bag for October.  It sounded like they switched their shipping and subscription service and this really impacted the shipping of the monthly bags. What is Beauteque?  Beauteque is an online Asian beauty store, located in the USA, that specializes in K-beauty.  They offered a monthly bag, where you will get not only K-Beauty items, but Asian skincare, cosmetics and even Western items, but it primarily focuses on K-Beauty. For full disclosure, unless I state otherwise, all items that I review on my blog are paid for by me and this review is no exception ~ I am paying for the monthly subscription service and am not being compensated for this review.

This month’s theme is Life of Luxury and after I saw the spoilers for this bag, I was like meh.

Settle into a crisp, cool autumn with one of the most exquisite collections ever curated by Beauteque. Fragrant body lotion, invigorating facial wash, and a luxurious hand treatment are among the products you will delight upon finding in this beautiful bag.  This BB Bag was designed with the deserving recipient in mind, you.

Wow, that is laying it on thick.  With that type of intro, I expect this to show up in this bag, yes?

Alas, no.

The bag is also a bit cheesy ~ a plastic bag with black lace.

Informational Card

 

Bag Revealed!

 

SNP Cactus 90% Soothing Gel   This a nice big bottle of Cactus Gel ~ it is a really adorable bottle that looks to be the shape of a cactus but with wonderful rectangle panels, causing a light reflecting effect when this bottle is in sunlight. I love soothing gels and this one has a light fragrance ~ is it the cactus?  I don’t know, as I haven’t cut open a cactus lately!  haha   Anyway, soothing gels are fantastic year round, as they help relieve chapped skin, as well as sunburns ~ and yes, you can get sunburns in the winter ~ even more so, actually, because of the light reflecting off the snow.   It is a great light, hydrating moisturizer.  Full 265 g RV $18.00  (ouch, this double the $$ from what even the more expensive Amazon lists it as.  Even SNP only sells it for about $8.00)

Description: Cactus Soothing Gel contains abundant 90% Opuntia Ficus-lndica stem Extract.  SNP Cactus 90% Soothing Gel is a SOS beauty item to protect sensitive and dry skin from external stimulation. This Soft and refreshing gel type full of moisture. By being quickly absorbed without leaving sticky residue, it supplies moisture to skin to gently calm reddened and dry skin resulting from external stimulation. This multi product is suitable for face, arms, legs, and the entire body

Ingredients: opuntia ficus-indica stem extract (90%), glycerin, dipropylene glycol, polysorbate 20, triethanolamine, carbomer, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, allantoin, avena sativa (oat) meal extract, butylene glycol, mimosa pudica leaf extract,  opuntia coccinelifera flower extract, thymus vulgaris (thyme) leaf extract, viola tricolor extract, water, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

 

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Happy Bath Facial Yogurt Foam Cleanser (Grains/Sensitive) This was randomly selected I received the Grains (Sensitive Skin) type.  I have received this cleanser before in my Memeboxes, and I have  found this is better as a body wash than a facial cleanser.  Happy Bath is made by Amore Pacific, which is one of my favorite companies and I do love many of their “children” (Innisfree and Primera).   This cleanser is made with  rice extracts, sunflower and macadamia seed oils and 24 mg of yogurt powder.  Full Size 120 mL Value $12.oo  (ouch again, Beauteque doubled the price of this cleanser)

Description: Grain Essence (GENTLE):  Sensitive skin type.  Three grains Essence (sunflower seed oil, rice, macadamia nut oil), skin enriched ingredients containing yogurt provides more gentle, relaxed.  Discover cleansing the skin bubbles become enriched grains, powdery scent with delight.   

Ingredients: water, sorbitol, myristic acid, lauryl hydroxysultaine, potassium hydroxide, lauric acid, yogurt powder (24mg), macadamia ternifolia seed oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, oryza sativa (rice) germ extract, sodium chloride, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, stearic acid, polyquaternium-7, titanium dioxide (CI 77891),  laureth-6 carboxylic acid, PEG-45M, disodium EDTA, sodium benzoate, silica, BHT, fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

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Secret Key Glam Romance Perfume Body Lotion in Romance No. 4  Honestly, there wasn’t going to be any scent I received in a product called “Glam Romance Perfume” that I would like.  I don’t care for “designer” scents in a body lotion.  However, lots of ladies love perfumed body lotions and Secret Key is an inexpensive brand that makes really nice, solid products.  This lotion has the trifecta of moisturizers (occlusives, humectants, emolliants), so not only with this moisturize your skin, but it will also lock in that moisture.   I have already found a nice home for this body lotion.  Full Size 180 mL RV  $20.00  (now, this is an outrage ~ almost 3 times the amount that SECRET KEY is selling this for!!)

Ingredients: water, mineral oil, butylene glycol, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cyclopentasiloxane, glyceryl stearate SE, PEG-40 stearate, cetearyl alcohol, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract,acorus gramineus root/stem extract, perilla ocymoides leaf extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract, portulaca oleracea extract, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, dimethicone, cyclomethicone, dimethicone crosspolymer, sorbitan stearate, sodium hyaluronate, betaine, xanthan gum, carbomer, triethanolamine, fragrance, disodium EDTA  cosDNA.com analysis

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Angellooka Ultra Moisturizing Hand Mask Pack    This moisturizing hand mask is pretty unique ~ I have never had one that is a warming hand mask!  I am pretty excited to try this out when my hands are feeling cold and of need of some nice moisturizing.  This has a lot of nice oils and butters in it ~ shea butter, sunflower and argan oils, plus it has natto gum (fermented soybeans), fermented yeast and royal jelly.  Plus a slew of plant extracts high in antioxidant properties.  This hand mask has a tape strip around the wrist, so you can securely wrap the tape strip around your wrist and adhere to the hand mask, so your mask won’t slip off your hands. They also make a heating foot mask too … off to hunt that down!  RV $6.00

Description: Angel Looka Ultra Moisturizing Hand Mask Pack is a skin-smoothing hand mask loaded with generous moisturizers that pamper and nourish hands, effectively smoothing out rough spots and cuticles for youthful looking hands. Comes with a warm sensation which promotes blood circulation and improves the situation of cold feet and hands. Also, the warm beauty essence could be absorbed by skin instantly to give work-weary hands a boost.  You can even play with your smartphones when wearing the hand mask!!

Their youtube vid is funny ~ love how I can use my cell phone and also wipe down counter-tops while I wear my hand masks!

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, PEG-8, Mineral Oil, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Carbomer, Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (argan) Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hydroxide, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Natto Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Royal Jelly Extract, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E), Yeast Ferment Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum (sesame) Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Morus Alba (mulberry) Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora (peony) Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Illicium Verum (anise) Fruit Extract, Glycine,  Glutamic Acid, Arginine, Lysine HCL, Chlorphenesin, Fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

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Beauteque Contour Brush   This is a really nice soft brush in a metallic purple tube and even the brush is lavender colored!   I wouldn’t call this a contour brush myself, but more of an all over face brush as it is too soft and fluffy.   It doesn’t matter to me, I will get more use out of a brush like this one than a traditional contour brush ~ this will be perfect for dusting powder or blush on my face  RV $12.00

Baviphat Urban Dollkiss Easy Looks Soft Lipstick in #9 Soft Cocoa Brown I was really worried about this product ~ this was one of the spoilers and the shade was randomly selected.   I was terrified I would get a bright hot neon pink or something.  Instead, I received a very neutral pink shade ~ even though the shade color is cocoa brown, it really isn’t brown.  This is a pink nude ~ it looks nothing like the swatch in the  official advert below ~ which I would have loved, as I do love a cocoa brown nude shade.  It is barely there on my lips and doesn’t make much of an impact ~ BUT it smells like strawberries to me!!  Anyone else think this lipstick smells like strawberries?  Just for that, I will wear it!  It has vitamin E so it is moisturizing.   RV $11.00 (*cough*cough*  This lipstick retails on BabyPhat’s site for about $3.00…just saying…)

Ingredients: Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate,  polybutene, ceresin, titanium dioxide,  candelilla wax, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, polyethylene,  Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Microcrystalline wax,  Red 6 (CI 15850), yellow iron oxide, silica, ultramarines, Sorbitan Sesquioleate,  tocopheryl acetate, mineral oil, fragrance, propylparaben, BHT, black iron oxide, dimethicone  cosDNA.com analysis

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Rant: I honestly think they have different people curating bags monthly and also doing the write-up.  This month’s description of this bag was so over the top, it really was amusing.  Seriously, this is the most exquisite collections?  And the mark up on the products ~ totally uncalled for.  Last month, they did a great job with both the curation and being honest with the prices.  This month ~ is the person who wrote this running for political office?  Come on.  Be honest ~ it does piss me off to no end when Beauteque does this.  A few dollars more, I can understand, but 4 out of 6 products were double or even close to triple what the normal price was and several of the items, even the company which made it doesn’t sell it at that price!

Okay, rant off.  I did like all of the products except the Secret Key Lotion, as I do not like perfumed body lotions.  Even Happy Bath high pH cleanser will find its way as a body wash.   The lipstick is a nice, unoffensive shade and I really lucked out there with that.  And I LOVE the Cactus gel ~ so cute!! I love soothing gels and I go thru them quickly.   The hand mask sounds really fascinating to me and if it works well, I will have to pick up the foot masks too.   I paid $24.00 for my bag + $3.95 shipping for a total of $27.95 and received a BeautequeValue** of $79.00, but the reality is this bag was probably only worth  $43.00, which is a good value, considering that shipping costs would tip it over to the $60.00 to $70.00 range.    I don’t understand why Beauteque continues to over inflate their prices, as many bloggers have called them out on it.  They know it is not kosher ~ inflating them by 10 to 20% is fine.  But 50% to 70% is not good at all.

** Just as with Memebox, the values of these products are the manufacturer’s retail value, but you can find them much cheaper elsewhere.

Did you subscribe to Beauteque’s Monthly Bag?  If so, what did you think of this month’s bag?   Let me know in the comments section below 😀

Did you see the preview of November’s Bag?  Check out my blog post here for the spoilers ~ This looks so much better than this month!  They must have a different person curating the bag 😀

 

 

 [ descriptions in italics from linked product site.   This item was purchased with my own money ]