Unboxing Beauty

To recap ~ the last several months with 3B Box has been lackluster in terms of a discovery subscription box and they haven’t been curating Asian Beauty boxes that have new products along with some classics.  I am beginning to wonder if they are having issues with getting samples.   What is 3B (Beauty Beyond Borders)?  It is an Asian sample monthly subscription box and is very affordable at $12.00/monthly.  It is similar to ipsy and Birchbox, where you get 4 to 5 deluxe samples (and sometimes a full sized item!)

If you are interested in 3B, you can sign up for their waitlist ~ it took me almost 2 months to get off their waitlist, which is fine, because they are being very careful not to have their service suffer by over subscribing customers.  More about 3B’s monthly service:

Each box contains a collection of deluxe samples that are new or popular in Asia but hard to get your hands on. The products will change each month, and you’ll get to try new skincare, haircare, nailcare, and cosmetic products. Sample products range from go-to brands such as Lioele, Etude House and Skinfood to high-end premium brands like SK-II, Kanebo, and Sulwhasoo. Don’t worry about not being able to read Japanese or Korean – we’ve got you covered with English translations of descriptions in each box. (https://the3bbox.com/the-box/)

The 3B Box doesn’t come in a “box” (well, it does come in a cardboard box for shipping), but a chiffon pouch.

Informational Card

Sorry about the bad photo of the card ~ I hate the glossy finish of it as it makes it difficult to get a good picture.

Secret Key Witch Hazel Pore Clear Toner   Secret Key is a great, inexpensive K-Beauty brand and for those on a budget, I highly recommend checking them out ~ and even if you aren’t on a budget!!  Some of my favorite items are from Secret Key and this Witch Hazel toner is one of them.   Secret Key also makes Fresh Nature Toners in other types: milk, aloe vera, tea tree and rose.  This is not a new item, but a classic and I have used this before, so I will repeat my original unboxing review here:  This is perfect for those who want to control their oil and deep clean their face, removing excess oil and gunk.  Secret Key Witch Hazel Pore Clear toner does  has alcohol in it, which is not surprising to me at all, as most pore care toners and skincare items have alcohol in them. This contains NO water (how cool is that?) and the ingredients listing includes not only witch hazel for pore tightening, but aloe vera for soothing, and snail slime for hydrating. There are no triggers in this product.  This is a full sized bottle and will last a few months ~ and it is perfect for the upcoming warmer months.  If you want to try other types or love this toner, check out the linked product name above ~ that goes to the Secret Key Global Shop and they have a 1+1 deal on these toners, where you can get 2 bottles for $10.00 ~ and you can select 2 different types as well.   Full Size 248 mL Value $5.00

Description: Witch hazel contracts pores, regulates sebum, supplies moisture and moisturize with its excellent soothing and astringent effect. Its tannin substance increases the elasticity in pores so as to be helpful in contracting pores. and it removes harmful oxygen and various dusts and sweat.  It also gently removes excess oil and dirt without over drying

Ingredients: hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, morus alba bark extract, sciadopitys verticillata root extract, physalis alkekengi fruit extract, portulaca oleracea extract, althaea rosea (hollyhock) rook extract, aloe barbadenis leaf extract, centilla asiatica extract, zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, pulsatilla koreana extract, usnea barbata (lichen) extract, nonoxynol-12, tremella fuciformis (mushroom) extract, viola tricolor extract, snail secretion filtrate, disodium EDTA, fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

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Skinfood My Short Cake Setting Mascara  I have also received this product in the past from other services and I do not care for Korean mascara that much.   I love Skinfood and the My Short Cake liquid eyeliner is amazing, but I will pass on the mascara, as I like a more dramatic lash than a natural looking one and every Korean mascara I have tried has not given me that dramatic lash look.   This is supposed to be a  lengthening, curling and smudge proof mascara.  Full Size 7 g Retail Value $8.00

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cosRX Blackhead Silk Finger Ball    I’ve used these silk cocoon balls before and they are quite fun, although I do think they are a gimmick.  These are made from 100% natural silk and they will gently exfoliate and help remove clogged dirt from your pores, leaving being smoother and healthier skin.   The reason why this works is that silk contains a natural protein called  Sericin, which helps removes blackheads and dead skin cells.  All skin types, including sensitive skin types, can use these.  You only need one or two silk balls per use, depending if you are using a one hand or two handed method.  Soak the balls in warm water for 2 to 3 minutes, to help soften them  Then slip them on your fingertips and massage on your targeted problem areas.   Cleanse and pat dry.  You can rinse the silk balls and leave to air dry and they are reusable for 2 to 3 uses.   12 pieces Value $5.00

Dermal 달몽 Sea Cucumber Supreme Facial Sheet Mask  A brand and item I haven’t tried!  haha  I love facial sheet masks ~ who doesn’t?  They are inexpensive and a great way to introduce yourself to new ingredients ~ and love to get them in my sub boxes.   This one is made from Sea Cucumber, which is not a vegetable, but an actually marine animal., also known as sea snail.  It looks like a really big slug.   Sea Cucumber extract is  a powerful anti-wrinkle and brightening ingredient due to its high content of saponin, an excellent source of antioxidants..  It also increased collagen production and helps skin cellular turnover, as it contains chondroitin.    RV $1.00

Description: It has collagen protein, rich in arginine, alanine, taurine, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, zinc, and  it is an important substance human growth, longevity, reduce fatigue, combat skin aging and bright whitening.  Sea Snail is an advanced version of Snail concept.   In addition, arginine also contributes to cell regeneration of the human body and the body’s ability to repair, especially with blemishes. Sea Snail contains a necessary human collagen, and it enhances of moisturizing, firming and brightening.  Aplysia regeneration ability is very strong, it regenerated nourished, health, refining, repair skin effect.   Contains sodium hyaluronate, which will provide your skin nutrition and makes your skin healthy and bright. Dermal Dream takes low temperature techniques to refine sea snail serum which they will not be damaged by high temperature, so it achieves nourishing, moisturizing, improving scar, firming lifting skin repair skin for optimal effectiveness.

Ingredients: sea cucumber extract, water, glycerin, PEG/PPG-176 copolymer, sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, erythritol,  panthenol, tocopheryl acetate, PEG-14M, xanthan gum, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, 1,2-hexanediol, propanediol,  caprylyl glycol, illicium verum (anise) fruit extract, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, disodium EDTA, ecualyptus globulus leaf oil, citrus auantifolia (lime) oil, pinus sylvestris leaf oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil  cosDNA.com analysis

 

Well, in terms of new releases, this month failed.  However, I will give this month a better grade than the last few months, as The 3B Box did give us all full sized items this month and picked some nice products too.  Secret Key’s toner is a major win and it is a huge bottle, cosRX silk cocoons are faddish, but they do work and are fun,  the mask has a pretty unique ingredient in it and for those who love Skinfood and their makeup, you might really enjoy the mascara.  I wish The 3B Box would have more new and unique products, but that doesn’t seem to be happening right now.   I paid $12.00 for this and received a RV of  $19.00,  which is better than last month’s retail value, which was less than what I paid for the box.

Did you receive The 3B box this month?  What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below!

[ descriptions in italics from linked product website ]