I received this box in exchange for a review, after being selected among 30 other bloggers, via PinkSeoul's Instagram. About two weeks ago, the box finally came in the mail and I was a very happy camper! Life happened, so here we are. Sorry for the delay!

 

I'm going to be up-front: K-beauty is hard to afford, and equally as hard to justify continually spending money on new things to try, especially abroad. And especially as some sort of beauty blogger, floating here in the cyber cosmos. Also, I'm cheap. While I enjoy seeing Glow Recipe's frequent collaborations with Target (as well as at Macy's, Sephora and ULTA) I just can't justify the price hikes when buying Korean products stateside so I really stick to eBay and Amazon. I can't do it; my wallet cries. Actually, now I stick to really only eBay and the occasional find at my local TJ Maxx, or Uwajimaya, for whenever I'm on a road trip to PDX. I enjoy buying in USD at prices that is extremely close or better than Korean pricing, and enjoying free shipping.

Also, I'm in a transitional period, where I am not buying Western makeup and skincare--like I had prior to K-stuffs, a couple of years ago--to replacing items with products that I enjoy more, that happen to be of Korean or Japanese origin, and ones that work. Now, I am trying to be that much more conscious of my spending that when I see a new release that really speaks to me, I will research it to the point that I just don't get around to buying it until months later! (this is me with the Ordinary and their goodies).

I have a point! Because of eBay, I am able to selectively pick and choose items that I want, and build a better routine....without really wasting money. But I don't really have the time or energy to do extensive research. I want to be able to tailor products to my skincare needs, and find something new that will actually work for me!
 
Additionally, I am a mild fan of subscription boxes. I've dabbled with ipsy and Birchbox and have considered Kira Kira Crate but in large, I really do dislike them. I've thought to stop my online shopping in favour of just subscribing to one K-beauty box, and call it good. But, nothing seems worth the price. eBay's my best bud.

I've been eyeing BeautyinHanguk's Bespoke Beauty Box, mostly for limited items that I can't find readily on eBay, indie brands and for the sole purpose of being able to curate and customize your box.

PinkSeoul catches my eye for the very same reason: customization.

Located in Hawaii, PinkSeoul is a seemingly new-ish subscription box service. What seems to make the service different from other competing K-Beauty subscription box services is that you can curate your own box based on your immediate skincare needs and be receiving products that will work best for your skin.You'll receive a new box every two months that contains four full-size items.





Prior to recieving this box, I was asked to notify PinkSeoul my skin type. I have dry skin and am constantly trying to rejuvenate my skin with whatever hydrating nonsense I can throw at my skin. I was honestly very surprised at the products in the box and had no expectations.  I also had no idea of the contents of the box or which month's box I may receive.

As PinkSeoul's website explains, the regular box includes four full-size products, plus an accessory item, for USD$39.95 . The service also offers a" premium" box ($49.95 every 2 months) that is aimed at mature skin types, as well as a monthly mask box for $29.95 that includes ten masks. Pretty standard, I'd say.

According to my research and the note card inside, this box is the July/August box.


the goods:

• elizavecca gold cf nest white bomb eye cream 
• missha perfect lip & eye remover 
• pyunkangyul toner mist 
• goodal vitamin berry mist (brightening)
• skinfood hair band

Unexpectedly, I also scored two bonus sheet masks, as seen in the photo that I posted over on the 'gram, below:

• etude house 0.2mm therapy mask - lemon
• l'affair aqua 3 step skin renewal mask

i was one the winners of @lovepinkseoul pretty recent giveaway and it just came in the mail this arvo!!! ✌🏼✨✨ . cue the impromptu outdoor #flatlay before the rain hits again tomorrow lolololol . contents of the july/aug box: . ✨ @elizavecca_ gold cf nest white bomb eye cream . 👁 @missha.official @misshaus perfect lip & eye remover - this is a new product to me; planning to compare it to the rimmel eye makeup remover that seems very similar . 💦 @pyunkangyul toner mist - VERY VERY excited for this, no joke!!!!! . 🍓@goodal_official @goodalbeauty vitamin berry mist (brightening) - so so so excited for this!!! i have the waterest fine mist and i love, so i'm hoping that this one will be AMAZING too!!!! . 🎀 #skinfood hair hand - bc another fluffy headband is a must ahaaha! . bonus sheet masks: #etudehouse 0.2mm therapy mask lemon & l'affair aqua 3 step skin renewal mask!!! . . . . . #lovepinkseoul #rasianbeauty #abcommunity #kbeauty #koreanskincare #skincare #blogger #instabeauty #skincarejunkie #subscriptionbox #mist #facialmist #化粧品 #韓国スキンケア #スキンケア #保湿 #ミスト #フェイスミスト #화장품 #구달 #엘리자베카 #편강율

A post shared by 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 (@spacedump) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:47pm PDT

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Time for a closer look + some thoughts:



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elizavecca gold cf nest white bomb eye cream
So far, this eye cream seems very oily and rich in texture. If applied too thickly, the cream seems to sit on my under eyes and not sink in, unless I place a sheet mask over the top to force the cream deeper into the skin. I try to keep it to a pea-sized amount and focus it on my under eyes, bringing the cream out to the outer corners of my eyes (the crows feet!) and gently pat in the cream with my ring finger.

So far, my under eyes are looking more lively. I'm also drinking around 3L of water at work every day so that also could be helping...!



missha perfect lip & eye remover

















This the only product I haven't had the chance to try yet. I've purposely left it unopened; I'm saving it now for when I've finished up another makeup removing products first so I can't really offer much thoughts on this bad boy yet.




pyunkangyul toner mist

This blessing of a mist has been my favourite product of this box, and a lovely chance at trying out a Pyunkang Yul product.

I've used this toner mist post-cleansing, post-shower but before any other skincare product. I stand in my bathroom, still enjoying the steam in from my shower and let the mist envelope my face--such an experience! I (my wallet) will be welcoming other Pyunkang Yul products into my skincare collection, only when it's time to purchase/update parts of my routine.



goodal vitamin berry mist (brightening)

I now have another Goodal mist! I purchased the Waterest Fine mist pretty recently and have liked it a lot, so I"m glad to be able to try another mist from this brand.

The scent is less on the berry side, smelling along the lines of citrus and some good ol' chemicals. When spritzed on the face, the mist leaves the skin soft and ready for the next layer. I've been using it more as hydrating mist/primer, after my sunscreen had set it but before I apply any makeup. Also, this brightening mist is a treat for when I'm at work, and I can spritz all over my face.



skinfood tool for hair - fluffy hair band


There is literally no need for me to have another one of these fluffy hair bands, but why not add to the collection! It feels very soft to the touch and I am tempted to wear it when not sheet masking.....





Thanks for reading! Good night!!