Mr Freeze, meet Snailface – Memebox Global box #16 review

Memebox’s numbered global boxes used to be the company’s flagship boxes, bringing a monthly roundup of great new Korean skin care, hair care and make up.

Right now, the company can’t say if global boxes will be back in 2015. So are they going out with a bang or a whimper? Let’s look at the last two.

First up, Memebox Global #16.

This box was on sale for $23 (£14.50) plus shipping. It contains 6 full sized products with a combined retail value of $104 (£65.70).memebox global 16


  1. RiRe Style Blackhead Brush Cleanser & Blackhead Closing Serum (40ml + 20ml $18)
    Now, I don’t have any blackheads that I’m aware of, but I’m fascinated with how this product works so I shall have to cultivate some specially to use it. It has an inbuilt brush which you squeeze out cleanser on to, then buff the face like a Clarisonic with no batteries. Then step 2 involves applying the serum which is really quite boring after all the business with the brush. Love that brush. If it doesn’t do anything for my face I’ll use it to scrub the bathroom floor.
  2. Elizavecca Shrink Lifting R Pro (120ml $28)
    This product claims it can literally shrink your calves. Well it did have one effect on me – it raised my eyebrows as I am totally cynical about products like this. The menthol in the lotion means that it’s absolutely FREEZING when you apply it. I can’t decide if this is exciting or terrible. I’ve used it a couple of times and each time stood there with ice cold legs thinking How did my life come to this? Answers in a comment box please.
  3. Hair+ Velvet Nutri-Injection (12ml $5)
    Korean hair products are just the best for softening out witchy hair, and this intensive conditioner is no exception. I squeezed two doses out of this tiny tube and it was great, leaving the hair feeling soft but not sticky or bogged down in product. 
  4. Unni Recipe Vitamin Recharger Mist (130ml $15)
    Smells delicious, like ripe oranges. I did use mists when I was on holiday in Florida, but in the grimy cold of an English winter they’re less useful. I’ve been decanting this on to cotton wool pads and using it as a toner instead.
  5. Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream (45ml $24)
    Definitely the star product in the box, since it’s a well-regarded item from a well-known Korean brand. Once you get over the eurgh…snails element, you’ll soon learn that snail stuff is really good for the skin. Come on, it’s just a bit of slime from a little snail’s bottom, what’s not to like?
  6. Delskin Centella 90 Power Ampoule (30ml $14)
    This is a gentle, plant-based serum which is particularly good for repairing blemishes and dry skin. In Korean skincare you start with the lightest product and work your way up to heavier creams, so I’ve been using this straight after toner and it’s lovely.

All in all, Global #16 is a very solid, if somewhat unsexy box. There is no cute factor and precious little fun, unless you have a thing about snails or literally freezing your butt off. The final damnation – there was nothing my teenager wanted to steal. Would have liked a hand cream shaped like a bear or something to liven it up a bit. 

Saying that though, I have been using all the products and liked all I’ve used.

 

 

 Disclaimer: I bought this box with my own money.