#3b box

This is my first 3B box. I’m a huge fan of asian skincare and beauty products so was very excited to try this box.

I love that they included a handwritten personal note in the box. 

Etude House Honey Cera Cream is a thick moisturizing cream. I use plenty of moisturizer in my routine so I’m definitely going to be trying this out.

Size: 0.33 fl. oz./10ml Value: $4

Etude House Honey Cera Priming Eye Serum 

I use an eye serum in my routine but I can’t actually tell if it’s making a difference. They generally take a long time for me to use up since you apply so little every day. Maybe I’ll see a difference with this one :P

Size: 0.16 fl. oz/5ml Value: $5.4

Heimish All Clean Balm

A solid cleanser that turns into oil once you put it on your skin. I used to use an RMK cleanser that was like this and I loved that one. Definitely excited to try this. The 3B card recommends that you use a foam cleanser after using this.

Size: ??? (Not on package) Value: ???

Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm  Triple Functions

Whitening, SPF30 PA++, and anti-wrinkle - this is why I love asian beauty products. Some times I use BB creams as foundation (if it’s thick enough and the color matches), or just as a primer so I’ll definitely be testing this one out.

Size: 7g Value: $1.39

Welcos Kwailnara Aloe Vera MOISTURE REAL Soothing Gel

I could always use more moisturizer (especially after coming back from burning man). This is a full sized item.

Size: 150g Value: $4.62

September 2016 3B Box Review

I have always been interested in trying Asian beauty products. However, they are not easy to find in the US! I love that there are subscription boxes that ship in the US that feature Asian beauty. The 3B Box subscription has a wait list and it took awhile to receive the email that I could sign up. When I got the email, I was so excited! I signed up right away. The 3B Box includes a pouch that…

3B Box – August 2016 Review

3B Box is an Asian beauty subscription that features 4-5 deluxe and full size samples every month for $12 (with free shipping!). They ship out around the third week of the month and they only charge you once your box has shipped.

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3B Box – June 2016 Review

3B Box is an Asian beauty subscription that features 4-5 deluxe and full size samples every month for $12. They recently came out of waitlist-mode! Shipping is free and they only charge you once your box has shipped.

Everything comes shipped in a purple pouch!

Included is an info card (since most of the items aren’t in English) with details and instructions on the items.

PurpleTale 5 Steps to…

I am, admittedly, quite the subscription junkie. Currently they are all beauty subs. Despite me trying to use up my stash, I love discovering and trying out new products. It's Christmas every month when you are subscribed to at least one service! I plan to do a quick overview of the products in the month's package and currently I do have quite a few, so let's dig in.

Birchbox- This is $10 US (free shipping) a month. This is actually my first, and unfortunately, my last. After the whole points fiasco (I always come to this site for all sub news and needs) I would rather not stay on the ship for too much longer. Depending on what happens in the future for this company I may resub. For now I'll watch from the sidelines.

In the box:

ClariSEA Detox Charcoal Exfoliant- Made with sea salt and scorched bamboo, this all-natural scrub battles blackheads and oil.

COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint- Mineral-based tinted moisturizer that softens, evens skin tone, and has a matte finish.

Evologie Intesive Blemish Serum- Aside from obliterating blemishes (as if that weren't enough), the serum also tackles scars and hyperpigmentation.

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray- This cult favorite multitasker soaks up oil and gives hair body and bounce.

The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick in Raisin the Roof- This stick boasts a soft tint, and moisturizes lips with good-for-you ingredients. Contains sweet almond oil.

Smith & Cult The Shining Lip Lacquer in Her Name Bubbles- I received this item for free with a promotion upon signing up.

Mishibox- This box is $19.95 US (free shipping) and boasts a variety of Korean skincare and makeup. This box is definitely my favorite of the bunch since I love me some K-beauty. This box is more heavy on the skincare, but most of the items included are full sized products plus a sheet mask every month. 

In the box:

Skylake Oriental Herb Cool Shampoo & Silk Cocoon Hair Conditioner- Mini Size. Shampoo is formulated with the patented SKYLAKE oriental herbal extract and a variety of other herbs that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to effectively stimulate hair growth, prevent dandruff, and prevent itchiness. Conditioner keeps your hair healthy and soft with its real silk cocoon extract and hydrolyzed silk cocoon extract and contains natural protein and other natural nutrients.

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch- Full size. This popular thin & convenient hydrocolloid patch protects wounded/troubled areas from getting worse and help maintain the skin's humidity for faster recovery. 

Saint Peau Baobab Water Storage Eco Serum- Full size. Lightweight & refreshing serum that contains Baobab tree sap, which is abundant in skin moisturizing components & nutrients to prevent the signs of aging, improve skin elasticity, and sooth sensitive skin. 

Urban Dollkiss Soft Lip Balm in Peach- Full sized. Varies. The soft lips balms are refreshing and full of vitamins A, C, & E to keep your lips moist and glossy.

Proud Mary 4N° Ampoule Mask in Vita C- Full size. Varies. These masks offer customized homecare solutions for solving skin problems. The Vita C mask moisturizes, brightens, and improves your skin's vitality & elasticity.

$35 off coupon code for HelloFresh.com- which I may use. It's for food!

Sephora Play!- $10 US (free shipping) and month. This box runs off of a waitlist and randomly allows some spots to sign on immediately. Otherwise, you can sign up with your email for the waitlist. This box offers samples plus a perfume sample from products of higher end quality sold at Sephora. This month's theme is The Minimalists.

In the box:

Tocca Beauty perfume in Florence- Timeless and romantic, this fragrance conjures long-ago Paris with a sophisticated blend of bergamot, violet petals, and blonde wood.

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Mascara- Best-selling mascara lengthens, volumizes, coats even the smallest lashes, and features a specifically designed brush.

BareMinerals BareSkin Bronzer- Blendable, lightweight liquid bronzer may be worn alone or over foundation to give skin a sheer, natural-looking touch of sun.

Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion- Antioxidant-infused, non-chemical SPF 30 sunscreen moisturizes and protects without leaving a sticky feel.

Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It- Innovative creme adds body and enhances fine-to-medium hair textures for a laid-back, air-dried style. 

Becca Backlight Priming Filter- Shimmering makeup primer acts as a soft-focus filter to blur imperfections and give skin an effortless, luminous look. 

Boxycharm- This box is $21 US (free shipping) a month. This box is great because it offers 5 full-sized items with an average retail value of over $100. This month's theme is Girls Just Wanna Have Sun.

In the box:

Cougar Beauty Mineral Face & Body Shimmer- This mineral face & body shimmer is formulated using feather-like shimmering minerals, adding a radiant sparkle when lightly brushed anywhere on the body.

Farmacy Coconut Gel Mask Medley (3 pack)- This coconut gel mask provides intensive hydration and restores the skin's natural balance helping even skin tone and improve overall clarity.

Girlactik Precise Eyeliner Marker- This precision marker eyeliner's soft and precise tip is designed to create the perfect dramatic line. The formula is weightless, long lasting, water resistant, smudge proof, and lies comfortably on the eye with no pulling or tugging.

LVX Nail Lacquer in Serene- This long lasting, chip resistant and gel-like formula is free of the 5 toxic and harsh chemicals found in most common nail lacquer formulas. LVX is devoted to providing you with top quality, socially responsible, vegan-friendly products.

OFRA Oil Control Pressed Powder- This oil control pressed powder was designed to keep your makeup in tact all day! Perfect for oil control. 

Ipsy- This glam bag is $10 US (free shipping) for makeup, skincare, and hair care. Samples, deluxe samples, and occasionally a full size are provided. When subscribing, you take a quiz which helps them curate and tailor the bag for you on a monthly basis. This month is probably the last one for me for a while. The bags always lure me in (and have been for the past three years) but I realize that I'm not always wowed or blown away by the contents I receive. I quickly start hoarding an enormous stockpile of samples and deluxe samples that, frankly, I don't need. I really like this month's bag and hope to resist future temptations. 

In the bag:

Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray (repeat offender)

Formula X nail polish in Wingwoman

Seraphine Botanicals Happy Hibiscus blush

Urban Decay eyeshadow in Fireball (duochrome, peachy-gold shimmer that transitions to a pink tone)

Royal & Langnickel MODA Crease/Smudge brush

3B Box- Beauty Beyond Borders is a $12 US (free shipping) which includes Asian products from places like Japan, Korea, Taiwan. They include samples, deluxe samples, and full-sized items. I love that foil samples (example below) are provided in multiples so you get at least a full week of use. 

In the box/bag:

Purpletale 5 Steps to Lovely Skin- This set is perfect for anyone wishing to invest more time into their skincare routine - without becoming overwhelmed. Try the Purpletale cleanser, ampoule, sheet mask, facial cream, and neck cream in one convenient packet. 

Milky Dress Premium Brightener- Ever wish you could instantly brighten your complexion? This bestselling k-beauty cream is quick and natural fix for lightening skin tone while providing hydration for up to 10 hours.

Mirai Clinical Body Spritzer- This body mist contains Japanese Persimmon Extract to keep you smelling fresh all day long.

Skinfood Black Sugar Serum (light)- Achieve a smoother and clearer complexion with a combination of moisture rich black sugar and Cheongju, a traditional Korean wine. This lighter formula is perfect for the summer heat as it provides immediate hydration and quick absorption. It's refreshing for both oily and dry skin.

It's Skin Todak Todak Pack Nutrition- This wash-off mask contains manuka honey and coconut extract to create smooth, calm, and moisturized skin. 

Cost: $12.00/month

Ships: To US Only right now

FIRST IMPRESSION:

The box was a plain shipping box, but inside contained a cute purple pouch with the products. I could see FULL SIZE items! I couldn’t wait to dig in and see what I got!

REVIEW OF ITEMS:

Benton Honest Cleansing Foam

This is a sample size. This cleanser begins as a rich cream but transforms into a luxurious foam. I love foam cleansers and I can’t wait to try this one!

It’s Skin Color Play Powder Eyeshadow 

This is a FULL SIZE! This eyeshadow is gorgeous! I always love receiving shadows! I can’t wait to create an eye look with this eyeshadow. It is really pigmented and just beautiful!

Too Cool For School Egg Mellow Cream

These are sample packets. This is a 5-in-1 cream that is known to nourish and improve skin’s elasticity with its collagen fiber. I can’t wait to try it!

  Botanic Farm Natural Energy Mask in Rice ($2)

This is a FULL SIZE! I love sheet masks…enough said. This mask is good for those with sensitive skin so I can’t wait to try it.

Lador Sleeping Clinic Ampoule ($5)

This is a FULL SIZE! It provides intensive care for severely damaged hair. It also provides a protective barrier to prevent further damage from dryness and heat styling. I really can’t wait to try it!

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

This was a great 3B Box Asian beauty bag. It’s not my favorite ever, but I am still excited to try many of the products.  I can’t wait to try out all the products and see how they compare with US beauty products. The value is also very good for only $12! I will continue to subscribe to this box. Have you ever tried Asian beauty? What are your favorite products? Are you grabbing this subscription? Let me know in the comments below!

I used to never get the appeal of subscription boxes, but now I know the right ones can be super fun and a great way to discover new products!  Sometimes I can’t see past my favorite brands (I’m sure we all have this problem at some point), so I feel like I need the extra push that is a subscription box.  3b‘s motto is ‘Beauty Beyond Borders’ (the three B’s in 3b), and brings you the best in Asian beauty samples for only $12 a month.  Yes, only twelve dollars!  That’s like one lunch at Panera or something, so, I mean,  you can’t afford not to…right?

At $12, this is basically the AB version of Birchbox or Ipsy.  You’ll get 4-5 items each month, wrapped up in a little mesh bag with an information card.  Some are full-size, and some are deluxe samples.  What’s to expect in the box?  Here’s what the website has to say:

“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.”

Below are the contents of the March 2016 box, and the handy-dandy information card explaining each product inside.  These info cards are especially helpful in the AB boxes, as many of the products only have text in Korean on them.

3b had actually sent a little email preview of one item in the box this month, the Witch Hazel Toner from Secret Key.  I wasn’t expecting the full-size to be that large, so I’m pleased!  You could easily drop $12 on a toner, and that’s the entire value of the box.  Everything else was a surprise, however.  Other items this month included a SkinFood My Short Cake Setting Mascara, Dermal Dream Sea Cucumber Supreme Mask, and COSRX Blackhead Silk Finger Balls.

  This toner is a larger full-size product at 248ml.  I really didn’t think any of the products in the box would be this big, so that was cool.  I immediately thought of Mr. Peach when I saw I was getting this, because he has always used witch hazel for as long as I’ve known him.  He says it was always around his house growing up, but I somehow never got into using the stuff in my entire life.  I tried it out a few times and it feels pretty nice and non-drying, but I did gift it to him to use since I already have Benton and COSRX toners I’m trying to get through.

This is actually my first Secret Key product, so that was a little exciting.  Even though this has alcohol in it, the toner doesn’t leave you feeling dried out like an astringent would; it’s nice and moisturizing.  It has a standard flip-top cap with a smaller hole to dispense through.  Ideally, I like a pump or spray cap for my toner, but this works too.

Note that this DOES have alcohol, for anyone who is sensitive.

  I actually already have a pretty full bag of the COSRX blackhead balls, but they’re the type of thing you can never have too many of!  I feel like it will be well-warranted, because I recently got Mr. Peach hooked on these so I feel like they’e going to be disappearing at a more rapid rate now.  This is a “full-size” bag, if you will, so again I was impressed after also receiving the full-sized toner.  I know these retail for about $5 from experience.  These are made from 100% silk cocoons for uber-gentle exfoliation.

These are made from real silk cocoons, so not quite vegan, if that’s your thing.

You soak these little guys in warm water for a few minutes, then put it on your fingertip and gently scrub away the excess dirt and sebum on your pores.  While these are technically for your nose, I usually rub them all over my t-zone and my chin as well.  I think they basically work anywhere you have blackheads or oil.  I’ll spare you the yuckiness of showing you a used one, but I will tell you that these DO work!  It’s all the gross wonder and enchantment of a Biore pore strip, but with less damaging consequences to your pores.  Here’s a closer look at a dry one:

    Another full-size product in this box was the SkinFood My Short Cake Setting Mascara.  Giving me a full-sized mascara is like giving me a bar of solid gold.  I LOVE mascara.  I have always been superrrrr picky about my mascara for as long as I can remember.  It’s probably safe to say I’ve tried at least 100 mascaras in my lifetime…and this random $5 SkinFood mascara is near the top of that list for me!  Who knew?

I was NOT expecting this to be such a good product.  SkinFood can be really hit or miss, so I’m very excited about this.  I could first tell by the size and shape of the wand that there might be something more to this mascara.  It has a much longer handle and wand than your usual mascara.  The painter in me knew that this would probably allow for more control of the brush, and I was right!  The brush, the formula…everything about this mascara is amazing.

The only thing is that with the ‘setting’ formula, it dries quickly, so make sure you work fast + precisely.  It doesn’t respond well to second coats after it has dried, for that reason.  Another small negative is that the formula can feel kind of sticky if you go heavy on the coats and close your eyes too hard…I was sloppy and put on too much of it the other day, and afterwards my top lashes would sometimes get stuck to the bottom ones.  Nothing terrible, though.  Small price to pay for super long lashes!

It goes on so smoothly and requires the least amount of coats/detailing of almost any mascara I’ve ever used.  I’m usually partial to the ball-shaped silicone mascara brushes because I love to do major detailing and cover every last lash on my eye, but I hardly had to do any of that with this.  This made my lashes SO long with almost no effort on my part.  Sold!

This “setting” formula means that it dries quickly and nicely.  Like most AB mascaras, this formula doesn’t flake or smudge at all.  Unlike most AB mascaras I have tried, however, this one doesn’t seem to have the ‘fibers’ that most of them do.  It’s not a good or bad thing; I love my fibery mascaras and I love this one.

The packaging is also super cute with it’s cupcakes and all…I can ALWAYS appreciate a mascara tube that isn’t black!  They all start to look the same on your vanity after a while and they get lost in your bag. Tip o’ the hat, SkinFood.  I’ll forgive your incessant use of Comic Sans…for now.

    I haven’t tried the Dermal Dream Sea Cucumber Supreme Mask yet, but I’m looking forward to it.  I’ve tried a fair amount of masks so far, but sea cucumber is one ingredient I haven’t tried yet.  I actually took a sea cucumber mask from another brand out of my cart on Memebox the other day when I was narrowing down my basket during checkout, so this was like it never happened!  Score.

I have never used this particular brand of masks, but from the few reviews I’ve read, they seem pretty legit.  One reviewer said they were non-sticky, which is always a good quality in a mask.  You can check out all of their masks and skincare products at dermalmask.com.

Mixed bag as far as ingredients/listing their quantities, but some good natural oils in there in addition to the sea cucumber.

  The Verdict:

This is everything I’ve wanted in an AB subscription box!  There are plenty of bigger/more expensive boxes out there, but at $12, it’s hard to say no to this one.  If you’re like me and already spend a lot of money and time on new products anyway, this is a good balance of exploring new things while not breaking the budget.  With Memebox, ebay sellers, etc already getting plenty of my AB money, I don’t feel too guilty about this at twelve bucks.

When it comes to value…do the numbers add up?  Let’s see.

*Toner: I’ve seen this as low as $3 and as high as $28 on various places online (but usually like $8-10 on ebay), and Memebox last had it on sale for $10 down from $18 before it sold out.  Let’s just call it $10 for our sake.

*Pore balls: $5

*Mascara: About $3-7

*Mask: About $1-$4

That makes the total value of this box around $18-$24 (even more if you count non-sale prices).  Not too bad for $12!  I like that nothing in here was a rinky-dink sample vial (the only thing I disliked about my PetitVour boxes).  I’ll take four full-sized products this month…yes, yes I will.

Now, let’s talk about the AB-ness of it all.  As far as new/hard to find AB products in the bag, that bag was mixed.  I already knew about the COSRX balls (and I think many people do), but the SkinFood mascara that I’m in love with? I probably never would have given it a second glance in an online shop because I have a million mascaras; that’s the fun and gratifying part of the subscription process!  I don’t necessarily think of witch hazel as an AB ingredient, but it was nice to see anyway.  The sea cucumber in the mask and the silk cocoons are definitely fulfilling my need for weird AB ingredients, however!

So far, 3b is a top-notch subscription for me.  Sound good to you? Get yours at the3bbox :)

  Cost: $12.00/month

Ships: To US Only right now

FIRST IMPRESSION:

The box was a plain shipping box, but inside contained a cute purple pouch with the products. I could see FULL SIZE items! I couldn’t wait to dig in and see what I got!

REVIEW OF ITEMS:

Dermal Dream Sea Cucumber Supreme Mask

This is a FULL SIZE! It is suppose to do miracles for the skin by combating aging and brightening the skin. I really can’t wait to try it!

    SkinFood My Shortcake Setting Mascara

This is a FULL SIZE! I have tried this mascara before and like it. It isn’t my favorite mascara ever, but it does work. It really makes my lashes dark and it isn’t too difficult to remove either! I will be giving this one away.

COSRX Blackhead Silk Finger Balls

This is a FULL SIZE! Now these are cool and I have never seen anything like them. They are suppose to remove sebum and blackheads with minimal irritation on the skin. You put the pod on your finger and soak it in warm water for 2-3 minutes. Next, gently rub and massage the desired area. I can’t wait to see how this works.

Secret Key Witch Hazel Pore Clear Toner

This is a FULL SIZE! I need a new toner so I am excited to try this one. This one is good for those with oily and combination skin. I have dry skin so I hope this will still be okay. I will test it and see how it works!

  OVERALL IMPRESSION:

This was a great 3B Box Asian beauty bag. It is much better than last month’s bag and I am just so excited to try the products.  I can’t wait to try out all the products and see how they compare with US beauty products. The value is also very good for only $12! I will continue to subscribe to this box. Have you ever tried Asian beauty? What are your favorite products? Are you grabbing this subscription? Let me know in the comments below!