PinkSeoul is a monthly Korean beauty subscription box curated to your skin type. They focus on customized, full-sized, and curated products that are designed to guide you in your K-beauty journey of discovery. You can also shop their online store for more K-beauty goodies.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
PinkSeoul offers 3 subscription types. The PinkSeoul Box is $39.95 every two months with retail value over $60. The PinkSeoul Plus Box is recommended for subscribers age 35+, $49.95 every two months with retail value over $80. These two boxes are shipped bi-monthly and each box contains at least 4 full-sized items plus an accessory item. The PinkSeoul Mask Box is $29.95 every month with 10 customized mask products and an accessory item.
This review is of the PinkSeoul Mask Box for Oily skin types.
The Subscription Box: PinkSeoul Mask Box
The Cost: $29.95 per month + free US shipping
COUPON: Save 10% off your first box with code MSA10.
And for a limited time only, receive a bonus washing hairband with your first Mask Box! No coupon needed!
The Products: 10 K-beauty mask products customized to your skin type plus an accessory item or full-size cosmetic/skincare item
Ships to: USA (free shipping), Canada ($8.95 shipping), and other countries listed here ($15.95 shipping)
Check out all of our PinkSeoul reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of your subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Prior to purchasing a subscription, PinkSeoul will ask you several customization questions. Be sure to figure out what your skin type is because, for example, some ingredients are more compatible with dry skin than with oily skin.
Each box includes a detailed info card. PinkSeoul stated that they will now be alternating between an accessory item and a full-size cosmetic/skincare item each month. I think alternating is a wonderful idea. Plus, who doesn't love full size products? The info card also has some FAQs and useful tips on sheet masks (i.e. don't reuse sheet masks!)-- be sure to read through them, they're great.
Elizavecca Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask - $14 (on sale for $11.95)
I've seen this product around before-- it's a bubbling wash-off mask. PinkSeoul describes this as a "deep cleanser and pore cleansing clay mask in one." The mask has a thick mousse-like texture in the jar. It smells earthy and a little chemical-y. I've documented the process below. Basically you just scoop out a liberal amount of mask and start applying to the face. I suggest applying with the flat tip of the spatula because it gives you more smooth, even coverage than your fingers would. The mask begins its bubbly transformation upon contact with my skin. At minute 1, it's a tame fizzy foam. By minute 10 I had a full-blown monster foam face. Even then the mask. Kept. Bubbling. Please don't smear too much under your nostrils like I did unless you like snorting foam.
The mask is quite difficult to wash off. It took 3-4 minutes to rinse my face. I will try washing it off in the shower next time. There was a strange phenomenon that occurred during the washing process: my sink started bubbling! Bubbles started oozing out of that extra hole that sinks have to prevent water from overflowing. It is really strange but also mesmerizing to watch bubbles push its way out from seemingly nowhere.
Overall, I definitely recommend it for the "fun" factor-- you know, take a few selfies, scare your family, record it for posterity-- but the arduous cleaning process prevents me from using this frequently.
Here are some selfies of the wash off mask and the mysterious bubbling from my sink.
Tonymoly Intense Care Snail Hydrogel Mask - $8 (on sale for $6.50)
This is a hydrogel mask, which is made of a gel-like material instead of your usual pressed cotton. Hydrogel masks allow "more moisture to be locked in and absorbed into your skin" and requires more delicacy when applying since it can tear if you pinch it too hard. It's also more expensive than your usual $2-3 sheet mask. This Tonymoly one contains snail secretion filtrate which helps improve skin tone, skin cell regeneration, and replenish moisture. There are not one, not two, but three different types of plastics protecting the two-piece hydrogel mask. There was a lot of peeling involved. It has a neutral smell-- not great, but not unpleasant either-- and fades quickly. It doesn't slide off my face like some other masks tend to do and does not feel sticky after use.
Banobagi Vita Genic Jelly Mask (Relaxing) - $5.95
This mask is soaked in "liposome jelly" instead of usual watery essence and contains aloe vera and 8 types of vitamins to calm and soothe sensitive skin. I didn't enjoy wearing the Banobagi mask from March's mask box. The texture was too gooey for me (I think my exact words were "medical lubricant"). Despite that it is a super hydrating mask and I'd recommend it to those who can handle the gooeyness.
Secret Key Starting Treatment Mask - $5 (on sale for $3.95)
The highlighted ingredient of this mask is galactomyces ferment filtrate and aloe. Galactomyces is a type of yeast. If you think yeast skincare is strange, then you should know SK-II's popular Pitera ingredient is basically yeast as well (and it sells for so much!). The fermented/filtrated version contains a lot of things to help improve skin tone, hydrate, brighten skin, and increase elasticity. The mask fit is average but the essence feels great. I could barely detect any scent. There was so much essence left over in the packaging that it would be a waste not to use it up! The mask slowly slid down to my upper lip, which would typically bother me but it hydrated and softened my lips so much! An unexpected new use for ill-fitting sheet masks - lip hydration. This one leaves my face a little sticky afterwards.
SNP Diamond Brightening Ampoule Mask - $3
Diamonds. Apparently this mask contains sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, and diamonds. I'm trying to think about all the practical uses for diamonds but "skin hydration" really isn't one of them. Honestly, though, I like these SNP sheet masks because they fit well and feel great on my face. I'm always happy to receive more.
Leaders Amino AC-Free Mask - $3
Leaders is a great sheet mask brand. This one has 17 kinds of amino acids, AHA, BHA, and snail mucin. The mask is thin and the water/gel-like essence has a slight fragrance that disappears quickly after opening. The best part-- the fit is perfect on me! It fits every contour of my face and adheres snugly to the skin. My face feels slightly tacky after use but it doesn't feel uncomfortable.
This is how much essence is left in the Secret Key mask pouch. So much!
Skinfood Propolis & Bee Venom Mask - $2
This mask has propolis and bee venom. Propolis is an anti-bacterial, soothing, and anti-inflammatory ingredient that my acne-prone skin loves. If you have bee allergies please be aware that this contains bee venom.
Skinfood Bird's Nest Mask - $2
Bird's nest extract in this mask helps give skin deep hydration. The fit is average. The essence is creamy instead of the watery essences I'm used to. These Skinfood masks stayed moist for quite a long time-- but that is partly due to me layering a lot of extra essence from inside the packaging. My face did feel a little tacky afterwards.
Etude House Vitamin Complex Mask - $2
Etude House has a series of sheet masks with different featured ingredients. I've tried a couple before. This one contains vitamin complexes with skin brightening and purifying properties. The fit is decent and the scent is pleasant. The essence feels slightly tacky on my face after use.
Etude House Royal Jelly Mask - $2
The royal jelly mask has royal jelly extract, which hydrates and smoothes the skin. I'm in a "bee everything" skincare phase right now so this is great!
It's Skin Nutrition/Yellow Mask Pack - $3
This mask pack last several uses. The thick paste is pale yellow and has a honey-like consistency. It smells strongly of honey and the scent doesn't go away quickly. It made me really hungry while wearing the mask. Although I struggled a little to wash off the thick mask, my skin was left feeling smooth and nourished!
The Face Shop Mascream Sheet samples
These are sample-sized sheet masks. They're ridiculously small and would be appropriate for your pet guinea pig. I love how cute these are! PinkSeoul says to use one for each cheek for a hydration boost.
The sample mask even has eye holes!
Verdict: The PinkSeoul Mask Box delivers on awesomeness once again. My favorite Tonymoly Snail Hydrogel Mask-- it's pricey but the hydrogel masks do make for a whole new masking experience. Total retail value comes to around $45.35, and that's with PinkSeoul sale prices. I think this is a solid sheet mask subscription for people who want both variety and quality. The potential is even higher now that they're including a full-size beauty or skincare item every other month. I'm definitely looking forward to what PinkSeoul has to offer in future months!
Also, PinkSeoul is currently having a promotion: for a limited time, if you sign up for a new PinkSeoul Mask subscription they'll include a bonus washing hairband in your first box!
What do you think of April's PinkSeoul Mask Box?
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