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!
PinkSeoul offers 3 subscription types. The PinkSeoul Box is $39.95 every two months with a retail value over $60. The PinkSeoul Plus Box is recommended for subscribers age 35+, $49.95 every two months with a 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 box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is of the Oily Skin Type, PinkSeoul Plus, $49.95 every two months, box.
The Subscription Box: PinkSeoul Plus
The Cost: $49.95 bi-monthly + free US shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!
CODE: MSA10
The Products: at least 4 full-sized K-beauty products customized to your skin type and an accessory item
Ships to: USA (free shipping), Canada ($8.95 shipping), and other countries listed here ($15.95 shipping)
Good to know: PinkSeoul and PinkSeoul Plus boxes are delivered every two months depending on which month you signed up. For example, if you signed up in March, your next box will be in April; if you sign up in April your next box will be in May. The boxes are the same for the March/April period, just shipped out at different times. The March box is now sold out!
Check out all of our PinkSeoul reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add PinkSeoul to your subscription list or wishlist!
Prior to purchasing a subscription, PinkSeoul will ask you several customization questions. Some products are more appropriate/recommended for a particular skin type so be sure to figure out your skin type.
The info card always lists the products in the order of recommended usage-- useful if you're not sure of where to insert products into your routine. Full ingredient listing can be found on their website.
Missha Charcoal Konjac Sponge - Value $5
I remember several years ago everyone and their mothers were buying konjac sponges. It's good to know the craze hasn't died down yet. I received the Bamboo Charcoal sponge because of my oily skin type. Charcoal helps absorb sebum, clear pores, and remove dead skin cells. It smells a little funky right out of the bag, but after several washes, the smell disappears. The sponge is super soft and gentle on my skin. I use it several times a week to deep cleanse with foaming face wash, and my face feels so clean and refreshed every time.
Manyo Factory Moist Floral Skin Brightener 150 ml/5 oz. - Value $26
This is a toner that aims to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, form a protective, moisturizing film, maintain an optimum moisture level, and prevent loss of elasticity and moisture. Well, it forms a moisturizing film, all right. The consistency is slightly more viscous than water. It is easy to spread and quick to dry. However, it sets to a sticky finish. I can also feel it sit on top of my skin, which I heavily dislike. Additionally, it has a very strong rose fragrance. It's too much even for someone like me who is generally indifferent about fragranced skincare. I think this toner would work better for normal or dry skin types.
MaxClinic Collagen 80 Mist Serum 100ml/3.4 oz. - Value $21.90
This is a serum that contains 80% hydrolyzed collagen to help with skin elasticity and hydration. It's designed as a mist to make it easier to apply to the skin. The serum has a surprisingly thin consistency for how goopy it looks in the bottle. I love the spray nozzle too-- it projects a fine, even mist that's the perfect surface area for my face. It is a little tacky at first but once completely dried it feels nearly weightless on my skin. I love that it is very moisturizing without the greasy residue that I associate with heavy moisturizers. Also, it's great for layering under other skincare or makeup
Nature Republic Real Nature Hydrogel Mask in Green Tea - Value $5?
I received a mask from the same brand and line in my February 2017 PinkSeoul Mask Box. This is a two-piece hydrogel mask. It holds gel-like essence that smells a little fruity and a little flowery. The material adheres well to my skin due to the hydrogel's natural clinginess. The mask fit is great too! After use, the essence sinks into the skin and sets to a velvety matte finish. My face feels brightened, calmed, and plump with no sticky feeling whatsoever.
It's Skin The Fresh Sheet Mask in Blueberry - Value $3 (buy 4 for $10 on Urban Outfitters)
I have received this line of sheet masks before and I think they're great! The Blueberry mask smells a little like blueberries. It has a great mask fit and nice, soothing essence. After use, my skin feels plump, refreshed, hydrated. The persistent redness and cystic acne that I've been getting also look calmer. The essence dries quickly and leaves no sticky residue whatsoever.
RiRe Hydrogel Mask Pack 75 ml/2.5 oz. - Value $12.51
This is a mask product that's designed to replace masking sessions for days when there isn't enough time for a sheet mask. It contains a host of beneficial ingredients like snail mucin, panax ginseng extract, cherry blossom extract, and evening primrose extract. This product can also be used in multiple ways: a replacement for sheet masks, a sleeping mask, or even a facial mist. The bottle comes with a spray nozzle that delivers light, even coverage. The liquid has a soft floral fragrance that disappears quickly. It dries quickly and feels weightless on my skin. There is a minimally tacky feeling afterward, but that disappears as well after about five minutes. I like that it is lightweight and silky enough to be layered under my makeup, which is not the case for most sheet masks. I will probably use this as a light moisturizer for days when I need extra hydration.
RiRe Lip Powder in Sugar Rose 1.8g/0.06 oz. - Value $6.21
This is a unique lip product that starts off as a powder but transforms into a semi-moist stain once applied to the lips. The transformation is almost immediate and I am so intrigued by how it works! I received the shade Sugar Rose, which is a beautiful half-pink, half-rose color on my medium skin tone. On my lips, it pulls more pink than rose.
Overall I'm not a fan of the powder formula. It's fun for sure but also a bit gimmicky. I like that it sets to a matte finish. I can get it to last for half a day before needing to reapply. I can also get sheer to full coverage depending on how much I use. However, the powder just does not spread easily enough for me to get even coverage. If you have dry patches at all, do not attempt the Lip Powder! It will cling onto and accentuate those patches. I tried layering lip balm underneath the powder to see if it would help with the patchiness. It helped a little but I think a highly emollient balm or lip gloss work be even better.
Here is a swatch of the RiRe Lip Powder. The right swatch is what it looks like straight from the tube; the left swatch is what it looks like on the lips.
Kwailnara Banana Milk Hand Cream 60g/2 oz. - Value $4.99
This hand cream is inspired by banana milk that is apparently a very popular drink in Korea. I've never had banana milk before, so to me it smells like Yoplait strawberry banana yogurt. Either way, it is a sweet, fruity fragrance that makes my mouth water. The cream applies very easily with no greasiness whatsoever. It dries quickly and sets to a weightless, velvety finish. Two thumbs up!
Pyunkang Yul Samples - Value ?
The only English on this sample kit is the website to Pyunkang Yul, a brand that is completely new to me! Unfortunately, everything is in Korean so I don't know what each sample contains. It would have been helpful to have this sample labeled on the info card so I know what I'm putting on my face :(.
Verdict: I appreciate that PinkSeoul consistently curates an eclectic range of brands and unique skincare products that I don't really see anywhere else. The total value is about $85, which is higher than their guaranteed retail value of $80. Everything except the Manyo Factory toner will be used. The RiRe Lip Powder will require extra experimentation as well. I especially adore the MaxClinic mist serum and have already incorporated it into my regular skincare routine. Despite my confusion regarding the foil samples and minor misgivings, this is a commendable box overall.
What do you think of PinkSeoul Plus?
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