ZenPop Japanese Beauty Pack Review – August 2018

ZenPop Japanese Beauty Pack is a monthly subscription from Zenmarket that sends Japanese drugstore skincare products, popular cosmetics, and a few accessories.

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.)

About ZenPop

The Subscription Box: ZenPop Japanese Beauty Pack

The Cost: $29.50 a box + free worldwide shipping. Save with longer commitments. 

The Products: Japanese drugstore skincare products, popular cosmetics, and accessories

Ships to: Worldwide

Good to know: Boxes ship at the end of each month from Japan, so delivery time is around 3 weeks

ZenPop Japanese Beauty Pack August 2018 Review

I have been reviewing this subscription for a few months and know you can usually expect a little makeup, skincare, plus a few cute accessories:

This full-color information booklet was included. I appreciate the details since some of the packagings didn’t have a lot of English text. I’ve used the prices here since I couldn’t find many of these items for sale on reliable websites and sometimes the package size was unclear. I also received a thank you card with a special coupon code offer! 

Loujene Eyeshadow Palette – Listed Value $0.97 (108 yen)

This is pretty good for a $1 eyeshadow palette, to be honest. I’m wearing one of the shades from the second column at work today and even after half a day, it hasn’t irritated my eyes. I didn’t really get fallout. I did not try to blend and I’m wearing over primer, so I’m not sure how long this would last without primer. I didn’t get an amazing color payout, but since I tend to stick to light colors and am pale, it works well enough for me.

Here are swatches of the colors. It’s hard for me to take a picture of this much of my own arm with a DSLR camera (which requires a minimum distance from the lens, apparently) but I did the best I could!

Japanese Folding Fan – Listed Value $1.80 (200 yen)

I used to have half a dozen of these as a kid and I don’t know what happened to them all. But this is not a bad thing to keep in my purse during summer in the South in case I get stuck waiting in line outside or somewhere without much air flow. Two designs were possible but I got the fireworks one. This seems pretty well made for something that costs under $2.

Japanese Style Handkerchief – Listed Value $3.15 (350 yen)

The information card talks about how small towels and handkerchiefs are used in Japan to discreetly wipe away sweat and such during the summer. They included a handkerchief this month since last month included a small towel. I can see the benefit of using a handkerchief in that manner, especially where I live, so I will be putting this in a small pouch in my purse. I think the picture on it is lovely, as well.

Charley Kakigori Bath Salt and Skin Care – Listed Value $1.62 (180 yen)

I don’t know how many grams are in this listing but I found 55g for $7.55 here (although I can’t vouch for that website as I’ve never heard of it before, and the currency may not even be US dollars as several other countries use the $ symbol as well). Anyway, several varieties were possible but I received this blue one, which says “mint flavor” but I’d probably go with “aroma” or “scent” over flavor because I don’t think this is a food item! Anyway, mint is nice and soothing in a foot bath so that’s how I used these salts for trial purposes. (I use a heated foot bath almost every night, whereas I rarely have time to take a full bath.) I will be using these again tonight since I didn’t finish off the bag (my foot bath is pretty small). I felt refreshed and relaxed after using this product!

Charley Watering Hand Cream – Listed Value $7.20 (800 yen)

I found 50g here for $16.90 (on sale for $15.21) but, again, I do not know the product size I received or much about how reputable the selling website is. Anyway, this is an unusual product. When you start applying it to your hands, it takes on the appearance of water (or something water-like) and it kind of feels like you are rubbing water into your hands, but it lasts a reasonably long time, as well. The scent is somewhat strong, but not unpleasant.

Lishan Horse Oil Face Mask Set, 5 count – Listed Value $7.20 (800 yen)

I found this product at this website for $9.03 but it is unclear to me if the 38 is the number of masks in the package or something else. This has horse oil and yes, that *is* what you think it is. It is allegedly similar to human sebum and is supposed to help moisturize. I took the plunge and tried one and it was a lot like using any other face mask, with no particular aroma that reminded me of horses or anything like that. (This is a good time to remind you that Asian beauty boxes should not be expected to contain only vegan products.)

Ochazanmai White Peach Tea, 2 Pyramid Bags – Listed Value $1.35 (150 yen)

This was a lovely peach-flavored tea that I’ve been drinking at work. Sometimes peach gets too strong in tea, I think. However, it stays at the right level here, even if you forget the tea bag for a while and leave it to steep for too long.

Verdict: I calculated a total value of about $23.29 for the August 2018 Zenpop Beauty Pack. I did have to use all the values from the information card due to product size ambiguity or just the inability to find items for sale this month from reputable and/or known sources. The value is a little low this month, but I think that is the first time this has happened. Usually the value is higher and it almost certainly averages out over time. Also, don’t forget that this subscription includes free international shipping, which is not cheap.

Overall, I enjoyed the contents. I never thought a sub-$1 eyeshadow palette could be that great but this one is much better than expected and I will be using it regularly. The other items are the type of items I’ve come to expect from this subscription and I also have to say, I even enjoy reading the information booklet and the explanations behind some of the items because I learn interesting tidbits about Japanese beauty routines and practices.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, the current pack available for a one-time purchase is September’s.

Value Breakdown: At $29.50 for this subscription, you’re paying approximately the following per item:

• Eyeshadow Palette: $1.22
• Folding Fan: $2.28
• Handkerchief: $3.99
• Bath Salts: $2.05
• Hand Cream: $9.12
• Masks: $9.12
• Tea: $1.71

Alternatively, since there are 7 items, you are paying about $4.21 per item.

Check out all of our ZenPop reviews and more k-beauty reviews in the Beauty Subscription Box List!

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What did you think of the August 2018 Zenpop Beauty Pack?  Do you get any K-beauty subscriptions?