No Make No Life (nmnl) is a Japanese & Korean beauty subscription box. "The name itself stands for: *no makeup no life*, since beauty and makeup products are some of the essential aspects in our daily life."
nomakenolife is a subscription-based service that delivers you a box of Korean and Japanese cosmetics plus skincare. Each box, curated personally by our in-house beauty consultant, includes 8-9 high quality, exclusive and limited edition beauty products in several categories including skincare, bath and body, hair care, makeup, tools and accessories, masks).
FYI, COVID-19 Update: Learn about delays, updates to shipping methods, and more right here.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About the No Make No Life Box
The Subscription Box: No Make No Life (nmnl)
The Cost: $35 a month + shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
The Products: A mix of 8-9 full-sized Japanese & Korean beauty items from 6 different categories: skin, body, makeup, hair, bath, and tools.
Ships: Worldwide via DHL for $10.95. Get all the details on shipping info here.
December 2020 No Make No Life "Winter Wishlist" Review
Before we get started, it's worth noting this is the third box I've received since March. Japan faced shipping backlogs, suspended shipping to a growing list of countries, returned shipments, and other complications due to COVID-19. More from nmnl:
NOTICE FOR USA BASED CUSTOMERS: Unfortunately, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, on April 23rd Japan Post announced that flights to and from the USA have been reduced by 90% which resulted in delayed shipment of up to 4 months for Air Mail, with no guarantee of shipment. As such, we have made the decision to use Surface Mail, as it continues to operate during the COVID-19 crisis with a better guarantee of shipment at an estimated delivery time of 60-90 days.
Because of continued challenges, it looks like nmnl is moving away from Surface Mail in favor of other options. You can get all the details here.
1 of 6
The booklet gives you detailed information on each item, as well as instructions on how to use certain products. This month's theme is 'Winter Wishlist.'
1 of 2
Innisfree Face Mask - Retail Value $4.24 (currently out of stock)
This mask was all about relaxation and hydration! I used this at night after an evening of wrapping presents to unwind a bit, left the mask on for about 20 minutes, rubbed the excess serum into my skin, and drifted to bed. I woke to newly hydrated skin! My skin is naturally very dry, but it usually takes a lot of product to get it back to normal after a cold winter. This mask made me feel hydrated and gave me a glow overnight! It was a cream sheet mask that contains 100% eucalyptus cellulose. I received the ginseng so it had a bold, somewhat spicy scent to it that was a bit overwhelming at first, but grew on me as I wore the mask.
1 of 6
Dolly Angel 33-Color Eyeshadow Palette - Retail Value $12.27 (currently out of stock)
This palette is massive and full of so many different shades! I love that there are colors that I can use every day, for a special occasion, for creating a full glam look, and something to get me out of my comfort zone. The only issue I have with this palette is how small each shadow is, I could hardly get my nicer brushes in to get enough shadow on them. Each shade went on nicely, were super buildable, but I did have a bit of fallout to my cheeks. No biggie though, I love that I can keep this on hand to use every day or when I'm feeling like changing my look!
1 of 3
Kinu Hada Soy Milk Face Wash - Retail Value $4.38
I really appreciate a face wash that doesn't dry my skin out. This cleanser was really light and didn't leave my skin feeling super tight and dry. It is made with soy milk extract and foams nicely as you wash. A little of it went a long way for me, leaving me feeling clean yet hydrated. I also really loved that it didn't have a strong smell to it, just fresh and clean.
1 of 3
Japanese Essence Lotion - Retail Value $4.29 (currently out of stock)
This lotion basically feels like a facial serum or something that would be on a hydrating gel mask. The booklet says that you can add this to your face wash, shampoo, conditioner, or lotion to amp up the moisture in these products. I have been using this on my hands throughout the day just to quickly add some moisture and, when I have an extra moment, will add it to my hand moisturizer when my hands are extra dry. I can't say that I am noticing a huge difference since starting to use this lotion, but my skin is so dry that I will take everything I can get to make it better!
1 of 2
Milico Chocolate Brown Mascara - Retail Value $8.28 (currently out of stock)
You could have received a few different shades of brown this month, but I received this more cinnamon light brown. I have never worn any mascara color other than black, I'm pretty basic I guess, but I have always heard that brown mascara works well with blue eyes. I really wanted to like this mascara, but I couldn't even really use it. The mascara was so thick and clumpy, I could hardly blink with it on. Unfortunately, this was just too thick to use for a nice lash look.
1 of 5
Spinns Multi-Stick - Retail Value $5.29 (currently out of stock)
I am normally not a shimmery gal but I really liked how this looked! It is a subtle pink gold that feels perfect for the holiday season. I used it on my lips, but you can also use it on your cheeks or as an eyeshadow. This is going to be great to use on those days that I just can't do a full lip or if I want to do a darker eye and a lighter lip.
1 of 6
Dolly Wink Long-Lasting Eyeliner Pencil - Retail Value $15.26 (currently out of stock)
I was SO excited to receive an eyeliner! I needed eyeliner recently, but since I am home with my kids, I don't get out to the store much, which means I trusted my husband to pick one for me. Big mistake. So I've basically been using a liner that I'm not loving lately until this little guy showed up! It works so well and I love the perfect black color. It goes on smooth, dries instantly, and isn't sticky. Plus, you can use the other side to smudge the line. Total perfection delivered right to me!
1 of 6
Etude House Eyebrow Pencil and Brush - Retail Value $5.99
My eyebrows are in bad shape right now. I haven't been keeping up with my spa appointments since March, which means I haven't had my brows waxed or dyed since then. Since I don't really leave my house I haven't been doing a full brow, but I felt like a new woman after using this pencil and brush set! I really need to keep up with them even on my own at home because it made a difference. All you have to do is use the brush to smooth stray hairs and fill in at an upward motion with the pencil. Super easy and quick. Plus, it gave me that lovely clean dark brow look that I love so much!
Verdict: December's No Make No Life Box was a big hit for me! I normally don't find products that I know I will use every single day in this box, but this month I have multiple products that I am already using every day! The brow pencil and brush set and the eyeliner have totally saved me. They are both really nice quality and have left me feeling more like myself. The eyeshadow palette is so big and has allowed me to create a basic every day look all the way to a fun glam look to make myself feel fancy for a day. At $35 + $10.95 for DHL shipping, I received 8 beauty items with a retail value of around $60. I love that this month was so focused on makeup while providing skincare products that focus on my biggest struggle, dry winter skin!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you'll receive the January box.
Value Breakdown: At $35 + $10.95 shipping ($45.95) for this box with a retail value of $60, you are approximately paying $5.74 for each of the 8 items.
Check out all of our nmnl reviews and some of our other favorite beauty subscription boxes!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of the December No Make No Life box?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.