3B Box Subscription Box Review – September 2016

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3B, which stands for Beauty Beyond Borders, is an Asian cosmetics subscription. For just $12 per month, you’ll receive a collection of 4-5 deluxe samples that are new or popular in Asia but hard to get your hands on. Sample products that range from go-to brands such as Lioele, Etude House, and Skinfood to high-end premium brands like SK-II, Kanebo, and Sulwhasoo. Between the 8th and 10th of each month, you’ll receive notification that your box has shipped. Also, find tips and more information on key ingredients through 3b’s social pages.

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Here’s the September 3b bag! All products (that fit) are packed inside a mesh bag.

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This month, honey is the featured product ingredient. The information card contains a brief description of the products and directions for use. This is helpful if you are not fluent in the product’s native language. The prices noted below are from 3b, unless noted otherwise.

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Etude House Honey Cera Priming Eye Serum ($5.00): The Honey Cera line from Etude House features honey and ceramide to nourish and firm skin. The full-sized version of the eye serum comes with a cooling applicator, but there’s not really a way to add that to the sample. This serum uses honey, royal jelly, Vitamin B3, and hyaluronic acid to nourish, moisturize, and brighten the delicate skin around the eye area. This is a light cream and can be worn morning and before bed.

Etude House Honey Cera Cream ($3.00 amazon.com): From the same line, this cream is a daily moisturizer. It contains several similar ingredients as the eye serum such as honey, royal jelly, and hyaluronic acid. It also has extracts of jojoba, cocoa, and white jelly mushroom. This rich cream absorbs quickly and has a soft clean scent.

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Skin 79 Super Plus Triple Function BB Cream ($5.00): This BB cream contains kava and purslane extracts to help control oil, making this good for those with combination or oily skin. The cream also has SPF30 PA++, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. It is a lightweight formula that easily blends onto skin. I didn’t swatch this because it is meant for someone with much lighter skin. On me, it’s a couple of shades too light and casts an ashy tone.

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Heimish All Clean Balm ($4.00): I’ve received this in a different K-beauty subscription and liked the way it cleaned my face but wasn’t a fan of the scent. (Click here to read that review.) Use this as a first cleanser to melt away makeup.

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Welcos Kwailnara Aloe Vera Moisture Real Smoothing Gel ($7.00): This gel is 98% aloe and also contains allantoin to moisturize and soothe skin. Substitute this for your regular moisturizer when needed. I am a long-time fan of Welcos products. It started years ago with their The First Green Tea line. So, I was happy to see something from the brand in this box. I’ve changed out my cleansers over the years but wanted to show you my current one in the inset – Welcos’ Green Tea Cleansing Story. Some things just don’t change (much).

I’ve estimated the value of September’s 3B Box to be $24. Based on the information card, I was expecting more products to have honey-based ingredients. I wish the Skin 79 BB Cream had come in a darker tint because I like the way the formula felt on my skin. Have you tried 3b yet? What are your favorite K-beauty products? Share a comment below with your thoughts.

On a side note: Before trying any Asian cosmetics subscription, expect that most information on the package will be in the native language. That said, more and more brands are including directions/ingredients in English, and information can also be found in English on the majority of brands’ websites (you may have to choose a brand’s global or US site). Secondly, a large number of products focus on brightening or whitening the skin. As a person of color, I have not seen my skin color change. Instead, I’ve experienced that my skin tone gets evened out after prolonged use.  However, your results may be different. And lastly, many products contain ingredients which are animal-derived, so these may not be an option if you are vegan.  You can also check out cosDNA.com to see if the ingredients for the product are listed there.

Visit 3B Box to subscribe or find out more!

The Subscription: 3B Box
The Description: Get a pouch containing four to five deluxe Asian beauty samples and tips on how to use products (and english translations!). Try new skincare, haircare, nailcare, and cosmetic products.
The Price: $12.00 per month
See 3B Box in the Hello Subscription Box Directory!
The Categories: . , .
The Reviews: See all our 3B Box Reviews.

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