Mishibox - April 2018 Review | Korean Beauty Subscription Box

Hey lovelies! It's time for another Mishibox review! Today, I'm back with my thoughts on the April box that landed on my doorstep about a week ago!

MSHIBOX is a monthly beauty subscription box that delivers hand-picked, top-quality Korean beauty products straight to your door! Every (adorable) box comes with a combination of 4-6 sample-size and full-size products. It can be anything from skincare to makeup and all the amazing things in-between. 

The cost of this monthly subscription box is simply unbeatable - $19.95!!! And, amazingly, you can choose to subscribe for the entire year (and save $12), or buy one box at a time. And they now offer FREE world wide shipping. 

I would highly recommend giving this awesome subscription box a try. The products you get are pretty high-end and very popular in Asia, plus you won't be able to get some of them anywhere else in the USA or Canada. 

MISHIBOX folks also opened up an online store where you can buy any of the products previously included in the box. Personally, I love that option, as I love one of the products included in the past boxes (The Ceramizing Cream from Skin Watchers) and was super happy that I was able to order a second batch of it!

What's in the box?!

The April 2018 box included:

?  WANGSKIN CHOK CHOK MOISTURE CALMING CREAM | full size

        My thoughts: Oh guys, I love it! It's so moisturizing and feels amazing on my skin. I've been using it the past week and so far only good things to report - no greasiness, no break outs. I'm probably going to order more when I'm done with this jar!

?  HEALAVIE SOFT CREAMY BRIGHTENING SERUM MASK

     My thoughts: Well, I'm not too sure if I will be using this mask, to be honest. I've been told by someone who lives in Korea, than to Koreans brightening means pretty much bleaching. And now I'm scared hahah o_o I did check the ingredients on the Mishibox website, and don't see anything harmful, so maybe one day!

?  ALIVE LAB CENTELLA DRESSING POWDER

     My thoughts: This is something new to me. "The Centella Dressing Powder is a versatile powder that helps calm troubled skin using the natural powers of the centella asiatica plant. It is a light powder that can be dabbed directly onto pimples, or mixed with many different products to use as desired!" I'm going to have to try it out when I get a breakout and see if it really works! 

?  MEDIHEAL THERAFFIN HAND MASK

     My thoughts: This is essentially a moisturizing therapy for your hands. Ingredients such as paraffin, shea butter, and ceramide deeply condition and moisturize your hands, while niacinamide and lemon extract help brighten skin damaged by UV rays.

?  ARITAUM FRESH POWDER ESSENCE POUCH PACK

     My thoughts: I got the MOISTURE pack and got to try it out last night. There's enough product for 2-3 uses for sure, and it's a really nice sleeping mask. I applied a somewhat thick layer to my face (after cleansing) right before going to bed. I woke up and my face felt like there was this moist film on it. I washed it off and my skin felt really soft and fresh. Definitely going to be using it again!

Find out more:

Check out MISHIBOX Website and follow these amazing guys on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with their shenanigans :)

Mishibox - March 2018 Review | Korean Beauty Subscription Box

Today, I am back with yet another Mishibox review! Every now and then I fall down the Korean Beauty rabbit whole.. and it happened again (#noregrets).  Here's a look at the products that were included in March!

MSHIBOX is a monthly beauty subscription box that delivers hand-picked, top-quality Korean beauty products straight to your door! Every (adorable) box comes with a combination of 4-6 sample-size and full-size products. It can be anything from skincare to makeup and all the amazing things in-between. 

The cost of this monthly subscription box is simply unbeatable - $19.95!!! And, amazingly, you can choose to subscribe for the entire year (and save $12), or buy one box at a time. And they now offer FREE world wide shipping. 

I would highly recommend giving this awesome subscription box a try. The products you get are pretty high-end and very popular in Asia, plus you won't be able to get some of them anywhere else in the USA or Canada. 

MISHIBOX folks also opened up an online store where you can buy any of the products previously included in the box. Personally, I love that option, as I love one of the products included in the past boxes (The Ceramizing Cream from Skin Watchers) and was super happy that I was able to order a second batch of it!

What's in the box?!

The March 2018 box included:

?  Natural Japonica Seed Oil 100  | full size

        My thoughts: I have tried many oils over the years, but this will be my first Japonica oil and I�m especially excited to try it on my desert cracked heels.

?  Pretti Ban Ban Water Barrier Cream 

     My thoughts: I�m just about done with my Ceramizing cream from Skin Watchers (which was introduced to me by Mishibox, too, and which I absolutely LOVE), so it�s a great timing! I have tried this cream a couple of times already and really like the consistency of it. It's not too heavy, but moisturizes well. 

?  J.One (the company launched by Ha Ji Won!) Pack Luminous Mask | full size

     My thoughts: Haven't tried it yet, but it's Ha Ji Won's brand, so I am willing to be it's going to be pretty darn amazing. It's supposed to be clarifying and moisturizing - can't wait to slap it on!

?  L�ador Keratin Power Sleeping ampoule  | 

     My thoughts: I have never used a sleeping ampoule on my hair. I am not entirely sure how I feel about it - you're supposed to wash your hair in the evening, towel dry it a bit, apply the product (rub it in) and then dry your hair and go to sleep. Sounds pretty straight forward and as soon as I have enough energy one of those evenings to wash my hair (usually it's part of my morning routine), I will update this post with the results.

?  Mizon Joyful Time Essence Mask | full size

     My thoughts: I got the Aqua one (there was a variety included in the boxes) and I tried it the first day and really liked it. It's moisturizing, it seems to have a bit alcohol in it (I could be wrong, I am just judging by the faint smell, kind of like a toner), but it feels very gentle on the face. I had a bit of dry patches on my cheeks and the mask seemed to have worked its magic, because the dry skin felt much better in the morning (almost completely gone). Would definitely buy this again.

Find out more:

Check out MISHIBOX Website and follow these amazing guys on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with their shenanigans :)

Mishibox - March Box Review | Korean Beauty Subscription Box

Today, I am back with yet another Mishibox review! I got the March box a while back, but didn't get a chance to post about it before.  Here's a look at the products that were included in March!

MSHIBOX is a brand new monthly beauty subscription box that delivers hand-picked, top-quality Korean beauty products straight to your door! Every (adorable) box comes with a combination of 4-6 sample-size and full-size products. It can be anything from skincare to makeup and all the amazing things in-between. 

The cost of this monthly subscription box is simply unbeatable - $19.95!!! And, amazingly, you can choose to subscribe for the entire year (and save $12), or buy one box at a time. And they now offer FREE world wide shipping. 

I would highly recommend giving this awesome subscription box a try. The products you get are pretty high-end and very popular in Asia, plus you won't be able to get some of them anywhere else in the USA or Canada. 

MISHIBOX folks also opened up an online store where you can buy any of the products previously included in the box. Personally, I love that option, as I love one of the products included in the past boxes (The Ceramizing Cream from Skin Watchers) and was super happy that I was able to order a second batch of it!

What's in the box?!

* Featured in this photo are two more products that weren't included in the box, but which I bough on the Mishibox website in addition to the box (The Aloe skin toner, Ceramizing Cream), Blueberry mask, Skymilk and two cream samples were included as a bonus.

The June 2015 box included:

?  Enzyme Powder Wash from @skin_watchers_shop
 | full size

        My thoughts: I really like using it. It's something I've never used before and it took a couple of times to get used to it, but I love the deep clean and almost scrub-feeling it offers. It leaves my face feeling very fresh and clean. It's a product I would buy again for sure!

?  Graymelin Foot butter | full size

     My thoughts: Living in high desert can take its toll on your skin, especially your feet and elbows, so this was just the perfect product for me. I actually ordered one of those from the Mishibox store, not knowing it would be included in the box, but no regrets there. It's a thick cream that moisturizes amazingly and smells divinely (like butterscotch candy). I definitely recommend it!

?  Fascy Moisture Bomb Hand Cream | full size

     My thoughts: I don't use hand cream very often, as I work on my computer a lot and just don't like the greasy feeling of them, so I haven't been using this one a whole lot, but it smells really nice and seems to moisturize well. If you're into hand creams, I think this line might be worth giving a try!

?  Monthly New Feet socks pack | full size

     My thoughts: Haven't used it yet, but I love the concept! These are socks that you sleep in, that exfoliate and regenerate your skin. I am waiting for some colder days to try these out, but they sound awesome!

?  Pure Green Tea Whitening Mask | full size

     My thoughts: I love Korean sheet masks. That is all. 

?  Package Melt Me Softly Blackheads Nose Pack

     My thoughts: Haven't used this one yet, either, but from my experience, all the products designed to help remove the black heads are wonderful. I've tried a couple of them, and while I don't have blackheads myself, they do help clear your skin a lot and exfoliate any sort of gunky stuff that might be hiding in your pores. 

Find out more:

Check out MISHIBOX Website and follow these amazing guys on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with their shenanigans :)

Book Review: Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Series:	Standalone
Genre:	Adult, Historical Fiction
Publication Date:	April 5, 2016
Pages:	487 (Hardcover)
Published By:	Ballantine Books
Website:	Martha Hall Kelly
	Lilac Girls on Goodreads
My review copy:	Received in Once Upon a Bookcase Club Box

Where to get:

Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this debut novel reveals a story of love, redemption, and secrets that were hidden for decades.
 
New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline�s world is forever changed when Hitler�s army invades Poland in September 1939�and then sets its sights on France.
 
An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.
 
For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.
 
The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbr�ck, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents�from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland�as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.

(Goodreads)

Somewhere in a corner of our hearts, we are always twenty.

If I�d known I was about to meet the man who�d shatter me like bone china on terra-cotta, I would have slept in.

Turning oneself to the misfortunes of others is the best way to dispense with personal troubles. Hadn�t Lord Byron himself said, �The busy have no time for tears�

It�s just a thing, Kasia. Don�t waste your energy on the hate. That will kill you sure as anything. Focus on keeping your strength. You�re resourceful. Find a way to outsmart them.

      Written with compassion, but also unflinching objectivity, Lilac Girls is an absolutely riveting and haunting WWII story about brutality of war, courage, love and survival. Boasting a diverse, incredibly well drawn cast of characters, it's a profoundly affecting, often-times completely devastating and heart-breaking look at Holocaust through the eyes of three very different women - a Polish girl named Kasia, an ambitious German doctor, and an American philanthropist working for French embassy in New York.

     This book was... Everything and more! I am so thankful to Michelle from @onceuponabookclubbox for choosing it for her first adult box, otherwise it's likely I would've missed it! Or I would've at least put off reading it. Once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down. The writing style was incredibly compelling and heartfelt, and the alternating points of view offered a great deal of insight, not only into the minds of people trying to survive the concentration camps, but also into those on the other side of "the fence", like Herta, or even people across the ocean, observing the events from afar, trying to help those affected. All three women had fascinating, breath-taking stories to tell, and they all invoked many feelings in me. I despised Herta, despite the rare glimpses of her humanity, she was not a very positive character. I liked Caroline and admired her for the work she did during and after the War. And most of all, I connected on more than one level with Kasia. As someone who grew up in Poland and had grandparents directly affected by the War, I sympathized with Kasia, I understood her struggles and fears, I respected her strength and defiance. I loved her. I loved everything about her. She was an absolutely marvelous character - one that is an inspiration to me, now and forever. 

     Not only is Lilac Girls a beautifully written, engaging, often times shocking and heartbreaking story, it's also - or most of all - very powerful and important, and so relevant to our times! I loved the the different perspectives and how the characters' lives intertwine with one another, I loved Martha's absorbing and evocative writing style, and I loved that the story continued beyond the War years, to show us the consequences and how everyone was affected by the War events in the years after. It was a phenomenal reading experience and Martha is one ?immensely talented writer that I will be following closely from now on!

Once Upon a Bookcase Box:

I received the book in the very first Once Upon a Book Club box, and if you don't know what that is, let me enlighten you: it's the most fabulous subscription box ever. Michelle, the lady-boss behind this box, picks a book every month and then adds 3-5 special gifts that come beautifully wrapped and numbered with certain pages. Once you reach a certain page, you get to open the gift. All the gifts are related to the story, too! They're super meaningful and make the reading experience so much more amazing!

Take a look at the photos of the book box I got and if you're interested in subscribing, Michelle now offers the adult version and the young adult version of this box, and you can use code EVIEBOOKISH for 10% off!!!