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 retail value over $60. The PinkSeoul Plus Box is recommended for subscribers age 35+, $49.95 every two months with 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 review is of the PinkSeoul Box for Oily skin types.
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.)
The Subscription Box: PinkSeoul Box
The Cost: $39.95 bi-monthly + free US shipping
COUPON: Save 10% off your first box with 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 July, your next box will be in August; if you sign up in August your next box will be in September. The boxes are the same for the July/August period, just shipped out at different times.
Check out all of our PinkSeoul reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
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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 what your skin type is!
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 skincare routine. This month they discussed the basics of double cleansing (a method I use and love) and added an oil-based cleanser to add into your existing routine.
The Face Shop Rice Water Light Oil Cleanser - $17
This oil cleanser was featured in past PinkSeoul boxes as well! Oil-based cleansers are great for breaking down oil-based makeup and sunscreen, while the rice water ingredient brightens and evens out skin tone. It has a light floral fragrance and looks like water. First, apply a pump of it to dry skin to melt off makeup. Then, add water to your face, which emulsifies the oil into a milky liquid that easily washes off and leaves skin feeling soft and clean. I think this oil cleanser is a good introduction into the oil cleansing/double cleansing method.
Included in the box is a pH strip that you can use to test the pH of your water-based cleanser. PinkSeoul explains that the recommended pH of your water-based cleanser is 5.0-6.0, and using higher pH cleansers could strip the skin of natural oils. I choose to use low pH cleansers myself, but there's not a 100% consensus on this idea currently.
Freeset Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask in Healing - $3
After getting past the donkey milk part, I thoroughly enjoy using these Freeset face masks. The Healing type contains donkey milk, camellia japonica flower water, and nephrite powder for moisturizing, healing, and soothing properties. The essence is very watery, so much that it drips down my neck. I discovered a lot of leftover essence in the packaging too. However, the fit is great and leaves my face feeling refreshed.
Tony Moly I'm Real Mask in Seaweed - $4 (on sale for $2.75)
This is another great sheet mask. It smells nice (not at all like seaweed) and fits my face well. My skin feel slightly tacky afterwards but it was worth it for that deliciously hydrated skin.
Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel - $8
I love aloe vera as a drink as well as skincare. This is a popular K-beauty product and I'm happy to finally get my hands on one. This gel is made of 92% aloe vera and can be used in a variety of ways. I use it as a light moisturizer for the summer or combine it with other skincare for a cooling wash-off mask. Best of all, it's affordable and comes in a huge 10 oz tub.
CosRx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask - $16
As a huge propolis fan, I'm thrilled that it contains 85% propolis extract and beeswax. Propolis has anti-bacterial, soothing, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties, which is great for my acne-prone skin. Beeswax is a humectant and has protective, anti-bacterial, and healing properties as well. It's a scentless, lightweight cream that sinks in with little to no tackiness. As someone who doesn't need heavy moisturizers this is great for my nighttime routine.
The Face Shop Lovely Me:Ex Pastel Cushion Blusher - $12
This cushion blusher comes in a sturdy cardboard container and includes an adorable application puff. I received it in 02 Coral. The formula is somewhat dry and powdery while the color payoff isn't the best. The puff isn't very useful either so I would recommend using something else for application. Despite its cuteness I'm not a big fan of the blush.
A swatch of the blush.
Bow Hair Ties x2 - $4 each
Each box features an accessory item and this month includes hair ties. Both the bows and elastics are well made.
Tony Moly Lip Balm - $10
I love the adorable design of this lip balm! Once I twist off the lid I'm greeted by a nice fruity scent. The balm itself is a peachy-pink shade and it gives my lips a super sheer layer of color.
Close up of the Tony Moly Lip Balm.
Laneige Sun Block sample - $2
This SPF 50 sun block has a floral fragrance that's uncommon for a sunscreen but I prefer it over the usual smell. It's lightweight and sinks into skin.
Thank You Farmer True Water Line sample set - $2
Thank You Farmer is a new brand that I've seen making waves at K-beauty e-retailers. This sample set includes the Deep Serum, Light Gel Cream, and Deep Cream from the True Water line.
Verdict: I really enjoyed the variety in my July/August PinkSeoul Box! I wasn't a big fan of the blush but my favorite discoveries, the Nature Republic aloe vera gel and CosRx honey mask, make up for it. The total retail value is $82, which is more than twice the cost of subscription. Overall I love how my PinkSeoul Box truly feels curated and is attentive to my skin type. I also appreciate the amount of info that's provided on the info cards.
Do you subscribe to PinkSeoul Box?
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