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 box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is of the Oily Skin Type, PinkSeoul Plus, $49.95 every two months, box.
The Subscription Box: PinkSeoul Plus
The Cost: $49.95 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 June, your next box will be in July; if you sign up in July your next box will be in August. The boxes are the same for the June/July period, just shipped out at different times.
Check out all of our PinkSeoul reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add PinkSeoul to your subscription list or wishlist!
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 routine. Full ingredient listing can be found on their website.
Lindsay Mask Brush - Value $5
This is the first of two accessory items in the box. It is a stiff, flat brush used for applying face masks. It complements the included Lindsay Natural Mask Pack.
Lindsay Natural Mask Pack in Artemisia Capillaris - Value $15
Artemisia Capillaris is a herb also known as wormwood or Chinese wormwood. PinkSeoul explains that it is abundant in vitamins and minerals as well as provides soothing and sebum-controlling effects.
First off, I'm neutral at best about the scent. The mask smells like mossy woods after a heavy rain. While that may sound appealing in moderation, the scent does not fade while masking. Second, the application instructions seem incorrect. I tried to use a 1:20 powder-to-water ratio as instructed and ended up with green water. Thinking that might have been a typo, I tried again with a 1:2 ratio and still got a liquidy mess. Eventually I settled on a 2:1 ratio (a medium-thick paste) and applied that to my face to great results. My skin felt plumper and my face looked less red. PinkSeoul recommends mixing the powder with things like honey, milk, or yogurt, so these might improve my mask consistency next time.
Mediheal Calendula Flowater Gel Mask - Value $5
This is a two-piece hydrogel mask that contains calendula flower, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. I also received this mask in theSeptember PinkSeoul Mask Box. I love that calendula flower pieces are embedded within the hydrogel material. The pieces are tricky to attach to your face. The lower piece liked to slide over my mouth every five minutes or so. However, my face felt plump and hydrated after use and the essence dried down quickly without tackiness.
Manyo Factory Galactomy T-Serum - Value $23
Here is a product designed with oily skin in mind! This T-zone serum contains peppermint oil, pearl powder, silk powder, and cucumber extract to help tighten pores, control excessive sebum, and help smooth the skin. It is an opaque gray liquid that smells like grapefruit. While I have not noticed long-term benefits, this serum is perfect as a mattifying primer. It dries quickly, diminishes the appearance of pores, and leaves a silky smooth canvas for beautiful makeup application. Only a small pump is necessary so this bottle will last me a long time.
Benton Fermentation Eye Cream - Value $27
This is an eye cream made with Galactomyces ferment filtrate, a natural yeast extract that contains amino acids, enzymes, and antioxidants for brightening and anti-aging properties. I received the essence from the same Benton Fermentation line in the July/August PinkSeoul Plus Box and fell in love with it. The eye cream doesn't receive equal praise only because I don't see any difference after using it in this testing period (granted, I also don't have any fine lines or wrinkles). However, it is hydrating, scentless, and easy to apply. The tube will also last me a very, very long time.
Secret Key Starting Treatment Mist - $15
Facial mists can be used anytime your skin needs a hydration boost. This mist includes Galactomyces ferment filtrate and Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice to provide moisture as well as anti-inflammatory benefits. It has a strong floral scent which dissipates quickly. While my oily skin rarely necessitates facial mists, I tend to get dry patches in the winter, therefore I will save this for when my skin acts up in the colder months.
Etude House Hand Bouquet Rich Butter Hand Mask - Value $5
This is a shea butter and olive extract hand mask that provides deep hydration. Here is a bonus: the packaging has tips on how to do hand acupressure, which you can stimulate while wearing the gloves. The fragrance smells like baby powder and lasts for the duration of my wear.
I received this exact hand mask in the September PinkSeoul Mask Box (you can see what the gloves look like on my hand). My skin felt super moisturized after use but the essence took a while to fully absorb. However, these hand gloves would be perfect TLC for dry, chapped hands.
Skinfood Hair Pads - Value $2.33 (on sale for $1.16)
The second accessory item of the box is a pair of hair pads. These are essentially velcro hooks that slip back loose hair when applying makeup or face masks. While they are not as strong as hair clips or hair bands, I opt for them when I don't want to mess up my hairdo. My boyfriend also uses them to pull back his bangs (whenever I convince him to do face masks with me).
Closeup of a Skinfood hair pad.
The Face Shop Chia Seed No Shine Intense Hydrating Cream sample
Tonymoly Banana Hand Milk sample
These samples are not included on the info card but PinkSeoul consistently sends two samples in each box. The Face Shop sample is an oil-free, sebum-controlling moisturizer and the Tonymoly sample is banana-scented hand cream.
Verdict: The September/October PinkSeoul Plus is a win for me. The total retail value is $97.33, which is about twice the cost of the box. My favorite is the Manyo Factory serum because it works surprisingly well as a mattifying face primer. I'm also thrilled that they included two accessory items this time around. As always, kudos to PinkSeoul for thoughtful, top-notch curation!
What do you think of this month's PinkSeoul Plus box?
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