What Is Next (W.I.N) K-Beauty Kit Review – May 2017

W.I.N (What Is Next) is a monthly subscription kit featuring innovative, premium quality Asian beauty and skincare products. Each month, new or popular products are carefully selected from countries such as Korea, Japan, and Taiwan to be featured in the kits. Each kit contains a selection of deluxe samples with at least one full sized 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.)

The Subscription Box: W.I.N Beauty Kit

The Cost: $14 a month + free shipping

The Products: 5-6 samples with at least 1 full-sized item, plus a collectible bag

Ships to: U.S. only

Check out all of our W.I.N Beauty Kit reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Each month's kit comes with an info card.

This month's collectible bag features the motto "Dream Big Lashes" over a white and lilac color scheme. I like the colors but I don't really aspire for big lashes, so this doesn't resonate very well with me.

Also, you may notice that the print is slightly lopsided on one side. It bothers me just a teeny tiny bit.

It's Skin Baby Face Natural Eyebrow Pencil in 04 Grey Brown - Value $2.40

This is a double-ended retractable eyebrow pencil. The pencil is cut at a slant for better precision and control. The spoolie on the other end makes it really easy for me to do final touches and for touch-ups throughout the day. I tend to be heavy handed with my brows... sometimes if I'm not careful I look like a clown. This greyish brown shade is one or two shades lighter than the one I'm currently using (02 Dark Brown), hence it's more forgiving. This will be my new go-to color!

Here are some swatches. This shade should work for a range of eyebrow colors because the color is buildable.

Tonymoly Tomatox Magic Massage Pack samples - $1?

This is a multifunctional massage cream and wash-off mask. It contains tomato extracts, which help brighten skin and diminish the appearance of dark spots. The massage pack is easy to use-- simply apply to skin, massage for 2 minutes, and leave on the skin for 5-10 minutes before washing off. The consistency is like a cream, and the fragrance is mild. After use, my skin looks visibly brighter and smoother. Sadly, as with many skincare products, the effects are only temporary. This might be great to use as a skin pick-me-up or before a special event, but I wouldn't trust it to work miracles.

Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream sample - Value $2?

This cream is part of Innisfree's super popular Green Tea product line and I have sampled it in the past. It has a light fragrance that disappears quickly. The cream absorbs beautifully and leaves skin moisturized but not greasy. It works well layered over other creams or makeup. I'm impressed by how weightless it feels on my face!

While the sample size looks generous, the container actually holds less product than it appears. My guess is 5 ml. How funny is that?

Aritaum Fresh Powder Essence Pouch Pack in Bamboo Charcoal - Value $1.05

This is a mild peeling gel that draws out dirt and oil and smoothes rough skin. When massaged into the skin it will "pill up," which is a combination of gel and dead skin. Each pack is enough for 2-3 uses. I like the mild fragrance and ease of use, and my skin feels softer after the pills are washed off. Other than that, there isn't much of a difference. I will stick to my other peeling gels for now.

It's Skin The Fresh Mask Pack in Avocado - Value $3 (buy 4 for $10 on Urban Outfitters)

I have tried this line of sheet masks before and they're great! I received the Avocado mask, which contains avocado oil for revitalizing dry skin. The mask has a good fit and holds a lot of essence. The fresh-smelling fragrance is tolerable. After use, my skin feels super hydrated and plump but slightly sticky. I did not experience this stickiness with other masks from this line, so it's probably dependent on the "flavor" of the mask.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream sample

This is a bonus item. I've tried this Yu-Be cream from other subscription boxes before and it really works! The formula is highly concentrated glycerin cream enriched with vitamins B2 and E. It can be used on any dry body part. If I concentrate really hard I can detect a scent. Otherwise doesn't smell like anything. Despite the thick, creamy consistency it absorbs like a dream and leaves skin feeling hydrated without any stickiness.

Verdict: This W.I.N Beauty Kit was decent but it didn't wow me. Part of it was because I was familiar with all of the included products. The curation didn't feel too special this month. Part of it was due to the low retail value, which added up to $9.45 (not counting the bonus Yu-Be cream). Also, there were no high-value items, which is the norm for this subscription. The collectible bag certainly increases perceived value, but I would rather forgo the bag if it means receiving an extra skincare or beauty item. That said, I'm very happy with my new eyebrow pencil, so that's a big plus!

What do you think of W.I.N Beauty Kit?