Yesterday, my friend Jacinda joked that she needs a Geek in Heels beauty subscription box. I was super flattered to receive the comment, and it got me thinking about what I’d include in a box if I could curate one…

The problem lies in the fact that I’d include too much! The box would cost a lot and sourcing the products would be a nightmare considering the variety of brands and items (some of which can only be purchased through specific retailers).

But one can dream, can’t I?

My dream skincare box would include a whopping FIFTEEN products:

In the order of application/use… (not all products used every day, obviously)

Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet. This oil cleanser is my favorite of all the cleansing balms I have tried (which includes the Banila Co Clean It Zero, Purity, and Resveratrol, as well as the SU:M37 Skin Saver Melting Cleansing Balm). It melts sunscreen and makeup like no other, it emulsifies beautifully, and the subtle, grain-like scent is perfect for my sensitive nose. $30 at Memebox and at Botanic Farm.

Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash Cleanser. This powder-to-foam cleanser may look like laundry detergent, but don’t let that scare you. It is gentle with a pH of 5.5, foams into a rich lather, cleans well and leaves your skin baby soft. And like other powder cleansers, you can control the texture of it by adding less or more water — you can even use it as a cleansing paste! A form of “skintertainment” to be sure, but you can’t deny that it works. It’s also priced incredibly well. ($6.10 at RoseRoseShop, $10.90 at Wishtrend.)

Missha Natural Konjac Cleansing Puff (Bamboo Charcoal). You can get good konjac sponges practically anywhere these days, but the Missha Bamboo Charcoal one is my favorite for its soft yet resilient texture. The Bamboo Charcoal version is for oilier-skinned folks, and there’s a regular white clay type too. $5 at Missha.

VDL Naked Facial Exfoliant. I use this 2-3 times a week as a physical and chemical exfoliant. After doing my regular double cleanse, I gently massage this over my face for about a minute. Then I let it sit for another few minutes, and rinse off. My skin is always so soft and so clean after using this, and whatever I apply afterwards absorbs better. ₩17,500 (approx $14.75) at TesterKorea, $23 at W2Beauty.

C20 (OST) Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum. I’ve used both the original C20 and this “upgraded” version, and I like the C21.5 much better for its lighter texture and easier absorption. Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients against aging and age/sun spots, and I can personally attest to its ability to fade discolorations. Be sure to keep it in a cool, dark place though (I keep mine in the fridge), as it can oxidize! $24.99 at Wishtrend.

Son & Park Beauty Water. Is it a toner or exfoliant? A cleanser or hydrator? This multi-tasker sounds too good to be true, but it really is all that and a bag of chips! I decided to invest in a bottle when my trusted Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Toner ran out (the word on the street is that Mizon is reformulating the product, leading to product shortages and outrageous prices everywhere) and boy am I glad I did, because I’m liking it so much more than the Mizon! My face always feels super clean and refreshed whenever I use this, and it’s great for fixing makeup mishaps too. $30 at Soko Glam. (Get $10 off your first order of $25 or more when you use this link.)

Mizon Original Skin Energy Placenta 45 Ampoule. You may have seen my Instagram post showcasing my “Mizon warriors” — and the Placenta 45 is my favorite of the three. This ampoule uses 45% plant placenta to rejuvenate and brighten the skin, to heal and improve elasticity. Because it’s so light and soothing, I use it day and night before moisturizing or even right before a sheet mask. $19.98 on Amazon.

LJH Vita Propolis Ampoule. This is a product, if ever discontinued, would make me cry. Its superb ingredients, which includes 50% propolis (“bee glue”), improves skin texture, evens tone and instantly creates a glow. Each bottle is so small but you only need a tiny amount to reap its benefits. It’s liquid gold for your skin! $38 at Glow Recipe, use this link to get $5 off your first order.

Shara Shara Honey Bomb All-in-One Ampoule. This product can be used as a toner, serum, or moisturizer. Its ingredients, which include propolis and niacinamide, help with skin texture, dullness, and aging. (I also have the Berry Bomb, which is lighter and has more brightening effects.) You won’t get overnight results with the Honey Bomb or the Berry Bomb, but with continued use your skin will noticeably become brighter and more hydrated. $40 at Glow Recipe, use this link to get $5 off your first order.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream. When my skin needs healing from irritations, or when I experience any dry, flaky patches, this is my go-to cream. This lightweight cream uses microcapsule ceramides with time-release technology to keep the skin hydrated from within. It sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo, but I swear that it works just as it says! I’ve had to use this a few time this summer when my skin was purging from a new product, and I know I’ll be reaching for this regularly once the weather gets colder and my U-zone becomes drier. $27.80 at Amazon, $43.20 at Memebox, or $48 at Sephora.

Guerisson 9 Complex Horse Oil Cream. This cult product had intrigued me for some time, but I always figured it would be too heavy for my combination skin. However, when my skin became dry and irritated from some purging last month, I decided to pick up a jar after reading Skin & Tonics’ review. And WOW! The ceramides, niacinamide, and oligopeptides all helped hydrate and heal my skin, vastly speeding up my purging process. Since then, the Guerisson 9 has quickly become my new favorite night cream. $19.38 at Amazon, $20 at Memebox.

Mizon Special Solution Good Night White Sleeping Mask. I have tried various sleeping masks in the past, and while I liked some of them, I wouldn’t say any of them gave me prominent results overnight. This one is different. It is the best sleeping mask I’ve ever used, period. Don’t believe me? Check out this morning selfie — no filter, no makeup, I woke up looking like that! The price is pretty sweet too. $12.98 at Amazon.

Skinfood Peach Sake Pore Serum. This one’s for all the oily-skinned folks out there. I personally haven’t noticed any difference in my pores from using this serum (which actually has the texture of a lightweight lotion), but I can definitely tell a difference when I don’t use this in the morning — it’s that good at helping control oil production! I like to apply this on my t-zone as the second to last step in my morning skincare routine, before sunscreen. The scent is divine too, just like yummy peaches. $15.90 at Amazon.

Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++. This is one of the most popular sunscreens at /r/AsianBeauty and /r/SkincareAddiction, and for good reason. It’s incredibly light and sinks in beautifully, even at the recommended ¹⁄4 teaspoon amount for facial sunscreen. Seriously — it feels like a lightweight moisturizer! I’m now glad that my old facial sunscreen got discontinued, because it forced me to try this and I love it! $20.90 for a pack of 2 at Amazon.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Olive Leaf Mist. I never thought I needed a facial mist, but I received this as a gift and I have been loving it! It immediately cools upon application, and hydrates and freshens my face but does not disturb my makeup. It does not leave a sheen either — my face just feels more moisturized and somehow cleaner after using this mist. I love it so much that I got bottles for J and my father too! $38 at Glow Recipe (use this link to get $5 off your first order).

The grand total for the above items? $337.33.  😯  Yep, that’s a lot. But considering there are 15 items, that averages to about $22.48 per product. Not too bad. If I could get everything into a $200 box, that would be the dream.

But wait. What about sheet masks?

I have tried many, many sheet masks in my lifetime and the above seven are my favorites at the moment:

• Tosowoong Pure Blueberry Mask ($1.99 at Beauteque, $9.99 for a pack of 7 at Wishtrend)
• Freeset Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask Aqua ($2 at Memebox, $20 for a pack of 10 at Club Clio)
• Whamisa Organic Flowers & Aloe Vera Fermented Hydrogel Mask ($9 at Glow Recipe)
• Sally’s Box Delight Panthenol Hydrogel Mask ($12 for a set of 3 at Soko Glam)
• Etude House I Need You Vita Complex Mask ($1.99 at Beauteque, $5.47 for a set of 3 at Amazon)
• Shangpree Charcoal Hydrogel Mask ($17 at Peach and Lily)
• Lovemore Wine Yeast Invisible Silk Mask ($16.30 for a box of 5 at eBay)

Ranging in price from $1.82 to $17 per mask, each one of these masks delivers immediate results that last well into the next day. I would include these masks not only for their consistency in performance, but also for their variety in ingredients and texture (cotton, silk, hydrogel).

That was just skincare. How about makeup???

The first item in my makeup box would be the Dr. Jart+ CTRL A Spot Cover. As discussed in this post, this has become my go-to concealer for pimples and dark spots for its great coverage and beneficial ingredients. ($23 at Memebox.)

Next would be the IOPE Air Cushion XP Matte Finish. I still consider this to be the best cushion compact I have ever tried, and usually prefer this to BB cream or foundation for its ease of use. You can read the in-depth review I wrote here, and Amazon Prime now carries it for $38.70 (this includes a refill).

Next up are the BBIA Last Auto Gel Eyeliners for their superb performance at an affordable price. My favorite colors are 20 Jazz for tightlining, 02 Mellow Brown for undereye tightlining, and 04Rose Gold and 40 Angel for highlighting in lieu of an eyeshadow. My makeup box would include one of these colors selected randomly, and you can get your own for $7.98 at Jolse or ₩5,800 (approx $4.89) at TesterKorea.

Next is the popular Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder. This, along with the Skinfood Peach Sake Pore Serum, is the ultimate AB combination for oil control. (It also works great as a setting powder!) $6.62 at Amazon.

Then there’s the Peripera Ah Much Real My Cushion Blusher. My shade of choice is #4 Shy Pink, but my beauty box would include any one of the flattering five shades. You can purchase these for $16 at Soko Glam (use this link for $10 off your first order of $25), or Peach and Lily (use this link for $10 off your first order of $50).

Last but not least is the A’Pieu Kissable Tint Stick. This jelly tint delivers the perfect wash of color for a fresh, just bitten look. It is glossy without being sticky, and feels just like a hydrating lip balm on your lips. I fell so hard for this that I immediately ordered 3 more! ($5.36 at RoseRoseShop, $10.27 at W2Beauty.)

What do you think of my dream AB boxes? What would you include/exclude if you could curate your own?

Let’s start the week off with some product reviews, shall we?

Whamisa Organic Flowers Creamy Foam Cleanser

I had been eyeing this item for a while because I ❤ Whamisa products and I had read some especially good things about the cleanser. I picked up a bottle when Glow Recipe was having their July 4th weekend sale, and WOW have I been impressed!

There are a bazillion facial cleansers out there, so what sets this apart from the rest? It is a low-pH cleanser (read here to see why the pH of your cleanser matters) that has the textural consistency of a high-pH cleanser. In other words, it is lush and foamy and cleans incredibly well…without stripping your skin of its moisture barrier.

The Whamisa Organic Flowers Creamy Foam Cleanser is everything I’ve wanted in a facial cleanser. It feels so luxurious and creamy as you massage it into your face, and rinses off to reveal super-clean yet soft skin. It is hands-down, the best foaming cleanser I have ever used!

Price: $35 for a 200ml/6.7oz bottle at Glow Recipe. A bit expensive, yes, but the bottle is huge and you only need a teeny amount at a time. Use this link (affiliate) to get $5 off your first Glow Recipe order!

Dr. Jart+ CTRL A Spot Cover

A few weeks ago, I decided to start taking some evening primrose oil to help alleviate my horrible PMS symptoms. Big mistake. While EPO really helps some women with PMS (along with a slew of other issues), it did not agree with me and all I got were breakthrough bleeding and cystic acne. 😥 

I knew the acne had to have come from my taking the EPO, because the spots were all on the lower half of my face — near the mouth and chin, where hormonal acne occurs — and I had not been using any new products that could be breaking me out. Additionally, my skin almost immediately started to get better as soon as I stopped taking the EPO.

I got lucky in that I only sustained a few spots from this ordeal. But they were large, red, painful spots and my usual concealer just wasn’t cutting it.

Enter the Dr. Jart+ CTRL A Spot Cover. This is an antibacterial concealer chock-full of beneficial ingredients: angelica acutiloba root extract, salicylic acid, arbutin, lemon extract, and vitamin C. These are all known to help treat blemishes or help prevent/fade hyperpigmentation from acne.

The texture and color are pretty darn good too! It is heavy enough to cover my acne but is not cakey, and the cool undertones really help counteract the redness associated with acne.

Price: $23 at Memebox.

BBIA Last Auto Gel Eyeliner

These liners are the shiz. Seriously. I think I may have found my HG eyeliners!

The BBIA Last Auto Gel Eyeliners have three benefits working for them:

1.) They glide on incredibly well.
2.) Once set, they stay and stay and stay. (Even on the waterline!)
3.) They’re affordable, at about $8/pop.

No sharpening required! All you need to do is twist the bottom of the pencil and more product slides up. But if you require a sharper point, the bottom pops out to reveal a sharpener too!

The downside? They only come in 10 colors. It’s no problem for someone like me who prefers natural colors, but I personally think BBIA could be reaching a bigger audience by releasing some brighter, vivid colors like turquoise.

I love the BBIA Last Auto Gel Eyeliners so much that I already ordered replacements for my 2 most-used colors, 02 Mellow Brown and 20 Jazz!

Price: $7.98 at Jolse, ₩10,000 (approx $8.69) at TesterKorea

VDL Naked Facial Exfoliant

I first learned about this product in an old Pony’s Beauty Diary video. (Does anyone else love Pony as much as I do?) It is a physical and a chemical exfoliant, meaning that it contains granules that physically help scrub your skin as well as chemicals that penetrate into the skin to help remove dead skin and other impurities.

As such, you can use this product in three ways: (1) scrubs and rinse; (2) apply, let it sit a few minutes, then rinse; and (3) scrub, then let it sit a few minutes, and rinse. The third method will obviously yield the most effective results, but it may be too harsh for those with more sensitive skin.

I like to use this product every 2-3 days using the scrub+sit method, and it always leaves my face unbelievably soft and smooth. And I swear that all my products absorb better after using this! This is another product I immediately fell in love with, and decided I’d need to make another purchase before I run out.

Price:₩17,500 (approx $15.21) for a 100ml bottle at TesterKorea, $24.53 at W2Beauty.

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion

Remember the cystic acne I talked about above? Well, I was honestly at a loss as to what to do about them because I hadn’t gotten cystic acne since I was a teenager.

(Only now do I know how lucky I should consider myself — I had forgotten how deep, inflamed, and painful they can be! I now have so much more sympathy for those who regularly encounter cystic acne.  I want to give each and every one of you a hug.)

I decided to do some research on /r/skincareaddiction, and saw a product that repeatedly get mentioned for the treatment of cystic acne: the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion.

The directions for the Buffering Lotion tell you to shake before use. But the product is so runny and the nozzle so small that application can be tricky. The interwebz came through for me again after I read a review stating that the nozzle head can be easily popped off with your thumb.

So this is how I use the Buffering Lotion: do not shake, but let the ingredients settle and naturally separate. The heavier, white zinc oxide will be at the bottle of the bottle. Take a q-tip and dip it directly into the zinc oxide. (The q-tip will grab onto the rest of the ingredients on its way out of the bottle.) Use the q-tip to directly apply to the spots.

The Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion really helped bring my troublesome, deep-rooted zits to the surface, and helped heal the skin more quickly. I hopefully won’t need it as often in the near future, but will keep my leftover bottle in my medicine cabinet and continue to recommend it anyone with cystic acne.

Price: $19 at Ulta, Nordstrom, or MarioBadescu.com.