Mintd Box – Pillow Talk Edit – October 2020

Where I got it

This marks my 7th Mintd Box and honestly, I am more than satisfied with all the boxes I have recieved, I highly recommend these boxes to anyone who likes to try new skincare, luxury skincare mostly and would love a good deal. When I saw the October box sneak peek email, I was excited. Mintd Box usually sends out sneak peak emails on the 1st of the month and gradually on their IG as well, and then they will charge your account for the box that month. Due to currency exchange (they charge in pounds), the exact amount is a little different each month. At £70 and £7.95 shipping, this month the total charge was NZD$155.96. I posted the sneak peek on my IG story and also a quick note of the value of this box. The Sunday Riley Retinoid Serum itself was already NZD$149 in Mecca Maxima! You do the maths, you get all the other products basically for free and they are not just samples or deluxe sizes, they are freaking full-sized products! This box is valued at £275.

This box was sent out on 9/10 and it arrived to me on 21/10. This time, I remembered to change the delivery address to my house and I’m so glad it got here before the end of the month.

What I got

This month’s theme is Pillow Talk Edit and the products curated for this box is really thoughtful – they are all products that are formulated or recommended to be used at night time. It almost looks like a pamper box for a night in (sans chocolate). It contains 5 full-sizes products: Sunday Riley High Dose Retinoid Serum, Venn Skincare Revitalising Lifting Mask, Rodial Dragon’s Blood Jelly Eye Patches, Prismologie Sapphire & Silver Relaxing Meridian Balm, and a Mintd Pure Silk Sleep Eye Mask.

“When I wake up, I am reborn.” Your greatest beauty essential is as simple as a good quality full night’s sleep. With this month’s box we are equipping you with the skincare remedies needed to restore and revive your skin whilst you sleep. Say goodnight with a new bedtime routine from MINTD Box and wake up feeling refreshed with bright, healthy, glowing skin.

Sunday Riley High Dose Retinoid Serum (£70 for 30ml). One of the most bio-available, non-prescription forms of vitamin A products on the market, this pro-strength formula is for those who want serious results without the unwanted side effects of traditional retinol formulations. Combining 5% retinoid ester blend, 1% liposomal-encapsulated retinol blend, and 0.5% blue-green algae with natural, retinoid-alternative activity, this serum fights the signs of ageing and improves the look of congested and UV damaged skin.

Ingredients: Water/Eau/Agua, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Triheptanoin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hexyldecanol, Disiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Diheptyl Succinate, Propylene Carbonate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Phenyl Trimethicone, Retinol, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Honey Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Algae Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Extract, Opuntia Ficus-indica Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phospholipids, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, 4-t- Butylcyclohexanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuss (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Polysilicone-11, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polysorbate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Stearic Acid, Brassica Campestris Sterols, PVP, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol.

Venn Skincare Revitalising Lifting Mask (USD$85 for 50ml). Leave-on treatment mask (rich cream texture), supercharged with a concentrated series of free-radical fighting Antioxidants and Peptides, including VENN’s patented water-solubilized Compound K, to visibly lift, hydrate and boost radiance in an instant, revealing a perfectly revitalized, 3D re-contoured complexion. This super-powered mask is formulated using VENN’s proprietary Solubilization, Hydration and Binary-Layer Delivery Technologies to deliver both immediate and lasting benefits to the skin. The actives are formulated to work closer to the skin’s surface and help seal in all the benefits from the prior skincare steps.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Poria Cocos, Polysaccharide Cocoglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Max Polypeptide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polygamma- Glutamate, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Pullulan, Synthetic Beeswax, Helianthus Annus Seed Wax, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Behenic Acid, Ginsenosides (Compound K), Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Copper Tripeptide-1, Ellagic Acid, sh-Polypeptide-64, Camellia Sinensis Catechins, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arginine, Carbomer, Myristic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclodextrin.

Rodial Dragon’s Blood Jelly Eye Patches (€36.00 for 4 pairs). Visibly smooth, plump and restore hydration in under-eye contours with the protective powers of Dragon’s Blood. Moisture will be trapped in the under- eye area to visually smooth and diminish the appearance of fine lines for a hydrated, rejuvenated looking under-eye.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Agar, Croton LechleriResin Extract, Sodium HyaluronateCrosspolymer, HydrolyzedGlycosaminoglycans, HydrolyzedHyaluronicAcid, Hyaluronic Acid, FicusCarica (Fig) Fruit Extract, MorusAlba Fruit Extract, PunicaGranatumFruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Raspberry Ketone, Xanthan Gum, CeratoniaSiliqua (Carob) Gum, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carrageenan, Carbomer, Allantoin, Sucrose, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron OxideRed), CI 16035, CI 77861 (Tin Oxide), Ethylhexylglycerin.

Prismologie Sapphire & Silver Relaxing Meridian Balm (£59 for 75ml). A multi-purpose balm wand powered by Sapphire, Silver and Butterfly Lavender to still, soothe, and relax your body and mind. It contains Lavender extract to relax and ease the body; Wild Indigo to improve the well-being by releasing endorphins; Blackcurrant Seed Oil – rich in omega 3 & 6 to soothe, calm and strengthen skin’s barrier; and Violet Rice to firm and keep the skin supple.

Top Notes: Lemon, Grapefruit, Galbanum. Middle Notes: Oud, Vetiver Cedarwood. Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Musk.

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Nylon-11, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Decyl Esters, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Aqua (Water), Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, PEG-8 Beeswax, Octyldodecanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Shorea Robusta Resin, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract, Sapphire Powder, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Colloidal Silver, Linalool, Limonene, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Coumarin, Eugenol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sorbic Acid

Mintd Pure Silk Sleep Eye Mask (£45). and certified non-toxic dyes, this mask is great for preserving youthful skin and preventing wrinkles. It should be no secret: what you apply over your skin is important, especially when it comes to the delicate eye area.

How I find it

Sunday Riley High Dose Retinoid Serum. I started trying retinol a little over 6 years ago and stopped because I had two kids, and then started again about 3 years ago. I started with lower strength retinol and then worked my way up to now I am using prescription strength tretinoin 0.05% from my doctor. I have been using that every other night or every 3rd night when my skin felt a little sensitive or when I want to do a deep cleanse. I have not tried the A+ Retinoid serum before, but have tried the Luna Sleeping Night oil and it was a milder formulation with blue tansy to sooth and calm the skin from the effects of retinol. I would say if you want to start with retinol, Luna is a good place to start. This one would be a step up if your skin can tolerate something stronger.

Venn Skincare Revitalising Lifting Mask. Sagging skin has not been my concern yet, but at 36 it would be good to look into preventative measures instead of trying to fix the problem when it comes. I have been using facial rollers and that’s basically it. I was quite excited to try a lifting mask and this one is an overnight mask! The mask has a rich, creamy texture that feels like a moisturiser and it is fragrance-free. My skin absorbed the mask without leaving any greasy residue on top of my skin.

Rodial Dragon’s Blood Jelly Eye Patches. I’m still not a big fan of eye patches, but after getting a pack from Patchology in the May box and now another pack in this box, I decided not to waste them and just use them for at least 5 minutes when I have time. After cleansing my skin, I applied an essence as well as serum all over my face and then I used a pair of these eye patches and continued to moisturise the rest of my face. The jelly patches are peachy coloured with a bit of glittery reflects in there, they are very soft and moist but not dripping. They actually went onto my eye area very easily without slipping. The serum dries up a little after about 2 minutes and the patches still stayed on without popping off or peeling off. After about 5 minutes, I peeled them off before they dry up even further. My eye area feels quite nice and hydrated. I would try to use this in the morning before makeup to see how it helps.

Prismologie Sapphire & Silver Relaxing Meridian Balm. I was a little intrigued when I saw this balm on the sneak peek email – sapphire and silver? hmmm? I was a bit confused, so I did a little bit of research on this and the brand. The way that Sheikha (founder of the brand) pronounces the name of the brand is: Pris-mology, but I thought was Prism-ology.

The packaging is just beautiful – the deep blue and gold cap just looks gorgeous. The cap is twist off and you have a twist-up mechanism at the bottom. I was expecting a rahter hard sort of roll-on stick like a deodorant, but it was really soft so you only need a gentle touch. It is summer in New Zealand right now, so maybe that’s why it is quite soft. It sort of melts to the warmth of your skin so you just glide it along your skin and don’t need to press too hard.

Mintd Pure Silk Sleep Eye Mask. This deep blue silk eye mask is something I’ve been wanting to get. Either an eye mask for a silk pillowcase. I like to sleep on my side most of the time and I can actually feel and see how it affects the skin around my eye area being affected. I usually don’t need to wear eye mask for bedtime because I can sleep even with the TV flashing, and secondly I find it uncomfortable to have something over my face while I sleep.

The silky texture and the softness of this mask was really comfortable on my face and eye area. It kind of lands onto my nose a little and I would have wished for the nose area to have a little bit of give. It eventually fell out of my head by the way I sleep. I toss and turn quite a bit, but overall it feels so comfortable. I wish Mintd would make pillowcases next Fingers crossed!

Overall

This is such a beautiful box of nighttime skincare products. I mean you can use the eye mask, eye patches and the Meridian balm during the day as well, but I would keep the Retinoid Serum and Lifting Mask for nighttime. I really enjoyed shooting the product shots with the black marble background which totally gives this an amazing vibe to be.

Anyway, back to the products. Before I even received the box, I was really excited about all the products in here except maybe for the eye patches because, like I said before I have an issue with eye patches. I really don’t know when to correctly use them – before or after skincare? I would just use them when I’m doing a mask on the rest of my face. Other than that, all the other products lived up to my expectations, but I would need to use the Retinoid and Lifting Mask for a longer period of time to see benefits on my skin.