Mintd Box – Inspired by Women – March 2021

Where I got it

If you have been reading my blog or follow me on Instagram, you should have heard about Mintd Box. I started subscribing on a monthly basis since the start of the Covid 19 lockdown in March 2020, so it has been a year ago already! I really enjoyed the excitement, the newness and the value of all the boxes I have received. This box was a gift from Mintd Box, but I always give my honest opinions on my reviews all the time. This month’s box is worth £290 and is only £70 via a monthly subscription.

You may be wondering why I am writing about a March box in May, I really wanted to give a reasonable review of the products after trying these out a couple of times. I am usually trying something new every month and I hardly have time to try something for a good 4-6 weeks. Recently, I decided to give some products a really good try by using some products exclusively. At the same time, I wanted to update you guys on new boxes and new products in the market.  I decided to post photos of the boxes and new products on my IG feed, reel or IGTV showing textures, colours, routines, etc. and I will keep my blog to proper reviews after trying these out for a good week of use or more.

Therefore, I have tried to use these products at least 5 times in my routine to see if I have any reactions or immediate benefits. I also have empty bottle reviews on my IG feed so if you see any products in an empties post, that would be my review when I have finished using a product. Hope that makes sense..

What I got

For the month of March, Mintd box would like to call onto celebrate women with the advent of International Women’s Day. This month, the theme is Inspired by Women. It contains a full-sized Kate Sommerville DeliKate Recovery Serum, a full-sized Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum, a full-sized Votary London Rose Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil, 3x 111Skin sheet masks (Rose Gold, Y Theorem Bio-Cellulose Facial Mask and a Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask), and also a box of MZ Skin Antipollution Illuminating Eye Mask.

Cleanse your skin with a natural blend of rose, geranium and apricot. Awaken and rejuvenate your delicate eye area with a detoxifying hydrogel mask. Winter may have taken its toll but we have a super serum designed to restore skin. Brighten your complexion with a glycolic acid treatment that unblocks pores and minimises the appearance of fine lines. We have three revitalising face masks; one for anti-ageing, one for brighter and plumper skin and one for firming and sculpting.

Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Serum (£74 or NZD$149 for 30ml). A lightweight, fast-absorbing serum formulated to restore sensitized skin while restoring the skin’s protective barrier. Kate’s clinically formulated high-performance serum provides lasting relief for stressed or sensitized skin. Supercharged Omega + Ceramides work together to diminish tightness, reduce visible redness & improve skin’s protective barrier. Dermatologist tested safe for sensitive skin.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Oil, Ectoin, Hydroxyectoin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Aspergillus/Molasses Ferment Filtrate, Phytosphingosine, Adenosine, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Dextran, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum (£47 or NZD$144 for 30ml). Get the skin of your dreams with this game-changing exfoliating serum from skincare pioneer, Sunday Riley. Formulated with high potency, purified grade lactic acid, this cult favourite treatment serum immediately exfoliates dull, pore-clogging dead skin cells to reveal smoother, fresher and younger-looking skin. Fine lines appear visibly plumped while the skin looks significantly more radiant. With continued use, the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation and the visible signs of ageing are reduced, unveiling a clearer, healthier-looking complexion.

Ingredients: Extract blend [water/ eau/ aqua, opuntia tuna fruit (prickly pear) extract, agave tequilana leaf (blue agave) extract, cypripedium pubescens (lady’s slipper orchid) extract, opuntia vulgaris (cactus) extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract & saccharomyses cerevisiae (yeast) extract] lactic acid, caprylic/capric triglyceride, butylene glycol, squalane, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, ppg-12/ smdi copolymer, stearic acid, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth 20, glyceryl stearate,peg-100 stearate, arnica montana (flower) extract, peg-75 meadowfoam oil, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) oil, triethanolamine, xantham gum, phenoxyethanol, steareth-20, dmdm hydantoin.

Votary London Rose Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil (£45 for 100ml). Loved by beauty editors the world over and recommended for all skin types. Rose Geranium and Apricot Cleansing Oil cleanse your skin beautifully and thoroughly without it feeling dry and tight. Made from 100% natural, pure plant oils, Rose Geranium and Apricot Cleansing Oil is lightweight and gentle with a lovely easy slip on the skin. It contains nourishing apricot oil and jojoba and is brilliant at whisking away every trace of the day, including grime, environmental toxins, sunscreen and make-up (even waterproof mascara).

Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Limonene+, Citronellol+, Geraniol+, Linalool+

111Skin masks – Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Treatment Mask. (£20 each) This reformulated Bio-Cellulose Mask is infused with ingredients that hydrate and protect the skin. It works to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reinforces the skin’s barrier function and deeply hydrates and nourishes lacklustre skin.

Ingredients: Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Mannitol, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Trehalose, Alcohol, Ectoin, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Carbomer, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea / Karité) Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut / Marron) Seed Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit / Pamplemousse) Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot / Abricot) Kernel Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Acetyl Cysteine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Liquorice / Réglisse) Root Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-59, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance / Parfum.

Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask. (£20 each) A supermodel skin favourite, this mask has received 5-star glowing reviews worldwide for it’s targeted nourishing formula and radiant-enhancing results. Promoting the skin’s own natural restorative processes – this clever mask quickly restores skin to its once youthful appearance. Infused with brightening agents such as 24-carat gold, rosa Damascus extract and silk amino acids that work to smooth the appearance of an uneven complexion, this decadent facial mask leaves an incandescent finish. Perfect pre-event brightening and hydrating treatment.

Ingredients: Aqua / water / eau, glycerin, dipropylene glycol, benzyl glycol, carrageenan, ceratonia siliqua gum, xanthan gum, cellulose gum, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, allantoin, butylene glycol, synthetic fluorphlogopite, prunus armeniaca (apricot / abricot) kernel oil, panthenol, trehalose, niacinamide, citrus paradisi (grapefruit / pamplemousse) fruit extract, alcohol, centella asiatica extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice / réglisse) root extract, agar, cyamopsis tetragonoloba gum, raspberry ketone, adenosine, calcium lactate, disodium edta, potassium chloride, glucose, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, sodium hyaluronate, 1,2-hexanediol, pullulan, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, porphyridium cruentum extract, rosa damascena (rose) extract, hydrolyzed collagen, ethylhexylglycerin, silk amino acids, glycine soja (soybean / soja) oil, sodium oleate, colloidal gold, hydrogenated lecithin, acetyl hexapeptide-8, fragrance / parfum, ci 77891 / titanium dioxide, ci 77491 / iron oxide. 

Celestial Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Treatment Mask. (£18 each) (this is only the lower part) A four-piece mask to treat the different areas of the face, neck and chest, these hydrogel masks intensely tone and define dull, ageing skin to leave it youthfully smooth, firm and contoured. The upper mask works to minimise the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles. The lower mask features collagen-stimulating actives for more youthfully plumped and contoured skin. The neck mask firms and sculpts the delicate neck area, whilst the décolletage mask lifts and smoothes. 

Ingredients: Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Glycogen, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Agar, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Butylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Charcoal Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Calcium Lactate, Adenosine, Potassium Chloride, Glucose, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium Edta, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Peat Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, Hydrolysed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Piperonyl Glucoside, Potassium Sorbate, Peg-40 Stearate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Lecithin, Diethylhexyl Adipate, Diamond Powder, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Fragrance / Parfum, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide.  

MZ Skin Antipollution Illuminating Eye Mask. (£70 for 5 pairs) A cooling and detoxifying hydrogel eye mask visibly awakens and rejuvenates the delicate eye area whilst shielding against environmental stressors. Contains tetra-peptide and liquorice root extract to calm the skin and reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. The eye contour appears brighter, smooth and energised.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cellulose Gum, Algin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mica (CI 77019), Polyacrylate-13, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Potassium Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polysorbate 20, Polyisobutene, Alumina, Sucrose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Phytoplacenta Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Dextrin, Propanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pantolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Sodium Chloride, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Succinate, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Iron Oxide Red (CI 77491)

How I find it

I have been most excited to try the Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Serum as I have seen very good reviews. I personally do not have sensitive skin, nor does my skin get irritated easily. However, I love a skincare product that repairs the skin barrier and moisturises the skin at the same time. When my skin barrier is compromised, my skin would break out instead of getting redness or dryness. This contains a lot of ceramides to nourish the skin which is beneficial when I use Tretinoin every other night. So I have been using this in the morning after I used Tretinoin the night before. This serum has a lotion-like texture and is fragrance-free. The serum is easily absorbed into the skin and feels like nothing on. That also means that it doesn’t feel very hydrating or moisturising if your skin is dry or dehydrated. You will definitely need a hydrating product and/or moisturiser over this.

I recently had a micro-needling session and my skin was feeling a little rough and some redness as well. I used this serum along with a barrier repair cream the morning after I did my treatment and my skin started to feel less rough and redness has already calmed down after a night’s sleep anyway.

I already own a bottle of the Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum but I have yet to give it a go. I have heard heaps of good reviews on this for years and this is a lactic acid serum, so you have AHA to remove dead skin cells. This is great for all skin types because lactic acid is the most gentle out of the common AHA acids. If I were to start using this serum, I will use this on alternative nights with my Tretinoin and I could use it with a gentle BHA toner or serum because my skin can handle it. If you are using AHA for the first time, test it out first to see how your skin reacts.

The Good Genes Serum has a white, lotion-like texture and I use about 2 pumps for my entire face and neck area. There is a rather offensive scent, but it doesn’t linger so I am OK with that. My skin looks glowy and radiant immediately after use. My skin did not experience any irritation or redness.

I love love love Votary products and I have tried pretty much their entire Super Seed line. My skin really loves the range and makes my skin very calm and stable. This is my first time trying the Votary London Rose Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil. It comes with a nice cotton facecloth to remove the cleansing oil. This is a non-emulsifying cleansing oil, and what that means is that you cannot add water to emulsify and then rinse off with water. When a cleansing oil comes with a facecloth, you can immediately tell that it is a non-emulsifying one. I usually do not prefer this type of cleansing oil because it takes more work and I simply do not prefer the feel of an oily residue on the skin.

Anyway, I gave this a good try. I use about 3 pumps of this Rose Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil onto my dry hands. One pump does dispense a good amount and you don’t need a lot because a little goes a long way. Massage the oil all over the face and I would avoid the eye area because I prefer to use a separate eye makeup remover. Gently work the oil to losen up makeup, and when I’m ready, I dampen the washcloth with warm water and wring it out. Then I put it over my face for a few seconds and then wipe away. The cloth does remove the oil, but I always use a second cleanse to remove any residue.

This is actually not my first time using 111Skin sheet masks. My first experience was a free gift from being a Mecca Beauty Loop Level 3 member and we have been gifted a Rose Gold mask each. Honestly, I did not really see amazing results bearing in mind how crazy expensive these one-time sheet masks are. But let me start fresh and test these out again. So this 111Skin Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Treatment Mask is slightly different from what I tried.

This is a really thin bio-cellulose sheet mask sandwiched between two net-like backing sheets. I had to be really careful to open up the mask and then peel off one side of the backing sheet. The actual mask sheet is really thin and fragile so the next step was really crucial. Apply the mask side down and ensure it sticks down quite well before removing the other back sheet. Once you are ready, remove the backing sheet carefully from the top. I had to hold down the mask sheet where necessary to prevent the mask sheet to peel off with the backing sheet. Once the backing is off, I smooth down the edge of the mask and it adheres to my skin so so well. I love this mask texture because it feels slightly cooling and gel-like but not heavy like hydro-gel.

I left it on for about 15 minutes and the nose and area above the lip has already started drying out and get tacky. My skin feels really hydrated and plump, it was a very pleasant experience and I just applied a facial oil over the serum before it dried up to seal in all the goodness. I also managed to squeeze out excess serum from the packet into a little bottle to use for the following day on my face and the rest of my body. My skin looks and feels hydrated the next morning, my pores are tightened and less noticeable and my skin is not greasy, just dewy and plump! I love it.

So this is the one I have tried previously, the 111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask. I remember trying this at night before going to bed and I did not see amazing results the morning after. I have combination oily skin, but I do experience dehydration sometimes around the cheeks and chin area, so I love hydating and brightening masks.

Again, I tried this mask at night during my night time skincare routine. Once again, I wasn’t really impressed with the heavy hydro-gel mask sheet. It was a little difficult to apply and adjust around the face. However, once the mask sheet is on, it stuck quite well on my face without slipping down. The mask sheet started drying up quite soon (about 5 mins?), but the side that is on my face is still damp which is good. I wore this mask for a good 10-15 minutes and I would clearly feel the mask drying up on my nose, above my lip and around the chin area. The forehead and cheeks area is still slightly damp. I peel off the mask and I can see my skin is hydrated and plump. I can kind of see that the hydration and plumping gives me the appearance of brighter skin, but I was kind of expecting a bit more. I would definitely prefer the Bio Cellulose Treatment Mask above over this one.

I was particularly intrigued with the 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Treatment Mask (lower part only). I have never used a neck/chest mask before and this one is super bougie. I don’t neglect my neck in terms of skincare, but I definitely look down way too much on my phone so I am starting to see necklines. I also like to sleep on my side so I am also seeing some fine lines on my chest.

This neck and chest mask is pretty bougie. There is a neck piece and a chest piece so I pop on the neck part and then the chest part, but I need to do that with my top off. The hydrogel mask is cooling but not wet and dripping. It also doesn’t slip and slide. After 20 minutes, you can see obvious signs of hydration and plumpness around the area, but I couldn’t really see lifting. It is not something I would do every week because it seems quite fiddling.

I have used MZ Skin products before and they were pretty good stuff. Sure they are expensive and probably overpriced, but they look and feel luxurious. And this MZ Skin Anti-pollution Illuminating Eye Mask is no exception. These hydrogel eye masks usually make me roll my eyes because I really don’t use them and don’t think they do anything for my eye area.

I decided to try these eye masks at different time of the day – in the morning before makeup and at my night time routine. These are the hydrogel eye masks, but the texture of these hydro-gel masks is somewhat different to the 111Skin Rose Gold mask. This one is slightly thicker, but it still adheres well to the eye area. The eye mask is adequately moistened so that it doesn’t slip or drip, but still provides sufficient hydration to the area. Each time I use it, I removed it after 5-7 minutes before it starts to dry out. My eye area is left feeling really hydrated and plumped up! It definitely helped with subsequent makeup application like concealer.

Overall

I thought this box was really impressive with the number of products and the value of the products in here. Honestly, I would not have purchased any of the 111Skin masks as well as the MZ Skin eye masks because they are really expensive, but it was great to try them out and use them before a special event. The Votary Cleansing oil was a little unfortunate because I personally prefer an emulsifying cleansing oil, but the texture of this oil and the scent is really luxurious and dreamy. It glides on so smoothly and does not drag my skin at all! I would probably use this when I have time to pamper myself with a warm facecloth over my face and enjoy the experience. I will definitely finish the product, as there is nothing wrong with it, it just doesn’t suit my usual routine very well.

As for the Good Genes and the DeliKate Recovery Serum, I love them both! Good Genes just gives me all the glow with no irritations, it has a light lotion formula that absorbs quickly into the skin. The downside is the scent, it smells kind of funky. The DeliKate Recovery Serum seemed simple in terms of texture and feel on the skin. It’s uncomplicated and I kind of like it that way. I can use this when my skin feels compromised and when I’m not sure what to use. It is quickly absorbed, much faster than I expected for something that is soothing and repairing to the skin.

I hope this review helps, and if you do want to purchase this box, it is still available for purchase on their gift store and they always have a lovely discount (sweet!). Follow me on IG (@kittiemui) for next month’s box reveal and unboxing!