MINTD Box – The Golden Hour – June 2021

Where I got it

I have been gifted this box as PR and unfortunately it arrived quite late (28th June), and the cut off date for subscription for this box is the end of June (30th). It was posted from the UK on the 7th June, but it did not reach to New Zealand until weeks later, which really sucked. Anyway, they have already started promoting the July box which is their Birthday box (congratulations!!). Better late than never, I have posted an unboxing reel on my IG (@kittiemui). The contents in this month’s box are worth a total of £234.

What I got

This is the June edit MINTD Box and the theme is The Golden Hour. “Summer is fast approaching and we are starting to see parts of the world reopen. This month we have curated a divine set of products designed to unleash the golden goddess that lies within. Whether you are going to be basking in the sun’s glorious rays (safely of course!) or in need of replicating that sought after glow, this array of products will have you looking gloriously golden.”

Rodial Vitamin C Booster Drops (£80 for 30ml). Light up the skin with the Rodial Vitamin C Booster Drops, a powerful antioxidant skincare treatment designed to encourage a more youthful-looking, even skin tone. Formulated with 6% vitamin C, the Rodial Vitamin C Booster Drops delivers a powerful burst of antioxidant protection that helps to brighten the complexion while protecting from free radical damage and environmental stresses. Vitamin C also works to reduce the appearance of age spots, freckles and pigmentation for an overall refreshed and revitalised complexion

Ingredients: AQUA (WATER), BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BABASSU OIL GLYCERETH-8 ESTERS, ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE, OLIVE OIL PEG-7 ESTERS, ALMOND OIL PEG-8 ESTERS, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, PANTHENOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), LIMONENE, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, GERANIOL, LINALOOL, BETA-CAROTENE, DAUCUS CAROTA SATIVA (CARROT) ROOT EXTRACT, DAUCUS CAROTA SATIVA (CARROT) SEED OIL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE.

Omorovicza Balancing Moisturiser (£54 for 30ml deluxe size). Omorovicza’s Balancing Moisturiser helps to re-establish equilibrium, absorbing almost instantly to deliver long-lasting hydration, without exacerbating congestion. Pineapple and rosemary extracts combine to enzymatically exfoliate – gently eliminating pore-clogging dead cells and debris, without leaving skin feeling over-exposed – while apple pectin helps to lock in precious moisture and fortify elastin fibres for increased skin strength and suppleness. Ruby crystal transforms light energy into fuel for cells’ engines – optimising their efficacy which in turn, enhances cellular volume and reduces visibility of wrinkles – while Omorovicza’s signature ‘Hydro Mineral Transference’ system delivers precious minerals deep into the skin, where they set straight to work repairing, rejuvenating and regenerating.

Ingredients: AQUA (HUNGARIAN THERMAL WATER), GLYCERIN, CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, SQUALANE, CORUNDUM, STEARYL HEPTANOATE, CETEARYL OLIVATE, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL, SACCHAROMYCES (HUNGARIAN THERMAL WATER) FERMENT EXTRACT, PHENOXYETHANOL, SORBITAN OLIVATE, CARBOMER, MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) PULP EXTRACT, PRUNUS DOMESTICA (PLUM) SEED EXTRACT, SPONDIAS MOMBIN PULP EXTRACT, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), XANTHAN GUM, DISODIUM EDTA, PYRUS MALUS (APPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, MALPIGHIA PUNICIFOLIA (ACEROLA) FRUIT EXTRACT, MUSA SAPIENTUM (BANANA) PULP EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, MANNITOL, PHOSPHOLIPIDS, CHLORELLA VULGARIS/LUPINUS ALBUS PROTEIN FERMENT, PECTIN, YEAST EXTRACT, BENZYL ALCOHOL, POTASSIUM SORBATE, LINALOOL, LIMONENE, GERANIOL.

Sol De Janiero Copacabana Glow Oil (£35 for xxml). Enjoy a year-round sun-kissed glow reminiscent of a Brazilian beach with the Sol de Janeiro Copacabana Bronze Glow Oil, a luxurious skincare oil that pampers the skin while leaving it with a natural radiance. The hydrating formula of the Sol de Janeiro Copacabana Bronze Glow Oil includes a nourishing blend of coconut oil to help soften and condition the skin as well as Cupuaçu butter, which is rich in fatty acids to lock in moisture and encourage the skin’s elasticity. Açaí oil delivers powerful antioxidant protection to minimise the signs of ageing and promote healthy-looking skin. Blend the oil over the face and body for a flattering beach glow and leave skin softer and sensuously fragranced.

Ingredients: ISODODECANE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), MICA, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER/TOURNESOL) SEED OIL, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT/NOIX DE COCO) OIL, EUTERPE OLERACEA (AÇAÍ/AÇAÏ) FRUIT OIL, THEOBROMA GRANDIFLORUM (CUPUAÇU) SEED BUTTER, BUTYLENE/ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER, GOSSYPIUM HERBACEUM (COTTON/COTON) SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PHENOXYETHANOL , ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, COUMARIN, LIMONENE MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR: TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77499)

Irene Forte Hibiscus Serum Defying Lift (£65 for 15ml deluxe size). Hibiscus Serum is Irene Forte’s age-defying solution, formulated with a unique combination of peptides for a lifting effect on skin, and proven to help fight free radicals in laboratory testing. Irene Forte skin care celebrates the Sicilian way of living with organic ingredients drawn from the Mediterranean landscape, selected for their time-honoured benefits. This anti-ageing serum minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with hibiscus, green pea and tetrapeptide, while a multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid duo delivers superior hydration and omega-rich olive oil nurtures skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Ingredients: Aqua, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil*, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pisum Sativum Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Ceramide AP, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide EOP, Tropolone, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Dextrin, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum**. *Organic ingredients. **Allergen-screened fragrance.

How I find it

Alright, so I’m going to share with you how I have lined up these products in a skincare routine, this can be for day or night. So after cleansing with a gentle cleanser, I like to use a hydrating mist all over my face to get it slightly damp. Then I start by using 2 pumps of the Irene Forte Hibiscus Serum all over the face and neck and chest area. 2 pumps is plenty of product as it spreads easily and feels really lightweight and hydrating. The product is housed in a shimmery-finished glass bottle (feels weighted and expensive). The semi-transparent gel-like serum is absorbed into the skin easily (and quickly) without leaving any residue. Within a minute, I no longer feel any tackiness.

Once the serum has settled in, I use about 3-4 drops of the Rodial Vitamin C Booster Drops. When I first saw the packaging and how it runs inside the frosted glass bottle, I thought it would be a vitamin C oil, but I was wrong. I dispensed 3-4 drops onto my palms and start rubbing my hands together. The booster drops felt almost like a gel-lotion serum. It does not feel oily, but it also does not feel watery. I immediately applied it onto my face and it either started to dry up or got absorbed into the skin quickly. I tried to rub it into my skin, but it got a little tugging so I used pressing motion instead. I think I should be able to use more than 4 drops of this to facilitate that glide onto the skin instead of feeling like I have not used enough moisturiser for my whole face. Otherwise it might be the Irene Forte serum I used beforehand, so I will try to switch things up a little bit. Regardless, the vitamin C drops has a sweet, sort of candy scent, not really citrusy, but definitely sweet and pleasant. Not overwhelming so that’s pretty good.

Then I will seal all that in with the Omorovicza Balancing Moisturiser. This is a light-medium weight moisturiser and it feels great to be applied to my combination-oily skin in the morning. I prefer something a little heavier at night, maybe a facial oil. This moisturiser thought feels really soothing on the skin as it gives my skin moisture without feeling heavy or tacky. I used about 2 pumps to cover my face, neck and part of my chest as well. During the day, I will use at least SPF30 on top of this moisturiser and my skincare routine will be completed.

As for the Sol De Janeiro Copacabana Glow Oil, I really loved the packaging – the gold, the bronze, the fancy writing, etc. The bottle is really cute as well, like a large pill with a flat-top plastic cap. I think the bottle is clear so what you actually see on the bottle is the product inside and that kind of blew my mind. Never have I ever used something that looked so deep bronze and shimmery on my skin. I mean I love a glowy, shimmery body oil, but I always go for a champagne gold or a pale rose gold colour. This is a dry oil and the shimmery particles are really fine, so it won’t be obnoxious on the skin. It claims to be transfer resistant, but I think that only applies to gentle touching or your clothes lightly touching. If you use any rubbing motion with a cloth, the shimmer does transfer, but not the bronze colour, that doesn’t transfer. I don’t have an issue with that, but the scent is really overpowering for me. It is a really sweet, caramel-like scent that lingers on for hours.

Overall

Honestly saying, I wasn’t really over the moon about this box and let me explain why… The theme is Golden Hour, but I couldn’t really relate to the summery-vibes here down in the Southern Hemisphere. We have just had our coldest week for a long long time, reaching down to 2 degree celcius even in the urban areas. However, besides the Glow Oil being a really summery product where you need to show some skin, the other 3 products are some decent skincare products. The Hibiscus Serum was something I looked forward to the most as I have seen people praise the brand overall and her range is quite expensive, so naturally I got really interested in trying something from her. I loved the watery and fresh-feeling serum and a little goes a long way, but I need to use it for much longer to see if it yields any results.

As for the Vitamin C drops, I am still trying to come around the idea that it is not an oil because I had that assumption when I see the bottle, but I also felt like I have tried a lot of Rodial Beauty skincare already and I am ready to try other new brands or products from other brands. Moreover, the Vitamin C drops are RRP£80.00 so it is a really good deal. Lastly the Balancing Moisturiser is a good ol’ simple moisturiser without any actives and I love how it is balancing instead of really nourishing or moisturising. Sometimes I just need a really good gentle moisturiser to balance my skin.

I would like to see more new brands to be added to the box and I think I am already a little bored with Rodial Beauty. I have already see a sneak peek of the July box and we are having a Kate Sommerville cleanser which sounds pretty good to me. I don’t know what to expect for the next box, but I would like to see new brands to be introduced.