Mintd Box – The Self-Indulgence Edit – Dec 2021

Where I got it

The review of this is late, but last month has been hectic with work, family and blogging. I honestly fell of the wagon and got a little lazy. Honestly, I sometimes couldn’t catch up on reviewing these boxes because I want to try these products out before reviewing the box, but by the time I get the products and try to on, it is nearly the end of the month and they are releasing the next month’s box already!

I decided to dedicate my IG posts to outline the overall contents of the box, products, and value. Maybe chuck in a first impression if I open any of the products to try. Otherwise I will focus the review of the products on my blog once I had a good try of the products and that will mean by the time you read the review of the box, it’s most likely not the current subscription and probably only available from the beauty store. Otherwise, you can purchase the products separately from other retail outlets.

Sorry for the long-winded explanation, but I got sent this box as PR from Mintd Box (thank you so much!) in December and it was valued at £294! Only £70 on subscription of £95 one-off.

 

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What I got

This is the Mintd Box December 2022 edit – Self-Indulgence Edit. This box includes 4 full-sized products including the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Cleanser, Kora Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum, MZ Skin Soothe & Smooth Hyaluronic Brightening Eye Complex, and Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturising Cream.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Cleanser (60ml). Our clinic-inspired exfoliating scrub reveals smoother texture and pores in two minutes while prepping skin to better absorb the rest of your regimen, making every product and ingredient that follows more effective.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Lactic Acid, Silica, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Pectin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Phe1xyetha1l, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Alcohol Denat., Sorbic Acid, Cinnamal, Mel/Honey/Miel, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Euge1l, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Beta-Carotene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Bromelain, Papain, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Acetic Acid, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, CI 75810 (Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex)

Kora Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum (30ml). A powerful, clean + certified organic night treatment serum formulated to contain an effective 8% active blend of exfoliants like Lactic Acid, Lemon Peel and Caviar Lime to smooth and refine your complexion.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Lactic Acid, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Water/Aqua/Eau, Lactobacillus Ferment, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Brassica Alcohol, Lactobacillus/Dipteryx Odorata Seed Ferment Filtrate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Lactobacillus, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil*, Willow Bark Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Lemon Peel Ferment Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract*, Silica, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pelargonium Graveolens (Chinese Geranium) Flower Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Amethyst Powder, Citronellol**, Farnesol**, Geraniol**, Linalool**, Limonene**. *Ingredients from Organic Farming **From essential oils. 99.8% natural origin of total. 70.9% of the total ingredients are from Organic Farming. 

MZ Skin Soothe & Smooth Hyaluronic Brightening Eye Complex (14ml). A firming eye cream that contains a tri-peptide to stimulate collagen and elastin. Albizia Bark Extract detoxifies and strengthens capillaries, reducing dark circles. Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides restore moisture to plump and smooth fine lines, and deeper wrinkles. Provides long-lasting hydration to also restore suppleness around the eye.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin,  Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Myristyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol,  Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Olive Glycerides, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Benzyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Triethanolamine, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid,Ceramide Np, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopherol, Laureth-7, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Myristoyl Tripeptide-31, Benzyl Salicylate, Darutoside, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid

Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturising Cream (50g). Ceramide-enriched moisturizer replenishes the skin with lasting hydration and strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier against environmental stressors responsible for premature aging. Skin stays smooth, balanced and ageless-looking throughout the day. Rich but lightweight, this dual action moisturizer uses beetroot and coconut extract to pull hydration into the skin, while ceramides, vitamin F, and pomegranate sterols strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, sealing in moisture. Together, skin is glowing, baby-smooth, and deeply hydrated. Best for Normal to Dry Skin. Sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and phthalate-free.

Ingredients: EXTRACT BLEND [WATER/EAU/AQUA, CHONDRUS CRISPUS (RED ALGAE) EXTRACT], SQUALANE, C13-15 ALKANE (FROM SUGARCANE), GLYCERIN, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED WAX, LANOLIN ALCOHOL, TRI(POLYGLYCERYL-3/LAURYL) HYDROGENATED TRILINOLEATE, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) FRUIT EXTRACT, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE EOP, CERAMIDE AP, SODIUM HYALURONATE, LINOLEIC ACID, OLEIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, LINOLENIC ACID, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) FRUIT EXTRACT, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, BETA VULGARIS (BEET) ROOT EXTRACT, SHEA BUTTER ETHYL ESTERS, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) FRUIT EXTRACT, PIMPINELLA ANISUM (ANISE) FRUIT EXTRACT, RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, VANILLA PLANIFOLIA FRUIT EXTRACT, CUCUMIS MELO (MELON) FRUIT EXTRACT, PUNICA GRANATUM STEROLS, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER OIL, ANANAS SATIVUS (PINEAPPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT, CINNAMOMUM CASSIA LEAF OIL, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, RHUS VERNICIFLUA PEEL WAX/RHUS SUCCEDANEA FRUIT WAX, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE, TRIETHYL CITRATE, TAPIOCA STARCH, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM PHYTATE, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, TOCOPHEROL, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, CHOLESTEROL, LITHOTHAMNION CALCAREUM EXTRACT, ZINC GLUCONATE, STEARIC ACID, COPPER GLUCONATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, XANTHAN GUM, CARBOMER.

How I find it

I have been wanting to try the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Cleanser for years, ever since I looked into brands outside of Clinique, Shiseido, Estee Lauder and the likes. About 10 years back, New Zealand did not have Mecca or Sephora or had easy access to brands from the US or the UK. I used to use quite a lot of supermarket brands and gradually moved onto bigger brands like Estee Lauder and Clinique. I remember when Kate Somerville was a big hit, this was their number 1 best-seller, must-have product. Especially for problematic skin/oily skin. However, this was not a very affordable product to me at that time so I have not taken the plunge to purchase it. Nowadays, there are so many exfoliating products out there and honestly, I have forgotten about this one. I am so happy to finally try it.

It has a green colour to it with a little grainy texture, that’s the silica exfoliating beads. The formula contains lactic acid, papaya fruit extract and salicylic acid to facilitate exfoliation. Even though we are not provided with the % information of these ingredients, lactic acid is second ingredient after water and I can literally feel the tingle on my skin upon application and I seldom feel any tingle with these exfoliating treatments. This one is quite potent, and if you have sensitive skin or not used to using AHA/BHA products, please use carefully and maybe patch test first. You can leave this on for up to 2 minutes, but you can also rinse it off after massaging. After rinsing off, my skin did feel so freaking smooth and soft! Thankfully I did no experience any redness or sensitivity after this as my skin is quite resilient. I made sure I use non-acid serum or moisturiser after this.

This Kora Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum is currently in my skincare routine because I was quite intrigued in how it performs alternating with my tretinoin. I was a little worried that this resurfacing serum would be quite intense and cause irritations, but I have not seen that on my skin at all. I use this every other night with my Tretinoin (which I have been using over a year now), and my skin feels and looks great. I can see brighter skin and my skin is more refined. It is fragrance free so if you are not into fragrance, you could try this one. I have been using this for about a month now and I usually pair it with hydrating serums or or niacinamide serums instead of any acid-serums so I am not layering acids on my skin. I also like to use a simple moisturiser or the ceramide moisturiser from the same box.

I don’t use an eye cream everyday, and I only use it when I remember and it’s usually not something that I would go out and buy. When I have one, I use one and these little pots lasts a very long time. This one here is creamy, but light as well. It’s not thick and greasy so I don’t mind using it. I usually like to use an eye cream when my skin feels dehydrated or I have been out in the sun and I want to hydrated and nourish my skin. I cannot really comment on the effect of this MZ Skin Soothe & Smooth Hyaluronic Brightening Eye Complex as I have not been using this consistent enough and long enough to see any results.

I am delighted to try this Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturising Cream. I have been using Tretinoin for a year now and whilst I don’t experience any peeling or sensitivity, I do feel that my skin would benefit from a ceramide cream. As I age, I feel that my skin can take thicker creams and something more moisturising and my skin looks and feels better and comfortable overall when my skin is adequately moisturised. This ceramide moisturiser is nice and creamy. Thick, but not balm-like thickness. It gets absorbed into the skin over my usual serums and it just feels really good on the skin. I love to use this at night and have been using this as my night cream.

Overall

Such a beautiful selection of products, I am truly happy about this box, even with the eye cream which actually feels like something I would use as well. I love the cleanser, it gives me that amazing glow and smooth feeling right after using this, but I am going to carefully space this out with the Kora Organics AHA serum because they both are exfoliating and I don’t want to over-exfoliate. Luckily, there is the Sunday Riley Ceramide Cream which nourishes my skin and strengthen my skin barrier. I love all of these products and I am also looking forward to the January box next which is the Supercharged Skin Edit and it also features some products that I would love to incorporate into my skincare routine!

Follow me on Instagram (@kittiemui) to see my unboxing video when it does arrive!