And just like that, it’s February. January positively flew by. I did a lot of personal reflection, goal setting, and planning. Now I feel excited to put those plans to action and to share all the goodness coming down the pipeline. This month I can’t wait to share some black history month content, as well as some fun Valentine’s day posts (kid friendly + lover friendly). But first, I can’t forget to share the February Boxwalla Beauty box; it’s my favorite bi-monthly luxe clean beauty subscription box, and I can’t wait to share.
Now, I know I have a bit of a clean beauty subscription addiction, but I will never stop raving about the Boxwalla beauty box. Lavanya beautifully curates boxes featuring products that are just beyond exquisite; and it’s not just beauty, they also curate book & film boxes which are an experience unto themselves. I’ve discovered some truly beautiful skincare through Boxwalla, and the value is always stellar.
This month’s Boxwalla Beauty Box, featuring Siam Seas, is an excellent opportunity for you to discover two new category-defying products from the brand before anyone else. Bonus – This box would make an excellent Valentine’s Day Gift! Let’s get into it.
*I received this Boxwalla Beauty Box for review, but as always, all opinions are my own.*
Siam Seas
The February Boxwalla Beauty Box is themed “Frangipani Fables and Black Rice Tales,” alluding to two beautiful, and potent, ingredients featured in these Siam Seas products. Frangipani is a plant in the dogbane family, which is known for its skin healing properties and black rice water heals acne and cools redness. Both ingredients demonstrate the kind of skincare you can expect from Siam Seas.
I first discovered Siam Seas a year ago and instantly fell in love. Supadra Geronimo, the founder of Siam Seas, taps into the potency of ancient South East Asian botanicals used in Thai medicine, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Doing so she creates products that are both new and innovative, but also very old world. Supadra carefully selects the highest quality, highly effective, and organic Southeast Asian herbs. Each product is handmade in small batches to ensure freshness and potency, and the scent is like aromatherapy in every bottle. The Yen Heal + Hydrate Toner remains one of my favorite products — reviewed here.
This box, which features two full-sized products, is a steal with a Boxwalla Subscription. Valued at $155 you can experience Siam Seas for only $49.95 with no commitment (cancel anytime); but trust me, every single box is more than worth it– in price and experience.
Be sure to subscribe before February 10th to get this incredible deal. You can SIGN UP HERE.
Kwam Rak Body Serum
The Kwam Rak Body Serum (100ml, $90) isn’t even available yet, and I’m telling you, you’re going to want to get your hands on it. A new release launched through Boxwalla; this serum is not your mama’s lotion or oil. This body serum hydrates quickly like a lotion and deeply moisturizes like an oil. But here’s the thing; there is no greasy residue. The texture is creamy and light, but it has this nice stimulating tingle (c/o the mustard seed oil) which helps it to stand out.
This serum is an aloe juice, aloe gel, and raw, unrefined mustard seed oil base. Mustard seed oil is used in both Ayurveda and Thai massage to stimulate circulation and reduce cellulite. You’ll also find sunflower oil, which is excellent at supporting your skin’s barrier to aid in moisture retention. Kwam Rak also includes a blend of botanical extracts like sodium PCA and three types of ceramides. Other botanical extracts include pomegranate, noni, turmeric, ashwagandha, ginger, long pepper, green tea, pink lotus.
What are sodium PCA + ceramides?
Sodium PCA is a naturally occurring component of skin that helps maintain a healthy epidermis. Ceramides are lipids, or fats, which help hold the skin together to form a protective barrier. They help hold moisture in and keep environmental toxins and pollutants out. The use of these two, non-toxic, ingredients is beneficial as they protect and maintain a healthy acid mantle. As we age, and with sun exposure, our body’s natural production of ceramides is depleted, and this can lead to drier more vulnerable skin. A well-formulated product, like Kwam Rak, works to replenish these skin components; leaving skin plumper, smoother, and more hydrated. Jackpot.
Smells like love
Kwam Rak means love in Thai, and it is a perfect name for this body serum. The unique scent is very spicy and warming at first, and leaves a light sensual floral scent after it has fully absorbed into the skin. Despite containing mustard seed, it does not smell like mustard. Just warm, and invigorating. It’s like a warm hug… from your lover. I mean, Hello Valentine. My hubby approves. He noticed the scent when I walked down the stairs and immediately commented, and more importantly, he loves that it doesn’t leave a residue. I have another body product I sometimes use which leaves me greasy for a few hours, and he’s not a fan of the hands-off period. {I love the scent, and it’s deeply hydrating, so I use when I’m perfectly happy being smelled and not touched. 😉}
Do This: Bathe or shower. Do not dry off. Apply 5-8 pumps on clean, damp skin. Use a few extra pumps to massage any areas that need special attention. This serum will stimulate blood flow — I’ve been massaging my thighs & post-baby belly. Slink about feeling like a sensual goddess. 👸🏽
Sai Clearing Face Serum
The Sai face serum (20ml, $65) is a vitamin C brightening, antioxidant-rich, calming and clearing serum. Made in a base of black rice water, turmeric hydrosol, sompoi water, and cassia tora water, it’s unlike any other vitamin C serum I’ve tried. And I’ve tried a lot. In fact, I have a favorite vitamin C serum roundup coming soon… and this one will be included. This serum, designed to clear redness and brighten skin after acne induced hyperpigmentation, goes above and beyond.
Sai (which means clear in Thai) combines a high percentage of a stable vitamin C ester with three botanicals known to combat photoaging: black raspberry oil, green tea, and Siamese neem. Additionally, Sai is formulated with more than 50 active ingredients including basil, milk thistle, ashwagandha, skullcap, gypsum, mangosteen, plant ceramides, moth bean extract, and more. Sai is a true water-based serum and contains fewer than 2% total oils, so it is excellent for all skin types. It’s also a vitamin C that is tolerable to people who might be sensitive to typical L-ascorbic acid Vit C.
This serum helps retain moisture, reduces inflammation, and reduces the healing time of any skin irritation. Sai has a nice creamy texture and smells beautiful. I couldn’t quite place the familiar smell at first, which I attribute to the rice water, green tea and vanilla, but it just smells lightly sweet, like warm sugar cookies.
I’ve enjoyed using this after cleansing and toning my skin. I love that it creates a “second skin” like layer once it is fully absorbed, which further protects skin from environmental stressors. Apply it to damp skin for the best results. Do this: cleanse, mist toner, apply 2-3 pumps of Sai. Test this for a few weeks. If you find you need more moisture, use a few drops of your favorite face oil. Sai dries down smooth and matte but leaves skin looking glowy.
Ready to try Siam Seas – February Boxwalla Box?
SIGN UP HERE to get The February Boxwalla Beauty Box featuring Siam Seas. This box is only available while supplies last or until February 10th. And at $49.95, you can’t try out this beautiful brand at a better price point, not to mention Siam Seas hasn’t launched these products on their website. So, get it while you can, and be sure to tell me what you think in the comments below.
Have you ever tried Siam Seas? What are your thoughts?
Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix
