October Glossybox

My Glossybox this month came a little over a week ago, but... I kinda forgot about it.  This month's box wasn't the my favorite Glossybox because I kinda feel like it's the same type stuff each month.  One month it's shampoo/hair products, face lotion/primer, mascara/lip product, intense lotion, and some smelly product.  I just wish they would put more variety in their boxes.... add different types of make up products (eye shadow, nice tools, highlighters, blush, etc).  I'm not crossing Glossybox off my list yet because there have been some great products (Full Size BB cream, Korean facial primer, Kryolan lipstick).

Enough. 

This month's theme was Spa Luxe, here is what is was all about...

There is the Glossymag... they should think about saving a tree (just saying)

Pretty.

Inside the box

The Goods. 

• Alterna Bamboo - Luminous Shine Mist:  This lightweight spray contains Indian gooseberry and organic bamboo to control fly aways.  It's not something that I would use on a daily basis since I have fine straight hair and by the end of the day my hair tends to get oily so the less products the better I've found.  This would be a great product for someone with chemically treated or dry hair. 
• Carol's Daughter - Shea Soufflé:  This super hydrating moisturizer is packed full of shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil to make your skin feel silky smooth.  This brand strays away from parabens, mineral oil, and artificial colors... which makes is nice... but I can't fall in love with the musky scent.  I'll use the product as a foot cream (you know far away from my face). 
• Heartland Frangrances - Exfoliating Loofa Soap:  This soap is made with a loofa in it and then sliced into individual pieces.  I'm excited to try this product during the winter months when my legs get super dry (in the mornings I usually don't have time to apply lotion and let it dry before shimmying in my pants/jeans/leggings).  The scent shouldn't be bad, peppermint, it's pretty neutral fresh, right? 
• Modelco - Lip Duo (Lipstick and Ultra Shine Lip gloss):  This is the third? fourth? lip product in Glossybox since I started subscribing to the box and while this is a great color the lipstick itself is a bit hard, kind of cheap feeling, once it goes on it is nice.  The gloss has a grapefruit scent/taste but is not sticky at all!  
• Nastassja Skin - Enzyme Facial Peel:  This might be one of my favorite products in the box.  My skin has been up and down for the past few weeks and I am ready to try something like this peel to get a clean slate.  Regardless that I take my makeup off each night and even use an astringent before bed.... I still seem to get breakouts.  Sigh.  (Please don't be adult acne)

Does anyone else subscribe to Glossybox?  Did you get a different scent loofa soap or shea soufflé?  I would have loved the almond cookie soufflé or one of the MANY loot soap scents on Heartland's website.  I've seen that holiday boxes are some of the best, so I have high hopes for the next two months!

Glossybox

Last Saturday (goodness that's almost a week ago) my Glossybox arrived!  It surprised because it wasn't supposed to come until Monday or Tuesday, but I love when stuff arrives early.  I have to say that I really liked this month's box.

I know this isn't different than any other month, but I LOVE their presentation

This is when I get excited...

The goods

 What's in the box:

• GK Hair Professional - Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner:  These are generous travel size bottles that we will save to go on trips with us.  The keratin added tot he formula should do great things to my fine dry hair too!  The smell is a great scent, but different than any shampoo I've used in the past... almost a minty powder scent (if that makes any sense).  This product is only offered through salons (or amazon.com shh...).  $20 for 10.1 oz for each product. 
• Kryolan for Glossybox - GLOSSY pink:  Kryolan teamed up with Glossybox and made two shades of lipstick for this month's box.  This lip product is the FIRST lip product in a nice rosy pink color that I will probably use completely.  It's very silky and smooth,  when I learned Kryolan is a stage make up I was surprised because the quality is very nice.  I wonder if this is going to be a reoccurring line with them? This was a full size product valued at $14

See it's natural and looks nice

• Missha - M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42:  I was thrilled to see that this BB Cream came to me in No. 21 (Light Beige) because I have previously received facial creams in MUCH too dark colors.  I tried it out on the back of my hand and it didn't feel heavy at all, and after being rubbed in (the left side of my hand in the picture below) it should be a pretty good color.  This was a full sized product valued at $29.99. 

Swatching

• OC 8 - Professional Mattifying Gel: This gel is supposed to control the shine from your face for up to eight hours.  It has a very minty/herbal scent to it... I can't pin down what exactly it is though.  It would be nice if this product worked and did keep the shine away for the whole day, usually I tend to look a little shiny in the afternoon.  This is a full size product valued at $30.  

Glossybox stepped it up, big time, this month there were three full size products in the box!  While I'm not crazy about the mattifying gel yet (hopefully it proves to work) I still think it's a great value considering my box's samples were over $85.  

Glossybox August

Glossybox arrived much earlier than it usually does this month!!  I typically get mine the last day of the month and it arrived the 24th!!  

The Glossymag always comes on top of your box

I'm still trying to figure out what I should use these for and if painting them would be an option

I have to say they wrap their boxes very neatly

The Goods!

This month's box:

• Biolage - Exquisite Oil Replenishing Treatment:  The sample comes in a small tube with a pump, there is enough for two to three applications.  I'm not sure how much "shine" I need with my fine hair, but I will definitely apply to my dry and brittle ends.  A full size of this would be $22 for 3.01oz. 

• Ellis Faas - Ellis Lips:  This bullet or pen shaped tube is actually a lip gloss.  I received the glaze which is a gloss finish with a hint of color.  The color isn't something that I would purchase, a darker red/brown but over top nude or pink lipstick or lip stain it would probably look nice.  This product doesn't have a super sticky finish or funky taste like some glosses.  $32 for .095 OZ (this is a full size product).  

• Illamasqua LTD - Nail Varnish:  I received the color "Taint" and to be honest T and I both couldn't get over that a beauty company would name any luxury item such a word.  This is a rich creamy brown that should be fun for Fall.... hopefully it doesn't look too odd on my nails because the polish is supposed to be great.  $14 for .5 FL OZ (this is a full size product).  

• Ole Henriksen - Truth Serum Collagen Booster:  This product product has one of those manmade citrusy scents to it - not one of my favorites.  I look forward to trying this out - another reviewer said that it works amazing and it is never too early to start with preventative maintenance.  $48 for 1OZ (the sample is .5oz - $22 value).  

• Touch In Sol - Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base:  This is a all in one moisturizer and makeup base that has tiny gold flakes floating within the product.  I tried this out the day I got it because I was weirded out that it had gold flakes and wanted to see if you could see them on your face ... you can't... I'm pretty sure they stay on your fingers.  I was impressed that this was so light and did not leave my face feeling dewy, heavy, or greasy.  I'm always excited to get new moisturizers like this because I have a love/hate relationship with so many products because after my skin gets used to it - it leaves my skin feeling greasy. $20 for 1.12 OZ (I can't remember what size this was, but it was about 1.06OZ)

I was very pleased with Glossybox this month - much more than the $21 cost of the box and I hope this continues!

Glossybox July

Look What was waiting for me on my doorstep when I arrived home from vacation!!!  I was super excited and then immediately wondered how long it had been sitting there?!  I imagined everything in here would be ruined.  Luckily everything was okay, only one product was a little melted but didn't harm it.

Glossybox must be going to include this "magazine" in each of their boxes.  The magazine doesn't do it for me, there is mentioning of new products and a few tips, but I would rather them include more products than give out the magazine.  I will give them credit that the paper is heavier than a standard magazine.

It's so pretty on the inside

My box wasn't laid out all pretty, of course this could've happened in shipping

Here are the goods!  There were five products and then a "extra" this month.  The Sebastian hair products are really nice, they are large enough to last T and I when we go away on a vacation or long weekend somewhere (unlike the foil packs that you get one or two uses).  The Balm was the product that was slightly melted but luckily it didn't leak b/c it was in packaging.

•  Alessandro International - Pedix Heel Rescue Balm:  I have fallen in love with all the pedicure creams, balms, and lotions I have been getting, this is just another to add to my list.  $18.50 for 100 ml 
• Figs & Rouge - Lip, Face & Body Balm:  I'm a little confused by this product.  It's a heavy greasy balm that I would put on my elbows, knees, or feet but not my lips or certainly not my face!  It has a nice smell, not too overpowering.  I'm lucky that it didn't leak everywhere thanks to the packaging (it sat on the front porch for 3 days).  This product is full size and $6 for .26oz.  

• Sebastian - Color Ignite Multi Tone Shampoo and Conditioner:  I currently use Sebastian as one of my regular shampoo's that I rotate and wash my hair with each week... point being that I like the product line :)  While I don't have colored hair, I love that these samples are large enough to get more than a couple uses out of to fully "try" the product out!  I should also mention that this line always smells lovely.  $14.95 for 8.4oz shampoo and $16.95 for 6.6oz conditioner.  
• Senna Cosmetics - Double Dose Lip Lacquer:  This sticky lip gloss is thick and has a lot of shine.  I'm all for a good lip gloss but this one doesn't "taste" good and is pricey.  This is a full size product at $22 .34oz. 
• Ruddy Water - Blushed:  This is the first fragrance sample that I have received in the version of a towel.  I want to save this to use one night when we go out or something other than sitting around the house, lol.  If the scent lasts and doesn't just leave my hand (that I hold the towel with) smelling then I might consider purchasing a pack of towels.  The scent seems to be on the sweeter side (just from what I can smell from the packaging).  *This was an special surprise for the box.  $22 for 24 pouches.  

This month's Glossybox was nice, but not my favorite.  I like the shampoo and the heel balm the most but I was hoping to get more "make up" products to try out, maybe in future boxes there will be more of the products that I want to try out.  This month I learned that Glossybox does have different boxes out there because one of my friend's received different products than I did and I think that make the box fun!  

Glossybox arrives

A few weeks ago I decided to do a little research on beauty sample boxes and boy was I amazed to find that this market is blowing up right now!  While there good ones out there (many not available in the US) there are a TON with bad reps and reviews.  I was extremely excited (yes, I get excited over a good beauty sample box) to find out Glossybox (one of the good ones) just launched in the US.  Prior to their launch in the US, they are also in 18 different countries, so they have a wide variety of brands to offer!

A couple specs for those of you who might be interested: 

• $20 flat rate fee
• 5 deluxe size samples, some even full size
• Ships out the last week of the month usually arriving by the first of the next month
• Pay monthly and can cancel at anytime
• Unlike other boxes, you cannot earn points to buy samples.  In fact they do not sell the products on their website. 

After opening the outer box is a hard (totally reusable) box that contains the products

Great presentation
Excuse the unflipped photo 

The goods

Out of the packaging

• Amore Pacific - Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel:  Ladies, this came all the way from South Korea!)  A gel moisturizer that will visibly improve the complexion of your skin.  I'm excited to try this out since it is a gel since my skin has became more oily lately... and gels are lighter than lotions.  This baby is .27 oz (the white tub above) but a full size will cost you $100 for 1.7 oz. (South Korea)
• Burberry Beauty - Lip Mist Natural Sheer Lipstick Copper No. 202:  I really like this color, kind of peach/orange, and yes I know that a lot of women don't like that color, but it seems to work with my complexion.  I was impressed when I opened it that the lipstick has a stamped pattern to it!  Maybe I am a lipstick noob but I haven't seen lipstick stamped before! Full size $30 for .12oz.  (London)

• Marvis - Marvis Whitening:  I will give this whitening toothpaste a try but I will tell you after reading up on tooth whitening products I am a bit reluctant to try simply because so many of them wear down the enamel on your teeth and create sensitivity.  This tube is an actual size offered to purchase 1.23 oz for $7.50.  (Italy)
• Phyto - Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask for Dry Hair:  This product sounds right up my alley since I do have long hair where the ends tend to get dried out.  This is a hefty sample so I might just fall in love with it... oh dear $38 for a full size 6.7 oz.  (France)
• Zoya - Summer 2012 Beach Surf Collection:  I loved the previous Zoya nail polish I received in my Birchbox a few months ago and this one, Rory, looks promising with shimmer.  This is a full size product valued at $8 (most of the time these polished can be more at Ulta though).  (USA)
• BONUS:  they gave us a blush brush too.  It's always good to have an extra blush brush since I usually toss mine after a few months (I don't tend to splurge on brushes)

I'm impressed Glossybox!  There were a great variety of samples (T said he will even try the toothpaste) and all of them happen to "fit" me which is even more exciting.  On the contents card at the bottom it explains that if I go online and provide feedback on the May box that I can collect 20 GLOSSYDots per review which count towards a free box.  After trying out each product I plan to take full advantage of that offer.  

T gave it the stamp of approval, he said that this box was definitely worth the $20 where his BirchboxMan was not.  I'm not sure the actual dollar value of each product but I feel I definitely received more than $20 worth of products.  I haven't made a decision on which box I plan to cancel (Birchbox or Julep Maven) but it will be one and I need to make my mind up soon.  

What I've learned about: Beauty Sample Boxes

Back around Christmas time I was reading a All The Small Things Blog and learned about Birchbox beauty sample box.  Holy Moly - beauty samples sent to you mailbox?  This takes checking the mail to a whole new level of excitement!  There is something about beauty products that trumps the water bill :)

Birchbox.

First box - which started my love. 

I subscribed and the past few months Birchbox has been hit or miss.  My first two months were "ehh" but then the past two months have stepped it up and I have enjoyed my samples.

This past month one of my samples was completely empty, I couldn't get the tiniest bit of product out of the tube.  I remembered that I had found Birchbox reviews online and none of the other reviews I found mentioned that they had the same issue, but while I was searching for that I found that they are several other companies that do the sample mailing in the US.  I'm going to share what I have learned from watching reviews and if I would subscribe.

No particular order, here we go...

• My Glam Bag - This subscription service started in December of 2011.  For $10 a month flat rate, you receive a bright pink bubble sleeve containing a small cosmetic size bag that contains 4-5 samples.  Their spin on it is that each month you receive a new bag - which I suppose is nice the first month or two, but what do you do with 12 bags a year?  After watching reviews I found that the first month had great samples from Tarte and Urban Decay and after that people started receiving several foil packets instead of actual samples.  Sometimes people's bags or beauty brushes smelled REALLY bad.  I also learned that their shipping wasn't consistent and sometimes it would come at the beginning of the month and others towards to end of the month.  A couple videos I watched the person said her's was damaged, opened, etc... so not sure if the bubble wrapped packaging is a great idea?  I would say drop the "bag" theme and ship in a box and just drop the bags altogether. 
• Beauty Box 5 - This subscription service started this year, only two months ago.  The subscription price is $12 a month flat rate (with option to sign up for larger commitments and receive a slight discount in price).  The boxes ship out by the 15th of each month.  The box contains 4-5 samples.  The samples appear to be pretty good size but they do not (according to their website) have many brands offered.  Some people I noticed received similar or the same products within a few months or they received a sample that they had already received from another beauty sampler mailer (again - I wouldn't suggest subscribing to every one of the sample mailers).  
• Glossybox - This past month was their first month in the US, previously they have been in 15 other countries.  The subscription price is $20 a month flat rate shipped out the last week of the month.  They have over 100 brands that they currently offer in their boxes and constantly adding to the list. I watched several reviews from other countries as well as the launch box this past month here in the US and there were very few negative comments on any Glossybox.  The samples were definitely "deluxe" size samples and some products even being full size products.  I saw people get a full size bottle of OPI nail polish (that's about a $9 value alone).  I understand that this box is double the price but I think if you are getting more of a sample it will allow you to truly "try" the product to see if it is right for you.  This box is the best presentation too - I think it's great they put the time and effort to make it appealing for the customer.  I'll go ahead and tell you,  I purchased this box and it should arrive by the end of the month (don't worry I'll share with you).  
• BeautyArmy - This subscription service started last year.  The subscription cost is $12 flat rate.  The best thing I can say about BeautyArmy is that you can chose up to 6 samples each month, so if you don't like a certain brand or type of product you simply don't select any from that line.  If you do not select your products within a 5 day period then they will be chosen for you.  BeautyArmy ships out 11 days after you make your selection.  Selections are the same time each month, if you signed up on the 5th of the month, you will have from the 5th-10th of each month to make your selections for your box.  
• The Look Bag - This bag is created from the people of In Style magazine.  This subscription started up within the past few months, February I believe.  The subscription cost is $10 flat rate.  Each bag contains 4-5 samples which their website goes on to describe the "generous" samples are enough to try the product out.  The boxes ship out of their warehouse on the 11th each month and arrive around the 15th of each month.  It appears to be average with one of the samples being a deluxe sample with other foil pack like sample.  
• Platinum Box - This subscription started February of 2012.  The subscription cost is $10 flat rate.  There is one box a month with 5 samples, where other boxes vary their products Platinum Box they are all the same.  I did see a couple reviews where there was poor quality make up with no brand name (super hard eye liner to the point you can't you it because you are scratching your eyelid off).  They also seem to be having billing/subscription issues because some didn't get a box and were billed after they canceled.  Don't think I would try this one.    
• Cravebox - This subscription started in December of 2011.  The subscription costs $10 flat rate.  This is not just a beauty sample box, but will also have lifestyle product samples too.  I've seen several reviews and their customers seem to be very pleased, the boxes appear to carry MUCH more than a $10 value but each month there is one box.  In case you are wondering what I mean by lifestyle products some I have seen; Downy wrinkle release, Bic pens and markers, Olive Oil, and razors.  This is another box that I might try out in the future.   
• Conscious Box - This subscription started November of 2011.  This subscription costs $12 with $7 shipping and handling.  This is a organic, vegan, earth friendly box.  While the box costs more - there is a TON of samples!  Some are food, cleaning supplies, beauty items, coupons, information on the companies and even small gifts.  Most of the products were also from within the USA (if you want to give everyone here in the US an economy boost).  
• Blissmo Box - The subscription cost is $19.  You receive an email around the 15th of each month where you select from the options of boxes for that month.  If you do not wish to select a box that month you can skip and have a credit for another month (so one month you'll get two boxes).  I've read that it is important to select your boxes quickly since there are a limited amount of each box.  They are shipped out around the 30th of each month and arrives around the 5th.  This box is full of organize and eco friendly goods - from what I get from the reviews I have seen this box is a Whole Foods lover's dream! After visiting the website it appears that they truly care about their customers - if someone doesn't like a box or if they come damaged in any way they want to make it right.
• Julep Maven - This subscription is $20.  Julep is a nail polish brand, so their boxes contain 2 or 3 nail polishes.  The subscription is shipped out on the 27th each month (I hear it ships pretty quick too).  You can change/skip your box...meaning if you don't like it or if you don't want one that month you don't have to get it.   It sounds a bit pricey until I learned this are full size bottles and then also come with other nail related products.  ***Right now you can go to Julep and get a month for only $0.01, that's right, a penny!*** http://www.julep.com?r=21070990 Just use the PROMO CODE: SHAREONMAY

I have to say I had no idea that the sample box thing was so popular, it's really booming right now.  While I have subscribed to two of the boxes above (Birchbox and Glossybox) and the penny month for Julep Maven, I would not want to subscribe to ALL of them.  I might try one of the more food/eco friendly ones if I don't like Glossybox (but based on all the reviews and raves I doubt I'll be canceling anytime soon) I might try Conscious Box or Blissmo Box because T could enjoy the box with me (since most are food related).  

If you are interested in joining a monthly subscription service for samples I would highly recommend checking out YouTube so you can see fist hand what the boxes are like to justify your investment.  I think it's easy for me to justify it because it is my way to try the products that I couldn't afford to splurge on a daily basis (I can't go purchase 4 or 5 $50 products every month).  

Go on.... getcha one!  Your hubby won't get mad over $10 or $12.... might want to check with him before you splurge on a $20 box though (that is unless you don't mind sleeping with your dog in the floor).