I also really dig this purple.
I saw this featured in a beauty article on Refinery 29. I’m major lip shy but seeing you rock out with Lip Tar has me totally curious!
Here’s a self esteem boost for all you ladies out there. People Magazine has a section in their Beautiful People issue that features chicks without makeup. On the left we have quirky and mother fucking annoying Zooey Deschanel, and on the right we’ve got Mrs. Draper herself, Jessica Pare.
So yeah, they probably wax their stashes too.
This March Glossybox review also arrives late… but this time it’s not my fault! Glossybabes were notified early on about various the various delays. Seems like the company still has a few wrinkles to iron out but at least we were awarded some Glossydots for our patience J Finally, on the morning of April 2nd I woke up to a grey-and-pink-dotted package sitting nicely in my mail box.
Let’s cut to the bloody chase, shall we?
Contents:
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion (71 ml)
FULL-SIZED Bailey Cosmetics Duo Foundation Powder in Golden (9g)
FULL-SIZED Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray (50ml)
FULL-SIZED Pandora’s Blush in St. Tropez
Sebastian Re-Shaper Hairspray (43g)
Bonus: Algemarin Foam Bath (5ml)
Reaction
First of all, March’s box is a definite improvement from last month’s debut box. The sizes are much more generous and I received not one but THREE full-sized items!
Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray: Love it.
The first item I noticed when I opened the box. I love testing out the facial sprays in the cosmetic aisle but for some reason I’ve held off on purchasing one. Well, that’s going to change when summer arrives. Make-up artists swear by facial sprays for prepping their clients’ skin and setting their make-up, but I also love facial sprays to freshen up throughout the dry, hot summer months in Alberta. I won’t be purchasing this brand specifically because the formula didn’t do anything special for my skin (unlike the Avene Thermal Spring Water). However, the chance to test this product out has me totally convinced that I can’t live without a facial spray in my morning beauty ritual. Full-sized product: 50ml/$7; 150ml/$12.50; 300ml/$17.50.
Pandora’s Blush: Like it
According to the introduction card states that “Pandora’s Makeup Box products were designed for professional use and are pigmented so they will last all day long” and that the St. Tropez blush in particular was “a beautiful pink blush that can be used all year around and added to any bronzer.” Glossybabes also received a 40% discount off their next Pandora purchase. St. Tropez is a very pretty, universal shade of plum-y pink that goes on quite sheer and it does indeed lasts all day. My only complaint is that the pan is quite small, even for my narrow MAC #188 stippling brush, and I ready had to swivel my brush and reapply several times before I got enough pigment on my cheeks. It’s very compact in size and even I find the design quite cute. Nice addition to my makeup collection. Full-sized product: $18.
Sebastian Professional Re-Shaper Hairspray Flexible Strong-Hold: Like it
It’s been years since I’ve bought hairspray, especially an aerosol one but I was still pleased to receive this travel-sized item. I throw it in my gym/commute bag and it’s convenient for touch-ups in the midday or after a stint at the gym. Hairspray technology has certainly advance since the 90s—this one doesn’t leave my hair sticky or crunchy! I wouldn’t rush out to buy this product either, simply because hairspray in general is not a part of my hair maintenance. However, if such a moment arrives I will definitely consider getting this product. Full-sized product: $19.95.
Bailey Cosmetics Duo Foundation Powder: Like it/In progress
I love the reflective plum packaging of this duo powder and there’s a large round mirror underneath the lid. I received the Golden shade since it’s only spring, this is a bit dark for my skin at the moment, even for contouring or bronzing. I’m sure that once summer is in full swing, I’ll definitely be able to use this as a bronzer to contour around my face. Just a thought J Full-sized product: 9g/$40.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion: Like it/Gave it to mom
Normally I’d be a bit annoyed getting a drugstore item in my box, but I’ve been so pleased with everything else so far that I’m going to let this slide… this time. Anyway, Aveeno does offer a great line of hand and body lotions but it’s not really for me. However, my mom LOVES Aveeno, this product in particular, and she got excited when she saw this peaking out from the tinsels. Luckily for her, I’m a FANTASTIC daughter so I graciously bestowed it to her. ;) Full-sized product: 354ml/$11.99.
Bonus item: Algemarin Foam Bath: Like it/Gave away (Not pictured)
I was also happy to receive this as my little bonus item but in my household, bubble baths means having to scrub it the next morning. Does my laziness trump my vanity? Absolutely. Anyways, I’m sure I would have enjoyed it but I gave it to my manager instead—he’s a competitive ballroom dancer so I figured he would appreciate this more than I.
Final Thoughts: Keep up the good work, Glossybox!
Once again, Glossybox kept the selection well-round with a couple of full-size cosmetics and skincare items, as well as a travel-sized hairspray, hand cream, and a bath product. I’m extremely pleased with my March Glossybox. This is what I like to see more of! It’s also quite clear that the team over at Glossybox paid attention to the feedback from last month’s debut; they’re working hard to please their customers and earn their loyalty. I give this month’s box a solid A-.
Can’t wait for what April brings!
(Source: fuckyeahbeautyaddictkitty)
Here is my long overdue review of Canada’s Glossybox Debut back in February 2012.
Rating: B
Glossybox originated from the UK and launched in Canada this year. It is the most expensive beauty box subscription at $15 a month—but with no hidden charges; fee includes taxes and shipping—and beauty lovers can expect 5 deluxe samples and an occasional bonus gift each month, wrapped in a beautiful light pink box.
For some reason, I didn’t hear about the beauty box phenomenon until late quarter of 2011 and my first subscription choice was Topbox. It was only $10 a month and based on most of the reviews, they consistently sent out high-end items in very generous sizes. Unfortunately, by the time I was ready to order the company was sold-out indefinitely. Somehow I came across news about Glossybox launching in Canada. I looked at the numerous GB reviews from other countries and was impressed by their range of selection and quality of the samples… I definitely felt like it was worth the monthly fee.
I placed an order in January and waited for the February Glossybox with abated breath. It arrived on Valentine’s Day morning and came in a chunky grey package. With abated breath, tore open the packaging and there it was…
The box was beautiful and elegant, just like everyone has said it would be. But I didn’t shell out $15 for a pretty box… does Glossybox actually offer an edge over their competitors’ products sample-wise?
The (Initial) Reaction
Well, my initial reaction was: not quite. When I finally dug through the wrapping paper, introductory cards, and tinsels, nothing in the box stood out. No real cosmetics were included in this month’s box and oh, my full-size Elizabeth Grant Moisturizing Stick was missing. Fantastic.
I sent an email the same morning I receivedabout the missing item and received and prompt email from the Customer Relationship Manager a few hours later. However, two and a half weeks later I was stilling waiting for my replacement. I contacted Customer Service again for an update only to find out that there was a communication “problem”. At this point, I wasn’t impressed and I was ready to cancel my subscription. I emailed them back explaining that, while minor mistakes are to be expected with new start-up companies, my patience was wearing thin and that there was no point in continuing my expensive subscription if this is the kind of service to look forward to each month. To her credit, the representative quickly wrote back, expressing sympathy for my frustrations and offered me a gracious compensation. Well, now I feel like a beyatch. But in all seriousness, I was a bit touched by her sincerity and you just don’t experience that kind of one-on-one customer service very much these days. Sure enough, after our exchange things took a slight turn for the better.
The Contents
Ahava Mineral Body Cream (40ml): I like.
This turned out to be my favorite item of the month. As y’all know, I’m quite ambivalent when it comes to bath and body products but I love how this Ahava Mineral Body Cream made my skin feel—really toned and smooth. It has a unique ocean scent and adds a cooling sensation on your skin… which would be great in the summertime but in the middle of February, I just ended up walking around the house with chills and goose bumps on my legs and arms ;) Still, I’m on the fence on whether I would actually want to spend $30 for the full-sized product (250 ml)…
Oscar de La Renta ‘Live in Love’ miniature perfume: Not impressed.
This came in a really cute miniature perfume bottle so I was really disappointed that I didn’t take a liking to the perfume itself. I can’t even describe the smell because it was so strong and heavy.
Wella Professionals Brilliance Shampoo Fine to Normal: Okay.
I’m ambivalent about this product. It was nice to receive a shampoo item in my box and I think I got 5 solid washes out of it. But I didn’t find anything special about it.
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Day Intensive Anti-Aging Moisture Cream SPF 30 (7ml): Not impressed.
Okay, this product annoyed me. While this is a very expensive and I’m sure a very effective anti-aging cream, I don’t know why the Glossybox team thought it should be the one product that everyone should have. It makes me question whether the guys over there even bothered to take our beauty profiles into account! Anyway, I gave it to my mom and it made her skin itch so it ended up in the trash.
Elizabeth Grant Moisturizing Stick (full-sized product): I like.
This was a useful item to receive. I have chapped lips so I like to have something to moisturize my lips on hand at all time but I don’t like splurging on lip products. This is a light pink-peach balm that goes on clear and has a fresh melon scent. It does the job well enough and it certainly looks a lot classier than my Lypsol chapstick but I won’t be buying it once it runs out.
Bonus: Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist (8ml) and Wipes (4 packets): I like.
Unfortunately I lost the Sanitizer Mist before I had a chance to use it L Noes! Of all the items in this box, I’d most likely purchase these wipes and spray. I love that I can easily sanitize and disinfect my powders, cream shadows, lip balms, etc. in such a convenient manner. I just wish that the wipes are a tad bit bigger.
Final Thoughts on Glossybox Debut
When I first opened my Glossybox, I wasn’t impressed with the batch of items I received. However, by the end of the month I ended up enjoying 3 of the 5 items (+ Bonus). I think that qualifies as a success, wouldn’t you? I also liked that GB provides a well-rounded selection of products… something for the hair, body, face, etc.
This experience taught me that beauty subscription services are about trying new things. There was a lot of whining on the Facebook page because some people got an Essie nail polish and others didn’t… you know, at the end of the day I got to try new items that would have never registered on my radar. With beauty boxes you don’t always get what you want, expect, or love… for that month. And that’s okay sometimes because there’s always next month to look forward to… and I love that anticipation of waiting for a box of surprises to arrive at my mailbox each month.
The real question is, at $15 a month, do I support Glossybox over other (cheaper) beauty box services? Despite the lukewarm reception to the debut box, I will say yes… for now. Every new company needs time to grow and iron out their wrinkles but I like their brand (loving Lisa Kisber’s Glossythoughts blog!) and appreciate their customer service (thanks Isabel!). Thus I will keep my subscription for another 5 months to see how things play out.
Do you currently subscribe to a monthly beauty box service? If so, which one and why do you prefer it over others?
