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February 16, 2012

February 2012 Canadian GLOSSYBOX

GLOSSYBOX Canada is part of the global GLOSSYBOX network. With access to all the latest information from around the world in beauty, we truly have our finger on the pulse of all cosmetic and beauty needs and innovations. GLOSSYBOX also has no hidden fees or agendas: For $15 we deliver the best in beauty right to your door and there are no additional charges like taxes, or shipping and handling. The best part is that your GLOSSYBOX will always contain 5 deluxe samples, tons of helpful info and a 6th surprise item could show up in your box at any time! We want to keep you excited and constantly dialed-in to the best in beauty.

I know, I might be the only one who is still not convinced of the amazingness of those beauty boxes, but I still think it's great that more of them are coming to Canada, starting with the renowned GLOSSYBOX. Founded in Germany, it was launched this January in Canada and it's rolling out in more than 20 countries in 2012!

I received the February GLOSSYBOX on February 6. When I was offered to be sent a complimentary GLOSSYBOX, I was not told which month I would receive, but I was told that it should arrive by mid to end January. I actually think it's a great timing as I receive the box in the second week of February.


I was delighted to see that my GLOSSYBOX was delivered in a super pretty and sturdy cardboard box - compared to my August Luxe Box that was delivered in a simple bubble envelope, which resulted in the box being a little bent - and when I opened it, I was greeted by a press release a super cute and sleek powder pink box.

Everything in the box was carefully and beautifully packed.


Here is what the February GLOSSYBOX contained:


AHAVA Skincare Mineral Hand Cream (received sample)
Full-size retail price: $22.00$/100ml 
Ahava's best-selling Mineral Hand Cream is rich in nourishing Dead Sea minerals that hydrate and soften skin for increase all-day comfort and an effective safeguard against environmental damage.

At first sight, I thought this hand cream would be a nice size to keep in my handbag but after trying it on... no. This is just too light and it doesn't feel moisturizing at all on my dry and eczema-prone skin. I was expecting much more from a $22 hand cream that contains Dead Sea minerals!


Elizabeth Grant Skin Care Moisturizing Stick (received sample)
Full-size retail price: $12.00/5g 
This Moisturizing Stick is a highly moisturizing lip balm that leaved your lips feeling soft and hydrated and is a great compliment to the At Last Lipstains.

When I opened my GLOSSYBOX, I was like "OMG! I got a lipstick!" but no, it's actually a lip balm. I'm not sure if I have heard of Elizabeth Grant before but apparently this moisturizing stick was a 2008 winner in FASHION Magazine Reader's Choice Beauty Awards, so it must be good... no? I haven't tried it long enough to be able to properly review it though, but so far I can say it's not the best lipbalm I have tried but it smells great, like watermelon!

I always need to have a lip balm handy with my chapped lips anyway and I like its classy packaging... but still, I think I would have prefer to receive an actual lipstick as I feel this box lacks makeup items.


Essie Nail Enamel in Neo Whimsical (received full-size)
Full-size retail price: $9.99/13.8ml 
Essie's Neo Whimsical: Flaunt your classic taste with this unique, blue-based, rose plum hue. An Essie favorite!

The only Essie nail polish I have tried (Really Red) chipped on me after two days so I can't say I was extremely excited to receive another one. Neo Whimsical doesn't look anything "unique" to me - in fact, it looks like a plain lilac - pretty, yes, but nothing over the top.

I must admit creme finishes are my favorite though but this one did not apply smoothly because of the stupidly small and straight brush - Essie, Y U no make proper brushes if you are going to sell your polishes for $10?! However,  I must say that I was impressed to notice only a few minor chips after an intense week-end at work because my hands are definitely put through a lot as a chambermaid - scrubbing bath tubs, washing the dishes, etc. - and I'm used to see my nail polish being all chipped by the end of the week-end, so this was definitely a great surprise and I think this experience have changed my opinion on Essie nail polishes... if only it was not for the @*&?%" brush!


Oscar de la Renta Live in Love Body Lotion* (received sample)
Full-size retail price: $54.00/200ml 
Oscar de la Renta Live in love Body Lotion is like a silky veil and compliments the Eau de Parfum that launched in Fall 2011. Its green floral scent will make any woman feel sensual and divine.

Is it just me or do all lotions solely made to complement a perfume total crap? Well, this one might cost $54 but it's no exception. It has a strong herbal and floral scent that reminds me of old lady perfume (no offense anyone!), it's way too light to properly moisturize and it disappears into the skin before I even have the time to spread it. Did I say total crap already?

Also, why did some subscribers received a nice sample of the actual perfume instead of this cheap lotion? Especially since there's already another lotion included in this box...


Elizabeth Arden Prevage Night Anti-Aging Restorative Cream (received sample)
Full-size retail price: $160/50ml 
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Night Anti-Aging Restorative Cream helps to fight the visible effects of environmental damage and enhances skin's natural moisture.

In the tub, this cream looks rich and thick but it goes on smoothly on the skin and it's absorbed almost instantly. I think it has a pleasant soothing scent although I wouldn't be able to tell what it smells like exactly. Well I obviously don't need an anti-ageing restorative night cream so I will give this to my mother.


Beauty So Clean Sanitizing Wipes and Mist (received samples)
Full-size retail price: $12.50/48 Pack Wipes and $15.99/125ml 
The convenient and effective Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Wipes sanitize makeup, removing bacteria in 10 seconds! The Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist removes bacteria and germs on powder-based ad cream-based products.

GLOSSYBOX included these wipes and mist as a surprise additional item "that could show up at any time". These are interesting products but I honestly don't really care about sanitizing my makeup as if I start sanitizing this and that, I'm afraid I would turn into a total clean freak. The world is full of bacterias, starting with your computer keyboard, and I'm sure nobody religiously sanitize it after each use.

I did try the spray though but I think mine was defective because the product would drip everywhere instead of being a spray, no matter how many times I tried...

Overall, based on my experience with the February GLOSSYBOX, I would say the GLOSSYBOX is a great concept, but it is not for everyone. Of course, the content of every box is a suprise, so if you don't like that concept, you could be disappointed. You can make nice discoveries, but you can also end up hating everything. Personally, I would prefer to be able to personalize my box each month to be sure my $12 is well invested.

I think a big problem for me is that I hate clutter - it literally drives me crazy - so I hate having things that I don't use laying around, and it's worst when I actually paid for them! When I don't like something, I try to give it away or use it up. I don't like collecting samples or keeping them in case I'll be going on holidays. Maybe someone who is just starting out with skincare or makeup will not have this problem because I agree it's a great way to test products before comitting to buying the full size version, but for me... it's a no-no.

Something I have noticed with these subscription boxes is that not a lot of them are cruelty-free, and if they are, they are not available wordwide. This is an important issue for me and I don't want to pay for products that have been tested on animals. In this GLOSSYBOX, I received only one product that is not cruelty-free (Oscar de la Renta Body Lotion) so that's great, but still not enough. I'm committed to eliminating every products in my stash that have been tested on animals, so of course I don't want new ones to pile up!

I was also surprised to see that no makeup items were included in this February GLOSSYBOX and I must admit that this was a little disappointing in my opinion because I had higher hopes from what I've seen about the UK GLOSSYBOX on the blogosphere (Deborah Lippmann nail polish, Eyeko Eyeliner, HD Brows Eye & Brow Palette, etc.). I guess you can't have it all every time though, and of course some months are going to be better than others.

GLOSSYBOX Canada is available for $15 a month with free shipping and features a wide selection of brands.

*Please note that this product is NOT cruelty-free

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this review,  I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the product was free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

26 comments:

  1. I love essie, they do the best nail polishes!

    Also, I'm currently running a giveaway for the chance to win a Clarisonic Mia! I'd love it if you could check it out on my blog. xx
    daisy--meadow.blogspot.com

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  2. I also wish that they had a cruelty free option, that would be amazing!

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  3. I love the monthly beauty boxes, but my favourite one (feel unique (a UK one)) has stopped as of this month :( I like the surprise factor and being able to try new things xx

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  4. Je suis la seule à ne pas avoir été contacter?! haha! Mais le contenu est assez decevant...

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  5. Oh wow I love the packaging. Love these little monthly box companies, I need so sign up for one myself!

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  6. I use the beauty so clean brush cleaner and it is a pretty good cleaner TBH

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  7. It still looks really good though! I thought that the balm was a lipstick too and I got WAYY too excited lool

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  8. whoa thtas a bit pricey for samples. 15 a month!? thers some thats 12 a month. id rather go for those lol. but i do like the samples you got since im crazy into skincare lol

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  9. I have the same sentiment! I'm not subscribed to any beauty box in Aus because I detest make up clutter. I'd rather spend the money on something I do want and will use, than stuff that will inevitably lay around the house. x

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  10. Love this! I SO wish I could get the glossybox!! Everytime I see it I want it more and more!

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  11. Totally agree with you. I wasn't impressed either. I'm glad I didn't pay for mine either!

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  12. lol. Never thought of the clutter factor, but I guess if you keep getting random products, you are bound to collect clutter.

    I think the lipstick has a pretty color and the essie polish looks pretty good too.

    www.thegirlieblog.com

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  13. Great post - it's funny how we felt the same way about a lot of the products LOL!

    I don't think the Elizabeth Grant stick works that well as a balm either - it disappears too quickly - but I plan on using it as a base before I apply lipliner/gloss.

    I had high hopes for the AHAVA cream too - but it doesn't feel "mineral-like" just silicone-y. I SO need a good hand cream - my skin looks so flaky and scary in my nailpolish swatch photos! There's a natural one on etsy which costs $5 and is apparently amazing - I plan on buying it once I finish up my current hand creams!

    The essie nailpolish grew on me - the more I wore it, the more I liked it :-)

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  14. The box looks great for the price.

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  15. serieusemenyt ce qui m a décu le plus c'est que moi j'ai la meme choose que toi et je n'ai rien payer du coup je trouvait que ca valait la peine mais apres plusieurs jours h'ai vu le post de miss inside my closet elle a payé 15$ pour ce box et le contenu était different en un mot pour leur faire de la publicité ils nous envoie des box different que les autres personnes , en ce moment je suis tres malade mais j'ai l'intention d'écrire un post sur ca , j'ai l'impression que j'ai contribuer à une arnaque car je l'ai fortement recommandé dans mon blog lapreuve j'ai meme payer mon box du mois de mars , j'ai décidé finie les boxes .

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  16. je ne savais pas quil y a un autre de beauty box! les produits ne sont pas pires =)

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  17. So many products! The good news is glossybox is launching here as well!! let's see what's inside!

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  18. i love the packaging. im a sucker for that =P love that nail polish shade on u. pink makes everything better.

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  19. I love the Beauty So Clean products, I use them in my professional kit and personal kit. You can just mist the powders and brushes when your done or wipe your brushes with the wipes. You got some good stuff!

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  20. I love the BeautySoClean products too! I'm a makeup major at my school and we use that all the time in our makeup kits. They're so useful and handy to use. Anyone from professionals to everyday makeup wearers can use their products.

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  21. mehhh. cute packaging but I am shocked too there is no makeup items! For $15 I think that is pretty high to receive random things..Good thing you got to test this out before using... Topbox next?

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  22. Interesting, honest review - I appreciate. I just switched from Glymm to Glossy to give it a go, I'm hoping they pull up their britches for month two!

    Also I should mention, I've got some sweet beauty contests running on my blog if you're interested. Check it out at http://canadiangiftguide.com/winning

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  23. GlossyBox is a TERRIBLE company!

    I am subscribed to Luxe Box (which I LOVE!) and Glymm. I signed up to receive the March GlossyBox but I won't be receiving it until April. Their delivery dates vary from month to month (exact words from their Facebook page) and are overpriced in my opinion.

    I commented on their Facebook page on my dissatisfaction of hearing there is not set/approximate shipping date and ended up receiving a nasty email from one of their customer service representatives and was kicked out of their FB Page. I received some direct messages from other girls who weren't happy about the lack of communication regarding shipping dates and we soon found out that most of us were kicked off their page. I don't know about you but I find this to be TERRIBLE customer service.

    If you think I'm over reacting please read/watch the reviews of other customers in Australia and in the UK. I am not alone in this.

    Thank goodness I canceled my subscription before they billed me for another month!

    I highly recommend Luxe Box! I have yet to get a product I don't like!! Glymm boxes are either a hit or miss. I would recommend checking them out too though!

    Stay away from GlossyBox!

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  24. @View : Thank you for sharing your experience, you are not the first to tell me that GlossyBox have terrible customer service. I have never subscribed to any of those boxes and I don't intend to (I did try Luxe Box in the past but I was not blown away either) because I'm never completely happy with the samples I receive.

    I agree with you, I don't think it's very professional for a company to not listen to their customers and kick them out of their Facebook page! I have had this problem with another company in the past.

    I don't think you are over-reacting at all as I have heard plenty of bad things about GlossyBox. I'm happy that you enjoy your Luxe Box subscription.

    Thank you for sharing your experience x

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  25. your glossy box seem to be better than in france.

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