Along with BeautyArmy, I also recently subscribed to the monthly Beauty Box service, GLOSSYBOX, after hearing glowing reviews about it. A few dollars more than BeautyArmy, but similar to it’s service, GLOSSYBOX sends you deluxe sized samples every month based on the results of a series of questions about your skin & hair type, color, and personal preferences when it comes to cosmetics and style. Unlike BeautyArmy, however, you don’t pick the samples, so you never know what you’re going to get. I like good surprises like this, though- and decided to go for it.

I had placed my order at the very beginning of January, right after New Years, and had grown increasingly worried when, as the end of the month drew near, I still hadn’t received my shipment. I apparently wasn’t the only one, either, because GLOSSYBOX contacted me about the delay. They’d simply needed to replenish their product due to overwhelming demand, and would ship it out A.S.A.P. To make up for it, they credited my account with 50 GLOSSYDOTS, which are points that are accrued and can be used towards obtaining a free GLOSSYBOX.

My box arrived the other night, although I didn’t just receive one, but two– free of charge! Talk about awesome customer service. I gave the extra box to my cousin, Paige. Let’s take a look inside, shall we?

This month’s GLOSSYBOX teamed up with Leandra over at The Man Repeller to create a box of Winter essentials.

What I Received:

Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara*

Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum

Le Métier de Beauté Replenishing Daily Solution

Narciso Rodriguez Eau de Toilette Spray (For Her)

OPI Liquid Sand Nail Lacquer in “Can’t Let Go” (Full Size!)

Sebastian Professional “Potion 9” Styling Cream

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick in “Fierce” (Full Size!)

*What I Didn’t Use:

Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara

Why Not: As I had mentioned in my January BeautyArmy Box post, I’m dedicated to my Dior mascara. We’re in a committed relationship. I’ve tried Estée Lauder mascaras in the past, and wasn’t particularly blown away by them. This sample was given to someone else who was interested in trying it.

But on to what I did use!

Product #1: Sebastian Professional “Potion 9” Styling Cream ($19.00)

The second I pumped some of this orange tinted, citrus-scented styling cream into my hand, I knew my hair was in for a treat. The product was lightweight, easy to work through my hair, and didn’t dry crunchy or greasy. It made my hair soft and defined my curls for an all-day hold. I also liked that I didn’t have to use a ton of the product to get my desired look, which means I’d be getting my money’s worth if I bought a full-size bottle of the product (5.1 oz.)

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This is one of the few hair creams I’ve tried that I liked. It worked well with my curls, and it smelled really, really good.

Product #2: Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum ($35)

This serum, perfect for the skin dulling winter, helps to not only clear out acidity from the pores, reduce their size, and control shine, but it purifies and clears your complexion as well. I applied this serum after my oil-free moisturizer to prevent my skin from drying out. It felt nice and spread evenly- not sticky or greasy or overtly drying despite having clay in it, and my skin felt comfortable all day as I wore it. It did a fine job reducing shine, although I think I can achieve the same result from my mineral finishing powder, which is the same price as a 1 oz. container of this.

Would I Purchase?: It’s a maybe for me. I think if I ever wanted to stop using my mineral finishing powder, this would be a decent alternative to switch to in order to keep my skin shine-free, but I wasn’t necessarily in love with it.

Product #3: Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick in “Fierce” ($26)

Red lips are a bold, ballsy look to try, and I bow down to any woman who wears it with confidence and wears it well. With my complexion, red lipstick is a hit or miss, and honestly- my misses when I attempt the look far outweigh my hits with it. Some reds look too orange, others wash me out, some reds make my teeth look discolored, and some just make me look like The Joker. I’ve settled on lip stains if I want a red lip; demure, but pretty.

When I opened the packaging to this Tarte Lipstick, twisted the color up through the cute, quirky wooden container it’s nestled in, and saw the color, nearly neon red- I was ready to re-cap it, set it back in it’s box, and back away from it slowly- but something stopped me: I’m bold. I’m ballsy- and damn it- I was going to wear that color, wear it proud, and really give it an earnest attempt- even if I ended up looking like The Joker (again.)

I kept the rest of my makeup subdued and natural looking, since I wanted my lips to be the focal point. If there’s one thing I learned in my teens, it was that bright red lipstick + a dramatic eye = MESS. SUCH A MESS.

The lipstick was blindingly bright the second it touched my lips, but I finished the application, and upon getting used to it, I actually kind of liked it. It didn’t feel waxy or drying, the way some other long-lasting lipsticks do. My only gripe was that when I went to lightly touch the corners of my lips to even out my look, the lipstick stained my fingertips and it WOULD NOT COME OFF EASILY. Other than that, though- I was impressed.

I even felt confident enough in the color to run some errands. While ordering a coffee during a stop, a guy who was waiting in line behind me complimented my lips, stating that it made my eye color really stand out.

I’m just glad he didn’t ask me “why so serious?”

Would I Purchase?: I don’t know if I’d do the “Fierce” red again, but I would definitely check out some of the other “Glamazon” colors that Tarte has to offer. They really are long lasting (my lips aren’t as red as when I first applied the color, but they’re still red regardless- even after a coffee and dinner), and comfortable. Perfect for a long day at work or a night out. No reapplications necessary!

Product #4: Narciso Rodriguez Eau de Toilette Spray ($77)

I’m very particular when it comes to my perfumes. In the Spring and Summer, I tend to wear light floral, citrus, crisp and clean scents, and in the winter, I go a little heavier, a tad more wooded and spicy, with light spritzes of my Chanel or Prada perfume. When I first dabbed a little of this Narciso Rodriguez scent on, it smelled more like a man’s cologne than a wintery perfume, but as the day wore on, and it lightened a bit, the floral scent that enveloped me was a welcomed change. It smelled pretty, and feminine, and stayed with me for most of the afternoon.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I think once I run out of my usual winter perfumes, this would be a lovely addition to my collection. It definitely grew on me.

Product #5: OPI Liquid Sand Nail Lacquer in “Can’t Let Go” ($9)

I won’t lie- I actually gasped when I unwrapped this GORGEOUS and glittery dark purple nail polish from the box. I have acrylic nails that were due for a little maintenance this weekend- so seeing the bottle made my color decision a lot easier.

Part of the “Liquid Sand” collection, the color is more matte than shiny, and the texture, as the name implies, is grainy- but it still looks beautiful once it dries:

Would I Purchase?: Absolutely. I love OPI and their colors, and this is no exception. It’s beautiful, and adds a perfect pop of color to my winter wardrobe.

The only product I haven’t tried yet is the Le Métier de Beauté Replenishing Daily Solution, which I plan on using tonight before bed after I wash and exfoliate my skin. Judging by the other samples I’ve tried from this box, I have a feeling I’ll like it.

Everything in the January GLOSSYBOX was well thought out, put together nicely, and fun to try- even the things I wasn’t sure about at first, like the Tarte lipstick and the Fresh mattifying serum. Well done to GLOSSYBOX (especially for their above and beyond customer service), and to Leandra over at The Man Repeller for picking out some seriously good stuff!