For as long as I’ve been subscribed to GlossyBox, I’ve not only accepted- but defended- their late shipment dates. For the quality and quantity of products you get for $21 a month- having to wait an extra few days to receive your box as compared to other beauty subscription services that typically arrive weeks earlier isn’t the end of the world. Some past boxes haven’t necessarily been spectacular, but my overall experience with the company has been a positive one.

Recently, I almost canceled my subscription- not only because their shipments ran WAY later than usual- but also because there was no indication as to what the status of my August box actually was, period. I typically get two e-mails a month in regards to my service (not including spoilers of special offers-) one when my debit card is charged and one when my box finally ships. In August, there was no correspondence and nothing in my mailbox for weeks. After being charged for my September box and still not having last month’s one in my possession- I reached out to customer service over social media.

It took the efforts of a lovely girl named Leanna at the GlossyBox USA Twitter account to look into my subscription and give me a proper update- and as she promised- the box arrived at my door a couple of days after our conversation. Granted, it was nearly two weeks past when I usually receive it- but Leanna was polite, friendly, and prompt with her assistance. I ultimately decided to let this minor inconvenience slide and keep my subscription- but I really would like to see some changes in the future when it comes to shipping and keeping customers in the loop when there’s a delay/shortage/etc.

August’s GlossyBox celebrated the company’s third anniversary and included makeup, skincare, hair care, and nail polish- two of the items being full-sized. As always, I took my time trying everything- so apologies for the extended lateness of what was an already late review!

What I Received:

Überliss Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

Kryolan for Glossybox Highlighter in ‘Cashmere’ (*Full Size!*)

Eyeko London Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

SpaRitual Explore Color Collection in ‘Navigate’ (*Full Size!*)

Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream

Product # 1: Überliss Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner ($23.90 & $25.90)

Whenever I receive any kind of shampoo or conditioner in a beauty subscription service, I’m almost always left squinting at the back of the tubes/bottles/containers- scanning the list of ingredients for color-stripping components or harmful, drying chemicals. Lucky for me, this shampoo and conditioner duo were free of both of those types of things- and were instead loaded up the good stuff- like fruit extracts, royal jelly, green tea, lemon peel, and keratin. Both products smelled really nice during my initial trial- which is a huge selling point for me.

The shampoo, sulfate-free and therefore ideal for my color treated red hair- didn’t lather up as much as I’m used to when washing, but my hair still felt squeaky clean and INSANELY soft and silky after I’d massaged it into my scalp and down through my ends before rinsing. So soft and silky, in fact- that I wasn’t sure using the conditioner was even necessary. I did anyway, of course.

The conditioner- which has a sort of unusual, slick, Vaseline-esque texture- sank into my strands easier than I thought it would and didn’t cause any sort of build up on my scalp. I had left it on my hair for about 5-10 minutes in the shower while I used my body wash and face scrub before I combed and rinsed it out- and my curls looked and felt fantastic afterwards. My hair was even softer, silkier, and so, so shiny. Best of all? It didn’t feel weighed down or greasy. I was beyond impressed- and happy!

Would I Purchase?: Yes to both! I absolutely loved both the shampoo and the conditioner and the results they gave me! After each use, I have such a hard time keeping myself from touching or playing with my hair. It just looks and feels so much healthier! The price tags for both of these products- especially combined- might be a little staggering, but I promise it’s a splurge that you wouldn’t regret. This duo is worth investing in- and I will definitely be purchasing the full-sized bottles very soon.

Product # 2: Kryolan for Glossybox Highlighter in ‘Cashmere’ ($18.95)

On days where I want to achieve the “no makeup” makeup look, I use little more than a lightweight foundation, a highlighter for my cheekbones and brow bone, and a touch of mascara. I love highlighters that give my typically pale skin a subtle glow- a look that is flattering year round and perfect for those days where I want to look fresh-faced and natural but am in a rush or on the go (like when I’m running errands, for example.) This creamy highlighter- with a silky texture and a hint of shimmer- illuminates my skin without making it look glittery or oily. Instead, my face appears radiant and bright. Results aside- I’m also a fan of the small, sturdy packaging- which makes it the perfect size to throw in my bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I love the texture of this highlighter, it’s natural finish, and the way it makes my skin look flawless after application. A little goes a long way, too- which means the $18.95 price tag is not going to waste. This has definitely become a “must have” in my purse.

Product # 3: Eyeko London Skinny Liquid Eyeliner ($16)

This product isn’t shown in the unboxing photo above, since the size of the tube was pretty small and seemed to get lost in GlossyBox’s black packaging confetti. I hadn’t even realized I’d received it until I went to put the box aside for future gifting purposes and it tumbled out!

Although I’m a stickler for gel eyeliners, I’ve noticed that in recent months I’ve also added pen liners to my makeup collection. For the most part, the fine, Sharpie-style points make for easy application and the formulas give me hours of smudge-proof and flake-proof wear. This Eyeko product, although designed much like a pen liner in terms of the shape of the applicator- was significantly more difficult to apply. It took numerous, uncomfortable attempts to get the tip of the liner to run smoothly along my lids and give me an even line. I also noticed that the pen seemed to dry out shortly after being opened- whereas other pen liners I own are still going strong after being used multiple times. The only saving grace to this product was that the longevity was fabulous. This liner stayed in place from early morning through well into the night without fading or smudging.

Would I Purchase?: No. I just wasn’t “wow’d” by this eyeliner. Sure, the staying power packs a punch- but applying it perfectly is nothing short of a hassle and the pen dries out quickly. The other marker-like liners I own are easier to work with and hold up for a lot longer than this one did. I’ll stick with those.

Product # 4: SpaRitual Explore Color Collection in ‘Navigate’ ($12)

This is actually the second full-sized SpaRitual polish I’ve received from GlossyBox. The first, from my June 2013 box, was a beautiful red I had fallen in love with. The formula was easy to apply, gave rich color and a beautiful shine- and lasted for a long time without chipping. In August’s box, I was treated to a gorgeous sky blue from SpaRitual’s Spring 2014 “Explore” collection. Just like the polish I’d received before it, this glided on my nails with ease- giving me plenty of color with one coat (two coats pictured above.) Also like the polish before it- I thought this particular shade was a bit un-seasonal. This blue would be better suited for the Spring/Summer, much like the candy apple red I received last Summer would have been more appropriate in the Fall/Winter. Either way, I’m a fan.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This is another hit from SpaRitual- a brand I’m confident enough in to highly recommend. Their shades are brilliant, the applications are mess-free, and the longevity of their lacquers is fantastic.

Product # 5: Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream ($85)

When looking for a good daytime moisturizer, I really only need three things and three things only: I need SPF, I need it to be fragrance and oil-free, and I need it to be lightweight. I’m still in my twenties- so fine lines, wrinkles, and the loss of elasticity is (thankfully) not a concern for me just yet.

This moisturizer was indeed lightweight,  contained some oil (Avocado, wheat germ, and Sesame, to be specific,) but no SPF- and also had a slight fragrance to it- which caused concern. I have sensitive skin, and from past experiences, anything with any kind of perfume in it causes an allergic reaction or breakout on my face. Even still, I decided to give this cream a chance. Fortunately, there was no allergic reaction or breakout. The cream made my skin feel soft and hydrated- but not too greasy despite the oils in it. However, after a few days of use- I still haven’t noticed any changes in firmness to my skin. It still looks and feels exactly the same- not tighter or anything- as I had sort of expected it to feel with continuous use.

Would I Purchase?: No. While I liked the overall hydration this day cream provided me, it’s anti-aging purpose doesn’t fit my current needs and it’s lack of SPF means I’d have to put a sunscreen on top of it, too. Not only that, but the $85 price tag is a little steep for something that doesn’t meet my basic requirements for a moisturizer.

Overall, I loved three out of the five (six if you count the shampoo and conditioner separately) products I received in August’s GlossyBox- which isn’t bad at all. Not worth the extra waiting time- but still not too bad. I’ve already been given two sneak peeks into September’s box, a collaboration with Harper’s BAZAAR, which is shaping up to be a great assortment of products! Here’s hoping I receive it on time!

And once again, thanks to Leanna at GlossyBox’s U.S. customer service department for her help in getting the shipping fiasco sorted. Her efforts were, and are- greatly appreciated!

xx