Much to my shock (and delight,) my January GlossyBox actually arrived a few days before I flew out to California last week as opposed to showing up during the last couple of days of the current month/first few days of the following month. For packing purposes, this was great- because I could just take the (mostly) travel-sized products with me in my luggage and try them on the road! Best of all, January’s GlossyBox included a cleanser, toner, and serum- which meant I didn’t have to pack all of my full-sized products from home.

I don’t know if more prompt shipping is a 2015 resolution for GlossyBox, but I certainly hope it is!

What I Received:

Teeez Trend Cosmetics Beautiful Flat Stiff Brush (*Full Size!*)

VICHY Purete Thermale 3-In-1 One Step Cleanser

Kueshi Revitalizing Face Toner (*Full Size!*)

Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Serum

Lollipops Eye Pencil in “Goodbye Moon” (*Full Size!*)

Products I Didn’t Use:

Teeez Trend Cosmetics Beautiful Flat Stiff Brush ($23.50)

Why Not?: In my recent review of January’s Ipsy bag, I had also received a makeup brush, and opted to gift it to a friend who is currently replacing her brush collection since I had received an entirely new set of my own for Christmas. Although I loved the design on the handle of this natural-hair brush, I don’t really have a use for it right now and would hate to only try it once or twice for the sake of a review instead of passing it forward to someone who needs it or who would appreciate it more.

Product # 1: VICHY Purete Thermale 3-In-1 One Step Cleanser ($19.50)

I’ve heard of facial cleansers that doubled as makeup removers and vice versa, but never a cleanser that worked as a makeup remover AND a toner. When I think toner, I think of the cool, tingling sensation that comes when I swipe some over my face with a cotton ball. This alcohol-free formula, which can be used with or without water- left my face feeling soft, clean, and comfortable- and helped gently remove excess makeup that I may have otherwise missed with just a regular cleansing pad (or with only my facial soap) without drying out my skin or causing any type of bad reaction. It’s an interesting product that really came in handy while I was traveling because of it’s multiple purposes.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I like a product that saves me a little time and space in my bag/shower by doing more than one thing. I used this cleanser twice a day, every day while I was in California- and my skin continued to feel and look fantastic. I’d definitely purchase a full-sized tube of this in the future- especially for when I travel again!

Product # 2: Kueshi Revitalizing Face Toner ($13.50)

See, THIS is the type of product I think about when it comes to contemplating toner. This not-harsh-at-all pink liquid ended up being a lifesaver while I was on vacation (and again when I was snowed in during the recent blizzard.) My skin, after being on an airplane for a few hours and adjusting to changing climates- tends to get a little crazy- either producing too much oil (and making me look shiny all over,) or not enough oil (and making me look dry and patchy.) This toner evens out the skin’s texture and tone, hydrating dry areas while absorbing excess oil in slicker ones. My skin felt refreshed for hours after use- and the product itself reminded me of candy with the way it was scented- although that could have just been my imagination.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I loved this product, and was so tempted to carry it around in my purse to use for when I was done working out or walking in the warm San Diego sun. It evened out my complexion and the overall feel of my skin without stripping it the way some other, harsher toners tend to do. I’m absolutely going to purchase another bottle of this when I’m done with the full-sized one I was lucky to receive this month!

Product # 3: Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Serum ($80)

In February of last year, I had received a sample of this very same lightweight serum in my GlossyBox and had enjoyed it very much. Nearly a year later, and my feelings haven’t changed at all. This product still makes my skin feel soft, smooth- and it still smells like a delicious dessert. Although I have yet to see a considerable difference in the brightness of my skin or any noticeable changes as far as the anti-aging aspects go from just the serum by itself- it’s still a great warm-up to my daily moisturizers.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! Although I still feel the price tag on this product is a little outrageous, it really is a great serum that gives phenomenal results- and when I’m ready for my next big splurge- I’ll be picking up a full-sized bottle of this.

Product # 4: Lollipops Eye Pencil in “Goodbye Moon” ($14)

Between the unique packaging and the unconventional name of this retractable black eyeliner, I was eager to try this product to see how it stacked up against the (also retractable) liner I had received in January’s Ipsy bag. I had finished giving myself a fine-lined cat-eye on one eye, noticing that the pencil was considerably softer and more pigmented than it’s Ipsy competition- but when I went to apply the same look to my other eye- the tip broke off. I twisted the liner up slightly and went to try again- but it broke once more- and then one more time. When I did finally finish applying the liner to my other eye, it had come out thicker and more uneven due to the repetitive breakage and consequent uneven tip. I was so frustrated that I ended up just removing the liner from my eyes all together.

Would I Purchase?: No. Despite it’s pretty packaging, this liner was pretty much a disaster from the second the tip first broke until I eventually called it quits. I liked the pigmentation and how soft it felt when applying pre-breakage, but I’ll be sticking with more reliable formulas from now on when I want a dark, dramatic cat-eye.

With the exception of the eyeliner, January’s GlossyBox was pretty great. I loved the skin care products- and even though I will be giving away the brush I received- the overall value and quality of nearly everything in the box was impressive.

With the on-time shipping and great assortment of products, I’m having a good feeling in the direction GlossyBox is taking this year. I hope they keep up the great work!

Where this past December’s Ipsy Bag fell flat for me, capping off an otherwise impressive year with a disappointing holiday bag- GlossyBox went above and beyond for their last assortment of samples for 2014. From four of the five products I received being full-sized, to the variety of what was included, all the way to their lovely and festive packaging (which I will most certainly keep and use for storage or shipping in the future-) I was blown away by the quality and generosity from the subscription service last month, and I hope to see more of it as I begin my third year as a subscriber.

Of course, I have to determine whether or not I enjoyed and/or saw results with what I received in December’s box (enough to re-purchase them in the future, anyway,) so without further delay!

What I Received:

Nuxe Masque Crème Fraîche de Beauté (*Full Size!*)

Bellápierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick in “Burlesque” (*Full Size!*)

Ciaté London Mini Paint Pot in “Humbug”

Rituals Cosmetics Miracle Scrub in Ginseng & Ginkgo Biloba (*Full Size!*)

TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe Leave In Conditioner (*Full Size!*)

Product # 1: Nuxe Masque Crème Fraîche de Beauté ($32)

Whenever I hear the words “Crème Fraîche,” I always think of the ‘South Park’ episode where Randy is obsessed with The Food Network and cooking elaborate meals. I digress, the colder temperatures and fighting off a nasty little cold has taken a toll on my skin in recent weeks and I decided to treat my face to this mask, which is supposed to be ultra-hydrating and nurturing to skin in distress. The first thing I noticed was that the mask, thin in texture, smelled like plants (and given that many of the ingredients are derived from plants and blossoms, it’s not surprising,) and spread evenly and easily. Once applied, I left the product- which felt more like a moisturizer than an actual replenishing mask- on my face for the instructed time before massaging the rest into my skin.

My skin did feel somewhat better after I used this mask, although it left my face looking a little shiny (which was resolved with powder when I applied my makeup later on,) but the feeling didn’t last for as long as advertised (24 hours.) It wasn’t an awful product by any means, but I wasn’t exactly blown away by it.

Would I Purchase?: Maybe. I think if I re-purchased this product in the future, I’d use it as a moisturizer (and probably over my oil-free one to give my skin an extra boost of hydration,) but as a replenishing mask- it fell a little flat. I think if it had fully repaired my dry skin and lasted longer, I’d be sold on it for sure- because the consistency is nice and it’s convenient enough to use regularly.

Product # 2: Bellápierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick in “Burlesque” ($19.99)

In April of 2014, I had received a Bellápierre Cosmetics lip gloss in my GlossyBox that I had been on the fence about. I had loved the texture, the color, the finish- and even the fragrance- but it’s lack of longevity had been a bit of a deal breaker. When I saw this bright, berry lipstick in December’s box- I had been prepared to have the same reaction. Fortunately, this highly pigmented and creamy formula not only went on smoothly, but it stayed in place for much, much longer than the aforementioned gloss without drying my lips out. The color was beautiful and bold- and is perfect for this time of year when I’m wearing darker shades in my wardrobe and on my eyes!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’m so glad Bellápierre has seemingly corrected it’s staying power with their lip products, because the quality of their merchandise is otherwise fantastic. I’d definitely re-purchase “Burlesque” again in the future, as well as some of the other available shades, too (especially “Mandarina” and “LA Diva.”)

Product # 3: Ciaté London Mini Paint Pot in “Humbug” ($10)

For New Year’s Eve, I traded in a sparkly (and itchy) dress or top in lieu of a backless, little black dress I’ve had since my teens, but hadn’t worn for a long time. Of course, SOME sparkle is required for such an evening- be it in the form of accessories or makeup. I opted for sparkly nails, however- and this mini paint pot from Ciaté arrived just in time. The perfect mix of black glitter and small, silver sequins- the formula of this polish was a little gloopy, and it took three coats to get the finish pictured above.

As far as staying power- it didn’t take long for the polish, rough to the touch even with a top coat- to snag on random surfaces and fabrics and flake off in certain areas- although it wasn’t as noticeable as when solid color polishes begin to chip and peel. It got me through New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day- and barely a day or two after that before I had to scrape it off.

Would I Purchase?: No. Even though I liked the concept of this polish, it was a hassle to apply, had an uncomfortably scratchy finish, and didn’t last as long as I would have hoped. Next time, I’ll stick to a metallic finish without all the glitter and sequins- and go back to wearing itchy dresses again- instead.

Product # 4: Rituals Cosmetics Miracle Scrub in Ginseng & Ginkgo Biloba ($17)

Every weekend, I like to take a half hour or so to go to my local nail salon and get a manicure. I’m rubbish with applying polish evenly, and keeping my cuticles maintained is a whole other nightmare in itself. My manicurist is quick, diligent, and very talented when I feel like trying a design or otherwise attempting something different- and I look forward to catching up with her about her week while we sit across from each other.

Sometimes, though, I can’t always make it to the salon (such is the case this week,) and I have to take matters into my own hands (pun intended) to get my palms and digits ready for the work week. One of the most relaxing stages of my manicure is the exfoliating scrub, which buffs away the dry skin and leaves my hands super soft. This scrub- designed specifically for the hands- does just that. Lightly fragranced, this product is applied to dry hands and vigorously rubbed in for a minute or so before it’s rinsed off. Afterwards, my hands were left so, so soft and supple. They felt amazing.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I loved this scrub- which would be perfect for a weekly treatment in between manicures. I plan on re-purchasing this when I run out, and may even bring it into the salon to show my manicurist. It’s a great product!

Product # 5: TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe Leave In Conditioner ($14.99)

One of the good things about my hair type is that leave in conditioners work well as both a repairing treatment and as a styling product- since they rarely make my hair look and/or feel oily or greasy. My curls are left healthy and full of volume- so adding extra products afterwards isn’t always necessary. Such was the case with this lightweight leave-in from TONI&GUY. With a mild fragrance that didn’t overpower me, I’ve been combing this product through my hair after showering and letting it air dry. The result is frizz-free, shiny, bouncy curls that aren’t stiff or crunchy to the touch and feel hydrated until my next wash. I’m impressed!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’m a big fan of this conditioner. It kept my hair soft, manageable, and moisturized- and with a $14.99 price tag- you can’t really go wrong since a little goes a long way. I’ll definitely be stocking up on more of this product down the line.

With three products I loved, one I wasn’t a fan of, and one I’m still on the fence about- December’s GlossyBox was an impressive collection of value and variety. I loved that so many of the products were full-sized, covered the spectrum of hair care, skin care, makeup, and nails- and came in such creative, cute packaging. I look forward to seeing what the subscription service has in store for this coming year!

As the end of the year approaches, monthly subscription services almost always kick it up a notch for the holidays- offering more luxurious, high-end (and often full-sized) products, limited edition merchandise, multiple promotions and special offers. It’s exciting, especially when the value of what’s in the boxes can be worth more than what you spent on the subscription fee. I always look forward to November and December’s Ipsy Bags and GlossyBoxes (and this will be my first year receiving December’s Loot Crate!)

November’s GlossyBox arrived at my door not too long ago, and I’ve been using the products that were included on a regular basis. With skin care, hair care, nail polish, and bath products covered- I’m ready to share my thoughts!

What I Received:

Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer

12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment

So Susan Cosmetics Universal Blush (*Full Size!*)

Kneipp Lavender Balancing Herbal Bath

O.P.I “Pink Outside the GLOSSYBOX” Nail Lacquer (*Full Size!*)

Product # 1: Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer ($45)

I’m a big fan of green apple-flavored or scented anything, really. Candies, perfumes (DKNY’s “Be Delicious” being my favorite,) body lotions, hair care products, etc. Even in the Fall, you can sometimes catch me tying up my hair with my green apple printed scarf that I’ve had for years and years. It was only a matter of time before the sweet, citrus-y fragrance infiltrated my skin care regimen, too. Juice Beauty, an organic and cruelty-free skin care company based out of California, has combined natural fruit juices and anti-aging antioxidants to form this lightweight night and day moisturizer.

While it does have the faintest of citrus scents upon application- the product sinks into the skin effortlessly and doesn’t leave behind any sort of residue (and didn’t cause any kind of adverse reaction on my skin!) I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now and my skin does feel softer and smoother- although the brightness and anti-aging perks have yet to be seen. All in all, it’s an average moisturizer that keeps skin hydrated- but the $45 price tag is a little obscene.

Would I Purchase?: Maybe. This was an “okay” moisturizer, but it didn’t necessarily blow me away to where I would deliberately seek it out while replenishing my skin care. It did a good enough job moisturizing my skin without making me look or feel greasy and shiny- but in my opinion, it’s quality does not warrant such a costly price. It’s not awful- but it’s not extraordinary, either.

Product # 2: 12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment ($20)

This product honestly had me at the “spritz and go” part of it’s description. It’s been well established that I have curly, often unruly hair that I rarely flat-iron and straighten with irons and heat. I like to run Moroccan oil through my curls and let them air dry while I apply my makeup and pack up my purse for the day- as I find my hair is soft, shiny, and manageable by the time I’m out the door. It’s a simple system that has worked well for me for months, but I liked all the benefits of this sweet-smelling spray that were listed on GlossyBox’s product card (and on the bottle!) and decided to give it a try.

While this spray didn’t add a particular amount of shine to my curls, it did make them soft and de-tangled. It also kept my frizz to a minimum and didn’t compromise my reds. My hair was smooth and thankfully free of any type of residue or “stiffness” that I can often get with other leave-in treatments. I was impressed!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’m always on the prowl for hair care that is fast and easy to use in my morning routine and won’t make my hair look or feel crunchy or weighed down with product. This spray was convenient and did a great job at keeping my curls refreshed and tamed. I’d absolutely purchase a full-sized bottle in the future to use by itself or mix with my Moroccan oil for added shine.

Product # 3: So Susan Cosmetics Universal Blush ($27.95)

Now that Autumn is over and done, I’ve transitioned my everyday makeup to better suit the colder season. My blush, which was previously a more copper tone on my skin- complimented my nude matte lipsticks and brown and gold eyeshadows through Halloween and Thanksgiving. Now, my cheeks are looking a little rosier alongside my pink/red lip colors and plum and green eye palettes. I liked the look of this blush when I first saw it in my November GlossyBox. It seemed to have a warm rose tone that would compliment nearly every complexion. Once applied, it was more of a subtly-sheen pink that gave my pale cheeks a beautiful, natural-looking glow. I’ve been wearing it non-stop since I’ve started using it- and I don’t see myself switching to a different blush anytime soon!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I am absolutely head over heels in love with this blush and the natural looking flush it gives me. The product itself is packed with Buriti Fruit Oil that supposedly heals and nourishes skin. I can’t say for certain if that worked out for me or not, but the color alone was enough to sell me on this blush and I would definitely re-purchase this in the future once I run out of the full-sized one GlossyBox so generously provided for me!

Product # 4: Kneipp Lavender Balancing Herbal Bath ($20)

I am very much a hot shower kind of gal. Long soaks in the tub are a rarity, mostly because of my schedule or because I find it hard to get myself to relax long enough to truly enjoy one without interruption or distraction. I decided to give this lavender scented oil a chance, though, after reading that it was designed to combat mental fatigue and nerves. I waited until I could put aside a substantial amount of time (which happened to be after a day spent Christmas shopping, go figure-) to rest my eyes and mind in some hot water up to my neck.

First things first- the oil turned the water in the tub a shocking shade of blue, which I didn’t expect, but it smelled strong (and divine!) and once I had settled in I could feel myself relaxing in no time at all. I stayed still in the tub, soaking the oil in, for a good 15-20 minutes before I showered and prepared to bundle up in my fleece pajamas. I noticed that my skin was not only lightly fragranced with the lavender smell, which was nice- especially at bed time- but that it was super soft, too!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’m planning on purchasing a full-sized bottle of this concentrated oil for myself now that I’ve vowed to take more “me” time every so often to use it, but I think this would be a great gift for anyone looking for a nice, easy way to unwind and relax in the tub, too. A little goes a long way and this stuff works amazingly well!

Product # 5: O.P.I “Pink Outside the GLOSSYBOX” Nail Lacquer ($9.50)

Not too long ago, I voiced a complaint about the multiple variations of the too-safe-for-my-liking lipsticks and lip glosses I frequently received in beauty subscription services. I wanted companies to mix it up a little- to take some risks and give subscribers something unique and daring to break up the monotony of the pink/rose tones that seemed to be plaguing their every box and bag. I think the same thing can be said in terms of nail polish. I get such a thrill when I receive a bright, bold, glittery or textured lacquer for my nails- and while I enjoy a soft, pretty pink from time to time- like the lipsticks/glosses- it can get repetitive and boring after a while.

Needless to say, I was underwhelmed when I first saw this pale pink bottle of O.P.I.- the color being a limited edition solely made for GlossyBox subscribers, which was admittedly kind of cool. Ever a fan of the company itself, I knew the application and longevity of the formula would be just fine- and it was. After two coats I had a slightly translucent pink on my tips that was pretty, albeit not very seasonal looking. I wasn’t dazzled, however.

Would I Purchase?: No. Not only is this shade limited edition, so I don’t think I could re-purchase it in the future even if I wanted to, but the color was safe and dare I say it- dull. I actually own a couple of different variations of this shade, so re-purchasing this particular one won’t be necessary.

With three products that I was thrilled with and two I wasn’t exactly head-over-heels in love with- November’s GlossyBox was still good, but could have used a little improvement. With December’s box already rumored to be a high value collection for the end of the year, I’m hoping it will make up for the mediocre moisturizer and lackluster lacquer I received last month! We’ll just have to wait and see!