Glossybox was the first sample service I ever heard of. Back then, it was solely based internationally. So when I heard it was coming to the US, I jumped to subscribe. I was initially pretty impressed with US Glossybox. But as it gained subscribers, it began to have more than a few hiccups. From double charges to shipping mishaps and bad customer service, there are more than a few bad stories online. While I did want to stay with the service, as I did with Myglam, and wait for the service to get better, ultimately I decided that the problems occurring with Glossybox are going to take more than a few months to get together. It was mainly the bad customer service that convinced me to wait to resubscribe further down the line.
{May-June Glossybox}
What was in this month's box:
Zoya nail polish in Shelby
Phyto Phytojoba hydrating mask
Marvis Whitening Mint toothpaste
Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-gel
Burberry Lip Mist Natural sheer lipstick in Copper No.202
The Overview Review:
This first box was surprisingly great. When it comes to sample services, I never expect to be blown away by everything included. Well, I was blown away by every item included this month. I especially loved that the theme was "Beauty Around the World." While I had heard of some of these brands, there was only one product included that I had previously tried - the Phyto hair mask, which was already a win because I love Phyto products.
I loved how the toothpaste whitened my teeth in just a few uses, but also didn't have an overpoweringly minty taste like some popular brands tend to have. The polish is absolutely beautifully pink and, for someone who doesn't have a lot of nail polishes, a must have color. I was excited to try out the Burberry lipstick, as I've never tried out or had any of their products. The lipstick color is so sheer, however, that I just don't see myself shelling out to buy this. I really wish they'd sent out a more pigmented/crazy color. The Amore Pacific moisturizing gel was very lightweight and, as always, I am very grateful when sample services send out a bigger size to test out skin care items.
All in all, this was a WONDERFUL box and I was super excited to have made it as a subscriber just in time for this box. I definitely see myself purchasing Marvis' whitening toothpaste and a few other Zoya polishes after testing these.
{June-July Glossybox}
What was in this month's box:
AHAVA Mineral Botanic Hibiscus & Fig Velvet Cream Wash
First Aid Beauty Fab Smooth Shave Cream
OFRA Cosmetics eye shadow in Goldilocks
VBeaute in Lite Up, Buying Time, and Eye Never
WELLA Enrich moisturizing treatment
Urban Organic - A Perfume Organic
The Overview Review:
This box was OK.
The AHAVA body wash doesn't have the most pleasant smell. It's a bit too musky for me. I did try it out on my hands and has a nice texture, but it's not a product I would use on my body because my skin is sensitive to perfumed skin care. I ended up giving both bottles away to family, which they did enjoy. I've been obsessed with the golden/yellow eye and so I was ecstatic to receive OFRA's eyeshadow in Goldilocks. I used it as a base for golden eyeshadows and it worked wonderfully. I would really like to try out more of their shadows. I have yet to try out WELLA's hair mask, because that Phyto one is still going, haha. This mask has a scent similar to L'Oreal brand hair products--which I like--and is not too strong. I have heard great things about this brand, however, so I can't wait to try this one and see how that goes. I've seen First Aid Beauty products around, but have never picked any up. I don't typically use shaving creams, because my skin doesn't react well to them. I'm glad this shave cream was included, because it worked wonderfully! I've been using this exclusively (instead of hope and water) and will purchase this after it runs out. As for the VBeaute items...I haven't tested them and I'm not sure that I will. The samples are so tiny, there is no way for me to know with certainty how my skin will react to them after an extended period of time. I would not purchase skin care after trying it out in such a small sample.
My second Glossybox was a mixture of highs and lows. Upon receiving the box, I found the AHAVA sample had spilled and drenched the rest of my box. I knew there was something wrong when I could smell the box before opening, haha. After reading a few reviews of this month's box online, I found I was far from the only one to have experienced this. I emailed their customer service and received a reply over a week later. I was then sent a replacement AHAVA sample the next month and AHAVA themselves actually sent out a coupon to subscribers. I did find a few items that I liked from this box, but there were also some disappointments. At this point, I was getting increasingly nervous about the bad reviews the company was getting online and the disappointing items had more weight on my decision to make the next month's box my last.
{July-August Glossybox}
What was in this month's box:
Alessandro International Pedix Heel Rescue Balm
OFRA Cosmetics Universal eyebrow pencil
Sebastian Professional Color Ignite Multi Tone Shampoo and Conditioner
Senna Cosmetics Double Dose Lip Lacquer
Caswell-Massey Almond and Aloe Hand & Body Emulsion
The Overview Review:
I was disappointed with the items included this month. They seemed so different from the first box I received. Still, I was determined to look at them with an open mind. I had been wanting a foot sole repair cream and so was looking forward to trying out the one included from Alessandro International. After slathering some on, the first thing that hit me was the smell. It was familiar and strong, in a bad way. It took me a few minutes to place it. When I realized what it reminded me of, I laughed for a solid minute. I don't know if this is what it usually smells like, if I got a bad batch, or if my skin chemistry just does not work with it. It reminds me of cat pee. So that was a pretty huge letdown there, haha. I just can't use a product that smells like cat pee. No matter how good it is.
The Sebastian Professional shampoo and conditioner were another disappointment. I'm not sure why these are marketed for Color treated hair, when all they do is strip the color. This duo was actually a bit infuriating, because the ingredients do the complete opposite of what the brand claims. The mousse-like texture and smell of the conditioner were not great, either. The conditioner smells awful. I did end up using this duo quite a bit to color correct a bad dye job. I had dyed my hair a much too bright red. In just TWO uses of the duo, my hair was very noticeably duller.
The Senna Cosmetics lip gloss was OK, but not a shade that I would wear. I have yet to try the Caswell-Massey hand and body emulsion packets, because after the previous flops in the box I'm a bit wary to try out some more skincare right now.
I'm happy to have made this box my last. It was pretty disappointing, except for the brow product from OFRA--OFRA again?? I really need to check them out! Out of a box of six items, this was the only item I liked. Although, I don't agree with the "universal" color. This is a brown color that will not work on red haired or blonde girls.
Will I ever resubscribe to Glossybox? Maybe further down the line, but not at all anytime soon.
What do you think about Glossybox US? Have you subscribed?
-Claudia
