A little treat just for me - February Glossybox

For a while I've been keeping an eye on monthly reviews of Glossybox, posted on a blog I follow called Suitcase full of dreams. Each month I would think, "That sounds like fun, I should sign up to Glossybox", and then would promptly get distracted by something else on the internet ;)

For those who aren't familiar with Glossybox, let me clarify. Glossybox is one of several beauty subscription services available in Australia, which provide subscribers with a monthly package of varied beauty samples and/or full-sized products to try for a small monthly subscription fee. Most companies, including Glossybox, charge around $15 per month which includes delivery and is on a month-by-month basis, meaning you can cancel anytime. For your $15 per month you can expect to receive at least $50 value worth of beauty samples or full products to try, and sometimes over $100 worth! There are even boxes for men available, or you can give them as gift subscriptions (I'm going to do this for at least one person this year I think). The samples can include haircare, skincare, fragrance, nailcare items, basically any beauty items, and sometimes even lollies :) You don't know exactly what products you are going to receive each month, however if you check out the websites of the various subscription services available (Bellabox, Lust Have It and I Love This Box are some others I'm aware of) you can see what has been included in previous boxes and which brands the companies are currently working with.

After spying on Corrina's reviews of 3 or 4 different companies' services for a few months, I decided I was most interested in trying out Glossybox. They seemed to give the most bang for buck, and also the most full-sized products. I also really liked the look of the list of brands they work with. So as a special treat to myself for no particular reason I signed up, and just in time for their Valentine's Day February Glossybox! I wasn't disappointed either, here's what was in it and my thoughts on the products after trying them out over the past week:

Ooooh, it's arrived, and it's pink!




Lovingly wrapped

The box contained a massive FOUR full-sized products, a reasonably-sized sample product and some adorable loveheart candy.

Can't for the life of me get this picture to rotate to the right side up, sorry....but look at all the goodies inside the box!

Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash, 60ml sample - Even though this is just a sample it's still quote a generously-sized one, I estimate I'll get around a dozen washes out of this. I was happy to find this product in the box, the constant celebrity-endorsed ads on Foxtel have made me curious about this product and whether it would help me with my blemish-prone skin. I've been using it daily since I received the box about 5 days ago, and so far no improvement with the blemishes but it's probably too early to tell. As expected though, it makes my skin feel rejuvenated and cleansed after using it.





Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm, full size - this is proving to be my favourite of the products found in the box. It's a lovely smooth, moisture-filled lip treat, but isn't too slimy like some balms or glosses can be. It gives your lips a slight hint of moisture without overdoing it and is packed with goodies like vitamin E, aloe vera and SPF 15. Most of all though I love the smell - think vanilla mixed with coconut, and I think I detected a slight hint of menthol, which would explain the delicious tingle it leaves on your lips when you use it.

Love the brand name - e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face)

e.l.f. Loose Powder Mineral Eyeshadow in "Temptress", full size - At first I wasn't too keen on the colour of this eyeshadow, it looked quite red to me and usually I can't pull that off, it makes me look like I've had a huge night on the turps! But I was pleasantly surprised, it made for a nice "dusky" eye, and the powder was very dry to apply, which I personally love in an eyeshadow. It's only downfall for me is that it's a loose powder, I'm not a fan, too messy! I much prefer a pressed powder. I particularly liked the look of this eyeshadow when combined with.....


e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss in "Raspberry", full size - This product also didn't tick all the boxes for me at first. It's a long gloss stick with a brush applicator, and at the other end is some kind of clicking mechanism that works to push the gloss through the brush when you first start using it. Now that I've been using it for a while it's distributing the gloss evenly and thinly which is great, but at first! The instructions say to click the end of the stick 7-10 times before first application. I did that and nothing happened. So I clicked it another 10 or so times, before eventually the gloss started spewing out of the brush applicator in a big gloopy mess. I just don't see the point! And for such a long gloss stick, the percentage of it that actually contained gloss looked quite small to me.
I wasn't very enthused about the colour of this product either, I usually don't do these type of berry colours. When I first tried the gloss on I hated it, I wasn't wearing any makeup at the time. However I gave it a second chance when I did have a little makeup on, including the e.l.f. eyeshadow that came in the box, and my opinion totally changed! The eyeshadow and the gloss really complement each other when worn together.

And lastly,
Star and Rose Floral Wonderland Emergency Nail Files, full size - how damn cute are these little nail files! They come in a little "matchstick" style packet so are perfect for carrying around in your handbag. I haven't tried them out yet, they're almost too sweet to use! These would make a fun little gift for someone too.


So there you have it, my first Glossybox. I was quite happy with what it contained, all products that I can make use out of, although it did contain two lip products so perhaps the next box will be just that little bit more varied. Reviewing the products on this blog was almost as fun as opening up the package when it arrived! I'm going to continue my Glossybox subscription so will give you the low-down on the products in the boxes as they arrive.

Do you subscribe to a beauty box service like this? Or do you want to start?