Although I was unable to attend the super-fun Glossybox holiday party - I was excited to be given the opportunity to review the Holiday Glossybox. I reviewed Glossybox when they first arrived in Canada (see post here) and it was interesting to see how they were doing nearly a year later.
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I received the box in December (just in time for the holidays!) - but I took my time to write this as I wanted to thoroughly try out the products before posting about them. The box was a treat to open: I loved the holiday themed packaging - the ginger bread print tissue paper was so pretty - and the mini candy cane was a sweet touch.
BATH & SKINCARE:
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CLEAR Scalp & Hair Therapy TOTAL CARE Shampoo & Conditioner - This is a unique range because it focuses on treating your scalp. In fact, even the conditioner is applied onto your scalp (rather than just the length & tips like most other conditioners). I've used up the sample bottles and they were AMAZING. I shampoo my hair every 3rd day - and these products left my hair more voluminous and grease-free than anything else I've used - even on the 3rd day! The nourishing effects are especially appreciated in winter, when the cold air, heating & general dryness can leave your scalp feeling extra sensitive. Though it is in many ways a miracle product - I was alarmed to read some of the negative reviews on Makeup Alley - apparently some reviewers claimed it made their hair fall out in clumps (link here). That wasn't my experience at all - and I'm not sure how accurate/unbiased those reviewers are - but I thought I should mention it.
Vitabath Moisturizing Bath & Shower Gel - THE GOOD: It softens and moisturizes my skin without leaving any oily residue behind. THE BAD: fragrance in shower gels is VERY important to me - this one smelled very generic and drugstore-like. THE CONFUSING: The glossybox insert says this is Paraben & Sulfate-free, yet Sodium Laureth Sulfate is second on the list of ingredients?? VERDICT: Will use up but won't repurchase - I prefer my more luxurious-feeling L'Occitane shower gels.
Curel Hand & Cuticle Therapy Cream - I've reviewed a lot of hand creams (link here) and this one is now one of my top 3 (the other 2 are Soap & Glory Hand Food and Fruits & Passion Avocado Butter). WHAT I LOVE: Leaves my skin feeling soft, plumped up & moisturized. One of the only hand creams that lightens up my darker knuckles and makes my whole hand look airbrushed (strange I know!). Applies slippery but dries to a matte finish within a minute. Has long-lasting and cumulative effects - my hands are now softer and go for longer without getting dry patches. Will definitely repurchase!!!
MAKEUP:
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Nicole by OPI in Kardashing Through The Snow - Perfect sparkly nailpolish for the holiday season - I wore mine on New Years Eve! This has a lovely formula: lots of glitter in each coat yet the particles are tiny and the polish distributes smoothly. There was no lumpiness even after applying 3 coats (unlike some other glitter polishes I own!) Although this looks great worn on its own (see swatch below), it would also look gorgeous layered over a navy or dark purple base.
Kryolan Blusher in Glossy Pink - I love how this 'made-for-glossybox' blush is the same dusty pink as the glossybox packaging! The product is VERY finely-milled, it's so soft and smooth. I was a bit worried the shade would be too light or chalky for me - but it DEFINITELY shows up on my skin - and transforms into a flattering rosy color. This was going to be my travel blush since it's so tiny and pigmented - but unfortunately, the packaging is a little weak - the lid keeps detaching. As a blush-lover, I was pleased to try this and will definitely use it up!
Maybelline MNY My Gloss - Love this clear gloss with golden shimmer - the perfect product to apply over lipstains and other drying lip products. Has already earned a permanent place in my on-the-go make-up bag.
SWATCHES:
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
-DRUGSTORE VERSUS HIGH END: The recent box had mostly drugstore brands (other than Kryolan) while the first box was more exclusive: AHAVA, Oscar de la Renta, Elizabeth Grant, Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE & Essie versus CLEAR, Vitabath, Curel, Nicole by OPI, Kryolan & Maybelline. However, a lot of the drugstore product were larger or full-size which offset the brand difference to an extent.
-USABILITY: This box was well-curated. I was super-happy with the quality and type of products: hand creams, nailpolishes, blushes & lip products are ALWAYS welcome in my book! I will use up every single one of these products and may repurchase a few...no waste!
-FLEXIBLE SUBSCRIPTION: Glossybox offers several subscription options: 1 month for $21, 3 months for $60, 6 months for $115 and 1 year for $220.
WOULD I PURCHASE IT?
While it's easy to like something that was sent to you - the true test is if I would go out and purchase a subscription myself. I can honestly say that I would definitely purchase the 1 month subscription option - both for myself and as a gift for others. $21 includes shipping and is very reasonable for such a beautifully packaged assortment of products. As a mom of school-aged children, I especially think this would make a great teacher gift - it's pampering and has enough variety to account for a wide range of tastes.
Hope you found my review helpful. Which of these products would you like to try?
DISCLAIMER: Not a sponsored post. I received this glossybox but was under no obligation to provide a favorable review. As usual, my thoughts are 100% my own. I blog to share my true feelings not to receive free products.![]()
I received the box in December (just in time for the holidays!) - but I took my time to write this as I wanted to thoroughly try out the products before posting about them. The box was a treat to open: I loved the holiday themed packaging - the ginger bread print tissue paper was so pretty - and the mini candy cane was a sweet touch.
BATH & SKINCARE:
CLEAR Scalp & Hair Therapy TOTAL CARE Shampoo & Conditioner - This is a unique range because it focuses on treating your scalp. In fact, even the conditioner is applied onto your scalp (rather than just the length & tips like most other conditioners). I've used up the sample bottles and they were AMAZING. I shampoo my hair every 3rd day - and these products left my hair more voluminous and grease-free than anything else I've used - even on the 3rd day! The nourishing effects are especially appreciated in winter, when the cold air, heating & general dryness can leave your scalp feeling extra sensitive. Though it is in many ways a miracle product - I was alarmed to read some of the negative reviews on Makeup Alley - apparently some reviewers claimed it made their hair fall out in clumps (link here). That wasn't my experience at all - and I'm not sure how accurate/unbiased those reviewers are - but I thought I should mention it.
Vitabath Moisturizing Bath & Shower Gel - THE GOOD: It softens and moisturizes my skin without leaving any oily residue behind. THE BAD: fragrance in shower gels is VERY important to me - this one smelled very generic and drugstore-like. THE CONFUSING: The glossybox insert says this is Paraben & Sulfate-free, yet Sodium Laureth Sulfate is second on the list of ingredients?? VERDICT: Will use up but won't repurchase - I prefer my more luxurious-feeling L'Occitane shower gels.
Curel Hand & Cuticle Therapy Cream - I've reviewed a lot of hand creams (link here) and this one is now one of my top 3 (the other 2 are Soap & Glory Hand Food and Fruits & Passion Avocado Butter). WHAT I LOVE: Leaves my skin feeling soft, plumped up & moisturized. One of the only hand creams that lightens up my darker knuckles and makes my whole hand look airbrushed (strange I know!). Applies slippery but dries to a matte finish within a minute. Has long-lasting and cumulative effects - my hands are now softer and go for longer without getting dry patches. Will definitely repurchase!!!
MAKEUP:
Nicole by OPI in Kardashing Through The Snow - Perfect sparkly nailpolish for the holiday season - I wore mine on New Years Eve! This has a lovely formula: lots of glitter in each coat yet the particles are tiny and the polish distributes smoothly. There was no lumpiness even after applying 3 coats (unlike some other glitter polishes I own!) Although this looks great worn on its own (see swatch below), it would also look gorgeous layered over a navy or dark purple base.
Kryolan Blusher in Glossy Pink - I love how this 'made-for-glossybox' blush is the same dusty pink as the glossybox packaging! The product is VERY finely-milled, it's so soft and smooth. I was a bit worried the shade would be too light or chalky for me - but it DEFINITELY shows up on my skin - and transforms into a flattering rosy color. This was going to be my travel blush since it's so tiny and pigmented - but unfortunately, the packaging is a little weak - the lid keeps detaching. As a blush-lover, I was pleased to try this and will definitely use it up!
Maybelline MNY My Gloss - Love this clear gloss with golden shimmer - the perfect product to apply over lipstains and other drying lip products. Has already earned a permanent place in my on-the-go make-up bag.
SWATCHES:
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| Nicole by OPI "Kardashing Through the Snow", Kryolan Blusher & Maybelline Gloss swatches on paper & me |
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
-DRUGSTORE VERSUS HIGH END: The recent box had mostly drugstore brands (other than Kryolan) while the first box was more exclusive: AHAVA, Oscar de la Renta, Elizabeth Grant, Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE & Essie versus CLEAR, Vitabath, Curel, Nicole by OPI, Kryolan & Maybelline. However, a lot of the drugstore product were larger or full-size which offset the brand difference to an extent.
-USABILITY: This box was well-curated. I was super-happy with the quality and type of products: hand creams, nailpolishes, blushes & lip products are ALWAYS welcome in my book! I will use up every single one of these products and may repurchase a few...no waste!
-FLEXIBLE SUBSCRIPTION: Glossybox offers several subscription options: 1 month for $21, 3 months for $60, 6 months for $115 and 1 year for $220.
WOULD I PURCHASE IT?
While it's easy to like something that was sent to you - the true test is if I would go out and purchase a subscription myself. I can honestly say that I would definitely purchase the 1 month subscription option - both for myself and as a gift for others. $21 includes shipping and is very reasonable for such a beautifully packaged assortment of products. As a mom of school-aged children, I especially think this would make a great teacher gift - it's pampering and has enough variety to account for a wide range of tastes.
Hope you found my review helpful. Which of these products would you like to try?
DISCLAIMER: Not a sponsored post. I received this glossybox but was under no obligation to provide a favorable review. As usual, my thoughts are 100% my own. I blog to share my true feelings not to receive free products.