Make-Up in the Mail: Glossybox, Kiehls & Bobbi Brown

I had read about Glossybox on a lot of my favorite UK beauty blogs – so when a representative from Glossybox asked if I would like to review their box, I eagerly agreed. (When I review a sent item, I will view it as if I paid retail price for it…and discuss whether it was worth it or not. This can be risky as companies may want unwarranted praise instead of honest criticism- but I’d rather help my readers than sell out for any company. I blog to share my true feelings not to receive free products.)

Glossybox is a luxury sample subscription box founded in Germany. They already operate in 8 countries and are now expanding to 20 more, including Canada. As with other luxury sample subscription boxes, you pay a monthly fee ($15 CAD) and receive 5 deluxe beauty samples.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE CONCEPT OF GLOSSYBOX:
PROS:
-comes packaged in GORGEOUS materials. You feel very pampered and special when you’re opening it.
-the pink box is SO beautiful and sturdy, I’m going to use mine to store necklaces. A series of them would make elegant storage for make-up, jewelry or stationery.
-You definitely get your money’s worth in terms of value of the items sent – the items are from well-established brands and appeal to most people (I’m always open to trying new hand cream, lip balm and nailpolish)

CONS:
-it can feel wasteful – I don’t like clutter but I feel bad throwing “new/usable” things away – so if I don’t use something, I’ll have to find someone who will. Not a problem with one box – but with a monthly service, your “unwanted pile” may grow rapidly!
-If there are a lot of items you don’t use, you may feel like you’re not getting your money’s worth.

CONTENTS OF MY BOX & MY INITIAL THOUGHTS:

Ahava Skincare Mineral Hand Cream –  Love the shape and size – perfect for my handbag. A little goes a long way – it softens hands and is non-greasy but leaves a filmy “silicone” barrier. Doesn’t plump up my dehydrated skin. Will use it up but won’t repurchase.

Oscar de la Renta Live in Love body lotion – Strongly fragranced and not very moisturizing. The scent is very 90s. Would be good to wear for a special event/night out. Will use it up but won’t repurchase.

Elizabeth Grant Moisturizing Stick – Uses honey, avocado oil and other natural ingredients. Smells like Watermelon. Feels amazing when you apply it (moisturizing and thick, not waxy) but it disappears within an hour. I prefer my Nivea Milk & Honey lipbalm to this – it’s more synthetic but it leaves a lasting moisturizing barrier on my lips. Will use this up but won’t repurchase.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Night Anti-Aging Restorative Cream – this contains 2 types of shea butter and a cocoa butter – so I don’t dare try this in case it breaks me out. Will be giving this to my mother.

Essie Nailpolish in Neo Whimsical –  Pink with lavender undertones – this is a fun nailpolish to wear. The formula is thin and a bit streaky – but I’m definitely going to get good use out of this – especially as a pedicure color in the spring.

Essie in Neo Whimsical

Bonus item: Beauty So Clean Sanitizing Wipes and Mist: I prefer regular hand-washing instead of antibacterial products – I don’t believe that creating a super-sterile environment is healthy for building your immune system – so I’m not going to be using these products excessively – but they’ll be good to keep around to freshen up my product surfaces once in a while.

BOTTOM LINE:
I honestly believe that this would be a great pampering gift to give someone you love – perfect for Mother’s day or Valentine’s day. For me personally, I don’t think I’d sign up for a subscription right now. However…if my stockpile of beauty products ever ran low, I may sign up – it’s so amazing receiving surprise luxury products in the mail!

I took advantage of a recent Kiehl’s promo (free shipping PLUS 3 deluxe samples PLUS 3 regular samples). I stocked up on my Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream (I’m on my 3rd pot) and was so happy to get all these other Kiehl’s goodies to try – they ended up sending 4 deluxe samples: a body butter, a shampoo, hand cream and clay cleanser. I will update if any of these products stand out. I also recently purchased Bobbi Brown’s Pale Pink blush (apparently Kate Middleton wore it on her wedding day) and a Blush brush (it was $50 – yikes! My most expensive make-up brush ever – but it’s SO soft and applies blush beautifully). I LOVE the color of the blush – it doesn’t look neon pink when you wear it – it just makes your cheeks look very flushed and healthy. I layer it on top of my Covergirl cream blush in Lush Berry.

Have you tried any of these monthly beauty boxes? What are your favorite Kiehl’s products?

Disclaimer: I purchased the Kiehl’s and Bobbi Brown products. I was sent the GlossyBox but was not under any obligation to provide a favourable review. As you can tell, I wrote my honest unbiased thoughts (as always!!!).