Friday 10 February 2012

GLOSSYBOX - February 2012

Canada has seen an exciting development in the beauty game over the past year- monthly subscription boxes. Companies like Glymm, Luxe box and Topbox charge a monthly fee (usually around $12/month) and send to your door a box filled with 'premium' or 'deluxe' beauty samples. It is expected that you will usually receive at least one full-sized product in your monthly box, and that you will receive a mixture of lotions, makeup, nail care and skin care items.
Glossybox is a new-comer to Canada, and their inaugural box was sent out this February. Glossybox is well known across Europe as an excellent beauty box subscription, and I decided to enroll for a box. I have been on the waiting list for a Topbox (which I won't get until May). I have closely studied the contents of Glymm and Luxe boxes and in my opinion, neither are worth the money. If I am going to shell out $12 for samples, I want samples of things I will actually use. Topbox seems to offer the best samples for my interests and age-range, and obviously other people agree as they are now sold out until June '12! Sign up here to get on the Topbox waiting list.
Glossybox was founded in Germany, and this year they are expanding to 20 new countries, including Canada. Glossybox is the most expensive of all the Canadian beauty box subscriptions available currently: it is $15 a month all in. However, it promises a minimum of 5 beauty samples per box, where the other brands only promise 4 (although it is common to get more than 4 per box).
My well-packaged Glossybox!
Upon opening my first ever Glossybox, I was initially very impressed with the packaging. The box itself is very sturdy, and pale pink in colour. It is something I will definitely re-use as storage or to give a gift in. On the very top of my box was a little envelope with my name on it. I was impressed with this personal touch.
Underneath the envelope I found the goodies! Carefully packaged in a ribbon. Glossybox absolutely did not disappoint on the packaging; they outshine some of their competitors (Glymm specifically) in this regard.
The contents of my envelope included a welcome letter that outlined my box contents, some label stickers, and some product information for two of the samples I received.

Now I will admit: I had already read multiple reviews of other peoples Canadian Glossyboxes. Many bloggers had been sent out 'press boxes' that contained what I assumed I would also receive. Unfortunately, that was incorrect and probably increased my levels of disappointment when I got my box. 
The press boxes contained a full-sized Essie polish and a 50ml bottle of Oscar de la Renta Live in Love Body Lotion. My box was missing these attractive items.


I received:
AHAVA Mineral Body Cream (40 ml) (full sized retails for $28.00/250ml)
Skin Care Moisturizing Stick by Elizabeth Grant (3.5 g) (full size retails for $12.00/5g)
WELLA Brilliance Shampoo (50 ml) (full sized retails for $13.99/300ml)
Oscar de la Renta Live in Love perfume sample (4ml) (full sized retails for $62.00/30ml)
Prevage Intensive Anti-Aging moisture cream (7 ml) (full sized retails for $160/50ml)
+ a bonus item: Beauty So Clean sanitizing wipes and mist - 4 wipes, 8ml mist 

Compared to press boxes, I was given the shampoo sample instead of a full-sized Essie polish, and the teeny tiny Oscar de le Renta perfume sampler instead of a 50ml lotion. This is obviously disappointing. I think it was a bad PR move for Glossybox to send out ~amazing~ press boxes to get subscribers excited about their own boxes, only to send out a much less amazing box to the 'regular people' who are actually their majority of clientele. I already expressed my disappointment on the Glossybox facebook page and I was surprised to get 11 (and counting) comments from other people who felt similarly to me. 

So, overall I would say I am disappointed with my first Glossybox. Anti-aging products? Whats the point in filling out a beauty profile describing my likes and dislikes if it is ignored? The only thing I am certain I will use in this box is the bonus item! I might as well use the shampoo sample, but let's be honest: I could easily get a shampoo sample like that in the mail from any hair company. The same goes for the perfume sample: it is so small. I could get a sampler this size at any department store. The true value of this box comes from the  lip care item, which I have no need for because I already love my own lip care staples by LUSH. The anti-aging cream sample is valued at $22.50 making the box worth well over the $15 I paid for it, but it is just not well-matched to my wants and needs.

I intend to give Glossybox one more month to redeem themselves. If they do not, I will sadly cancel my subscription. I was ever-so excited to see what they brought to the table, and I was dismayed by their lack of ANY make up or nail care items in their inaugural box. If Glossybox wants to charge $3 more a month compared to its competitors, it has to be willing to live up to high expectations. That being stated, the box itself was lovely, I adore the packaging and the prompt shipping was appreciated. If you wish to sign up for Glossybox, click here to sign up for next months. 

Tell me ladies: what did YOU think of the Glossybox debut? Did you get any variations on what I received? 
--S

29 comments:

  1. I would have to agree with -I think it was a bad PR move for Glossybox to send out ~amazing~ press boxes to get subscribers excited about their own boxes, only to send out a much less amazing box to the 'regular people' who are actually their majority of clientele. I will give another month or two with them.The box's in Uk, Japan etc all look amazing. Can't say this one was.. :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Thanks for checking out my blog :) I saw you liked my post on Facebook hehe.
      I will give it one more month, as I said. They better shape up or else they'll lose me as a subscriber! If they wanna charge more money than their competitors, they have to BRING IT! haha.

      Delete
    2. Yes,I liked your post on facebook :)

      I totally agree....

      Delete
    3. Seems like many are not impressed with Glossybox.. and this is there 1st box not good.

      Delete
  2. Great review and amazing sized products! I wish we had glossy box in the US :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will be coming to USA soon!

      www.glossybox.com

      Delete
    2. as marsbar35 mentioned, the USA will be getting glossybox soon, so you will be able to try your luck. :)

      Delete
  3. Loved the review...I'm kind of dreading receiving my box now.... I really wanted the Essie nail polish. Tbh, I was really excited when I saw the press boxes, but I didn't know that they were press boxes until someone mentioned it and then I saw the reviews for the boxes us non-press box receiving people got...and I was instantly not impressed. At least with Glymm, everyone's box was consistent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have read a few people on the facebook wall saying they got the polish- fingers crossed you are one of them! Its true, consistency is pretty important with these boxes because if some people get better samples, other people feel ripped off. We are all paying the same amount of money, so unless the boxes are made to suit our individual beauty profiles, they should be consistent. And CLEARLY they aren't packaged to suit our individual beauty profiles (boxes like Topbox do this).

      Delete
  4. Thanks for this review! Ugh that so sucky that that was the first impression they've made on you. Definitely not that exciting, the bar is set so high by other companies like topbox, luxebox, glymm ~ and now there's Juliep too, I've read some really good things about them. The market is becoming oversaturated with deluxe product services, which do we choose -____-" I've stuck to glymm/luxe just cuz I tried them first but I'm looking to switch it up if I see other companies that are worthwhile

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julep definitely caught my eye, but I am not that into nail polish. I would rather get one polish occasionally in my beauty box, than an entire beauty box focused on nail polishes. Julep is also pricey at 19.99/month.
      I do think luxe box is a good competitor for topbox, but I haven't been impressed with the glymm box reviews I've seen. I just really wish topbox was available sooner because from reviews, it interests me the most. They give out a lot of full-sized products in their boxes, which is awesome. I am excited to see your reviews of luxe/glymm this month- I may have to cancel glossybox and subscribe to luxe until May comes around and my topbox subscription gets filled!

      Delete
    2. I read one another blog that you can enter a promo code (not sure how long it will last) and you only pay one cent for the Julep Maven Box! COLOR2012 <<<<The code! I went through the check out and applied the code and it does take the price to one cent! If you don't like your style profile chosen for you, you can select a different one!

      Delete
  5. I too expressed my disappointment. I was really looking forward to my polish which I did not receive. I specifically did not tick off fragrances and hair care yet that is exactly what I received. I purposely did that because you can get those for free from any store or direct. My shampoo was also for fine colored hair and mine is thick and natural. I too said I would give it one more month and the we will see. My biggest beef was the ethics behind the press boxes. They purposely loaded them up to "buy" a positive revirew and ultimately increase their sales when what the customer actually receives is inferior.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My shampoo was also for fine and colour treated hair when I have natural and thick hair! They definitely did not look into our beauty profiles when preparing these boxes.
      I couldn't have put it better myself regarding the ethics of the press boxes. Bad PR for sure.

      Delete
  6. great review, I agree the press boxes were so much better than our boxes. Also, the lipstick we received was not full size, if u look on the card full sized is 5g and our sample was 3.5g. Still good but not a full sized item.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you for correcting me! I will edit my post to state that it isn't a full sized lip product! It looked big enough to be full size to me :P

      Delete
  7. I haven't gotten mine yet and I too am a little disappointed about the two different levels of Glossyboxes...it's not very fair...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well Jayne- there is a chance you got the nail polish! Make sure to post about your box when you do get it. :)

      Delete
  8. I'm totally agree with you. Did not like my glossybox either. Considering canceling this box.

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    1. I wish I had my topbox subscription ready to be filled-- I would give it one more month to see if it gets better either way though. Its a shame we're all so disappointed. Maybe they just had a hard time getting enough good samples for their debut, but they shouldn't have given the press boxes better samples because it definitely increased everyone's level of disappointment.

      Delete
  9. Great review! I'm on the same boat as you. Hoping that next month will be a winner. I gotta admit though, I loved the actual box, I will be reusing it for sure in the future :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes! the box is amazing quality and looks great. it is a winner in that regard!

      Delete
  10. I'd support a canadian based company over a german based one any day of the week. I've been really happy with both my Luxe Box and Glymm box, the values are always WAY over the subscription price, even if something isn't something I'd normally use. I like getting a mix of product, gets me to branch out a bit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes I am thinking if Glossybox isn't great next month I will subscribe to Glymm instead until my topbox subscription gets filled. I personally can't justify more than one sample subscription box a month, although I think the ladies who subscribe to all four are amazing and awesome!

      Delete
  11. I'm kind of dreading receiving my GlossyBox now :( I've seen so many excellent products others have received in GlossyBoxes over the past year (albeit not in Canada) so was very excited when I heard they were coming to Canada ...

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    Replies
    1. It is a shame that they haven't lived up to the hype. I kind of figured their first box would be amazing to set the precedent.

      Delete
  12. Great in-depth review - it seems a shame that the profiles you filled in weren't used to tailor the box to your preferences (and how you and another commenter got the opposite shampoo for your hair types!).

    I didn't realize Topbox was SO in demand - I kind of feel like signing up because of all the hype LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes I would kill to get my topbox subscription to be fulfilled sooner! but it seems like no current subscribers are cancelling (no wonder) so I am going to have to wait til May :(

      Delete

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