Friday, March 30, 2012

Unboxing: March's Glossybox (Canada)

Today, I received the (very much) long awaited March Glossybox.
One of their initial promises upon launching in Canada (debuting in February) was to have the boxes delivered by the beginning of each month, but from day one, this had never occurred.
It was a little annoying (infuriating?) that they never met this promise, and furthermore upsetting when they kept dodging the actual shipping date for the month and never publicly told its members that there would be a shipping delay until a couple weeks into March. Finally they apologized for the delay and provided a reason (waiting for one of the products to clear customs) and they finally decided to alter their original shipping policy to basically say they will charge and send the monthly subscriptions at varied times of the month (which honestly, its competitors have somewhat done the same anyhow).

So suffice to say, subscribers were definitely looking for an amazing box this month to make this wait worth it! Was it?





Contents
1. Bailey Cosmetics Fresh Lip Gloss - full-size received = $28.00
2. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - 71ml sample (354ml/$11.99) = $2.40
3. Evian Facial Spray - small retail size received (50ml) = $7.00
4. Pandora's Box Blush St.Tropez - full size received ? = $18.00
5. Sebastian Re-Shaper hairspray - small retail size received (43g) = $19.95
*bonus Algemarin Foam bath - 1 sachet (15ml) (full size is 750ml/$23.95) = 0.48

Total approximate value
$75.83 

Impressions
I'm pretty happy with everything I've received and am looking forward to trying everything out (so far, I haven't tested any of them).
At the very least, Glossybox has been holding true to its 5 deluxe sample (and more) promise.
The only product I've tried from the box (previous to receiving) was the Aveeno lotion. It used to be my everyday body lotion before I switched, so it's still a good one, and definitely a decent size. I'll probably take it traveling.

Also, normally I wouldn't care for the hairspray, as I am pretty hopeless with doing my hair (it's frustrating, and I can barely spend more than 5 min on it without going crazy). But I recently bought a curling iron. And my hair is straight and it seems impossible for it to hold a curl, so I know I'll need a crapload of hairspray to keep any curls (if I manage it) in place...so this will be handy.
Now, I just need to learn how to work a curling iron (it has a Marcel handle, not very smart for the uncoordinated like me).

Will I keep my subscription?
Yes. Despite having some issues (as with most new companies), I think it will eventually be ironed out and based on the last two boxes, I believe the company is staying true to its 5 deluxe item promise + putting out quality products/brands each month, which is what matters the most.
(Also, I've already canceled my Glymm box, so April will be my last month of receiving it). This makes me feel a tad better now about all my beauty subscriptions.


Do you think this month's Glossybox was worth the wait?

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Unboxing: March's Luxebox by Loose Button

I got my Luxebook  last Friday, but have been a bit preoccupied to post.
Here's the goods!




Contents of the box
1. Cargo triple action mascara - 4.5ml sample (full size is $20/8.87ml? ) = $10.15
2. Glitter top coat eyeliner - full size sample received? It doesn't say so on the card, but according to Dermstore.com, the full size item is 2.8 ml which is what I received...so I'll assume so? = $18.00
3. Loose Button Myscent
- CK one Shock for Her 1.2 ml sample (full size 50ml/$45) = $1.08
- Vera Wang Lovestruck 1.2 ml sample (full size 50ml/$79) = $1.90
- Marc Jacobs OH LOLA! 1.2 ml sample (full size 50ml/$79) = $1.90
4. JR Watkins Hand & Body lotion - 29ml sample (325 ml/$10) = 0.89

Total approximate value
 $33.92

Impressions
I was pretty satisfied with my box. I received the First in Line e-mail which notified me a day advance that members could reserve a product (unlike last time where there was no advanced notification). I was slightly worried I wouldn't get the item I wanted since I was in Vegas at the time, but had no issues reserving on my blackberry. It's possibly because I chose the Cargo eyeliner vs. eyeshadow (I have too many shadows, so didn't want another one). I read later that many people had some technical difficulties with reserving the shadow on the site.
The card that came with the box didn't specify what quantity the full-size glitter eyeliner is, but based on another website it looks like I received a full sized item. Score! I'm actually quite impressed with Cargo's line so far. I received the Cargo LashActivator in a previous box and it really made a difference on my eyelashes (nice and full, no clumping, but it was a bit heavy) so I'm glad to have a chance to try out some of their other products.

I actually liked all the perfume samples that I received...which is a first!!! So I'm happy. I think I like the CK Shock  for Her the most. Has a citrus/fruity scent.

Have yet to try the hand & body lotion but I've seen this brand around at Shoppers Drugmart. It contains 99% natural products, so it has a herbal scent, but I don't mind it too much. Will just add it to my growing lotion collection. I also received a coupon for $1.00 off any JR Watkins product at Shoppers.


Will I keep my subscription?
Yes. I'm about 99% sure I will be canceling my Glymm box though.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Unboxing: March's Glymm box

Woot, Glymm was on time this month :)
This month's theme was "Spring Fling".









Contents
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Hydrafull Gloss in Sorbet - 1.0 ml sample (full-size is 2.2 ml/$27.00) =$12.27
2. M.Asam Magic Fini cream - 5 ml sample (full-size is 30ml/$38.00) = $6.33
3. Nu-Me Feather Hair Extensions in Green - full sized item received (3/package) = $25.00
4. Ocean Nail Polish in Special Effects - full sized item received = $12.00
5. *bonus item* Lise Water Flash Lift - 1 ml sample

Total Approximate Value
$55.60 + bonus item


Impressions
I was satisfied with 3/4 items in this box, and the items were deluxe (2 were even full sized) so I guess I'd say this was a good month for Glymm.
I'm not sure if it's because I'm becoming a bit tired of beauty boxes, or tired of beauty items, or if I'm just severely sleep deprived, or hungry, but I wasn't even excited to run to my mail box and claim my box. And I didn't feel much enjoyment when I opened it either. I don't know, I'm having issues. Anyhoo.

Never heard of the brand Ocean, but full sized nail polish is always much appreciated. The color I got, Special Effects, is an intense/dark Christmas red color...which is exaaaactly what I was looking for...at Christmas time (and I never did find one either). It's not a color I'd wear off-holiday, and not what I'd consider a Spring Fling appropriate color. But you can bet I'll be wearing it in December, hah.

M.Asam Magic Fini cream is a BB cream, which promises "to conceal uneven skin tone for a light, matte, natural looking finish It smoothes away the appearance of wrinkles, enlarged pored and imperfections to reveal a sun kissed health looking skin tone. It's magical". This cream has a one-color-fits-all-skin-colors.
I did a quick research on it, and apparently it just magically fits your skin tone once it's applied (really?), Apparently, it's just that magical. In the pot it's a darkish tan color, and I'm fair skinned.
When I swatched it on my hand, it did blend in nicely, however it clumped up...probably because my skin was too dry. Haven't tried on my (also dry) face, but I have a feeling this is a rather drying cream that is much better for oily skin types.
I think I'll stick to my holy grail BB cream, though (Missha Vita BB Cream, in case you were wondering. Love this stuff).

Green feather hair extensions? That's a miss for me. Maybe if I was in Vegas. Which I was, but last week. Not sure what to do with these.

I'm happy for the Anastasia lip gloss...teeny tiny sample (surprising that full size is only about double this sample size, though). I have a lot of glosses that still need to be used, so I haven't tried this. I got a bright pink color which I'm feeling doubtful that I can pull off.

And the bonus...bonuses are always good. I got this same sample previously from Glymm (in December) which was also a bonus at that time. I still haven't tried it, nor am I crazy bout it, but the best price is free!