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Tuesday 28 January 2014

January 2014 Glossybox - Back to Basics Review

I've no doubt that you guys have read a million and one of the reviews on the disaster of the January Glossybox. I absolutely love my Glossybox subscription. Receiving five surprise beauty products a month really brightens my day, and I can't wait to rip open the box and dive right in to sampling and testing this and that. It's one of the highlights of my month, which is why when it goes bad, it goes really really bad. So let's see what products I received inside my box, the price of them, and my opinions.

The big hype this month was about the box redesign itself. Instead of the shallow, matte looking box with just the logo in the centre of the lid, the whole box is now bigger, deeper and has a glossy finish, and as you can see, the full name is now on the lid. I don't like the box redesign all that much, but really it's not about the box it's what's inside the box that counts.

As usual, the box had the Glossy magazine and the Back to Basics guide to the products inside your box, including where to buy and how much the full sized items are. These are nice touches, although I rarely ever read them (oops!). I did read them this time, though, to try and work out the price the box is worth.

Another change to the box design itself is the ribbon, which now has the Glossybox name and symbol instead of just a plain pink ribbon. I know a lot of people have a problem with this because they used the ribbon inside to wrap other people's gifts as well, which now can't be done. This ribbon is much thicker, so I think it looks a bit messier when you open it. But onto the products!


1. Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream - ''This multi-use cult moisturising cream from Japan revamps your skin, enriching it with vitamin E, vitamin B2, camphor and a uniquely high glycerine content. It's an essential for all skin care regimes.''  Full size £13.50 for 33g, I received 2x3g tubes worth £2.45, however it clearly states on the tube that these are testers and so are not intended for sale whatsoever, so the actual worth is £0.00



2. Anatominals Puffy The Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches''Looking like the walking dead? These under eye patches by Anatomicals will help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and revitalise the delicate skin around your eyes!'' Full size £6.00 for 3 pack, I received a 2 pack worth £4.00

3. Balance Me Super toning body wash - ''With a blend of juniper, bergamot, gernaium and lavender essential oils, Balance me's Super toning body wash is the best way to start your day!'' Full size £10.25 for 250ml, I received 50ml worth £2.05

4. Vaseline Essential Moisture Lotion - ''Is your skin weathering the elements? If so, then you need the Essential Moisture Lotion from Vaseline. Its non-greasy formulation and multi-layer complex absorbs quickly leaving your skin silky smooth and looking healthy.'' Full size £4.99 for 400ml, I received 50ml worth £0.62


5. The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers - ''Get rid of boring brows with these pretty floral tweezers by The Vintage Cosmetic Company. These high quality, stainless steel must-haves are the perfect accompaniment for every vintage doll's make up bag'' Full size £8

The total of this box is worth: £14.67

So what are my views on this box?
Well honestly I think it's a bit of a disaster. I know the theme was supposed to be "back to basics" but Glossybox promises "a diverse selection of 5 beauty treats that include niche, high-end and emerging brands" and we get given a sample of Vaseline. Let's face it, every girl, their mother, and their dog will have some form of Vaseline moisturiser in the house. I don't consider it to be niche, high-end or emerging. The moisturiser smells like a chemical factory and feels awful on the skin, leaving a greasy film that's unpleasant to the touch. I smelt like a Barbie doll, but not in a good way. In a plastic way. The cleanser is alright but the sample is so small compared to the free sample given away in a popular beauty magazine only a short while ago. The tweezers are pretty but that's it. They're absolutely awful at plucking anything because the tips don't press together properly. The little eyebrow hairs just slide right out. They'll make a nice decoration, though.

In fact, the only thing I'm even a little bit excited about is the under eye treatments. I have dark circles all of the time (darn you stupid genetics!) so I'm hoping this might help a little bit. Plus the packaging is fun and the catchphrases and blurbs are quirky and funny. 

The Glossybox team have spent more time on the box design than the products inside it. I feel that this "back to basics" theme was just an excuse to throw all of the old crap they no longer want into the box and ship them all out. I've since cancelled my subscription and am going over to Birchbox instead!

What are your opinions of Glossybox? Or Birchbox? Are there any other beauty boxes around that are worth checking out? Let me know! :)

9 comments:

  1. Usually I am very keen to try out at least a couple of items from my monthly Glossybox and always look forward to it but this Januarys one left me decidedly unimpressed. I have been with them for around 2 years and this is the only one I opened and closed again very quickly because it was a pile or crap - just in a fancier box. I have redeemed my Glossydots so next months box will be free and in the meantime I have ordered a mystery box from Love Me Beauty - that arrived within 4 days of paying (unlike Glossybox that can take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks to send after they have taken your money) and it contained 5 products, 4 of them FULL SIZE and and 1 very generous sample size. The selection did contain a very high end and expensive (worth £23!!) mascara and all the other items were also excellent brands and it was a real treat to receive it. I will be subscribing to both for the next month or so and will decide which one gets the boot!

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    1. I might subscribe again for February's box since it's apparently mostly make up based. I don't know though. Love Me Beauty sounds so much better. I've heard nothing but good things about it! I'm going to sign up to Love Me Beauty I think instead. So glad I'm not alone in being disappointed.

      Kerry x

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  2. Forgot to say I had the exact same stuff as you and my tweezers didnt meet at the ends either! Complete waste and not worth £8 of anyones money!

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  3. Yep, a very un-Glossy disaster from start to finish - not just with the products but with their absolute disregard for their customers. Simply Shameful! They disabled my ability to post on the Facebook site; I felt totally stabbed in the heart that I wasn't even worthy of the standard reply and some kisses at the end of it....So then I emailed their CEO Rachel Kavanagh and no reply - how odd?!
    I can't fault Birchbox - for the same money you really DO get niche & high end brands. I ordered a Love Me Beauty box just to check them out - good value so I will probably keep going with them. To their credit, I received the box within 2/3 days of ordering which is pretty awesome! And I've signed up to Lovelula which I can't wait for...:)
    So yeah...Hopefully GlossyBox have lost a huge chunk of their loyal & paying customers - Good Riddance!

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    1. I know exactly what you mean. I can get over a terrible box, I can't get over their blatant disregard for everyone and their feelings. If they didn't ignore you, they just completely brushed it off by saying "oh it was back to basics". Utterly terrible customer service. I've signed up to Birchbox now and might sign up to Love Me Beauty as well to see how they compare. I'm quite excited for both of them!

      Kerry x

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  4. I too am subscribed to glossy box and the last couple of boxes have been really disappointing! Im thinking of cancelling my subscription next month and signing up to a different box instead.

    www.britishbeautyaddict.com

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    1. Yep I've already cancelled mine and signed up for Birchbox. So far I've heard nothing but rave reviews about them! Maybe you could check them out as well? :)

      Kerry x

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  5. They got one thing right, it is definitely basic x
    Beautyqueenuk xx

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  6. Well they seem to be trying to placate everyone with the promise of an amazing Valentine *make up* themed box this month...even if it had MAC/Chanel & Bobbi Brown I still wouldn't give them my hard-earned on principle! My Birchbox is due any day...could you lovely ladies just look at my blog? It';s still very basic as I'm learning as I go but last month's BB is on there. Many many thanks :)

    http://fluffyjuju73.wordpress.com/

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