Glossybox December 2013

Today I am so excited to share with you my December Glossybox! I haven't had a chance to try all the products in the box, but I wanted to get this post out before the end of December.  Enjoy!!

 

 

December Glossybox

 

I've always heard that these boxes were of a much higher quality than Birchbox. Still, I was quite surprised and impressed with the quality of the box when I received it in the mail! The pale pink box is very sturdy-I'm not surprised many people reuse the boxes for storage or gift wrapping. 

 

 

First look into the box!

 

I was anticipating getting the famous Glossybox magazine, only to just find a booklet with the product information. I'm not sure if Glossybox is discontinuing the printed issue of the magazine, but you can still access the magazine online via their website.

 

 

First peak at all the goodies!!!

 

 

NAILS INC. (Victoria Polish)

Full Size (0.33 fl oz)-$9.50 Value!

 

 For a polish addict such as myself, you may be surprised to hear I've never tried this brand!! I've known of it for quite some time, and I've been meaning to check it out though I've never gotten around to it. So I am super excited to get a full size in my box! I will do a separate post on this with swatches for you guys later!!

 

ANATOMICALS (You Need A Blooming Shower!)

Deluxe Size (5 fl oz)-$2.75 Value!

At first I thought this might be a full size product due to it's large size, but it turns out it's half of a full size. But this is such a generous sample size and I already know I love this body cleanser from only one use! It smells divine-the rose scent is so luxurious and you can't beat the price for the amount of product you get!! I am definitely interested in trying other products from this line!!

 

NAOBAY (Oxygenating Cream Moisturizing)

Deluxe Size (1.01 fl oz) -$26.73 Value!

While I already have my own skincare routine, I now like getting sample skincare products for use at the gym or my boyfriend's house! Plus, this is another generous sample size-it's more than half the full size!

 

DR. HUNTER'S ORIGINAL REMEDIES (Rosewater and Glycerine Hand Creme)

Deluxe Size (0.5 oz)-$5.56 Value!
*While some people may have based sample price off of the full size 2.5 oz tube ($14.00), I based it off the set of 3-0.3 oz tubes ($10.00) listed in the Glossybox booklet*

Another rose scented product! I am loving this hand crème so far-the scent is so pretty and it's a great size to keep in my clutch! The only thing I dislike about this product is the packaging-the lettering isn't centered on the tube.

 

 

MICHAEL TODD TRUE ORGANICS (Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask)

Deluxe Size (1 fl oz)-$10.00 Value!

I was so excited when I saw I would be receiving this product in my first Glossybox! I had received their Jojoba Charcoal Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub in a former Ipsy bag and really liked it. I'm so happy that I now get the chance to try the mask!!

 

Cost: $18.33

Value: $54.54!

 

What do you think of my first Glossybox? 

Are you signed up for Glossybox? If so, what did you receive this month?

 

If you don't receive Glossybox and would like to subscribe, I will be happy to send you an invite via email!

 

 

 

Ipsy Glam Bag December 2013

Merry Christmas everyone!! I finally took my computer to Best Buy and it turns out it has a bad hard drive. They are sending my laptop back to the manufacture to replace the hard drive, so I'll be with out my computer for another 2 to 3 weeks! I'll be back to updating regularly in a few weeks, but today I'm here to show you the contents of this month's Ipsy bag!!

 

 

This month's theme is Celebration!

December Glam Bag
 

  I absolutely love this month's bag design-even more than last month's bag! It is the perfect evening clutch-definitely a bag I'll be taking with me on a night out!
 

 

Pop Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio (Naturally Bare)

Deluxe Sample (0.15 oz)-$9.23 Value!

 

 Everyone got one of these mini palettes in this month's bag, but some received it in Smokin Hot, a smoky eye trio. Each palette consists of three shades from one of their Bright Up Your Life palettes.
 

 

At first I was disappointed to see I got it in Naturally Bare, but after trying out the shades I was happy I didn't receive the other version. The neutral colors are so gorgeous-I especially love the middle shade. I know I will get a lot more use out of this set than I would have the other palette.

FYI: While some people based the value of this trio on the number of eye shadows in the trio compared to the full size palette, I based it off of the weight in product (ounces).

 

Be a Bombshell The One Stick (Sunset)

Full Size (2.5 g)-$16.00 Value!

 

 Everyone also received one of these in their bag, but some got it in Flustered or Girl Crush. While I'm usually an advocate of multi-use products, I'm not a huge fan of all-in-one eye, lip, and cheek products. Plus, I don't love the bulky packaging and this isn't a color I would have chosen for myself.

 

J.Cat Beauty The Big Lip Pencil (Carmel Mocha)

Full Size (0.3 oz)-$3.99 Value!

 

You could have also received this pencil in Red Rose or a NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick (B52, Sky Pink, Ceto, Iced Honey, Cream, Celene, Iris Sunflower, Goddess, Fusion, Hermes, Mute, Miracle, Hades, Muse, Rose, Hebe, Fortune Cookie, or Apollo). While I was glad to not have gotten another red lip pencil, I was really hoping to get one of the NYX lipsticks.
 

 

Ardell Natural Lash (120 Demi Black)

Full Size (0.026)-$3.99 Value!

 

 This was one of the two variation items I received. Ipsters could have instead received Andrea Strip Lash (#33), Salon Perfect Perfectly Natural Strip Lashes (#53), Nicka K New York Nail Color (Classic Taupe or Ripe Apple),  Jesse's Girl JulieG Holiday Frosted Gum Drops (Sugar Plum Fairy), Starrily Nail Polish (Bzzz Bzzz), Demeter Snow Perfume Oil Roll On, English Laundry Signature Fragrances, and Mirabella Eye Blender Brush.

I was happy to get lashes in this month's bag because I've been meaning to start adding them to my beauty routine for occasional wear. I really wanted to try an unfamiliar brand, but I am content with getting the Ardell ones because they are so well known for their lashes.
 

 

Starilly Nail Polish (Bzzz Bzzz)

Mini Size (0.17 oz)-$5.00 Value!

 

 I viewed some of the other shades on their website and they have some really gorgeous colors-I'd especially love to try Sea Glass. But while I normally love to get nail polish, I'm not crazy about this shade. I think the bottle is cute, but it's not a color from which I'd get much wear.

 

Total Paid: $10.00
Total Value: $38.21!

This was probably the most lackluster bag that I've received. While the bag itself is my favorite thus far, the items in it weren't as exciting as I was expecting. But last month's bag was so amazing, it would have been really hard to beat.

 

If  you'd like to sign up for Ipsy, I'd love it if you'd use my referral link!

By doing so I can earn credit towards receiving an additional product in my bag to review!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birchbox December 2013

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in so long! My friend wasn't able to fix my computer, so now I have to take it back to Best Buy to see what they can do for me. But today I want to show you what I got in this month's Birchbox!!

 

 

Deceber Birchbox

 

This month's theme is Sparkle and Shine or Holiday 2013.

They changed the packaging of the box slightly this month, which was a nice touch.

 

 

Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee Cologne Absolue

Sample Size (0.05 fl oz?)-$1.33?

 

I had to estimate the cost of this sample since I couldn't find a size on the vial. I went with 0.05 since that seems to be the typical size for fragrance samples. I thought this had a nice scent, but I don't like it enough to purchase it. I definitely prefer the Viva La Juicy Noir sample I got in last month's box!

 

 

 

Number 4 Non-Aerosol Hairspray

Deluxe Size (30 ml)-$4.50 Value!

 

This was my favorite product in this month's box! This hairspray works well-it doesn't leave your hair crunchy at all! Plus it has a nice smell to it and the packaging is better for the environment!!

 

 

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (24-Hour Miracle Cream)

Sample Size-$1.87

 

This product claims to be a primer, moisturizer, and makeup remover all in one. According to the Cosmetics Cop this just has a basic formula not worth the hype because many moisturizers containing it's ingredients also work as a primer and makeup remover.

 

 

LAQA & Co. Fat Lip Pencil (Ring of Fire)

Deluxe Size (0.07 oz)-$9.69 Value!

 

I think this lip pencil is pretty cute-they even called this small version Lil' Lip! But I would have been more excited if they sent me a different color since I just received a red lip crayon in my Ipsy bag last month. I won't swatch this for you guys because I'll save it for when I'm done using my other pencil.

 

 

Chuao Chocolatier Chocolate Bar (Orange-a-go-go)

Deluxe Size (0.39 oz)-$0.84 Value

 

I loved getting this in my box-who doesn't like getting chocolate? But orange chocolate isn't my favorite, so I would go for a different flavor if I were to ever purchase it in the future.

 

Total Paid: $10.00
Total Value: $18.23

 I thought this box was okay, but I was expecting a lot more for the holidays. This was by far my lowest valued box and the least exciting.
  

What did you think of this month's Birchbox?

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