I subscribed to Glossy Box in June (one month after the May US launch). When I received my first box, I wasn’t absolutely in love with it. The products just didn’t excite me at all so the $21/month price tag seemed really steep compared to my beloved $10/month Birchbox. I decided to stick it out and try another month before throwing in the towel and before reviewing the items I received and the service in general on this blog. I am glad that I did because I have changed my mind a bit about Glossy Box.

If you don't know what GlossyBox is, it is a monthly subscription service where you pay $21 a month for 5 deluxe luxury samples. Also included with the box is an issue of their monthly magazine.

After using the products I received and not throwing them to the side as I originally had, I do find value in the service. It won’t replace Birchbox for me; rather it will give me another vehicle to try products I wouldn’t normally.

The June Edition of Glossybox was themed Summer Simplicity. I don’t see actually how these products are specific to the Summer Simplicity theme, but whatever. You could argue a lot of different random products fit in just as well, but that’s irrelevant.

Here is what was include in my June box:

AHAVA Mineral Botanic Hibiscus & Fig Velvet Cream Wash – I didn’t try this until just the other day because I couldn’t get over the smell in the bottle. In the bottle, it smells just like Robitussin, which is not exactly my scent of choice. I watched a bunch of reviews on YouTube and on read a few blogs of people that also received this in their June box and everyone raved about the scent. I thought maybe everyone was just crazy. I decided to give it a chance and quite liked it. On the skin, it actually has a light pleasant smell and it made my skin very soft. The sample I received is 3 oz. The full size is 17 oz. and retails for $22.

First Aid Beauty FAB Smooth Shave Cream – This gave me a very close shave with no irritation. I usually use Aveeno’s Positively Smooth because it slows the hair growth; I got about the same amount of time with the First Aid Beauty FAB Smooth Shave Cream. I received a full size product of this (2 oz.) which retails for $7.50.

***Ofra Cosmetics, Eye Shadow ICE in* *Goldilocks*** – I didn’t use this but swatched in on my hand. The color in the tube left me very apprehensive to try it. Goldilocks is very deep mustard gold. Blended out it is very pretty. It will probably be more of an evening color for me, so I just haven’t had the chance to use it. (My life is boring!) I received the full size product of this (0.47 oz.) which retails for $17.50.

Vbeaute, Lite Up™ & Buying Time™ & Eye Never™ - I haven’t used these products yet because my skin responds well to my current regimen so why mess with a good thing. I received .033 oz. samples of each of the 3 Vbeaute products. Full size Lite Up™ comes 1 oz. for $150.00, Buying Time™ comes 1.7 oz. for $135.00, and Eye Never™ comes 0.5oz. for $85.

Wella, Enrich Moisturizing Treatment - This was a good, rich conditioning treatment and smelled nice. I received a .84 oz. sample. Full size if 5.07oz and retails for $12.

The July Edition of Glossybox was themed Summer Nights. Again, I think they just pick a theme that one could argue most products could fit into. None of the products are specific to evenings, so the theme is kind of a stretch.

Here is what was include in my July box:

Alessandro International, Pedix Heel Rescue Balm – This was softening and not greasy at all. It wasn’t super rich as I would use at night with socks, but it’s great for the start of the day because it doesn’t cause my feet to slip down my shoe like a thick butter or petroleum would do. I received a 30 ml sample while the 100 ml full size retails $18.50.

Ofra Cosmetics, Universal Eyebrow Pencil - I don’t know if this is actually a universal shade. It matched me well and I have dark brown/black eyebrows. This was way too waxy for me. It matted down my eyebrows and looked horrible. I’ll stick to my Anastasia browwhiz. I received the full size .04 oz. that normally retails for $10.

Sebastian Professional, Color Ignite Multi Tone Shampoo – While this is not sulfate free, it didn’t lather like I would have expected. It was okay; I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. It is for multi-tone or lighted color-treated hair, which I don’t have. I do color my hair but just use a semi-permanent to cover grays. I didn’t notice it prolonging my color. I received a 1.7 oz. sample while the 8.4 oz. full size retails for $14.95.

Sebastian Professional, Color Ignite Multi Tone Conditioner – This is a foam conditioner, which was new to me. I didn’t mind the foam texture, but it did nothing to condition my hair. I ended up using a different conditioner on top of it, because it was has rich as I like. The sample I received was 1.65 oz. The full size 6.6 oz. retails for $16.95.

Senna Cosmetics, Double Dose Lip Lacquer – I have so many lip glosses that I didn’t even open this one. The color is Chocolate Cherry. Both sides seem to have some glitter in them. The lighter color is very pretty and something I would probably wear. I received a full size tube (.034 oz.) that retails for $22.00

Caswell-Massey, Almond and Aloe Hand & Body Emulsion – I haven’t tried this either, but will probably save them for next time I travel. I received two packets (.17 oz. each) so they will be easier to pack then a bottle of body lotion. The full size of 10 oz. retails for $24.

Overall I am pleased with the products I have received so far from GlossyBox. The samples sizes are good sizes, and both months I have received two full sized products. Given the full size prices I find the monthly cost reasonable. Their billing is odd however. My credit card was billed for my July box before I even received my June box. Now it practically mid-August and I have yet to be charged for my August box. Unlike Birchbox, you cannot purchase the full size products directly from Glossybox. The links on their site bring you directly to the manufacturer of each product.

I am excited to have been invited to sign up for Loose Button’s Luxebox. It is a Canadian service similar to Birchbox and Glossybox that is launching in the US. Unlock Birchbox and Glossybox, Luxebox is a seasonal service, releasing a new box once a season. I am excited to try it so look out for a review once I have received the box.