GlossyBox January 2015

Glossybox is a monthly subscription that sends 5 deluxe or full sized beauty products each month wrapped in a pretty box with a ribbon. They tailor your items based on a 15 question beauty profile that you fill out when you sign up. Brands are described on their website as high end, niche, and trendy beauty products. They do have a page on their website where you can see the brands they partner with. It is $21/month, $60/3 months, $115/6 months, or $220/year. You can cancel the monthly subscription at any time before the 14th of the month. Longer term subscriptions can only be cancelled the 14th of the last month they are active, then they auto renew. 1st billing occurs when you sign up. Afterwards, billing occurs between the 1st and 10th of the month. They send an email with tracking information when the box ships. Shipping in the United States is free ($5 to Canada). They do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or APO/FPO addresses. 

Items cannot be purchased from Glossybox directly, but the card that comes with the box explaining each product lists where they can be purchased. They mention in their FAQs that if you accidentally get the same item twice (I've not had this happen in my two boxes), then you can email them and they will send something in its place. I did work with their customer service when my box was showing as having been "delivered" but was no where to be found. It took about 24 hours to get an email response and then I had to file a case with the post office and give Glossybox the case number and wait for them to respond again. It took a few days to sort out, but once it was sorted out they sent me a replacement box within a week. 

They have a referral program called "glossydots." For every 1000 glossydots you earn, you get a free box. You get 20 glossydots for every review you complete each month (five total=100 a month). You earn between 250-1,000 for a friend signing up with your recommendation, depending on the subscription option that they choose. (Monthly=250, 6 months=750, a year=1,000). Monthly subscribers can redeem their free box online but "applying" it before the billing date. Longer term subscribers must contact Glossybox and let them know which month they'd like to use their free box in. 

Item #1: Vichy Purete Thermale 3-in-1 One Step Cleanser 1 fl oz Value: $2.91

I've seen this brand advertised at Walgreens and received it in another box as well. I'm usually not a drugstore brand shopper. Will probably give this one away. Also the bottle was pretty small.

Item #2: Skin and Co Roma Sicilian Light Serum 0.27 FL oz value: $12.69

I've never heard of this brand or tried it. However, if it does what it says (brightens, tightens skin, with collagen-boosting ingredients) then I will probably like it. Small Size again though. 

Teeez Trendy Cosmetics Beautiful Flat Brush Stiff Full Size Value: $23.50

I really like getting makeup brushes because I can always use more. I like having them in various places like my regular makeup area, makeup bag, work, etc. This one says stiff in the title and its definitely that. I'm not used to that, but it works really well and it actually fits in my makeup bag, where some brushes are too long. 

Item #4: Lollipops Eye Pencil in Goodbye Moon full size Value: $17.70

I'm sure this a great eyeliner. I like the price. I like the size. I did not try it because I'm going to use it for a gift, since I'm starting to drown in black eyeliner. I would have loved it if this had been any color but black, which I never even wear.

Kueshi Revitalizing Face Toner Full Size Value: $13.30

I've never heard of this brand and I honestly didn't use it, but gave it to a friend who seems happy with it. 

My overall first impression of Glossybox was disappointing. I liked some of the items, but I wasn't blown away like I thought I would be paying double the price of Birchbox. However, I did get a replacement box not the one I was originally intended, so I am giving a benefit of a doubt here. Overall value: $70. So I guess it was a pretty good value over the initial price. Curious to see whats in my next two as I have a three month subscription. 3/5 rating.

To Subscribe Click HERE

Love and Boxes, 

Rachel

Blush Mystery Beauty Box February 2015

Blush Mystery Beauty Box is a monthly subscription service that is $24.95/month for a subscription or $34.95 for a one time trial. Shipping is free. They guarantee multiple full size and travel size beauty products totaling at least $100. I will say website reviews say there are more sample sizes than in the past. Cancel anytime. Values are not given on the card they include, so I guessed at a few. Products can be bought online at their store. There is also a $20 off $100 coupon in the bag. They don't ship internationally. Also, they are changing the name to Beautyfix by Dermstore (per email I got today).They  curate the box and do not make them tailored to the person. 

Item #1: Juliette Has A Gun: Not a Perfume Sample 

Its a pefrume sample....I never really care to receive these. Value: $4?

item #2: samples of DHC skin products

Two small samples of these products, they aren't actually mentioned on the card included with the subscription value: $2?

item #3: Alterna Bambo Kendi Smooth Hair Treatment Deluxe Sample Value: $10

This is a product I already use daily and love and was so happy to find in this box!

item #4: 100% pure creamy nail polish in kiss Value: $12

Im not a nail polish person unless its gel, so this isn't my thing...I really can't say much on this

item # 5: Murad Acne Clearing Solution Sample packs Value: $3?

Also not listed on the card, so a bonus I guess

item #6: Wrap Up bun creator Value: $10?

I love these. I had one similar already but I use them for work all the time because its an easy way to throw your hair up nicely in a hurry. I saw complaints on the website about it being black and blondes  not being able to use it but I have red hair and if you use it right, you don't see the black...

item # 7: This picture may be upside down. This is another unmentioned item on the card but is a lavender lotion sample. Value: $3?

Item #8: Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10 value: $2

Can buy at drugstore and a one time use sample...meh

item #9: NeoStrata Skin Active Antioxidant Defense Serum Value: $5?

I really don't know the value. Its a decent size sample though

Item #10 Vichy Idelia Life Serum Deluxe Sample Value: $5

Its still a drugstore brand, not to say its not a good brand. I just think if they promise $100 worth...

Item #11: Tocca Beauty Perfume Value: $5

Another perfume sample

Item #12: Cargo Full Size Liquid Eyeliner in black Value: $20

This seems like a great product and worked really well. I didnt need it so I gave it to Liz, who really likes it. I had not heard of this brand but I got a lip gloss from the same brand in another subscription box

Item #13: Tocca Full Size Body Cream Value: $20

I really liked this item. This is a sephora brand, which since Sephora is pretty much my heaven, makes me feel good about the brand. I also like the texture and the smell, because its light. The website said members did not all get the same scent though. They would get one of three. The packaging of this is a little funny. Like diaper ointment, but thats not the fault of blush. 

I really liked this box. I think it had a lot of great stuff in it. I cancelled several beauty boxes in order to add other boxes, and I decided to keep this one for one more month at least since the items where actually really nice. I give it 4/5

Visit http://www.blush.com to subscribe

Love and Boxes, 

Rachel

SPLENDIES January 2015

SPLENDIES is a monthly subscription service (it comes in a regular mailing bag, not a box, bummer) that sends three pairs of underwear based on the size and styles you specify. You can choose no thongs, all thongs, or surprise box. I do the surprise box,which can contain thongs, tangas, boy shorts, bikini styles in lace, cotton or a variety of styles, colors, patterns, and materials. If you do all thongs then any seasonal underwear (Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc) are not guaranteed. Each person's box varies based on size and style preference. 

It used to cost $13.99/month (If you subscribed by Dec 31st, 2014 you're grandfathered in to the original $9.99-they upped the price to try and up the quality, however, their page still says $9.99). There is no option to pay for mutiple months. They ship to the United States and Canada ($7 additional shipping fee) and hope to expand. Your subscription can be paused or cancelled at any time. One negative is Splendies doesn't personally do plus size, however, they have a plus-size option called Volupties, that looks like they send very similar items for $17/month. There is also a LUXE version, in which you pay $45/month for three pairs of premium brand underwear in a ribbon tied keepsake box. I'll have links and codes for all three at the bottom! They ship new orders weekly, which is nice, since a lot of companies make you wait until the next month. Renewed subscriptions typically bill on the 10th and ship on the 15-19th. They send a tracking number in an email when your package ships. 

Their website has no actual log-in page or account you can create. You can change size or pause or cancel your account, which is kind of confusing. It seems you get an email with a custom account manager for changing your card and such, but not much more. They have a blog that answers most questions though. They do have a monthly survey that you can fill out about what you liked and didn't like about the items you got (or if you didn't get that item, you can skip it). They also have a newsletter that you can subscribe to. You can also post a picture what you receive with the hashtag #splendies on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and possibly win one month free. Also for every 3 friends that you get to enroll, you get one month free. I believe this link is sent to you via email when you first sign up? When I linked it to Facebook and clicked on it, it just went to the website, so I am not sure how it keeps up with who's link you clicked. 

Item #1: Tre Sexy Collection by Ohlabicheri Black boyshorts with tie ribbon side ties and pink bow and heart on the back at the top Value: $7.98

These were really cute but the sizing was less than to be desired. They were a S/M or M/L? The S/M was really more like a medium and looked like it wouldn't fit me so I gave it to my roommate, Liz, who really liked them. When looking the website up that the brand came from, OMG at the slutty...interesting

Item #2: Rene Rofe Lingerie Bikini Panty Polyester/Spandex blend in bright yellow with hearts and anchors. Value: $7.95

These feel like bathing suit bottoms, which makes me weary about wearing them due to worrying about girl issues. Also, they look a lot more tween or young girl patterned than adults. Not really my thing. Also, sizing might be another issue. They say 5/Small. I definitely cannot wear a 5. I haven't tried them on though because I plan on finding them a home. Any takers?

Item #3: Frederick's of Hollywood Cotton Thong in Bombshell Pink Value: $6 (5/$25)

These are the only ones I really liked. They look like they still might be a bit big, but at least they aren't too kiddie looking, and they are a lot more useful for regular everyday wear, since they won't show through clothing. I like the solid color, but I don't mind patterns, just not the one they send on the yellow undies. 

Total Value: $21.93. Considering I paid $5.99 for this month (I had a $4 coupon), I don't think this is bad at all! I want to see the Valentine's month they promise is going to be interesting, but after that I'm not sure I will continue because of the sizing issue mostly. If it were not for that, I would probably keep it, especially since I saw some of the other people's January boxes and was jealous they got some of the ones I did not. The smalls aren't quite small enough for me. I did try the LUXE box because of a coupon, so we will see how that goes. 

Subscribe to SPLENDIES Use Code "SPLENDIES" to get $4 off

Subscribe to LUXE  Use code "LUXENEW" to save 20% off 

Subscribe to Volupties Use Code "VOLUPTIES" to save $5 off

Love and Boxes, 

Rachel 

Birchbox Man January 2015

Birchbox Men January 2015 

As I said in my initial introduction, Birchbox was how I got into Subsciption Boxes. This was the second box I subscribed to and ordered it for my boyfriend, K. He really likes it! He's in medical school so the sample size items are great for throwing in an overnight bag for long shifts. It's also helped him keep his skin care routine up. He was definitely skeptical at first, but considering he's gotten things like 2 pairs of black socks, a wooden tie pin, a regular tie, headphones, a pocket square, and every kind of shaving cream you can imagine. He did have a complaint that while always having an extra shaving cream around was great, they only lasted one shave or so and were usually not any better than what he got at the store.

Typically, Birchbox Man includes 5-6 deluxe size samples and usually some kind of full-size lifestyle accessory (see the examples above). Items they send range from haircare, shaving needs, skin care, bath and body, lifestyle, the occasional food item (usually a protein or snack bar), and fragrances. Most items are high end brands or up-and-coming companies (usually the lifestyle products). This is K's fifth box and we've yet to have a repeat item. They personalize the items that you receive based on your "grooming profile", which can be updated as your needs change, so that guys with no beards don't get beard products, etc. they so far seem to do a great job with this. Also, sometimes they send and email allowing you to choose one of three of the full-size lifestyle items to go in your box, so you get to pick the one you want the most. Each box includes a description of the product and how to use it. 

Birchbox Man is $20/month or $195/year. Shipping is free to the U.S. They also can ship to France, Spain, the UK, and Canada, but they use different websites for these countries (click on the name of the country for their link), except Canada. Cannot ship to other countries. Sales tax may apply in NY, NJ, MA, TN, VA, and WA.  The box typically ships around the 20th and usually arrives before the end of the month. Monthly subscriptions bill on the 15th of the month. 

Cancel at any time before the next month has been billed. Yearly subscriptions can only be cancelled within the first month. Birchbox has a store that you can purchase items you love in as well as other items and specialty boxes, usually that have a theme. You can return any product you are not satisfied with within 90 days for a full refund and shipping is free of charge. They will honor any promotional codes on items purchased within 3 days of the promotion release date by contacting customer service.  Only one promotional code can be used at a time.

Birchbox's customer service phone line is great about answering questions and replacing missing or damaged items. With my women's box, I once had an item come damaged, got sent a replacement sample that was also damaged, so they sent me a full-size version for free and gave me extra points! (I'll get to the points in a second).

Birch box points program. You receive points that can be redeemed for dollars to spend in the Birchbox store. For every dollar you spend in the store you get 1 point. If you refer a friend through the Birchbox Refer-A-Friend Program and they sign up you will receive 50 points. Signing up for a monthly subscription gets you 20 points and 195 points for a yearly subscription. You can also review items that were in your box for 10 points a piece (up to 50 points per box). Points expire after one year. Birchbox also has a program called Birchbox Aces, which is their VIP program. You must earn 500 points within a calendar year (and do so each year) to qualify. Once you become a Birchbox Ace you get free shipping on all qualifying orders of $100 or more on full-size products. You also receive concierge service from their team of discovery specialist, exclusive and early access to special offers, Aces anniversary gifts, and more surprises. My Birchbox Women and Birchbox Men are on the same account so thats another good way to rack up points faster!

Now for the January 2015 review!

BTW, this box was one that allowed you to pick one of the items you received from three choices. Birchbox Man and Woman do this on occasion. The choice in this case was between the organizer trio (cord keepers, bungee cords), Explorer's kit (which showed a vague picture and little explanation), and a quick connect duo (description given: plug in anywhere with space to space). K chose the organizer trio and found the other two hard to even figure out what they were 

Item #1: Quirky Wrapster Earbud Cord Wrap in white. Full Size. Value: $1.99

This item is pretty neat. It keeps your headphones from getting tangled in your purse, backpack, pocket, etc. It also has an awesome price point of only $1.99! This was definitely an awesome item to include and it's something I'm considering getting myself, since this is K's box! 

Item #2: Quirky Cordies in green. Full Size. Value: $4.99

Really neat desktop product that keeps all your cords neat and untangled. It makes it a lot easier to find the one you want to unplug or plug in easier. This is the "quirky" kind of neat gadget I probably would buy for myself or a friend (I could see this making an awesome stocking stuffer!)

Item #3: Ernest Supplies Protective Matte Moisturizer. Sample Size. 0.3 fl oz Value: $3

First off, I really like the packaging, which is very guy friendly. Second, this seems to be a great product as well. It does not have much, if any, of a scent, it doesn't leave residue, it is not too greasy, but it does leave skin feeling moisturized. The "matte" part is definitely the key word here, as it does not leave dudes looking shiny. It would also appear a little goes a long way, which means this should last K a little while.

Item #4: Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash. Deluxe Size. 1 oz. Value: $3.12

Two face washes (and a soap, below) in one box kinda stinks, but the three neat accessories seam to make up for it. It is charcoal based, so the texture is not that of your typical face wash. Overall opinion, it gets your face clean, but nothing special. K still loves his Clinique. 

Item #5: Proper Bar Soap Elderflower with Lychee, Pear, Jojoba, and Aloe. Travel size. 1 oz. Value: $2.56

K hasn't actually used this yet, as he wants to save it for when he needs to take it somewhere on a trip as a travel size. His general opinion is soap is soap, so less than excited about this. 

Item #6: Quirky Hook Up Carabandits 6 pack of small, medium, and large. Full Size. $7.99

This is really neat. Just looking at the used on the packaging is pretty fun. Basically, this is one of the more useful items K has gotten in a Birchbox. He bikes and owns a Jeep so these will definitely come in handy. Another thing I can see adding to stockings next year!

Overall, I would say this Birchbox Man for January was a success! K liked a lot of the items (especially the Quirky items) and he also has some back up travel samples, which is always good. Rating 4/5. 

If you would like to Subscribe to Birchbox Man (or the Female Version) please click HERE

Coupon Code for Birchbox Men for $10 off through 02/15/15 "BBM10BACK"

Love and Boxes,
Rachel