Glossybox Unboxing and Review: May 2013

Glossybox-US is celebrating their first anniversary in May, so naturally, the theme this month is “A Year of Beauty”. We received a nice summer-themed assortment of samples, some of which come from Glossybox-US hometown – the ever-glorious NYC.

About Glossybox:
Glossybox is one of the most popular international beauty subscription boxes, and now it finally came to the US. Each month Glossybox subscribers receive up to six deluxe-size to full size products from crème de la crème of international brands. At $21/month this is one of the more expensive monthly boxes, but the value of your box will always be above.
If you would like to use my referral link click here to join Glossybox. Thank you!

Nicka K New York Absolute Perfume Stick Dream #42
I like a lot of things about this solid perfume. It’s small enough to be a perfect fit for any purse, it’s solid so you don’t have to worry about spraying people around you if you need to quickly touch up in public, and it smells like my favorite Zents fragrance – Mandarin!
Overall: 4.5/5
Purchase: Yes

European Wax Center The Exfoliate and Slow It Body Wash
I was indifferent to these samples, because they were too small for me to properly evaluate them. However, they came with a little card valid for one free wax at any European Wax Center for first-time customers. Even though I don’t have any around here, I can at least give it as a gift to someone who lives near one.
Overall: 3/5
Purchase: No

Zoya Nail Polish in Tracie from Beach 2012 Collection 
I used a code to receive a free Zoya polish with my monthly box, and they sent me the color from a year-old beach collection. Not that I particularly care because it’s still a nice summery shade, but I just wish it was a little more current. The formula is fantastic as usual, I almost never have complaints about Zoya polishes.
Overall: 4.5/5
Purchase: Yes

Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray
My first encounter with Sebastian products didn’t go too well, so I was wondering if they will redeam themselves with this spray. I have very fine, limp, flat hair and I could totally use some volume at the roots. So, following the instructions on the bottle, I applied this spray on damp hair from roots to ends. First thought: smells like shampoo. I thoroughly sprayed my hair and tied it in a messy bun on top of my head for the odd chance that I’ll somehow produce voluminous beachy waves a-la Gisele. I must add that it didn’t feel sticky during the actual application, like I expected it to. However, after my hair air-dried, it became a big sticky mess and felt very crunchy… So far I’ve been disappointed with every single Sebastian product that I tried. Seeing how their products have amazing reviews everywhere I checked, it must be just me. Too bad 🙁
Overall 2/5
Purchase: No

Etre Belle Collagen and Aloe Vera Hydro Mask
My husband always runs and hides whenever I show up in the room with a sheet mask on my face. It really amuses me for some reason, and I always try to make scary faces to add insult to injury. He even asked me at some point to just stop using them, but I’m sure all of you can relate, that nothing works as well as a good sheet mask, and this one didn’t disappoint either. There are no instructions on the package, so I just used my experience with other similar masks and applied it for 30 minutes. My skin felt soft, supple, moisturized and looked like it glows from within! I seriously love sheet masks for that, it’s like they transform the look of my skin, and make it healthier.
Overall: 5/5
Purchase: Yes

Epionce Intense Defense Anti-aging + Repair Serum 
This slightly runny serum is fragrance-free, and it supposedly provides defense against aging and free radicals. I use serums daily, and switch them often so my skin doesn’t get used to a particular product, formula or ingredient, and so far this strategy seems to be working well for me. I don’t know if this serum is doing anything or not, because the sample is pretty small, but like I said earlier it’s scentless and very lightweight, so it should work for people with sensitive skin.
Overall: 4/5
Purchase: No

ModelCo Lip Duo – Lipstick in Dusk and Shine Ultra Lip Gloss in Striptease
I loved my ModelCo lip gloss that I got from one of my monthly subscriptions before [I think it was Birchbox iirc], and I instantly fell in love with the color and the formula. In this duo the gloss has a non-sticky texture that smells and even tastes like jolly ranchers, and the lipstick is very creamy and pigmented. And of course, they come with a signature little mirror on the side of the tube.
Overall: 4.5/5
Purchase: Yes

Box retail value: $77.61

The verdict: I liked this box more than I thought I would, and it really grew on me as I kept trying the products. The perfume is wonderful and very “me”, the Zoya nail polish is a beautiful pistachio color and I don’t even care anymore that it’s from last summer, and of course the ModelCo duo is going to be used a lot. I’m looking forward to the June box, which is supposedly going to be amazing!

Are you a Glossybox subscriber? What do you think of this month’s box?

Disclosure: I bought this.