GLOSSYBOX November 2012 - Refinery29's The Hit Kit

The November 2012 GLOSSYBOX is the Refinery29 - Limited Edition - The Hit Kit; monthly subscription: $21; www.glossybox.com.  The insert card reads, "The Refinery29 curated "Hit Kit has arrived!  This collection of elite skincare products, hand-picked by R29's Senior Beauty Editor Megan McIntyre, is stocked with her fabulous favorites.  Now you can get your hands on her must-have items in this ultimate "Hit Kit,"; including everything you need for radiant glowing skin.  Plus, it also includes a surprise product exclusive to GLOSSYBOX - the new OPI GoldenEye nail lacquer from the limited edition James Bond collection in honor of the new 007 Skyfall film."

The contents of my November shipment were as follows:

Lierac - Lierac Creme Mesolift Moisturizer - Sample size: 0.54 oz./15 ml; Full size: 1.8 oz/$54 - Rich and hydrating, this cream has a high concentration of AHAs, Vitamins B5, B6, A, C, and E, helping tone and energize your skin.  Use daily to bring an immediate boost of radiance and vibrance to your complexion.

MISSHA - M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 - No. 23 Natural Beige - Sample size: 20 ml; Full size: 50 ml/$29.99 - Hailing from Korea, this Blemish Balm, also known as BB Cream, is a multi-tasking powerhouse for the face.  This amazing cream provides light coverage, soothes, protects, and moisturizes.  Suitable for all skin types.

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer - GoldenEye - Full size: 15 ml/0.5 fl oz/$8 - Release your inner Bond Girl with one of twelve limited-edition lacquers celebrating 50 years of Bond 007.  Two to three coats are recommended.

PHYTO - Phytonectar Oil - Sample size: 10 ml/0.33 fl oz; Full size: 1.7 oz/$30 - A pre-shampoo hair nourishing treatment that penetrates each strand of hair - bringing damaged, dehydrated hair back to its original softness and shine.  After application, wash out before shampooing.

Rosebud - Mocha Rose Lip Balm with Vanilla - Full size: 0.5 fl oz/$6 - Mocha Rose Lip Balm is a blend of essential oils, shea butter, vitamin E and natural beeswax infused with mocha, chocolate, and vanilla coffee shop flavors.  Perfect for parched chapped lips.

vbeauté - Rub Off Gentle Facial Exfoliator -  Infused with rosemary and coconut, this gentle exfoliator uses super fine particles to remove dead skin, minimize pore size and help control shine.  The Alpine Rose Botanical Technology (ARBT) helps preserve, protect and reinforce the skin barrier to bring new life to the face.

GLOSSYBOX Mag - Winter Edition - A mini-magazine with brief articles on Trends, Talk, Who's Who in Beauty, What's New, Star Style, Editor's Picks, and International Beauty.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  This was a great box jam-packed with great items.  I am still working on the BB Cream from an earlier box but I love this smaller tube.  It's great for my gym bag.  The polish shade was very festive and timely with the new Bond movie racking up at the box office.

Have you tried GLOSSYBOX?  What do you think of this subscription service?

July 2012 BeautyBar.com/Allure Sample Society Shipment

Allure Magazine has partnered with BeautyBar.com in launching a beauty sampling program.  Each monthly shipment costs $15 dollars and contains 5 deluxe samples as well as a $15 gift code for a future purchase, and a booklet of tips.  If you end up using the code, the box pays for itself.

The July 2012 shipment contained the following:

• Borghese - Tono Body Creme (1 oz/28 g; full size 8.4 oz/$36.50) - An extra-rich treatment creme that locks in hydration with moisture intensifying molecules. 
  The body is veiled in invisible moisture, which becomes obvious in both the appearance and texture of the skin.
  Firms and smoothes skin tone.
  Features & Benefits:
  • Fennel, Witch Hazel, Matricaria, Horse Chestnut and Ivy Extracts - Hydrate skin and improve tone and texture
  • Acqua di Vita Living Water Complex - Restores all-over moisture balance
  • Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender and Geranium Oils - Treat the senses to aromatherapy

• VBeauté- Eye Never Nourishing Repair Eye Crème (0.033 fl oz/1 ml sample; full size $85) - VBeaute Eye Never is an age-defining, line concealing eye cream that immediately smoothes and silkens the delicate skin around the eyes, minimizing the appearance of puffiness, lines and wrinkles. Formulated with the brand's powerful age-defying complexes, this eye cream boosts collagen production while protecting against free radical damage. At the same time, it helps increase moisture and relax muscle contractions to help prevent future signs of aging.

• Sisley-Paris - Hydra Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration (0.14 oz/4g/4ml sample; full size 40ml/$250) - 


If you are suffering from major skin dehydration, turn to Sisley Hydra Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration. Developed with a three-tiered approach to treatment, this formula uses botanical, mineral and aromatic extracts to replenish skin’s thirsty moisture cushion in the epidermis, dermis and stratum corneum layers of the skin. Skin is left intensely moisturized and revitalized, so that wrinkles and line lines are minimized and elasticity and youthful appearance are restored.
• Hydrating anti-aging skin treatment
• Utilizes botanical, mineral and aromatic extracts
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Restores skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance
Especially Suited For: All skin types
Essential Elements: Hydra Global features a unique combination of botanical (padina pavonica, wild pansy and chestnut), mineral (malachite) and aromatic extracts (essential oils of marjoram, lavender and sage) to hydrate and restore skin.
For Best Effect:Use Hydra-Global morning and night, on perfectly cleansed face and neck.

• Vincent Longo - Duo Eye Pencil - Sangria/White Glimmer (Full size 0.64 oz/1,81g/$26) - Smile your way through a glitzy event or a stop at the coffee shop with Vincent Longo’s Duo Lip Pencil. Providing you with maximum creativity and minimal guesswork, this smudge-resistant pencil is easy to apply and long-lasting. The soft texture and rich pigment allow for precise definition and shaping.
  
  
  • Sharpens without breakage
  • Non-chapping
  • Long-lasting
  • Smudge-resistant
  
  
  Available in 10 duo shades, this lip pencil has proven staying power that holds your lip color in place and eliminates bleeding.

• Jouer - Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 (0.17 fl oz/5 ml sample; full size $38) - 
Jouer Cosmetics Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 evens out imperfections and fades the appearance of fine lines with its light-diffusing multi-mineral formula. This lightweight, water-resistant, hypoallergenic tint features SPF 20 to protect from UVA and UVB rays while ginseng and gingko biloba leaf extract deliver antioxidants to the skin, promoting a healthy complexion.
• Moisturizing brightening tint formulated with SPF 20
• Evens out imperfections and fades the appearance and fine lines
• Water-resistant, hypoallergenic and oil-free
Especially Suited For: All skin types
Essential Elements: SPF 20 protects from UVA and UVB rays while ginseng and gingko biloba leaf extract deliver antioxidants to skin.
Free of: Fragrance, oil
For Best Effect: Apply to clean skin to even out skin tone. Layer for additional coverage.

Here are swatches of the tinted moisturizer and the duo lip pencil:




Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint; Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil Sangria, White Glimmer

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint - blended; Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil Sangria, White Glimmer

July's tips:

1. Moisturize Your Body Like a Pro
2. How to Hide Crow's Feet
3. The Three Things Dry Skin Hates
4. Bold Lip Lessons
5. Look Good When You Oversleep

Overall rating: Booyah!

Membership is limited so if you get the chance to join the Sample Society, I highly recommend it.