My January Ipsy Bag - "Super Stars"

The January Ipsy Bag, themed "Super Stars," a Blue MicroFiber zipper bag with a star-studded lining, came loaded with nail polish, argan oil, body butter, hair spray, an eyeliner brush and coupon codes from participating vendors.

Here's a review of the items I received and descriptions as reflected on the brand websites:

Nailtini - Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer Flawless & Poreless - Frappe - Full size 15 ml/.5 fl. oz./$13 -  Pure all-premium nail color in sheer pale pink; Matching lip color available on tinibeauty.com. There is an offer for 30% off a future order on ipsy.com.

Josie Maran - Argan Oil - Sample size .17 fl oz/5 ml; Full size 1.7 fl oz/50 ml/$48 - This legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Use it as a fast absorbing daily moisturizer, or to heal and condition everything from cuticles to split ends.  There is a coupon code for 15% off a future purchase of $45 or more via ipsy.com.

Pacifica - Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter - Travel size 2.5 fl oz/73 ml/$7 - Smell incredible with our nourishing and anti-oxidant rich ingredients.  Our body butter helps fight signs of aging while adding deep moisture and protection.  Made with nature's best moisturizers - shea butter, almond oil and safflower oil -  Pacifica's paraben-free Body Butter is a skin must-have.  There is an offer for 20% on ipsy.com.

Sexy Hair - Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray - Sample size 1.5 oz/50 ml; Full size 10.6 oz/$17.50 - Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray gives your hair moveable and unbelievable volume, lift and hold. This firm, fast-drying volumizing hairspray leaves hair manageable and super shiny while defending it against damaging UV rays. Its extra strength won't diminish under humidity and it is great for any hair type.  A savings of $5 off a $25 purchase is offered on ipsy.com.

SOHO - Eyeliner Brush - Full size/$7.99 - The eyeliner brush has a compact, flat tip that makes it the perfect tool for applying single-stroke color, providing instant definition.  Each brush comes in a reusable tube with design tips.  Have I mentioned that the handle is ergonomically designed?  A savings of $3 off a Walgreens online purchase is offered on ipsy.com.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  for value of the product contents and introducing me to new products brands that I now love.  I just love it when I can try a new product and locating a full-sized purchase is easy.  The coupon codes are listed on the ipsy.com site so if you lose your insert card, you're not out of luck.

GLOSSYBOX - Refinery29 Holiday Chic Beauty Box - December 2012

For December, in addition to the regular GLOSSYBOX, there was a special edition Holiday Chic Beauty Box which was curated by Refinery29 ($45; www.refinery29.com).  The insert card reads, "'Tis the season to sparkle, and we hope this limited-edition GLOSSYBOX helps you do just that.  As part of Refinery29's Tinseltown, we chose some of our favorite brands and products to give you that extra-special holiday shine well into the New Year (think flawless skin, gorgeous hair, and a glowing complexion).  From all of us at GLOSSYBOX and Refinery29, please enjoy this special gift set -- we know you'll wear it well."

The contents of this shipment were as follows:

Booty Parlor - Flirty Little Secret Perfume - Full size: 0.33 fl oz./10 ml/$22 - Petite, portable, and packed with pheromones, this long-lasting perfume oil will stimulate your senses with an intoxicating blend of plum, raspberry, jasmine, cedar, and sandalwood.  Roll onto your wrists and neck and see what happens.

Cult Nails - Nail Lacquer - After Glow - Full size: 0.5 fl oz/15 ml/$10 - A rich, deep copper nail shade infused with a subtle pink shimmer.  Rest assured as Cult Nail Lacquers are cruelty free and do not contain DBP, formaldehyde, toluene and camphor.  Three coats for maximum opacity.

Josie Maran - Argan Color Stick - Love - Full size: 16 g/0.55 fl oz/$22 - This dual-purpose lip and cheek color provides flattering, glowing color while treating your skin with Josie Maran's signature argan oil.  Achieve a natural and long-lasting dewy finish while repairing and replenishing the skin.  Paraben- and fragrance-free.

Kelly Van Gogh - Rich & Delicious Caviar Hair Masque - Full size: 170 g/6 oz/$35 - Repair and restore overworked hair with this intense hair masque formulated with caviar oil, keratin protein, omega-rich fatty and amino acids.  This product functions like a spa keratin treatment for the hair, helping it become more manageable, shimmering.

Koh Gen Do - Cleansing Spa Water - Travel size:  3.38 fl oz/100 ml; Full size: 10.15 fl oz/$39 - Made with mineral-rich Japanese hot spring water, this best-selling spa water is infused with six essential herbs to cleanse, protect and nurture skin.  In a single sweep, it gently removes makeup and skin's toughest impurities. (2 Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton Pads were included.)

GLOSSYBOX Mag - 2013 Trend Guide Edition - A mini-magazine with brief articles on Trends, Q&A,  Talk, Editor's Picks, and Issey Miyake and Leandra Medine.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  This was a great box jam-packed with great items; most of which were full-sized.  Unlike other shipments, the contents were disclosed up front so there was no surprise as to what I was receiving.

Have you tried GLOSSYBOX?  How about Refinery29? What  are your thoughts?