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?

GLOSSYBOX Shipment - September 2012

I survived Hurricane Sandy as well as the Nor'Easter.  Sorry I have not posted in a while.  As you might imagine, things got hectic.  Now that I have power, I can review some of the shipments that I have received.  The September installment, entitled Fall Forward, included shampoo, conditioner, a beauty balm, lipstick, and a makeup remover.  The insert card reads, "From the all fashion runways to the season's latest beauty trends, GLOSSYBOX offers a forward look into new products, formulas, technologies and colors of the season.  This month, we celebrate beauty's breakthrough prodcts and offer a mixed set of forward thinking essentials.  From a one-step spa treatment that enriches the skin, to a power packed smoothing system to tame tresses and a natural lip refresher with a kiss of color.  All this paired with the ultimate multi-tasking miracle for the face, this month's cache of luxuries will keep you beautiful and current!"

The contents of my September shipment were as follows:

GKHair - Moisturizing Shampoo - Sample size; Full size: 10.1 oz/$20 - Nourished with plan extracts, this superior smoothing shampoo will purify and moisturize the scalp and hair.

GKHair - Moisturizing Conditioner - Sample size; Full size: 10.1 oz/$20 - This gentle moisturizing conditioner puts the finishing touch on your tresses and leaves your hair smooth, radiant, and revitalized.

Koh Gen Do - Cleansing Spa Water - Full size: 3.38 oz/$13 - Made with mineral-rich Japanese hot spring water, this best selling spa water is infused with six essential herbs to protect and nurture skin.  In a single sweep, it gently removes makeup and skin's toughest impurities.

Kryolan for GLOSSYBOX - Moisture Rich Lipstick - Glossy Pink - Full size: 0.14 oz/$14 - Treat your lips to a creamy, long lasting lipstick with Vitamin E to stimulate and hydrate your lips.  This perfect pop of GLOSSY pink compliments all skin tones and lifestyles.

MISSHA - M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 - No. 27 Honey Beige - Full size: 1.69 oz/$29.99 - Hailing from Korea, this Blemish Balm, also known as BB Cream is a multi-tasking powerhouse for the face.  This multi-use cream provides light coverage, soothes, protects and moisturizes.  Suitable for all skin types.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  I loved the mix of products I received this month.  All the products were items I could use and fell within my shade range.  With the value of the items included in this shipment exceeding $60, this shipment was a bargain.