GLOSSYBOX - January 2013

To kick off the new year, GLOSSYBOX partnered with Leandra Medine for the special "Man Repeller" edition of GLOSSYBOX ($21; www.glossybox.com).  The insert card reads, "Hey friend!  Pleas enjoy this Glossybox even though you are so damn pretty, you don't need the aid of my fav. products. "Kiss", Leandra (MR)."

The contents of this shipment were as follows:

Estée Lauder - Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara - Sample size: 0.1 oz/2.8 ml/Full size: .27 oz/$25 - Three different high-volume fibers create audacious, false-lash effect.  Lustrous color leaves eyes brighter, wider, more seductive than ever.  Build bigger, bolder, more extreme lashes at the Estée Lauder counter today.

Fresh - Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum - Sample size: .17 oz/5ml/Full size: 1 oz/$35 - Umbrian Clay, Fresh's proprietary ingredient, has a uniquely high mineral content that works to neutralize acidity, purifying and clarifying the complexion.  This treatment formula tones and hydrates while controlling shine and minimizing the appearance of pores.

Le Métier de Beauté - Replenishing Daily Solution - Sample size: .10 oz/3 ml/Full size: 1.17 oz/$225 - This rich, emollient formula protects, conditions and hydrates while it nourishes, rejuvenates and detoxifies skin, restoring a health suppleness to your skin.  Paraben-free.

Narciso Rodriguez  for Her Eau de Toilette Spray - Sample size: .03 fl oz/1 ml/Full size: 1.6 oz/$77/3.3 oz/$104 - A fragrant harmony of musk, intimately refined with a floral facet developing gently and slowly, rounding out into the feminine warm tones of sun-kissed skin, dusted in soft, velvet-like sensuality.

OPI - Can't Let Go Liquid Sand Nail Lacquer - Full size: 15 ml/0.5 oz/$9 - A unique matte purple shade with subtle accents of reflective shimmer.  This long wearing liquid sand lacquer dries to a matte finish which means no top coat is necessary!  Apply base coat and two coats of color for full opacity.

Sebastian Professional - Potion 9 - Sample 1.7 fl oz/50 ml/Full size: 5.1 oz/$19 - The ultimate versatile styling cream infused with nine botanical extracts to help restore lost moisture and rejuvenate the healthy look of your hair.  Perfect for styling your wet or dry hair into multiple looks with flexible hold.

tarte - Glamazon Pure Performance 12-hour Lipstick - Fierce  - Full size: .07 oz/$26 - Achieve vivd long-lasting color with a superb blend of emollient-rich butters (mango, avocado and shea) encapsulated in Tarte's 12-hour power formula.  Helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines leaving your lips with a perfect plumped-up appearance.

GLOSSYBOX Mag - Winter Beauty Edition - A mini-magazine with brief articles on The Man Repeller, Natural Beauty Tips, Trends, Q&A, and more.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  This was a great box jam-packed with great items so the retail value made this box well worth the price and the wait.

Have you tried GLOSSYBOX?  What  are your thoughts?

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?

POPSUGAR Must Have Beauty Box - October 2012

Halloween is just around the corner and we here on the Northeast Coast are waiting for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.  With the pantry full and all supplies acquired, I decided to catch up on some postings and  decided to share the contents of my POPSUGAR Must Have October Box.  POPSUGAR'S Must Have Box costs $35 plus tax (free shipping) and it includes a variety of must have products from the worlds of beauty, fashion, fitness, food, and home.

My October Box contained the following items:

Home - Red Flower Petal Topped Candle - Gardenia - www.redflower.com; $38 - This sweet-smelling candle boasts 50 hours of burn time.  It is a lovely addition to my home as I just love candles.  The value of this candle more than covers the cost of this month's box.

Entertainment - The Casual Vacancy - This new book from J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame, retails for $35 or $21 at Barnes & Noble - This "quick to rise to the top of the bestsellers list" is tailored more for the adult reader. Said to be packed with dark comedy, this thought-provoking novel quickly made its way to my nightstand.

Fitness - Crescent Moon Socks - www.crescentmoonyoga.com; $9.99 - Perfect for yoga, pilates, or just walking around the house, these grippy socks kept me on my yoga mat during my last Bikram Yoga class.

Beauty - OPI Pink of Hearts Nail Polish Duo - www.opi.com; $11.45 on amazon.com - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This set contains two full-sized polishes in "You Glitter Be Good to Me" and "I Think in Pink."  Each can be worn separately or together.  OPI has donated $25,000 to the Susan Komen foundation.  I just love these shades.

Food - Dylan's Candy Bar Gummy Bears; 4 oz. - www.beckysblissfulbakery.com; $10.49 - Who doesn't love gummy bears?  This package, with its Halloween-themed label, brought out the kid in me.  In no time, I was squishing these babies and pulling them apart. Nom, nom.

Special Extras:

Food - Pirate's Booty; 1 oz. package - $22.99 for 24 packages on amazon.com; www.piratebrands.com; - One of my favorite snacks, Pirate's Booty is baked, all natural, and gluten- and trans fat-free!  They are baked rice/corn puffs that are flavored with real cheddar.  A great snack! 

Beauty - Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner - www.kitschhairties.com; 3 oz. each; $1.99 each - Great for travel, this Total Care combo from Unilever meets hair and scalp needs.  This is the perfect size to assess whether or not the formula agrees with my hair type.  I find that the smaller sample sizes make it difficult to evaluate results.

Overall rating: Booyah!!!  This is my third shipment from POPSUGAR Must Have Bag and I am loving their shipments.  Each one is remarkable!

If you're interested in trying POPSUGAR, please click here.