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 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?