Hello there 2014 and welcome to a new look GlossyBox! And you'll never guess... yep, another free one, damn I'm good :)
The new year has seen in a slightly revamped packaging for the monthly beauty box which some love and some loathe. So what's different? Well the box has gone 'glossier' with a sleek shiny outer, the box is now longer so the magazine fits inside (oh my god this was one of my biggest annoyances before!) and the branding has stepped up to a 'GlossyBox' stamp on the outer lid and also on the ribbon inside. I have to admit, like others, I was a bit disappointed that GlossyBox have slathered their branding all over the box - the ribbons aren't really reusable now and the box was much more chic with the simple logo on the front. But hey ho, as long as the goodies inside keep on coming I guess I'm happy.
January's theme is a 'back to basics' idea - healthy eating, living and generally everything I guess. Well isn't every new year? So this month's box is aimed at simple beauty regimes to get us gals "back on the road", let's see if it provides what is claims...
Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Care - 2 x 3g sample size - full size 33g £13.50
available at Boots, Space.NK or Look Fantastic.
On first glance this looked exceedingly unappealing to me. I have to be honest, hyped-up 'cult' skin creams have never really been on my radar much but this little wonder could fast change my mind. Yu-Be is one of the longest and best selling products in Japan, a glycerin-based moisturising cream that helps hydrate and soothe dry skin. It absorbs almost instantly and stays locked in for hours which makes it very effective on severe dry skin. As well as being enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2 and camphor it holds a certain scent that I just couldn't put my finger on.. and then it hit me, Vicks! Yup, it smells like vapor rub. Hmmm, not so happy to put it all over my face because of this but as a minor eczema sufferer this is perfect for those little dry patches you get.
Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash - 50ml sample size - full size 260ml £10.25
also available at Debenhams or Look Fantastic.
Ooh it's been a little while since a Balance Me product found it's way into a box - last time was the Maggie Li edition from 2012. Overall I quite like Balance Me products so am always happy to try another but the smell of them sometimes puts me off. Unfortunately, this is one of those cases. Maybe it's the bergamot or juniper, but I'm just not too keen. I will happily throw this into the travel size pile - I'm always running out of body washes - but I won't be repurchasing. As for the 'super toning' element, I really couldn't comment, I don't use it enough to see if it makes any difference but if I was to, I'd be doubtful that a body wash could really tone your body.
The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers - full size £8.00
also available at feelunique or Boots.
Cute or what?! I love these little tweezers. I have been extremely loyal to my HD Brows ones that I got in an old GlossyBox - June 2012 I think - but these little lovelies are just too kitsch to pass up. They do the job, so there's nothing to really comment about there and they look great on the dressing table.
Anatomicals Puffy The Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches - 2 pack sample size - full size 3pack £6.00
LOVE these eye patches! Firstly the name is awesome - anatomicals you genius you - and secondly I am currently wearing them whilst I write this post. They feel sooooo good! I don't look particularly attractive right now mind you, but then these aren't really designed to look sexy. The jelly-like boomerang shaped patches should be applied to clean, dry skin, with the largest end near your nose and left on for 30 minutes. They are foil packed to keep them fresh and the moisture contained, so you should use them straight after opening. They feel great on, really refreshing and I will write a post dedicated to just these little wonders soon, so stay posted...
Vaseline Essential Moisture Lotion - 50ml sample size - full size 400ml £4.99
A little boring GlossyBox, but yes I agree, a definite back to basics skin need. Who doesn't love Vaseline? I've used a variety of their products since I was a small child so there's not much not to like really. This particular moisturiser is enriched with pure oat extract and Stratys3 multi-layer moisture, which gives a clean feeling for healthy soft skin. I haven't used this much as I have other body creams I tend to use at home, but this size is perfect for travel, so it's gone straight in to my 'travel size' drawer... yes, I have so much stuff that I have a drawer dedicated to travel size items for holidays etc. Sad, I know!
Not a bad box for the first one of 2014. In terms of value for money I don't think it's really pushed the boat out, but then again it was free so I guess I can't complain! I do think they've thought well about products that fit the theme this month though. Well done GlossyBox!
If you like the idea of subscribing to the normal GlossyBox, then use this referral link to sign up today.
Disclaimer
- I subscribe to GlossyBox out of my own choice and money because I'm a
sucker for random surprise beauty packages delivered on a monthly
basis. I have reviewed the listed products in a 100%
honest manner and I am not compensated for my reviews. But if you use the
referral link above to start a subscription then I can get points towards a
free box next time... get in!
