Glossybox - August 2012 (Updated)

I received my Glossybox for August (yes, August even though it's almost September) yesterday.  It annoys me that they don't arrive until near the end of the month, but you know what?  The box was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It totally made up for being so dang late!  

I love the box!

Goodies!

The theme for August is Pure Luxury and let me tell you there was luxury to go around in this box!  It's probably my favorite box of all the ones I've received so far.  The value of this box was upwards of $90 so best value yet. 

Here's a recap of what I received (from left to right):

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum - High powered vitamin C complex helps smooth out lines and wrinkles. Keeps skin moisturized and protected.  I had never tried anything by Ole Henriksen but this serum was pretty good.  It smells citrus-y and makes my skin feel very refreshed.  The sample was 0.5 oz which is half the full-size so the value was $24.  

Illamasqua Nail Varnish - Full-sized valued at $14.  I've always heard great things about Illamasqua and was thrilled that it was included in my box but the color is awful!  I received Purity which is a peach color that would be prettier if it didn't take so many coats to be opaque.  Maybe on someone else it would look better but on me, it doesn't look right.  

Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment - Versatile serum infused with Moriga Oil Blend to give instant shine and weightless replenishment for all hair types.  I love how this makes my hair feel.  It really is weightless - my hair doesn't feel weighed down at all but I can feel the softness and shine even after a couple of uses.  

Touch in SOL Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base - This was an interesting product that combines your moisturizer with primer.  The base has a sticky consistency - you apply it all over your face and pat it to let it dry.  Be very careful how much you use though, because if you use too much, you'll end up with fuzz all over your face.  This product was almost full-sized so again a very nice sized sample.  

Ellis Faas Ellis Lip - Another full sized item, this one valued at $35!  Lightweight and long-lasting lip products in three textures: creamy, milky and glazed lips which all have different finishes.  The products are all paraben-free  and are infused with Vitamin E.  I received the glazed lips variety which is like a lip gloss and gives a touch of color.  I received shade L305 which is a sheer rusty orange.  I'm not a big fan of the color and wish I'd gotten a different one.  I like the consistency and LOVE the packaging (looks like a long bullet to me) so I may order a different color.  I've worn it a few times and it's looked okay but not a color I would wear every day.  

Besides being disappointed in the color choices I was sent, I was very pleased with this box.  I discovered a few companies that I'll definitely be trying out soon.  

Kayla's 18 Month Pictures

I wanted to share some of Kayla's 18 month pictures.  I know I say this all the time but I really can't believe that my daughter is grown!  

She just loves being outside

Those rosy cheeks

It's amazing how much she's grown.  She is completely addicted to the iPad and iPhone and seriously amazes me with how much she knows.   I feel bad that I never did an 18 month write up but at least I remembered to do the pictures! :)

Beauty Bar Sample Society August 2012 Box

My addiction to beauty subscriptions continues.  My latest one is Beauty Bar's Sample Society.  

For $15 a month, Sample Society will ship you 5 deluxe-sized samples from brands like Murad, Stila and Oscar de la Renta along with a code for $15 off a $50 purchase that includes any item from the brands you sampled that month.  In terms of pricing, it's in the middle of the pack.  August was my first box and I'm pretty pleased with everything I received. I have not included in referral links, since I want to form my opinion based on three months' worth of  boxes.  

I took these pictures after I'd already used some of the products so forgive the quality of the pictures.  Next month, I'll try to do better! :)

Elemental Herbology Cool & Clear facial cleanser.  I've never heard of this brand before but I liked the cleanser.  It's great for sensitive skin and smells a bit like lavender.  It's sulfate and artificial fragrance free and uses water lily, green tea and alove vera to soothe skin as well as olive oil to cleanse and purify.  I think it did a great job cleaning off my make up and it was very gently on my skin.  I have a ton of cleanser samples right now, but I'll keep it in mind when I run out.  

Jane Iredale Longest Lash mascara - this little mascara sample came in a tube and though I've heard great things about Jane Iredale, I wasn't too impressed with the mascara.  The mascara is supposed to be thickening and lengthening but honestly, I didn't see much length.  It was also a bit dry.  I am very picky with my mascaras though and have quite a large collection.  This one just didn't make the cut for me. 

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Private Dancer - This was a full sized item valued at $18 so worth the price of the box.  It's a very pretty purple color that has a chrome finish. I'll come back and post pictures of the lacquer on my nails.  The polish glides on very smoothly and the brush picks up just enough lacquer to finish your nail in a few strokes.  Love it! 

Phyto Phytonectar Oil - another brand I'd never heard of.  This is an ultra nourishing oil treatment for hair.  I've never admitted on here, but I completely ruined my hair trying out a free keratin treatment from a certain company.  I mean ruined with a capital R - enough that I had to chop of most of hair.  Since then, I've been very particular about what I use on my hair.  I've never used an oil treatment on my hair at home (I have done it before at the salon but it's been a few years) so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I honestly didn't see that much of a difference in my hair but I don't think I used enough product.  I'll try it again and report back. 

Arcona Cranberry Toner - I've tried a moisturizer from this line before and while I don't normally use toner (I know I should) I was pretty excited to try this.  The bottle was full but I'd already used some when I photographed it.  The three-in-one formula hydrates and tones your face while also working to remove your makeup, oil and dirt from the day.  I love the way it feels on my face but it does have a strong scent that lingers long after you have used it.  I can't describe what it smells like - it's like cranberry but not fruity.  I like it but then I don't.  I'm weird like that.   

I also received a small packet of a moisturizer that I used up and don't remember the brand. LOL..  

I was sort of disappointed that I only received one full-sized item but the value of the box (based on sample sizes) was still about $48.  We'll see what next month brings!

Kayla turns 20 months!

Dear Kayla,

It's amazing that in four short months you're going to be two years old!  I feel like I say this all the time but it feels like just yesterday that I found out I was pregnant and now here you are.  It's been a few months since I've written, and I fully intend to go back and post-date your letters, but since this month is fresh on my mind, here goes.  

At 20 months, you are:

• growing like a weed -- I don't have your exact height but at your last check up you were 32 1/2 inches tall!  Here's hoping you're as tall as your daddy! :)
• starting to use words a bit more - you regularly say thing like more (as well as signing them), woof woof when you see a doggy, happy (because it was mommy's birthday and we sang happy birthday), dame (Spanish for give me)
• you can high five on command as well as point to your eyes, nose, mouth and ears - you can say eye and trying to say nose (we're working on it)
• a very picky eater! Your favorites are turkey franks, Annie's Mac & Cheese  and chicken nuggets but that can change at any point in time.  Your favorite fruits are strawberries, bananas and raspberries.  
• Your sleeping habits need some help but we're working on them.  You nap one to two times a day for about 30 minutes to an hour.  I wish you napped like other babies for hours at time.  You sleep about 5 hours at night before waking up to comfort nurse.  Yes, your are still nursing but only during the wee early hours of the morning.  Mommy is trying very hard to wean you but so far no luck.  I think we need to revamp your sleep schedule!
• You love dancing and reading books, playing and being around people.  You're one of the friendliest babies I've ever seen.  You just love attention you little ham! 

The weather has been crazy hot so we haven't had too many adventures but we're heading to San Antonio next week to relax for the weekend, so I'll be sure to take lots of photos of our first official family vacation.  I'm so looking forward to it!

Love you with all my heart,

Mommy

My First Glossybox

I finally did it - I gave in the sample box craze and signed up for a few monthly subscriptions.  If you're not familiar with the sample box craze, you've been living under a rock.  Just kidding.  There are a ton of companies to choose from, and depending on what company you choose, you get anywhere from 5-7 different samples for a fee of $10-21 per month.  Some companies offer deluxe sized samples (meant to last a few uses so you really get the gist of the product), while others offer regular samples - like those you'd receive at Sephora or Nordstrom with a purchase.  Most companies also include full-sized samples in their boxes.  You're probably asking yourself why anyone would pay for samples and the truth is I LOVE nothing more than getting samples with my purchases because there is no better way to discover a new product than actually trying it out! Being the makeup junkie that I am, I figured what the heck and dove in.  


The most popular of these is Birchbox, but since they have a waiting list, I signed up for Sample Society and GLOSSYBOX.  GLOSSYBOX started out in the UK and just recently started it's subscription service in the US.  At $21/month, GLOSSYBOX is the most expensive of the monthly subscription boxes but is also touted as the most high end featuring the crème de la crème of international brands.  Each month, you receive a box of 5 travel-sized beauty products shipped directly to your door.  I signed up for the box about mid-July so I wasn't sure if I'd receive a July box or an August box but since GLOSSYBOX sends out their boxes at the end of the month instead of the beginning of the month, I received the July box.


The packaging is super cute and I wish I hadn't undone the bow before I took my pictures. Since this is my first box, I'm not sure what grade to give this box yet, but I definitely think I got my money's worth since I received two full sized products and the total value of those was over $28. 

The products are (Summer Nights theme):

• Alessandro International Pedix Heel Rescue Balm
• Figs & Rouge Lip, Face & Body Balm (full size)
• Sebastian Color Ignite Multi-Tone Shampoo
• Sebastian Color Ignite Multi-Tone Conditioner
• Senna Cosmetics Double Dose Lip Lacquer (full size)
• Extra treat: Blushed fragrance

I'm really looking forward to trying out the shampoo & conditioner, as well as the lip/face balm.  Once I've had a chance to try out the products, I'll post my thoughts.  

What about you?  What boxes are you subscribed to? Do you feel they're worth the price?