My First Glossybox: December

Glossybox!

I'm actually pretty excited about this.

I've been hearing about Glossybox for a few months now, thanks to a few beauty gurus I'm subscribed to on YouTube. My favorite is Sarah, AKA FierceFelineChic. Go check out her channel; she's awesome!

Glossybox is a monthly subscription, kind of like a magazine, except with Glossybox, you receive samples of higher end beauty products. There are several subscription boxes out there, with a variety of product ranges. The Glossybox products are different each month, and usually there is an extra product you get for free. It's $21 a month, which for the products you get, is a fantastic price.

I haven't tried the products in the December box, except for two. I don't know how I feel about one of them yet due to the small sample size, but I'll get to that.

Before I do that, I must give a little disclaimer. I am certainly not a beauty guru. I've just recently began to use beauty products beyond shampoo and conditioner. I was never very girly, and wasn't much into makeup, fashion, hair, or anything related. I am quite new to this industry, even as a consumer. Maybe that's good, as you will be getting a review (when I use the products) from a regular person. Maybe it's not; you decide!

First, I'll show you what you get when you receive the box.

Packaging

Right away, I noticed I loved the packaging and the box. It's simple, but still pretty. The box is sturdy and can be re-used for other things like storing other makeup or products, a piggy bank, or other organization.

Holiday wrapping

I also love the holiday wrapping that came with the inside. Really cute and pretty, like it was personally made just for me.

Glossybox Mag and Product List

Next, you receive the Glossybox Magazine, which this month includes new trends for 2013, a Q&A with a celebrity hair stylist, editor's picks, and more. The card to the right is the product list for everything included in the box this month. On the reverse side is a note from the team which is included  in each box.

The samples!

Upon unwrapping, I find this month's samples. Sorry this picture is a little dark! It includes a hair protein oil, a bath and shower oil, epsom bath salts, a dry heat protectant spray, a new fragrance sample, a Zoya nail lacquer, and the extra item is a piece of jewelry from Jewelmint.

Ecru New York Cosmetic Hair Care Acacia Protein Oil

From the card: "This multi-tasking elixir provides superb conditioning and moisturization while reducing drying time, eliminating frizz and mending split ends. Protect your hair against heat damage with this restoring and smoothing hair serum."

Full size 1.07 oz., $30

Protein Oil sample

The only thing I don't like about this one is the actual sample size. It's only .03 oz., and I feel like that's not enough to get an actual sample out of it, especially if you have any length to your hair at all. I tried to use a small amount of it so I could get more than one try out of it, but being so small, there's not much you can do. I used about half for the first try of it, and I think it worked. Normally after I shower, I put in Sexy Healthy Hair's Soy Tri-Wheat Leave-in Conditioner, which I loved because it left my hair soft and smooth. Instead, I used this protein oil. For only using half of this small sample, it did leave my hair smooth and soft as well. I also noticed my hair dried faster than usual, even though it dries pretty quickly already. After I went to bed and woke up in the morning, my hair had absolutely no knots! It was still as smooth as it was the night before, and shiny. For the small amount that I used, It worked really well. I just wish I was able to see how well it fairs with more than one use.

Forest Essentials Luxurious Ayurveda Maduari Jasmine & Magra Bath & Shower Oil

From the card: "This after-bath and shower moisturizer is a seductive blend of essential and all-natural oils formulated to leave your skin smooth, with a subtle, seductive scent. Apply this oil on wet skin to seal in moisture."

Full size 6.8 oz., $22

This sample size is 3.38 oz., nearly half of the full size. I haven't used this yet, but I'm excited to. I wanted to try it the same time I tried the protein oil, but I had already dried off and I forgot it was meant for wet skin.

Heartland Fragrance Co. Epsom Bath Salts

"Indulge in healing aromatherapy with these 100% pure Epsom bath salts. Treat yourself to a full body boost with these herb-infused accents in your bathing routine. Use weekly to dramatically reduce tension and refresh your skin."

Full size 30 oz., $10

The sample is 5.5 oz. and states it can be used in a bath, or, "massage a handful of Epsom Bath Salt into your skin to exfoliate." I probably will not be using it in a bath, as I am not really a bath person and can't remember the last time I took one. I will, however, try it out as an exfoliant instead.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Heat Protectant Spray

"A dry spray protectant enriched with keratin proteins and paraben free, this product is your best defense against heat styling and hot tools. The unique formula strengthens and protects your precious tresses, enhances shine and ensures a firm hold - prepare for fabulous hairstyling!"

Full size 4 oz., $23

The sample is .75 oz. The only heat protectant spray I've ever used was Tresemme's, and I didn't feel like it did much of anything. I don't use heat very often at all to style my hair; I usually just wash and condition, use my leave-in conditioner I mentioned above, comb out any tangles, and I'm finished. I don't even blow dry it, unless it's too cold out to let it air dry and I need to leave for work. 

I've also recently found out hair terrible drugstore hair products are for your hair, so I will not be using Tresemme's heat protectant, or their shampoo and conditioner that I've been using, or any others. FierceFelineChic (Sarah) went to school at Paul Mitchell and just made a video about this topic. Click the link above to her channel to see; it's called "Horrifying Truth about Drugstore Hair Products." Basically, the FDA does not regulate what these brands put into their products, so you are getting horribly made products and putting them into your hair. Sarah explains more about it, and does a much better job of doing so. I know the drugstore products are cheaper and easier affordable, however, I'm going to work the professional products into my budget from now on as to not destroy my hair with awful ingredients in the drugstore brands.

Anyway, whenever I decide to not be lazy and actually style my hair using heat, I'll try out this heat protectant spray and see how it goes!

Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, Eau de Toilette

Don't you love those fancy phrases? "Eau de Toilette." Can't we just say perfume? Anyway, this is a new fragrance out by Issey Miyake -- I know, who? I have no idea either.

"Exclusive USA Online Launch Partner"

"A fashion forward fragrance inspired by worled renowned designer Issey Miyake's iconic Pleats Please ready-to-wear line. Enjoy the effervescent, sensual and addictive notes which embody the essence of joy, femininity, and elegance."

Full size 3.4 oz., $92

Holy #$@! Ninety two dollars? For 3 ounces? This better be the best damn perfume ever! The sample size is .03 oz., and taking it out of the packaging and smelling the nozzle area, it has a fairly nice scent. After spraying it once, it's really not bad at all. It's pleasant, and a slightly more mature and sophisticated scent than I expected. I will probably use the entire sample, but I don't think I love it enough to purchase the full size, mostly due to the price. If I loved the fragrance, I might save for it or ask for it for Christmas or my birthday, but I don't think it's quite worth it.

Zoya Nail Laquers in "Storm"

"These uniquely ornate nail laquers will transform your nails into jewels. The long-wearing and toxin-free formula will keep your nails sparkling all season, and looking their glossy best."

Full size .05 oz., $8

The sample size here is actually the full size amount, so that's pretty awesome. Right away I absolutely loved this color. I immediately thought it was perfect for a New Year's eve party, so I think that's when I'm going to try it out. Some people got the silver version of this, which is awesome too, but I'm glad I got this one. I opened it, and it has real color to it also, unlike some other sparkly polishes that are just all sparkle and glitter with nothing else to it. It looks very pretty, so I'm excited to try it.

And, last but not least...

Jewelmint ring

"Jewelry, as a special gift this Holiday Season...

Inspired by the runway, vintage jewelry and on-trend celebrity style, JewelMint.com offers a versatile jewelry collection each month and recommends pieces that match your personal style."

Various Styles $29.99

I thought it was pretty cool of them to add an extra piece, and have it be a jewelry item for the holidays. Normally I don't like the bigger, chunkier pieces, but I actually like this one. It's interesting and different, but not too crazy. My boyfriend doesn't like it, but that won't stop me from wearing it!

And there you have it. Those are all the items in the Decemeber Glossybox. When I try them all out, I'll do a second post reviewing the products. Hope you enjoyed, and thanks for reading!