GlossyBox Review – Harper’s Bazaar September 2014
GlossyBox is a monthly beauty subscription box. They have the best packaging in the business, their products are usually deluxe-size or full size, and the value is usually really good too. The only issue with this box seems to be the late shipping – I would recommend just keeping that in mind and setting your expectations accordingly if you sign up for this box.
GlossyBox sent us this box for review purposes. (My Subscription Addiction also pays for this subscription, but I haven’t received a shipping notification email for my September box yet). (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
This month GlossyBox partnered with Harper’s Bazaar to curate the box, and as usual, the packaging is gorgeous!
The Subscription Box: GLOSSYBOX
The Cost: $21 a month (save more with 3-month, 6-month or annual subscription)
COUPON: Use coupon code FLAWLESS to get a free full size Boscia Bronze BB Cream ($38 value) with your first box!
The Products: Deluxe and full size beauty products.
Check out all of my GlossyBox reviews and the list of the best beauty and makeup subscription boxes!
Each box comes with a fold out card detailing the items included.
Essie Madison Ave-Hue FULL SIZE! Value $8.50
OCC Lip Tar Authentic FULL SIZE! Value $18
I don’t think I captured it in the photo, but this Essie pink shade has a subtle microglitter in the formula.
I was really excited to try Lip Tar (and I love the little lip brush that comes with it), but unfortunately for me this metallic coppery shade does not work with my skin tone. (The other shade you could get is Black Dahlia – a VERY dark red).
Vichy Liftactiv Night (0.51 fl oz) Value $15
Bvlgari Eau Parfume eau thé blanc Conditioner (2.53 fl oz) value about $16 (That link is to the shampoo – I can’t find the conditioner online, but I’m assuming the price per ounce is about the same)
My husband loved the Bylgari shampoo he received in the GQ Quarterly box, so I’m happy to have my own Bvlgari hair product! It is definitely an indulgent shower item!
Benefit, they’re real! mascara (0.1 oz) Value about $10
I always use Benefit mascara samples up whenever they appear in subscription boxes – I’m happy to have a new one!
Verdict: This box has a value of about $67. I’m happy with the box, but if the Lip Tar would have been a shade that works for me it would have been a great box. What do you think of the Harper’s Bazaar GlossyBox?
Written by Liz Cadman
This was my first GlossyBox ever, and while I was hoping my subscription would start with the Oct box instead, the Sept one wasn’t too bad (I got the deep red lip tar instead). However, I signed up using Liz’s code for the free Boscia Bronze BB Cream, and it wasn’t included in the box. Did anyone else have this happen? I’ve reached out to GlossyBox customer service, but now I’m worried based on all the comments on here! Here’s keeping my fingers crossed:).
Try sending them a private message on facebook. This worked for me. I never got my August box. I PM’d them and they got it sent out right away. I think this is the best way to get in contact with them and they do follow-up pretty quickly.
I had the same problem (but with a Ciate nail polish, back when that was the deal). Called their customer service and they sent me one in separate packaging within a week. Hope it works with the BB cream too!
I used the same code and the only reason I re-subbed, knowing I’d be stuck with a duplicate Sep box (I was a current subscriber and Sep was my last month) was to get the full size BB cream. And it wasn’t included of course. I sent an email and posted a FB message two days ago and haven’t heard back yet. This has happened twice before when they’ve offered free gift with new sub promotions I’ve purchased. I’m getting sick of chasing down something that’s part of what I purchased. It’s rather a theme with Glossy, like they expect folks to forget they were supposed to get a free gift and not ask or just not be bothered with it. Considering I’ve been a subscriber for 2 years I know this shady business practice when I see it. If the products weren’t of the quality they send I’d have walked away from Glossy over 18 months ago. So unfortunately for them, I’m the customer who always remembers and will hound them to get what I paid for!
Just reached out to GlossyBox – so sorry to hear about this. I’ll keep you updated.
This happened to me as well. I reached out to them using the form on their site, and they said that the coupon code was only good for either the $45/3 months rate OR the BB cream, but they would send the BB cream separately as a courtesy. Hopefully other people got the same response.
I just got an email this morning stating that everyone was missing the BB cream and they are sending out an entire box again to everyone with the missing product! I am beyond thrilled with their customer service!
I had the same thing happen but I didn’t notice. Today I got an email from Glossybox telling me they are sending me another whole September box to make up for the mistake! What an amazing company!
I’m surprised at all the negative comments; I thought this was a great box! Just got it today. It is a little bizarre to get conditioner without shampoo, but that’s fine by me, and I LOVE little mascaras, especially Benefit, so that’s a win. I got bright red polish and the Dahlia lip tar, which I haven’t tried yet.
With a deal for a year sub, it ends up being about $15, so I think the value is definitely there. But I agree with other reviewers that Glossybox’s customer service is slow and it can take SEVERAL attempts using various methods to get them to respond to you!
I just now got my box. I used a promo code for another 3 month subscription, but I might be getting this box twice; even though it’s the end of September. Don’t understand why it wouldn’t just be Oct, Nov and Dec. Oh well, I really loved the Bvlgari conditioner in this box, I smelled it first and thought it was body wash then saw it was conditioner lol. It is weird to have conditioner without shampoo but it smells so delicious, I can’t wait to try it. I was praying for the black dahlia lip tar, but of course got the copper color. I can’t decide if I like it or not I’m very fair skinned. I hate pink nail polishes, tired of getting them, really don’t care for pink at all unless it’s hot pink, but this color isn’t bad. It’s kind of fuchsia to me. I really don’t need more mascara nor use the anti-wrinkle night cream. This box went well over the $15 cost, but not a lot of useful stuff to me.
Received my box today, normal time frame for me. I always seem to receive it about 5-7 days before the end of the month.
It was an OK box. Conditioner w/ no shampoo is a bit weird. Another pink nail polish is boring but I like it. I always love big samples of skin care. The lip tar I tried and threw in the garbage. (copper color)
The mascara I use already so this one went into my purse for touchups.
Love the white box. I do wish they would mix up the colors of the box more.
Ugh my September box is still in the pack phase! Holding out for the black dahlia!
So I just received mine today and am a tad broken hearted. Was really REALLY hoping for “Black Dahlia” in the OCC lip tar…. And I received the copper shade. 🙁 I came on here hoping someone might have gotten black dahlia and wanted to trade but it seems most people received the copper.
I just got my box – finally! – I don’t like it – I canceled – Another nail polish, boring – + Pink nail polish in Fall – seems weird to me – Conditioner without shampoo – another odd irritating item, mascara that has been in other boxes I wont use, night cream I have to many of. The lip tar looks interesting, I’ll be keeping that. I really wanted to keep this box, yet with it being always being late, and the items I wont use, it is not worth the $$$ spent right now. I have so many beauty and makeup products that the items would have to be unique enough for me to keep subscribing.
This was a sad box for me, neither the Essie color or the Lip Tar color work with my skin tone.. Which means I paid for 3 sample sizes I could have gotten for free elsewhere. Very disappointed.
The Lip Tar that I received seems to be different than what everyone else received (it’s not even on the Glossybox website). It’s matte rather than metallic and the logo and design of the tube are completely different. I’m disappointed because I would have totally used it, I just can’t pull off the matte look on my lips.
I received the same colors as Liz. The copper lip doesn’t suit me well either but maybe I can trade it. I have so many mascaras and products for dry hair or face that I don’t use so this box wasn’t that much fun. I do love the black and white packaging though! I got my tracking notification and the order# was in the tracking# field. Once I noticed it, I could track with the correct number and I found that my box had shipped and was waiting for me at home. Yea!
People – try Boxycharm! It’s the same price but soooooo much better!!!
I always hold out on Glossybox until I love the spoilers for that month, then make a new account so I can add the monthly extra product. I LOVE THIS MONTH! Essie, OCC, & Benefit?! Other 2 products sound wonderful as well. Too bad I won’t be receiving my box until mid October :/ only down side to this subscription. SLOW A** SHIPPING!
Yeah, no kidding about the slow shipping. I still don’t even have my August box, let alone Sept. I contacted them today and they said they will send it to me tomorrow. Can’t believe how slow they are! I guess they are notorious for that. Oh well, love the box so its worth the wait.
Does anyone know why they sold the limited edition box before sending out this one to regular subscribers? If I ordered the limited edition box and was a subscriber, I would have gotten two of the same box. Seems like a ploy just to make more money, no?
I almost resubscribed to get this box. If the BVLGARI had been perfume and not conditioner, I probably would have. Copper is a huge trend for eyes and lips this fall. I love wearing copper on my eyes (which are blue) and nails. I would want the black Dahlia, though. I love blackened reds, they are the only ones I can wear comfortably. Then I realized that rather than resubscribe, I could just trade for a black dahlia.
Here’s my less than stellar GB experience. I signed up for a 6 month sub on 7/22 after cancelling my month-to-month sub that I had for 3 months. GB charged me immediately for the 6 month sub, but as of today, there was no sign of the August box. I DM’d them on FB today, and they replied that my account has been in pending mode for two months, and they were only able to activate it today. This, of course, makes no sense. They were fine charging me two months ago, but apparently they had no intention of shipping out the boxes until I asked.
This is on top of a very shady mess that occurred when I cancelled my month-to-month sub in order to go for the 6 month sub. In short, I cancelled within the appropriate time frame on their site, I took a screen shot as evidence, and they still threatened to charge for me another month. After I informed them about this on FB, they actually changed their wording of their cancellation terms on the site, and they only backed down after I told them I had proof of what their site stated at the time I cancelled.
Unfortunately, before all that occurred, I had already done the 6 month sub, so I’m stuck with them now. I can deal with some of level of incompetent behavior (which they certainly possess), but I can’t stand their shadiness and lies.
This has been my experience with Glossy for a year and a half. I don’t much care about delays/long shipping times but I do care about the lack of transparency and the outright lies they tell when they’re caught in a mistake. Instead of just owning it and making it right they will fight to the death to avoid responsibility. And I loathe having to hound companies to ship me what I paid for a month prior. They need serious CS training and a corporate overhaul for their practices across the board. I always love the products which is why I keep re-subbing. But I always reach a point where I’m fed up with being strung along, lied to and out my hard earned money with nothing to show for it for months on end. If Glossy ever bothers to read feedback, they should at least attempt to make general improvements, like proactively telling subscribers a box is delayed rather than forcing customers to contact them to learn why their box hasn’t arrived.
I saw another review for this box and it included a small cosmetics bag with bows all over it. Was this only if you bought the box from Harper’s Bazaar directly? I need to find out because I really want that bag and was so excited for it!
That bag had a value of $125 and was purchased separately by the blogger that posted about it (though she failed to indicate that).
Caddie,
Thank you for letting me know! I went back to the blog, where I first saw it, and clicked on the link to the bag and you are right- it’s $125 and doesn’t come with the box. What a misleading box review that was! I had even commented on the review saying something about the bag and she must’ve erased my comment because it’s no longer there. Well, I am still looking forward to this box, although not as much now.
I guess I spoke too soon. I received my August box today. It was absolutely meh. 🙁
My august box hasn’t even shipped yet. I’ve emailed twice and been assured It would be mailed by the end of the week. Well it’s Friday and still no shipping information. I asked for a refund and surprise, no response. This is the reason I canceled with them the first time. Thought I’d give them another try. But obviously nothing has changed
I also have not yet recieved my August box….for the third time in the 8 months I have been subscribed “it was somehow lost in shipping”. Also, kind of annoying that they are able to send a free box for review before most of us even get a shipping notice. I am going to give them a few more months and then cancel. They usually have really nice products but I hate paying for something that takes two or more months to recieve.
I had to contact customer service the other day about my August box, as I first received tracking on August 24th! I’ve heard terrible things about their customer service dept, but I actually received a response the next day. They said an item had been on backorder and my box didn’t actually ship until September 9th. This is the 2nd time I’ve had an issue with a delayed box (the last was Mother’s Day LE box, which I received two weeks after it was promised!).
They credited 200 Glossydots to my account this month, so I’m satisfied with their response. I’m giving it one more month before I cancel. . . this collaboration doesn’t really “wow” me the way it should, given it was curated by a magazine that’s all about luxury living.
Hold the phone….do we not all get the same box except for some color variation?
Everyone gets the same box. I’m not sure where the confusion is coming from. Some people used codes to get a free mascara but that’s the only difference I’ve seen (an extra product). There may or may not be a makeup bag for those who ordered via Harper’s direct.
I got confused by Karol’s post. She replied to Liz (below): “Love your box, mine was meh…again.” So it seemed she did not get the same box as Liz.
No, I absolutely did not get the same box as Liz. If you go to their website, click on The Box and then on August, you can see the 15+ items that were in the box. obviously they make boxes different based on your profile….or maybe just randomly.
Darn. Got to tweek my profile. Love your box, mine was meh…again.
I’m hoping for both OCC colors. I’m getting two boxes this month so I have my fingers crossed. I want them both so I can mix them with other products… Or wear them alone. I’ve only mixed OCC with OCC products but after seeing their FB post I think I’ll try mixing it with my other lip products. Maybe you can tone this down and get a pretty coral-ish color by mixing it with a pinkish color?
Neither shade of lip tar will work for me. A pretty fair box, but I wish the Bvlgari had been shampoo rather than conditioner. I always run out of shampoo long before the conditioner’s used up. Maybe that’s just me, lol.
For those of you who haven’t yet received August’s box, a Facebook comment usually gets a response. Particularly this far into the next month. Their promise is that you receive boxes by the 8th at the latest.
I sent them an email today, but I will try Facebook as well. Thanks for the tip! I just really resent having to chase my boxes down, you know? These are supposed to be fun, not work! September will most likely be my last box.
I’ve spoken to them via Facebook and was told that my order was delayed because I used a coupon code for a free mascara. They then told me my box would ship out immediatly – that was 5 days ago and it still hasn’t shipped.
Not a great box for me. The nail polish will be nice if I get the same shade you did. My skin and hair tend to oiliness so conditioners and creams don’t work well. I can’t pull off any warm or red colors. I don’t think I’ve tried the benefit mascara yet so I look forward to that!
My August box hasn’t shipped yet either and the “expected arrival date” of my Sept. box is 10/13. I am beyond annoyed with Glossybox.
Same exact thing for me.
how do you view when it’s expected? O:
If you login to your account you can view your orders. Under the order information it tells you when your expected arrival is.
I’m really hoping I get the Black Dahlia lip tar in mine. I wouldn’t be able to pull it off on its own, but part of the appeal of lip tars is you can mix them with other things to make better colors.
This looks like such a great box! Can’t wait. However, I’ve still not received my August box in spite of the fact that they have been showing up in my Glossybox profile for some time now. I had to send an email mid August to get my July box. 🙁 Love the products, but I wish I understood their shipping practices better.