GlossyBox Subscription Box Review – August 2015
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 early for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: GLOSSYBOX
The Cost: $21 a month (save more with 3-month, 6-month or annual subscription)
COUPON: Expiring Soon! Use code SPRING16 to new subscribers get the April box for $16
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!
Ships to: US and Canada
Each box comes with a fold out card detailing the items included.
GlamGlow YouthCleanse Daily Clearing Cleanser – 1 oz Value $7.80
This is a product that all subscribers will receive this month. The cleanser goes on to dry skin (the formula looks similar to their mask product), then you add a little water to create a lather. (It wasn’t too foaming for me – more like it turned into a creamy cleanser). I really like how soft my skin felt after using this. It’s gentle, but also has some grit to it, so I think that helps with exfoliation.
MANNA KADAR Cosmetics Lash Primer – .14 oz Value $11
I tried this primer out with my tarte mascara and I’m pleased with the results. The one thing I noticed was slightly better lash definition. Not enough of a difference for me to buy more once this tube runs out though.
Lollipops Paris Malicieuse Lip Balm – FULL SIZE! Value $5.50
(Flavors will vary for subscribers). This is a clear lip balm with a sweet/dessert-like flavor. I like the formula – it adds a little bit of shine and is very moisturizing. My only issue is finding the ingredients online. (They aren’t listed on the package, and the Lollipops site is currently down).
SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Fall in Love – FULL SIZE! Value $12
(Subscribers will receive one of eight shades).
I love this nail polish brand (it’s vegan, ingredient-conscious, and the formula is great). This color is a perfect autumn shade too – I can’t believe it’s almost September!
POP Beauty Kajal Pen in Sooty Black – FULL SIZE! Value $10
This liner is super pigmented and goes on matte. It glides on easily too. Here is a swatch:
Verdict: This box has a value of about $46. I think the value is good, and I like the sizes of all the products included. My favorite discovery in this box is definitely the GlamGlow cleanser, and I love my shade of nail polish. I like the eyeliner, but since I receive so many black eyeliners in subscription boxes, it isn’t the most exciting item for me.
What do you think of the August 2015 GlossyBox?
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Written by Liz Cadman
So…….. Aside from the Mothers Day SE, August was my first ever Glossy Box. I ordered because I am NEVER one of the lucky ones to receive Glamglow and I wanted some! My box contained 4 of the 5 items yours did but, instead of the lip balm I received a $97 bottle of City Cosmetics Total Eye Rejuvination Serum!!! Wow!!!
I still haven’t received my Glossybox for August! I have called them about it THREE times already, the first two times I was just told to give it more time and call back if I didn’t get the box in a few days. The third time the lady finally agreed send me a replacement. That was two days ago and I still haven’t received a notice telling me it’s shipped or the tracking information. Plus the way their monthly satisfaction survey is set up I can’t leave a negative comment without filling out stuff about the products I haven’t received.
I subscribed through the Ruelala deal so I am stuck until November, but I am NOT going to continue with Glossybox. Especially since Ipsy and Play by Sephora together will cost less than a regular Glossybox sub. I am so disappointed in their customer service and the products are not that exciting either, the only thing I’ve loved in the last two boxes was the Hey Honey peel.
I’ve been REALLY disappointed with the Glossybox customer service. They are the epitome of unresponsive. Birchbox does it WAY better.
Sad face for your experience!
I have had to contact them twice and got excellent customer service both times! I would think it was luck once, but twice makes me hopeful. I might have just lucked out, but I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt for now.
I also had the same issue, original box shipped in early August and by late August it was clear that it had been lost in the mail. Luckily, it only took one note to Customer Service to get a reply, and they shipped another box out which arrived shortly after. Then, just a couple of days ago, the original box showed up on my doorstep, 6 weeks after being shipped! I have no idea where it had been! Anyway, maybe yours will show up in time to be a Christmas gift 🙂
I’m sorry to hear you are going through this. The main reason I ended up cancelling my Glossy sub was customer service. I was constantly being mislead and at one point, I felt like they blantenly lied to me. I hope you get a resolution here soon and they give you something else for all of your troubles, (but I wouldn’t count on that)
Any suggestions on how to get in touch with people at Glossybox? Facebook? Twitter? I’ve emailed 5 or 6 times over the past month and haven’t heard anything back.
I called them during regular business hours and was able to speak to a person, not that they were very helpful. Service hotline: 1-855-738-1140.
I was not as happy this month as usual but I was really disappointed in the nail polish color. I received an almost neon pink and I never wear pink. Would love to swap but I am still on the wait list. Can anyone help ? 🙂
I got my box and was glad to see that it wasn’t a random box but the same as listed above. That being said, the lip balm feels empty. The contents state .33 oz. but it is not as I am holding that in one hand and something else of that weight in another and it’s not even close. I got the pink polish (Magnify) which is fine with me. Also will enjoy trying the lash product. Not even remotely interested in the Glamglow product. I do use black liner and like kajal formulas (such as Estee Lauder’s) but I really don’t need another black liner.
I am so gone when my subscription is up if Glossybox has devolved into this.
My Glossybox was kid of a mess. As soon as I opened it I got hit with the smell of nailpolish. The bottle was open, but it doesn’t look like much spilled out. The lip gloss looks like there’s black dirt on it. It also feels empty. Very strange.
I’m locked into a 6 month sub, but if I wasn’t I would cancel.
For starters, I absolutely HATED last month’s box and am swapping the entire thing. With that being said, maybe since last month’s box was so horrendous, I actually love this month’s box! The only item I’m kinda iffy about is the Lollipop gloss. It looks cheaply made and has a black dirty residue all over the tube. I haven’t tried it yet, but if it’s the same color as the outside of the tube, I’m happy. Mine’s a light pink. As for the other 4 items, I’m very happy with them! Since I swapped all my eyeliners for high ticket items— I actually ran out of liners so I was actually in need of a good black liner. I’ve been wanting to try PopBeauty for awhile now. As for the last primer, I JUST ran out of my Diorshow lash primer this morning! I was just going to order one off Sephora, but I’ll give this one a try. Lash primers do absolute wonders in keeping my mascara looking perfect all day. Since I’m usually drawn to pink nail polishes, I’m super happy with the “Magnify” pink color. It looks like a true bubble gum color and although most people on this thread have indicated they don’t like this color—- I’m actually happy I got the bold pink! Always happy with Glamglow and already have a Youthcleanse in my drawer. Just happy this box won’t be swapped! I’ll be using everything!
this was a horrible box for me. I’ll be giving away everything except the glamglow and the primer.
My nail polish was a disgusting off white toothpaste color. It looks like the Bondo body filler undercoating on a smashed up car.
I signed up for a whole year so im locked in till nevermber, then i got a couple of free boxes coming my way with the dot system.
A pre-paid membership is a double edged sword. Its usually cheaper and its good to get the payment out of the way, but then your locked in and paying for low quality subscriptions.
if i was a month to month i would have pulled out of glossybox a long time ago. Waste of money
I received the same polish but I was excited. I was actually going to buy this color after I saw a reverse Mani. Put the bare color on your nail and then choose a bright color for behind your nail for an unexpected pop.
Eh, I think this one was better than last month, but still not good. This box is really starting to get a cheap feel to me.
I like the GlamGlow cleanser (I already have it and like it, so I’m happy to have more), and I also like the eyelash primer because it’s something I’ll use. I agree that I have a gazillion black eyeliners, but I’ll still keep it and use it.
The other two items, I don’t like at all. The lipgloss feels so cheap, I wouldn’t even pay 25 cents for it. It also feels like the tube is mostly empty. As for the nail polish – I got a bright pink color that isn’t my style, so I’m listing it for swap.
My lip gloss was practically empty. I had to squeeze it to get anything out. Did they all come like that? I’m worried I got a used one
Nope your not alone. The tube of mine felt like there was very little in it, and I’m afraid to use it b/c there was no safety seal. Yet another reason Glossy Box got cancelled and I don’t regret it.
Yeah I didn’t know if I should use it either. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone lol
Signed up for a year sub, paid in full, stuck til January of 2016. Was thrilled at first {new brands to try, full size products, customer service was awesome-still have no complaints there}, but I almost dread getting my box every month bc I am scared I will be disappointed, this month was no different…great, another black eyeliner to add to my collection of 50 I already have. Perfect, a lollipops lip balm that will get buried at the bottom of my purse. Outstanding, a 12 buck nail polish in a shade I didn’t pick out & definitely wouldn’t wear. Lovely, some sort of lash primer I’ll forget to use & it’ll eventually dry out. However, the seven dollar & eighty cents worth of glamglow is awesome!!!
Haha, you took the words out of my mouth! Out of all the many items that come in sub boxes, I think a black eyeliner makes me groan the loudest. I have over 15 by now, and easily 10 more of other colors. Unlike you, however, I am interested in the lash primer because I often feel it’s a missing ingredient in my beauty routine and could really help my lashes stand out. So, I’m hoping it will work out nicely. But the other items? Yeah, not excited, but still a bit better than last month which was a suckfest.
How is it that I got my Glossybox already? But it was in my mailbox at noon when I went home to take my dog out.
Got the SpaRitual in (*I think* — it was hard to read with my contacts in) “Authentically,” which is not pale pink so I’m good.
I got mine today, too. That’s got to be a GB record.
My SpaRituals color is Arroyo. It’s described as “sandy matte shimmer”. I may need clarification on “matte shimmer”. That seems like an oxymoron. lol It’s a pretty color, though. Different.
I got mine today too… is it a full moon or something? Maybe they have had so many people cancel, they are hoping if they get them shipped faster people will resub? I honestly was so disappointed by the c/s I swore I would never resub with them, but I guess never say never. Their Sept. box will have to be amazing for me to resub though.
I think you are right about them sending earlier and to arrive within the month as mine arrived on Saturday.
I got the one month Rue La La sub and forgot to cancel it – and I DEFINITELY don’t want this box. Does anyone know if you can send if back unopened and mark it “Refused – Return to Sender” and get your money refunded?
Thanks!
You can do whatever you want with the box but they might not be quick to refund you.
This was the first GlossyBox that disappointed me. I don’t even wear black eyeliner but have received countless ones. This one is also a brand repeat. Ditto for lip balms: beauty box subscriptions mean a lifetime plus supply of lip balms. The nail polish color is nice and I’ll use the Glamglow but meh overall.
Tried to cancel my subscription and they told me “NO” and that they are keeping my money. WTF!!!!!!!!!!
Did you buy a multi-month subscription?
Also, even if you are on month-to-month, you have to cancel by the 15th of the previous month. So you would have had to cancel by July 15 to avoid getting August’s box.
If you are on a month-to-month subscription, you should be able to cancel online (in your account area) today or sometime before the end of the week and get out of September.
Tried to cancel mine on the 5th of July, said it was all cancelled on my account, yet they still took my money and when I contact them multiple times I get no response. Just got an email saying my box shipped. Very shady business practice in my opinion and will be the reason I’ll be cancelling even if I like future boxes. 🙁
As a Canadian subscriber I pay around 33.00 for this sub per month with exchange rate and shipping. I’ve felt the value is there in the past but not in the last few months. Unfortunately, September is my last box as well. I wish Boxy and Popsugar delivered to Canada. Not enough sub options for Canadians yet;(
Very, very disappointed. This will be my last box.
I’ve been thinking about trying glossybox, but have seen these last few months of boxes to be low in value. I belong to boxycharm and every month the value is over $100 for the same price as glossybox. The purpose of beauty box subs. Is to feel like your getting a steal not a slight discount.
Glossy box has become like that boyfriend you keep around because you hope they’ll change and get better, but they never do, so you gotta axe the relationship. So happy I finally canceled! Ipsy has been on point these last few months and is half the price. If glossy box returns to its glory days I’ll resubscribe, but the last box I threw everything away :/
Agree.
Now that’s funny. Get rid of it girl!
Every time I read reviews for this box I’m glad I went with boxycharm. Those are not deluxe sample sizes, and the lip balm looks like something I’d get from beauty box 5. The eyeliner is pretty cool, but I’ve seen similar items in boxes half the price. I feel like the nail polish and lash primer are cop outs. And the glamglow. Am I the only one tired of the hype this brand gets? In terms of results, they aren’t any better then Simple, but they’re far more expensive/stingy. This box either needs to lower it’s price, or up it’s products. Boxes like this aren’t attracting new customers, and seem to be pushing away old ones.
I totally agree with you. I canceled my Glossybox after the July box. The day I canceled I ordered Boxycharm. Glossybox is not worth the money they charge. I think Boxycharm will be a better fit for for.I pay for my little sister s ipsy and she and I are super excited to receive out first Boxycharm.
I’m really becoming disappointed by glossy box the last few months. the value seems to go down every month. September is going to be my last month if it doesn’t get better.
I get ipsy, allure, birchbox & bb5 & more. I cxld glossybox cuz i felt like it was a waste of money I could be spending on other boxes. I like the smaller sizes & variety that the other boxes offer. I dont mind throwing away product, after trying it, if its a small sample. I gave away more glossybox products then I kept.
Do you like the Allure box? I cancelled my Glossy Box a few days ago and I’m trying to find one to replace it. I still sub to BoxyCharm, Ipsy, and Birch box but, I would like one more.
If you’re looking for another box i would suggest Beauty Fix or Kloverbox, depending on what you’re looking for. I subscribe to 10 boxes and I would have to say Kloverbox has been my favorite lately. I’m yet to be disappointed by them.
i have been happy with the allure box. The brands are great! They include a little mag to explain each product with info including why they do Like it. Tips on how to get the best results using the product, from trial & error, which i find useful. I always like the variety & they seem to have the latest products that have come out recently that i want to try before i buy.
I started in September of last year and loved it for the first few months, In April after continually getting disappointed I used points to get a free May box and then canceled. It looks like I got out just in time! I was getting far better value and more customized products from Ipsy. I have been back and forth about getting into Boxycharm.
What happened to Glossybox? ! They used to be great, but the last 3 month’s they just keep going downhill. They will be losing alot of subscribers if they don’t step it up! The sizes of the products became smaller first, now the overall value has become lower each month. I’m giving them one more month only before I cancel.
Nope. I’m out. Just emailed them. Told them to keep their box (it hasn’t been shipped yet) and that I want a pro-rated refund for the 1 year subscription I paid for last year. But with their infamous customer service, I worry that this is just the beginning.
And what did they say?
I sincerely hope that someone from Glossybox reads the comments from your readers. I am genuinely disappointed with the items for the August box. The GlamGlow cleanser is the only product that I’m excited to try (and the only item that I consider from a luxury brand). I’m so tired of receiving products from foreign companies that no one has heard of. I had hoped they would try to redeem themselves from last month’s inclusion of a cellulite lotion (I don’t know how they could even be part of such quackery). I plan on giving them a chance for September, but if they fail to improve their selections, I’m promptly canceling my subscription.
I was considering trying Glossybox, but reading the review from last month kept me from doing so. The main $$ value of the box was in a ridiculous cellulite cream that I would never use. This month’s box is making me glad I didn’t subscribe. Like Liz, I have too many eyeliners already. I also have a sizable collection of nail polishes, so I don’t need those either. I love GlamGlow, but that’s not enough to justify the purchase.
I feel that Glossybox is starting to let me down, I remember the first box I received had the full size Yogi body wash and the 2nd (I think) had the Nexus Shampoo, I know some of the products for this month are full size, it just seems they don’t send out the big items anymore and that was one of the things I really liked about them. I’ll probably give it a couple more months but i’m thinking about trying Boxycharm, so I might have to try it if I let Glossybox go!!
*sigh* I bought the one month deal on Rue a ways back and now I’m regretting it. None of the boxes have had more than one item that appealed to me. You know it’s bad when you regret buying even a coupon ? Honestly I may just use it today on this month’s box and cancel right away so I don’t get charged the recurring fee. I’d almost wait it out to see September will be any better, but I have little faith at this point and the coupon rate expires the middle of next month I think. ?
I started getting this box back in March. It started out as one of my favorite subs, but has quickly gone down hill. I redeemed my points for my box this month, but will be canceling after it ships.
Dear Glossybox,
Just because you include one Glamglow product did not mean you can slack on the rest of the box.
Thanks.
Wow they have really gone down hill! My last month’s Ipsy had a higher value! I was tempted with the brush offer and the GlamGlow but it did say it was a $14 value, and I don’t understand why they aren’t offering full size products, they advertise it but they aren’t doing it. Boxycharm did that with that chlorophyll mask and that was ridiculous, don’t say it’s one thing then give us another! It’s just frustrating. But at least Boxycharm keeps it’s value there and I haven’t been disappointed.
Seriously? I would rather have the brush than any of these products.
I just ordered smth. on Sephora and got Beauty Insider Appreciation bag (code VIBTHANKS) with FREE GLAMGLOW YOUTHCLEANSE™ Daily Exfoliating Cleanser in it plus there are other nice things! That is why this month GB is so disappointing! It has only one skincare product, everything else is just not ”luxury beauty products” as it was promised. That is why I cancelled my subscription.
I’ve been getting Glossybox since April and while I do really like and use the products, I don’t LOVE it quite as much as a couple of other subs… And I really need to cut back so I’m going to cancel for now. I would like it a lot more for $15/month! 🙂
very disappointing for me. they advertise as full size products but when those things are a pencil, a lip balm, and a nail polish i feel like that is a bit misleading. the lip balm has wheat germ in it so not safe for a celiac. i just do not need anymore nail polishes or black eyeliners ! i really hope i like the glam glow (why cant that be full size !) and the lash primer (though i usually never bother with primer). i will not be renewing my glossybox once the year runs out. its just not enough products that i like for the $.
I don’t know where you found the ingredients for the lip balm, but thank you so much! It didn’t even cross my mind that it might have wheat in it. Thank you for saving me a bad few days!
Wow. I could’ve sworn that the spoiler for the Glam Glow said it was a $14 value. Total bummer that it’s half that. I was expecting more than an ounce. 🙁
Actually, it is $14. If you visit Sephora and look at the Glamglow cleansers online, there is a cleanser available in the same 1oz size that was shipped in the box for $14. Granted, it appears the packaging is a little different, but I don’t feel that the pump-style packaging really does much in this case (I’d feel a little differently if we were talking about an eye serum or dual-chambered product, but not a shelf-stable product like cleanser). This reminds me of the Borghese illuminator that was sent out in a Sample Society box – same size product that went out in a tube when the retail product went out in a pump bottle.
I could be mistaken, but I’m guessing Liz took her estimated value from the full size (5oz for $39) rather than the retail 1oz bottles. Naturally, anything purchased in a larger bulk size will have a better per ounce breakdown than smaller sizes (like shopping at Costco vs. a local grocer). It should also be noted that my example above cites the thirstycleanse and supercleanse rather than the youthcleanse shipped in this month’s GB. I still feel it’s a fair comparison given that all the cleansers sell for the same price in their respective sizes. Hope this helps!
GB is ok but certainly doesn’t hold a candle to Boxycharm. After my 6 month sub runs out, I think I’ll take a break from GB. I’m in product overload anyway.
The last few months have been kinda dissapointing. They seem to be following the same trend of ipsy where they just keep putting in cheap brands that make the subscription box rounds (jelly pong pong, pop beauty, etc). Which is fine for ipsy since it’s only $10 but not from a more expensive sub that markets itself as high end. They’re also putting in cheap products from other countries….ummmm cellulite cream I’m talking to you….just because we can’t get it here doesn’t mean it’s good. Considering cancelling soon. So sad 🙁
Have been on the fence about subbing to Glossybox. I like this months box and really want that kabuki brush.
I’m with you Trace….I ordered a couple days ago. It’s a win for me with the nail polish, glamglow and free brush….hoping to try that lip balm…anything else will be a bonus. They did let me know via email my box won’t ship until the 3rd week of the month, (think there was some controversy over delayed boxes) but I’m okay getting it then. 🙂
I agree ;( this boxes are not as good as they use to be. I’m pretty sure September will be my last month.
oh this looks really cheap and stingy. 🙁 not happy.
GB used to offer a great subscription….