GlossyBox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – December 2015

ByLiz CadmanFeb 13, 2016 | 127 comments

glossybox-dec-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.

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GlossyBox sent us this box early for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

glossybox-dec-2015-side

FYI - GlossyBox sends out multiple variations of boxes each month - so not every subscriber will receive every item in this box.

glossybox-dec-2015-items

The Subscription Box: GLOSSYBOX

The Cost: $21 a month (save more with 3-month, 6-month or annual subscription)

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

glossybox-dec-2015-info

Each box comes with a fold out card detailing the items included.

glossybox-dec-2015-mascara

MTJ Cosmetics High Definition Mascara - FULL SIZE! Value $21

I could not find a link to buy this mascara online in the US, and it didn't come with any packaging, so I'm not sure what the ingredients are. That issue aside, I tried this out and I'm impressed with the formula. It adds length without clumping, and a little bit of volume too. (Not as much as my favorite tarte mascara, but I'd still give this a B/B+).

glossybox-dec-2015-scrub

Simple Sugars All Natural Body Scrub in Cranberry - Value $14

(Scents will vary for subscribers)

Does anyone else get excited when they see a Shark Tank product in a subscription box? (I'm also extra excited about this company since they are also from Pittsburgh!)

This scrub is made with all natural ingredients, and I think the cranberry scent is perfect for the holidays. There's a good amount of oil in the formula, so it will definitely keep your skin moisturized, too!

glossybox-dec-2015-nail-polish

Gold Label Cosmetics Creme Lipstick in First Class - FULL SIZE! Value $14

(Colors will vary)

I love the gold packaging of this lipstick! The color is a little bolder than what I usually wear (a lot bolder, actually), but I like that this shade is a cool toned red lipstick. (Swatched below).

Color Club Nail Lacquer in Feverish - FULL SIZE! Value $8.50

This is a deep red/cranberry creme. (Based on the card it looks like this product will NOT have variation). Color Club is one of my all-time favorite nail polish formulas, so I'm very happy with this inclusion.

glossybox-dec-2015-eyeshadow

GlossyBox Eyeshadow in GlossyBox Mauve - FULL SIZE! Value $11

Well, this didn't make it to me in one piece, but I should be able to reset it with some rubbing alcohol. I like the color a lot too. It has a hint of shimmer, and the pigment is great. Swatched here:

glossybox-dec-2015-swatch

Verdict: This box has a value of about $68.50. I think that's a good value for a $21 box! My favorite item in this box is the Simple Sugars scrub. It was a nice surprise to see when opening the box - and I already want to try out other scents (Like Candy Cane!) Since Glossybox includes international brands, and sometimes their own in-house brand, I would love to see them include ingredients on the info card for each item. Other than that, I'm very happy with the box this month.

What do you think of the December 2015 GlossyBox?

Starting at $21.00

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GlossyBox

3.3 overall rating

481 Ratings | 117 Reviews

GlossyBox is a beauty subscription service box that allows customers to sample products monthly. Sampling lets the subscriber fall in love with new products and become life-long brand advocates. Each box is filled with five makeup, hair and skin care products from top brands.

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Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Makeup Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Liz Cadman

Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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127 comments

Jay

I am on a recurring monthly sub, and since my December box has been in “pack” mode since December 2, I sent a message inquiring as to its status. Here was the response:

***Hi _____,

Thanks for writing in!

Unfortunately, it seems this edition is on back-order, as our warehouse is waiting on stock replenishment due to holiday delays from our vendors. Sadly, we do not have a time frame yet of when this will be completed.

Do you wish to wait for the December box or would you prefer a refund for this order?***

Meanwhile, people who just signed up in December have gotten their December boxes. It’s reasons like this why I have a problem with Glossybox.

Rebecca

Ugh 🙁 This must be why GB keeps essentially putting me off and telling me to be patient rather than calling the first box lost, now 13 days post-shipping. They better dazzle me for the next 11 months if they want me to reup!

I did a little google “research” on lost Glossyboxes, and when my situation happened to a blogger, they sent her a “classic” box full of good stuff and told her that if the lost box arrived, she should just keep it. Why couldn’t they offer that option to you or me? Even if you or I said no, to just extend the subscription by a month (or get a refund for a month), it would be nice to have the option of a different box in lieu of the one that they can’t fulfill.

Kristi

I still can’t figure it out how a company can treat its loyalist customers like dog doo. It really actually upsets me. I mean how hard is it to do the right thing? I subscribe for a whole year of your products and you have the nerve to then charge me double for December. Instead of just giving me back my $21 and continuing on with my 12 months you argue with me. Then once I post to social media complaining they comp me by giving me a 1000 glossydots (free box). So my December “boxes” roll in and guess what…they send me identical boxes. That was the real topper and pissed me off. So now that I am stuck for the next 12 months and on their chit list I’ll be expecting the bottom of the barrel until I can forget about this company once and for all!

Lalalalady

After waiting almost 3 weeks, I FINALLY received my first Glossybox today (although I did get the Holiday Box, which I adored!) and I am very pleased. Instead of the lipstick and scrub I received:

1. 2.5 oz Orogold hand cream
2. Florapy mask

The mask was in the November box but since I wasn’t a subscriber then I’m happy to have it. I’m quite pleased with the box as a whole. It was a great start to a 12 month subscription. It seems the products are more universally usable than other boxes and the product sizes are larger (I’m sick of the tiny sample sizes from Birch Box, Beauty Fix and others). I’m not sure what took me so long to hop on the GlossyBox bandwagon!!!

Many thanks to Liz and the many commenters for convincing me to give GlossyBox a try.

Jay

I’m kinda wishing I hadn’t resubbed to Glossy. The non-responsive CS and the frankly baffling shipping schedule is a real deterrent. My box has been in “Pack” mode since 12/2, and still is today (12/22). That’s 3 weeks to pack 5 small items in a box. It took me less time to pack up my whole apartment.

I’ve sent a message, but so far only received the automated “We are experiencing a high volume….respond within 24-72 hours.” We’ll see. I haven’t completely lost hope, it’s just been pretty tarnished.

Rebecca

Mine allegedly shipped on 12/10, but tracking hasn’t been updated, 12 days later. CS is still telling me to be patient while they contact USPS even though I told them that I talked to USPS on Friday and got nowhere with them. I feel like by this time Birchbox would’ve sent out a new box, but Glossybox just wants me to sit tight.

I’m stuck in this sub bc I got the gift subscription through Gilt City, but I won’t resub afterwards. Meanwhile I just bought my second BB sub last week (should get my second December box next week), plus I got my mystery sample pack for an order that had one of my favorite items from a past box in it 😀 Birchbox has lessened the sting of Glossybox’s lack of interest in what is clearly a missing box.

Joyce

Thanks Rebecca and Amy. That was the one I signed up with. Still no box or email.

jinytte

I got the same box as Jennifer, with the red lip gloss and the 2.5oz Orogold hand cream. Luckily, my eye shadow arrived intact.

How do you sign up for swaps? I’m thinking about swapping the lip gloss, eyeshadow, and the hand cream.

If you’re wondering about the ingredients for the lip gloss, I found it on the glossy box site:

INGREDIENTS
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Triheptanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,Cetearyl Isononanoate, Pentaerythrytil Tetraethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquiisostearte, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, CetylPEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Propylene Carbonate, Mica, Lecithin Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Aroma
May contain(+/-): CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007, CI 77489, CI 77742

Agnes

Glossybox has been a dissapointment in the last few months. My December box was not worth $12.00 yet I paid $22.00. I received a nail polish, mascara, an eye shadow, some lash primer and a tiny sample of some unheard face cream. My daughter got a better deal on her Ipsy bag and all she paid was $10.00. I wish I would have received the items shown on this review, my comments would have been very different. I think it is time to move on and leave glossy box behind. I figure I have spent a significant amount of money and they have not lived up to my expectations. Target & Walmart have been putting better boxes than this.

Burgen

I agree, I got my first Glossy box and was sorely disappointed. That tiny sample of bio-placenta face cream smelled horrible. Thinking of canceling already, which is how I ended up on this website. I am reading her reviews of other box subscriptions.

CMB

You are probably stuck with January now… if you don’t cancel by/before the 15th, then you will get the following month’s box.
I always set a reminder to cancel on the 13th, just to be safe 😉

If you have the Gilt City deal, you likely won’t be able to cancel until the term runs out… good luck!

Jennifer

Received my box today, and instead of the lipstick and sugar scrub, I received the lipgloss from the Oct box, and the Orogold hand creme. My eyeshadow was also in broken. I liked the packaging this month.

Lori

I got the same box.

Katelyn

I got the same thing.. the eye shadow was broken and I got the October lipgloss.

I emailed customer support and they said they were out of eye shadow replacements and let me pick two items out of a list of about 60 items.

So I’m actually not that upset about it anymore.

Sjski

Super frustrated with lack of customer Service . I canceled my subscription at the end of November so that I could use my Gilt city subscription. Because I canceled after the deadline I was supposed to receive the December box with my subscription ending with December . I have not received tracking, any kind of notice, or any indication that I am receiving the December box. However, my account online now says my subscription ends in January . I emailed customer service but I don’t have much hope in hearing anything . I run a small business and if I treated my customers like this I would be bankrupt in 6 months. Shameful

CMB

You should message them on facebook – that’s really the only way I get an answer about anything. Good luck!

Dea

From reading the comments, it sounds like some people don’t understand that most beauty subs come with variations.

Sara

We understand that subs have some variations but the old Glossybox never varied, everyone got the same thing. That seems to be why most people loved Glossybox, plus Boxycharm used to always send everyone the same things too.

Rachel

My complaints were not with the variations themselves – that is the norm with subscription services (and with 7, over a year, I certainly do understand how they work!) My concern is when I open a box and the card within doesn’t match the contents. Naively assuming I can find info about the no-name, unsealed products on the Glossybox website, and then discovering that GB does not even offer these “brands” for sale is the part that doesn’t sit right with me. I am definitely in the sub box game to be surprised and to try new products I wouldn’t have purchased on my own…but something in this whole mess is fishy. A Google search doesn’t even bring up these brand names , let alone instructions for use, ingredients lists, etc. I am not going to slather something that foreign onto my face and hope for the best. I canceled with GB, and as a “good riddance ” gift signed up with a significantly better service in its place. Fingers crossed for better success in 2016.

CMB

Agreed… as I said downthread, I don’t mind the variations at all. I mind the lack of customer service/shipping issues.
But yeah, maybe if someone is sick of getting too many lipsticks, or mascaras… subscription boxes aren’t for you? You might be better off just going to the store to buy exactly what you need, rather than relying on sub boxes to deliver all the things you don’t have.

Before sub boxes became all the rage, I remember simply going into Sephora or a dept. store/Kiehls counter/etc. to ask for samples, and they would give me a bunch to take home and try out. Then again, I am probably too much of a control freak for sub boxes, which is why I only sub to one box every now & then!

Rebecca

That is why my sister won’t do any subscription boxes. I offered to buy her a sub as a Christmas gift, but she didn’t want it. She’s a Sephora fanatic but gets samples with her orders. Because we don’t have a store near us, it’s hard for her to branch out beyond what she already knows/likes. I give her things I get doubles of (thanks to mystery sample packs from BB) or things I don’t want that I think she’ll like, so she does get a little taste of some other products. She’ll likely get more of this now that I have two BB subs, too.

Dea

So glad I got the Orogold hand cream instead of the Simple Sugars scrub. All five of my products are full-size, and worth $76. I only paid $8.75 for the box!!!!!! No complaints from me. I’ll gift the mascara and the nail polish, and I’m still way ahead. Well done, GlossyBox!

Tierney

I’m super-disappointed. I was really looking forward to trying the Simple Sugars since they’re a local company for me, and since I’m a Shark Tank fan. That was really the only item I was excited about, and I didn’t get it. Aside from the nail polish and broken eyeshadow, I’m blanking on the other products I got because I was so underwhelmed. If I hadn’t purchased the Gilt deal, I’d be even more bummed (and would probably be cancelling).

Sara

I agree I was very excited about the body scrub but didn’t get it. I got the box with the orogold hand cream and old lipgloss. I don’t understand the hand cream either it says full size is $18 for 1 oz, but the tube is 2.5 oz.

Joyce

I have not received my first box. I ordered in November when Liz had a special from another site posted. (My mind is blank). I think I am going to cancel from the reviews.

Rebecca

You mean the Gilt City deal? Because you didn’t purchase a subscription straight through GB, you might not be able to cancel through them, and Gilt City may say tough because you redeemed it. I bought the year through Gilt City, and although I’m annoyed that my December box is MIA, I feel like I’m locked in. You may have ordered too late in November to get the November box, so December may be your first box (assuming yours isn’t MIA like mine). Just check with GB that you’re actually set up to get 12 boxes (or 6 or 3, depending on what you bought through Gilt City).

Amy

Yeah, if you purchased a pre-paid subscription via gilt city, I’m pretty sure it’s non-refundable so you’re locked in.

My December box just shipped yesterday and is scheduled to arrive Monday, so don’t give up yet. It seems like there is a wide range of shipping dates and they may have been backed up with the special edition box. From what I’ve read their usual shipping time is the 2nd or 3rd week of the month so they seem right on time to me.

Rebecca

Also, I’m not saying don’t try to cancel if that’s what you want to do – just pointing out that it might not be that simple. Hopefully if you want to cancel, you can!

CMB

Heck, at this point I just want my box! It has been sitting in “pack” status since the first week of December. I contacted GB service, but haven’t heard back.
This isn’t the first time my box has been delayed ridiculously… frankly, I’m not annoyed about the variations (because we are warned), rather, I’m bothered by the fact that they can’t get their act together when it comes to shipping/communication.

Rebecca

I also just noticed that when I track it through Glossybox, the section that says “Estimated Delivery Date” used to say Wednesday, December 16 but now says “Delivery date information will be available once details are provided by the carrier.” This is getting sadder by the minute.

Bella

The same thing happened with my last box! By the time they responded to it the shipping miracously changed back to a eta, so it looked like “it’s right there Ma’am” thing…
This month all I got was the place it left(kentucky I think) and even that was “in transit” and then five things for my city the day it arrived…
What’s the point in having tracking if it wont even track it?
Once they swapped numbers and my box looked like it was arriving in Texas, I was FREAKED! They apologized and told me it was a swapped number but that was a day later after I saw “delivered” and they wouldnt give me any points for the mixup…

Rebecca

You’re not alone. My November Glossybox arrived without incident. I already had a hiccup with USPS delaying my Birchbox by two mailing days – which of course crossed over a weekend, meaning it was delayed by three calendar days 🙁 Now my December Glossybox is MIA!!! It says it was “In Transit” on 12/10 (a week ago today), then “In Transit” again with the same location in Kentucky on 12/12 (this past Saturday), then “Pre-Shipment Info Sent To USPS” as of 12/14 (this past Monday). It was slated to arrive yesterday, Wednesday, 12/16. Neither the Glossybox tracking nor the USPS tracking sites show any movement.

I e-mailed Glossybox yesterday (18 hours ago) after reading how ridiculous their hold times were, and I got an acknowledgement of my e-mail but no response yet. I know USPS doesn’t update their shipping like UPS and FedEx usually do, but no update whatsoever is kind of ridiculous. I am hopeful that it’ll be in my mailbox today and that the tracking information will catch up, but I’m not holding my breath.

I hope you get your GB soon!!!

CMB

Ugh, that’s craziness! Be sure to keep us posted on when you finally get your box! Mine… is still in “pack” status and no word from GB customer service

My email to them wasn’t snooty or anything… just pointing out that their site says they’ll ship within 14 days of the order date and I wanted to know the status. It is well beyond that now, because I placed the order right when the Dec. boxes became available on 12/1.
I wanted to see how this month went before committing to more… Luckily I canceled on the 14th, so I’m not on the hook for next month. I’m happy I didn’t give in to temptation and do the Gilt City deal, haha!

Charina

I requested an additional December box using my glossydots which I earned inviting a friend/family to subscribe. I received the box with the lash food and EMK moisturizer. I am not so excited about the lash food or mascara because I receive a ton from my other beauty and lifestyle subscriptions. The bummer is I received the same samples in my free box despite having an info card saying I got the orogold hand cream and colorphlex detangler. I was so excited when I saw the info card only to be heartbroken moments later. I reached out to glossybox even sending them a picture of the info cards and the products, and as expected they said they sent the wrong info card. I thought the purpose of glossybox is to have you try new things? To me it just shows how they put little thought about what boxes to send to their subscribers.

Rachel

I just canceled after my 7th consecutive disappointment from Glossybox. Not only did I get a completely different box from this one, I got a completely different one from what the card inside the box indicates. Actually, there were 2 identical cards. Just to taunt me with the products that I’d dearly love but didn’t receive, perhaps? And this is the second time this fall getting a different card than what’s in the box. I’m super glad I canceled. But still, why tease me, Glossy? Come on…that’s just mean.

Charina

I will also not renew after my subscription expires. It has been a disappointing ride due to the variations.

Rachel

Is the comment function down? I just attempted to post a rant about Glossybox’s joke of a Customer Service department and -poof!- both disappeared,claiming I hadn’t a valid email address. It was a good one, too, designed to let Gabrielle from GB know exactly how her company is treating customers like poo on their shoes! Sigh.

Sana

I got the COLORPHLEX hair detangler and OROGOLD hand cream. No lipstick and no scrub

Shana in OR

same 🙁

Jen

I’m excited to see what I get now.. It looks like there are a few different variations. I am hoping for the lash primer which since I don’t have any … But I have not even received a shipping notification yet.

Christine

I got a variation – and even though it has a way higher value, I’m a bit (greedy/sad/pouty) disappointed that I didn’t get the simple sugars – I love Shark Tank and the products featured on them (I always get comments on my pursecases!).

Instead of the lipcolor I received Colorphlex Leave-In Treatment & Detangler – 2 oz. (value $11)

Instead of the simple sugars I received a generous 2.5 oz Orogold 24K hand cream (value $45 although on websites for $38).

Other than that I have the same other items (Color Club nail polish, Glossybox eye shadow, MTJ cosmetics High Definition Mascara.

Total box retail may be close to $85-$90

Ashley

My box is different. Instead of the sugar scrub and lipstick, I received a .13 oz sample of Lash Food Conditioning Lash Primer ($10) and a .33 oz sample of EMK Beverly Hills Supra Face Cream ($27.50).

I don’t have a lash primer, so I’m excited to try this one. The face cream is $142 for the full 1.7 oz size, so it *has* to be good, right?! lol

I’m liking my Glossy this month!

Bella

I also got that in my box. I was rather disappointed as I had also gotten a lash primer like 2 boxes ago and I still havent tried that one!( I hardly use mascara let alone primer)
As for the ant aging cream…I never use the stuff(19 here) and I already have plenty of them to gift to people who do as the come in nearly every other box!!!
I even asked them to NOT send any more anti age stuff in the comment thing on monthly satisfaction thing which they abviously dont read…
Oh and there cards are getting lame…they used to be fun and informative now they’re more ad like 🙁

mimi

This is exactly what I received. Not crazy about the lash primer, as since I wear extensions I only use mascara on my lower lashes and rarely use primer (although I sometimes do). Not totally upset about not getting the scrub since I have some from other boxes, although the cranberry scent is enticing.

barbara

I also received the lash primer and the Supra Face cream….and a broken eyeshadow, nail polish and mascara….and the ONLY thing I really wanted was the body scrub….UGH….why do you torment me Glossybox!!!

Anna

I received the exact same box, and I’m glad I read your comment cause I was so mad! I really wanted to try the scrub, so disappointed that I didn’t get it. But oh well, might ad well enjoy what I did get, right? Not mad anymore, just a little sad.

Hazelnutbreve

I got the same variations as you did. I got a lash primer a few months back and absolutely love using them. I am very happy to get another one. I was a little disappointed at the size of the EMK face cream, but it is expensive stuff. I look forward to trying it. Hopefully there is enough product to see how well it works.

Janelle

Now I am sad that I cancelled, but had a financial crisis and needed a few weeks. I would resubscibe now if I thought I would get the hand cream instead of nail polish. I’m not being picky, but I simply can’t wear it since chemo. I’m having a terrible time trying to decide what to do.

Betty

Can anyone tell me how to redeem the glossy dots for a box ?

Gabrielle

Hi Betty,

Please write into our Customer Care team at [email protected], so they can further assist you!

Best,
Gabrielle from GLOSSYBOX

nana

I don’t know if this is the box I’ll be getting, but I’d be happy with it – given that I paid $9 for the box and it’s December. Every single item in this box would make a good stocking stuffer for one of the three tweens and 3 adult women who’ll be hanging stockings over at my house.

2imo

The box is pretty. I have a year subscription and I would like to see something new and exciting in the boxes. Seems like all of the beauty boxes each month pretty much have the same type of product . I would like to see someone think outside of the box and throw something in that is new and exciting. Some good ideas could be found on AHAlife.

Jenn

The day I bought the gilt city deal I called and spoke to customer service about how to handle the switch. She told me I would have to resubscribe – cancel the subscription and then wait until December or I would get a duplicate November box. On December 1st I used the gilt city deal but used my other email and started a new account. I had very few glossy dots so I didn’t really care about giving them up. I am so tired of mascara but have to keep reminding myself that $8.75 a month for full size products is a great deal.

Kelsey

How did you get your box for 8 dollars a month?

Amy

There was a deal on Gilt City Miami last month where a 12 month Glossybox subscription was only $150.

For new Gilt City members, you could also use a coupon code for 30% off your first purchase, which brought the cost of the 12 month sub down to $105, which is even cheaper than birchbox.

$105 breaks down to $8.75 per month. A LOT of people subscribed using this deal.

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GlossyBox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – December 2015

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