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September 13, 2021
GlossyBox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – December 2016
GlossyBox
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 good too.
This is one of my favorite box designs of the year – it is stunning!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
FYI: GlossyBox sends out multiple variations of the box during some months. So, there may be some variation between what I review and what you receive.
The Subscription Box: GLOSSYBOX
The Cost: $21 a month (save more with 6-month or annual subscription)
DEAL: Now through 12/31, use coupon code BRUSHES to get two free Studio 10 concealer brushes with your first month of GlossyBox.
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:
Now, onto the items!
Harajuku Lovers Pop Electric Eau de Parfum Spray in Love – Value $25
I think this is the best fragrance packaging I’ve ever seen – it’s SO cute!
The perfume is in the base:
This scent is described as a fruity floral with top notes of “Juicy Pear, Granny Smith Apple, Dewy Freesia.”
I’m not much of a perfume person and this scent isn’t for me, but this package is perfect for gifting. It would be a cute stocking stuffer, too.
MDMflow Semi-Matte Lipstick in Bossy – FULL SIZE! Value $18
LOVE the gold design of this lipstick! The finish is matte and I found the formula to be somewhat moisturizing, too.
I was expecting this color not to work for my skin tone, but I applied it over my lip stain and love the results. (Swatched in lower photo.)
MeMeMe Beat the Blues Skin Illuminator in Oyster Gold – 9 ml Value $6.75
This highlighter formula was super easy to blend into a natural looking sheen. I wish the formula was paraben-free, but otherwise, no complaints.
Here it is swatched below the lipstick:
Luxie Beauty Onyx Noir Small Tapered Blending Brush 231 – Value $16
This blending brush is made with synthetic bristles and it’s super soft. (No bristle fallout either.)
VICHY Pore Purifying Clay Mask – .5 oz Value $4
This thin, clay mask took only a few minutes and left my skin clean and smooth. I would have preferred this mask to not be scented with fragrance, though.
Verdict: This box has a value of about $70. I think this is a great holiday box and I like everything included, but one thing to call out is that there is variation in this subscription. Not everyone received the Harajuku Lovers perfume, and I’m not sure how GlossyBox determines which subscribers get what.
If you are signing up and want to make sure you get the perfume in your box, use coupon code HARAJUKU at checkout. (Code expires December 31st.)
What do you think of the December 2016 GlossyBox? Did you get the perfume in your box?
GlossyBox is a beauty subscription box that sends five deluxe and full-size products to your door every month for $21 (with free shipping to the U.S.). Subscribers should expect to discover new brands of hair care, makeup, and skincare in each pink box, wrapped up nicely with a different theme each ... read more.
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!
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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98 comments
Emilia
I got the same box except for Vichy. Two tiny cleanser samples instead that are free if you ask for them. But hey! I scored perfume!
Melissa W.
I’m confused about the Harajuku Lovers G perfume also. I wasn’t even subscribed in December, but signed up on December 30, and still got the Harajuku Lovers G perfume! I thought it was only supposed to be for the first 500 people? So confusing. I actually bought a December box for cheap on ebay, and got the diamond eye mask. I loved them and was hoping I didn’t get the perfume, because I wanted the diamond eye mask again. A little bummed out, but overall happy. Will continue on to next month to see if I want to keep this sub.
Marielle
LOL just received my GlossyBox for December. Mind you… its January5th.. I received the perfume but also got the sad excuse for a sample cleaner… If the cleaner FULL SIZE was worth $25 why didn’t they just give us the full size? I know I shouldn’t complain… The box is worth more than $25 but I could have lived without the lipstick and brush which were the only two items I really liked.. Starting to think subscribing was a mistake..
Adeline
I actually received a different variation, I didn’t get the cleansers or the perfume. I received
*MDMflowlipstick – Bossy
*Krystals Diamond Select Anti-Gravity Soark Eye Mask
*Luxie Onyx Noir Small Tapered Blending Brush
*MeMeMe Beat the Blues Skin Illuminator in Oyster Gold
*Vichy Laboratoires – Mineral Pore Purifying Clay Mask
Lola
Decided to use my “generous” cleansing sample and had to use both tubes to wash my face once. I get more product in a foul packet most times.
Lola
Foil not foul. Stupid autocorrect.
Vicki Landers
I got the Pop Electric perfume.
Mandy
Sorry to hear so many were displeased but I wanted to share that there are happy Glossybox subscribers. Reading this thread you’d think the brand was horrid.
I’ve been an annual subscriber for 3 years and more than happy with the value of this particular box and subscription. Yes, I did get a perfume (Harajuku Lovers G perfume and I’m obsessed with the scent – it’s amazing!). So theories about yearly vs month-to-month getting shafted seem silly. Don’t forget that you are buying a mystery box – there are NO guarantees! Liz has done a great thing by setting up swapping on site, so if you don’t get something you like, feel free to swap, gift or give away. Take the opportunity to sign up and swap.
In regards to many reporting opened items or lack of response from Glossybox, I’ve never once had an issue with this in over 3 years. Anytime I’ve contacted customer service, they’ve ALWAYS responded within 24-48 hours.
I’ve subscribed to just about every beauty box out there (Ipsy, BoxyCharm, Memebox, Birchbox, Glossybox, Popsugar). I’ve cancelled all but Popsugar, Glossybox and Birchbox because they have higher end / QUALITY products. If/when that ever changes, I’ll reconsider my subscriptions. But until them I’m team Glossybox 🙂
Emma Soji
which sugarpop do you like the most? Ive seen several but dont want to spend more than about 30 dollars on a monthly box. Im leaning towards trying glossy soon.
Melissa W.
Look Fantastic beauty box is my favorite! You should check it out. If you sign up for the annual sub, it only comes to like $15 a box. Definitely worth it. Always great products and great value. Good mix too!
katie
I LOVED,LOVED,LOVED Glossybox,it was my favorite beauty sub. I cancelled all others and kept this one. Our hours got cut at work and I can’t afford to subscribe to monthly subs anymore but if I could only pick one then THIS would be the one. I was a very happy subscriber😍
Lynn
I agree with you on many points. I have been subscribed to Glossy for over a year and am generally very happy with my boxes. It is unfair though to advertise spoilers especially ones that say “in every box” and then substitute a tiny cheap sample or a $2 nail polish for the amazing spoiler. They should try to even out box values if possible and when there are not enough of the spoiler to go in every box they should advertise that one hundred or five hundred lucky subscribers will receive…. Otherwise, I do love Glossybox and accept that it is a mystery box. I also have had amazing help from their customer service every time I have needed to contact them.
Lynn
I agree with you on many points. I have been subscribed to Glossy for over a year and am generally very happy with my boxes. It is unfair though to advertise spoilers especially ones that say “in every box” and then substitute a tiny cheap sample or a $2 nail polish for the amazing spoiler. They should try to even out box values if possible and when there are not enough of the spoiler to go in every box they should advertise that one hundred or five hundred lucky subscribers will receive…. Otherwise, I do love Glossybox and accept that it is a mystery box. I also have had amazing help from their customer service every time I have needed to contact them. Oh, and I did not receive the perfume, but I am okay with that.
SP
I just re-subscribed hoping for the perfume, but got the eye masks instead. Also received the mineral pore purifying clay mask, which does not go with my skin type. Not happy at all with this box. Cancelling and never looking back!
Heather
I’ve been with Glossybox a long time. I even purchased 2 Holiday Boxes…my december box… no perfume, no mask…two tiny cleansers. I don’t cancel subscriptions, buy 6 months at a time & buy every special box…and I don’t get what comes in these boxes. I wanted the perfume so badly. Idk Who Hillary is, but I doubt she cares what comes in a subscribers box, even the loyal ones.
Lynne
Exactly! I bought a six month subscription so I am locked in for a while…regretting this decision. I also did not receive the mask or the perfume! I revived the two half-filled tiny face wash tubes. This box was horrible and NOT worth $25.
Brenna
I’m swapping my perfume on my page or would be happy to sell it to you 🙂
Jennifer
Ugh – is there any way to cancel if you bought a year sub? I subscribed for a few boxes in the middle of the year and they were fine… resubscribed in Nov and my Nov box was missing an item (the eye pencil – the only piece worth anything, though the CAP for the eye pencil was in the box – so strange), and I contacted them on their website twice and got no response. Then I sent a direct email and got a response like a week later, replied, and it took another week to reply and they said they’d send the pencil… but 2 weeks later now and nothing.
Now I get the Dec box and I have the eye mask instead of the perfume, well, sucks because I’d rather have the perfume but whatever – it is a high-priced item at least. But then I have two ultra small samples of the same thing (La Roche-Posay foaming cream, .1 oz). :-/
Sarah
Ugh. Canceling again! So tired of not getting the items in the spoilers. Such a cheaply put together box.
Sarah
I canceled once before and resumed month-to-month on Black Friday. After this month’s box…going to cancel again. Eye masks, ugly highlighter and uglier lipstick, and another brush. Not worth the $ at all. I am stuck with January (after the 14th). But I am done with the bait and switch.
Trisha
No perfume for me either but I actually really liked the eye patches by Kristal. On me they improved my deep crinkles and my puffiness is totally gone. I can’t imagine the results lasting for a full month tho!
I didn’t get the Vichy mask but instead got a Vichy moisturizer. It should be ok, I’ve used other products of theirs and it’s not bad, not great either.
But that shade of lipstick is AWFUL! Seriously, with so many beautiful shades out there they send “Day of the Dead” beige?
What were they thinking?
I’ve only been resubbed for 6 months, but it’s time to cancel for me. It’s not that I’m totally unhappy- but close enough. I loved the Xmas special box tho-& am hoping they offer them again at a discounted price.
ColleenT.
I got the eye pads, too, instead of the perfume. I have not tried them yet. Overall, I have really loved my Glossyboxes. I wish they were a little less expensive, though. The boxes usually fit my profile 80% of the time and I think the products, overall, are pretty good.
Christine O
I wanted to chime in here in the Glossybox situation. I have been subscribed for just over 2 years. My sub renews each month. I have a few complaints with the box and am also getting ready to cancel once i figure out how close I am to getting a free box. I think one more survey will cinch it. If not, I am outta there. My first complaint is I am sick to death of receiving items that the caps are either so loose the product leaks out or the cap is rolling around in the box. I would actually like to be able to sample the products I am paying for. Another pet peeve of mine is that being over 50, I seem to get 75% skin care items in my boxes. At this point, I could open up my own skin care shop and sell every item I have ever received from Glossybox and probably drop a few C notes into my checking account. Maybe I should consider doing that because I have more skincare than any single human being should. My final complaint is about heat sensitive items I live in AZ. It is downright hot here one third of the year. We ran our air conditioner in our home from mid March until the end of November because that is how hot it is here. Our highest temp this summer was 124 degrees fahrenheit. Yes I typed that correctly, 124! I cannot tell you how many of my items either leak, explode and just turn rancid from extreme heat. My mail doesn’t come until after 4pm. This means that my box is sitting in a hot, non air conditioned truck, which can reach temps in excess of 145 degrees for over 5 hours. Let’s not even talk about how hot it gets when my postal carrier locks her truck for an hour so she can grab lunch. Do you have any idea what heat does to cosmetics? I have voiced my concerns to Glossybox for months and can you guess what their reply has been? (insert cricket sound here)
My skin tone is pink and I am as light as a vampire. I cannot wear brown lipstick. What is the purpose of a profile questionnaire AND completing feedback every single month if no one pays attention to it? I am tired of hearing of this apparently nonexistent algorithm that never seems to work out in my favor. I hate nail polish, never wear it and over the past 12 months I have received 6 bottles. Really????
I did however, get the perfume this month so I was happy about that. I did not get the facial cleanser (thank goodness) but instead of the Vichy clay mask I got the Vichy eye cream. In the grand scheme of things I was pleased with my box but that is one out of 12. I haven’t’ seen anyone mention the Vichy eye cream item so I thought I would let all of you know there was yet another item that was sent to subscribers.
Luna
Starting last year, I decided to only sub to boxes for the first half of the year, and restart subs in January (or as early as November when the sub deals start rolling in). One of the reasons for doing this is to keep it exciting for me (as I found out I start to miss receiving those surprises after a while), but another reason was exactly due to what you mentioned… the heat in the summer! I don’t get heat like you do, but it does get into the 90’s on occassion, and for the annuals I was forced to keep (which I had purchased before coming up with my new sub box plan) I got plenty of really hot boxes & products, and I hate to think how many key ingredients were spoiled due the exposure to excessive heat. So, needless to say, I definitely won’t be getting sub boxes past June, and my online beauty purchases will be virtually non-existent until October.
Traci
Dear Hillary from Glossybox,
I’m happy to see that almost a year into my sub you’re finally trying to figure out why people are unhappy.
I filled out my reviews every single month and on the total box reviews I repeatedly pointed out the value discrepancies in boxes.
I was a subscriber for 9 months at $21 per box. Of those 9 boxes I never once lucked into the higher version so that leads me to believe that my profile must have leaned towards the “cheap substitute” outcome…..however, I never saw that question and since the variations have been a multitude of different kinds of products I find it hard to believe that my profile fit NONE of them.
My December box was the free box I earned with Glossydots so I guess you get what you pay for and that being said, at least I enjoyed the pretty box. Too bad I didn’t sign up for a “pretty box” subscription or it would have been perfect.
That was my last box, I cancelled. I figured that after voicing my opinion for 8 months prior would have been sufficient if you actually cared.
I wish your company well and I hope you get it figured out in time to keep other subscribers happy, but for me, I’ve moved on to other companies that value my money as well as my concerns. They exist and I’ve found several.
Dee
Traci, you’ve expressed my sentiments exactly! This month, I didn’t get the perfume or the Vichy products. I got the undereye pads from Kristals and two TINY samples (3 ml each) of LaRoche Posay “purifying fortifying cream.” Really disappointing when I see other people getting those really cool perfume bottles. At least I got a nice brush.
Jennifer
yeah, that’s what I got too. 🙁
Lola
Good job. Totally agree with you. I feel the same.
Bonnie
Since Glossybox seems to be reading this – I love that you’ve been doing celebrity fragrances these last few months. Would love to have one every month, but not rollerballs as much as sprays. I feel like my prayers were answered when this one was a spray! Spray is easier to get the scent on, and you can see the packaging, which is part of the fragrance experience. I really like trying celeb scents.
I love the lipstick, but mine came with no cap! So I can’t take it with me and I have to keep it in a small closed container so it won’t dry out 🙁
Otherwise, I like the box. I got Vichy eye treatment instead of the cream. A-ok with that. The brush is nice. The highlighter is meh.
But the point is to try things, so I’m ok with not loving everything. I do love when it’s mostly makeup and nails though, and spray fragrances.
Jennifer
So random – last month I had a cap in my box but no item. geeeez
Sandy Y
While I did like the brush and lipstick, I was a little upset to get ONE tiny little cleanser instead of the fragrance.
Michelle L
I have had a monthly subscription to Glossybox for over 6 months. Unfortunately we were hit hard by Hurricane Matthew and to I had to cancel all my subs (FYI you have to cancel Glossybox by the 14th if you don’t want the next months box!!!!).
I had at least 10 sub boxes, and Glossybox was always one of my favorites. Somehow I was one of the lucky ones to always get the higher end products. But this month SUCKED!
I am now a firm believer that Glossybox favors month-to-month subscribers, and screws those that pay upfront for a longer subscription, or cancel after the 14th.
– Set of 2 “diamond”, aka glittery, eye masks (marked way up by a scam parent company)
– Blending brush (have a dozen of this same brush range of color combos from one box or another for the last year)
– A horribly ugly brown lipstick that reminds me of how bad 90’s makeup was
– A highlighter that’s a cheap knock off of Benefit’s High Beam
– 2 super tiny cleansers that together were enough for 3 uses if used very sparingly
I have serious doubts whether I’ll resub to Glossybox once we get back on our feet. Although once one of my favorite monthly boxes, this month showed a serious lack of customer appreciation, and a undeniable amount of corporate greed.
Lesa
I pay month to month and I got the crappy box this month. I didn’t get the fragrance, and got the two little Posay samples. I was also really annoyed that Glossy sent out special perks (the hand warmers and the eyelashes) to the YouTubers with followers. Really? It’s pretty annoying to watch a box opening and then have the YouTuber say, “Oops, my bad. These special things are just for me, not you peons.”
I cancelled my sub this month, too.
Dee
Michelle,
That’s an interesting perception about the monthly vs annual subs. I’ve mostly gotten the lower-end items, too, and had a one-year sub. This month my sub ends, and I got the same as you (including the TINY samples of the LaRoche Posay cleanser!) And ITA about the lipstick, too. Matte brown is not my color! I’m switching from Glossy to Boxy effective this month.
Cathy
It is no better for month to month subscribers, I didn’t receive the perfume, and I always seem to receive the lower value items. It doesn’t seem fair. Thinking of canceling.
DeanaCal
I am a month to month subscriber, and got the exact same box you did. I was also pretty disappointed, but have gotten better boxes from them recently so I just chalked it up to a bad month. The feedback I do have, however, is for the ridiculously over-inflated retail values of some items, like those diamond eye masks. The page inside said full size (12 masks) was $400!!!! The other thing has to do with what seems to be wildly different total box values between the different variations. I think if the limited quantity products were substituted with items of similar value, people wouldn’t get so annoyed. Also, if one of the products is limited, it should NOT be used as the spoiler, unless the spoiler specifically said something like “a lucky 500 of you will receive the perfume” or something like that. Putting that limited product up as the spoiler without the disclaimer is pretty deceptive, and unethical in my opinion.
Tanya
I just became a yearly member, and I got the same box as you! It was awful! I would have loved the box Liz got. There is definitely some sorting going on at the company! I wish I hadn’t subscribed for the full year now!
Kim
I am a yearly subscriber too, and I got the same box that Liz got.
Debbie
I got the exact same thing you did and I am a month to month (relatively new). subscriber. I felt pretty unhappy with it too, but there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to their selections (it certainly isn’t based on my profile, despite their claims).
Hillary
Hey there Michelle,
We are so sad to hear that you were unhappy with your December GLOSSYBOX! Reviews are important, whether positive or negative, as it is an excellent way for us to make changes and improve our services for the better. Therefore, I take your feedback seriously and will pass along your notes to my colleagues! Thank you for your honesty, it is greatly appreciated.
Best,
Hillary from GLOSSYBOX
Adeline
I just started an annual subscription, this is my second one and I didn’t get the perfume either. So disappointed
Hillary
Hi Adeline!
We’re so sorry to hear of your experience. Each GLOSSYBOX is hand selected based on your beauty profile. Whenever you get a chance, adjust your profile so can give you the best GLOSSY experience.
Best,
Hillary from GLOSSYBOX
Lindsey S
You’re not missing much. It doesn’t smell bad, but it feels like a “play” perfume for a child. This month was really underwhelming, I think
casey
I got the cleansers also BUT I have oily/combo skin in my beauty profile and the cleansers are for oily/combo skin; maybe the box variations are their version of customization?
Lola
My skin is dry and I got the cleansers.
Joy
Same, dry skin but got the cleanser.
homesweetgliese
Same.
vane
How was the perfume a spoiler but yet not everyone got one? I for one LOVE fragrance so I hopped on the Black Friday deal they had. I haven’t received my box yet but having my fingers crossed
Hillary
Hi there!
Your box should be at your doorstep soon! Please, let us know what you think of it 🙂
Best,
Hillary from GLOSSYBOX
Donna B
I also received less than stellar products/sizes. I have one more box to go before I have enough points to get a free box, then I am cancelling. Tired of the ups and downs, especially since there are so many other better boxes out there. I have tons of makeup so am switching to a box that is mostly skin care – will probably try one of the “green” ones. Good luck to everyone else, though!
Laurie B
I have two annual subs and I received the perfume in both boxes. However, I received my Allure Limited Edition box yesterday and the Charlotte Tillbury eyeliner was missing. I contacted CS via chat and was told that I would receive a replacement in 2 to 4 weeks.
Adeline
I believe I had a shower oil that blew up earlier this year ( April ) and I’m still waiting for that replacement lol. Allure customer service is a joke
IronChefLo
Do not…I repeat – DO NOT expect Allure to send you whatever item you are missing! It would be a Festivus miracle if anyone was sent a replacement item from any box ever! Still waiting on August.
Jennifer
I needed replacement items once – Estee Lauder serum, I think, and it was supposed to be something else but I forget what – and it took weeks to get here and then it came in a strange package that had been partially opened, with the other item missing, and the package had a handwritten address from like some random dude in NJ or something. It was totally sketch. …
Laurie
Yeah, I thought I had read that somewhere before. I went ahead and called anyway, it’s worth a shot. It was the one thing I wanted! 🙁
Lola
For those of us who didn’t get the perfume, Glossybox set aside 500 units for new subscribers. How’s that for equal?
Hillary
Hi Lola!
We are so sad to hear that you were unhappy with your December GLOSSYBOX! We cater each box according to your beauty profile and we are working diligently to give all the best GLOSSY experience. Your feedback will be passed along to my colleagues! Thank you for your honesty, it is greatly appreciated.
Best,
Hillary from GLOSSYBOX
Joy
After I receive a $2 nail polish instead of the $50 Nuxe oil they promised this summer I’m not surprised at anything this company does. Shady.
Danielle
I got a shave oil instead of the Nuxe. I’m so glad my annual sub is almost over.
Lola
I didn’t get the perfume or the mask. My value of my box is $41 which is actually less than my December Ipsy bag and I paid $21 for this! I’m out and will not join or recommend them again. My last three boxes have been such poor value with defective, dried out and missing products. Just say no to this subscription.
