GlossyBox Subscription Box Review – August 2018

ByLiz CadmanAug 14, 2018 | 42 comments

GlossyBox is a monthly beauty subscription box. They have the best packaging in the business, their products are usually a deluxe size or full size, and the value is usually good too.

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (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)

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, on to the items!

NCLA Nail Lacquer in I Been Drinkin’ - FULL SIZE! Retail Value $18

This polish is described as a bright watermelon pink - and I'd say that's accurate!

The formula is a high-shine creme, and it took two coats for full coverage. Here it is on:

VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh - 12 ml Value Listed $10

This is a primer that also has luminous finish - a VERY subtle shimmer. (And if like me, you need full-coverage foundation, this will be completely lost.)

This primer gave my skin a smooth base for foundation, and it didn't feel like I was wearing any primer either. So I like the formula, but I hate the container! It is not easy to get this primer out of this nail-polish-like glass bottle.

Here it is swatched before it dried down to invisible:

(Still pretty hard to see!)

Grow Gorgeous Haircare Scalp Detox – 1.69 oz Value $8.95

This is a scalp scrub designed to help remove the buildup of hair products and make your hair cleaner and healthier. It's fragrant with added menthol, so it's cooling and refreshing, too. (You can use this once a week.)

MONU Eye Cool Gel - FULL SIZE! Retail Value $34

This is a lightweight gel designed to help depuff skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles. It felt gentle on my skin, it's ingredient-conscious, and it's fragrance-free, too!

I didn't notice any help with dark circles after one application, but the cool gel felt very soothing.

REN Flash Hydro-Boost – 10 ml Value $11.05

(This is a variant item.)

Another ingredient-conscious item! This formula is designed to help boost your skin's hydration. You apply a small amount, then add water to your fingertips and massage into your skin. It absorbed almost instantly and I love the natural scent. (Plus you can use this before your other moisturizer to enhance it.)

SETZ Blot + Translucent Powder Single Dosed Cosmetic Compact – .1 g (Set of 3) Value $2.39

This card comes with 3 single-use translucent powder and blotting discs:

Here is one of them open:

These were easy to use and very convenient. The powder absorbs almost instantly, and it helped remove any shine.

UPDATE - it appears as though GlossyBox originally messaged that there would be a 1-month subscription to Emma & Chloe included with this box, then updated that messaging to say first 500 subscribers. (You can see our screenshot here doesn't have the * that now appears on the GlossyBox site. I'm going to reach out to Glossybox about this, but please let me know if I have the correct info.) Their email on August 2nd stated that: *Available while supplies last, limited quantities available. The promotion offers one-free month of Emma & Chloe when you pay shipping and handling ($5.00).

Verdict: This box has a value of about $84.39. That's a good value for the $21 cost, and I think this is my favorite GlossyBox in a while. Besides my issues with the VDL Primer packaging, everything in this box is a good fit for me!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! If you sign up in the month of August, this will be your first box!

Value Breakdown - At $21 a box, here's what you are paying per item:

NCLA: $4.48
VDL Primer: $2.49
Scalp Detox: $2.23
MONU: $8.46
REN: $2.75
SETZ: $.59

What do you think of the August 2018 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!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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42 comments

Mary

Love the primer, which I mix with a little moisturizer but getting out of the bottle is a challenge! I use a q-tip,

AmyM

I don’t understand those Setz things. So much single-use packaging. Why not just carry a compact or blotting papers. What am I missing?

TheOtherJulia

I really like this month’s box, but I’m still hesitant to sub because of their previous boxes. So I will keep waiting and watching.

Jennifer

I’m glad I canceled my subscription for August. I gave them over a year of subscribing and I can honestly say that I never ever received one WOW box! I received quite a few lack luster, expired or dried up products though. Too many sample size products for my $21. I’m going to replace it with Lola Beauty Box, I already have BoxyCharm and Ipsy.

Angie

I didn’t even get this box for the Emma and Chloe box. I got it for the skincare so everything else is a added bonus in my eyes. Thanks Liz for all the great info your awesome! And just to let some know I did get an email with a code for the one months box of Emma and Chloe and I would just have to pay for shipping which is $5 so imma try the code and see if it’s valid fingers crossed 🤞 I never even knew what this sub was so I’m intrigued after reading reviews.

Lisa

Angie, what was the code? Thanks!

Vivi

Not surprise at all with thier misleading promo ad. It happened then and still happening. I would never fall for thier promo that they cannot honor.

Kathy

I signed up for a 3 mth subscription and was suppose to get the July box first but they started with the Aug box instead??? My Ren product was differant and my box did not have the highlighter instead I got Beach Babe sea salt spray that the entire contents leaked out destroying the beautiful box and making a hot mess for the entire contents. I contacted Glossy box by phone and was sent an email to respond and send pictures of the damage, I did so on Aug 7th and have heard nothing back? As for the Emma and Chloe free month box, I did not get as promised, saw nothing about for the first 500 subscribers but received an email yesterday stating if I referal then I would get the box for free with 5.00 shipping cost. Ive no idea whats going on and why. I cancelled back in Oct 2017 because of past problems and just resubscribed Aug 1st with a sweet promotion of 3mths for $39.00, now Im asking myself why I did cause im back to having problems once again.

Anna

My thoughts on this box haven’t changed, I’d still have to be drinking to resubscribe to Glossybox, the fiascos of promotions that they don’t honor and general sketchiness makes it a big NOPE.

That primer bottle makes absolutely no sense to me. Odd.

CoffeeBeforeMascara

Totally, I thought it was a second nail polish….

aliammonshowell

Ditto! I’m about to cancel.

Redhed36

I pretty much recieved this same variation except I recieved a different REN item.

Deanne

I’m resubscribing for this box, I like all the contents which now that I’m down to just one or two subs is important so I’m not on product overload! I especially want to try the blotting things 🙂

Anna

The SETZ blotting things are at CVS cheap.

Luna

For those that signed up to GB with their latest offer… I think it was get a 3-month subscription for $39 (get a box free)… which box was your 1st box in your subscription (according to your GB account)? Mine states that July should be, and when I signed up I got an email stating my July box shipped, then a 2nd email stating that my August box shipped a day or two later. I received the August box fine, but the July box is still in “label created” status. I was just curious if I was the only one.

Redhed36

I recieved August and according to my account it says August. I signed up July 31st.

Luna

I just checked the timing of everything. I signed for the offer on 7/30, then received the two emails for the July & August boxes on 8/1. Also on 8/1, I received a 3rd email stating there was a delay in the shipment of my 3-month subscription (not a specific box, but the whole subscription). Even though I disregarded it since I had received the other emails first, I still decided to save it. I just now sent them a message through their website. I’m not holding my breath though. Worst case is that I’ll consider the missing July box as my “free” box, and at least I’m getting what I paid for (so to speak).

Anna

Same here, I am so confused.

Emilia

Surprisingly enough, I liked this box. The primer bottle is indeed a huge mistake, I don’t believe any cream in the world can help with dark circles or bags, I know someone who’d be ecstatic to get the blotting thingys, the nail polish is fun and the scrub is just such a hilarious idea – scalp, really? I’ll keep the polish and cream, gift the rest – all in all, I am happy. The box makes up for everything.

Bonnie

Scalp scrubs are great! Try one, it doesn’t have to be this one. Especially nice in summer – so refreshing!

Kirsten

I know, right? Cute bottle, but talk about the absolute *worst* product to put in it! I wonder if one of those micro spatulas designed to get every scrap of product out would help??

Anna

Those spatulas for getting products out are great, I use them for Sunday Riley Ceo and a few other pump bottles that have a lot of product left in the bottom.

Meg

Love how you don’t address whatsoever the confusion/misadvertising over the emma x Chloe monthly subscription that was advertised with this box. It def. cost Glossybox some long term users.

Amy

Meg
I think you could have phrased that a bit nicer to Liz.

Laura P.

I agree! Meg, why not just ask if she had heard anything instead of being sarcastic?

Meg

You are right, it come off much snippy than I meant to😞was just frustrated about no response/mention from MSA about this issue .There were two previous separate threads where several people asked about this and no response was given by MSA

Liz Cadman

Sorry. That was not omitted intentionally. I’ll update the post now and also reach out to GlossyBox.

Looking back into it, it appears as though that this was first messaged as it would be in all boxes, and later GlossyBox added a *first 500 subscribers note, is that correct?

Meg

Thank you for addressing this and I’m sorry if my response came off rather snappy. Just frustrated with Glossybox here and their response to this oops on their part. I know a lot of people( myself included) were rather frustrated about this and Glossybox’s response to it.

Kris

That is correct…the original post that I received didn’t have the asterisk and first 500 customers. It just stated that a 1 month subscription to Emma & Chloe would be included in the box. I really appreciate you contacting them…I’m curious as to what their response will be, although I have a good idea..🙄

Kirsten

While I liked the feel of the Monu eye gel, it is nice and soothing and didn’t cause any irritation, after a week of use, I’ve noticed far less efficacy with depuffing and dark circles than my regular go-to, which is kind of a bummer.
I’m pretty happy with the rest of the products, too. The setz packettes are fabulous for carrying in my purse!

Dorothy

What is your regular one?

Kirsten

I use a drop of the ordinary’s caffeine solution mixed with Algenist’s Firming and lifting eye gel (I use all my eye products straight from the fridge for extra depuffing).

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GlossyBox Subscription Box Review – August 2018

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