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GlossyBox Subscription September 2021 Review + Coupon

Naomi Pandolfi
ByNaomi PandolfiSep 22, 2021 | 12 comments

Full Contents for GlossyBox September 2021

GlossyBox
3.3 overall rating
480 Ratings | 116 Reviews

GlossyBox is a beauty subscription that sends five deluxe and full-size products to your door every month for $21 (with free shipping to the U.S.). You should expect to discover new brands of hair care, makeup, and skincare in each box, wrapped up nicely with a different theme each time.

This will be my first-ever GlossyBox, and I have to say, I am pretty freaking excited. The chic pink box gives me classic high-end Tiffany's vibes.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

FYI: GlossyBox sometimes sends out multiple variations of the box during some months. So there may be some variation between what we review and what you receive.

First Impressions

Box Open for GlossyBox September 2021

The chic pink box serves up classic sophistication, and the products are diverse with several being full-size!

What's Inside The Box

 

GlossyBox includes an info booklet that lists all the products in the box, the retail value, and a tip on how to use them.

This month there was also a card with information on the 2021 GLOSSYBOX Advent Calendar.

DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-one Gel, 120 g - Retail Value $49

 

I'm gonna be honest here... This was the first product I pulled out of the box, and I was beyond thrilled. It's a great-sized product for a subscription box and it's a collagen gel. What's not to love, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, I have sensitive skin, which leads me to read ingredient lists on a lot of my products, and this fabulous cream has orange roughy oil as an ingredient. The orange roughy is on the endangered species list. It's a vibrant-colored fish that can live up to 100 years, which of course we mortal humans are envious of. As I have grown as a person, I've educated myself more on animal cruelty and what that means for me as a consumer. I, for one, can't support the suffering of other sentient beings for lipstick, mascara, or collagen gels. I can't lie... I, of course, tested the product and it feels absolutely divine on my skin. It left my face feeling smooth and buoyant, with a natural glow. It did have a unique scent that reminded me of Play-doh but this non-greasy gel is definitely a product I would have loved to use if it had have been cruelty-free.

 

David's Premium Natural Toothpaste Travel Size in Peppermint, 50 g - Retail Value $4.95

 

There are two things I look for in a toothpaste. One, a super minty punch that leaves my mouth and teeth feeling clean and fresh, and secondly, a whitening formula that can combat the stained teeth of a compulsive coffee drinker, black, one sugar, no cream. I was happy to find that this toothpaste has a powerful but tasty, natural peppermint flavor that I have found really keeps my breath fresh and effectively brightens my smile. I also really like that the product comes in a recyclable metal tube that's not only good for the environment but also makes it much easier to get the last of the toothpaste out of the tube with a toothpaste key.

 

Terre de Mars Reddition Body Cleanser, 150 ml - Retail Value $23

 

I love when body cleansers come in a subscription box. It's one of my all-time favorite products to receive. Why you ask? Well, here's the thing... I love to try new things, but when it comes to my everyday body wash or cleanser, I tend to just buy the same one over and over and over again. I know, I could step out of the box and just pick up a new one in the store, but... What if I don't like it? ... What if I have an allergic reaction to it? What if I miraculously get an invitation to meet Beyonce herself after I finish a sweaty workout at the gym and end up having no body wash to shower with? These are the things of my nightmares. So, every time I get to try a new and exciting body cleanser that comes straight to my door from a subscription, I get super excited. I found this product to be super gentle on my sensitive skin, with a pleasant light scent. The product makes a nice, rich lather and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry and stripped. This is definitely a product that I really enjoy but probably would have never purchased myself, and another bonus, one of the active ingredients is coffee, which we all know is not only a great pick-me-up but also helps tighten skin, or so someone once told me.

 

Four Sigmatic Hot Cacao with Reishi, 2 packets - Retail Value $4

 

I'm one of those people who has never been a fan and am downright suspicious of "healthy treats." Here's the thing. If I'm going to eat something bad, I want to just enjoy it. I don't want to take a bite and find some strawberry buried underneath to make it a guilt-free treat. I wanted to eat cake, so let me just eat my cake. But this mushroom hot chocolate with no "bad" sugars has definitely thrown my worldview for a loop. It is delicious. Truly a sweet indulgence, with a rich chocolatey flavor but with all the goodness of a health food. If you had told me, I would never have believed you. In fact, if I wasn't reviewing this box, I probably wouldn't have even tried these. Because mushroom and chocolate... Does that sound delicious to you? No, it doesn't. But somehow, the magical people at Four Sigmatic have created an organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based alternative to that everyday hot cocoa that we all love but that as health-conscious grown people should have stopped drinking at thirteen.

 

Daily Concepts Hammam Mitt, 1 pc - Retail Value $14

 

I would say that I am fairly passionate about exfoliating in the shower. I was never one of those people who could just squirt some shower gel into my bare hands and smear it all over my body. I always needed a loofah, a washcloth, something! This exfoliating mitt is super handy. It slips right onto your hand, and you can apply your cleanser to it directly and then lather up your body with your hand. It feels great. It's a gentle exfoliation that can be done on a daily basis and left my skin feeling smooth and clean. The one downside I have found for myself is that I have apparently very small, tiny hands, and the mitt kind of just slips off. So, I had to spread my fingers very widely to hold the mitt on my hand for the duration of the cleansing portion of my shower, which naturally led to a hand cramp. I haven't felt that kind of burn since my puppeteering days. But fear not. If you have an average-sized hand, this ailment will likely not affect you.

 

This Works Stress Check Clean Hands Travel Size, 60 ml - Retail Value $6.00

 

This Works is one of those brands that clearly states that their products work right in their label, while also following up with quality products that actually work. I found this sanitizer does exactly what it says: it sanitizes but also leaves my hands feeling hydrated and not like every drop of moisture has been sucked out of them. They also say this product uses lavender oil and essential oils in the formula to help relieve stress and tension. I can't really speak to that. The lavender does give the product a light scent that helps combat the harsh alcohol smell that we all associate with hand sanitizer. But I don't know if it made me feel any less stressed. I would guess the effectiveness of that element of the product would depends upon just how anxious you are.

 

Verdict

For my first-ever GlossyBox, I have to say, I really enjoyed it. There were three full-size products, which definitely made the box worth it value-wise for me. I like how the Terre de Mars body cleanser complemented the Daily Concepts exfoliating mitt. The cleanser does a great job of not drying out my skin, and the mitt is a gentle enough exfoliation for daily use. I also really like that a David's toothpaste was included, since that's something that everyone can always use. The strong peppermint punch is the true selling point for me. I thought the addition of a healthy sweet treat in the Four Sigmatics cacao mix gave the box all the right kind of fall vibes. It tasted absolutely delicious. During this time in the world right now, I'm always in need of another hand sanitizer, so the This Works sanitizer was a great curation choice for me. I really like how the product doesn't dry out my hands. The DHC collagen gel is a great product to include in this box. It's a great full-size product that works really well. I only wish that it was cruelty free. Overall, I think the retail value was definitely here on this box, and there was a unique curation of new daily necessities to try.

Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Value - Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: $21.00

VALUE BREAKDOWN

  • Collagen Gel: $49.00
  • Toothpaste: $4.95
  • Body Cleanser: $23.00
  • Cacao Mix: $4.00
  • Mitt: $14.00
  • Hand Gel: $6.00

The products this month have an estimated retail value of around $100.95, which is phenomenal for a $21 box. The curation felt very on-target for fall, and the diverse array of products had you covered from teeth to toes.

To Wrap Up

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, subscribe now to get the September box while stocks last. You can see what box is available on the subscription page.

What do you think of this month's GlossyBoxBe sure to click below to write a review!

Starting at $21.00
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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.

Naomi Pandolfi
Naomi Pandolfi

Naomi Pandolfi is a skincare obsessed subscription box junkie who is always on the hunt for the best curl defining cream. She is a producer and contributing writer at several online publications, including MSA, The Knockturnal, and Hey Beauti Magazine. Naomi is also the Head of Development at Starfury Productions and is dedicated to helping Black, minority, and underrepresented creators develop and sell projects.


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12 comments

Deanne

I love GlossyBox although I’m cancelled right now, they are truly the last company that packs a nice box! I’m tired of sub boxes throwing all your stuff in with barely a scrap of padding.

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Melissa

I remember seeing Orange Roughy at the grocery store all the time years ago, but not recently. Now I know why, although I will note that my research did not say that they are on the endangered species list, but rather that they are in danger of being overfished, making them a species of concern. This is due to the fact that they take a long time to mature, which makes sense considering their lifespan, which, again, according to what I read, can actually be up to 200 years, not 100.

I’ve received a number of consumable collagen products in sub boxes over the last couple years. They are usually derived from beef collagen.

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Naomi Pandolfi

200 YEARS! That is crazy! Thank you for the in depth research Melissa. I only had the time for a few google searches so I appreciate the knowledge!

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Lisa

Great review Naomi! I love your sense of humor, please keep that up. I’m sad to hear about the all-in-one collagen gel. It felt really nice! I have to say when I tried the bath mitt and was thinking I must have ham hands. I think it’s just smaller than anticipated. I hooked my thumb in the loop and was able to hang onto it and get the job done, lol.

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Suzanne

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but there’s no such thing as cruelty free collagen. If it’s vegan, it’s not actually collagen.

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Deanne

There is nothing cruel about collagen, unless you are in fact a practicing vegan. It is not sourced unethically, although I have read that the location matters, since some cattle are grazed in areas that are basically razed rainforest. At this point I’m thinking I can do without this beauty item, but I don’t think ground up extra fish or cow parts is in any way wasteful or cruel- rather the opposite. Since people do eat fish and beef, at least the product is being used.

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Naomi Pandolfi

Thanks for the info Suzanna! I have been plant based for years now but I have just recently begun to look more into my beauty products. I’ve seen things labeled “vegan” collagen. It’s great to learn this fact.

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Katie

Thanks for caring about the fish!

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Naomi Pandolfi

❤️

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Snow

Orange roughly is endangered, who knew? Got this box for $10 and I’m happy. It’s more practical than anything else and I really wanted to try that moisturizer. Appreciate the upbeat vibes of your review, Naomi!

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Naomi Pandolfi

Thanks Snow, this really was a great box!

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Snow

I meant roughy spell checker! 🎣

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