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GlossyBox January 2023 Review

Naomi Pandolfi
ByNaomi PandolfiJan 26, 2023 | 7 comments

Full Contents for GlossyBox January 2023

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 box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines 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

 

This month’s theme is ‘New Horizons.’ Since this is the first box of 2023, I very much appreciate the sentiment, which is emblazoned on the front of the box itself. Here’s hoping this year will be better than the last; but in the meantime, let’s check out what products were included in this curation.

Front of Card for GlossyBox January 2023

What's Inside The Box

BYROE Kiwi Detox Gel Cleanser, 10 ml - Estimated Retail Value $5.85

 

First thought: this is such a tiny tube of cleanser. But I do love gel cleansers, so I’m pretty thrilled about it. This Kiwi Detox Gel Cleanser from Byroe has such a fun look to it. The cleanser itself is tinted a light green and has brown speckles, definitely evoking some strong kiwi vibes. I was expecting this to have an overly sweet fruity scent, but instead, it has a fresh soapy scent that’s quite nice and not at all overpowering. I was pleasantly surprised with the results of this cleanser. It does a wonderful job of removing all the grime, sweat, and dirt from the day, without leaving my skin feeling stripped or dry whatsoever. I have to say, I really do enjoy this brand. I’ve been using their eye cream recently, and it’s been working great. Now that I have this cleanser to add to my skincare routine, I’m interested to see what using a compilation of the brand’s products does for my skin.

HUYGENS Face Scrub, 12 ml - Retail Value $8.15

 

I swear, it feels like these samples are just getting smaller and smaller with every subscription box I get. Luckily, that doesn’t speak to the quality of products being included; just an observation. I’ve never heard of this brand, Huygens, but this Organic Face Scrub from them is absolutely luscious. It has a very creamy, almost lotion-like texture with an exfoliant that strikes the perfect balance between hydration and exfoliation. The exfoliators break down very well if you keep rubbing, getting finer and finer until they almost disintegrate entirely. That typically means it’s a natural exfoliant, which I appreciate, and the scrub leaves my skin feeling healthy, buoyant, and squeaky clean, without any irritation afterward. There’s a bit of a citrus scent to the product with a hint of minty goodness thrown into the mix. Almost reminds me of toothpaste, and while I’m not usually into anything scented, this is light enough to be non-intrusive. I really love this scrub.

MILK MAKEUP Kush Mascara, 3 ml - Retail Value $14.00

 

Oooh, I love it when Milk Makeup products are included in a subscription box. This Kush Mascara is the perfect thing for creating a more dramatic look, with its nice full brush. Not gonna lie, though, I almost laughed when I took this out of the box and saw that the handle portion of the tube was longer than the part containing the actual product. Despite this being a mini version, I do appreciate that the handle is long enough to get precision when applying unlike some other mini products I’ve used in the past. This is the perfect size to keep with you while on the go. Plus, Milk Makeup products have always worked great for me, so I’m always happy to try another one of their products. As far as the quality of the formula, it does tend to clump a bit on the ends for me when applying. But no worries; I just run my eyelash brush through, and I’m left with perfectly full, voluminous lashes for a fun night out. Definitely gives some bold eye looks.

REALHER Power Wear Bronzer in Bronzed Beauty, 2.5 g - Estimated Retail Value Not Found

 

I don’t have a need for bronzer in my everyday makeup routine, but it’s been a while since I’ve received one in a subscription box, so I was intrigued at first. Unfortunately, though, I was a bit surprised to see that the Power Wear Bronzer in Bronzed Beauty from RealHer is a bit too light for my skin tone… But hey, it does work quite nicely as a highlighter for me, giving a natural pop to my cheekbones. The formula feels like a great quality. It’s not exactly creamy but incredibly soft to the touch, and it applies smoothly. Very buildable too, and a little goes a long way.

Swatch of RealHer Bronzer for GlossyBox January 2023

Here is the swatch of REALHER Power Wear Bronzer in Bronzed Beauty.

TANGLE TEEZER The Ultimate Detangler Brush, 1-pc - Retail Value $14.99

 

I gotta say, I’m so surprised with how this handles curly hair. As you may or may not know, I have a head of thick curls, so my first thought when looking at this brush was, “Ouch.” Honestly, it looked like a nightmare. When I gave it a try, I was actually surprised. I found that this brush works really well to pull out my braids; for clarification, my loosely braided braids that I sleep in. I have not tried this brush on a full head of goddess braids or anything like that, but regardless, I am truly impressed with this. Using this brush poofs out my hair a slight bit, but it doesn’t make it nearly as frizzy as I expected. I’m actually going to keep this in my arsenal for occasional use. The bristles are sturdy but flexible. The brush itself feels nice in the hand, with a handle that feels conducive to brushing your hair, and it offers such a natural grip. Then again, I do have small hands… If you have larger hands, you may find the handle to be a bit shorter than usual.

Verdict

I thought this was a solid month for GlossyBox! The highlight for me was Byroe’s gel cleanser. I absolutely love gel products, and it cleanses well without stripping my skin dry. The face scrub from Huygens is also a wonderful product that feels great on my skin and leaves it feeling smooth and refreshed afterward. I was pleasantly surprised when it came to the Tangle Teezer brush because it does work for my hair in certain situations. Milk Makeup’s mascara is incredible, especially for when you want to create a bold, dramatic look, and it’s great to have on hand. Lastly, the Real Her bronzer works more as a highlighter than a bronzer for me personally, but the quality is great. Overall, this was a good box with a variety of products, from skincare, to makeup, to haircare. Truly a great balance, and the value is there.

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

Value - Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: $35.00 ($30 for current subscribers)

VALUE BREAKDOWN

  • Cleanser: $5.85
  • Face Scrub: $8.15
  • Mascara: $14.00
  • Bronzer: N/A
  • Brush: $14.99

The products this month have an estimated retail value of around $42.99 + the cost of the bronzer, which is good for a $35.00 box.

To Wrap Up

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, subscribe now to get the February 2023 box while stocks last. You can see what box is available on the subscription page.

What do you think of this January 2023 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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7 comments

Melissa

“The cleanser itself is tinted a light green and has brown speckles, definitely evoking some strong kiwi vibes.” A photo would be nice.

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Tina

This was a horrible box for January, Glossybox promises a value of 75.00 or more for their monthly boxes…..The value of the box with the bronzer was 55.00, the bronzer was not even half the full size….If the value is not there again next month and the sizes are not bigger, then I will have to part ways with Glossy…..I have been with Glossybox for years and I do not think I have seen a box this bad ever, so disappointed with them.

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Jones

This box was a bust for me, especially after the last box was so good. The only thing I liked was the hairbrush which was definitely not worth $14.99 as claimed. But it’s very light so it’s nice to have in my handbag.

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Julia

$35 for products you’d get in an ipsy $15 box… Glossybox hasn’t moved with the times. Ipsy GBP costs less than $35 and you get five full size items. You can’t even customize anything with Glossy. To whom is this a good deal? How is Glossy still in business???

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Melissa

Yes, there is a mistake in the cost section. The mistake has been there for months and has been pointed out previously, but the reviewer never corrects it. It is, indeed, $21 per month.

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dia

I don’t think glossybox is $35. It’s $21/month or $18 if you prepay for 12 months. Still too much for small samples.

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Julia

OK, thanks. So there’s a mistake under the “value” section.