Review: Glossybox January 2013

Glossybox is a monthly subscription of 5 high-end beauty product samples (with some full-size products sometimes, too) for £10 + £2.95 p+p)

You can Glossydots by reviewing the products in a quick survey, or by inviting friends, and redeem points for a free box.  Each survey is worth 50 points, so if you review 5 products a month, every 5th Glossybox should be free.  You get 200 Glossydots for every friend that signs up and places an order (1000 Glossydots = 1 free box)

The January Glossybox has a Detox theme, and the products I received were mainly organic, natural and paraben free, which I love!

The first product in the 01/13 Glossybox was the Skin Glow Facial Exfoliator by Elemis, from their Teens To Twenties Freshskin range.  The key ingredients are aniseed, bitter cherry, glycerine, jojoba beads, mandarin and sweet almond oil.  The Elemis Freshskin range is also free from Parabens, SLS, SLES, Mineral Oils, Artificial Colours & Silicones.  They use active plant extracts to provide fresh, natural skincare.

The Skin Glow Facial Exfoliator works really well, you massage it into wet skin using 'gentle but fast' circular motions all over your face, and then rinse with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel.  

It smells amazing, and it gets all that dead skin off your face whilst boosting the circulation, so you get a nice tingly-clean feeling after using it.  It cleans right down into your pores and mine looked visibly reduced after use.  My skin felt soft and fresh and I would definitely recommend this product.

(RRP. £12/100ml, Available from ASOS with free delivery)

The second product in the box was a Warming Aromatic Mask from Monu, which claims to help increase vitamin and mineral absorption.  Again, this product uses all natural ingredients - with Attapulgite Clay, Beeswax, Camphor (Rosemary) Essential Oil, Coconut Oil and Lavander Essential Oil.  The clay deep cleans your face whilst stimulating and renewing cell health, leaving the skin 'clear, boosted and radiant looking', and the Beeswax and Coconut oil 'soften, nourish and hydrate skin.'

Used once or twice a week after cleansing, it is applied to the face and neck with fingertips and left for 10-15 minutes.  It won't dry so keep your hair back and don't go headbutting people, it'll make a mess.  Your face instantly starts to warm up, but not too hot, just a soothing sensation - like a hug for your face - it's really relaxing. 

When I washed it off, my skin felt tighter and softer, but I don't think this justifies the price tag.  However, if you feel you can spend the money, by all means try this mask.

(RRP. £24.95, available for £22.95 from FeelUnique.com)

Third in the box was a Mandarin and Bergamot body lotion from Duck Island - a range of skincare products used in hotels.  

It smells citrus-y and floral at the same time, and is extremely moisturising.  It doesn't soak in to skin too quickly so you have to stand around for a bit once you've used it, waiting for it to dry.

Whilst it's a really nice body lotion, I'm confused as to why it was included in the Glossybox - It's available to buy in cases of 200 30ml bottles for £166.78 each - what?

(The cheapest I've found it is £3.32/250ml with £4.99 shipping, from DW Supplies)

Next was a Balance Rescue Face Tonique from Premae - a mattifying and rejuvinating toner, which claims to 'cut through dirt and excess oil, and close clogged pores.'  It does all of those from my experience, and I really like it.

It uses a paraben free, alcohol free, fragrance free, 100% Allergy UK Certified formula of Sandalwood Oil, Rose Water and Lemongrass Oil to nourish and revitalise skin cells.

It is applied with a cotton wool pad, and left on the face (just a thin layer, so it can soak in).  Excess can be removed with another cotton wool pad.

So far, I really like this, and I've been looking for a toner with Rose Water, so I'm very happy about that, too.  The only down side is the price - you could make this yourself for hardly anything, yet Premae are charging £21.50/100ml, and that seems extortionate to me.

The final product in the box is my favourite, and I love it, and I will never stop using it.

It's a Lips Bee Healthier from Jason, a lip balm stick made with 70% organic ingredients.  It's a mass of moisturising miracle ingredients which started to help heal my chapped, dry lips instantly.

Its ingredients include Beeswax, Vitamin E, Green Tea Extract, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Aloe Vera, Marigold Extract and Peppermint Oil.  

The peppermint oil gives the lip balm its fantastic minty smell, and gives a slight tingle to your lips as the mint boosts blood flow.  My chapped lips healed in about 2 days with multiple applications of this balm, and I could not be happier with it. 

It has no lanolin, no GMOs, no petrolium, no mineral oils and no parabens, is water resistant and non-greasy, has UVA and UVB protection and stays on even when I'm eating.

Another thing I love is the packaging - the twist-up bit that's usually on the bottom (and gets caught on everyhting and anything and gradually works its way up and smushes your lip balm all over the lid...) is at the top - by the lid.  I love that. 

I hadn't actually looked at the price until just now, as I was scared it'd be something stupidly high and I'd never be able to buy it again, but it's only £1.99!!  For this miracle balm! I'm now in love with this company and want to try ALL their products.

(RRP. £1.99/4.6g, available from JasonNaturalCare.co.uk)

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