GlossyBox Subscription Box Review – January 2018

ByLiz CadmanJan 18, 2018 | 73 comments

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 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)

FLASH DEAL - Now through January 31st, use coupon code FRIENDS25 to save 25% on your first month of GlossyBox when you sign up for a monthly subscription! (Regularly $21 a month.)

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!

Buxom Big Tease Plumping Mascara - 2 ml Value $2.82

I tried this thanks to the Holiday Limited Edition GlossyBox, and I love the formula. This mascara hits all the marks for me: great length, volume, lash separation!

Dr. Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil - 15ml Value $29.25

This facial oil is advertised as 100% natural, so I was disappointed to see that parfum and Red 33 (a synthetic dye) were listed in the ingredients. (I wish skincare companies wouldn’t add unnecessary dyes to their products, but that’s probably just my pet peeve.)

Those ingredient issues aside, I loved the feel of this oil. It’s SO lightweight, smells sweet, and absorbs quickly.

Theorie Marula Oil - 10 ml Value $2.60

This hair oil is ingredient-conscious and smells fab! It's designed to help protect your hair from heat tools and add shine. You can apply it to damp or dry hair, and stick to the ends of your hair. I found the formula to be lightweight (it didn't weigh my hair down at all), and I noticed a very subtle extra shine.

Steve Laurant Beauty Lip Tint in Dusty Rose - FULL SIZE! Value $22

This is a creamy lip tint in a very wearable pink shade for my skin tone. Personally, I prefer my lip products in tubes for easy/cleaner application, but this also worked well as a cream blush - very easy to blend!

Here it is swatched:

Lumene Lahde Purity Dew Drops - FULL SIZE! Retail Value $14.99

This eye gel is fragrance-free and designed to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and under-eye circles. I found the formula to be gentle and refreshing. (Plus, yay for full-size skincare!)

Velvet Eyewear Bonus Code

FYI - this says it is a gift card and it has what appears to be a unique card number, but the code you enter is a generic coupon code to save $25. There is no expiration date listed, and it has no cash value.

I found that they have box sets (3 sunglasses for $99), so with the coupon, it works out to a little under $25 a pair. (And shipping is free.)

Verdict: This box has a value of about $71.66. I think the value is good, and I'm impressed with the sizes of the products throughout. Between this box and December, I'm hoping this is a new GlossyBox trend!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes!

COUPON - Now through January 31st, use coupon code FRIENDS25 to save 25% on your first month of GlossyBox when you sign up for a monthly subscription! (Regularly $21 a month.)

Value Breakdown: At $21 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

Mascara: $.83
Facial Oil: $8.57
Hair Oil: $.76
Lip Tint: $6.45
Lumene: $4.39

What do you think of the January 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!

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73 comments

Redhed36

So I now have two December boxes and two January boxes. Both my January boxes match this review. The only thing I likely won’t use is the lip tint. I am not a fan of applying things to my lips with my fingers especially with this years virus. 🙂
All in all very happy with my boxes.

Anastasia'

Good morning, ladies

I have a question. I am a Glossybox recipient and I received January’s box. Which I love the face stuff. All of it. Well I got an email yesterday that said my box had just shipped and was scheduled for delievery January 30th-Feb 1st? This can’t possible be Feb’s box or another Jan box? I wasn’t charged so I am a tad confused. Anyone else get this?

-Ana

Alyssa

This also happened to me. I recieved a second January box at no charge. I’m happy about that! 🙂

Redhed36

Ana,
You poor thing, you now get to deal with Glossybox customer service. May your god have mercy on your soul. LOL.
I’d say check your account and see what’s going on with your subscription. It was likely sent in error. Have you activated any bundles like Gilt city?

Emilia

I have received my box even though the December one is still MIA. I love it – for the first time I will use everything myself! Now if only my previous box showed up…

Lily

Did anyone else notice the rose face oil being sticky? I like the scent a lot, I like oils yet i am not fond of the sweet stickyness of this oil.

Taren

Love this box. They did a great job!
Already started using the eye gel and it works great!

Emilia

I still don’t have my December box yet.

Noelle L

I have a question that may have been discussed before but I missed it.

When the promo 3 months @ $10 each ended, did it automatically end your subscription? Or was the following month the full $21? Thanks…!

At least when I did promos like that they would automatically renew at full price so you’ll have to cancel before the 15th (I think) of the month before.

Noelle L

I thought that might be the case. Thanks for your response. ;0)

JuJu

I had that promo last year. You need to cancel your subscription by the 14th of the last promo month, or you will be automatically billed $21 for the next one.

Alyce

When I applied the 25% off code on a 6 month subscription, I only received the discount on one box. I was under the impression that the discount would be for the length of the subscription. Disappointing.

Deb

Friends25 works for the whole year subscription…

MzBev

To be fair, it does say off the first month.

Alyce

Thanks for pointing that out, I thought I had double checked…🤪

Redhed36

I am going to end up with two of the January boxes and two December boxes. If anyone else applied the Gilt city bundle 3 in January your free box will be December and your 1st of 3 boxes will be January. I tried getting it changed since I had already received both Dec and Jan, but they couldn’t. At least I like the boxes.

Barb

I got the Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil in the Skinstore advent calendar and like it. The full size one is 30 ML/1.01 oz. This one is marked 15 ML/1.01 oz. It’s clearly a mistake on the packaging. I really liked the box this month. It’s heresy to say so on this site, but I’ve been enjoying Glossybox more than Boxycharm. I find that I don’t use a lot of the items in Boxycharm. It’s just too many highlighters, illuminators, bronzers and eye shadow pallets. I like pallets too but I just can’t use so many. I don’t even need more brushes. I also like the little lip pots like the one this month in Glossybox. I see that most people prefer a tube but I don’t mind my own finger (I know where it’s been) and you can get all of the product out.

Aarjullor

I’ve been subbing to GB for about 18 months. I’ve liked almost every box I’ve recieved and loved the LE boxes I’ve purchased. I’ve had good luck with their CS, I’ve had to email them a few times for various reasons. They’ve always responded within a few days, and took care of whatever I needed.

I prefer lip products in anything but little pots. Little pots and long nails do not mix well. I don’t mind the using my finger, I mind getting it under my nails. Ew
I’m happy to get another rose facial oil, it smells so good, and it’s super light.

Aarjullor

After waiting an hour and a half to see my post, I did a second one. They both posted at the same time *sigh*
Sorry y’all

aarjulor

I’ve been a subscriber to GB for about 18 months. I’ve liked the majority of the boxes, and loved all the LE boxes I’ve purchase. I’ve had good luck with their customer service. I’ve had to contact them, using email, for something or other several times. They always responded within a few days, and fixed whatever needed fixing.

I prefer lip products in tubes, or pretty much anything but little pots. Long nails and little pots don’t mix. I don’t mind using my finger to apply, I usually do to smooth things out. But trying to get some out of pot, can get gross with nails.

I really like the rose facial oil also. I must have gotten it from the same advent calendar, it’s hard keeping track. I’m glad I’m getting another.

Bonnie

I think both Boxycharm and Glossybox are great! You are correct – they are different. I like freshening up my makeup, so BC is great for that, but Glossybox, Look Fantastic, and Birchbox all have great skincare items every month, and I need those too. I haven’t bought skincare outright since I started subs, unless you count the one Balance Me Congested Skin Serum, which I bought after my sample from Look Fantastic ran out. It’s nice to have both a makeup sub and a beauty sub that focuses more on all-around.

Angie

Hi I don’t know how to get someone to correct this error but this box is worth way more than that. The superfood oil is full size so you guys are aware. This says it’s worth $29.25 but if you look on the pamphlet a full size is indeed 1 oz. and so that makes this worth $58.50 retail or whatever that says on the pamphlet. 15ml = 1full oz. so that’s a great thing too! I thought the total value seemed really low considering I just got mine and I looked at the sizes and was like omg that’s amazing that I get this full size! Not like this matters but for some who look at sizes it does to them 😀 hope this helps others

Sam

I just bought a 1ounce of this oil and what came in the sub box is the 15ml or 1/2 ounce. It is labeled incorrectly. Also I ordered it online from Costco and got two 1 ounce bottles for $26

I checked the one I got in my Skinstore advent calendar that also said 15 ml/1 oz and it is indeed 0.5 oz. So I think all the smaller 15 ml bottles were mislabeled at 1 oz.

Aarjullor

I just checked the one I got in the advent calendar, and it’s also labeled incorrectly. 15ml/1oz

I think you mean 30 mL = 1 oz. At first I thought maybe that’s how Glossybox ended up with these…the packaging was labeled wrong so they got them at a discount. But I looked on Amazon and they have two options too — “full size” (30 mL and 1.01 oz) for $19 and “travel size” (15 mL and 1.01 oz) for $11. So I wonder if the manufacturer just labeled all of the smaller sizes wrong??? Are you sure this is really the full 30 mL size (I didn’t get January)?? So confusing. Haha.

I saw the retail value on the pamphlet I was like whoa! But then I googled..you can get a (2) 30ml/1.01 fl oz pack at Costco for $23!! Not to take away from the item, I love the scent!!

Perezangela801

I saw that! That’s so odd . Sorry about that guys I thought it really was a typo , but Comed to find out it’s either gb or the facial oils misprint which I’m thinking it’s probably gb. Sorry about that again I had no clue 🤗

Angie

I got this box just yesterday and I’m in love with it!! Everything is great and I’m so excited to use this all🤗 the presentation was so adorable. Hope they knock it out of the park for next month

Liz Cadman

Yay! Glad to hear you loved it, too! 🙂

lucy

the exact same thing happened to me re; the sunday riley serum offer – I called CS and they first told me to apply a code, which didn’t work. when I called back, they told me it was limited to the 1st 500 people and they could not tell me if there were any left. But I kept receiving the same promo email.
I did not sign up; I wasn’t going to risk it.

JuJu

Not related to this box, but I recently started using marula oil on my face (Acure Organics Marula Oil, to be exact), and it’s amazing! My oily skin becomes dry to the point of cracking in the winter, and this oil has been doing wonders for it.

And it’s a fraction of the price of the Drunk Elephant one, I might add.

Chris

I got the marula oil from the Fabfitfun Add ons ! It is amazing I wish I would have grabbed another one. It lasts quite a while but I definitely plan on getting more . Hoping they will have it again at the discount price though.

Kele

I LOVE the Acura Marula oil. I have combination oily skin and my face loves it, especially my very dry cheeks due to using acids. And I could never buy the Drunk Elephant version because of the price even though I Love most of the products.

Luna

Thanks for the tip all. 🙂 I have oily skin, and I think it’d be nice to try this. Just a heads up… Acure is going through a re-branding of their packaging so keep an eye out for a ton of products with the old packaging making their way to TJ Maxx/Marshalls. That’s what happened to Derma E anyways when they went through a re-branding last year. 🙂 I think I actually saw something last weekend at Marshall’s with Acure’s new packaging, but I wasn’t aware of the re-branding then so I assumed it was a knock-off. ha!

JuJu

Yeah, every time I look on the Drunk Elephant site, I am like, “Nah… I can get the same stuff from The Ordinary (or whoever) for one-tenth of this.” 🙂

luckindeed

Since it’s a $21 box, I think there’s a typo in the value breakdown, and the Lumene isn’t $43.99.

julia

I love the facial oil. I received this same oil in the Petit Vour box last month. It’s very lightweight and yet very moisturizing. I have a friend who struggles horribly with finding skin care to use for her super reactive skin and is always looking for a gel formula. I can’t wait to give her the eye gel to try. I also love that mascara. It really works for my lashes. I am super pleased with this box and last month’s too. I hope they continue along like this.

Mandy G.

In the cost breakdown, the amount for the Lumene eye gel has a typo.
I really like the product, though. 🙂

If anyone wants a code for the sunglasses, I definitely will not be using mine.

Carla

Hi I will like the code 🤗

Liz Cadman

Oops! Fixed!

CoffeeBeforeMascara

You got a typo in the price breakdown on the Lumene…

Liz Cadman

Oops! Thank you for letting me know. Fixed! 🙂

Jessica

I thought everyone is getting Sunday Riley CEO in their box?!?????

Melissa W.

Well.. I’m done with GB.. I got my box today and of course, no Sunday Riley! I signed up as soon as I received the email. Also, I kept getting the same email for the free SR, for a couple over a week after I ordered. So, why would they even continue to send the email out. If they didn’t have any SR serums left? Also, the email says to sign up and get a free SR with your January box.. not only for the first 500, as another replier stated! So sick of their lies! I’m done with them for good.. I though GB would be better now that it was taken over by another company, boy was I wrong!

Redhed36

Melissa,
Watch your Paypal or credit card statement. I guess if you don’t cancel by the 15th of the previous you automatically charged for the next month. I cancelled at the end of Dec and two days later my paypal was charged. I went in (paypal) and cancelled my ‘approval’ for them to auto charge me, but that was after the fact. Anyways over 10 days later I received a January box and a refund, but it takes diligence.
I think they have some of the worst customer service, love their boxes though. Did you by chance subscribe to Allure? Their January box had a full size Riley in it.

Amy L

I think you’re thinking of the offer Glossybox did for new subscribers this month for a short time. If you were a new subscriber and signed up during that time you may get it. I saw someone get it on another website. 👍

katie

I signed up months ago with a different offer and I never received the “promised” gift. I even verified with CS and she said it would definitely be in my box. It wasn’t. I loved GB but I can’t deal with the lies.

Melissa W.

Yes.. that’s the whole reason I resubbed. I better get it, or I will open a dispute with them through paypal. I kept the original email and it says nothing about only the first 500! It says to order your January box now and get a free full sized Sunday Riley. I already have 2 bottles of it, but it’s just the point of the false advertisement…..

Jenny

I received the same email and tried to order, but their email fine print says to apply promo code without saying what the promo code is. So I actually ended up calling their CS to verify. They first told me, after I click through the email and place a sub box in cart, Sunday Riley should be automatically added to cart. Well, nothing showed. And then they told me that just clicking through email doesn’t guarantee the bonus item, that customers must call them to add it, but it’s all gone. And I was like, I just received the email that day, is it already out within a few hours? Then the rep said that her manager confirmed that calling part was a mistake that only the first 500 signed up online will get the item, and it’s all gone. I honest believe the SR offer is just a bait, as after that call I continued to receive the same promo email. This is simply dishonesty, GlossyBox!

Hillary

It’s the only reason I subbed too! This box will be returned if it was a trick.

Shelli

I received an email that they were giving it to new subscribers as an extra, but I didn’t sign up because I just got one in my allure box.

Sheila

It was only in the 1st 500 January Glossyboxes ordered.

Summer

That’s Allure

Shelli

The Sunday Riley was in the January Allure box.

Shannon

Sunday Riley CEO was in new sub boxes. I got one.

Shannon

Only new subscriptions got CEO

Trudie

Thats the Allure beauty box

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GlossyBox Subscription Box Review – January 2018

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