How Glossy was my Box? | The Iconic Edit | Glossybox Review

So it's becoming evident I have a weakness for subscription boxes, isn't it. Only last week I posted about my second Birchbox [check it out here] and now this bad boy has arrived. In all fairness, I signed up for Glossybox in March but I missed the cut-off date for dispatch [FML] so I paid for this just short of a month ago and have been waiting somewhat impatiently ever since [bloody hell, look at me trying to rationalise my expenditure... and failing.]

Basically guys - I need to cancel either Glossybox or Birchbox. I can't justify picking one of these services - let alone two. I think I know which one is most likely to get the snip; but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Maybe as a long-time subscriber to either of these boxes, one of you can point me in the direction of what's best in the long run?

What is Glossybox?

You can find out more about Glossybox here - I won't bore you. It's basically a monthly subscription box which allows you to try out new products and samples. The difference with Glossybox in comparison to other services however, is that you get 3 full size products and just 2 sample size products. All for £10 a month (plus P&P.)

Anyway, without further ado, I present to you this month's Glossybox: The Iconic Edit in all its finery. Out of the four colour choices, I received the mint green box; my favourite colour of the moment; so no complaints there.

The Box and Packaging

You'll be hard-done-by to find a prettier box than this. With a super cute quote on the inside of the lid, this generously sized box sports a gorgeous illustration of Marilyn Monroe on the front; with embossed, shiny little details to it. The inner is decorated with the Glossybox logo, and my products were wrapped in tissue and tied with a ribbon; laid on a bed of shredded tissue paper. 10/10 to whoever designs these boxes; this was genuinely a dream to unwrap.

The Products

First Impressions

I don't know why, right - maybe it's because the GlossyBox itself is so much larger in size than my beloved Birchboxes - but when I unwrapped the products and laid them out; it made me feel like I hadn't got very much and I was a little disappointed. The box itself is massive and so beautiful - but it was so padded out with tissue paper that it gave me the impression I was about to unwrap really bulky, full size products; which I didn't. 

Anyway, moving on - let's have a look at what I actually got.

Full size Lord & Berry Lip Pencil in Kiss (worth £10.00)

This modern take on a pillar-box-bright shade is the perfect Marilyn Monroe red. I have mentioned previously, I do love Lord & Berry's packaging and font choice; so this was a nice piece to receive [although I did know I was receiving this, as it was mentioned on the website when I signed up.]

It swatches nicely on the back of my hand; the only thing is, I'm not sure whether I really suit red lip colours. They are a bit too much against my complexion when worn with a subtle eye and I look like Pete Burns when I team a red lip with a smoky eye. I also worry that being 5'10 with blonde hair, I look like a transexual or a sexual predator when I wear red lippy. Lovely quality, branded piece to receive; nonetheless [before I go off on a mad tangent of my height vs femininity.] I may well stick this on my Depop though; so keep your eyes peeled if you like it :}

Full size Color Club Barely There Nail Polish (worth £4.10)

I LOVE nude nails; they're everywhere at the minute and are a key trend. The origin of this look - you may be interested to learn [or maybe not] started in the Hollywood era; hence the choice of this product for the box.

I own approximately 5000 nail polishes, but none in this colour, so I was pleased to receive this. The only issue I have with it is that it's quite watery and will take about 6 coats to build up colour; during which case I'll have smudged my nails about 6 times and will have sworn LOUDLY in rage and frustration. We'll see if I can tame the beast [and my anger] and achieve a nice look with this.

Full size POP Beauty - Kajal Eyeliner Pen (worth £6.50)

Perfect for achieving that perfect Hollywood iconic cat eye, this eyeliner is actually my favourite product from this month's box I think. I love the fact it has the smudge-tool end; very high end and very useful - I love to smudge black eyeliner under my eyeline for a smouldering look.

IDC Country Rose Body Lotion Sample

This sample was picked for the box in homage to Hollywood icons; who always took the time to pamper and preen. To me, this vintage looking bottle is very much more English Rose however - perhaps not something I imagine big American stars using. Rose is also my Grandma's favourite fragrance for all her toiletries. As a city girl, this was a little too 'country rose' for me and so I've passed it on to Grandma; who I hope enjoys it. 

Astral Original Face and Body Moisturiser sample

Popular amongst Hollywood stars and MUAs since its creation in the 1950s, this moisturiser also made its way into the box this month. I will probably use this; so it was appreciated. I have actually heard of this brand before as well, which is a bonus. With it being such a small sample though, it won't last long. It also feels a bit like a cop out; putting two moisturisers in a beauty box. I'd have preferred to see something different - even a perfume sample; which normally irritate me - rather than two moisturisers. 

Conclusion

I can see why all these products were picked - they are all very glamour-esque and Hollywood-inspired but I don't know why; I just didn't feel that much love for this Glossybox and I can't put my finger on why. I guess there was a 50/50 split here on what I will and won't use and although the samples are bigger / full size, I found that there was less variety in what I received. Also, that when they were placed in such a big box, they just kinda rolled around and made it seem like the packaging to product ratio was unusually skewered [although I recognise that these are 3/5 full size products, worth a lot more than my subscription.]

With this in mind, I think cancelling Glossy might be the way to go - but what do you think? Have other months been better? Is it better value in the long run? I'd love to hear your thoughts - or what you thought of this month's Iconic Edit.

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