December 2014 Glossybox

December 2014 Glossybox

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GLOSSYBOX is one of the more expensive beauty subscription services ($21 versus both Birchbox and Ipsy's $10), but the quality is so much better- these are high end brands! I also LOVE the beautiful, high quality boxes they send each month. They are great for drawer organizing or keeping craft products in.

 

Here's a run-down on what I received in my December 2014 box, along with the value of each product.

• Toni&Guy Prep Leave in Conditioner - (Value: $17 for full-sized 3.3 oz product) This is a product intended for dry hair, and my hair is about as far from dry as you can get. I'll be passing this on to a friend.
• Ritual Cosmetics Miracle Scrub in Ginseng & Ginko Biloba- (Value: $17 for full-sized 2.5 oz product) This is a hand scrub that is meant to be rinsed off, leaving behind nourishing oils to moisturize the skin. This time of year my hands definitely need extra care, so I know I will use this. 
• NUXE Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute- (Value: $32 for full-sized 1.7 oz product) This mask says to apply to the face, leave it on for 10 minutes, then massage in any remaining product. I think this would be fabulous for dry skin, but again, I have the opposite skin-type on my face. I did try this on my under-eye area and do think I can use it there.
• Bellapierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick in Burlesque- (Value: $20 for full-sized product) Love this color! I have Spring Fever in the worst way, and this is a perfect shade for that mood! It feels moisturizing on, yet doesn't run into in the lines around my lips. As it wears off, it leave behind a stain of color, which is nice.
• Ciate Mini Paint Pot in Yule Rules- (Value: $8 for .17 oz) Yay for nail polish! Sephora doesn't carry this particular shade at this time, but they do carry many others. Ciate is a higher-end brand that I'm looking forward to trying.

 

VERDICT: My box had a value of approximately $94 so I'm really pleased. Most of the items are definitely be products I will use, and nail polish always makes me happy! I will pass the Toni&Guy product on to a friend.

GLOSSYBOX also has a great point program- if you answer their survey questions on each product after you receive it, you will receive 100 points. After you have collected 1000 points, your next box is free. So after 10 months, I will have a free box.

 

They also have a referral program and if you use my link to sign up, I'll receive 200 points, getting me closer to my free box! You can do the same with your friends after you sign up. Right now, you can use the promo code BEAUTYSTAT615 to receive 15% off your first box.

 

Review: Sean Lowe's book For the Right Reasons

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to receive an advance PDF of bachelor Sean Lowe's book For the Right Reasons. Spoiler alert: It was a great read!

From Amazon.com: After The Bachelorette broke his heart, Sean Lowe suspected his “nice guy” image hurt him. The show never emphasized it, but Sean committed to living according to biblical standards of sexuality, even as producers emphasized the risqué and promiscuous. A Texas boy from a Baptist home, Sean tells the story of how he went from a Division I college football player to a fan favorite on reality television, taking readers behind the scenes of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette to see the challenges of living out his values and faith—and ultimately winning his true love’s heart.

For the Right Reasons is about the journeys we all have to take in the real world, where being “good” is the right thing to do but sometimes doesn’t seem to be enough; where  betrayal is commonplace; and where that thing called perfection is actually just a cruel myth. Sean learned a few things from his two seasons on the hottest romance shows on television, and he wants others to benefit from those lessons: good does eventually win, lies will be discovered, and “nice guys” do ultimately finish first.

I've been a fan of The Bachelor TV show for quite a few years- I have watched most all of the seasons, unless I found the lead to be undesirable (cough cough Juan Pablo). Sean Lowe definitely stood out to me as the one guy who was "real"- someone that seemed to be a nice enough guy that if I had personally know him, I would have been glad to set him up with any number of deserving younger friends (I am 41 you know!). So I was very curious to read his book and see what he had to say.

First, I loved that he wrote about his faith! It was very refreshing for a reality TV star to discuss God and I enjoyed reading about his faith journey. I also loved reading about the behind-the-scenes Bachelor details. He spills A LOT and I love juicy stuff like that. I already liked Sean before I read the book, but I like him even more now. Sean has a great conversational tone that makes you feel like you are chatting with a good buddy as you read.

All the Right Reasons will be released on January 26 and if you pre-order a copy, you can get some neat little goodies, including a Q&A video with Sean and Catherine. You an read the details here.

Review: Reese's Spreads Peanut Butter Chocolate

I was so excited to be chosen by Influenster to get to try Reese's Spread Peanut Butter Chocolate! The main reason? It's gluten free! Since finding out I have Celiac Disease in 2013, I have been so glad that the regular Reese's Cups are safe because they have always been on my favorite candy bar list, but a bit disappointed that the holiday offerings like trees, hearts and eggs aren't safe since they are made in a facility that processes products with gluten.

But this spread? Totally on the safe list! And it's so yummy! My daughter said, "It's basically a Reese's Cup all smashed and blended together!" She is so right.

And there are so many serving options and pairings. Reese's Spread Peanut Butter Chocolate is yummy on salty things like pretzles and crackers, and equally good on healthier options like apples and strawberries.

But our fave? Served simply on a spoon. Yum!

Disclosure: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Target Cyber Monday 2014 Beauty Box: For Him

On Cyber Monday, Target offered a few special Beauty Boxes, and I purchased both the "For Her" and the "For Him" box. (These went fast and are sold out.) I have had great luck with their seasonal beauty boxes, and I hoped the Cyber Monday boxes would be just as great. Today let's look closer at the contents of the For Him box. I paid $5, and Target offered free shipping on the box. Spoiler: just like the For Her box, I think this was a great deal!

 

 

• Dove Men+Care Dry Deodorant Spray- (full size value: $6.50) I don't know that the Mr. will be very excited about spray deodorant, but maybe he will try it. It's still nice to get a full sized product!
• Old Spice Swagger 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner- (value of 1.7 oz sample: approximately $0.50) This will be great for travel.
• AXE Peace Shower Gel- (value of 1.69 oz sample: approximately $0.50) Also great for travel!
• Gillette ProGlide FlexBall Razor- (value $9) What man can't use more razors? I don't think he has tried this particular razor before.
• Proraso Shaving Cream- (value for .35 oz sample: approximately $0.75) Another new product to try.
• Neutrogena Men Invigorating Face Wash- (value for .5 oz sample: approximately $0.50) Good size for travel.

Overall, I was really pleased with this box and felt like it was a good value for $5. The razor alone makes the box great! I don't know that Mr. Sasha has gotten bit by the beauty box bug yet, but it was fun to order one for him this time.