January Glymm Box Review

I finally received my Glymm box (thanks Canada Post) after it going back and forth between Montreal and Richmond.  

The thing with delays with the post is that you're left restless - very anxious to receive your goodies.  So when I opened my box, my expectations were higher than usual, because I had been waiting for that baby for like 10 days.  

Needless to say, I was a *little* disappointed.

Added after writing full review : In the end, I'm pretty excited about two of the five products in the box so saying I'm disappointed is a little harsh!  

The first thing I noticed - and many people did too - was ''but where are my jelly beans?''.  I loooove Jelly Bellys and I always ate them while opening my box and have kept all the little jars for storage - they're great for bobby pins or to carry Advil in your purse ;).  I've read somewhere that Glymm had problems with jars breaking in the shipping process so they're trying to figure out another way to send them.  I hope that's the case, because that was really one of the elements that differentiate them from Luxe Box.

The box contained 5 items + a coupon for a free RMS lip shine if you order something on the Glymm store.  Because I had already placed an order on the Glymm store about a week ago, there is currently nothing I'm feeling like purchasing, so I'll probably skip on that offer.  Still very nice of them though. :)

The first product I noticed was the brow gel.  Now this is a product I would be REALLY excited about if I was the average women.  Shaped brows can do wonders for your face structure, slimming your features and enhancing your eyes in a very natural way.  

But I'm not the average women in regards to my brows.  I have LOTS of other features that need enhancing, but brows isn't one of them because I was blessed with naturally nicely shaped brows.  But I'll say it again... GREAT product and GREAT idea to put it out there.

The other item I normally would be super excited about is the Kara facial cloth.  I love facial cloths that you can use as makeup removers (see my previous rave about the Neutrogena ones).  Why am I not as excited about this product as I should be?  It's only one cloth, which hardly gives me enough product to figure out whether I like it or not.  For these types of product, I feel 3 cloths would have been better to evaluate the general quality of the product.  I'll review that one for sure when I get around to trying it for removal of a full face of makeup.

One of the other three items is the Vasanti cleanser, which has micro crystals in it.  My usual cleansing routine is done with my Clarisonic and you can't use cleansers with micro beads in them because they can damage the mechanism of your Clarisonic.  So yeah, it might be nice and everything, but again, that's not something I can include in my daily routine.  

Then there's the Burt's Bees nourishing body lotion with milk and honey.  I looove Burt's Bees product, as I use my cuticle balm regularly for manicures.  I can't wait to use that lotion when I get out of the shower.  Plus, this product is really one that I would definitely repurchase if I end up loving it because it's easily accessible.

Lastly, we have another black pencil.  Loose Button had a black pencil in its December box and now Glymm has one in their January box.  Like I said for my Luxe Box review, I really wish they had picked a color more original that just plain old black.

Here is a little follow up on my black eyeliner swatch post, where you can see the Cargo black eyeliner.  This time I sticked to pencil eyeliners for greater comparability.

The one on the left is the Cargo pencil and it's a really matte black with no glossy or shimmery finish at all.  I noticed that the pencil was a lot harder than the other two so while it will give a greater staying power, it's virtually unsmudgeable so forget using it for a smokey eye.

In the center I've used the NYX pencil I've received in last's month Luxe box.  Out of the three this has the glossiest finish.  Texture-wise it's a lot softer than Cargo's pencil, but not as creamy as the one on the right, which is UD 24/7 eyeliner pencil in Zero.  

The UD 24/7 pencil is really easy to work with for smudging and glides like a charm on the skin.  The only downside is that you need to have your sharpener with you at all times because of its creaminess.  

So yeah, all in all, a good month, that has been a little bit darkened by my adventures with Canada Post, but that's not Glymm's fault at all.  I looked around for reviews (after I had received my box of course) and it seems everybody got the same box this month.  I still think it's well worth the 10$ a month, especially when you factor in the points awarded for reviews and purchases and the availability of certain high quality products on their online store.  I'll definitely stay a customer for a while :).

If you'd like to register for a Glymm box, here's my referral link.  Disclaimer : I do get 50 points to redeem on their store if you use my referral link to subscribe so if that's not your thing, you can subscribe by going directly on Glymm's website here.

Dear Canada Post, why don't you love me anymore?

Now, you're probably wondering why I haven't posted my review of January's Glymm box yet.  

Me too.

I live near Glymm's shipping center.  So each time they give me a tracking number, within two days max, I get my package and can review the awesomeness of that little pink box.  

Well... not this time.  

I have been having the shittiest luck with Canada Post lately.  I'm currently expecting, as we speak, three packages:

1) January Glymm box (shipped on the 16th)

2) One high end nail polish (ordered on the 15th)

3) Amazon order for 3 nail polishes (ordered on the 10th) 

Each of these things are LATE.  Let's break them down separately.

1) January Glymm box

When this first shipped on the 16th I thought to myself ''yaaaay I'll receive it tomorrow or in two days at the latest''.  WRONG.  The delivery estimate was the 17th indeed so I should've received it a day after it shipped, like usual.  But the 17th came and still no box.  And the 18th and no box either.  On the 19th, I was impatient and since there had been no activity on my tracking number for two days I decided to contact Glymm's customer service via email.  They replied quickly enough and very kindly, but said that I had to wait a while longer before they could do anything since the package could still be on its way.

..............................

.....Yeah, I live like 30 minutes from you guys so 3 days to ship doesn't seem right... 

Anyways, I decided to wait still.

Then, on the 20th, I saw activity on my tracking number... in RICHMOND.  Which is in British Columbia.  Why the hell did my package travel all the way to the West Coast is beyond me.  Somebody must've screwed up at Canada Post.

Now it's the 25th and still nothing.  I don't know whether they'll be sending it back to Montreal or if the package is lost in Richmondland 'til it's destroyed.  Now Glymm won't send me a replacement box until they know what happens with my package, which I get but still find a little irritating.  

You see, all packages that have express shipping have an insurance of 100$, which is way more than the actual value of the box.  If my box is lost, Glymm can claim 100$ to Canada Post which they will get.  The second option is that they send me a replacement box, which I would receive within a day.  But if I do get a second box, it's like I've stolen 10$ from them.  Obviously I could refuse the original package, but I guess nobody is counting on the kindness and honesty of strangers anymore and I can't really blame them about that.  It's just a really frustrating situation because I don't know what the outcome will be yet.

And I kinda want my box, y'know?

2) Order I placed for nail polish on the 15th

I placed an order recently for one nail polish and it came up to 32$ with shipping.  Pricey I know, but when you'll see which one it is you'll see why!

When I browsed through the website I saw that orders are processed within 24-48 hours business days.  So because I placed my order on a Sunday I was expecting for it to be shipped either on Tuesday or Wednesday and receive it around Friday or even Monday at the latest.

Friday I still hadn't received my tracking number.  I emailed the company asking them if the item I had ordered was out of stock or if the delay was longer for Canadian orders.  They replied about five hours later with a tracking number and a delivery estimate, which was Monday the 23rd.  I was happy, I was finally getting a package next week.

So Monday I checked compulsively on the Canada Post website to see the updates on my tracking number.  I saw that my order was still in Ontario and that meant I would be getting it a day late.  I was a little angry because the delivery estimate was wrong once again and it had been delayed one day but I didn't think too much about it. 

The following day I checked again to see if my order was out of delivery and to my great surprise, I found that it was STILL IN ONTARIO and that the delivery date had been delayed ONCE AGAIN.  The package has been in Ontario for 5 days now (counting the weekend) and they still aren't forwarding it here.  If the delivery date changes once again I'm going to send a letter to Canada Post asking why they don't love me.  I seriously will.

3) Amazon order for 3 nail polishes

Like I said here and here before, I've often ordered from Nail Polish Supplies inc on Amazon.  The only thing that irks me is that they don't provide a shipping number because the packages are sent through regular mail so it's always a surprise to see when the packages actually arrive.

Amazon does provide a shipping estimate and I usually receive my order the first or second day within that estimate.

But guess what??

NOT THIS TIME.

The delivery estimate was between Friday January 20th and Monday January 30th.  So normally, I would've received my package either Friday or Monday.  But it's Wednesday morning now and still no package.  Why?  Because Canada Post hates me.  

This actually scares me a little because this package is sent from the US and it has to clear customs to make it to my house.  It's a 15$ order but still, I don't want it to go to waste.  

So yeah, that's about it.  I sure hope Canada Post finds a way to love me back like it did before because I'm going to be really angry if it messes with the shipping of my January's Luxe Box as well.  AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FEEL THE WRATH OF A WOMAN RIPPED FROM HER GOODIES - GOODIES SHE'S PAID FOR AND IS ENTITLED TO.

/rant

Well that felt good.

December Glymm Box

So Glymm box was first to arrive this month too!  Because of all the great products I had in last month's Glymm box I was super excited and my expectations were high.  Also it provided a much needed distraction from my finals!  

Doesn't this scream Holidays?  It does.  And I'm so late on my Christmas shopping, but that's another subject.  

So this is what the box looks like when you open it.  It looks like presents thrown away in the snow.... such a romantic aren't I?

First item, a Caudalie enzymatic peel mask.  Ergh.  I'm sure it's very nice and all, Caudalie is a nice brand and everything... but another skin care item?  And not even a moisturizer or something I can easily drop into my routine to try... No.  A mask.  You know the thing I never use because I can never seem to find the time to take a luxurious bath in my not so luxurious small apartment bathroom.  So if I do end up trying it I'll review it, but don't keep your hopes up for a review from me for this one. 

Plus, for some reason, putting anything with the word peel on my skin scares the hell out of me.  

In case you're wondering - and I'm sure you aren't because my nails are chipped a little and my cuticles are as red as the reindeer's nose - the nail polish is China Glaze Holly-Day from their Let It Snow 2011 collection.

For the second item I thought ''yay a hand cream, that sure will be useful for this winter''. Wrong.  The texture is lovely, it sinks right into the skin and leaves it moisturized.  The online reviews I've read are raving about this hand cream.  So everything should be great no?

No.  It. smells. awful.  Very floral, very what you'd call old lady perfume.  I'm sure some people will love it and feel it's very feminine and whatnot but I hate it.  I'll try and ship it off to a friend or something.

There was also a lip gloss.  I thought how nice a pinkish MLBB shade that is very easy to dupe.  The packaging is super cute though and it looks like a full sized item.  I had never heard about Sula, so the brand was new to me.

Here is a swatch on my NW10-NW15 skin.  A brown based MLBB shade that is very pigmented for a lip gloss.  It seems nice quality enough and at 8$ it's really cheap!  So I put it on my lips to see how it looked and applied.  And then, I fell in love!  The smell, the taste!  So wonderful!  It's like liquid strawberries on your lips.  Just because of that, I'm pretty sure this will become an item that I'll use very often.  

Except... where the hell do you purchase those?  I've never seen them in any drugstore or at Wal Mart.  Hum, anyways, onto the next item!

YSL!!!!!! YSL!!!!!!

OK IT'S A FRAGRANCE BUT STILL!!!! YSL!!!!!

Call me shallow but yeah, high end brands make me all happy inside.  I was so excited to try this, I really didn't want to be disappointed.  The full size retails for 85$, but this sample size leaves enough to try it a lot.  

As you can see in this comparison shot, it's a pretty big bottle.  Way bigger than those sample vials you usually get.  

So I opened the cap (beware there's actually a hole the size of Texas under the cap - not really Texas you know, but more like q-tip size so still really easy to spill) and smelled. I was so disappointed, it was again all flowery with a hint of berries.  

But you know when you want to love something so much you just keep on trying to love it, just like when you have shoes that are a tad too small but ya squeeze your feet in 'em anyway?  Well it was like that with this perfume, so I tried it on my wrist just to see how it would react to my chemistry (hopefully well).  

And it did.  It smells much less flowery and a little more powdery on my skin, which seems to even it out and reduce the harshness of the initial smell.  I don't know how others will react to this, but I hope well.  Now I can feel like Kate Moss in Paris too (I wish).

So all in all it was an okay month.  I loved two items out of four so it ain't that bad, but the box didn't have a nail polish or an eye product which are usually my fave.  But no biggie!

This month also had a 10$ off promo code from Glymm to use on their website.  I used it to buy a Butter London nail polish which I can't wait to swatch! :) This definitely is a nice Christmas surprise for this month's box.

And the proverbial Jelly Beans, which sadly/thankfully were the same flavors that I got in my November box.  But they tasted real good anyways :).  Did you like your December Glymm box?

November Glymm Box

November was the first month I received a Glymm Box.  It's a subscription service that sends out 4-5 deluxe sized samples monthly for 10$ a month.  

Here is what I received for the month of November:

The Glymm box comes in a really pretty pink glossy box.  I've actually kept this and used it for makeup storage ;).

The first item I spotted was inevitably the nail polish.  The brand is RGB and they retail for 18$ full size.  This was a full size item so the box pretty much payed for itself with this item.  I have to say, even though the packaging is really minimalistic - which I love for nail polishes - I wouldn't have been drawn to these polishes because their color selection is very - for a lack of a better word - boring.  They have creme mattes that seem very rich but not many of their shades have that instant love factor.  

The shade I received is the first shade from the collection, hence the #001 number, Red.  

I'm so glad I got to try this brand of nail polish.  The formula is one of the best I've ever worked with.  It's creamy, applies evenly, dries in a reasonable amount of time and is almost perfect after one coat only.  I did put two though.  So what you see up here is two coats with a base.

As you can see, there's a little chipping especially on my index and thumb.  This is because the picture has been taken FIVE days after application.  And can I just tell you that I do my dishes without gloves and that I scratch stuff off dishes recklessly.  So yeah, amazing wear.  

The picture doesn't do justice to the undertones of the polish, as I feel they are more brown-orange-warm than the neutral shade you see.  

At 18$ they are pricey, but if I ever see them on sale I would definitely think about purchasing another one!

 This month also had the Orlane light smoothing cream.  The full size (50 ml) of this retails for 80$ so it's definitely a higher-end cream.  I loved using it.  The sample size, that for the life of me I can't remember the actual size, lasted me for about a week and a half.  

It smelled really nice.  A little flowery but definitely not too much.  The consistency was heaven, it applied very nicely and didn't stay for too long on my skin before being absorbed.  

But I have to say that I didn't see a difference in my skin from using this than my regular extra virgin olive oil as a moisturizer.  So yeah, no repurchase for me.  But it was nice to try something else, especially something I wouldn't have purchased because of the price.

The other item I had was the Annabelle Smudge paint in Muddy, which is a rich warm bronze color.  This was a full size item as well.  The consistency is very creamy and applies smoothly.  The brush they provide is perfect for application, but you need to blend it with another brush if you're using it as an eyeshadow.  It can also be used as an eyeliner.  

Now this is another item I was happy to receive in my box.  I mean who would've tried that?  Can anyone say ugly 80s packaging?  It's in a card box, the print looks washed out, the color pictured on the package is far from the shimmery bronze in the pot and the font looks cheap.  

But..... it's perfect for a toned down smoky eye or for a light eyeliner.  I just love it.  At 10.95$ I'm definitely going to try other shades.  Plus, there's a lot of product so it'll definitely last a while.  This was my favorite product from the box :).  

Now I haven't tried that product yet.  Can you guess why?  BECAUSE IT'S SO DAMN SMALL. I put a comparison picture with a pepsi can just so you can see how small it is.  They say it's for one use only and I believe them.  

It's supposed to be miracle in a vial for puffiness and under eye circles and I can't wait to have an emergency situation to try it.  I mean at that size I really got to make the most of it don't I?  Because after opening it... it's gone!  And at 27$ for 7 vials, so 3.86$ a vial... no thanks.

The last product I received - and the one I was less excited about - was the Rahua shampoo and conditioner.  The reason I'm not excited about this is because I already have a brand of hair products that I love and that do so much good for my hair and I'm not in the mood for trying something else.  

I still tried them, mostly because I was sick of seeing the little samples on my vanity everyday.  The shampoo did lather nicely and have a pleasant smell but it didn't do much for my hair, it even seemed like it made it greasy about half a day earlier than with my regular shampoo.  The conditioner was nothing special as well, but it did have a creamy texture that was pleasant to apply, as opposed to drugstore conditioners that often have that watered down feel.

So yeah that's about it.  For my first month I was very impressed.  It was definitely worth the 10$ to me :)... what did you receive in your Glymm box?  

No buy November!

This morning I woke up feeling a little more responsible than I usually do.  I took care of a bunch of things like bills and cancelling services I was currently paying for but not using,  uh Netflix anyone? Dealing with all of this made me all the more proud for not putting it off, so I decided, with this frame of mind, to go on a no buy for November.

No makeup.  No hair products.  No lotions.  Nothing beauty related.  

I do have my Glymm and Luxe box (both subscription services that give you random deluxe sized samples each month) coming sometime in November but that's excluded from the no buy as they are already paid for.  I guess I'm going to be way more excited to receive them as they will represent my only new beauty stuff for the month.

I think the timing is perfect though.  I've had a few :3 hauls recently and I already have a lot of products to try out in different ways and review.  

It will also provide a well-needed relief for my wallet, which will help with my Xmas shopping, yay!

I know it won't be easy as I'm used to ''research for my next purchase'' but I'm going to try my best.  I've also told my boyfriend, which will definitely help for accountability.

So that's that!  Let the no buy BEGIN! 

Is it wrong to place an order online?  I still have more than 3 hours before my no buy officially begins.....

....

....

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.... just kidding.  Kinda.


xoxo, MiMu