Glossy or Luxe: Which one are you?

Those that know me know I'm a beauty product/make-up junkie. I love buying, receiving, wearing, testing, sharing, etc. Last year, I learned about a company called Loose Button, and their Luxe Box. It's basically a monthly/annual service (like a subscription) and you get a box delivered to your house filled with beauty products and samples. I immediately subscribed and got a few of my friends to do the same. At first, it was wonderful - large samples and products, exclusive offers and items I really wanted to try - all wrapped up in a beautiful box and sealed "Made Exclusively for Julia". As the months progressed though, the samples became lame - usually the equivalent to what you'd get for free at a cosmetics counter. A few of my friends cancelled, but I stuck through.

Before the summer, Loose Button announced they were changing their monthly LuxeBox to a seasonal one with 7 larger samples in each edition. They also altered the pricing:

• Quarterly membership plan: $26 every 3 months ($26 per box)
• Semi-annual membership plan: $50 every 6 months ($25 per box)
• Annual membership plan: $96 every 12 months ($24 per box)

I was skeptical, but because of the change, they offered all customers a free August box, so again, I stuck through. Meanwhile, I was approached by Glossy Box to review their product. Perfect timing, I thought. Glossy Box is also a monthly service, that delivers at least 5 luxury items - and by the looks of their website - every customer gets nearly the same items. (My friends and I always got different items in our LuxeBoxes)

Here's Glossy Box's payment plan:

• Monthly subscription: $21 per month, recurring charge, cancel anytime
• One-Month gift plan: $21, no recurring charge
• Two-Month gift plan: $42, no recurring charge

OK so enough talking and let's compare, shall we? I'm comparing the July GlossyBox and the August Luxe Box.

Glossy Box (left) and Luxe Box (right)

 July Glossy Box:

Arrived in a beautiful pink box, sealed with black tissue paper. On initial impression, it actually looks very similar to the original Luxe Box. Here's what was inside:

• Zoya Nail Polish - it's a full size, but it's turquoise. 
• Pedix Heel Rescue Balm - everyone needs some heel rescue after the summer
• John Frieda Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution - good size sample!
• Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer - awesome!
• Dove Softening Creme Body Wash - full size
• Beautysoclean Sanitizer Wipes - not too enticing for me

Overall - good presentation, detailed product description, excellent sized products that are useful and desirable.

Fall/August Luxe Box: 

New, slender white box, and instead of tissue paper, items are wrapped in a sheer piece of fabric. If you judge a book by its cover, this one is definitely pretty. 

And the goods: 

• blinc mini-mascara - mascara is always useful
• Eyeko Skinny liquid eyeliner - also useful, but have never heard of this brand. It's full size.
• Orlane Thermo-Active Firming Serum - not for me
• Benefit Stay Don't Stray - dual-action primer - good product, small sample
• Loose Button Exfoliating Pad - it works, and it's touted as "exclusive", but is it really?
• Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips - full size and love! Mine are a fishnet pattern!
• Kerastase Elixir Ultime with Immortal Moringa - very cool, but also very small
• Bonus item not on product sheet: Orlane Absolute Skin Recovery Care

Overall, better presentation, but the items lack luxe, so to speak.

So who wins the battle? It's tough to say - I think I'll wait to see LuxeBox's Winter edition to see if the calibre of products improves or lessens. But in terms of price, Glossy Box takes the lead. $21 for a great set of items and many full-sized, brand names to boot!

Cheers,