Swatches: GlossyBox USA August September 2012 + Giveaway

I've never purchased any beauty box subscriptions because they usually send out only samples and mostly skincare products. I do like trying a sample of a product before buying the full size, but It's difficult to assess a skincare product when you only get one or two uses out of it. Moreover, I can get samples at Sephora or a department store for free.

GlossyBox costs $21 each month (with free shipping) and it's more expensive compared to other beauty box subscriptions, but they provide 5 travel-size products from well-known beauty brands, including Burberry, Illamasqua, Ole Henriksen, Zoya, Missha, and many more. You are actually getting more bang for your buck. I've calculated the value of the August and September box and each of them was worth more than $21.

GlossyBox USA August 2012 

GlossyBox USA August 2012 ($92.90 Total Value):

1. Touch In Sol Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base 1.06oz ($18.76) - The full size costs $20/1.13oz. It's a primer that preps the skin before the application of foundation. It has a gel texture that feels super lightweight and thins out to a watery texture once I start blending it. Also, it quickly absorbs into my skin. It doesn't leave a sticky finish at all, even though it looks thick and sticky in the tube. 
2. Ellis Faas Milky Lips in Burnt Orange L204 0.095oz ($35.00) - I received the full size! It has a creamy texture and excellent pigmentation without any scent or flavor to it.
3. Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Taint 0.5oz ($14.00) - I received the full size! It's a dark greyish brown with a matte finish and it has an opaque finish with 2 coats. This is definitely one of my go-to colors for the fall.
4. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum 0.5oz ($24.00) - The full size costs $48/1oz. There's actually enough product in the travel size for me to decide if I like it enough to buy the full size. It has a citrus scent to it and quickly absorbs into my skin without feeling sticky. I have been using this as a serum right before applying my moisturizer. I've noticed that I have gotten less dry patches on my skin when I wake up the next morning.
5. Biolage Exquisite Oil Replenishing Treatment 0.16oz ($1.14) -  The full size costs $22/3.1oz. I have been using this on the ends of my hair because they're a little bit dry. The serum makes my ends look more healthy.

GlossyBox USA September 2012 

GlossyBox USA September 2012 (at least a $56.99 value):

1. Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water 3.38oz ($13.00) - I received the full size! I use this to clean the fallouts underneath my eye. It makes my skin feel refreshed and it doesn't leave an oily residue.
2. GKHair Balancing Conditioner - The GlossyBox card says that the GKHair Moisturizing Conditioner is $20/10.1oz. I received the Balancing Conditioner and couldn't find the retail price on GK's website. On Drugstore.com, it says that the product is $18/10.1oz. I also don't know the value of the travel size because it doesn't say how much product it contains. The conditioner leaves my hair non-greasy and manageable. Keep in mind, I only use conditioner on the middle part and the end of my hair. Also, I haven't chemically processed my hair for about 2 years, so it's pretty healthy. However, my scalp gets greasy if I don't wash it every other day and my ends are a little bit dry. Moisturizing conditioners usually leave my hair greasy, while the deep cleansing ones leave my hair unmanageable. The GK one leaves my hair "balanced." 
3. Kryolan for Glossybox Moisture Rich Lipstick in Glossy Pink 0.14oz ($14.00) - I received the full size! This is a midtone rosy pink shade that's neither too bright nor too dark.
4. GKHair Balancing Shampoo - The GlossyBox card says that the GKHair Moisturizing Shampoo is $20/10.1oz. I received the Balancing Shampoo and couldn't find the retail price on GK's website. On Drugstore.com, it says that the product is $18/10.1oz. I also don't know the value of the travel size because it doesn't say how much product it contains. The shampoo is too moisturizing for my hair, but this would be more ideal for those with damaged, fried and overly processed hair.
5. Missha M Perfect BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++ in No.31 Golden Beige 1.69oz ($29.99) -  I received the full size! I'm about an NC35/37, MUFE HD 128 and Dior Forever 31 right now and unfortunately, Golden Beige is too dark for me. I'm going to have to mix this with a lighter foundation.

GlossyBox Giveaway

Prize:

• 1 Month Subscription of Glossybox

Deadline:

• This giveaway will end at 11:59pm EST on October 21, 2012.

Good Luck, everyone! ^_^

*This post contains affiliate links and the products mentioned were provided by GlossyBox for consideration. This does not affect my opinion about the products. I don't do paid or guaranteed reviews. My reviews are based on my own honest opinion. Also, the giveaway is sponsored by GlossyBox.

Beauty Blog Giveaway: Apothica + SkinCareRx + SkinBotanica $20 Gift Card

Hey beauties! I just moved my blog to a new address and everything is out of whack. My latest posts are not showing up on Bloglovin and Bloglovin has no idea what's going on. I wish I could contact each and every one of my Bloglovin followers about this issue. Unfortunately, Bloglovin does not allow that. Also, if you are following me on Blogger or if you are subscribed to my RSS feed, then it may take a few hours for my latest posts to show up on your blogroll, Google reader, etc. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you follow me on Google Plus or Facebook. My Twitter account will be reserved for administrative updates, beauty rants, pictures of my hauls and news about sales events.  

Sorry for any inconvenience and to thank you for putting up with this ordeal, one of you lovely readers will be receiving a $20 gift certificate, courtesy of SkinCareRx, which is an online skincare retailer that carries top brands, such as Boscia, Clarisonic, Dermablend, DHC, Dr. Brandt, Jane Iredale, Korres, Murad, Obagi, Perricone MD, Philosophy, Vichy and many more. Because SkinCareRx is partnered with Apothica and SkinBotanica, the lucky winner will be able to use the $20 gift certificate at any of the 3 sites. (Apothica carries top beauty brands, such as Becca cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, Cargo, Chanel, Dior, Clinique, Too Faced, Clarins, Estee Lauder, Givenchy, Laura Geller, Stila, theBalm, and many more, while SkinBotanica carries natural and organic beauty products. )

Prize:

• $20 Gift Certificate that can be used at Apothica, SkinCareRx and SkinBotanica.

Rules:

• You must be 18+ or have parental consent to enter.
• You must fill out the required questions in the form here.
• You must follow my blog publicly through Google Friend Connect.
• The winner must blog about the product(s) that he/she purchases with the gift card. (This is required by SkinCareRx, the sponsor of this giveaway.) 

Additional Entries: optional

• Make a post about my giveaway on your blog, using the prize picture above. {+2 entries} 
• Post my giveaway on your blog's sidebar, using the prize picture above. (Tabs do not qualify. It must be on the sidebar.) {+2 entries}
• Make a youtube video about my giveaway. {+3 entries} 
• Go to my Google Plus page, add me to your Google+ Circle and click on the red "+1" button {+1 entries} 
• Like my Facebook page and make a post about my giveaway on your Facebook page {+1 entries} 
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway {+1 entries} 

Deadline:

• This giveaway will end at 11:59pm EST on April 29, 2012.

Winner Information:

• I will contact the winner via email. Winner must respond within 7 days.
• I will then forward the winner's contact information to SkinCareRx.
• SkinCareRx will then email the gift certificate to the winner. (As I previously mentioned, it can be used at SkinCareRx.com, Apothica.com, and SkinBotanica.com.)
• Please make sure to add SkinCareRX to your contact list in order to prevent any email from going into your Junk/Spam folder.
• Also, remember that the winner must blog about the product(s) that he/she purchases with the gift card. (This is required by SkinCareRx, the sponsor of this giveaway.) 

You DO NOT have to have a blog to enter this giveaway; however, if you end up being the winner, then you will have to create one so that you can blog about your winnings. Please read the rules section for more information. Also, this giveaway is open to everyone, regardless of place of residence. =) Good luck to everyone and I really appreciate you guys for all your support! ^_^