Review: GlobeIn Monthly Subscription Box

Place purchased: Globein.com

Price: $10.00/month ($10.90 with tax)

Advertised as: Artisan made products from around the world, helping to fight poverty.

I joined this club because it's rather inexpensive and I like the mission behind it.  They use artisans from around the world and send us their handmade items.

This month I received a pair of earring from craftswomen/men located in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Eastern China.  The brand is Marquet, which employs over 100 jewelry craftsman, offers both full time and part time opportunities, and provide the opportunity to work at home.  Marquet also supports the Binh Minh collective of 20 families in Vietnam, who weave beautiful scarves from locally-raised silk.  Marquet is dedicated to importing handmade accessories, gifts, and decor from Thailand and Vietnam. 

I wasn't so sure at first that I liked these earrings.  Then I happened to notice I was wearing a shirt that matched the colors perfectly.  They are cute, I thought to myself.  I will give them a try!

This is my second month with this subscription service.  Last month I received a small handmade bowl, artistically decorated.  I am unsure if I will continue with this club or not.  It depends on if I find value and am able to use what I receive.  I won't keep a subscription just to accumulate clutter.

Pros:  Cheap.  Helps support artistians in other countries.  Global impact, and warm fuzzy feeling from knowing I am helping others.

Cons:  You don't know what you will get.  You may or may not like it.  Maybe the items I don't like, I can give as gifts?

Final Result:  Undecided.  I will see how things go in a few months to decide if I want to cancel, or keep receiving this membership. 

Review: Scentbird Monthly Fragrance Subscription

Place Purchased: Scentbird.com

Price: $14.95/month

Oh my, it seems like the list of things I love is never ending.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE fragrances!  And like most things in my life, I want the expensive kind, that start out at around $60.00 a bottle.

I came across and ad for Scentbird - my pulse started racing as I visited the site.  Literally hundreds of fragrances - what?!!?!?  For $14.95 a month for a 30 days supply - double what?!!!?!!?

I rushed to sign up and early waited for my first shipment.  There we so many fragrances to choose from!  You browse through their site and put the scents you'd like to receive in your que.  You can switch your que around, skip a month (or several) and they even have fragrances for men.  They offer a variety of options including gift sets.  You can also purchase full size from them if you find one you can't live without.

The site advertises: “Date” perfumes before “marrying” them.

This is great for people like me, as I'm picky about my fragrances.  I've received a few I don't care that much for, so I plan on giving them away to someone who likes the scent more than I do.

You receive 1 reusable case with your first order.  They must have messed up, because somehow I've received 4!  I also bought the stand you see to hold them from wish.com.

Pros:  Buy a perfume for an inexpensive price, better than the free samples given out at dept. stores, it's at least 30 days if you wear it every day.  Price includes shipping.

Cons:  You might get stuck with a fragrance you don't like, but it's worth the risk.  You can always give it away.

Final Result:  LOVE IT!  As you can see from my collection, I've been a member for awhile now, and will continue to be as new fragrances are continuously released.

Review: Glossybox Monthly Subscription Box

Place Purchased: glossybox.com

Price: Varies by plan, I get the monthly plan for $21.00/month

I've tried a few different subscription services for beauty products over the past year.  I've tried ipsy, Birchbox and Glamour Box.  I cancelled all of them, but kept Glossybox.  Why?  While ipsy and Birchbox is very affordable (only $10 delivered), I prefer full samples and more items.  For this reason, I am willing to pay a bit more.  This is not the only subscription box I get, and I will post more as they come in this month.

This month I got some really nice things.  Way past the price of the box, and things I know I will use. In April I received:

1. Trial size tube of Vasanti Cosmetics - Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
2. Two (2) full size Colourpop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip gloss
3. Full size Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara
4. 2 sample size Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner
5. Sample size Jafra Cosmetics International Paris Et Moi Eau De Parfum
6. Sample size "For Feet's Sake" Intense Repair Spa Foot Butter

Each month is like receiving a present!  Beautifully boxed and packaged.  The price includes shipping, so the deal can't be beat.  

Pros:  Nice variety of items, several full size each month.  You get to try before you buy full size of items you like.  It's the perfect gift to yourself, or to give as a gift (I've sent my assistant a box before).

Cons:  You don't know what you are going to get.  I can't remember if I filled out a beauty profile when I first subscribed, but I probably did.  You might not receive colors that you like, or will use, in terms of makeup.  I have a large bin I keep and give the leftovers as gifts, or donate them to a friend. There's always something you can do with leftover or unused items.  I've even considered donating the items to a woman's shelter.  Some people sell them on eBay.  

Final Result: LOVE IT!  Definitely recommend this beauty box.  You get way more than you pay for, and the monthly surprise of items is never a disappointment.