Glossybox

Is it too soon for beauty advent calendars?



Castelbajac X L'OCCITANE Classic Advent Calendar

This time every year we have this dilemma about whether it’s too early to discuss Christmas. But, hey, we need something to look forward to, right? The press got a first look at all the gifty launches a month or so ago (in a month-long junket known as ‘Christmas In July’) and so we’ve seen all there is to see of advent calendars, gift selection sets and the like already.

Beauty advent calendars still seems to have plenty of mileage in them (read my post on the business of advent calendars and beauty subscription boxes here) and brands and retailers are having to up their game in order to stand out. (more…)



What’s in the box: the business of beauty advent calendars



unpacking the business of beauty advent calendars

On October 25th, 300 people queued around the block of Liberty’s department store before 8.30am. Not for a new i-gadget, or a half price techy telly, or even a celebrity collaboration. No, they queued for make-up. Or more specifically, for the privilege of buying a £175 box of beauty products, albeit worth over £500.

Welcome to the frenzied, hype-commerce world of beauty advent calendars. A business that’s been booming for the last couple of years and is still growing (according to Google trends). (more…)



Best beauty buys: A round-up of beauty products I’ve been trying out lately…



LANCOME HYPNOSE DRAMA MASCARA AND BI-FACIL EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER

I have to say, Glossybox is coming up with the goods month after month. As I wrote in a post for Glamour a while ago, the main pull for me is the practicality of all these miniature products. My March Glossybox was a Harrods special containing goodies from Shu Uemura, SKII, Molton Brown, Clarins, a Valentino fragrance sample and a miniature Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara. I admit I’m not fussy about mascaras but I do love this mini Lancome one with its wavy brush. On a separate note, I’ve also just started using Lancome Bi-facil eye makeup remover. (more…)



Curated fashion and grooming for men: the next big thing?



Glossybox for men

Before Christmas I wrote about the flurry of new ‘subscription box’ start-ups that are embracing the world of fashion and beauty on my blog for Glamour Magazine. These are essentially clever curation services that deliver monthly ‘care packages’ to subscribers containing handpicked shoes and accessories (Stylistpick), beauty product miniatures (Glossybox) or no-brainer menswear items picked by a woman (Bombfell) to save you the time and bother of shopping or to give you a monthly ‘surprise present’ at a fairly affordable price. (more…)