Be-YOU-tiful Sharing is Caring with GlamBox ME October 2016

GlamBox ME – Two Different Boxes this October It’s like having two boxes for the price of one!!!

Anyway, Glambox is truly a wonderful beauty site. You’ve got to try samples, gets discounts and vouchers in various establishments, and even gain points from product surveys, buying items from them and subscribing to their boxes, which in turn you can convert into a cash amount that you can use to buy / subscribe / get discounts again! The delivery is on point, the packaging is great and the customer service is top-notch.

And this news is the greatest news ever: TWO GlamBox(es) for October. Different items in each GlamBox. Yes, why not, why not, more samples, more stuff for me or to share, more surveys to take, more points to get, more money to buy 😛 I’m getting ahead of myself. Now here’s the mega-post about the October Glambox(es)!


The Beatiful Glambox from The Apparel Group

http://appareluae.com/index.html

The Apparel Group handles different apparel lines and brands in the UAE like La Vie en Rose, Aeropostale, Levi’s, Nine West, Naturalizer, Birkenstock, Herschel, etc. Now, this box presents the best things from their cosmetics/skincare lines: Bottega Verde, Rituals and Inglot.

FINALLY. Vouchers I can actually use with ease!

  • Free hand massage and nail coloring with Rituals skincare and nail polish.
  • Free skin type test and Bottega Verde Welcome Gift Box
  • Free makeover using Inglot makeup subject to schedule and availability
  • Discount voucher for checkup at Zulekha Hospital
  • Discount voucher for purchase at La Vie en Rose

RITUALS Cosmetics is the first brand in the world to combine home & body cosmetics. With its product line – from luxury body and facial creams through to precious mineral make-up, scented candles, pure tea and Soulwear – RITUALS Cosmetics inspires people to transform their daily routines into beautiful, meaningful moments. The idea to ‘Transform everyday routines into more meaningful moments’ lies at the heart of the RITUALS Cosmetics philosophy and forms the basis for each of its products.

INGLOT Cosmetics was established over 30 years ago by Wojtek Inglot, a young chemist working at that time in R&D department in a pharmaceutical company. His principal objective was to produce high quality products at fair and reasonable prices, using only the best possible ingredients and raw materials from the most reputable suppliers. All INGLOT cosmetics are produced within the European Union and 95% of them are manufactured in our own state of art production facilities.

Bottega Verde, the home to tradition, which nestles amongst hills, vineyards and wheat fields was opened in 1972 as a small herbalist shop with a passion for artisan production and sale of cosmetics based on natural ingredients. With the belief in authentic and natural beauty where the focus is on the teachings from nature, Bottega Verde products are meant to be highly effective as well as sensorial and developed to meet every beauty need.

  • Inglot Pro Blending Sponge
  • Inglot Matte Lipstick in 417 (nude-pink)
  • Rituals Happy Buddha Shower Foam
  • Bottega Verde Pepe Rosa Hand Cream
  • Bottega Verde Uva Rosa Sample Kit – body cream, face cream and serum

 

Inglot Pro Blending Sponge

Inglot Pro Blending Sponge ensures a flawless makeup finish. This multi-purpose sponge is ideal for blending and carefully shaped for precise application. The pointed end of INGLOT Pro Blending Sponge can be used to cover blemishes, spots, or hard-to-reach areas of the face, while the rounded area should be used for larger portions. Use with any of INGLOT’s liquid or creamy products to achieve a perfect complexion with ease.

I use sponge to apply powder and foundation to my face, but not this. Well, Inglot, thanks for this!

Inglot Matte Lipstick 

The perfect opaque super matte lipstick for any occasion. Vitamin E, macadamia oil, and avocado oil moisturize and nourish the lips. Long lasting formula provides the ideal matte, smooth, even finish.

What I got was a matte lippie in 417, a nude/pale color with cool-toned pink. Cool-toned means the color leans towards violet and blue. The color is pinkish but in a way that will flatter most skin colors, but most especial skin with cool/”blue” undertones.

Application-wise, I was surprised that it does not glide the way I like my satin/sheer/moisturizing lipstick or colored balm. It might be the sample being dry, but applying it was like having to rub the lippie on my lips. It does give a smooth-looking opaque coloring, though. I also like the heavy feel of the lipstick tube. The shiny and sleek packaging screams “professional”

No flash under natural lighting – It looks almost natural. I approve.

With flash under artificial lighting – now you see it’s a pink that looks like lavender.

On an slightly related note, I got a makeover voucher from the box as well. I visited the Inglot branch in Burjuman where I was informed to schedule an appointment for the makeover. No sweat, I live nearby anyway. I was also able to check the price for the Freedom Palette (makeup) I’ve been drooling about. You can choose the colors you want in a portable makeup kit. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Magnetic Palette – AED 80
  • Face powder/foundation – AED 40
  • Blush – AED 40
  • Eyeshadow – AED 35
  • Lip color – AED 35

So, like a minimum of AED 240? Huhuhu I’m gonna stick with using my samples then.

Rituals Happy Buddha Shower Foam

Start each day with a boost of happiness with our Happy Buddha Shower Foam; that combines the citrus scent of Sweet Orange and warmth of Cedar Wood. Simply squeeze a small amount of gel into your hand, massage it into your skin and watch it transform into a rich, creamy, moisturizing foam.

Seriously this one smells like happy energy on a spray bottle. The extra soft translucent gel quickly turns into a happy cloud of white foam, with an exuberant explosion of crisp, bright orange scent upon contact with my skin. I feel so ecstatic! Perfect for an awakening morning zing. I am really one happy Buddha with this.

I also checked the website and it made me buy a lot of things from their actual store in Burjuman after I availed of their free hand massage and nail coloring (yes they have makeup and nail products as well, even handwash / liquid hand soap, dish washing liquid, tea cup and curated tea bags for the perfect beauty relaxing ritual.)

Bottega Verde Pepe Rosa Hand Cream with Pink Peppercorn and Vanilla Extracts

A rich, fragrant cream which is ideal even for very dry, dehydrated skin. Its special formula with Pink Peppercorn and Vanilla extracts protects and preserves moisture levels. The delightful fragrance opens with exhilarating hints of Pink Peppercorn and Calabrian Bergamot. The middle notes are filled with enchanting Orange Blossom aromas offering all of the passion of Sicily and it is all warmed by creamy fusions of Vanilla. When used on a daily basis, it keeps hands soft and beautiful, while helping to prevent the signs of ageing.

For the three months I’ve subscribe for both Zanedo and Glambox, I almost always get one or more hand cream / lotion / therapy, you name it! This one is a full size product from Bottega Verde, with a branch in Burjuman. Aside from the quaint packaging design, easy skin absorption and gentle fruity / gourmand / floral scents, the products are just alright.

For this particular product, the hand cream has the usual drug store body lotion consistency, gets absorbs fast (unlike Crabtree and Evelyn’s) and leaves a floral scent with a hint of pepper.

Bottega Verde Uva Rossa di Palazzo Massaini – Body Cream / Face Cream / Serum in Red Grape Extract

The red grape grown in the splendid tuscan country side is used as the main ingredient in the red grape kit. The antioxidants in the red grape contains anti-ageing properties and relieves stress.


Body Cream

The body cream has a thin consistency however you feel it is packed with moisturizing oil upon application. The skin easily soaks in the moisture and the lotion’s scent is mild, comforting, but still fruity.

Face Cream

Unlike the body cream, the face cream is thick and very white. No worries, though, because it gets absorbed by the face in an instant. Scent is mild and lovely, even lovelier than the body cream.

Serum 

I got a sample sachet of the slightly colored serum. The consistency is watery and gentle on the face.

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For the Apparel Group box, it is such a wonderful way to introduce their cosmetic lines, given that these are not well-known brands here in UAE (well, except Inglot).

I got the best buck for their vouchers, too, because all three have set shop in Burjuman Centre, which is very accessible to me. I love the vouchers!

  • I got to know that I have normal-combination skin (PH levels are good, thanks TONER!).
  • I got a Welcome Box from Bottega Verde containing samples of Almond & Jasmine Hand Cream (the best-smelling hand cream from this brand so far), Ialuronplus Face Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Uva Rosa Body Cream.
  • I can book an appointment at Inglot to give me a makeover. I guess that would be the only time my face will get touched by Inglot products.I also got to discover their Freedom Palette system.
  • The people at Rituals Burjuman are wonderful and patient! The place alone is so Zen, they generously let me try those hand wash, cream, scrub and shower gel, painted my nails a midnight blue (from their own nail polish collection AED 29 each), tried their precious minerals makeup and gave me a cup of tea (black tea with bergamot, as part of their Ritual of Happy Buddha Line). I bought AED 130 worth of products and got a free full sized shower foam gel (yah I can’t get enough of those shower products).

I really felt beautiful and pampered! So , Glambox decided to give another Glambox to share!!!!!


Here’s the Glambox to Share!

Sharing is caring,but sorry I’m gonna hoard these things!

The brochures here are not as great (for me) as the first, but the 50% discount voucher for the next Glambox subscription is the best deal! If I were not leaving the UAE this year., I would have happily resubscribed. So at least this one voucher, I shared with someone so she can discover the joys of discovering new stuff at such low prices. I did my job, Glambox, I surely did.

  • Discount voucher for enrolment at Guavapass Fitness
  • Discount voucher for Kaya Skin Clinic service
  • Discount voucher for purchase at Dorothy Perkins, Dubai Mall Branch
  • 50% off subscription fee for Glambox!

The lovely, lovely things to have and share.

Arcancil – Very Mat Lipstick in 435 Nude Mat

It’s all about the comfortable texture, enriched in pure pigments sublimating intensity of each shade, matte finish, second skin sensation and long wear.

Full Size: 12g, Price: AED 66. Available at Karji Shop/ Big Brand Shop/ Layal Gallery Shop/ Vperfume Shop/ Xpression Shop/ Ansar Gallery Shop.

This is a matte lipstick with unprecedented comfort. Enriched with pure pigments, VERY MAT dresses up your lips with intense color and infinitely matte finish that lasts all day long. As comfortable as a balm, its light texture gives a velvet finish to your lips in one step. Unlike the Inglot lipstick, this one glides so easily on my lips like butter and it leaves a more warm-colored nude pink. The texture is not exactly super matte, but I like the effect, nonetheless.

With flash under artificial lighting

COMPARISON: First on the left is Inglot (more pink), second on the right is Arcancil (more orange/peach)

Catrice Glamour Doll Volume Mascara

Perfect doll eyes! Catrice’s Glamour Doll Volume Mascara has a specially developed elastomer brush that captures the creamy mascara, spreads it well and covers each individual lash without weighing it down. The results: extra volume, length and density. That’s how to get huge doll eyes! Available in Curl and Waterproof!

Full Size: 10g, Price: AED 19. Available at Sana Fashion, Joanna Fashion, V Perfumes, Lulu and Souq.com

To bad they don’t have it in Carrefour. The mascara is dirt cheap and not waterproof, yet it does the work just fine! The sleek curvy design is also wonderful.

The very short bristles pick up just the right amount of mascara and the angled brush (with a particular hand angle in application) provides a lengthening boost and an instant upward curve to my lashed. Forgive my not so wonderfully clear shot but you can see how sexy and long the lashes are. Mine look almost naturally long.

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Beauty By Edge False Lashes

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Beauty By Edge is the first of its kind in Dubai – a combination of a retail shop, hair design studio and salon all in one. Their eyelashes are very easy to apply and reusable multiple times.

Price: AED 50-100 per pair. Size: 1 Size. Found at: www.beautybyedge.com

Sadly, I am not one to use these so I also gave it to someone else. But hey, it looks wonderful! Check their websites for more eyelashes and hair extensions.

Orlane Skincare

Known for the flawless performance of its products, Orlane Paris was created by a group of biochemists more than 60 years ago. Today, Orlane continues to be a leader in anti-aging skin care, promising both immediate and long-term results to delight your skin.

Price: Starting from AED 366. Available at: Areej, BinSina Pharmacy and Boots

Orlane Elixir Royal

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This exceptional product, with its luscious textures, provide the most demanding skin with Royal Jelly’s secret to longevity and the extraordinary anti-aging prowess of 24-carat-gold. The serum is yellowish and thick in a transparent way but it glides on like water on skin and gets really absorbed fast.

Fresh Royal Jelly: high concentration of trace elements, vitamins, and amino acids, making it an extremely effective anti-aging ingredient. Smart Ingredient Vectorization: Revolutionary Delivery System * delivers fresh royal jelly to the heart of skin cells in it’s free form for instant results * via a plant micropatch grid that releases the royal jelly over time * in the form of phytospheres for targeted release deep into the skin 24-Karat Gold:stimulates the production of elastic fibers and prevents skin slackening, renews and energizes, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory to help skin protect against stressors and free radicals. Spot Reduction: Stargazer Lily, is a maritime flower, effective in significantly reducing pigmentation of brown spots.

Orlane Skin Recovery Care Eye Contour

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A treatment especially designed to provide true biological rest for the fragile skin around the eyes. This ultra-fine gel-cream with White Lily extracts decongests, smoothes and eliminates temporary puffiness and dark circles. I applied it on the skin around my eyes and it did not sting. I rarely have trouble with puffy eyes or eyebags so it was fine, I guess. I hope it does something about the uneven coloring of my skin around the eyes as opposed to other parts. 🙂

Enchanteur Moisture Silk Hand & Body Lotion – Rose Oud

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Experience the richness of Enchanteur Rose Oud Body Lotion with its French, Oriental blend of enigmatic Rose and mysterious Oud complemented by warm Cashmere Musk, Sandalwood and Saffron. It is formulated with non-greasy Moisture Silk and specially enriched with Aloe Vera and Olive Butter to give your skin optimum moisturization and nourishment.

Full Size – Price: 250 ml – AED 10, 500ml – AED 17.5, 750ml – AED 23.5, Available across retail channels pan GCC.

I love the cheap and fragrant Enchanteur talc so I expected a whiff of strong feminine scent. This one’s on the very strong, bold side because of oud. Anyway, the rose oud combination smells like old-time royalty in some desert fortresses or some exotic places, with sultry dresses, drumbeats  and dances around bonfires.

Marina De Bourbon Fragrances

Princesse Marina de Bourbon Parfums is known across the world for indulging women with a selective and luxurious range of fragrances representing the French luxury and elegance.

Price/Size: Starting from AED 195 / 50 ml. Available at: Debenhams, Layal Gallery, Beauty Bay Lifestyle and major perfumeries and beauty store across UAE

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L’Or de Marina

http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Princesse-Marina-De-Bourbon/L-Or-de-Marina-33900.html

Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women. L’Or de Marina was launched in 2014. Top note is violet; middle notes are jasmine, white flowers, lily-of-the-valley and rose; base notes are cedar and white musk.

On me, the top note is a strong floral that transforms into white-flower scent and musk. Would be better to wear for colder weather to retain the floral pleasantness.

So, again, Glambox has consistently provided a great bang for the bucks with their reliable delivery and service, wonderful products, discounts and freebies at a competitive price. I recommend them 11/10!!!

PS. Glambox emailed me to inform that I won a #Glambreak Glambox AND the #Manbreak Box for Men. I am so happy to be honest!!!!!! I’m gonna wait for the boxes and let you know.