Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Comparing the Loose Button Luxe Box and Glymm Beauty Box

I just want to start off by saying I am a founding member of Loose Button's Luxe Box so have received more Luxe Boxes than Glymm.  However, because I was a bit disappointed at the Luxe Box offerings over the past few months, I thought I would check out Glymm to see what their Beauty Box offered.

Both Loose Button and Glymm are subscription services which offer 4-5 deluxe beauty samples per month delivered right to your door with free shipping, with both offering different subscription services (monthly, quarterly, yearly).  When signing up, both services have a "beauty profile" that you complete - which is used to personalize the beauty samples they send to you.

Samples from both services are comparable.  Some of the brands I've received in my Luxe Boxes were from Stila, Essie, Elizabeth Grant,  Pur Minerals, City Lips, Proclaim, Calvin Klein, Joico, Laura Mercier, Dermatologica and most recently Mereadesso, Pure and Simple and Kerastase.  Loose Button will also sometimes upgrade certain samples to full size - and who doesn't like to receive a full size sample.  I've only received one Beauty Box from Glymm so far, and the samples were from Oscar De La Renta, John Masters Organics and Vasanti.  I look forward to receiving more samples from Glymm.

Both services now offer a rewards type program.

With Glymm, you accumulate points for ordering a box, completing reviews on the contents of your monthly Beauty Box, for purchases in the Beauty Boutique and for referrals.  Points can be redeemed for money off products purchased in the Beauty Boutique.

Loose Button on the other hand, only has a refer a friend program.  For every 3 friends you refer and sign up to receive a Luxe Box, you will receive a free Luxe Box.

So which service do I prefer??

Products - I don't think I can choose one over the other - both offer a variety of products and I love both ...

Price - both are comparable - Glymm is only $10/month (or $110/year) whereas Loose Button is $12/month (or $120/year).

Presentation - My personal preference is Glymm

Website - I much prefer the Glymm website - everything is just easier to find quickly

Rewards - I have to give this one to Glymm

Customer Service - both are excellent; both have Facebook and Twitter pages and are good at answering any posts/tweets

Bottom line is I am really on the fence about which service I like more.  They both are really great services and I do like them both.  I will definitely continue my subscription to both services.


You can order your Loose Button Luxe Box here and your Glymm Beauty Box here


September Luxe Box

This month's Loose Button Luxe Box arrived later than usual due to a delay by Canada Post.  The outside packaging was the same as previous months and upon opening the box, I was greeted by the same black tissue paper as last month.  However, the familiar pink card was also black and sported a large question mark.  Also, now that the weather has turned a bit cooler, they've reinstated sending along a chocolate treat.



Under the dark tissue were this month's samples:


L to R:
~ Mereadesso - Face and Neck Toning Gel
~ Pur Minerals - Mineral Glow
~ Pure and Simple - Collagen Elastic Plus
~ Kerastase - Masque and Fluide Chroma Riche


According to my personalized note, this month's samples were a mix of products that are award winning, cult favorites and also new to the beauty market ... I had only heard of 2 - Pur minerals and Kerastase.  The note also indicated that there would be a change coming in October ... hmmm wonder what that could be?

I'm definitely excited to try the Kerastase samples because I have color treated hair.  I'm sure these will come in very handy.

The Pure and Simple Collagen Elastic Plus is something I am looking forward to trying. Living in the dry Canadian climate (especially during the winter), one cannot get enough hydration for their skin.

The Mereadesso Face and Neck Toning Gel is really not something I can see myself using, but have passed the sample along to my mother to try.  She was happy to receive it.

Lastly was the Pur Minerals Mineral Glow.  If you have been following my blog, you'll recall that I was a tad disappointed with some of the previous Luxe Box offerings due to Loose Button including samples from the same brand as in previous months Luxe Boxes.  I have to say that I was a bit disappointed to receive, yet another sample in the September Luxe Box, from a brand we had already received samples from (last month I received a sample of the Pur Minerals 4-in-1 powder).

All in all I was happy with this month's Luxe Box, however, once again, I was a bit disappointed to receive another sample from a brand we had previously received.






Saturday, September 24, 2011

30 Days of Walt Disney World

In preparation for our upcoming trip to Orlando, I have been posting a 30 Days of Walt Disney World countdown on my Facebook page.  Each day until we leave, I have been posting a favorite at WDW along with an accompanying picture.  I will update this blog each day until our departure ...

Day 1 - My Favorite WDW Park ... Magic Kingdom


Day 2 - My Favorite Land in the Magic Kingdom ... Fantasyland

Okay, so this was sort of hard because this land does not contain all my favorite rides, but I love the whole "Disney Magic" thing/atmosphere and this is definitely where it's at ...


Day 3 - My Favorite Attraction in Tomorrowland ... TTA/Peoplemover


Day 4 - My Favorite Attraction in Fantasyland ... The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh


Day 5 - My Favorite Attraction in Liberty Square ... The Haunted Mansion


Day 6 - My Favorite Attraction in Frontierland ... sadly I don't really have a favorite, so here is a picture of Donald Duck

Day 7 - My Favorite Attraction in Adventureland ... Pirates of the Caribbean


Day 8 - Future World or World Showcase ... World Showcase


Day 9 - My Favorite Attraction in Future World ... Mission Space


Day 10 - My Favorite Attraction in World Showcase ... Gran Fiesta Tour


Day 11 - My Favorite Hollywood Studios Area ... Sunset Boulevard


Day 12 - My Favorite Hollywood Studios Attraction ... Muppets 3D


Day 13 - My Favorite Animal Kingdom Area ... Africa


Day 14 - My Favorite Animal Kingdom Attraction ... The Tree of Life


Day 15 - My Favorite WDW Resort ... The Polynesian


Day 16 - My Favorite Snack to Grab in the Parks ... Dole Whip


Day 17 - My Favorite WDW Restaurant ... California Grill


Day 18 - WDW Attraction You Wish They'd Bring Back ... Mr. Toad's Wild Ride


Day 19 - My Least Favorite WDW Attraction ... Stitch's Great Escape


Day 20 - My Favorite WDW Dessert ... Maple Creme Brulee from Le Cellier


Day 21 - My Favorite Character to see in the Parks ... Winnie the Pooh



Day 22 - My Favorite Parade ... Mickey's Boo to You Halloween Parade



Day 23 - The Scariest Ride ... I honestly wouldn't categorize any of the rides at WDW as scary ... now I-4 to/from Disney, that is scary LOL


Day 24 - My Favorite Face Character ... Cap't Jack Sparrow of course 



Day 25 - Favorite activity outside the parks, but still in WDW ... Downtown Disney (especially the World of Disney store)



Day 26 - My Favorite Souvenir ... Adventurers Club Pin

This was a tough one as we have a few favorite souvenirs.  The souvenir that stands out most in my mind is our Adventurers Club pin.  My husband received the pin for his participation in the Radio Show held in the Adventurers Club Library during our last visit to the Adventurers Club before it closed.  I wish I had gotten video of his adventure but I was laughing so hard I had tears running down my face and unfortunately was only able to snap a few pics during my laughing fit.  This isn't a pin that you could buy in the parks as it was only given out to guests who participated in a show .... aka the victim.



Day 27 - Favorite Breakfast ... Tonga Toast



Day 28 - Favorite Fireworks Show ... Hallowishes



Day 29 - Favorite Monorail Color ... Tronorail



Day 30 - Favorite Statue, Fountain or anything eye-grabbing in the parks ... Muppet Fountain DHS




13 Days!!!

With only 11 days until we leave for our annual October vacation in Orlando, and 13 days until Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend, I thought I'd take a look back at our adventures from Spooky Empire's Mayhem show held this past May.

Event Highlight Videos
 

Vendor Room


Bruce Campbell Cake Cutting at the VIP Party



We're very much looking forward to SEUHW and meeting some of the great celebs they have scheduled, like:
  • Clive Barker
  • Malcolm McDowell
  • Lance Henriksen
  • Kristen Bauer
  • Sam Trammell
  • Bobby Blotzer
  • Steven Adler
  • The Boondock Saints (Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery & David Della Rocco)

As well as all our Spooky/Florida friends and family ... See you all soon ... 


Monday, September 19, 2011

Glymm Beauty Box for September 2011

After a few disappointments with the Loose Button Luxe Box, I decided to check out what the Glymm Beauty Box had to offer. This was my first Glymm Beauty Box.

Unlike the Luxe Box from Loose Button, I unfortunately didn't receive a tracking number for my Glymm Beauty Box.  No big deal ...

The Glymm Beauty Box also comes packaged in another cardboard box for mailing vs the Luxe Box which comes shipped in a white bubble envelope.   Again, no big deal ...

The box is a very pretty pink ;)


Upon opening the box ...


Box contents:


Oscar De La Renta-Esprit d’Oscar mini: a bright, citrus, floral and warm scents surround you to relay your chic and sophisticated sides

John Masters Organics-Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk: Delicate and mild, milk thistle, aloe and essential oils are absorbed quickly and happily to leave your skin replenished, detoxified and nourished in a most organic way.

John Masters Organics-Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash: Nothing less than botanical, this all over wash foams to gently remove dirt and leave you feeling clean.

Vasanti - Rockies blush:  a ‘pink’ blush but it’s actually described as silky smooth coral with subtle flecks of gold and silver.

Glymm Surprise-cute croc accessory: mine was a mirrored compact

A small jar of Jelly Belly jelly beans (how awesome is that)

So there you have it. My amazing Glymm Box, definitely did not disappoint.  Looking forward to receiving my Luxe box to compare the two.

If you are interested in ordering a Glymm Beauty Box for yourself or someone else, you can do so by using this link.