Mens Glossybox Niven & Joshua Edition

My husbands Glossybox arrived today (I forgot to cancel his sub, oops!) it is a Niven & Joshua edition box and is themed upon a simple four tier routine - clean, prepare, shave and protect.


The mens box is quarterly as opposed to monthly like the ladies box. This is the second box he has had you can read about the first one here

Before he opened the box I told him that I had read some spoilers on what was in the box and was he sure he wanted to open it as I had phoned Glossybox about returning it (more about that after the review!) but he read a spoiler online and decided he wanted to keep it and try out the products.

This review is not pretty so be prepared!!

Same colour box as last month with a clear sticker over the top (not on straight, that really bugs me - I know, I know)

This was stuck on the inside of the lid (again not straight, attention to detail GB!)- pre-shave oil, sounds good.

The box felt really light and this is why - its half empty! I actually looked around in the straw at the bottom for the rest of the samples!

Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturiser.

A lightweight moisturiser that quickly absorbs leaving skin smooth with a shine-free matte finish.

He received two 5ml samples, on the index card the full size 120ml retails for £20.00 so the samples are worth £1.67.

I found it for £10.95 here at lavish choice making the sample worth 91p

Nickel Super Clean Face Scrubbing Gel.

Designed to eliminate a dull complexion, an irregular texture, shiny patches and smooth your skin.

This is a 15ml sample, full size 125ml retails for £16.00 making the sample worth £1.92

I found it for £13.60 at Feel Unique making it worth £1.63

Yu-Be Vitamin Enriched Cream.

Yu-Be is extremely effective at combating severe dry skin and soothing minor skin irritations.

Its also a teeny sample. 3ml.  Full size is 33g and retails at £12.00 making the sample worth £1.09.

I found the sample on sale at Bath and Unwind for £1.01

Zirh Shave Gel.

A clear non-foaming shave gel making it easy to maintain sideburns (yes it really does say this, yes I did nearly spit my cup of tea out with laughter!) and avoid irritated areas.

This is a 5ml sample, full size is 100ml and retails at £13.50 making the sample worth 68p

I found the full size for sale at £8.95 on Lavish Choice making it worth 45p

A second item from Zirh - Clean Fash Wash.

A legend amongst oily skin face cleansers for men with its unique and effective formula.

Again its a 5ml sample, full size is 250ml and retails for £15.50 making the sample worth 31p

Looking online I could only find it around the £15 price as stated on the index card.

Molton Brown Black Pepper Bodywash.

A black peppercorn scent with bergamot and oakmoss.

This is a decent size 30ml sample, full size is 300ml and retails at £18 making the sample worth £1.80.

Unless you want to buy it off ebay then everywhere else is around the £18 mark.

and lastly, Marvis Mint Toothpaste

A uniquely fresh peppermint (?? when did it become unique that toothpaste is peppermint flavoured!) flavoured toothpaste that gives a long lasting pleasurable taste sensation.

Honestly who writes these??!!

10ml sample, 75ml retails at £5.50, sample is worth 73p

Checking online this looks like its standard price.

So the box adds up to the grand total of £8.20 (or £6.84 if you use my prices).

The box however cost me £17.95!

I contacted Glossybox by writing on their FB page that I was unhappy with the box and asked if someone could please contact me to let me know how to return it for a full refund. After a few hours and no reply from Glossybox on my post, I posted on the Mens Glossybox page asking how I could go about getting a pre-paid returns label to send the box back.

I got a quick reply asking me to contact customer services by telephone who would be more than happy to refund me for the box.

I called Glossybox customer services on the number provided and yes they would be more than happy to refund me providing I pay in full for return postage.  I explained that I wasn't happy with this as me returning the box would be quite expensive (around £4) and that I was very unhappy with the value of the samples in the box to which she proceeded to inform me that we pay for the service and not the value of the samples.

I then commented on my post on the Mens Glossybox page saying that I was still unhappy and the situation remained unresolved.

Mens Glossybox deleted my post, which was a polite post requesting help. Then blocked me from commenting on their Mens page.

I find this disgraceful customer service.

That I have paid £17.95 for a box of samples that are not even worth half of the amount paid has really annoyed me. I don't appreciate being ripped off and I certainly do not appreciate being fobbed off.

To anyone thinking about subbing to the mens box I'd say don't bother - go down to Boots with your £17.95 and pick up a load of goodies for your other half as thats what I'll be doing in future.

What do you think? Did you get this box?

UPDATE 20.06.12

I would just like to say thank you everyone for these comments and all the retweets!

I'm glad he kept the box so that I could show you all what you actually get for your money, and tell you about my experience with GlossyBox.

Looking at all these comments I can see that I am certainly not the only person who has had a problem with Glossybox customer service.

Thanks again for reading my blog and don't forget to enter my giveaway ;)