Unboxing Clinique Exclusive Giltbox + My 1st Personalized Box (August 2017)

Hi, guys! Here's my unboxing of the Giltbox goodies I got for the month of August 2017!

If you haven't heard of them yet, Saladbox is an online beauty subscription service here in the Philippines. Every month, you'll get a themed beauty box containing 4 or 5 product samples delivered right to your doorstep!

Just recently, Saladbox rebranded itself as Giltbox. As part of their transformation, the mechanics of their subscription service also changed. Instead of getting the same set of loot per month, subscribers will now receive a personalized box depending on their answers to a survey. Interesting!

all the goodies on my previous subscription (July 2016 - July 2017)

Giltbox's rebranding coincided with the end of my one-year subscription and I'm not so sure if I'll resubscribe. (Ehem, late deliveries, ehem.) One of the factors that changed my mind is this very sweet B1T1 promo they had at the time. If you subscribe to the one-year plan, you'll receive two personalized boxes per month for a year! For August, new subscribers will get the exclusive Clinique box as a special gift plus another personalized box. I think that's a very good deal so here we are. 😂Expect more Giltbox unboxings from me.

CLINIQUE EXCLUSIVE GILTBOX

Haven't tried Clinique products yet (except for their lippies) so I'm really happy and excited I snagged this box. Here's what's inside along with my first impressions.

1) Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Serum (15ml sample, approx $20)

Product Description: "A high-powered serum that optimizes cell renewal to continually reveal fresher, healthier-looking skin. Helps bring vibrant new cells to the surface for a refined, uniform texture and renewed healthy glow. Skin looks energized, feels velvety smooth. Oil-free."

You guys. This is love at first application. Patch-tested it on my left cheek first and it immediately felt luxuriously soft. I got a couple pimples the very next day so I got concerned, but upon research, I learned that this has some lactobionic acid (PHA) and salicylic acid (BHA) in it. Purging is to be expected when you use acids so I continued using it. After a mere week, my left cheek is so soft and plump! It still a little bumpy from the purging but I can feel my skin improving.

Not sure about Philippine price but according to the Clinique website, the full-sized product (30 ml) is 44.50 USD. So pricey! I'll be sad once my sample runs out.

2) Clinique Turnaround Overnight Revitalizing Moisturizer (15ml sample, $13.89 at Amazon)

Product Description: "A revitalizing moisture cream that literally works overnight to reveal more luminous skin. Delivers the energy infusion skin needs to optimize nighttime renewal. Gently clears the dulling effects of time and sun damage, nourishes with moisture."

This is another hit for me. 💘 It really did a great job as a moisturizer and it made my skin a lot brighter the next day. The serum made my skin velvety smooth but this moisturizer boosted the hydration levels off the roof. I didn't know my skin could get any more bouncy?! I'm amazed. This has outperformed most moisturizers I've tried so far.

One and only downside: the full-sized 50-ml jar is 41.00 USD according to the Clinique website. It is 2,950 PHP at BeautyBar. Will repurchase but I'm just gonna put this in my wishlist for now. 😂

3) Clinique Lash Power Mascara Travel Size (2.5ml sample, approx $8)

Product Description: "Mascara with staying power. Vows to look pretty for 24 hours without a smudge
or smear. Lasts through rain, sweat, humidity, tears. Yet the formula removes easily with warm water.
Unique brush reaches and beautifully lengthens even the tiniest lashes. Ophthalmologist Tested."

Have only tried this twice and it's good. It gave my lashes a fuller-effect while also lengthening them. The best part for me is the really small and thin brush. It made the application a breeze. May do a full review about this. What do you think? Go ahead or not? 😉

4) Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Sweet Pop (travel-sized sample, $8.5 at Ulta)

Product Description: "Luxurious yet weightless formula merges bold, saturated colour with a smoothing primer. Glides on effortlessly to a modern-velvet finish. Colour stays true, keeps lips comfortably moisturized for 8 hours. Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance Free."

I got the shade Sweet Pop which is a cool pink. The formula is moisturizing, glides on smoothly and has a satin finish. It's semi-transparent but it's still has enough coverage to cover the dark edges of my lips. I bet this will look perfect for a natural everyday look. No scent or taste too. 👍

Clinique claims this is long-lasting but since I habitually rub my lips together, the lipstick was no match for me. The color faded after a mere two hours. To its credit, the lipstick faded beautifully. It doesn't settle to the cracks on my lip and won't look patchy. The full size is 18.50 USD at the Clinique website. It's available at BeautyBar for 1,100 PHP. May purchase.

5) Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser (30ml sample, $12.00 at Clinique website)

Product Description: "By combining gentle cleansing with exfoliating power, this 2-in-1 formula takes away dirt, dulling dead skin cells, excess oil and impurities to give skin a smooth finish and a radiant glow. Preps skin for makeup. It is gentle enough to use twice a day."

The last product in the Clinique Giltbox is this exfoliating cleanser. I tested the pH level first and it's not bad at 6.4 pH. So far so good, right? However, I hate the smell and I hate the exfoliating beads. I think it's too harsh. It felt like I'm rubbing sandpaper on my face. The next day, I got breakouts all over. Bad. 💀 (Note: I tested each Clinique product separately so I'm sure this is the culprit.) If you wanna give this a go, the full-sized 120ml tube costs 1,300 PHP at the BeautyBar.

VERDICT: This is such an amazing box. Except for the cleanser, I like ALL of the items inside. Double thumbs up, Giltbox!!! Using US prices, the total value of this Clinique box is around 62 USD or about 3,100 PHP! Definitely a steal!

AUGUST PERSONALIZED GILTBOX

Can't remember what I answered on the Giltbox questionnaire but I remember choosing the options that will let me try as much as I can (except products for men). I'm open to trying new stuff and discovering new brands, local or not. Anyway, here's what I got.

Ta-dah! Let's break it down.

1) VMV HypoAllergenics Hydra Balance Gentle Cream Cleanser (30ml sample tube, Value: 515 PHP)

Product Description: "A smart hydrating clean: whisks away excess + helps control
acne and moisturize drier areas. Helps restore the skin's moisture barrier
and resilience. Soothes over-treated or irritated combination skin."

Love this! The Hydra Balance Cleanser can remove all dirt and impurities while being very gentle and moisturizing. I'm not really into cream cleansers but anything from VMV is an exception. They have never failed me so far when it comes to skincare and this product is the same.

Full price of the 120ml tube is 765 PHP. Giltbox lists the 30ml sample as 515 PHP but if I calculate the price by ml, the sample value should be below 200 PHP.

2) SugarxSalt Beauty and the Mist Rose Water (5ml sample, Value: 50 PHP)

Product Description: "This all-natural face mist rejuvenates and

hydrates the skin. Great for setting makeup."

A local brand that is new to me! Nice! From SugarxSalt's own About Me on facebook: "Handcrafted cosmetics and skincare products that minimizes the use of synthetic raw materials. A mix of natural and organic ingredients is used on each product while maintaining an affordable price."

Interesting. I've pretty much stalked their social media and from what I've seen, they currently only have a handful of products. The brand is fairly new in our local market too (pics from their timeline start early Jan 2017) but it looks like they're steadily growing.

Anyway, back to the product. The face mist is made with rosewater. It's hydrating and nice to spray if your skin is feeling thirsty throughout the day. For makeup use, can't say it made my makeup stay longer but I do like spraying this over matte foundations or whenever I apply too much setting powder. It reduces the cakey appearance plus it makes a smooth, dewy and natural-looking finish. May purchase this in full size. The 100ml bottle costs 180 PHP at SugarxSalt Shopee store.

3) Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment (5ml sample, Value: 380 Php)

Product Description: "This mud mask provides gentle resurfacing exfoliation and helps to

leave skin smoother, brighter, and softer resulting in immediate camera-ready glowing skin.

This is a repeat sample because I already got one through a previous Saladbox but I'm not complaining! I'm in love with this Glamglow mask! You can see results even after only just one use! The tingling may be too much for some people but it works for me. I especially love the deep exfoliation - even milia dry and fall off a few days after just one use. No kidding!

This is seriously on my wishlist for a long time now but the price is such a turn-off. The full-sized 50ml jar costs 3,300 PHP! 😱 Will you buy this?

4) Exceptionnel Cosmetics Blush and Kiss Potion in Possession (Full-Size, Value: 150 PHP)

Product Description: "A water-based and hypoallergenic lip and cheek stain that contains natural ingredients. Its very pigmented and easy to blend formula gives off a natural effect to your lips and cheeks."

Another new local brand to me! Yay! The lip and cheek tint is cutely called "Blush and Kiss Potion". I got the shade Possession.

I'd try more local lip tints but I haven't found one that actually works FOR ME. Most of the time, they'd just slide off my lips instead of actually sticking. Will definitely test this lip tint! Watch out for my review! From initial swatches, Possession is a brown shade. If you wanna know more about the brand and their other shades, visit their facebook page. :)

UPDATE: I reviewed the lip tint here. Check it out!

5) Remedy All Natural Soap in Eucalyptus and Green Tea (Full Size, 185 PHP)

Product Description: "Feel the soothing scent of green tea with a kick of eucalyptus. Handmade in the old-fashioned way, this labor-of-love soap is antibacterial and contains loads of antioxidants that rejuvenate dying skin cells, giving off a more moisturized skin."

Another local brand! Yay! The soap I got smells divine. Will use it as soon as possible. I can't find much info about Remedy except for their website & facebook. Looks like they're not new but the company is still fairly small. They make all their products by hand using food-grade ingredients. According to their fb page, they'll even customize scents for you. Neat!

VERDICT: Love this personalized box! It's a great mix of makeup and skincare. Aside from that, I got exposed to more local brands too! From my calculations, the full value of this set is around 965 PHP - definitely got my money's worth here!

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Giltbox really went all out for their rebranding. This is definitely such a great start! I love the Clinique box and my personalized beauty box. I sincerely hope all their future boxes are as great as this one! If you wanna receive monthly gifts for yourself, check out Giltbox's subscription plans here.

Hope you enjoyed my unboxing. See you next time!

Check out Saladbox/Giltbox:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/giltboxph
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giltboxph/
Website: http://saladbox.ph/

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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I paid for my own Saladbox subscription. This review is written based on my own experience. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.