Allure Beauty Box is a subscription box that is curated by Allure’s editors and contains $50-$90 worth of full and deluxe size products, per their website.  I would recommend subscribing through Amazon (rather than directly with Allure) to avoid shipping and cancellation issues. The subscription is $15 per month.

Time to stop yacking and start unboxing!

Overall Box Impressions: This is my third month receiving this box. This box was very hyped as being a collab with Carli Bybel. Allure also said the value of the products in the box would be $93. That’s definitely not the case. When adjusted for the actual product sizes received (this is where my accountant skills come in handy) the box contents were worth $55, barely above their $50 minimum. Based on an Allure Facebook group I belong to, the box I received is consistent with others who order through Amazon. To me, having Allure tout that the box would be worth $93 and then receiving a box that’s worth less than 2/3 of that amount is not only disappointing but tantamount to false advertising. One way I evaluate subscription boxes it the total value of the box divided by the cost of the box. For many beauty boxes I receive, this ratio is about 5x to 5.5x. This Allure box is only 3.7x. Last month the box was, on a size adjusted basis, worth $88, which was 5.9x. So, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to view this box as being a disappointment. Given that and the issues from my February box (a product arrived damaged and Allure has been saying for six weeks they would replace it – but haven’t yet), I will likely be cancelling this box.

Laura Geller Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Violet

On the upside, at least its not another black eyeliner. Not sure I’ll get much use out of violet but I will give it a couple tries to see if I like the formula and keep it for special eye looks. I’m hopeful this will live up to the claims of being waterproof and staying all day as I plan to use it on my waterline.

Natasha Denona Mono Eye Shadow in Morgana

This is the item I am most excited for as I’ve never tried Natasha Denona eyeshadow. It’s a coppery metallic shade that’s a bit more orange than what I’d normally reach for but I don’t dislike it at all. Beautiful!

Luxie 231 Small Tapered Blending Brush

I love Luxie brushes and can (almost) always use more eye brushes. If you’ve never felt these brushes, they bristles are quite soft and mine have held up to multiple washes at this point.

Vita Liberata Phenomenal Organic Tan Infused Cloths

So I do not self-tan (seriously, ever) because I know it’s just not something I will keep up with (and Heaven knows I don’t need to buy more foundations just to match). I like the concept of these – cloths instead of product to spread – but still not likely something I will use. My understanding two cloths (what we received) is enough for one application.

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme

Love love love Briogeo’s products but not sure this one is for me since I only heat style my hair (straighten) once every month or two. May try this anyways even when I’m not heat styling to see if it helps with my super-tangly hair (because so far my other Briogeo products have even if that wasn’t their purpose).

Additional Hair Care Product

So I was supposed to have received the Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner spray and I was so excited because I’ve been wanting to try it since I became aware of it. However, according to the small card from Allure , there were issues with a supplier shortage so instead they put in a trial/travel size of John Frieda creme and texturing spray from Furterer. Now, I can understand a supplier issue but putting in a replacement product that I can go buy at Wal-Mart for $2 does not meet Allure’s claim of providing “lux” products. I have used Frizz ease products before and they were greasy and heavy, and this one is low rated on various sites (despite Allure’s claims that it’s their favorite item from John Frieda). Pretty much a slap in the face, especially given the issue with the total value of the box. If you’re not able to send a high-end product, then at least replace it with a high-end product.

Allure Beauty Box is a subscription box that is curated by Allure’s editors and contains $50-$90 worth of full and deluxe size products, per their website.  I would recommend subscribing through Amazon (rather than directly with Allure) to avoid shipping and cancellation issues The subscription is $15 per month.

Time to stop yacking and start unboxing!

Overall Box Impressions: This is my second month receiving this box. It’s an odd mix of brands and products and at least half are sample size. This month we received three full size products (lipstick, nail polish and multistick). I did take the full-size prices for the remaining products and the sample sizes to determine the value of the sample size items. In total, the items in the box are worth $88. Of the seven items I had heard of four of the brands. I am most excited for the Juice Beauty Cleanser and least excited for the nail polish.

Au Naturale The Anywhere Creme Multistick in Grapefruit

This is basically a cream blush stick (I wouldn’t wear it “anywhere” as the name suggests) and I really like the color. It’s a very soft shade and the cream is nice and buttery. However, I’m most likely to use something in stick form if I’m on the go and cream doesn’t lend itself to on the go touch-up (since I would be applying a cream over a powder).

Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser

This is the item I am most excited for given the brand, scent and that it is a gel cleanser. It does have hydroxy acids to help with exfoliation and also contains retinyl palmitate. The smell is nice but still subtle and it is truly a gel.

Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Blush Basin and Londontown Laur in Brit of Love

Both of these products are (very) pink, which does not look flattering on me. I’ve never used this brand of nail polish (I only use gel polish) so I can’t speak to how it applies or wears. I do have the Burt’s Bees lipstick in another shade and it is fairly hydrating. It’s not what I would “creamy” though and that’s where it falls flat for me.

Mamonde Rose Water Toner and Belif Aqua Bomb

Last month we received the Rose petal spa oil to foam cleanser from Mamonde and this month we received the matching toner. I’m not loving the smell and actually already destashed the cleanser to a friend’s daughter. However, I love the aqua bombs from Belif – they’re very similar to the Laneige Water Mask. This is probably the third sample of this I have (other two are from Sephora)

Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Night Oil

I’ve heard of blue tansy before from working with essential oils and in that context it is considered to have soothing properties.  This is the first time I’ve seen it in skincare though.  The bottle received is actually a rollerball, which is confusing because the directions on the box say to “warm 1-2 pumps in the palm.” Obviously, a disconnect.

Sephora Play (actually named Play! by Sephora) contains five sample sized products, per their website.  Products include makeup, haircare, perfumes, skincare and other beauty products.  The subscription is $10 per month.

Time to stop yacking and start unboxing!

Overall Box Impressions: This is my second month receiving this box. General consensus is brands are higher end (i.e. the Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant) but the sample sizes are small. You do receive an extra sample that is frequently a foil pouch or perfume. My favorite item I received this month is the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick

Pretty color and my favorite Bite Beauty formula, all in one. The shade is Rhubarb, a saturated plum-rose color. The formula is soft and creamy and I don’t have a lot of issues with this transferring to my teeth.

Fresh Rose Face Mask

I love rose face masks as they generally soothe redness and irritation so I’m hoping this one performs in a similar way. The info sheet notes that this mask is designed to be toning and hydrating. I haven’t tried the mask yet but I did sneak a sniff and it has a very strong smell.

Milk Makeup Matte About You

This is a matte primer stick that is designed to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines. It appears from the info sheet instructions that the product is actually intended to be used all over the face but the sample size is likely a bit small for that. I was worried at first this would be too dark for my skin but it says it goes on clear.

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks

This set of gold foil eye masks are designed to brighten and hydrate the skin, including diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I love Wander Beauty and didn’t realize they made skin care masks so am excited to give these a try.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

This is a gel-cream that is designed to hydrate and calm the skin, using grape water, chamomile and grape seed, all ingredients I like or am interested in trying. I’m going to save this sample for the next time my face skin goes AHHHH from trying a new product it doesn’t agree with.

 Perfume Sample: Stella McCartney

This is the “extra” sample for the month and I much prefer perfume to foil packets. I actually have a sample of this perfume from Sephora (in-store) and liked it. Top Note: Rose; Middle Note: Peony Flower; Base Notes: Mandarin, Amber. Interestingly, I’ve made “perfumes” from essential oils so I understand the concept of top/middle/base notes but I’ve never seen mandarin used as a base note. So, that gives me some ideas for essential oil blends.