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The Alluring Alchemist Beauty Review – September/October 2017

The Alluring Alchemist September 2017

The Alluring Alchemist
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The Alluring Alchemist is a bi-monthly subscription box "offering meticulously sourced ingredients picked to create a customizable self-care experience (and with the knowledge of how and why to use them). It's beauty... deconstructed."

This month's box is being reviewed thanks to an MSA reader request!

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The Alluring Alchemist gives you the option of choosing among a one-time box purchase, bi-monthly renewing subscription, or pre-paid 6 and 12 month plans. Individual box items are also available for purchase on their website.

For each box purchased, The Alluring Alchemist plants one tree via One Tree Planted.

My Subscription Addiction paid for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

The Alluring Alchemist September 2017

The Subscription Box: The Alluring Alchemist

The Cost: $38.00 for one-time box purchase, $36.00 for bi-monthly renewing subscription, $99.00 for 6 month pre-paid subscription, and $180.00 for 12 month pre-paid subscription.

The Products:

Every other month you will receive a box containing:

  • 4 (1/2 oz) bottles with dry ingredients for mixing face masks (enough to make 9-12 masks)
  • 1 (1/2 oz) dropper bottle of facial oil
  • 1 (4 oz) jar of botanical facial steam
  • 1 (2 oz) empty glass spray bottle for reusing your steam water as toner

Ships to: The US for free and Worldwide. Rates apply for shipment to Canada and 'Everywhere Else.' For example, the one-time purchase box is $38.00 for the US, $43.00 for Canada, and $50.00 for 'Everywhere Else.'

Check out more skincare and beauty boxes in the Women's Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your Wish List or Subscription List!

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Each box comes with an info card that details the monthly theme + products included. The The Alluring Alchemist website is also a rich source in providing guidance around how to best use the ingredients.

September/October brings us The Jupiter Box. The guardian of the abstract mind, Jupiter is the symbol of knowledge and expanding horizons. This box aims to "awaken your inner alchemist," so let's dive right into the mixing magic, shall we?

The Alluring Alchemist September 2017 The Alluring Alchemist September 2017

The Alluring Alchemist September 2017

The Jupiter Box Botanical Facial Steam, 10 g - Value $15.00

Each item comes wrapped in tissue paper with the most enchanting celestial tape. The packaging really added to the mystery of the box-opening experience, and I was excited to unwrap each individual ingredient. Of course, beginning with the largest item... being this Botanical Facial Steam.

Now, I was fairly unfamiliar with the concept of a "facial steam," though I could imagine what it entails. The included info card describes Botanical Facial Steam as a cleansing and soothing pre-mask treatment, and it specifies that you may also use your steam water as a toner. I consulted The Alluring Alchemist site for more instruction.

This treatment is most beneficial before masking in order to open pores, release dirt and oil, and improve circulation. Taking the time to use a steam also allows you to build several minutes into your day for much-needed of self-care and relaxation. In order to perform the facial steam treatment, follow these instructions:

  1. Start with a makeup free face. No need to use a cleanser if skin is makeup free, just wipe with a damp cloth. Make sure your hair is tied back out of your face.
  2. Boil about 2 cups of distilled water (distilled is important if you plan to save the brewed water for later use).
  3. Pour your steam ingredients into a bowl (use the included, reusable bag if desired).
  4. Add the boiling water and cover with a plate to allow ingredients to steep for 2 minutes.
  5. Remove plate and lean over the water with a towel draped over your head.
  6. Breathe deeply and relax for 5 to 7 minutes.

Though I didn't get as much dramatic steam out of my boiling water as I would have hoped, I really enjoyed this treatment. The blend of organic lavender, organic calendula, and jasmine smelled divine. It reminded me a lot of a really lovely, floral tea. I'm not sure how successful this facial treatment was in opening my pores, but I certainly felt relaxed and refreshed after 5 minutes of inhaling the steam. I also saved the steeped water, strained it, and poured that into the glass spray bottle included in this box, along with a splash of apple cider vinegar. I'm keeping it in my fridge as a toning face mist, and I love the cooling sensation that it provides - especially after a long walk or workout!

The Alluring Alchemist September 2017

The Jupiter Box Kalahari Melon Seed Oil, 0.5 oz - Value $10.00

I'm a huge fan of facial oils for use overnight, so I was excited to see this kalahari melon seed oil! It comes with a dropper which is nice for dispensing the correct amount. I found this oil to be very light and easily absorbed into the skin. There is no real scent, so it is very natural feeling on the face. This oil is rich in linoleic acid as well as anti-oxidants which provide strong moisturizing and restructuring properties and preserve skin elasticity. This face oil is also fair trade and sustainable. I used it before bed and awoke with nicely moisturized, dewy skin.

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The Jupiter Box Dry Face Mask Ingredients, 6-14 g each - Value $16.00

These little glass jars of powder are so cute and pretty! I admired each one of their rich hues upon opening up a new container. All together, you receive 4 ingredients:

  • Organic Hemp Powder
  • Fuller's Earth Clay
  • Organic Rose Petal Powder
  • Organic Camu Camu Powder

You are to mix each powder at a 1:1:1:1 ratio with enough distilled water to reach your desired consistency. Most importantly, let's talk about each ingredient's benefits...

Organic Hemp Powder is packed with protein and contains over 20 amino acids. It helps keep skin from losing elasticity by supporting collagen production. It can also be used in a hair mask or as a powdered facial cleanser.

Fuller's Earth Clay absorbs oil to cleanse and brighten the face. I'm a big fan of bentonite clay and charcoal clay masks, but this pure clay powder is a little too intense on its own. That's why it works best when mixed with the 3 other ingredients.

Organic Rose Petal Powder has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. It is also high in vitamin C to boost collagen production and protect skin.

When combined with water, these ingredients formed sort of a brown paste. I just dumped each full jar into a larger resealable plastic container since I figured that I'd be reusing this mask without adjustments to the ratio. I left the mixture on my face for about 15 minutes, being careful to not allow it to dry out too much. The result was a smooth, bright complexion. The clay component definitely worked its magic in tightening my pores, and my face felt glowy overall!

Verdict: I'm loving my first The Alluring Alchemist box! This subscription is wonderful for someone who enjoys natural and holistic beauty or is simply careful about the ingredients that their skincare products contain. There's something really fun about mixing your own mask, too! My husband is a scientist, and I kept remarking to him that I also felt like one while combining my mask ingredients (hey, he was amused). With a value of $41.00, this box is a great deal. That cost also doesn't include the extra glass spray bottle and plethora of amazing information that you receive via The Alluring Alchemist's website. I'm definitely feeling inspired to create my own concoctions right now!

What did you think of this month's The Alluring Alchemist box?

Starting at $36.00
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The Alluring Alchemist is a bi-monthly subscription box "offering meticulously sourced ingredients picked to create a customizable self-care experience (and with the knowledge of how and why to use them). It's beauty... deconstructed."
Jess Cole Payne
Jess Cole Payne
Jess's love for subscription boxes began with a makeup and skincare fixation. She's looking forward to broadening her horizons in discovering new products within the lifestyle and food world of subscription boxes.

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37 comments

Candace

Looks like a great Christmas present! I have a lot of time off around then and would love making some concoctions with my sister–hmm..

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The Alluring Alchemist

We’re working on ideas for gifting and should have some options up after the November box release. Woohoo! 🙂

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Kate

I love this box. Just because it’s a subscription box doesn’t mean the value can’t be similar to the cost, y’all. The curation and thought of the box makes the cost/value so worth it. There’s also an option to individually purchase items you are intrigued by, but don’t want the whole box which is pretty awesome and something that’s not done enough.

You get to create your own masks and learn about the benefits of the ingredients and the proper usage of each item. This is a great box for skincare DIY newbies as well as people who are sick of the same old same old skincare products and want to experiment on their own.

I’ve been a MSA lurker for a longggg time and this box just really stands out to me (having received it before this review) and hope a lot of people give it a chance.

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Jess Cole Payne

I agree! What I liked about this subscription box is the thoughtfulness put into the full experience. Each unique ingredient is one that I’d never even know to purchase on my own, so I appreciated being introduced to them all individually as well as the intentions behind mixing them. Paired with the rich information found on The Alluring Alchemist’s website, I thought the whole shebang to be a nice value.

Thanks for reading my review!

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Sammee

You know, mentioning that breaking down the ingredients will help you learn about the proper use and benefits of different items makes me see things in a different way. I don’t experiment a lot with skin care products because I’m of the “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” ilk, but if given the chance to learn about different eye treatments was included in a future box I’d jump on it. I’ve never been able to find an eye treatment that gave noticeable results. That’s the one missing piece of my skincare puzzle.

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The Alluring Alchemist

That is a GREAT idea! I (Liz) have a small skincare business and I get asked about eye treatments regularly. I’ve been thinking of ideas for special edition boxes, and that might be something I should consider!

The Alluring Alchemist

Kate, you are just the best. I can’t put into words how amazing it feels to have the love and support that we’ve been getting from our customers. Thank you times a million!!!!

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Amanda

This looks amazing! The packaging itself is gorgeous. I love how you can mix your own stuff- and the website is full of so much info. I can not wait to try this.

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The Alluring Alchemist

Thank you so much!

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Jo

Tad overpriced imo when for just 10ish dollars more you could sub to Boxwalla and get super luxe products

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The Alluring Alchemist

Boxwalla is such an amazing box. We’re more about teaching ways to make super luxe products as home, but theirs is one of the best for the non-diy crowd!

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Sheri Crivello

Would definitely have to save and do the annual for the overall savings. Do it on the weekend when I kick out my teenager and go into slug mode

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The Alluring Alchemist

It’s definitely great for taking time to be truly in the moment with yourself. Slug mode FTW.

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Onyx

The cannabis one looks like they just sent you a little jar of kief lol.

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The Alluring Alchemist

Sadly, it wouldn’t be nearly as fun in your brownies. *shrug*

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Roxanne

😊

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Alex

I’m thrilled to see this reviewed. It looos fun and luxe.

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The Alluring Alchemist

Thank you so much!

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Nelliebelle1197

Um, $38 for $41 worth of stuff is not a good value any way you look at it. Can you explain why you think it is?

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AJann

I don’t think you are grasping the intent of this particular sub box, Nelliebelly.

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The Alluring Alchemist

Hi! Since this isn’t purposed as a box of retail items put together for a discount, it’s simply a savings over purchasing each component separately. So, each item individually purchased would total $41, plus shipping, so close to $50 if you didn’t get them all together. Also, $38 is the single purchase box price, but if you subscribe, the length of term takes you down to $36 and as low as $30 (for US shipping). I hope this helps!

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L

This box looks like something I would love, but I was a little puzzled at the ‘great value’ comment. Everyone has different standards, but isn’t the cost $38 for a value of $41 (plus the glass sprayer and, I guess, free shipping)? That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the uniqueness and curation here…

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The Alluring Alchemist

Thank you! The $38 is the highest price you’d pay, with the cost going down as low as $30 with a subscription (with US shipping). If each component was purchased separately from our website, the total would be $41 plus shipping, so probably closer to $50. I hope this helps!

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Jen

This is beautiful. Of course, given that much of the time, I’m too lazy to put on the many premade masks I have at home, the idea that I’d mix them up from scratch and then use them might be a tad aspirational. Very cool idea and presentation, though.

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Sammee

Lol! That’s pretty much what I was thinking. My first thought was, “Wow – what a cool idea!” Then my next thought was, “Eh…I’d never get around to mixing that stuff.”

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The Alluring Alchemist

Heehee! We get that! We’re not for everyone, but thank you so much!

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Sharon in SE TX

“I’m too lazy for that!” was my first thought too. 😊 Sheet masks for life.

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Jen

Sometimes, even when I have a stack of sheet masks, I look at them and go, “20 minutes? Maybe tomorrow.” I would love to be the kind of person who makes their own skincare products, but I don’t think the odds of that happening are very high.

Jules

Wow, this box looks awesome. I love the deconstructed beauty idea and the presentation looks magical! I’ll have to keep an eye on this one and maybe sub in the future.

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The Alluring Alchemist

Thank you so much!

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Emilia

This is such a cute idea! You can get your older children involved, too 😉

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The Alluring Alchemist

Thank you! And yes! My 8 year old is already writing her own recipes – she insists we do a lavender cacao one (which sounds kinda dreamy tbh).

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chris

That looks very interesting to me! I can’t get anymore ingredient conscious/ hands on than this. Is this a new subscription box or has it been around awhile?

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The Alluring Alchemist

Hi! Thank you! We just launched two weeks ago!

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Missy

Cool!

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Jody

Looks like something from Harry Potter. I like the idea but too involved for my time crunched life now.

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The Alluring Alchemist

Thank you! Someone mentioned the Harry Potter vibe and pointed out that we should have used a wax seal on the handbills. Doh!

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