Allure Beauty Box is a $23 monthly beauty subscription from Allure Magazine. Each month they send out a mix of deluxe and full-size samples from mostly high-end brands. (It was named one of the best beauty subscription boxes by MSA readers in the 2022 Subscription Box Awards.)
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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The box arrives beautifully packaged in the classic Allure white and red box.
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There was also a helpful mini-magazine with more info on the products and a note from Allure's deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel.
We also received a sample from The Body Shop.
What's Inside the October 2022 Allure Beauty Box
Fleur & Bee Just Dew It Hydrating Serum, 1 oz – Retail Value $34
This is a hydrating serum that doesn’t just have boring hyaluronic acid in it- it also has three ingredients I love (two of which are less common): aloe, prickly pear seed oil, and sea buckthorn oil. My dry skin really loves this stuff. Because it has a bit of a heavier texture than some of my other serums I like to use this at night before I am going to bed, and when I wake up in the morning my skin still feels hydrated.
Belif Aqua Bomb Brightening Vitamin-C Cream, 10 mL – Estimated Value $9 (buy the 50 mL version for $45)
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I am a fan of Belif’s products, and this moisturizer felt just like their classic aqua bomb moisturizer only with the boost of vitamin C added to the formula. It has a lightweight gel texture that absorbs quickly into my skin, and the formula contains four types of hyaluronic acid and Lady’s Mantle to help your skin maintain its hydration and stay soothed. If you’re someone who is prone to rosacea, this is the kind of product I would stick in the fridge before using because the texture of the moisturizer feels extra refreshing when it’s applied cold.
Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin-C Bright Eye Cream, .5 oz – Retail Value $32
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I like that we received this full-size vitamin C eye cream to go along with our sample of the vitamin-C moisturizer that came in this box. This eye cream has a thicker texture that reminded me a bit of softened butter, so it felt really nice as I applied it to the delicate skin around my eyes. It’s made with yuzu (a source of antioxidants and vitamin C), niacinamide, peptides, and humectants, and I like how hydrating it was to my skin- most vitamin C eye creams I have tried have had a more watery and lightweight texture while this feels much more nourishing.
Donginbi Red Ginseng Daily Defense Essence, 5 mL – Estimated Value $11 (Buy the 1 oz version for $65.99)
This essence is made with red ginseng, which according to the brand is supposed to be great for keeping your skins moisture barrier healthy against all of the stressors life has to offer. It’s lightweight but really hydrating and it leaves my skin looking plump, so this is a great product to start with before I start layering more hydrating products on top.
Sephora Collection Big by Definition Mascara, 0.06 oz - Estimated Value $2.12 (buy the 10 mL version for $12)
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This mascara gave me a lot of length, but it as hard as I tried to wiggle my brush as I applied it I couldn't get it to give me good lift at the base of my lashes for a wide-open look—I feel like that's key for my lashes to truly look fluffy and voluminous. It didn't leave a crunchy finish, so I could go back in and add more coats even an hour later if I so chose, and it really looked great on my lower lashes which didn't need any curling. This isn't really the mascara for me, but the $12 price point for the full-size is definitely nice.
True + Luscious Brow Definer Pencil in Taupe, 0.045 oz – Retail Value $20
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I am way more of a tinted brow gel girl than I am a brow pencil girl, so the brow pencils that get sent in subscription boxes rarely get used. I like how creamy the wax-based formula is on this pencil- it glides across my skin and makes it easy to apply. I just can’t get the hang of making my brows look natural when I use a brow pencil, no matter how many times I try to draw short, hair-like strokes. Am I alone at being brow pencil inept?
Vasanti Brighten Up! Exfoliator, 20 g – Retail Value $8
I feel like anyone who subscribed to the original Birchbox way back in the day has tried this Vasanti face polish, but it’s been a few years since I’ve had this in my hands. It’s both a chemical and physical exfoliant, with the physical polishing coming from aluminum oxide microdermabrasion crystals while papaya enzymes gently work at chemical exfoliation. The formula also has castor seed oil and aloe, so this isn’t a harsh scrub on my face (though I do make sure to massage it in gently). This is designed to help with dull skin and dark spots, and while the dark spots take long term use to fully resolve, I do feel like my skin looks a tad brighter when I finish and rinse this away.
Viori Hidden Waterfall Shampoo and Conditioner Bar - Buy the full-size shampoo and conditioning bar set for $32
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I don’t really like shampooing my hair on a regular basis with standard shampoo, so I have never hopped on the shampoo bar train—and certainly have never tried a conditioning bar to detangle and condition all of my curly hair. I admire that these products are vegan, plastic-free, and sustainably and ethically sourced, but I certainly won’t be switching my shampoo loyalties any time soon. These small bars, while cute, were unwieldy to hold in the shower, and I definitely didn’t feel like the conditioning bar was giving me enough product to work with the comb out the knots my curls like to form. Their website says their shampoo bar is best for normal to oily hair, and I definitely have dry hair, so maybe those with different hair types have had better luck than me. I did like the “hidden waterfall” scent though- it was a sweet vanilla musk scent I found to be quite nice.
Note to new members:
If you were a new member this month, you received the Kaja Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio in Chocolate Dahlia. If you're curious, I posted swatches of it over on the forum.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $23
Value Breakdown:
- Fleur & Bee: $34 → $6.73
- Belif: $9 → $1.78
- Saturday Skin: $32 → $6.34
- Donginbi: $11 → $2.18
- Sephora Collection: $2.12 → $0.42
- True + Luscious: $20 → $3.96
- Vasanti: $8 → $1.58
- Viori: N/A
Key Takeaways
I like that this month's Allure Beauty Box sent us a mini skincare routine with the ginseng essence, the Fleur & Bee serum, the Belif moisturizer, and the Saturday Skin eye cream- all you need to add is a cleanser and sunscreen, and you have the Vasanti exfoliator handy for when you’re ready to give your skin a polish. I wasn't crazy about the shampoo and conditioner bars, but those are pretty small items in the overall scheme of the box- and the full-size Fleur & Bee serum and Saturday Skin eye cream were really stars for me this month. I thought the box had a good value, too- everything except the Viori products adds up to $116.12, which meets Allure's promised value of being a box worth more than $100.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? If you sign up in October, you should receive the October box.
What do you think of the October Allure Beauty Box? What was your favorite product in the box?
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