Allure Beauty Box Review – January 2018 + $5 Coupon

ByLiz CadmanJan 15, 2018 | 216 comments

Allure Beauty Box is a monthly beauty subscription from Allure Magazine. Each month they send out a mix of deluxe and full-size samples from mostly high-end brands.

This box was sent to us early for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

The Subscription Box: Allure Beauty Box

The Cost: $15 a month

DEAL UPDATE - Use this link to save $5 off your first box!

The Products: Deluxe and full-size beauty and makeup samples.

Ships to: the US

Check out all of my Allure Beauty Box reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Swap for any item in this box from the Allure Beauty Box Swap page!

Each box comes with a booklet detailing the items included and why the Allure Beauty Editors selected them.

Now, on to the items!

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum – FULL SIZE! Value $85

(All subscribers will receive this item.)

I still can’t believe we got full-sized Sunday Riley in this box! This serum is designed to “fight the look of dullness, dark spots, and discolorations, while instantly increasing brightness, radiance, and luminosity.” The cream formula has a light citrus scent (which I love), and it instantly helped give my skin a boost of hydration.

I've been using this serum day and night since I received it in the Limited Edition GlossyBox, and I'm pretty sure I'm seeing results with discoloration - my skin appears to be overall more even-toned!

THE ONE by Frederic Fekkai One and Then Some Dry Texturizing Spray – 15 ml Value $2.17

(Subscribers will either receive this item or THE ONE by Frederic Fekkai One More Day Dry Shampoo.)

This hair product is designed to add texture and volume to your hair, and it has the added bonus of smelling heavenly! It gave my hair volume and texture just as promised - I think this is the perfect item to keep in your purse when your hair needs a little volume boost!

Make Up For Ever Artist Liquid Matte Lipstick in Rosewood – 1 ml Value $8

(All subscribers will receive this item.)

This is a highly-pigmented, long-lasting liquid lipstick with a matte finish.

The color is a neutral mauve - very subtly pink. I think I finally found my "nude" lip color!

(Swatched in lower photo.)

Rodial Smokey Eye Pen in Brown – FULL SIZE! Value $21

(Subscribers will either receive this item or Rodial Smokey Eye Pen in Black, Beauty For Real I-Line 24/7 Eyeliner in Whiskey, Grande Bat Your Lashes Mascara, or PopBeauty Kajal Pen in Inky Purple.)

This kohl eyeliner glides on with high-pigment and a creamy finish. You can easily smudge it, too, for a smokey eye look. (But that means it isn't budge-proof!)

Here it is swatched beneath the liquid lip:

ThisWorks In Transit Camera Close-up – 15 ml Value $20

(Subscribers will either receive this item or Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Milani Make It Dewy Setting Spray, Red Flower Icelandic Moonflower Moisturizing Body Lotion, Noxidoxi Pollution Blocker Face Mist, or LXMI Creme du Nil Pore-Refining Moisture Veil.)

This product is designed to be a primer, mask, and moisturizer in one. I like the idea of combining the moisturizer and primer step in my morning routine and I LOVE the scent! This is perfect for dry air/cold weather months!

Verdict: This box has a value of about $136.17! This might be their best beauty box yet! Great brands, great sizes, great value! (And I think this box is worth it alone just for the full-size Sunday Riley!)

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Probably not. Their website is showing the January box still, but saying if it's sold out when you sign up your first box will be the February box.

Value Breakdown: At $15 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

Sunday Riley: $9.36
Texture Spray: $.24
Liquid Lip: $.88
Eyeliner: $2.31
This Works: $2.20

What do you think of the January Allure Beauty Box?

Starting at $25.00

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Allure Beauty Box

3.6 overall rating

721 Ratings | 155 Reviews

Each month, you'll get 6+ Allure-approved makeup and skincare picks delivered to your door ($100+ value for only $25). 6 or more products (at least 3 FULL-SIZE) valued at $100+ with only expert-approved products, hand-selected by Allure editors. Enjoy a new member gift valued at $15+ free shippin... read more.

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Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Makeup Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Liz Cadman

Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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216 comments

Jill

I just wanted to share my thoughts on the products in the January box. The MFE liquid lipstick really isn’t too bad. I didn’t like it at first, but I’ve been wearing it as an anchoring basecoat under pink/mauve glosses. It doesn’t budge and holds the gloss in place. So if you don’t like the shade or texture, try it under a gloss. Also, the Rodial eyeliner is Fabulous! I have a black one from several months ago but have not used it due to black liner overload….so its new to me, the brown is gorgeous…I am pleasantly surprised with it. I used the Fekkia ONE texturizing spray quickly…not much spray in the can. It was fun to use and smelled absolutely AMAZING! I haven’t tried the In Transit Camera primer yet (primer overload). And the famous SR CEO Serum…I found it to be VERY HEAVY for a serum, but can be used sparingly, during the cold wintery weather. It’s a borderline moisturizer. I must be very careful not to use too much b/c I feel like it suffocates my skin. It caused me to break out, and after clearing up my skin, I decided to give it another try. If it fails, I’ll blend it with a cream and use it on my body instead. Its just OK…not worth all the hype in my opinion. Now looking forward to the February box.

Layla

I received my Jan box on the last day of the month. Since they ran out of products, they just threw a bunch of scraps in my box. So disappointed not very Allure.

Kate

What did you get? I still haven’t got my January box.

Kate

I still haven’t got my January box. They said they would send it again. That was a week ago and no shipping info yet. Are they out of the products.

Camille

I got something I hadn’t seen listed here:

Sunday Riley, Frederic Fekkai and MUF Lip, but I also received:
Tula Advanced Neck Cream
Eyeko eyedo eyeliner

and I think my new subscriber gift was Jose Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter

sara

Same.

Amie

Before subscribing to this box I would encourage you to consider your level of patience when dealing with misinformation and poor customer service. I think the product level is good but the actual management of the service and customer service is terrible. My experience…I placed my order on the 10th, received a shipment confirmation on the 26th, and have still not received my first box the next month. I tried to be patient, understanding that this was a popular box. But, it now being February, I followed up. When calling customer service, I was told that they emailed me today not on the 26th. When I reviewed the dates of all of my transactions I was told that they only ship on the 19th and the 1st. I asked why I received an email with tracking information if the package had not shipped. She was unable and unwilling to answer my questions. I was polite and calm through the entire experience while the “customer service” representative was aggressive and rude. Very disappointed because I was really interested in February’s box but I can’t give my money to a company that has such a clear lack of respect for it’s customers.

Kate

I’m still waiting too. Did you ever get the box

Angie

I did but with different variations that what’s here. No eyeliner or primer. I had to call many, many, many times to get it shipped. Hope you get yours. Good luck!

Angie

I couldn’t agree more. I’m still waiting as well. Fingers crossed but I’m not very optimistic right now. Good luck and I hope you get the box.

Debbie

I just got my box tonight! Bummed that two of the promo codes expired today since I won’t have any chance to try products or research. I had received an email on 1/16 that I was getting a duplicate December box. Never got that. Finally called customer service this week and at least I I received January. My serum leaked though. But, relieved to have finally gotten something!

Jill

For those who commented on the the Rosewood liquid lipstick …you are SO right! Once dry, it is very corpse-like…so unflattering. I topped it with a shimmery pink lip gloss which did neutralize and soften the ash tone. My advice would be to apply a coat of colored gloss to adjust the shade so its tolerable for your skin tone. One good thing is the liquid lip formula does help to hold the gloss in place. This is the STRANGEST lip color I have ever encountered. Also, the Sunday Riley is a bit thick for a serum. I prefer a thinner vitamin C serum so my skin can absorb it quickly. I feel this serum just sits on my skin and is slow to absorb. I also think its breaking me out. I’ll give it a few more days. I am thrilled to try it w/o paying $85 for it, but I’m really not that impressed.

Elizabeth

I did not get any of these products in the January box. Wow. Cancelling. I don’t need any of the stuff and they don’t “owe” me a specific product but I don’t like the bait and switch methods.

Liz Cadman

Sorry about this. What products did you get?

Sharon in SE TX

I got a Cargo Blush as one of my items. It’s the same Blush they sent last year. Kinda bummed to get something so random after being a subscriber for eight months.

Kelli

Would anyone like to sell their Sunday Riley item? Email me at kelli sterner at g mail dot com

Thanks!

Mary K

Eh, this isn’t their best box ever. They clearly spent the whole budget on the Sunday Riley item and tossed in 4 afterthoughts. I got the same Whiskey eye pencil last October in Allure. I realize repeats are part of the sub game, but the same pencil in the same color in the same sub box just 3 mos apart? For the other variant, I got the generic little bottle of lotions hotels give out. The “funny” thing is I was about to dump Allure after 3 long years, but went against my usual practice of avoiding spoilers. I saw we were getting a foundation (which we rarely get in sub boxes) so I decided to keep it. Ah well, maybe another month?

SBR

Oh the whiskey eyeliner is a better option than the rodial. My account was on hold/canceled for the black rodial, so this is my first rodial. It sucks! My tip broke almost immediately, it smears like crazy, and it doesn’t even go all that well. Even if I set it, it still doesn’t help much. I believe the red flower lotion is a repeat, too. I think I remember getting it and liked it.

Mary K

But yeah, lest I sound like a brat, I *am* glad there’s a popular full size product in the box that I can sell, gift or donate. (I don’t swap yet. I’m trying to get rid of my huge pile of stuff, not add to it!) 😀

Lex

Got mine yesterday! Honestly, the hero item of this box (and the only item I actually cared about) is the Sunday Riley. So, I’m pretty happy. $15 for an $85 item is pretty damn good, and for me, everything else was just a tiny bonus/bit of extra. 🙂

Missy

I absolutely LOVE the This Works stuff it’s amazing it makes my skin look better than ANY primer moisturizer mask ever has! I think they got the formula perfect to have skin look so smooth and pretty ready for makeup! I try ALOT of products daily so for one to stand out it’s gotta be pretty amazing and the fact that it has 3 benefits and saves me time getting ready is a HUGE bonus!!

Carly

Has anyone elses boxes STILL not shipped?!

Kate Karlberg

Mine. I haven’t got any info and I signed up the 5.

Angie

Me!!!! This is what I remember from being a subscriber. I had to put in too much work to just get the monthly sub. I resubscribed and have bad to call a few times. First, told everything fine and that it should ship by a certain date. Called after that days and told there was a problem. Hopefully it was truly fixed and I’ll get the box soon. Sigh… I have great conversations with their reps but their systems seem completely glitchy. They need to fix it. Good luck to everyone waiting.

Brittnay

Yes me! I called them this morning and asked if I was still get a January box. They said that I am and that it’s in the warehouse, but they don’t have any other information about tracking. So ridiculous

Susan

This box was an epic bummer for me. Why was the serum unboxed? Why is a “high end” eyeliner made in China and not wear or smudge resistant in any capacity? Who in their right mind would source this nonsense? Also received the smashbox primer instead of the spoiler This Works brand. This is not a new product by any means. I thought Allure Beauty Box was marketing themselves as exciting new to market gotta try it products? Very disappointing. 🤦‍♀️

Angie

They likely unbox it so people don’t try to return it to stores for credit or cash. A lot of boxes do that, especially for higher end products.

I agree on the serum. It should have been boxed. The top of the pump snapped off of mine. I called and emailed and have heard nothing back from Allure.

It’s the 21st and my box has not budged since Jan 12th in the tracking when the tracking was created. I’m in Chicago. Is this normal, or should i contact the Allure CS?

Kate Karlberg

I signed up the 5th and I still have no tracking info.

Jill

For the Allure Beauty Box, that is normal. I’ve been a subscriber for a couple of years, I was billed on the 5th, and received my box a few days ago without any shipping notice or tracking information. Some months I get notice w/ tracking…some months I don’t at all. Some months I get my box early in the month, sometimes later. You just never know. But hang in there, you will get your box 🙂

Yes you should contact them. The same thing happened to me, my box was stuck in transit since the 15th.. the first time I contacted them a lady brushed me off claiming it was due to bad weather. Then after 6 days of no movement I called again and I spoke to someone who said the box was probably lost or damaged and that they would send out another one sometime next week. hope that helps

Carey

I resubbes for the CEO Serum. Instead of the thisworks product, which I was looking forward to trying, I received the Smashbox primer and a tiny bottle of Tula Advanced Neck Cream. Disappointed since it’s not something I need, but still happy with the Sunday Riley.

Tina Houser

Do you think the Tula is the new member gift???

Beth

I hope this isn’t a new thing with Allure again sending out different items when they get to many subscribers. It make some mad and it’s fair to those who don’t. Please Allure don’t do this every month… Ohhh and those of you that received the SR broken or with the top off try pushing it on while turning the head of the bottle, I thought that mine was and took photos to send to Allure but for some reason tried this and it popped back together and works fine now.

Mary K

I couldn’t agree more! I hate variations; it’s one of Sephora Play’s biggest drawbacks. Who wants to see others getting better items for the same price you paid month after month? If Allure keeps this up (frickin hotel lotion instead of the primer everyone’s raving about), I will finally get the stones to cancel this box (it was my first box, have had it 3 years, a sentimental fave…) 😉

Sharon in SE TX

I agree, I hope this isn’t a regular thing. If they don’t have enough product, they should use a waitlist to keep things fair for current subscribers.

Samantha

I have a Bauble Bar Code if anyone wants it. Nothing full price that interests me. Not paying that for costume jewelry.

Cindy

Eh, I got one of the variations, but I also recently signed up again in December based on the Sunday Riley spoiler. So I’m not terribly surprised.

I’m happy that I received the serum, but of ALL the potential variations for the ThisWorks item, I got the *least* valuable and interesting product of all of them: the body lotion. Basically it’s what I’d expect to see in a five star hotel’s bathroom, for free. I even would’ve preferred receiving the ubiquitous Smashbox primer since I use those frequent sample sizes for travel!

Can’t complain about the overall box value, since the Sunday Riley serum is full sized and worth the subscription on its own.

I just wish that if Allure found it had to send variations, that they would’ve selected variants that held close to the same interest / value as the item that was substituted. A fragranced body lotion is nothing I’d need nor want a mini sample of.

Suzanne

Cindy I too subbed in December for the SR serum. AND I also got the *lovely* hotel lotion. I was shaking my head in disbelief too.

use it for your hands in your car or purse…

Stephanie

Did anyone else have a bad reaction to the Sunday Riley serum? I put it on yesterday for the first time and my skin started to peel in the next few hours. This morning I woke up with what I can only describe as a chemical burn on my face. My face still has red welps all over and is still peeling. I have used many peels, exfoliants and microdermabrasion products in the past, and never had a reaction like this. Just wondering if anyone else experienced this, cause all the reviews I read rave about how wonderful the product is.

I use a ton of acid products nightly. Sometimes i over do it, and i will get sort of a raised bumpy (skin tone) rash, that goes away in a few days. I researched and researched, my best friend is an aesthetician and I learned that ‘repair’ facial oils will help this go way faster that contain omegas like NUDE rescue oil or my Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil is recommended for this too. Mine is not a burn though, so yours may be in that category?

Suzanne

Hi Stephanie, I actually just read this article the other day and found it helpful. Don’t mix the Vit c in the serum with AHAs. Maybe that’s the cause of your peeling? Sorry to hear about your reaction!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.popsugar.com/beauty/Skincare-Ingredients-You-Should-Never-Mix-44448233/amp

Jill

I used the Sunday CEO serum this morning under my moisturizer, and I had no adverse reaction so far.

Bella01

Everyone’s skin is different Stephanie. Skin is nothing to to take lightly. I’m not a Doctor so I can’t give you advise. But if it doesn’t clear up go to the Dermaloligist. Most likely your skin will calm down and at least you’ll have clear skin from the epidermis layer falling off. Just make sure to wear sunscreen.

Amy S

I’ve been a subscriber for YEARS, since it was Sample Society from BeautyBar. My January box was billed on the 5th and still, late at night on the 18th, has not shipped. No tracking info. Nothin’. This is the latest ever, by a lot. (My Sephora Play box hasn’t shipped either.)

Heidi

Same here. My card has been billed and I received a confirmation email on that. I haven’t received an email saying it’s shipped yet. I emailed the customer service. I did receive an email saying they’ve forwarded the email to someone and they’ll get back to me.

I hear you. I have subbed w Allure for a year now… I got a tracking email for Jan, but it has not budged since Jan 12. I am in Chicago. I am waiting until Mon/Tues and if it doesn’t budge I guess I will contact CS. I also have a Ricky’s Cult Crush box that is lost in tracking and not being delivered. So aggravating. I don’t know what happens to these boxes. They get lost? They will be delivered eventually? Someone steals them? I never know what to think or do, and the USPS gives no answers or help.

Jill

I’ve been a subscriber, off and on, for a couple of years. I only just got my box today (Pittsburgh area), no shipping notice, no tracking info…but I did get the same configuration as Liz.

Lesly

If anyone gets the Milani setting spray and wants to swap for the ThisWorks (or anything else in the box but the CEO) let me know!

Linda

I just receive my first Allure box this morning. It includes the following (with slight variations):

– Sunday Riley CEO Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
– MUFE matte liquid lipstick
-TULA Advanced Neck Cream
– The One by Frederic Fekkai
– Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
– Rodial Smokey Eye Pen in Black

What will go in my swap/sell/giveaway pile:

– MUFE matte liquid lipstick
– The One by Frederic Fekkai
– Rodial Smokey Eye Pen in Black

………..

Smashbox is everywhere, in subs for a long time, but this sample is so small, I might also use it as a sticky base for shimmer/metallic/sparkly/etc. eye shadows. I don’t use foundation whatsoever.

I’m excited to try a new serum (though I have a lot of serums now) and even more excited to try the TULA Advanced Neck Cream (I love skincare products). 🙂

Linda

*received

Tanya

My box came today. No tracking. Pretty thrilling and it’s nice to be back after dropping them for about six months. Gifting the Rodial pen. So in love with the Houglass Primer full size from Sephora today, I love it has SPF primer 15 which is enough for me on most days, the thing I love love about subs is the brand finds. Glad to try the camera ready which is decent size, Sunday Riley made the gratitude notebook. In anticipation, I purchased the TSA size companion moisturizer for am moisturizer and will use juice beauty at night, and my star looks blue blood lip crayon is almost here. Wasn’t even a spoiler in one of my subs and I really feel I can rock this makeup forever, I’m nowhere near Liz in complexion but it looks very natural for me,,, hw is it not Christmas Day.?

Lori

My box arrived rock solid frozen. Not sure about thestability of the items

Mandy G.

Gosh, I’m so sorry you had frozen products. Incredibly, the same thing happened today with a shipment of pears from Fruit Of the Month Club, from Oregon.

Our pups gave me the year’s worth of fruit as a kind of gag gift for Christmas, based on one of my and DH’s favorite ” Everybody Loves Raymond” episodes involving same fruit and Ray’s parents. The shipments aren’t cut rate price, and should be shipper quicker in very cold weather conditions.

We have had really mild temps. here so the damage occurred in shipping, like yours, I’d think.
I don’t believe there’s any way to ” fix” frozen cosmetic products… or fresh fruit..

Khristina

I’m so excited about this box! I love trying anything antiaging! I don’t know why people are so uptight about what they get in sub boxes. Here’s the thing, you are going to get a bunch of pretty random things at a greatly discounted price. If you don’t like the allure of a “grab bag” or “mystery bag” then subs aren’t for you!! Cancel it! Go to Ulta and buy something you really want at ULTA and quit complaining.

Ashley

👍👍 lets “unpetty” ourselves in 2018!!! 😘

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Allure Beauty Box Review – January 2018 + $5 Coupon

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