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Allure Beauty Box Review – January 2019 + $5 Coupon

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanJan 24, 2019 | 484 comments

Allure Beauty Box
3.6 overall rating
721 Ratings | 155 Reviews

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 month they've changed the packaging. While I love those bright lacquered red boxes, this reusable vinyl bag is very practical for travel.

It snaps closed, and it's pretty roomy, too!

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (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. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil – 15 ml Retail Value $40

Sunday Riley is definitely the star of the show this month! For January, they are including 2 products that are launching first in Allure Beauty Box before they are even available for sale!

(This serum is listed as full size, and I received the retail info from Allure. FYI - Sunday Riley typically sells their oils in two sizes: 15 + 30 ml.)

I have yet to meet a Sunday Riley oil I didn't love, and this is another winner for me so far! The formula is designed to brighten and hydrate your skin, and I can confirm a very dewy complexion after applying. My skin has been extra dry lately, so I've been using this and letting it absorb before applying makeup, and I'm very happy with the results.

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum - 8 ml Value Approximately $22.67

This serum has a 6.5% Retinoid blend and is designed to help reduce the appearance of dark spots, improve skin texture, even skin tone, reduce breakouts, and fight the signs of aging. Since retinol can be drying for skin, Allure recommends starting out only using this once or twice a week and layering it under the oil for extra hydration.

(I've been using this for a few days now, and while I can't say I've noticed any differences in my skin yet, I am happy to report no irritation.)

Ouai Hair and Body Scrub – 30 ml Value $4.32

This is the first time I've seen this new Ouai scrub in a subscription box, and I'm thrilled! (Their standard haircare samples are somewhat common, but this is a new product release I've had my eye on!) And this scrub is multi-use, it works for your body or as a nice detox for your scalp to help remove excess product buildup.

This scrub works into a bit of a lather, and it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy (which is good since it doubles as a hair scrub.) I love that the classic OUAI scent lingers, too. (If you're a fan of OUAI scents, I'm certain you will love this product, too.)

Mally Eyeshadow Stick in Burnished Bronze – Full Size! Retail Value $25

Back in the day (a few years ago in the subscription box world), Mally seemed to be everywhere in boxes and was a little overplayed. But I haven't seen this brand in a while, so getting an eyeshadow stick from them was a nice bit of nostalgia! And this eyeshadow stick is probably my favorite item they make. If you find eyeshadow intimidating and don't know where to start, this stick is perfect. It's super easy to apply (just apply it directly to your lid, no need for a brush), then blend it out a bit with your finger.

This Burnished Bronze shade is gorgeous, highly pigmented, and so shimmery. And the best part of the formula? Once it sets, it stays put!

(Swatched in lower photo.)

Doucce Relentless Matte Lip Crayon in Winterberry – Full Size! Retail Value $22

Another highly-pigmented stick! This lip crayon has a matte finish, and I was impressed by how long it lasts. It's not transfer-proof, but it definitely is long-lasting, and it wears down nicely, too.

Here it is swatched under the eyeshadow stick:

Lastly, Allure included a bonus item this month:

NCLA Nail Polish in Call My Agent - Full Size! Retail Value $16

This polish is a cool, bright red, high-shine creme. The coverage is great, too. I only needed one coat:

(FYI - my understanding is that you only receive this bonus item if you subscribe through Allure's site. Make sure the nail polish is showing up when you scroll down this page before you sign up if you want to make sure you get it.)

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask – Full Size! Retail Value $12

(FYI - subscribers will either receive this mask or a Beautyblender Micro.Mini Set.)

I've sampled this mask before, and it's great. It's free of parabens, sulfates, and artificial colors, and it is safe for color treated hair! I love a hair mask that you only have to leave in for a few minutes, and I could tell a difference in the softness in my hair after using this just once!

Verdict: This box has a value of about $142! I think that's an amazing value for a $15 beauty box! This may be my favorite Allure Beauty Box ever - it's worth the $15 alone just for the Sunday Riley products, but all the other items in the box are winners for me, too. If you are thinking about subscribing, I definitely recommend signing up before the end of the month so you can start with this box.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! As of publication, this box is still available. To make sure you get this as your first box, scroll down this page to make sure you see these products featured.

What do you think of the latest Allure Beauty Box? And what do you think of the new packaging?

Starting at $25.00
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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.

Liz Cadman
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!

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484 comments

Zz

Are you guys ever gonna do a review on the February box? February is over tomorrow and the allure February box review still isn’t up…

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socaldeb

I have two boxes. One arrived last week (no tracking info) and one today (which I received the tracking info for). Everything is fine, bags are intact. I got the bright pink nail polish in both, so I’d be more than happy to swap one for the red if anyone would like. I like the color, just don’t need two.

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mandi

What’s the name of the pink one? I have 2 of Call my Agent, it looks more orangey red on but pink in the bottle.

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socaldeb

Yes, that’s what I have. The spoiler showed a true red so I was hoping for one of those.

Lee

Just got the January box today 🙁

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Lee

Just got another January box….

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Jess

Has anyone else still not recieved their January box?? Customer service is useless. They just tell me it will be shipped “soon”….its mid February. Yikes.

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Mandi

I just got mine on Thursday, yours might be on the way.

It was weird cause I got 2 emails a week apart, I thought it would be the Jan and feb boxes but then the 2nd package arrived and it was January’s. The first tracking number leads to nothing and wasn’t updated and I’m confused now.

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Dawn

I am SO tired of reading posts about the crappy plastic bag. The contents of this box are worth a significant amount more than the $15 paid for it. For any of you so bent out of shape about the bag, send me ALL of the contents, except for the bag, and I will give you back your fifteen bucks plus applicable tax. Throw the bag in the recyclables and call it a day. How about that offer? Didn’t think I would get any takers. The reason many of you are not getting your bags is due to the crazies calling Allure for a replacement box because of the torn bag. I actually spoke to a CSR on Monday who said that they ran out of the nail polish because of filling re-ships, and shipments are delayed, but she assured me that my daughters bag will be sent. By the way, my bag is unsealed on both sides and I could not care less. Ipsy has me so overloaded with bags that I have sent most of them to Goodwill.

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missann

APPLAUSE!!!

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Dawn2

Then STOP reading them! FYI, the plastic bag is NOT recyclable!

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Mandi

I got the box from amazon yesterday, the case was in perfect condition and I got the one shown here. I’m still waiting for a shipping notification for the other box directly from allure. I can’t really be upset about getting my boxes late since I ordered them at the end of the month.

It’s really the mail that was the most frustrating thing for me, my box passed me by and then ended up 4 hours away before coming back. 😒

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Laura

Just tried the Sunday Riley Glow oil and had an allergic reaction in that I could feel my cheeks burning and became red. Funny, I can use the CEO serum and tidal without any problems.

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Chris

Has Allure CSR told any of you to contact their third-party shipping partner, One Stop Mailing, yourself?

That’s the response I got from Allure this morning when I called for the first time to inquire about my box that’s been in limbo since the 25th. I was very polite and even asked how she was doing this morning. I explained that my box isn’t even with USPS yet but still with OSM that’s just 34 minutes away. She told me to Google OSM’s phone number and call them instead.

I figured that Allure Beauty Box would have the latest updates from THEIR shipping partner(s). Then, a simple email informing subscribers would alleviate a lot of communication issues.

Wow. Their customer service is a bit unprofessional.

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Lorra

I’m in the same boat. Have you had an updates? Just checking before I call as well. Thanks for sharing your experience, I’m not looking forward to calling allure..

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Chris

I still haven’t received the January box. It was tracked on the 25th then the 28th, and nothing since. It’s been at two Illinois locations 40 minutes away. I was certain I’d see some movement by this morning for sure.
I guess it’s time to finally call Allure.

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Lora

Hi Chris, my box must be hiding with yours (at least 1 is, the other doesn’t have any shipping info). Have you had any updates? I’m about to call.

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Shawna

I just got my box today and I got 2 Mally eyeshadow sticks and no Doucce lip crayon… ><

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AnnV918

I got my box yesterday, in February, not cool. But worth the wait. However, I’m with everyone here that has a destroyed bag. WTH? If the bags can’t hold that much, don’t put the items in the bag?! Right? I’m not going to post a complaint to Allure about this, they probably have enough. But this new packaging solution isn’t much better? The box never arrived broken or damaged, and was recyclable if you didn’t want to keep it to store stuff or as a gift box. I’m. It sure they truly listened to us who replied to the survey about these bags ages ago. I wasn’t impressed then, and they’ve done nothing to change my mind so far. Hopefully the February bag won’t arrive broken too.

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I

My bag came ripped too but I really like it, so I just used a flat iron and mended the side lol. Worked well! The SR vitamin C is such a good size.. I received the beauty blenders and I’m one of few that is excited.. they will help reach concealer in the corners of my eyes. Nice box.

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Noelle L

I got mine today here in California. Don’t mind it being late. Filled in the dry spell of when subs aren’t arriving for me. Probably my fave box from them in a long time. Definitely worth the $15. I could almost recommend to not even include a bag…? Less plastic and most of us are up to our ears in cosmetic bags. Maybe the white box (less dye used than with the “old” red one) and some bio – degradable sizzle is enough for me, like the natural beauty boxes currently use.

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Jennyjenny

My box finally arrived today! I got the more pinkish polish which I was disappointed about but I just put it on, it’s so pretty!

I got the mini blenders which I have no use for so I put them up for swap.

And that bag is literally junk. It sucks that it’s going straight in the landfill. It was intact when I got it but as soon as I put my goods in it it literally cracked on both sides. I hate getting bags, let’s hope they don’t continue. At least with the old format I could recycle all the packaging!

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Melissa

I ordered two boxes. Amazon had hair mask, through their website I got the beauty blenders. I don’t need either. One bag was ripped, one wasn’t. Love both boxes.

I cancelled over email my regular box and they replied within 24 hours, so I haven’t had any customer service problems.

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Sam

Has anyone else not received tracking info?

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AH

Me as well. It’s now Feb 4th and no tracking yet on 2 boxes. I want to cancel one of the boxes for Feb, and they won’t let me until Jan ships…they say if they do my boxes won’t ship! The also won’t let me postpone my Feb payment so I can cancel after they ship Jan(someone else here had mentioned that they would do that) so said if I end up getting charged for Feb I will need to call and have them issue a refund. I’m sorry, but there’s just something really messed up with this system! I’m fine with the boxes being delayed, but not being able to cancel/being charged for the Feb box even though it’s already now Feb? There has got to be a better way.

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Mandi

What you can do is ask them to skip the Feb box, then when you get the Jan box just cancel. You might want to hurry and maybe call just in case they charge us early this month.

Sam

Agreed!

socaldeb

Me. I called a couple of days ago and they said mine hadn’t shipped, but more boxes are going out next week.

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Sam

Thanks!

TC

The Value on the Items is WAY OFF! Do not understand where you get the Value of the items! Sorry but you always over the Value iof the items at least 95% of the time!

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Melissa

What values are off? I don’t usually compare every item but the ones I know about or do look up are spot on. Where are you seeing different values?

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JuJu

That’s a strange claim. What should the value be, then, pray tell?

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Elizabeth

Which values are way off? All of these values are retail prices or, for sample sizes, calculated off the retail size. Where are you getting off values??

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Val

I got mine & love all the products. It came with the hair mask & the nail polish. Allure also sent the Caudalie serum separately. I like the bag. After all the comments, I assumed it would be ripped but it was fine.

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Rachael E Smith

I got my box a couple of days ago. I never got a tracking email so I called and the rep said it was in a town near to me, and I got it the next day. I got the beauty blenders and my bag was in perfect condition, which surprised me because of all the comments here. I’m happy with the box and just glad I finally received it. Hopefully they’ll get it together with the February box

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Michelle

My January box STILL hasn’t arrived, no one at Allure has answered my email wondering what the deal is. Tracking info now says Feb, 4th. All polar vortex delays aside, is this not completely ridiculous?

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AC

They had to wait for the polish to arrive. You have tracking that states it’s on the way. You’ll get your box, I don’t understand what the issue is

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Coco

After the tracking info initially said my box would arrive on Jan 28, it was updated and the box was delivered earlier, on Jan 26. I was lucky- my bag wasn’t ripped, and I like it. But with so many complaints about ripped bags, clearly something isn’t right. I also got the hair mask, which I wanted. I’ve been subbing to Allure for years and years, and it’s my favorite low-cost beauty box, though of course I don’t always like everything. Example: red lipsticks – hate them, can’t wear them.

Tip- if you’re moving, don’t just rely on changing your address online in your account information with Allure. Call them.

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SarahD

Just got my box. Let’s open it. First of all, this new white box is quite a bit bigger than the red box. Even more waste. Opened box to find the booklet crumpled up and the side of the red/clear plastic bag is completely split down the side. It is useless and it is not recyclable. No need to undo the snaps, just tipped it all of the side. I feel bad throw the bag in the trash. Got the worthless beauty blenders, not at all happy about that. The eyeshadow, lip Crayon, Ouai ,face oil, and nail polish are all fine. But the A+ serum is empty. I’ve shaken it, I hear nothing and can’t feel that there’s any in there. I’ve been pumping this thing for a few minutes and it still won’t squirt anything out. Anybody else have an empty one? Allure, you’re about to hit the chopping block.

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SarahD

Literally just got my box! Let’s open it! 1st, the white box is a lot bigger, so that’s even more waste. Opened it, booklet crinkled up, side of red/clear plastic bag is already split completely down one side. No need for the snaps. This thing is a complete waste! It’s not recyclable! I feel awful throwing it in the trash! Eyeshadow, lippy, nail polish face oil and Ouai are all good to go. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in the A+ serum. NOTHING! It does not have any in it! I’ve been pumping this thing and pumping this thing and it still won’t squirt anything out! I also got the Barbie doll size beauty blenders. 🙄

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Flora

I replied to an old email (after canceling in September) that offered me 4 boxes for $10 each and they accepted it a few days later. So I have a box that I ordered from Amazon coming this week and the box from Allure that I have no idea if it will be January or February and if they are going to put any specials in. No shipping email from the Allure side. Amazon sent me a tracking code.

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DawnS

Finally got mine today. Bag was ripped already before removing it from the box, it does not have the recycle sign so not sure if I can recycle it. Little bummed I got the micro blenders instead of the hair mask but the rest of the box is a win so its ok. Just wish it had not arrived so late.
Oh and the nail polish dries fast, did take me 2 coats but I do have some ridges in my nails. Was able to do them on my lunch hour.

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