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. (It was named one of the best beauty subscription boxes by MSA readers in the 2021 Subscription Box Awards.)
This is a review of a one-time purchase Limited Edition box: Allure Limited Edition Luxury At Home Box.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About this Box
The Subscription Box: Allure Limited Edition Luxury-At-Home Box
The Cost: $40.00 for Allure Beauty Box subscribers or $60.00 for non-members + free shipping.
The Products:
Spring is the perfect time to add some luxury to your beauty routine, and the Allure Beauty Box Luxury-At-Home Edition is ready to help you do it. Packing 10 (yes, 10) of our editors’ favorite luxury beauty products, including three full-size items, this limited-edition box is valued at more than $250.
Ships to: The U.S. and Puerto Rico for free.
The Allure Limited Edition Luxury-At-Home Box Review
This box didn't come with a detailed information sheet, but we did get a note from Dianna Mazzone, a senior beauty editor at Allure.
Glo Skin Beauty Hydra-Bright Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant, 2 oz – Retail Value $56.00
I’ve actually tried this exfoliant once when I purchased the Trendmood x Glo Skin Beauty Box that had a peel inside it (this was one of the steps). Made with polyhydroxy acid (PHA) along with five types of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA's), this is designed to make skin appear brighter and smoother in texture, while also boosting the effectiveness of the serums and moisturizer you apply after it in your skincare routine. This is a heavy-duty chemical exfoliant, but it doesn't feel harsh on my skin or cause any stinging or irritation. That being said, this is definitely a product to be cautious with because over-exfoliating can cause some real damage to your skin's moisture barrier. I would use this no more than three times a week in my routine, but your mileage may vary depending on your skin type and your exfoliation needs. If you have super sensitive skin or just don't have a need for this in your routine, try using it on a different part of your body like your hands! The skin is a little more durable, and it can help with brightening, smoothing, and softening the skin on your hands just like it would on your face. Just make sure to follow up with sunscreen because exfoliating can make your skin more sensitive to the sun!
Herbivore Botanicals Jade Roller – Retail Value $30.00
Herbivore is one of those brands that just truly nail their packaging aesthetic- even if I don't know what's inside the jars and bottles, I want them because they're gorgeous. I've had many a jade roller thanks to various subscription boxes, but I was happy to have this Herbivore-branded one. It has a nice weight to it, and feels really sturdy and well-made compared to some of the others I have tried. Plus, this one doesn't squeak! This performed the way a jade roller should, and I actually passed out in bed one evening after rolling my face with the Phoenix oil, so I can attest that it does in fact help with relaxation and easing muscle tension. If you're new to jade rolling, this MSA post will teach you everything you need to know and give you a laugh to boot. One thing I appreciate about this jade roller is that the product page acknowledges that this beauty ritual stems from centuries ago (as far back as 7th century China), rather than marketing as a new and trendy concept.
Herbivore Lapis Blue Tansy Face Oil, 0.3 oz – Retail Value $14.00
I remember this oil becoming way more mainstream a few years ago, because it is an oil that works really well for those with oily and acne-prone skin. It is formulated with blue tansy, which gives the oil its signature deep blue color (no added colorants here), while also giving the formula a big dose of azulene, which is great for soothing irritated skin or active acne. This oil is in a squalane base, and also features kukui nut oil (which is high in linoleic acid and is great for acne-prone skin), jojoba, and jasmine. This has a noticeable herbal scent that not everyone will love (that's the blue tansy), and you only need a few drops to soothe your skin. One thing I recommend with Herbivore products- if you want to try them out or repurchase a favorite, stick with the mini sizes. Herbivore uses no forms of synthetic ingredients in their products, meaning there are no synthetic preservatives in the formula. I have heard on more than one occasion of a friend having their full-size oil change color before they could finish it, which is never fun when you're dropping $50+ on a facial oil. The other thing I would like to call out is Herbivore's word choice in their marketing- on their about page where they explain their emphasis on using natural products (which I looked up to confirm my no-preservatives claim), they say their formulas are made without chemicals, which simply isn't true because everything (water, cold-pressed oils, botanical extracts) is a chemical. I'll still use their products because I like them (and they look gorgeous on my vanity and I am but a simple creature who likes pretty things), but don't forget that it is okay to use discernment with the marketing claims of some of these skincare brands.
Herbivore Phoenix Rosehip Anti-Aging Face Oil, 0.3 oz – Retail Value $16.00
I don't think I have tried this oil from Herbivore, and I have been missing out. This oil is really lovely for dry skin because it has a luscious blend of botanical oils like rosehip, sea buckthorn, meadowfoam, and neroli, and it also has chia seed CoQ10 to deliver a hefty dose of antioxidants and alpha-lipoic acid to your face. This is a heavier oil compared to blue tansy, and I genuinely only needed a few drops for my entire face. Since I was using this with the roller, I applied two drops to one side of my face, rolled away, and then applied two more drops to the other half of my face when I was ready to roll that side. Even though I fell asleep after using this and did not technically finish my evening skincare routine, it still gave my skin plenty of moisture and my skin had a glow the next morning.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer, 25 ml – Retail Value $21.00
Oh, Glow Recipe how I love you so. Glow Recipe is a brand that I adore because not only are their products packaged in beautiful containers and fun colors, they also perform well on my skin! The watermelon pink juice line is the product that got me into this brand (that may have been one of their first launches- I've been a fan before the avocado, banana, or papaya lines were released), and I am always happy to see the cheerful pink bottle in a box. Think of this as a super lightweight moisturizer- on those hot summer days when I don’t want anything heavy on my skin I love using this watermelon-scented gel. If you have dry skin, this will also work as a serum layered under an oil or heavier cream! This formula features watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, and my sensitive skin really enjoys it.
Ever Smooth Peptide Lip Therapy, 0.10 oz – Retail Value $26.00
The peptides in this lip balm excite me- peptides are such a great ingredient for fighting the signs of aging, and I don't recall trying a product that features them specifically for my lips (my favorite peptide product I've tried was the Lovinah Skincare Copper Peptide & EGF Ampoule from the last summer's Limited Edition Boxwalla box). Along with having multiple types of peptides, this lip balm also has coconut oil, beeswax, and sunflower seed oils (along with numerous other nourishing botanicals), and it delivers a big dose of hydration to my chronically dry lips. This looks a little pink in the tube, but it does go on clear. This claims to work to reduce the fine lines in lips and improve volume, and I am not so sure about all of that- but I do like how nourishing this is and that it doesn't feel waxy or sticky.
Sisley-Paris Express Flower Gel Mask, 0.33 oz – Estimated Value $24.75 (buy the 2 oz version for $150.00)
Sisley is such a luxe brand- I have been lusting over their Black Rose Mask for ages and haven't even gotten my hands on a sample. This gel mask is a combination between a mask and a moisturizer- you apply a layer and let it absorb, and then tissue off any excess instead of washing it away (I like that- if you cost $75 for an ounce you're going to stay on my face). This mask features lily and iris extract along with rose water and sesame, and it had a really light floral scent that I found pleasant without it being heady. This was moisturizing and soothing to my sensitive skin, but it wasn't exactly remarkable. I enjoyed using this, but I am not sure if I saw enough results after one use to make me want the full-size, let alone consider purchasing it.
Furtuna Porte Per La Vitalita Face & Eye Serum, 4 ml – Estimated Value $26.13 (buy the 15 ml version for $98.00) 4 ml/ .10 oz
This is a new brand to me, and I was intrigued to learn more about them. They are an Italian brand that focuses on boosting the local Sicilian economy and grow the botanicals on their 800-acre estate with efforts to conserve Sicily's biodiversity. This face and eye serum features vitamin C and Fortuna's own Splendore Anchusa™ Complex that works to block free radical damage. Many of the ingredients in this serum are organic, and some of them are even wild-foraged, which I thought was a neat tidbit of information. This would be a great serum to use in the morning because it can work synergistically with your sunscreen to prevent free radical damage that comes from pollutants in the air, and it was a thin serum that layered well in my routine. It did leave a slight stickiness once it was absorbed, but since I always follow up with a moisturizer after my serum that's an easy problem for me to fix. I would be interested in trying more from this brand- maybe Allure could feature them in one of their monthly boxes.
Yon-Ka Paris Travel Lotion, 1.69 oz – Retail Value $18.00
This is a new-t0-me brand, and I am happy to meet it. This is a facial mist that you would use as a toner during your skincare routine (or at anytime throughout the day as a pick-me-up), and I love that it is alcohol-free. The mist on this isn't quite a stream, but it is a bit more targeted than I usually like. This also has an herbal scent that stems from the "solar charged energy" of rosemary, thyme, lavender, geranium, and cypress. I found the smell pleasant, but I am not going to touch on the solar-charged claims, because I don't even know where I would start. Overall, this was a lightly hydrating mist that those with oily skin would probably love, but it isn't as moisturizing as I would prefer for my personal skin care needs.
Youth to the People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial, 0.5 oz – Estimated Value $13.50 (buy the 2 oz version for $54.00)
I really love YTTP, but I haven’t tried this mask from them yet, so I was excited to see it in the box. This mask is a microdermabrasion scrub that you apply to the skin, leave on for a minute or two, and then gently massage in before rinsing away. This mask gives you chemical exfoliation from the papaya and pineapple enzymes, while the bamboo and diatomaceous earth provide the little scrubby bits that perform the microdermabrasion. Even though I have skin that can be sensitive, this wasn't too harsh on me- and I appreciate YTTP including suggestions for use for those with sensitive skin (diluting with water and only using once a week rather than 1-3 times a week), which is something I don't usually see on the product descriptions. This ended up being really pleasant and this little jar will last me multiple uses since I don't need a ton to cover my face. If you end up purchasing this box from Allure, I do caution you to space out when you try this mask and the Glo Skin liquid exfoliant!
Verdict: Allure did a great job with curating this box- I LOVE that it included really popular brands like Herbivore, Glow Recipe, and Youth To The People, while also introducing me to new brands like Yon-Ka and Fortuna. Plus, the full-size Glo Skin product is worth more than the cost of the entire box (assuming you're able to purchase it as an Allure subscriber and snag that $20.00 discount). Allure promised a box full of products to help you experience luxury at home, and I think they absolutely delivered that. They also promised a total value of over $250.00, and they came a few dollars short of that with my math adding up to $245.38. I still think this is a deal for the $60.00 price (if you're not an Allure subscriber), and a downright steal for $40.00 if you're able to take advantage of that subscriber discount.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! Treat yourself to some luxury and then let me know your thoughts on the box in the comments below.
Value Breakdown: At $40.00 (for Allure subscribers) for this box, here is what you are paying approximately per item:
Alternatively, each of the 10 products has an average cost of $4.00
At $60.00 for this box, here is what you are paying approximately per item:
Alternatively, each of the 10 products has an average cost of $6.00
Check out all of our Allure Beauty Box reviews and some more of our other favorite beauty subscriptions.
What do you think of the Allure Limited Edition Luxury-At-Home Box? What luxury product have you been lusting over lately?
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