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Allure Beauty Box December 2021 Review + Coupon

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Dec 22, 2021 | 23 comments

Allure Beauty Box
3.6 overall rating
721 Ratings | 155 Reviews

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 2021 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

As always, the box arrives beautifully packaged in typical white and red Allure fashion!

 

There was also a helpful mini-magazine with more info on the products.

Now, on to the items!

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in 'Pillow Talk Original' - Retail Value $22.00 (Full Size!)

 

This is such a nice day cream! It has a great whipped texture and absorbs well, without feeling heavy. It also brings major moisture to skin during a season where this is extra important. If you are like me, you were so excited to turn your heat on in the house... until your skin becomes extra dry, flaky, and prone to redness. Bummer. This is a great option for remedying these issues with its lovely texture and ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and reishi mushroom extract. It adds softness and firmness to my skin right away too!

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, 20 g - Retail Value $14.00

 

Hey, I love a cleansing balm. And this is one I have tried before and like a lot because it makes quick work of stubborn eye makeup and SPF. This balm also smells absolutely marvelous! Fatty oils from sweet almond and shea work together to dissolve dirt and makeup (a little bit of coconut in here, but it's pretty far down the list) while the scent of citrus, lavender, and something earthy add a sensory experience that is delightful. Balms tend to last a long time because you don't need a ton to coat your face, so this tub feels pretty generous in size.

Floss Eyeshadow Squad Just Peachy - Ful Size! Retail Value $24.00

 

I know a lot of subscribers aren't into the orange-toned shadow palettes but I have always kind of enjoyed them and I think this one has two more subtle shades that balance out the fiery orange ones for sure. I could easily see the soft tan and the golden pink coming together for a really pretty everyday look then you can amp it up with the cinnamon shades later on into the evening if need be! Pigment levels here are good and I thought the texture was buttery and smooth with the normal level of fallout when using a brush.

Neolastin Revitalize & Firm Eye Cream, 10 mL - Estimated Value $38.00 (buy a full size 25 g jar for $95.00)

 

This might be an unpopular option, but I didn't love this eye cream. It felt cold and tingly before it started to burn and make my eyes water. Granted, the older I get, the more sensitive my eyes get (also a reason why I avoid lash glue more and more) so this might not be an issue for everyone. I will say that this stuff felt great texturally, and did seem to tighten and smooth my undereye. I could literally feel it firming up! Another downside was pilling. Did anyone else have this experience? The ingredient list did boast some great stuff, namely tons of peptides and hyaluronic acid. But this, sadly, wasn't for me.

Neom Organics Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter, 30 mL - Estimated Value $5.70 (buy 200 mL for $38.00)

 

This stuff smells SO GOOD. Literally like smelling what I imagine sleep would smell like. Mainly heady lavender that feels like it will literally carry me away to somewhere cozy and quiet. While lavender is the strongest scent, there is also a little jasmine and basil in here too. And this lotion absorbs beautifully. It boasts magnesium (which I don't generally notice to be sleep-enhancing for myself, but hey I don't struggle to sleep!) and is a wonderful before-bed treat.

SPONSORED ITEM: Cetaphil Healing Ointment, 10 g - Estimated Value $0.50 (buy 340 g for $16.99)

 

This felt a lot like glorified petroleum jelly to me, which isn't a bad thing, I just think I would buy the cheaper option. This might be because it is 71.5% petrolatum with shea, beeswax, and vitamin E. It is absolutely something I would want for cracked knuckles in the winter, even if it isn't a super inspiring item in this box.

Verdict

This month's Allure box was an improvement over last month. I loved the lip liner and moisturizer, as well as the shadow palette, lotion, and cleansing balm. The eye product wasn't for me, but I can appreciate its higher value. With an overall value of around $153.70, this box feels worth the $23 subscription cost, and I was pleased with the balanced mix of makeup and skincare this month.

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? Yes! Scroll down this page to see what items you will get when you first sign up.

Cost Breakdown: At $23 for this box, here is what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner $3.29
  • BeautyStat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream $7.48
  • Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm $2.09
  • Floss Eyeshadow Squad Just Peachy $3.59
  • Neolastin Revitalize & Firm Eye Cream $5.69
  • Neom Organics Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter $0.85

Alternatively, each of the 6 products has an average cost of $3.83. I did not include the bonus sample in this breakdown.

What do you think of the December Allure Beauty Box? What was your favorite product in the box?

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.

Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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23 comments

Julie

Fragrance really is a subjective thing. I came here to see what people thought of the Neom body butter. I thought it smelled terrible! I tried washing it off of my hands with hand sanitizer, but I could still smell it. So I washed it with hand soap and hot water and I could STILL smell it! Then I threw it in the garbage. I liked everything else about the box though.

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Melissa

I also did not like the Neom Body butter. Megan said it smells like what she imagines sleep smells like. Maybe a sleep filled with nightmares. Lol! I kid, I kid. But seriously, I think sleep would smell more like vanilla and coconut. But I digress. I almost bought a LookFantastic box that featured Neom and would have included a candle and a pillow mist in this scent. I am *so relieved* that I did not order that box! Way too strong, I didn’t like it, and I ended up with two of them, so I’m going to give the unused one away.

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JoJoB

I caved and got this box with the 50% off deal. The Neom body butter was one of my favorite items included. The reason for that is due to the fact that I have an EXTREMELY POOR sense of smell and unless something is literally right up to my nose I can’t smell it. While a blessing at times (my husband thinks farting is hysterical), I really hate when I apply a pillow spray or hand cream and can’t smell it AT ALL. So the Neom works great for me. Which also lets me know that HOLY SMOKES it must really be strong and off putting to other people if I can smell it!

One thing I am curious about is the perfume new subscribers received. That was another item that I could smell as soon as I opened the box and the smell was not good in my opinion. I had to leave the other items from the box outside on my porch to air out for a couple of days it was so strong, and like I said if I can smell it I literally cannot imagine what it was like for others!

So far I LOVE the moisturizer and the eye cream. I had just emptied both of my nighttime routine version of these items so this was perfect timing. As I mentioned above I also loved the Neom cream and have already finished it. I haven’t opened the lip liner yet but everyone on here has me excited for it! I ordered the medium shade. I also need to try y’alls Cetaphil/lip liner trick because I tried using that Cetaphil on my feet and HATED it. It was so weird, it was like it wouldn’t rub in but was simultaneously non-existent. Strange. As for the eyeshadow palette I doubt I will try it. The swatches online do not bode well for my complexion. The Elemis balm is something I have received and loved many times in boxes so it was very welcomed. Allure is really tempting me to come back with this box, I loved it!

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JuJu

The fragrance is not good (I got the Loubirouge), it’s old-fashioned and unoriginal. It’s sweet, and not in a good way.

The price tag on the Saks and Nordstrom sites made me laugh. When I tested it on myself it was bad enough that I had to wash it off with soap.

Alice

I ridden myself of mine as well. I couldn’t take it. WAY too powerful of a fragrance and, like you, I couldn’t wash it off. Even Dawn Powerwash was no match for its odor!

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Snow

This is a reply to JuJu. Totally agree with you about the perfume. It was sickenly sweet. Now I know why they were giving it away for free. 😜

Brie

Who knows what day of the month is the last day to skip or unsub before being charged?

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Snow

I’m kind of obsessed with this month’s box after trying some of the products for a few days. The intense lip liner paired with the balm (or any balm) is my new lip look. I can’t believe how much better my lips look (then again I was wearing liquid matte lipstick which isn’t always the most flattering.) See ya, lipstick! 💋 I also really like the moisturizer and the eye cream. I haven’t had any stinging or piling issues. Both items have really been exceptional actually! I’m not into eyeshadow so I’ll just pretend that wasn’t in there (actually I have found my eye issues have drastically decreased since I stopped wearing eyeshadow of any sorts). The Neon body lotion was a more unique addition that I have enjoyed as well.
Initially I wasn’t going to sign back up, but of course they had that amazing sign up deal. I actually thought this box was so good I got one through Amazon, too (love having that option!). Didn’t get to pick the lip liner color but that’s ok. I’m stoked to finally not have to wear lipstick and mark my territory everywhere (mugs, masks, people’s faces 😘 lol).
And Merry Christmas!🎄

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LeanGreenBean

I’m also just pretending the eyeshadow isn’t there, lol! I’ll give it to my friend’s tween daughters at some point. I agree, this was an overall terrific box and I’m really enjoying using everything. This is after skipping so many boxes this past year…

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SharonDK

I requested Pillow Talk Medium and got Pillow Talk Original. So did my friend. Allure is sending out replacements. Allure is nice about fixing their mistakes but it takes SO LONG for them to ship! Hopefully they arrive soon.

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SharonDK

ETA- both my friend and I received emails that our CT Lip Cheat replacements have shipped. I’m pleasantly surprised that Allure is fixing this error so quickly. Did anyone else have this same issue?

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Alice

Getting this box at half off plus the two gifts was amazing. Received it today. I may just switch from Ipsy Plus back to Allure.

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LeanGreenBean

I agree completely with this review (except for the “beautifully packaged” part. “Adequately packaged” is more accurate, lol). I love the lip liner so much more than I was expecting and I wish I could love the eye cream, but it keeps pilling. The Cetaphil on top of the lip liner changed the color into something a little deeper but equally beautiful and made it so comfortable. I’m loving the Cetaphil ointment as a lip balm.

That lotion smells so incredible! I’m a night shower person so it’s just perfect for me (I also often use topical spray magnesium for muscle aches and pains so I’m used to that weird texture it leaves behind and don’t mind it).

I got the Lightning Wand instead of the Elemis and it’s something I will absolutely repurchase. One of my all time favorite discoveries from Allure!

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Snow

Great idea about pairing the lip liner with the Cetaphil ointment. I must have thought I was still in my goth phase because I chose the intense shade and boy is it dark.

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Carol

A lot of cleansing balms make my eyes blurry. The Elemis one doesn’t (and it works great!), but I can’t handle the smell (and I like fragrance). I think they have a fragrance-free version now that I’d love to try.
How cute is that little palette!?

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Jody E

Megan, I tried the BeautyStat cream for nighttime. I have an oily t-zone. It smells strong to me. I assume it is not pore-clogging? Also, what is in the eye cream that would be so different to cause burning? I haven’t tried mine yet.

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JuJu

For $11.50 and with the full-size Shani Darden (I totally didn’t care for the Christian Louboutin perfume) the box is a no-brainer.

As it is, however, with makeup in unwearable colors and poorly formulated skincare (and some of it from unknown brands), this box is a total miss.

That Cetaphil might be the only actually usable thing in there.

Gosh, I certainly miss Allure from the way it used to be 3-4 years ago… 😒

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Autumn P

Yah, I finally signed up…I am so excited to get this box!! The Shani Darden Retinol Reform reviews, along w/it including the eye cream ($100!?! WHAT) w/a 50-50 chance of receiving the Ciate palette, (fingers crossed!) and I finally couldn’t come up w/ a reason NOT too get it…I’ve been debating whether I should w/the price increase & all, and honestly I wasn’t mad having looked at/following reviews. -Then the 50% off is just icing on the cake…I couldn’t resist!

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Annette

I have asked this before but never got an answer, how can you tell what color of CT lip liner you receive? I keep looking and the box gives no clue?? HELP??

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Snow

Pillow talk is the original. The other two colors are medium and intense.

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Kelly

It says the color on the end of the box. Mine was medium.

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Kelly

Yes, if it just says Pillow Talk, it’s the original shade.

Annette

all my box end says is Pillow talk?? Is that original? Thanks Kelly