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
Note: This is an existing member curation. To see all variations, check out our spoiler post here!
As always, the box arrives beautifully packaged in typical white and red Allure fashion!
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There was also a helpful mini-magazine with more info on the products.
Now, on to the items!
EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+, 30 mL - Estimated Value $19.20 (buy a full size 50 mL for $32)
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This liquid highlighter is very shimmery and pretty and arrived in a champagne sort of rose gold that I would think would be flattering for all. The doe-foot applicator makes it easy for spot highlighting, or try mixing it in with your foundation/moisturizer for a more subtle dew. There is something 'off' about the texture for me personally, but I can't quite place my finger on it. I also noticed coconut oil and ethylhexyl palmitate which are comedogenic, so acne-prone friends, beware. Aside from those qualms, the effect is actually very pretty on, I am just not sure it would be something I would reach for myself.
Amika Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo, 0.75 oz - Estimated Value $3.68 (buy a full size 5.3 oz for $26)
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Although this sample really could have been bigger, I love having little travel-size bottles of dry shampoo for weekend trips or just those gross days where I will be running from the gym to work to dinner without a truly appropriate length of time to freshen up. Amika is one of those formulas that works so well (even though I am not super crazy about the sweet scent). It adds volume to my roots and makes me look freshly showered regardless of when the last hair wash actually happened.
Neogen Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Essence, 20 mL - Estimated Value $5.07 (Buy a full-size 150 mL for $38.00)
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I have tried this stuff before and I loved it! Again though, what a dinky sample size for a product that really isn't all that expensive. Regardless, a little goes a long way here if you skip the cotton round and apply with your hands instead. This juicy essence contains probiotics, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, anti-inflammatory adenosine, and lots more. It is like a slippery water texture and is a great step between cleansing and moisturizing.
Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel, 75 ml - Retail Value $28.00 (full size!)
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This was another familiar face, though it is one I like a lot less. I have just never really been into these formulas you rub on your face that creates pills of dead skin. Mostly because I am not sure how much is actually dead skin (my face feels mostly the same before and after this product) and how much of it is just oil+product. It does have gentle exfoliators inside, and I am used to some pretty aggressive peels by now. So maybe my skin is just beyond this formula? I honestly don't know. It is also one of those products with alcohol denat, which just isn't ideal for my dry skin. I could see a peel newbie with oilier skin loving this more though!
Baseblue Cosmetics AirSponge (set of 2) - Retail Value $12.00 ($6.00 each)
This was another little bit of a yawn for me until I realized I can use them for ombré nail art. Seriously, the small size and dense sponge creates a really smooth transition! If you plan on using these for your makeup instead, I have found that getting them wet with water or even a toner is the secret to a smooth foundation application. The small size of these sponges makes them a great choice for the smaller areas of the face, or even spot highlighting. For me, though, these are going in my nail kit.
OSEA Essential Hydrating Oil, 2 fl oz - Retail Value $68
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This was probably the main draw of this box for a lot of subscribers, and it is also the highest value item this month. OSEA is actually a really cool brand. They are based in Malibu, CA (what a dream) and is totally sea-centric. Founded by a family in 1996, they are known for their beautifully formulated products that have that sort of effortless beachy vibe I wish my life had. They are also very invested in lobbying congress for cosmetics safety, which you can totally geek out over here. Anyways, I love seeing this brand pop up in the mail!
This oil manages to be nourishing without being heavy. The beneficial oils inside are numerous, but here is a summary: macadamia, sesame, jojoba, with fragrant oils like bergamot, cedar, lavender, and rosewood. It smells so good that I love using it before bed, but if you are on the drier side, this could easily be a daytime oil option. It is easy to fall in love with this one.
Verdict
This month's Allure Beauty Box felt up and down, which is kind of usual for this box, at least for me personally. Somehow, though, the value always makes it a good buy when I sit down and actually do the calculations. This month, it lands around $153.55 for a $23 box. It is kind of hard to argue with one single item being worth $68. And honestly, even if you only loved the oil at the end, that alone is a good value. I think for me though, what was really noticeable this month was how small some of the sample sizes were, even for inexpensive products. And when you have a $68 serum to compare them to, it can feel a little uneven. That being said, I am super thrilled with the tube of SPF and that facial oil!
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To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, but hurry!
Cost Breakdown: At $23 for this box, here is what you are paying approximately per item:
- EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ $1.92
- Saint Luxe Rose Gold Liquid Glow $3.59
- Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo $0.55
- Neogen Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Essence $0.76
- Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel $4.19
- Baseblue Cosmetics Airsponges $1.80
- Osea: Essential Hydrating Oil $10.19
Alternatively, each of the 7 products has an average cost of $3.29.
What do you think of the April Allure Beauty Box? What was your favorite product in the box?
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