Showing posts with label Subscription Box. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Subscription Box. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2018

Allure Beauty Box July 2018


Allure Beauty Box

What is it? Allure Beauty Box is a monthly beauty subscription from Allure Magazine. Every month they send approximately 5 or more deluxe and full sized samples, mainly from high-end brands.

Why you'll love it: Allure Beauty Box offers an opportunity to try top-trending products that have already been tested by their editors, ranging from makeup, hair care to skincare. Every box is worth well over the price of $15; it can range anywhere from $50-$100+ in value. Every box comes with an Allure mini booklet that describes each product and often gives special codes and discounts!

How to Subscribe: Click here to get your 1st box for only $10
Price: $15/month



I know, I know I am a little behind on this one, but don't blame me. I'm just enjoying the short-lived summer we get up here in Michigan. Plus, my schedule has been hectic and it's about to get even more so!

So, let's get into all the goodies I received in July's box:

1. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
2. Feel Harmony Rose Petal Facial Mask
3. Derma-E Essentials Mineral Powder
4. Doucce Ultra Precision Eyeliner in Blue
5. Ouai Haircare Leave In Conditioner
6. Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil
7. The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm
8. Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer
9. Baublebar

1. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Lately I have been looking for new night creams and solutions to combat my dry skin without the clogging during these hot summer nights. Therefore, I was excited to give Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil a go.



It's an innovative skincare product that combines retinol and essential oils such as blue tansy, azulene and German chamomile. It has an invigorating natural scent combined with the notes of licorice, and softly fades away once applied.



Just like the smell, the beautiful and fun turquoise color fades once gently rubbed into skin. Surprisingly, it's not greasy at all and my skin quickly soaks it up, only leaving a soft texture behind while I catch some Zs.


The benefits include luminous, even skin tone, while reducing redness and fine lines. Overall, I was able to move past the scent and take in the benefits, noticing after a week of use that my dark spots were lighter and my skin felt supple. Luna Sleeping Night Oil is definitely a high-end skin care product that is worth the pricey tag of $105, making it a good investment in your skincare regimen.

Price $105
Sample Size
Purchase here



2. Feel Harmony Rose Petal Facial Mask

Feel Harmony Rose Petal Facial Mask is as soft and dewy as rose petals in morning, but works hard to alleviate and tone tired, dried-out skin. This mask contains rose petals, rose essential oils and rose flower extracts. It’s almost as though they throw in a dozen roses to every mask to get such deep hydrating properties!


As to be expected it smells like a freshly picked rose, which is subtle enough to not confuse it with your grandmothers’ perfume. It’s light-weight gel texture goes on clear and smooth, almost as if you are applying a serum.


Beauty tip: place this mask in the fridge before use to give it that extra cooling sensation when applied, which is perfect for these hot summer days.


When using it, you might have to set your alarm to notify you after the 10 minutes are up because you may forget about the mask completely due to the barely-there feeling. After gently rinsing away the product, my skin felt awakened with hydration and I noticed irritation and red spots were calmed down quite a bit. Overall, I would recommend this to people who may not be into masking since it is so effortless, but also to those who also suffer from redness and dry skin.

Price $55
Sample Size
Purchase here



3. Derma-E Essentials Mineral Powder

I don’t know if words can express how much I love Derma E Sun Protection Mineral Powder SPF 30. Although the samples size was extremely small and it didn’t come in the depositing brush applicator, I still absolutely love the formula and idea behind it.


From time to time I forget to apply sunscreen, so using this in place of my non-sun-protecting powder, I don’t have to worry. The goodness doesn’t stop there: it’s made with beneficial ingredients like green tea extract, Vitamin E and German chamomile to help soothe and protect one’s skin.


This is usually to be reapplied after every two hours, but is also excellent for blotting excess oils. The brush applicator is perfect for traveling and touch ups, too, making this mineral powder a top priority on my beauty wish list.

Price $21.95
Sample Size
Purchase here



4. Doucce Ultra Precision Eyeliner in Blue

Doucce was able to capture the essence of a clear blue sky (my favorite color) in their Blue shade Ultra Precision Eyeliner. The formula is ultra-smooth and creamy, effortlessly gliding along your lid. The vibrancy is out of this world and will for sure brighten anyone’s day.


Although I love this shade, I find it hard to work with my pale complexion, but I think this color looks fabulous on tan and darker skin tones.


However, I found that I am able to make this work by lining my black eyeliner for a more graphic look. The creativity doesn’t have to stop there: you can also line your bottom eyelid or blend it out with a brush to get a softer hue.


It’s even waterproof and holds up well even after fussing over my contacts. When my eyes became watery, the lower lid liner didn’t budge at all.


All considered, Doucce has managed to create a bold eyeliner with an excellent semi-matte formula that lasts forever.

Price $22
Full Size
Purchase here



5. Ouai Haircare Leave In Conditioner

I’m always willing to try out a new hair product, so I was optimistic about Ouai Leave-In Conditioner spray. It’s a multitasking leave-in that protects against heat, detangles, reduces frizz and hydrates, all in one!


A good leave-in is a must in my haircare routine, since my fine hairs love to tangle out of the shower. The product is dense, so if you are going to just use it as a mist, be sure to keep it 6-8” away, otherwise you can get a lot of concentrated product in one area.


I personally like to take a couple of sprays directly into my hands, rub it around and then pull through from mid-length to ends, that way I'm avoiding my oily root zone and making sure that the product is evenly delivered to each strand.


It has an invigorating floral scent and easily smooths out my hair without any filmy or oily feeling. After blowing out my hair, my ends noticeably felt softer and more manageable. Hands down, Ouai has become a new favorite of mine.

Price $26
Sample Size
Purchase here



6. Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil

Art has no limits, and neither should your makeup! Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil may look like a traditional eyeliner, but its possibilities are endless. Coming from an art background, I can really appreciate the color pencil design. Now that I switched to my face being the canvas, I still love the nostalgic wooden-handled design of the pencil.


Without restrictions, this pencil is designed to be used wherever on your face, including lining your eyes, coloring in your brows or drawing the shape of your lips. I received the shade Full Red (714) and it is powerfully pigmented, but not the same intensity as typical eye/lip liner.


The sheerness allows for versatility, while still being able to build up the color when need be. In order to truly test it, I made my very own freckles, lined both lips and eyes and even used it as an eyeshadow, which blended nicely.


I also filled in my brows (yes, with the vibrant red!) to see how they fared, and I could definitely see using this alongside KVD 24 Hour Super Brow Pomade in the shade Scarlet. In my opinion, The Artist Color Pencil is an exceptional product available in a full spectrum of 39 colors.

Price $18
Deluxe Sample Size
Purchase here



7. The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm

What’s nourishing, healthy and has me constantly reapplying? The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm from this month’s box! Don’t let appearances fool you, this simply designed tube of lip balm has amazing ingredients and makes your lips feel heavenly.


Made with beneficial ingredients like Shea Butter, Rose Hip, Beeswax, Honey, and Caster Oil, it’s no wonder I can’t put it down. While I try to remember to get all my water intake for the day, my lips are often dry and cracked, so a good lip balm is always needed, no matter the season.


It has a lovely scent and goes on a little thicker than other balms. It also leaves a little bit of sheen like a clear gloss, but in no way is it sticky or uncomfortable.


Instantly soothing and nourishing, this is one of my favorite lip balms now, but unfortunately this little tube comes with big price tag at $21.50.

Price $21.50
Deluxe Sample Size
Purchase here




Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer may be considered just a mid-grade moisturizer, but its whipped formula is anything but. Having purchased this prior and used it on a regular basis, this moisturizer is already my favorite go-to for moisturizing.


Once applied, the lightweight and playful whipped texture goes from cream to liquid with a soothing cooling sensation. There's no heavy feeling whatsoever and the it leaves your skin feeling nourished and hydrated.


I love using this in the morning before my makeup most of all, since it dries down matte with no oily finish.


The whip has a refreshing clean scent that is almost unnoticeable. Overall, Regenerist Whip is a great lightweight moisturizer that tackles fine lines and is perfect for oily skin types.

Price $30
Sample Size
Purchase here


9. Baublebar

"YAY!" doesn't begin to describe my reaction when I was notified I would be receiving yet another gift from Allure Beauty Box for being a loyal member! I still believe ABB is under-rated when it comes to subscription boxes, since no other service I am subscribed to sends me extra full-sized goodies.


Not only do you get surprises, but each box contains more than one full-sized item that more than covers the cost of $15. For example, in January I received full sized Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Serum, which is an $85 value!


Let’s get into the beautiful double hooped studs from BaubleBar. Surprisingly these are a two for one earring as the larger hoop is removable, leaving the small hoops to be worn alone if you prefer.


I couldn’t find the exact pair online, but I would assume the price point to be around $30 based on similar products. Baublebar takes its inspiration from trends and turns them into fun and fashionable accessories, ranging from earrings to bracelets.

Snagged these beauties for $9 with coupon and vault points!
Also included was an enticing $20 Baublebar coupon, and combined with my previous purchase vault points, I was able to snag a pair of earrings for under $10. What a deal!

Use my referral link or code (79662506) to get 15% off your first purchase at Baublebar here.



As always you can find individual links to the products by clicking the headings! 


This post is not sponsored by Allure. All products were given as part of a paid subscription to Allure Beauty Box. Just wanted to share my experience.



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Thursday, May 31, 2018

Allure Beauty Box May 2018 + Bonus


Hello! My Allure Beauty Box for the month of May is chock full of goodies to help me prep for summer hair and beauty care. I also received bonus Philosophy moisturizing samples to try, compliments of Allure. Since my box arrives about the 3rd week of the month, it takes some time to fully immerse myself in all of these products, but I am delighted to finally share my thoughts. (Click here to get your 1st box for only $10)

So, let's get into all the goodies I received this month:

St. Tropez Instant Tan Finishing Gloss
Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer
CLE Melting Lip Powder
WANDER BEAUTY Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks
KENRA Dry Oil Control Spray
L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
Bonus:
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Moisturizer Samples


St. Tropez Instant Tan Finishing Gloss
St. Tropez Instant Tan Finishing Gloss is a liquid bronzer that adds a beautiful shimmer anywhere you apply it. If you are anything like me, and not really into tanning nor self-tanning products, this may be the first-time hearing of the brand. The difference with this finishing gloss is that it doesn’t actually self-tan, but instead the product leaves a slight bronze tint on your skin that you can easily wash off later. There is no fake tan smell to the product nor does it stain your fingers after use.

It has a buildable formula that as you can see initially looks very saturated on my pale skin, however when smoothed out over the skin it leaves a subtle bronze tint. It’s not sticky nor greasy and is completely dry, leaving behind no feeling of product at all.


Inside the tube the tiny copper flecks look very shimmery and prominent, however once on the skin it evens out to a nice glossy finish. This is not 100% transfer proof, especially if you are wearing white, but apply beforehand to let it really settle into the skin. I’ve read that it may take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, but 30 minutes or so seems like a fair amount of time. It can also be worn on face and eyelids to compliment your look since it's Ophthalmologically tested. This is absolutely a radiant product and my top favorite out of the box.

Price $25
Sample Size
Purchase here 


First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer
First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer is a two-in-one moisturizer and primer, made with superfood ingredients and coconut water. I really wanted to love this dual primer moisturizer since it promised solutions for blurring out pores, uneven skin tone and texture, as well as alleviating dryness. As a moisturizer it is top notch, but as a primer it did nothing for me.

The formula felt hydrating, nourishing and light on my skin, but the dewy finish just emphasized my oily complexion. Aside from the lack of primer benefits, this is an amazing moisturizer especially on light makeup days, where I want to help replenish my skin. Keep in mind everyone’s skin is different and this would probably work best with for people with dry skin.

Price $28
Sample Size
Purchase here


CLE Melting Lip Powder
CLE Melting Lip Powder is one of the most innovative lip and cheek products I’ve seen to date; a powdered lipstick! It can easily be applied as a cheek tint whether wearing it apart or together as a monochromatic look. If you look closely as you are pulling out the wand from the suctioned tube you will see a little powdered dust fly out (which is nothing to worry about!), but as you swipe on your lip it transforms into a cool liquid feel.


It's extremely pigmented and dries very quickly to a nice matte finish, without the feel of anything on your lips. It almost reminds me of a lip stain, but can be built up by adding another swipe. It’s neither streaky nor clumpy, as the formula melts right into your lips and lasts all day. For the most part, it's transfer proof, except when sipping out of cups I noticed very minimal loss. My lips feel free, unlike other mattes that make them feel cracked and dried. Overall, this powder makes a worthwhile lippie that takes innovation to the next level.

Price $20
Sample Size
Color Desert Rose
Purchase here


Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks 
WANDER BEAUTY Baggage Claim are individually packaged gold foiled eye masks that amp up hydration and brightness while lessening problematic dark circles. I haven’t yet tried these ones, since I am waiting for a rainy day to cozy up with a book or my tablet and apply these before bedtime. As soon as I do, I will update my review for you all! For now, let's get into the benefits! The unique gold foil helps retain heat between the mask and skin allowing for maximum absorption of the serum. The long list of beneficial ingredients include the following:

Hyaluronic acid for the dramatic reduction of fine lines & wrinkles.
Jojoba Seed Oil for intense hydration.
Aloe Leaf Juice provides a cooling sensation that calms and soothes skin.
Camu Camu Fruit Extract is rich in vitamin C that brightens dull & tired eyes.
Calendula Flower Extract & Lavender Oil both soothes & moisturizes the sensitive skin around your eyes.

This is an extremely promising product and I really can’t wait to try these and see if it truly makes a difference in my dark circles and tired eyes!

Price $25 (6 sets)
Full Size 2 Sets
Purchase here


KENRA Dry Oil Control Spray
KENRA Dry Oil Control Spray helps to tame frizz and flyaways while providing nourishment with its breakthrough oil formula. It provides a medium hold, but I wouldn’t consider this a hairspray. Instead, it’s more of a revival conditioning spray and really helps bring down those unwanted frizzies. It’s almost similar to the Living Proof Instant De-Frizzer (my review here) but made with nutrient rich oils. I was hesitant after hearing “dry oil” because of my very oil-prone scalp, as anything with oils just instantly makes my hair look greasy. However, after trying it out post-workout, it seemed to take the mess out of my messy bun and manage the flyaways once I combed it through with my fingers. The spray smells amazing and adds just the right amount of shine and manageability for softer locks.

Price $19
Sample Size
Purchase here


L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
L’Oreal Paris Elnett Extra Strong Hairspray is a traditional hairspray that is known to be used for red carpet events and photoshoots. It delivers a fine, even mist for every strand that you spray with its micro-diffusion technology. I can attest to it spraying easily and evenly over my hair, but the Extra Hold was only decent for me since I am working with is pin straight hair. Unfortunately, it just refuses to stay curled no matter the humidity or other conditions. However, I also used this to tame flyaways and it did a great job.

I am typically not one to point out a problem with a product having a strong scent, but this spray is extremely potent, and smells like a musky grandma perfume. Unlike a lot of products that require you to push through the scent, this one does not disappear. Once it’s there, it stays, almost like wearing an awful perfume on your hair. I do not recommend wearing this around anyone with asthma or if you have asthma yourself. Thankfully they make an Unscented version which you can find here. Overall, I liked the hairspray for its excellent function, but it didn't really have a wow factor and I'm very turned off by the smell.

Price $14.99
Sample Size
Purchase Scented here
Purchase Unscented here


Bonus:

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Moisturizer
Philosophy Purity Made Simple is an ultra-lightweight moisturizer that includes a blend of vitamins C and E, chia seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and green tea antioxidant complex, all of which work to nourish, smooth and restore skin to it’s ideal state. I felt an instant cooling sensation from the formula that left my skin soft and supple to touch. The samples may be small, but the product seems to cover a lot of space without using much.

I’ve been using this both morning and night for about three days, and the most noticeable result is softer, more hydrated skin, without any irritation or adverse reactions or breakouts. There is a very soft clean scent and the consistency is balanced between being watery and milky. As for the minimization of pores and other benefits, it's hard to tell now, so I'll have to report back after more continued use.

Price $25
Sample Size
Purchase Scented here



Sign up here to get your 1st box for only $10! What you'll get is the only editor-curated beauty box from Allure and every month. Inside will be 5 or more deluxe-size samples to try from the most luxurious brands—along with how-tos, in-depth reviews, and expert beauty tips from Allure. I often get at least one full sized product per a box which more than covers the cost of the box. The emails are in-depth and offer relatable reviews and tips with each product you get. 


As always you can find individual links to the products by clicking the headings! 


This post is not sponsored by Allure. All products were given as part of a paid subscription to Allure Beauty Box. Just wanted to share my experience.


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