Allure Beauty Box is a monthly subscription box by Allure Magazine, a beauty-focused publication, that offers six or more products, with at least 3 full-size products, each month. Subscriptions cost $25 per month, although you can score your first box for $20 (and paying for a quarterly or annual plan will save you more). It’s also one of MSA’s top beauty subscription boxes for 2024.
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
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This is my first time subscribing to the Allure Beauty Box, as I am now taking over reviews for this box from a fellow MSA reviewer, Jessica Hapak. I was honestly pretty impressed right off the bat, as I opened my box and found several full-size products to kick off my subscription. In addition to the seven products (four full-sized) that arrived in my January 2024 box, there was also a little booklet inside with more details about the products and a note from Allure Magazine’s deputy beauty director, Elizabeth Siegel.
What's Inside the January 2024 Allure Beauty Box
L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream, 0.4 ounces, Retail Value: $115 for 1.7 ounces
I’m already a fan of L’Occitane’s almond shower oil (pair it with Trader Joe’s Refresh Citrus Body Wash and thank me later) and the almond hand cream, so I was excited to venture out and try something less almond-y from this brand. The Immortelle Divine Cream is a face cream that is supposed to make the skin feel softer while also targeting age spots and wrinkles. I’m not concerned about softening the signs of aging, but I do love anything that makes my skin feel silky soft. However, the perfume-y fragrance of this sample wasn’t for me. I like this rich feel of this moisturizer, but I’d skip it for myself in the future because of the strong scent.
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Cream, 0.25 ounces, Retail Value: $18.69 for 2 ounces
These days, I’m a bit more of a minimalist when it comes to my daily skincare routine. But having perpetually dry skin, especially in the winter, means I always need to have extra lotions and lip balms nearby. So I was excited to try out this all purpose cream, which cuts down the amount of products I need to have lying around or taking up space in my purse. The Egyptian Magic All Purpose Cream has a petroleum jelly-like consistency, but it’s made with ingredients like olive oil, honey, and beeswax. I used this on my chapped lips, and I really liked the smooth feel of it. It doesn’t have much of a scent, which I prefer, and I appreciated that it wasn’t sticky.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray, 3.38 ounces (full-size), Retail Value: $38
This product was the first to catch my eye when I opened the box. I love the iridescent design on the packaging, and the product was even prettier in the bottle. I don’t normally use setting spray, but I have used some popular brands in the past that felt a little heavy or sticky after spraying. This setting spray was neither, but it did take a long time for it to dry on my face. I’m looking forward to trying this in the summer, when my makeup is more at risk from melting off my face.
Dermelect Transfix Nail Restore & Repair Coat, 0.4 ounces (full-size), Retail Value: $18
The Dermelect Transfix base coat is meant to help nails re-strengthen and grow by preventing more damage that nail polish can wreak on the nails. This base coat helps even out the surface of the nails before adding nail polish. But honestly, I thought the milky-beige color was actually pretty enough to wear it as-is, too.
RoC Skincare MULTI CORREXION Hydrate + Plump Serum Capsules, 30-count (full-size), Retail Value: $32.99
This hyaluronic acid-powered serum promises plump, hydrated, and dewy skin — all things I’m looking to achieve. I wasn’t sure what to think about the capsules, as I was worried about waste, but the packaging notes that they are biodegradable. Each capsule really did hold the perfect amount of serum to cover my face and neck without feeling like it was too much or too little. The serum felt light and velvety to me; I was happy it wasn’t heavy, a feeling I’ve experienced from other overnight serums.
Elta MD UV Daily Tinted SPF 40, 1.7 ounces (full-size), Retail Value: $38
I have very pale skin, so SPF is one of the most important skin care products for me. I’ve found some I like well enough, but I’ve mostly come to the conclusion that I’d have to put up with a sunscreen smell or a greasy texture in exchange for a sunscreen that works. Another issue I often find with sunscreens is that they can sting my eyes over the course of the day.
All of that to say, I had my doubts about this daily SPF product, and I was even more wary that the tint (which only comes in one shade) wouldn’t be right for my skin tone. But I was pleasantly surprised: this sunscreen blended into my skin well, leaving no trace of tint behind. It also didn’t smell, and it wasn’t sticky or greasy. Despite all-day wear (including during a nap), it didn’t cause a stinging sensation in my eyes, either. This was my favorite product in the bunch. I will note, however, that the tint comes in only one shade, so it may not be suitable for everyone; fortunately, this product is also made in a non-tinted version, which I plan to purchase for myself in the future.
Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask, 20 milliliters, Retail Value: $16 for 500 milliliters
This hair mask was a bonus product in the January 2024 box, and it’s meant to help tame down the dry, static-y hair common during the winter months. The product description promised a delicious and warm smell; I didn’t think it smelled “like a patisserie”, but it did smell really amazing. My partner said he thought my hair smelled like jasmine after I used this. It was a quick hair mask that only needed a few minutes to sit; I was able to easily use this during my shower (I don’t love a hair mask that I need to take a shower; let it sit for 15+ minutes, then get back in the shower!). To be honest, I didn’t notice a huge difference in the softness or shine of my hair, but this product is worth it for the pleasant and long-lasting scent it left in my hair alone.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $25 (save more with a longer subscription — 3 months prepaid is $59 for first-time customers or $69 otherwise, and an annual subscription is $225 for first-timers or $250).
Total Value: $157.03
Value Breakdown:
- L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream: $115 for 1.7 ounces (my sample was 0.4 ounces, bringing the sample value to around $27)
- Egyptian Magic All Purpose Cream: $39 for 4 ounces (my sample was 0.25 ounces, bringing the sample value to around $2.40)
- Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray: $38 for 3.38 ounces
- Dermelect Transfix Nail Restore & Repair Coat: $18 for 0.4 ounces
- RoC Skincare MULTI CORREXION Hydrate + Plump Serum Capsules: $32.99 for 30-count bottle
- Elta MD UV Daily Tinted SPF 40: $38 for 1.7 ounces
- Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask: $16 for 500 milliliters (my sample was 20 milliliters, bringing the sample value to around $0.64)
Key Takeaways
For my first Allure Beauty Box and the first box for 2024, I was pretty impressed. I’ve already found a holy-grail sunscreen to kick off the year, and I’m ready to add some of the additional products, like the Eva NYC deep conditioner and the RoC Skincare serum capsules, to my beauty routine. There were one or two items I’d skip for myself in the future, but I still had fun trying everything out. On the whole, I was definitely pleased with the value and variety of products. Allure promises each box includes products with a value of $100 or more, and this box had a retail value of just about $157. I even scored four full-size products, including my new favorite sunscreen.
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? Allure’s website is currently advertising the January box, so if you’re interested in these products, sign up ASAP before February subscriptions kick in.
What do you think of the January Allure Beauty Box? What was your favorite product in the box?
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