So, instead, I'd like to show off what was one of the best deals I've gotten all year, because it truly impressed me. Once a quarter, Allure does a huge beauty box for $44.95 + shipping. They run out within a couple hours. Winter 2014 was my first time participating - but I will definitely be buying again! I was very impressed with the amount of items, quality of the items picked, and overall value. I gave some items as gifts, tried out many, and I still have many more stored away for a rainy day.
The box itself was large, but not to the extent of a moving box. It sure was heavy though!! Allure does list all products ahead of time, so there is really no "mystery" about this box. You know what you are getting, and you can determine if the value is right for you. After shipping, I paid roughly $60 for this box.
Here's my first peak inside. As you can see, the box was stuffed to the brim!! Once I took everything out, I had trouble fitting it back in. All the items are full size, and I was very impressed with the selection - it was honestly all thing I would buy and use. One thing that does seem odd, though, is that some items are color specific - so they won't work for everyone.
Unpacking the box really was a lot of fun. $60 is a lot to spend up front, but I definitely feel like I received more than $60 in product (which I did, LOL - well over $250). I thought this was a great blend of staples and fun items, with great drugstore brands and higher end items. It was a perfect balance that should appeal to everyone.
Here's the details:
ALOXXI Conditioning Detangler
I really like this item. My hair needs all the moisture it can get in the winter, and I've been using this daily. It's a pricey bottle of leave-in conditioner, but I'm enjoying it and it will last a very long time - the bottle is huge!!!
BIORÉ® Self Heating One Minute Mask
I'm a mask fanatic, but I can't lie - I haven't tried this one yet. I am a big fan of charcoal masks though, so when I get over my (slightly extreme) obsession with the Origins Charcoal Mask, I will definitely give this one a shot.
BURT’S BEES® Cucumber & Sage Facial Cleansing Towelettes
Another huge win for me - I use face cleaning towelettes every single morning. I shower at night (which is when I scrub my face), and these are just perfect for morning time, or a very late night when I can't be bothered to do a full face wash.
CETAPHIL® Intensive Moisturizing Cream
My boyfriend claimed this one, but I've been using it a little on the sly. I really like how very moisturizing it is for winter skin - we'll use this one a lot.
CLEAN & CLEAR® Morning Burst® Hydrating Gel Moisturizer
I'm not sure how often I'll use a gel moisturizer in winter - my skin DRINKS my L'occitane Divine Cream, which is a very thick moisturizer. This one is shelved until spring, but I do like the idea of a lighter morning moisturizer when my skin isn't so parched.
COLGATE OPTIC WHITE® Toothbrush + Built-In Whitening Pen
I like this toothbrush. It's not too rough on my teeth, and I like the plastic bits that really seem to get my teeth nice and scrubbed. I don't notice a huge difference with the whitening pen, but maybe I'm just expected a full white stripes difference. Overall, though, I probably would have purchased this myself to try because it's a fun toy, LOL
COLGATE OPTIC WHITE® Platinum Whiten & Protect Toothpaste
This toothpaste is really awesome. Okay, so it's just toothpaste...but it's toothpaste I didn't have to go out and buy, and I like it.
CURÉL® SKINCARE Rough Skin Rescue Lotion
This is the lotion we use in our house anyway, so it's a very welcome addition. We keep a bottle in every vanity - it works great against dry skin.
Dove White Beauty Bar
Here's another staple in our house - Dove soap bars. They're very moisturizing and gentle on winter skin. This kit came with two - and saved me or the boyfriend a trip to the store.
JERGENS® Natural Glow® 3 Days To Glow™ Moisturizer
I haven't tried this yet, but I definitely am "fair to medium" (more on the fair side), and I do love self-tanner. I just haven't broken any out this winter - mostly due to lack of time. Self-tanner requires your shower to be done and time to be left in the night to let it sit - and I'm usually limited on my alone time. Next week, my boyfriend goes back to school, and I plan on brightening my winter skin a bit.
JOHN FRIEDA® Brilliant Brunette® Colour Protecting Moisturising Conditioner
If you aren't brunette, this color specific item may be a bit odd, but honestly, I think it works no matter what your color. I'm a very light brunette right now. I haven't used this conditioner from the package, but John Frieda is a drugstore standby for me. Right now, I'm trying to get my hair back to a healthy state, but I'm keeping this container on stand-by for my next "I need conditioner" moment.
JOHN FRIEDA® Colour Refreshing Gloss For Cool Brunettes
This is the one item I really don't think will work for everyone. I've been using it myself lately, however, because it does work for my light brown hair. It's actually fantastic!! The color is a very light application - it's not going to give you the effect that dying your hair would. What it does do, however, is refresh your color. It restores that "just colored" appearance without much darkening, cleans up the tone, and gives you a more polished look. I find it lasts for about 4 days, and I wash my hair every other day - so two shampoos. I've been reapplying weekly. This is actually an item that I may continue buying, although I'll go for a warmer tone next time.
JOHN FRIEDA® Frizz Ease® Nourishing Oil Elixir
This is a huge bottle that will last me a very, very long time. I've been wanting to try this item, but I've been polishing off another frizz helping product (a tiny .17 oz sample that's lasted me a month, so honestly, this is probably a year+ supply for me). I can't wait to give this a shot.
NEUTROGENA® Hydro Boost Water Gel
This is a brand new item from Neutrogena with great reviews. It's another gel moisturizer, so for me, it's shelved until Spring. I'm looking forward to it though!
NOT YOUR MOTHER’S® Whip It Up™ Cream Styling Mousse
Oh my god, this mousse smells SO good. I'm not usually a big mousse user, but I really love this one. It doesn't wear heavy *at all* and it smells like a cupcake.
ORGANIC DOCTOR Organic Manuka Honey Hand & Nail Cream
I gave this to my sister, although it sounds utterly amazing!
Organic Doctor Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Hydrating Radiance Elixir
There's something about coconut oil that just works amazing on skin and hair. I will definitely get a lot of use out of this one - no review yet though!
PHYSICIANS FORMULA® Nude Wear™ Glowing Nude Blush–Rose
This is another item I haven't tried, but the color is amazing, and I'm certain I'll love it once I get the opportunity.
RUSK® Texture*
Rusk texture is an awesome volumizer that I will completed enjoy using once I finish my Alterna Bamboo volumizing spray.
SALLY HANSEN® Complete Salon Manicure™
Again, I haven't tried this yet, but I will so look forward to it.
SCÜNCI® Hair-Emergency Kit
I am a bit obsessed with this kit. I'm always losing, breaking, and running out of hair ties. This travel kit holds onto everything I might need, and I love love love all the pieces to it. The clear bands do tend to break on me, though...but it's perfect for what I needed.
SHEAMOISTURE Superfruit Complex Body Lotion
I gave this out as a gift, but it looks awesome!!!
SPLAT Hair Chalk
Temporary hair color is something I've never tried before and always wanted to. This color works really well, but my boyfriend *hates* it and threw it out on me. Super lame, because I thought it would be great for Bonnaroo!
STYLE SEXY HAIR® H2No 3 Day Style Saver Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo works AMAZING, and I'm a huge dry shampoo fan. I'm very happy with this inclusion!!
Overall, I would say this was $60 well spent!!
