Allure Sample Society: January 2015

Hi friends!

I received my January Allure Sample Society box and I am pretty pleased this month! Similar to other beauty subscription boxes, for $15 a month you receive 5-6 deluxe samples of beauty products. You also receive Allure’s “mini-mag” which is essentially a product card on steroids and the best one I’ve ever seen. After reading the mini-mag, there will be no doubt in your mind how to use the products. In addition, your membership comes with a $10 credit toBeautyBar.com that’s good for any purchase you make within that month of at least $50. Sample Society doesn’t have a traditional referral link but if you are interested in trying it out for yourself, you can use this code: LAUR324430

I truly love reading the “mini-mag” they send. Allure is my favorite magazine so it’s like getting a bonus magazine every month. I also like the mini-mag because they are all about the Real Talk. They will give you the 411 on products and tell you how to use them and what doesn’t work–much like we do on Boxy Ladies. #Respect

Onto the products!

• Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar ($47 for 2 oz): I really love Philosophy skin care products so I was excited to receive this sample in my box! I love when skin care lines send you a big enough sample so you can tell if it really works on your skin. This one is 1/4 of an oz. Those one-time use foil packets are useless. I already have the Philosophy face and eye serums so I will see what this is like with those products as well. The mini-mag says that the cream contains the same acids that are in a lot of the best facial peels but in a lower concentration, meaning that you can receive some of the same results but without the stinging. That’s neat! They do say that this isn’t the most hydrating moisturizer out there and that it doesn’t contain sunscreen. This doesn’t bother me much because I was planning to incorporate it into my night routine anyway.
• Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art Lid + Line + Lash in Peach Prism ($8.99/full size): I have to admit that I was a little surprised to receive a drugstore makeup in this kind of box but I don’t discriminate. Revlon isn’t my favorite of the drugstore brands but I do like it so I’m glad they sent me something to try. The actual product is kind of interesting. On one end, there is a cream eye shadow and on the other, a coordinating glitter eye liner. I’m not a huge fan of glitter but the cream eye shadow is very flattering. It takes a little bit to dry but once it does, it ain’t going anywhere. They sent out a few different colors- a blue one and a black and gold one. I think I am happy with the one I got because that peach neutral is so pretty. You are also supposed to put the glitter on your eye lashes but let’s be real here- I don’t know who would do that.
• Zoya Lacquer in Leslie ($9): Sample Society sent out several pastel colors: a pink, the violet I received, a mint green, a light blue creme and a light blue metallic. I have to say that I think I got the best one. This violet has a blue-ish green shimmer to it when it catches the light just right and is so pretty. These pastel colors are very in right now. The darker colors used to be the ones seen on the It Girls but now you’ll see them rocking white or lighter colors. I’m glad Sample Society sent us such on trend colors in a great brand.

• Philip B. Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Creme Rinse ($26/6oz): It’s not often that a box will send a conditioner without a shampoo. I can’t think of one? This is a lighter conditioner that helps de-tangle and also leaves hair very soft. Mini mag says that the label states that it helps reduce the appearance of split ends but actually doesn’t do that. So that is good to know. It seems like a decent conditioner but nothing special to me. I wouldn’t pay $26 for it. 
• Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar ($45 for 5.3oz): When I first saw this sample I laughed and laughed. It is literally the smallest bar of soap I have ever seen in my whole life. It is so tiny. So very tiny. However, this tiny soap packs a punch. As you can see, it’s dark, which is reflective of its mud and charcoal ingredients. Charcoal has historically worked very well on my face to help control breakouts. The mini mag told me a neat fact: this soap came out 75 years ago and has been a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Greta Garbo, Madonna, and Uma Thurman. Well, if it’s good enough for those women, I suppose it’s good enough for me. The mini-mag also suggested that if your skin is oily, you can let the lather sit on your face for a few minutes, almost like a mask, prior to rinsing. Apparently the original directions also say to use precisely 30 splashes of water to rinse. That is very specific and hilarious but I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to. Just rinse til soap is off of your face. (Not complex.)
• StriVectin Intensive Illuminating Serum ($89/1oz): This was a bonus product. It is not mentioned at all in the mini mag so I found it on the company website and it said this:

Intensive Illuminating Serum is a lightweight skin brightening treatment that diminishes dull skin, evens skin tone and enhances overall clarity. Patented NIA-114 technology minimizes the effect of environmental aggressors while encapsulated skin-brightening actives inhibit melanin production. Over time, dark spots, age spots and discoloration are less visible for a more even complexion. Skin texture is smoother and more refined with a radiant, youthful glow.

I have been using this for a few days in place of my Philosophy serum and I like it so far. The full size is not cheap but I think it definitely seems like a quality product. This is another that I appreciate having a bit of so I can see how it works over a week or so. I’ve had some marks on my chin that need to lighten up that and it seems like this serum has helped lighten them a bit faster than they normally would. That’s pretty neat. Serums of this quality are all in this price range so I wouldn’t balk at this price if this is a product that worked for you.

Final Grade: A

I’ve become increasingly impressed with Allure’s Sample Society. For $15, I have been able to try some very expensive creams and serums in addition to the full size Revlon eye product and Zoya polish. But even though I was happy with all that, I loved the tiny bar of soap the best. It works so well on my skin! (Even if I do not rinse 30 times.)

If you are interested in trying Allure Sample Society, click here! And feel free to use my sample code: LAUR324430

Lauren pays for this box. Post contains referral code.