Allure Holiday Beauty Box 2012

I just love Allure Beauty Boxes and sadly, I missed the Summer one this year.  So when the Holiday edition was released for purchase on Black Friday, I jumped on it.  It arrived yesterday and I couldn't wait to share the contents with you.  It includes 16 full-sized products and it only costs $29.99 plus shipping and handling.  What a bargain!  I am dividing the box into categories so "like" products will be together.

Here goes:

Skincare - Body

c. Booth - Honey & Almond Body Butter - 8 oz./$6.99 - freemanbeauty.com - Dry skin isn't a lost cause -- it just needs a little coaxing back to a moisturized state. Let our hydrating Honey & Almond Body Butter get right to work, sweeping deep into skin with its extra rich, extra thick, and extra efficient formula that's oh-so-good at relieving dryness, roughness, and tightness brought on by thirsty skin in need. Essential oils and butters nourish and lock in moisture to keep dryness at bay, and softness on deck.

Jergens - Daily Moisture Dry Skin Moisturizer - 10 fl. oz./$3.99 - jergens.com - Ideal for daily use, Jergens Daily Moisture Dry Skin Moisturizer instantly transforms dry, rough skin into visibly smooth skin.  With an alluring, smooth fragrance, this long-lasting formula is enriched with Silk Proteins and Citrus Extracts.  It leaves skin looking and feeling silky and smooth all day long.  Also available in fragrance-free.

Nivea - Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub - 12 fl. oz./$5.99 - niveausa.com - Enjoy a spa-like experience with NIVEA Touch of Renewal.  It balances exfoliation, gentle cleansing, and moisturization for beautiful, healthy-looking skin.

Youngblood - Mineral Illuminating Tint - Body - 5.9 fl. oz./$37.50 - ybskin.com - Enhance a Summer glow all year long with this non-streaking, luminous body tint.  The highly moisturizing formula is packed with natural oils and antioxidants to do wonders for dry skin, while the soft bronze tint helps even out skin tone.  With the indulgent scent of Shea Butter and Coconut Oils.

Hair Care

GKHair - Dry Shampoo - 5 oz./$14.60 on amazon.com - gkhair.com - GKHair dry shampoo absorbs excess oil and separates hair strands, while adding volume to the roots and creating a freshly washed look.

John Frieda - Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioning Spray - 8 oz./$5.99 - johnfrieda.com - Nourishes and detangles dry, damaged strands, infusing hair with a high-potency blend of vitamins A, E, and C, green tea extract, and nutrient-rich moisture.

John Frieda - Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Shine Shock Perfecting Glosser - 2.4 oz./$7.49 - johnfrieda.com - This super-light formula instantly smoothes down flyaways and glosses away imperfections while illuminating rich, multi-dimensional tones.

John Frieda - Sheer Blonde Crystal Clear Shape & Shimmer Hairspray - 8.5 oz./$6.49 - johnfrieda.com - Non-dulling formula keeps blonde shimmering and bright, while a touchable hold allows for easy shaping with lasting staying power.

Joico - Power Spray Fast-Dry Finishing Spray - 9 oz./$19 - joico.com - This finishing spray with superior holding power features an ultra-fast-drying formula for instant styling without stickiness or stiffness, leaving hair re-styleable for up to 72 hours.

Lip Products

Maybelline New York - Color Sensational High Shine Gloss - Glisten Up Pink - 5 ml./$5.50 on walmart.com - maybelline.com - Lavish lips with a molten hot glaze:  Maybelline New York introduces Color Sensational High Shine Gloss.  Now you can have more vibrant color in a wax-free gloss for cleaner shine and nourishing feel in 12 arresting shades!

Neutrogena - Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 - Blush - .15 oz./$8.99 - neutrogena.com/lip - Sheer, tinted balm moisturizes and protects lip with SPF 20, leaving them softer, rosier, and healthier looking, even after you take it off!

NYX - Glam Lipstick Aqua Luxe - Jet Set - 4.5 g./$6  nyxcosmetics.com - Glaze your pout with Glam Lipstick Aqua Luxe for every occasion!  Put the spotlight on your lips as you wear a variety of velvet and glossy finishes.  Go from gloomy to glam instantly with a kick of intense shimmer and chromaticity that vivifies your iconic look.

Pixi - Lip & Line - Orchid Rose - 1.45 g./$18 - pixibeauty.com/lips/lip-line - This lip liner and lipstick duo comes in tone-enhancing colors and long-lasting finishes.

Skincare - Face

Neutrogena - Rapid Tone Repair - 1 fl. oz./$19.99 - neutrogena.com/rapidtonerepair - Don't get mad at dark spots.  Get even with new Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair moisturizer.  In just one week, it's clinically proven to reduce the look of dark spots and discolorations.  How?  It has the fastest retinol formula available, combined with Vitamin C.  You're seven days away from younger-looking skin.

RoC - Multi Correxion 4-Zone Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 - 1.7 fl. oz./$27.99 rocskincare.com/4-zone-daily-moisturizer-spf-30 - This multi-tasking moisturizer  targets key areas of the face to diminish the look of multiple signs of aging.

Nail Products

Miss Professional Nail - Sation Nail Lacquer - Front Row Flasher - .50 fl. oz./$5 - misspn.com - Miss Professional Nail is a contemporary beauty company, infusing a new creative direction in nail care through a blend of lifestyle aesthetics.  To celebrate Miss' Limited III Collection, "Nailstock," Miss features "Front Row Flasher."

Overall Rating:  Booyah!  The retail value of this box is almost $200 excluding sales tax, so for the price it is well worth it even though some of the products and shades won't work for me.  Additionally, $5 from each purchase was donated to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer fund so extra kudos to Allure for this baby.

Don't know about you, but I am definitely looking forward to Allure's next beauty box.

September 2012 BeautyBar.com/Allure Sample Society Shipment

Allure Magazine has partnered with BeautyBar.com in launching a beauty sampling program.  Each monthly shipment costs $15 dollars and contains 5 deluxe samples as well as a $15 gift code for a future purchase of $50 or more, and a booklet of tips.  If you end up using the code, the box pays for itself.

The September 2012 shipment contained the following:

• Ahava - Purifying Mud Mask (0.9 oz/25 g; full size 4.4 oz/$30) - Apply this unique mineral mud mask once or twice a week. It contains purifying and softening qualities, clears skin of excess oils, roots out the grime and blackheads, and prevents the formation of blemishes.

• Borghese - B Gloss - Fiore (Sample 0.16 oz/4.73 ml; full size 0.21 oz/$18.50) - Borghese B Gloss Lip Gloss is a lush, glossy color that accentuates lips and provides high-shine looks. Moisturizers deliver a soothing treat while high style pigments add luminosity.
  • Has a long-wearing formula
  • Vitamins A and E deliver moisture
  • Avocado oil, jojoba oil and aloe vera soothe lips
  Especially Suited For: All skin types
  Essential Elements: Borghese B Gloss Lip Gloss comes in a 0.21-ounce tube.
  For Best Effect: Wear Borghese B Gloss Lip Gloss alone for a sheer natural look. Also use it over lipstick for a glimmering accent.
  
  
  

  
  

  

• Cellceuticals - Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser (2 fl oz/60 ml sample; full size $35) - Tender Touch
  Ideal for even the most sensitive skin, CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Cleanser removes impurities and makeup without drying out the skin. This daily cleanser hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling supple as it removes facial and eye makeup. This product is appropriate for all ages.
  • Ideal for sensitive skin
  • Hydrates as it removes impurities and makeup
  • Appropriate for all ages
  Especially Suited For: All skin types
  Essential Elements: CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Cleanser is formulated to remove makeup without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
  For Best Effect: Use as directed.
  
  

  

• Diptyque - Eau de Toilette Fragrance (32 ml/.06 fl oz sample; Full size 3.4 oz/$120) -  Made for both women and men, the Diptyque Eaux de Toilette use the finest raw materials to relate a childhood memory and poetically reinvent and enhance nature or a journey, real or dreamed of. Philosykos, which in Greek means "friend of the fig tree," is an ode to the entire tree: the green, pungent freshness of the leaves, the wood warmed in the sun and the milky flavor of the fruit.
  • Uses the finest raw materials
  • Philosykos is in Diptyque's Fruity Family
  • An ode to the fig tree
  Especially Suited For: Both men and women
  Essential Elements: Philosykos Eau de Toilette comes in a 3.4-oz. bottle.
  For Best Effect: Apply to pressure points as needed.

• Stila Cosmetics - Smudge Crayon - Umber (Sample; full size 1.7 oz/$22) - Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner Dazzle is a 3-in-1 gel-based product that glides on with ease and stays in place until you say when. This creamy, multi-pearl formula is infused with emollients for a smooth, comfortable application. Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Line Dazzle also provides rich, bold color for more than 6 hours of continuous wear that won't crease over time. The best part: There's a pull-out sharpener conveniently hidden in the base so your product can be ôon pointo no matter where you are.
  • 3-in-1 product
  • Creamy, multi-pearl formula
  • Glides on smooth
  • Provides rich, bold color for more than 6 hours
  • Contains a pull-out sharpener
  Especially Suited For: All skin types
  
  Essential Elements: This creamy, multi-pearl formula is infused with emollients for a smooth, comfortable application.
  
  For Best Effect: Apply to eyes as needed.
  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

September's tips:

1. How to Bring Out Your Eye Color
2. Break Out of Your Fragrance Rut
3. Lasting Lip Gloss 101
4. Big Blemish Questions - and Answers
5. 3 Really Good Reasons to Wash Your Face at Night

Overall rating: Booyah! This month's shipment contained items that are suitable for my skin type and who doesn't love a budge-proof liner?Guess what I'll be using my $15 gift code towards?

Membership is limited so if you get the chance to join the Sample Society, I highly recommend it.

August 2012 BeautyBar.com/Allure Sample Society Shipment

Allure Magazine has partnered with BeautyBar.com in launching a beauty sampling program.  Each monthly shipment costs $15 dollars and contains 5 deluxe samples as well as a $15 gift code for a future purchase of $50 or more, and a booklet of tips.  If you end up using the code, the box pays for itself.

The August 2012 shipment contained the following:

• Arcona - Cranberry Toner (1 oz/28 g; full size 3.2 oz/$32) - Achieve the healthy, vibrant glow you long for; Cranberry Toner makes it simple. This three-in-one formula tones and hydrates, while also infusing skin with protective antioxidants to leave your complexion looking and feeling refreshed. Antimicrobial cranberry, containing vitamins, phyto-nutrients and essential fatty acids, clarifies and protects.
  • Removes dirt, oil and makeup
  • Cleanses and clarifies
  • Refreshes skin
  • Protects against free radical damage
  Arcona knows that lasting beauty comes from within, and that what you put on your skin goes into your body. With both things in mind, Arcona has created a comprehensive line of skin care products made from the finest, all natural ingredients. The result is glowing, healthy skin at any age brought about by effective products and treatments youÆll feel good about using.
  Especially Suited for: All skin types
  Essential Elements: Vitamin E tocopherols and tocotrienols neutralize free radicals. Rice milk and omegas 3, 6 and 9 nourish and heal.
  Free of: Petrochemicals, chemical stabilizers, parabens, sodium lauryl sulphates, perfumes, dyes, binders and fillers
  For Best Effect: Use Cranberry Toner anytime to cleanse and tone or to remove makeup.
  
  

  

• Deborah Lippman - Nail Lacquer - Private Dancer (full size 0.5 oz $18) - Looking for a standout color that infuses you with pop star quirk? Deborah Lippmann, manicurist to the stars, started out as a songstress and, as a result, many of her nail colors are named after major pop icons, song titles and other pop culture figures. Try one of her nail lacquers if you're looking to play star for a day.
  • Long-lasting nail lacquer created by celebrity manicurist to the stars
  • A variety of colors inspired by pop music
  • Fortified with biotin, okoume, and green tea
  Especially Suited For: All skin types
  Essential Elements: Lippmann Collection's long-lasting polishes are fortified with biotin, okoume and green tea. Size: 0.5 oz.
  Free of: Toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, animal testing
  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  2 coats on an artificial nail with no base/top coat

• Elemental Herbology - Facial Detox Purifying Mask (0.5 fl oz/15 ml sample; full size 2.5 oz/$46) - Take a deep-cleaning approach to skin maintenance with Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask.
• Balances sebum production for clear skin
• Resolves breakouts and blocked pores
• Eliminates toxins from skin's surface
• Gently exfoliates for soft, supple skin
• Fights against damaging free radicals

Get skin that's calm, humidified and glowing with this amazing mask, which is rich in detoxifying minerals and healthy botanicals.

Especially Suited For: All skin types, and especially those with irritated complexions or skin eruptions
Essential Elements: Oat flour and white Amazonian Clay gently exfoliate and eliminate toxins from the surface of the skin. Aloe, Manuka honey and Calendula soothe and comfort. Essential oils of Cedarwood, Lavender and Eucalyptus regulate sebum production.
For Best Effect: Apply a thin layer over a cleansed face. Wash off with warm water after ten minutes. Follow with Elemental Herbology's Cell Food.

• Jane Iredale - Longest Lash Mascara - Black Ice (3 g/.1 oz sample; Full size 0.42 oz/4 g/$33) -  Command your lashes to go from subtle to "look at me." Get come-hither eyes with Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara featuring a dual-purpose formula that conditions lashes while coating them for a look that is glamorous, rich and full. An extra large, tapered brush makes application easy, separating lashes with ease.
• Dual-purpose mascara
• Conditions and coats the lashes
• Comes with a large, tapered brush
• Especially Suited For: All skin types
• Essential Elements: Longest Lash Mascara contains sea minerals to condition lashes while thousands of cellulose fibers coat the lashes without clumping or flaking.
• For Best Effect: Rock the mascara wand at the base of your lashes first, then brush out to the tips.

• Phyto - Phytonectar Oil (0.33 fl oz/10 ml sample; full size 1.7 oz/$30) - Phytonectar Pre-Shampoo Ultra Nourishing Oil Treatment easily penetrates deeply into each strand bringing damaged, dehydrated hair back to life. The formula, rich in proteins, lipids, and vitamins from egg yolk, restructures ultra-dry hair while preventing oxidation with sunflower extract. Hair feels immediately replenished and its original softness and shine are restored.
• A moisturizing, pre-cleansing oil treatment
• Formula is rich in proteins, lipids and vitamins from egg yolk
• Replenishes and restructures ultra-dry hair to its original softness and shine

Especially Suited For: Ultra Dry Hair
Essential Elements: Pre-Shampoo Ultra Nourishing Oil Treatment contains egg yolk oil, soybean and sunflower extract to nourish hair, restructure the hair fiber, neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidation.
Free of: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates
For Best Effect: Apply from roots to ends, massaging to facilitate penetration. Leave on for a minimum of 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo with Phytonectar. Use Phytonectar oil once-to-twice a week for five consecutive weeks. Do not use for one week after color process.


• Bonus Item: Malin + Goetz - Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (.04 fl oz/1.2 g sample; full size: 8.5 fl oz/250 ml; $82) - Take care of your skin and enhance its beauty with this special formula, Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer. A superb mixture of antioxidants, absorbent fatty acids and soothing chamomile and a great foundation for make-up application, it's a must have moisturizer in your daily skin care kit.
  • Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
  • Nourishes and hydrates
  • Absorbs for immediate make-up application
  • Pump makes it non-messy and non-spilling
  Being oil-free and with a pH balance near neutral, it hydrates and soothes irritated skin. It absorbs into your skin effortlessly without leaving any residue or clogging pores.
  
  

  

  
  
  
  Just For You: All skin types 
  
  A Closer Look: Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer contains glycerin and sodium pca to hydrate, hyaluronic acid and Vitamins B5 and E for nourishing and providing antioxidant properties while chamomile, allantoin and milk provide soothing and calming effects to skin. 
  
  You Won't Find: Parabens, oil, silicones, synthetic dyes, waxes, harsh detergents, dyes, synthetic perfumes. 
  
  Get Started: After cleansing, apply a small quantity of this absorbent moisturizer onto face. Avoid over-moisturizing excessively oily areas. 

August's tips:

1. 3 Ways to Make Dry Hair Shine
2. Metallic Manicure 101
3. One Wand, Four Lash Looks
4. Skin Tricks for Plane Travel
5. How to Do a Home Facial

Overall rating: Booyah! This month's shipment contained items that are suitable for my hair and skin type and who doesn't love Deborah Lippmann nail polish?  A full size costs more than the cost of this monthly subscription. Guess what I'll be using my $15 gift code towards?

Membership is limited so if you get the chance to join the Sample Society, I highly recommend it.

July 2012 BeautyBar.com/Allure Sample Society Shipment

Allure Magazine has partnered with BeautyBar.com in launching a beauty sampling program.  Each monthly shipment costs $15 dollars and contains 5 deluxe samples as well as a $15 gift code for a future purchase, and a booklet of tips.  If you end up using the code, the box pays for itself.

The July 2012 shipment contained the following:

• Borghese - Tono Body Creme (1 oz/28 g; full size 8.4 oz/$36.50) - An extra-rich treatment creme that locks in hydration with moisture intensifying molecules. 
  The body is veiled in invisible moisture, which becomes obvious in both the appearance and texture of the skin.
  Firms and smoothes skin tone.
  Features & Benefits:
  • Fennel, Witch Hazel, Matricaria, Horse Chestnut and Ivy Extracts - Hydrate skin and improve tone and texture
  • Acqua di Vita Living Water Complex - Restores all-over moisture balance
  • Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender and Geranium Oils - Treat the senses to aromatherapy

• VBeauté- Eye Never Nourishing Repair Eye Crème (0.033 fl oz/1 ml sample; full size $85) - VBeaute Eye Never is an age-defining, line concealing eye cream that immediately smoothes and silkens the delicate skin around the eyes, minimizing the appearance of puffiness, lines and wrinkles. Formulated with the brand's powerful age-defying complexes, this eye cream boosts collagen production while protecting against free radical damage. At the same time, it helps increase moisture and relax muscle contractions to help prevent future signs of aging.

• Sisley-Paris - Hydra Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration (0.14 oz/4g/4ml sample; full size 40ml/$250) - 


If you are suffering from major skin dehydration, turn to Sisley Hydra Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration. Developed with a three-tiered approach to treatment, this formula uses botanical, mineral and aromatic extracts to replenish skin’s thirsty moisture cushion in the epidermis, dermis and stratum corneum layers of the skin. Skin is left intensely moisturized and revitalized, so that wrinkles and line lines are minimized and elasticity and youthful appearance are restored.
• Hydrating anti-aging skin treatment
• Utilizes botanical, mineral and aromatic extracts
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Restores skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance
Especially Suited For: All skin types
Essential Elements: Hydra Global features a unique combination of botanical (padina pavonica, wild pansy and chestnut), mineral (malachite) and aromatic extracts (essential oils of marjoram, lavender and sage) to hydrate and restore skin.
For Best Effect:Use Hydra-Global morning and night, on perfectly cleansed face and neck.

• Vincent Longo - Duo Eye Pencil - Sangria/White Glimmer (Full size 0.64 oz/1,81g/$26) - Smile your way through a glitzy event or a stop at the coffee shop with Vincent Longo’s Duo Lip Pencil. Providing you with maximum creativity and minimal guesswork, this smudge-resistant pencil is easy to apply and long-lasting. The soft texture and rich pigment allow for precise definition and shaping.
  
  
  • Sharpens without breakage
  • Non-chapping
  • Long-lasting
  • Smudge-resistant
  
  
  Available in 10 duo shades, this lip pencil has proven staying power that holds your lip color in place and eliminates bleeding.

• Jouer - Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 (0.17 fl oz/5 ml sample; full size $38) - 
Jouer Cosmetics Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 evens out imperfections and fades the appearance of fine lines with its light-diffusing multi-mineral formula. This lightweight, water-resistant, hypoallergenic tint features SPF 20 to protect from UVA and UVB rays while ginseng and gingko biloba leaf extract deliver antioxidants to the skin, promoting a healthy complexion.
• Moisturizing brightening tint formulated with SPF 20
• Evens out imperfections and fades the appearance and fine lines
• Water-resistant, hypoallergenic and oil-free
Especially Suited For: All skin types
Essential Elements: SPF 20 protects from UVA and UVB rays while ginseng and gingko biloba leaf extract deliver antioxidants to skin.
Free of: Fragrance, oil
For Best Effect: Apply to clean skin to even out skin tone. Layer for additional coverage.

Here are swatches of the tinted moisturizer and the duo lip pencil:




Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint; Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil Sangria, White Glimmer

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint - blended; Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil Sangria, White Glimmer

July's tips:

1. Moisturize Your Body Like a Pro
2. How to Hide Crow's Feet
3. The Three Things Dry Skin Hates
4. Bold Lip Lessons
5. Look Good When You Oversleep

Overall rating: Booyah!

Membership is limited so if you get the chance to join the Sample Society, I highly recommend it.