It’s a good thing March’s Allure Beauty Box was so good because the April spoilers look really, really bad. A self tanner wipe and really specific drug store hair products instead of the ABH lipstick? Blerg.
Anyway, here’s my review of March’s products after testing most of them for a few weeks. I gave a couple of products away but am enjoying the rest. definitely worth the $15 I pay for the box via my Amazon subscription.
The products I gave away:
Londontown Lakur – Brit of Love
Value: $16 at various retailers
The reason why I gave this nail polish away isn’t because there’s anything wrong with it, but because the color is just not for me. While pink is my favorite color, this shade is not. My coworker said it would go well with an outfit she’s wearing to an upcoming wedding.
Juice Beauty -Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser
Value: $28 at Ulta
This cleaner is supposed to brighten and even skin tone and texture. I tried this a couple of times. I liked the fresh apple smell and my skin felt fine afterwards. I’ve accumulated other cleaners I need to finish, so I gave this to a coworker. Also, having dry skin, I prefer oil-based cleansers.
There’s also a little note in the Allure box booklet that says pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use this because it contains retinyl palmitate. From the limited info I read online, it seems any risk is very minimal. But, since I’m in the midst of IVF treatments, I’m going to pass.
The stuff I kept:
Mamonde Rose Water Toner
Approx sample value: , $2.29, Full-size: $23 at Ulta
I’m not sure that this really does anything for my skin. The toner is supposed to hydrate and nourish. I love the smell. It just doesn’t do anything, good or bad. Maybe people with oiler skin would enjoy this.
The Mamonde oil to foam cleanser is something I’ve come to really enjoy – especially since it removes waterproof mascara so easily (though I wish it was a little bit more moisturizing).
Belif -The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Approx. sample value: $7.46, Full-size: $38 at Sephora
The cream is mint-blue and smells clean, almost minty. While the jar is much bigger than the actual sample indent inside, this cream is lasting a while. A little bit easily spreads over the face.
I’m always on the prowl for good moisturizers; this is just ok. Scrolling through Sephora’s reviews, it seems like people with combo, oily, or acne-prone skin like this. For my dry skin, it’s ok but doesn’t hydrate enough. I’ll use the rest of this sample but wouldn’t purchase a full-size.
Acure -Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Night Oil
Approx sample value: $3.85, Full-size: $12.99 at Target
The main oil in this product is sweet almond oil + 9 others including jojoba and blue tansy. I like it. The full-size has a pump instead of a roller ball which really seems to bug people.
I apply a little bit all over my face at night and/or in the morning under my make-up. It absorbs and doesn’t feel irritating or heavy. It actually works better than my Intelligent Nutrient’s face oil. The smell is faintly floral. I like this product but am not sure if I’d repurchase. This sample will last a while.
Au Naturale -The Anywhere Creme Multistick in Grapefruit
Full-size: $35 from the Au Naturale site. Nordstrom’s only seems to sell one color.
So, this is a weird product. The color is gorgeous but the texture is stiff. It’s just so stiff and I have no idea why.
You can rub your finger on the product and apply to your face, or try to smudge the hard stick on your cheeks. Somehow, it actually blends out fine with a fluffy brush. This is what I do, at least.
This multi-stick lends a really natural glow. I don’t think it works well on the lips because it’s too dry. I think it could work well as an eyeshadow blended out with a brush. The $35 cost seems kind of ridiculous because of the texture. I like it, though, and will continue to use.
Burt’s Bees Glossy Lipstick – Blush Basin
Full-size $9 at various retailers
I love this lipstick. On its own, the color is a little frosty on my complexion but it’s perfect applied over my brighter lipsticks. Any lipstick that’s too warm looks better when I apply this on top. It’s hydrating, sheer, and very comfortable.
Products worn below: Blue Tansy oil applied before make-up, Au Naturale multi-stick as blush, Burt’s Bees lipstick on its own.
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