Alyssa LatellaSave this storySave this story
I don’t know about you, but holiday soirée season is my favorite—and busiest—time of year. I usually spend it bouncing between gatherings, soaking up as many moments as I can with friends and family before heading back to work in the new year. This month, I’m vowing to take a little more time for myself in between visits, and the products in the December Allure Beauty Box make it a bit easier to sneak in some self-care. There’s a nourishing shampoo-and-conditioner duo, a firming eye cream, and a sculpting contour palette that adds warmth to any look. Top it off with a gorgeous shimmery lip gloss, and you’ve got a routine that feels just as good as it looks.
Unbox It:
- Your first box is only $19.99 (with code BEAUTY), but it's worth over $300
- Even better: if you sign up for an annual subscription, you get a bonus bundle with brands like Merit, Skin Inc, and more ($293 Value!)
New Member Gift: Fekkai Clean Stylers Sheer Dry Shampoo + Super Strength+ Everstrong Bonding Oil
Why you'll love it: Don’t have time to wash your hair? This dynamic duo delivers an at-home refresh in a pinch. The weightless dry shampoo sops up oil with kaolin clay (without the telltale white cast), while the featherlight elixir—made with sunflower and moringa seed oils—smooths strands, tames frizz, and gives a sleek, shiny finish.
How you’ll use it: Shake the dry shampoo can and spritz (about six inches from roots) in areas that need a little TLC, like at the scalp, nape of neck, and in between slippery strands. Follow it up with a drop or two of the oil (after warming up in hands), gently raking it through dry or damp hair from midlengths to ends.
Retail value: $57
DIBS Beauty Go To Glossy Balm in Italian Soda, Kiss Me Quick, Rock Candy, or MIMS
Why you’ll love it: It’s a balm! It’s a gloss! It’s…both? This double-duty product gives lips the best of both worlds—it nourishes and adds shine—in one quick swipe. Antioxidant-rich cherry kernel oil moisturizes, while the ultrafine shimmer gives a sheer, gorgeous gleam. You chose which one you’d receive from four great glimmering shades: Italian Soda (sheer pink), Kiss Me Quick (peach), Rock Candy (baby pink), or MIMS (warm mauve).
How you’ll use it: Slide the silky formula onto lips using the cushion-y doe-foot applicator for a reflective—not sparkly—finish. Wear it solo or atop your favorite liner.
Retail value: $24
Rodial Bee Venom Eye Cream
Why you’ll love it: As the name implies, this tightening treatment is formulated with bee venom (yes, seriously—tread lightly if you have an allergy!) to help smooth crow’s-feet and undereye fine lines, while vitamin C helps fade the look of dark circles and also brightens.
How you’ll use it: Using your ring finger, lightly tap the cream under and around eyes after cleansing and before moisturizer. Start small—a little goes a long way.
Retail value: $175
Beauty For Certain Soft to Sculpted Contour Palette
Why you’ll love it: You don’t have to be the next Michelangelo to wield the power of a contour palette—especially if this five-shade kit is the medium you’re working with. Its warm and cool shades, in matte and shimmer textures, leave lots of looks up to your imagination.
How you’ll use it: With an angled contour brush, use the deeper shades for bronzer-like shading and sculpting down the nose, jawline, and across the forehead. A fluffy fan brush will help the lighter tones glisten as highlighter on cheekbones.
Retail value: $39
Luseta Manuka Honey Shampoo
Why you’ll love it: Manuka honey has been long-loved for its sweet, earthy taste and ability to support the immune system (thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties), but did you know it’s pretty great for hair too? Especially in this shampoo. The cleansing formula— including nourishing argan oil and hydrating panthenol, along with the honey—smooths and softens strands as it washes them.
How you’ll use it: Massage a dollop of the gel into wet hair, starting at the scalp and working down to the ends. Rinse (and repeat if needed) before moving on to the conditioner.
Retail value: $16 for 500 ml. 30 ml. included in box.
Luseta Manuka Honey Conditioner
Why you’ll love it: Don’t worry, this conditioner has the sweet stuff too! And it’s even more complex, thanks to the addition of royal jelly extract—a fancy way of saying “honey bee secretion.” The formula, which also includes hyaluronic acid, deeply hydrates hair and gives it a syrup-like shine.
How you’ll use it: After rinsing out your Luseta shampoo, rake this rich conditioner into hair from crown to ends. If you have finer strands, skip the scalp and move down to mids to avoid weighing hair down. You can treat it like a mask and keep it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
Retail value: $16 for 500 ml., 30 ml. included in box.
Innisfree Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads 2-Pack*
Why you’ll love it: Although best for those who have acne-prone skin, anyone can use these potent pads packed with powerhouse ingredients, like retinol and salicylic acid, that exfoliate and help deep-clean pores.
How you’ll use it: After cleansing, swipe the green side of the saturated sheet over skin, focusing on areas more apt to break out (nose, cheeks, chin). Once dry, follow it up with your moisturizer (and sunscreen if using in the a.m.).
Retail value: $28 for 60 pads. 2 pads included in box.
*Note: Your box includes either the Innisfree Toner Pads OR the Baseblue AirSponge.
Baseblue Cosmetics Mini Airsponge*
Why you’ll love it: Micro but mighty! This itty-bitty, teardrop-shaped sponge buffs and blends base and eye makeup—powder, cream, and liquid formulas—as effectively as its larger counterparts. The only difference? This one is cuter and easier to clean.
How you’ll use it: Get it wet and watch it grow (one and a half times as big!), then squeeze out excess water. Use the rounded bottom to buff and diffuse and the precision tip to apply products in hard-to-reach places (around the nose and lips and in the corners of lids).
Retail value: $5 per sponge
*Note: Your box includes either the Baseblue AirSponge OR the Innisfree Toner Pads.
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