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Hi, guys, I'm back with the Allure Beauty Box unboxing for January 2020! It's a new year and from my experience, a lot of beauty boxes focus more on skincare in January and this one is no exception. It includes products from Tarte, Philosophy, Kate Sommerville, Akar, Vitabrid, & Naturelab. I'll walk you through it + I've got FULL SPOILERS for February's box. Let's unbox it!

When you open it, there's a little magazine right on top telling you all about the products inside and every month there are exclusive discount codes included in the booklet for some of the box products. I always share these just in case someone can use them!


This month's codes are:

• Tarte: TARTExALLURE2020 to receive 15% off your order (1/2/20 - 3/3/20, excludes Shape Tape, Big Ego, vaults, goodie grabs, and beauty bundles)
• Philosophy: ALLURE to receive free shipping plus a free deluxe mini with a $39 purchase (1/1/20 - 2/29/20)
• Akar Skin: ALLURE01 to receive 10% off your order (1/1/20 - 2/29/20)
• Vitabrid: ALLURE20 to get a full-sized Dual Drop Serum for $9.90 (1/1/20 - 3/31/20)
• Naturelab: ALLURE20 to receive 15% off your order (1/1/20 - 3/31/20)

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First out of the box is a 1 oz. sample-sized Naturelab Tokyo Perfect Shine Oil Mist (4 oz. is $16 so this sample is worth $4).


"Enhance color and elevate shine with a Platinum Fiber-infused light-reflecting hair oil mist. Antioxidant-rich Stem Cells from Grape penetrate the scalp to guard against oxidative damage while a micro-mist of plant oils and butters provide protective moisture and an irresistible luster. Shine on."

We got a sample of their Perfect Smooth shampoo and conditioner in last year's September box and I did give it a try. Their sample-size gave me 3 uses on my super-long hair so they're a good size to be able to see some results.

Even though my hair is dry/damaged, I think it was a bit too much for me. It smelled amazing and looked good on first-day hair, but after that, I got greasy-looking quickly (their Repair or Volume line might work better for me since I don't like to shampoo every day).

I suspect that this oil spray will be the same for me if I do it all over my hair as intended. I might give it a try in my ends, though. I'll let you know what I think!
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Next out is a .25 oz. sample of one of my all-time favorite chemical exfoliators, the Kate Sommerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (the 2 oz. is $85 so this sample is worth approx. $10.63).


"Clinically formulated to visibly transform texture and pores in two minutes, Kate’s signature Super Facial exfoliates dull, dry surface skin cells to reveal smoother, radiant, pore perfected skin in just two minutes! By clearing away dead skin cells, this Holy Grail product preps skin to better absorb the rest of your regimen, making every product and ingredient that follows more effective."


This product works very well. If I need an intensive chemical exfoliation, quick, I reach for Exfolikate. When I find them on sale, I grab a couple!

I would hands-down recommend it to anyone, except maybe those with very sensitive skin. It does tingle/burn a bit, so be aware. If you can handle it, it's totally worth it! I'll be popping this sample into my travel toiletries bag for the next trip.

The only other chemical exfoliant I've found that might beat this one out is the Erno Laszlo White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel, but at $108, it's a bit more pricey than the Exfolikate.
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Next out is a .34 oz. sample of the K-Beauty Vitabrid C12 Dual Drop Serum (the 1.02 oz. is $31 so this sample is worth approx. $10.33).


"Brighter skin, reduced fine lines and antioxidant protection, all in one drop. This quick-absorbing and deeply hydrating serum is packed with benefits from Vitabrid CG, a stabilized form of vitamin C, and powerful peptides ​for skin that looks and feels brighter, firmer, and deeply hydrated."


This liquid looks very thick and slow-moving, almost like a shampoo, in the bottle. I tried a drop of this on the back of my hand and it's not that viscous out of the bottle. It soaked in completely and left no trace of the serum on top of the skin. It also left my skin feeling more moisturized than before so I think I'm going to have to find time for a trial. I'm currently trying out some other products, so it will have to wait. *sigh*

I'll let you guys know what I think in my Instagram Stories.
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Next out of the box was a  full-sized .23 oz. Akar Skin Pure Lip Restoration tin ($30).


"A lightweight creamy treatment guaranteed to provide instant hydration for dry and chapped lips. Antioxidants help to fight sun-induced oxidative stress and lessen the appearance of lines. Smells of freshly brewed rose orange tea, our lip restoration is made of pure plant-based ingredients and free of mineral oil. A definite must-have if your lips are prone to chapping and cracking."


My lips tend to get very chapped very quickly so I use an EOS balm every night before bed and on those days when I need extra help and healing, I use Bite Beauty's Agave Lip Mask and I love it. This one sounds interesting so I think I'll give it a try the next time my lips need some extra care.
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Next out is a .23 oz. sample of the Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Water Cream (the 2 oz. size is $39 so this sample is worth approx. $4.55).


"gotta glow? the lightweight, fast-absorbing texture of this water cream, containing norwegian glacial water, enhanced hyaluronic acid and pineapple extract, increases skin's hydration level by 86%."


I've tried exactly one skincare product from Philosophy years ago (the Help Me Retinol Night Treatment) and I wasn't that impressed. I didn't exactly need it yet, either, so maybe that's why I didn't see "results".

People rave about their skincare and I love their fragrances, so I think I'll give this one a try, too. Hyaluronic acid-enriched products are exactly what my dry skin needs this winter.
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Last out is a full-sized Gifted Amazonian Clay Mascara from Tarte in Black ($23).


"A top-rated, vegan, Amazonian clay-infused lengthening mascara that treats your lashes & delivers soft volume. Boosts thickness, length, & curl with a blend of antioxidants & conditioners while Amazonian clay replenishes without making lashes feel crunchy or heavy. The formula delivers soft, weightless volume while it nourishes for stronger & healthier lashes."


It certainly looks different and very cool in this wooden tube. It sounds like it's going to check all of my boxes in a mascara with lengthening, volume, and curl, but you never know.

I currently have a favorite mascara (Too Faced Better Than Sex) and I'm loathed to open this one until I've finished it because mascaras dry up so quickly, so I think I'll hang on to this until I'm out. I'll let you know what I think!
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• Wander Beauty Wanderess Glow Highlighter
• Appeal Cosmetics Luxurious Lipstick OR Cargo Essential Lip Color
• Nyx Pro Contour Brush OR Nyx Multi-Purpose Buffing Brush OR Nyx Pro Powder Brush
• BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion Serum
• Honey Jarret Super BeauTea Mask
• Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream OR Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask OR Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb
• Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Face Moisturizer