Allure Sample Society Beauty Box Review, May 2015 + $5 Discount Code!

Since the quality of Allure's Sample Society box has been consistently good over the past year, I was a little worried when I saw that new memberships are temporarily unavailable. The explanation from Allure on their Facebook page is that they are making improvements so are pausing Sample Society enrollments for a few weeks. It sounds like they will be re-starting enrollments during the second week in June, meaning that new subscribers will be able to get the July box.  Should be interesting to see what changes are in store for us!

May's shiny red box contains six deluxe sized beauty samples.  The cost is a flat $15 per month, a good deal considering the quantity of product you receive and the inclusion of some high end brands.

Sample Society includes one of the best beauty box information cards; actually, it's more of a mini magazine with color photos, full descriptions, ingredient lists and helpful "What it does" and "Why we like it" sections.

In their tiny little vials, fragrance samples are usually the least interesting additions to a beauty sub box.  (After all, you can get those FREE at any department store!)  But this cute little mini bottle of Versace's Eros Pour Femme is a welcome exception.  This lovely scent includes notes of Sicilian lemon, bergamot, pomegranate, jasmine, peony, sandalwood, amber and musk.  With all that, you'd think it might be overwhelming but it's a surprisingly light spring-appropriate scent. At $92 for 1.7 ozs., this is one I'm not likely to ever own so I'm thrilled to get this generously sized sample. 

This Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water is a water spray that calms and softens sensitive and dry skin.  This type of product is much more commonly used in Europe but thanks to beauty subscription boxes, we are being introduced to more and more international trends.  Water sprays contain a very fine mist augmented with minerals, silicates and other trace elements that give an instant shot of relief to tired and/or itchy skin. This product has appeared in other beauty boxes so I'm learning to add it to my skincare regimen.  It seems to be especially effective when followed immediately with a facial moisturizer.

Julep is known primarily for nail polish which is what I thought was in this sample.  But it turns out to be a lip gloss in the shade "Graceful", a universally flattering mauvish pink. This is very sheer and has a slight candy-ish flavor.  As noted on the card, it's perfect for this season's no-makeup makeup trend...another gift from Europe!

This cute little box contains a good sized sample of a Water Sleeping Mask from Laneige. This is an overnight hydrating mask in the form of an icy blue gel.  I've found gels to sometimes be sticky but this one absorbs quickly and leaves the face soft and luminous by morning. There's enough product here to give this product a serious trial run.

As a firm believer in heat protection sprays, I was glad to get this .85 oz. sample from Alterna's Caviar Repair Multi-Vitamin Heat Protection Spray.  This is a weightless styling spray that protects hair from blow dryer related damage.  This product does have a mojito/lime scent that stays with you all day.  I'm o.k. with that but those who are extremely sensitive to scents may want to avoid this product.  It smells very beachy to me; a little vacation in a pump spray bottle!

The last product is Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment from John Frieda. This blue gel is applied in the shower after washing and conditioning hair, then rinsed out before blow drying.  It coats hair with polymers which creates fullness that lasts through several more shampoos.  This is an interesting product that has received a lot of rave reviews but since the last thing my hair needs is more volume, I'll be passing this one along.  I do like the fruity scent though!

  

So that's it for the May Sample Society box.  It contained a nice selection of new to the market products, several of which employ breakthrough technologies.  I particularly like the Versace perfume sample and the Laneige overnight mask.

If you are new to Sample Society, your first opportunity to sign up will be the second week in June.  I'm not sure what coupon codes will be in place at that time but 5FORYOU has worked in the past for $5.00 off your first box.  Also, use code CBLA1620 for 20% off your first order on any of the extensive Beauty Bar family of brands, which can be found in the tabs across the top when you go to Beauty Bar's site.  (Since you already get a $10 discount code with each Sample Society box, this code will not work on BeautyBar.com.)

If you're in the mood for a Sample Society fix now, I noticed that they are selling past boxes and larger sample boxes on Amazon.  I don't know what changes their reorganization will bring but I have confidence that this subscription is in good hands with Allure!

Thanks for reading,

Cheryl

Disclosure:  Views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my own.  Product discussed in this post was purchased by Lone Star Shopper. Post may contain referral or affiliate links.