Thursday, December 5, 2024

An Inside Look at All 38 Products in the Luxury Review Box Everyone Is Talking About

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In my 10 years at NewBeauty (and our brand’s 16 years of procuring products to bring you the best sampling program out there), I have never seen a collection this impressive. With 38 products—a mix of household names and indie discoveries—and a value of more than $1,500, the Luxury Review Box ($299) is truly the gift that keeps on giving—well beyond the holiday season. Decide which products you want to keep for yourself and which ones you want to share with family and friends, OR stock up your beauty cabinet with every single thing and treat yourself to some much-needed self-care.

From shampoo to face wash and mascara to lipstick, you can essentially complete your entire routine using just these editor-curated favorites. Below, we’re detailing everything inside the Box (in alphabetical order), which includes skin care, hair care, makeup, body care, wellness, home fragrance, and even fitness. Click here to snag yours now before they’re gone!

1 / 38

Alo Yoga Shine Shampoo and Conditioner (Travel Size), 50 mL each ($20)

“Try them and you’ll never go back,” the brand says. This sulfate-free shampoo and moisture-restoring conditioner combo boosts shine, repairs damage and nourishes even sweat-distressed strands without leaving buildup behind or stripping color. They’re vegan, great for all hair types and you’ll love the light grapefruit scent. Toss them in your gym bag or carry-on, and get the full-size version next (we know you’ll be hooked!) for your shower.

2 / 38

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze, 8oz ($23)

From brow maven Anastasia Soare comes this clear brow styling wax—the brand’s strongest brow hold yet—that lifts, tames and sculpts every hair in place for the feathered-looking brow you’ve always wanted.

The alcohol-free formula is so easy to apply and provides extreme hold that lasts all day without a stiff feel, residue or flaking.

3 / 38

Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Ultimate Hydration Body Cream, 8oz ($17.50)

As we enter the winter season, a good body cream is a must, and this one checks all the boxes. Infused with the good stuff (natural essential oils, vitamin E, aloe, shea butter, cocoa butter and hyaluronic acid), it provides intense hydration to relieve dry skin for 24-hour moisture. The tube is also made with 82%-percent recycled plastic.

Each Luxury Review Box will contain one of four different scents: Eucalyptus Spearmint, Lavender Vanilla, Eucalyptus Lavender or Juniper Sage (they’re all a treat for the senses!).

4 / 38

Bausch + Lomb Lumify Eye Drops, 2.5 mL ($13)

You’ve probably seen these FDA-approved brightening eye drops all over social media because they’re essentially miracle-workers for tired, red eyes. The formula is one-of-a-kind because it contains an ingredient called brimonidine, which no other over-the-counter eye drop has. This works to selectively target redness in the eyes, which leads to a lower risk of the side effects associated with other redness relievers when used as directed.

It works in one minute and the results last up to eight hours, which is why it’s not surprising that most celebrity makeup artists keep it in their kits now too.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code NewBeauty to receive $4 off a 7.5ml LUMIFY at Target.com until 1/9/23.

5 / 38

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner Vitamin C Serum, 30 mL ($85)

Founder Ron Robinson, a cosmetic formulator with decades of experience in the beauty industry, knows a thing or two about vitamin C, and he’s bottled up all his wisdom in this 20-percent vitamin C serum. Containing stabilized L-ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C) through a patented encapsulated system, it promises maximum potency and fast skin-brightening results.

It’s also fragrance-free, approved for sensitive skin, and in a clinical study, 94 percent of subjects showed improvement of crow’s-feet, deep lines and wrinkles due to collagen stimulation from the vitamin C.

6 / 38

Borghese Advanced Fango Delicato Moisturizing Mud Mask, 2.7oz ($20)

Superfans of this mask have been using it for more than 20 years because it really works. Gentle yet effective, it cleans and purifies even the most sensitive, delicate skin, providing intense moisturization to help address signs of premature aging.

White honey extract delivers intense moisture, kaolin clay purifies, hyaluronic acid hydrates and aloe soothes. Apply a generous layer to clean, dry skin and leave on for up to five minutes, then rinse off with a warm washcloth. Use once or twice a week.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code NB40 for 40-percent off sitewide until 1/15/23.

7 / 38

Borghese Crema Ristorativo 24 Moisturizer, 0.45oz ($35)

One of the brand’s best-selling products year after year, this lightweight gel-creme moisturizer features seaweed extract and Moist 24—a hydroglycolic extract of imperata cylindrica root—for 24 hours of continuous hydration, antioxidant protection and bouncier, more supple-looking skin. It’s utterly luxurious and will look beautiful on your vanity.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code NB40 for 40-percent off sitewide until 1/15/23.

8 / 38

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF 50-BRONZE, 0.32oz ($32)

This convenient little stick works to protect and hydrate lips, cheeks and eyelids, with the addition of a sun-kissed bronze pop of color. Infused with the brand’s EnviroScreen technology, it provides all-mineral SPF 50 protection from environmental aggressors like UV rays and blue light.

A note from the brand: Be sure not to leave your Color Balm in hot temperatures for an extended period of time, as the formula may soften and lose its shape (though it won’t lose its effectiveness).

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code NBeauty15 to receive 15-percent off sitewide through 1/31/23.

9 / 38

Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Depuffing Eye Gel, 0.50oz ($56)

Look more well-rested in 10 minutes! This firming, hydrating eye gel with caffeine utilizes a highly active blend with tetrapeptides and soothing rosemary leaf extract that minimizes the appearance of puffiness and fine lines.

Tap it along your orbital bone in the morning—it’s super refreshing—or on puffy under-eyes for near-instant relief and smoother skin for concealer to apply better too.

10 / 38

ELEMIS Peptide4 Overnight Radiance Peel, 30 mL ($80)

Formulated with a blend of skin-smoothing acids with AHAs and nourishing botanical oils, this daily-use milky peel refines and revitalizes skin to improve the look of large pores and leave skin looking brighter and clearer.

In independent user trials, 98 percent agreed it left their complexion looking brighter, 94 percent agreed it left their complexion looking less tired and dull, and 93 percent agreed it helped improve the look of their skin’s clarity.

11 / 38

European Wax Center EWC Slow Aloe Deodorant, 2oz ($16.50)

This unique, aluminum-free deodorant works double-duty: It not only keeps armpits fresh and odor-free, but also helps to visibly slow hair regrowth between waxing appointments. The addition of aloe also provides a soothing benefit, as many people complain about irritation from deodorant.

In clinical testing, 100-percent of participants agreed that they felt a reduction in underarm odor, and 97 percent agreed that the deodorant did not flake or leave white residue on their clothes. ​ 

12 / 38

EVE LOM Foaming Cream Cleanser, 120 mL ($55)

Clinically proven to hydrate skin for up to 12 hours after using it, this plush, enzyme-infused, foaming cleanser uses the power of water to activate an innovative cream-to-foam lather. It removes makeup (even waterproof formulas) and daily grime without drying out the skin or clogging pores, and leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed. The aromatic fragrance comes from natural oils, including lavender, and is subtle, not overpowering.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code BEAUTY for $15 off purchases of $100+ sitewide until 1/31/23.

13 / 38

Face Reality Antioxidant Scrub, 6oz ($29)

Some face scrubs can get a bad reputation for being too harsh, but not this one. Sulfate-free and formulated with a potent complex of antioxidants to help support acne-prone skin, this cleanser uses natural cellulose beads to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells. It leaves skin feeling soft and healthy, and improves the penetration of active treatment products that are applied afterward.

14 / 38

Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF Cream, 12 mL ($52.50)

When signs of aging like wrinkles, dryness and uneven tone and texture settle in, this supercharged face cream is the product to grab. Powered by vegan EGF (epidermal growth factor), bio-recovery peptides and plant-based phyto-retinol, and formulated in partnership with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, it firms, smooths and hydrates for youthful-looking skin.

“This is a next-generation skin barrier–strengthening moisturizer,” says Dr. Engelman. “It’s clinically proven to reduce dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines and redness in 30 days or less.”

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code NEWBEAUTYLUX22 for 30-percent off sitewide until 1/9/23.

15 / 38

Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash-Enhancing Serum, 2 mL ($68)

A “one-swipe wonder,” this NewBeauty Award–winning serum and Sephora best-seller promotes the appearance of longer, thicker-looking lashes in four to six weeks (you get full improvement in three months—it’s so amazing how it transforms your lashes when you use it consistently).

It’s ophthalmologist-tested and can also be used by those who wear contacts and lash extensions. Just swipe the clear serum across your lash line at night before bed and let the vitamin-, peptide- and amino acid–rich formula work its magic on short, thin, brittle lashes.

16 / 38

GXVE Beauty by Gwen Stefani Anaheim Shine Lipstick- Original Recipe, 0.10oz ($26)

We’re huge fans of Gwen Stefani at NewBeauty: her beauty, her style, her whole vibe—she just radiates fun. Though she looks stunning in neutrals as well, her signature red lip can’t be beat, and it’s something everyone should have in their makeup wardrobe. Don’t think you can pull it off? Push yourself out of your comfort zone this season and give it a whirl—you might surprise yourself!

This high-shine satin lipstick is vegan, super pigmented and comfortable on the lips. It truly makes a statement, just like the pop star herself.

17 / 38

invisibobble SLIM-True Black ($8 for three)

I keep one (or more) of these cult-classic spiral hair ties in every single bag I own! I truly never had a comfortable hair tie that would keep my ponytail perky or my bun in the perfect place until I met invisibobble years ago. This SLIM version has a little bit more of a delicate look in the hair or on your wrist, but it doesn’t mean the grip is any less powerful.

18 / 38

Keys Soulcare Sage + Oat Milk Votive Candle Set, 2oz each ($47)

I have been so excited about everything Alicia Keys has done with her brand Keys Soulcare, from derm-backed skin care and makeup to this beautifully scented aromatherapy candle. It truly makes you feel more relaxed with each whiff—it’s the sense of spa in the comfort of your own home.

This glass votive set comes with three vegan soy wax candles so you can spread the love to several rooms in your home, or keep one for yourself and gift the other two. The fragrance is a mix of warm, smoky sage and sweet oat milk that Keys says helps to release negative energy and encourage mindfulness.

19 / 38

Lano 101 Ointment Multi-Balm Strawberry, 0.35oz ($13.50)

The brand put a fruity spin on its iconic Original 101 Ointment with this deliciously sweet version, infused with real strawberry fruit extract. It’s the ultimate multitasker: Use the rich, lanolin balm to soothe and hydrate everything from extremely dry and chapped lips to skin patches, cuticles, elbows and more.

According to the brand, it holds 200 percent of its weight in moisture, and Reddit and The Times UK voted it “The World’s Best Lip Balm.” And if you love it, try the many other flavors it comes in as well, including Mint and Watermelon.

20 / 38

Luminess Kinetic Smooth Hair Remover & Skin Refining Polisher ($49)

Peach fuzz: It’s harmless but I personally find it annoying, especially when you catch a glimpse of it on your upper lip in the sunlight. With the help of an easy-to-use facial hair remover like this one, you can kiss those fuzzy spots goodbye in seconds.

The hair remover head—no water or shaving cream needed—utilizes the power of a dual-blade precision rotatory system to provide a close, comfortable shave anywhere unwanted hair grows. Plus, you can use it anywhere on your body, including your face, underarms and bikini area. The polishing head delivers mild exfoliation to remove surface oils and impurities so skin looks brighter and more polished.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code NEWBEAUTY20 for 20-percent off sitewide until 1/9/23.

21 / 38

Manna Kadar Animal Print Nail Files ($8 for six pieces)

I know I’m not the only person who can never find a nail file when I need one. Am I right? This six-piece set ensures you have plenty in stock, and also makes a great stocking stuffer.

22 / 38

Medicube Triple Deep Erasing Cream, 50 mL ($43)

New-to-the-U.S. K-beauty brand Medicube offers a ton of innovation in the skin-care department, including this dermatologically tested cream that effectively helps reduce signs of aging. Formulated with 16 patented ingredients for pore care, skin elasticity and dark spots, it’s super hydrating and gives skin that plump, bouncy effect while also minimizing the appearance of wrinkles over time. It’s also safe for sensitive skin.

23 / 38

Milk Makeup RISE Mascara, 0.28oz ($28)

This everyday black mascara weightlessly lifts, lengthens and curls lashes while also adding a bit of subtle volume. It’s that “your lashes but better” mascara, and it’s vegan, fragrance-free and made with 93-percent natural ingredients.

In a consumer perception study, 96 percent of users saw visible lift at the root after one swipe, and 93 percent said their lashes were clump-free after 12 hours of wear.

24 / 38

MoxieLash Sassy Kit ($129)

For the office or happy hour, the brand’s Sassy Kit features its top three day-to-night, best-selling magnetic lashes: Cheeky Lash, Sassy Lash and Flirty Lash. It also includes the black Magnetic Liquid Eyeliner and Magnetic Applicator. Each set of lashes is reusable up to 30 times, and the eyeliner can be easily removed with any oil-based makeup remover. It’s the ultimate kit for the faux lash lover!

25 / 38

Nioxin Diamax Advanced Hair Thickening & Breakage Protection Treatment for Thinning Hair, 3.38oz ($55)

Thinning hair is no longer something that’s solely associated with aging. Stress, medications, hair-care habits, postpartum hormone shifts, and more can all contribute. This high-tech serum is engineered to thicken existing hair strands instantly (and last up to eight hours), and anti-breakage technology strengthens the hair’s resilience, so it can grow longer.

According to the brand’s testing, the visible thickening effect makes the hair look like it has 11,000 more hair strands (based on a scalp with an average of 100,000 hairs, vs. one that hasn’t used the treatment). Once a day on wet or dry, apply it evenly throughout the scalp, massage gently at the roots and comb through. Do not rinse off.

26 / 38

NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme, 60 pads ($17)

Supercharge your evening exfoliation routine with these biodegradable, pore-clearing pads that combine 5-percent glycolic acid with blackhead-fighting salicylic acid and niacinamide to achieve smoother, clearer, glowing skin. TikTok makeup star Mikayla Nogueira is a fan too.

Use one two to three times a week at night only (if you have sensitive skin, use once a week) on clean skin. Wipe it all over your face and neck, avoiding your eyes. Plus, you can also use them on your body—they’re great for KP and breakouts.

27 / 38

Obagi ELASTIderm Facial Serum, 1oz ($198)

One of our favorite anti-aging facial serums, this clinical-quality formula is powered by patented and proprietary Bi-Mineral Contour Complex and specifically designed to promote the three necessary stages of developing healthy, functional elastin.

And why is this important? According to the brand, elastin is a protein in the skin and a component of the dermis that is critical for healthy, youthful-looking skin. As we age, we lose and damage elastin, an essential protein responsible for skin’s elasticity and ability to keep its bounce. The natural depletion of elastin is accelerated by sun exposure, resulting in the appearance of sagging and crepiness, as well as the loss of firmness in the skin.

28 / 38

obé Fitness One-Month Subscription Voucher ($27)

The virtual fitness platform that catapulted to fame during the pandemic when everyone was stuck at home, obé has since remained a staple for many of us to stay fit and healthy (and have fun!). With 20 live classes daily and more than 8,000 on-demand workouts available 24/7, you can break a sweat anywhere, any time, on your TV, laptop or phone.

The brand’s philosophy for lasting results: “Move every day. Whether you‘re mixing and matching à la carte classes, working through a training program or enjoying a recovery stretch, listen to your body—and do it for you.”

29 / 38

Repêchage Algo Mist Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray, 180 mL ($39)

An instant boost of hydration for dry skin, this nutrient-rich moisturizing facial spray contains the brand’s exclusive seaweed extract, as well as vitamin C, ginkgo biloba, aloe and orange water to help keep skin nourished, refreshed and glowing.

It’s great for all skin types, and we love to spritz it on after a long flight, a long day in the sun or on the slopes, and also keep one on our desks for a midday refresher. It’s also a nice post-shave skin-soother for men.

30 / 38

Replenix Daily Hydrating Oil-Free Face Sunscreen SPF 50+, 2oz ($35)

This oil-free, dermatologist-developed, mineral-based sunscreen delivers a powerful blend of antioxidants for superior broad-spectrum and free-radical protection. It’s recommended for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone, and the micronized zinc oxide allows it to go on sheer (it rubs in really nicely) without a chalky residue.

Other key ingredients include clinical-grade niacinamide and lactic acid, which work to visibly brighten discoloration, including spots and acne scars, for a radiant glow. Wear it under makeup or on its own to keep skin hydrated and shielded from damage.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code NEWBEAUTY25 to receive 25-percent off sitewide on replenix.com until 1/9/23.

31 / 38

RODIAL Banana Lowlighter Mini, 1.6 mL ($30)

One of the brand’s most iconic cosmetic products, this complexion-enhancing formula is ideal for creating a lit-from-within-glow. The yellow undertone seamlessly color-corrects under-eye dark circles on all skin tones and brightens areas of the face for a natural-looking highlight. Caffeine helps reduce puffiness, hyaluronic acid hydrates and vitamin E soothes.

Dab a small amount onto cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, brow bones, or under the eyes, and it blend it out with a brush, sponge or fingertips, depending on the diffusion you want. You can also set it with banana powder to increase its longevity on the skin and create a blurred effect.

32 / 38

Saints & Sinners Velvet Divine Moisture Shampoo, 8.5 fl oz ($32.50)

Ideal for chemically treated, frizzy, thermally damaged, dry, curly, unruly, coarse hair types—products for damaged hair are one of the biggest-searched categories on Google—this vegan, sulfate-free shampoo is a moisturizing must-have.

Infused with avocado oil, keratin amino acids and hydrolyzed soy protein, the rose-scented formula imparts brilliant shine and a silky-smooth feel, and increases manageability.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Receive a complimentary Velvet Divine Daily Conditioner with every Saints & Sinners purchase now until January 31, 2023 using code DIVINE. Product added to cart automatically. Retail value $32.50, limit one, excluding merchandise.

33 / 38

SexyHair Spray & Play Harder Firm Volumizing Hairspray, 10oz ($21)

An iconic volumizing hairspray for all hair types, this flake-free, super-hold formula—it has a hold level 8 (out of 10)—also provides volume and lift. The hold lasts ALL day and then some: In the brand’s testing it proved to last up to 120 hours (that’s five days!). It’s not sticky, it doesn’t give hair that matted-down, helmet look, and it brushes out with no problems at the end of the day.

34 / 38

Shiseido SYNCHRO SKIN Soft Blurring Primer, 1oz ($36)

A good primer like this one can change everything about the way your makeup looks, as it conceals pores, controls oil and blurs imperfections, particularly in the T-zone. The water-based, cream-to-powder formula contains light-diffusing snowflake powder, mattifying peptides and sebum-catch powder to absorb oil and sweat, yet feels weightless on the skin all day long and hydrates for up to eight hours.

In a consumer study, 94 percent of women agreed the primer made their skin feel soft and fresh, 92 percent of women it smoothed the surface of their skin, and 91 percent of women agreed it improved the finish of their foundation.

35 / 38

Skinade Better Skin From Within Collagen Supplement, 150 mL ($6)

Victoria Beckham is a big fan of this fruity-flavored collagen drink to complement her skin-care routine, and we love it too. Its patent-pending formulation of functional ingredients aims to boost the body’s natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, improving the way skin looks and feels in as little as 30 days (drinking one bottle per day).

36 / 38

Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler-Millennial Pink ($15)

There are so many A-list fans of this brush—J.Lo and Huda Kattan to name a couple—and more than 40 million Tangle Teezers have been sold around the world. The reason it’s so good? Its patented two-tiered teeth gently detangle wet hair (you can actually use it straight of the shower if you need to), helping to cause less breakage. The long teeth detangle and the shorter teeth smooth, and you can also use it to evenly distribute conditioner through your hair (instead of a wide-tooth comb). It’s great for little kids’ tangles too.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code 10NEWBEAUTY for 10-percent off anything in the Amazon store linked here (including The Ultimate Detangler) until 1/9/23.

37 / 38

Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick. in Dr. Q, 1.4g ($26)

One of the easiest ways to create an effortless eyeshadow look, this vegan, smudge-proof stick is powered by Semi-Permanent Micropigments to stay put from morning to night. Swipe it across your lids and blend it in with the built-in sponge (on the opposite end) or your fingertips, and it sets in 30 seconds.

It also contains skin-care ingredients like aloe leaf extract, ceramide NP, vitamin B5 and hyaluronic filling spheres to benefit the delicate eyelid skin as well. Each Luxury Review Box will receive the shade Dr. Q, a caramel bronze shimmer.

38 / 38

UNITE Hair BOOSTA Volumizing Spray, 8oz ($30)

Give fine, lifeless hair a new lease on life with this vegan, body-building spray that adds weightless volume, especially when used before blow-drying (the heat really helps amp up the effects). It also protects the hair from UV and thermal damage, and it’s safe to use on extensions and chemically treated hair.

Spray it all over damp hair, holding it about six inches away from your head, and then blow-dry. Some stylists also like to spray it directly at the root for a more targeted lifting effect.

EXCLUSIVE PROMO: Use code LUXURY25 for 25-percent off regular-priced items sitewide until 1/9/23. (Not valid on discounted items. One-time use per customer. Cannot be used on top of existing sales/sitewide sales. Not valid on bundles such as the Silky:Smooth Starter Kit and Holiday Sets).

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