Play! by Sephora September 2016 Review

Play! by Sephora – is a beauty subscription box curated by Sephora! They send a five deluxe samples and a fragrance sample each month. The items they send are generally smaller sample size items, not deluxe. The items should be products that are currently trending. You can also find out more about the products by using PLAY! BOOK with the Sephora To Go app. This is the only subscription box I know of that distributes information this way. If you are thinking about this subscription, just get on the waitlist because the wait can take forever! You will also receive a card that you can bring to any store for a free tutorial and 50 Bonus Beauty Insider points.
Cost: $10

How Often: Monthly

Ships To: United States (lower 48) via USPS

 

The first thing I see is the Play! Pass that you can take to Sephora to receive expert advice and 50 extra beauty points. I think that is a nice addition for those who watch their points. They also include a folded paper that describes all of the items included, as well as tips on how to use.

Each month the items come in a bag, which has a slightly different design on it. It is a complete waste of material and does not add value. It might be part of their production process that makes it easier to ship. I never know what to do with the bags.

Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia - vial size $3. This is the fragrance included this month.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector - 1 oz, $7. This is an overnight mask for your hair. What is interesting on this is you can use this on wet or dry hair, just before you go to sleep. You wear it from roots to ends. It is supposed to be safe for pillow cases, and you should not need a cap.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel - .085 oz, $6.68. I think this is the 3rd brow gel I've received in a box this month. It's like everyone got together and thought let's fix Americas brows.

Sephora Collection: Rouge Shine Lipstick in Love Spell - .035 oz, $3.37. I really like the color of this. It shows up way better on the website if you click the link. This is the Sephora brand. Therefore, I think they should have included a full size product.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper - .007 fl oz, $7. This is an ultra-black, in case you are wondering what shade "Trooper" is. I have seen other bloggers pics and I do have to say this makes it easy for the cat eye look.

 Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation - $.25 oz, $7. Oil free moisturizer from a solid brand. I've gotten this many times over the past few years, it's great.

This months approximate value is $34.05. This subscription continues to "underwhelm" me. There were several items this month that were deluxe size, but mostly the items that are new or interesting are samples that are way to tiny to even care about. I have cancelled the subscription because after five months I've yet to be "wowed" or even thrilled with a box. I just expected so much more from such a large company that is focused on makeup.
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Play! By Sephora August 2016 Review

Play! by Sephora – is a beauty subscription box curated by Sephora! They send a five deluxe samples and a fragrance sample each month. This is an excellent way to build up your inventory, collect travel size products for your travel bag, and to try out different brands before investing in a full size purchase. The items should be products that are currently trending. You can also find out more about the products by using PLAY! BOOK with the Sephora To Go app. This is the only subscription box I know of that distributes information this way. If you are thinking about this subscription, just get on the waitlist because the wait can take forever! You will also receive a card that you can bring to any store for a free tutorial and 50 Bonus Beauty Insider points.

Cost: $10

How Often: Monthly

Ships To: United States (lower 48) via USPS

This months bag was cute, with the winking eye. I never know what to do with these bags though, and I kind of think they're wasteful to include each month.

They also include a booklet to talk about the products, and this is helpful.

CLEAN Reserve Blonde Rose - Fragrance sample. They include one each month, but it's a total waste for most subscribers.

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil in Flirting Game - This color is like a Taupe. I am happy to get any other color than black, and I will actually wear this. This is a 12 hour waterproof formula.

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in I-544 - This color is really pretty. Eyeshadow is wasted on me, but if I wore it I would really like this.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara - I am a huge fan of this mascara. As a base coat. There is still no replacing two faced, but I do really like this a solid lengthening base coat.

Caudalie Resveratrol Eye Lifting Balm - Subscribers were either receiving this or an Algenist item. I would have preferred the later. I am not currently in need of any eye cream, but I also don't think I have any in my travel bag so this is going in there.

Lancome Energie De Vie Smoothing & Glow-Boosting Liquid Care - I know Lancôme is a really good brand, but it just feel so dated to me. This formula is infused with two botanicals that energize skin and shield it from environments stressors.

 

Here is a look a the total bag contents this month. I love the mascara and I'm happy with the eyeliner. Even so, I will probably cancel this sub at the end of the year. I'm just not overly wowed with it. I expected much more from such a national brand.

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Play! by Sephora July 2016 Review

Play! by Sephora – is a beauty subscription box curated by Sephora! They send a five deluxe samples and a fragrance sample each month. This is an excellent way to build up your inventory, collect travel size products for your travel bag, and to try out different brands before investing in a full size purchase. The items should be products that are currently trending. You can also find out more about the products by using PLAY! BOOK with the Sephora To Go app. This is the only subscription box I know of that distributes information this way. If you are thinking about this subscription, just get on the waitlist because the wait can take forever! You will also receive a card that you can bring to any store for a free tutorial and 50 Bonus Beauty Insider points.

Cost: $10

How Often: Monthly

Ships To: United States (lower 48) via USPS

Each month you receive a drawstring bag. I have yet to figure out what purpose this serves. I think this could easily be skipped and not missed one bit by any subscribers. The theme this month is "Effortless Summer". There were two different box versions sent out.

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser With Red Clay – $4. First Aid Beauty is one of my favorite brands so I'm always thrilled to receive it. This is a deep cleanser that is supposed to be good for blemishes. It is safe for sensitive skin. I will be using this today, and I anticipate using every drop.

 

Beauty Blender Blotterazzi – $10. This has one cushion and one cleansing packet. This is made from the same material as the full size Beauty Blenders. This is designed to be used for touch ups on the go, and you use this instead of traditional blotting papers. I can see this being useful when travelling.

Citrine from NEST Fragrances – vial sample. The dewy softness of lotus flower and freesia are set against sparkling citrus notes and hints of precious woods. I would be ok if they would stop including fragrance samples in the boxes. Sigh. But they insist on having one each time. Every. Single. Month.

 Ouai Haircare Wave Spray – $8.84. This is a spray for your hair for the beachy waves look. What is unique about this brand it's a very light formula and does not make your hair have the crunchy dryness. K has already called this.

Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer - $6.86.  I really love the Too Faced brand. I'm not overly thrilled to receive yet another bronzer this summer, but I do like that a Too Faced product was included.

Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing –  $8. This is a perfecting primer that reduces the appearance of imperfections and pores for up to 8 hours. I don't know if anything can work as well as miracle blur, but I'm willing to give this a shot.
This month has an approximate retail value of $37.70, not including the fragrance vial. I think this month has been my favorite box yet, although I'm still not overly wowed. I think I would have been if the Too Faced product had been something other than a bronzer. But a bronzer does seem like a good fit for a summer box. Either way, the curation of skincare, makeup, hair, and tools (blotterazzi) was an impressive mix!
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Play! By Sephora June 2016 Review

Play! by Sephora – is a beauty subscription box curated by Sephora! They send a five deluxe samples and a fragrance sample each month. This is an excellent way to build up your inventory, collect travel size products for your travel bag, and to try out different brands before investing in a full size purchase. The items should be products that are currently trending. You can also find out more about the products by using PLAY! BOOK with the Sephora To Go app. This is the only subscription box I know of that distributes information this way. If you are thinking about this subscription, just get on the waitlist because the wait can take forever!

Cost: $10

How Often: Monthly

Ships To: United States (lower 48) via USPS

They send a makeup bag each month, but this is not like a zippered pouch so I truly have no idea what to do with it!

This is the entire bag this month. I am pleased it has so many different items.

Tarte TarteGuard Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion  - $4.33. I love getting sunscreen in boxes, so even if it's only spf 30 I'm still pleased to receive it. It's a pretty small bottle but I really like the packaging.

BECCA Backlight Priming Filter - $7.60. This is a primer that helps blur imperfections. I really do want to try this but I can't imagine anything working better than L'Oréal Revitalift Miracle Blur.

Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara  - $8. If you do subs long enough, you will receive this mascara over and over and over. It's a good solid brand and good mascara so I'm not disappointed to get it again.

Bumble & Bumble Don’t Blow It Hair Cream – - $3.10. I love getting Bumble and Bumble products, so this is a hit for me also. I do wish this sample were bigger, but a little does go a long ways. This is designed for when you air dry your hair, which is something I don't do very often, and controls frizz and fly aways.

BareMinerals BareSkin Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer - $2.80. I'm over bronzers. Just over it. I actually like my porcelain skin.

Tocca Florence  - $1. Meh! They do send a fragrance sample each month. I'm sure this is nice but I don't need them to send me any fragrances.

This months bag has an approximate value of $26.83.  This month there are is only one item I won't use, but the curation still feels average. There has yet to be a month that has really wowed me, and I kind of expected a little more from Sephora.

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Play! by Sephora May 2016 Review

Play! by Sephora – is a beauty subscription box curated by Sephora! Many of us have been waiting for this subscription long before they ever created it. They send a five deluxe samples and a fragrance sample each month. This is an excellent way to build up your inventory, collect travel size products for your travel bag, and to try out different brands before investing in a full size purchase. The items should be products that are currently trending. You can also find out more about the products by using PLAY! BOOK with the Sephora To Go app. This is the only subscription box I know of that distributes information this way. If you are thinking about this subscription, just get on the waitlist because the wait can take forever!

Cost: $10

How Often: Monthly

Ships To: United States (lower 48) via USPS

This is our first month for Play! by Sephora. We have been wanting off the waiting list for forever. We were not in the test market area, so we had to wait for it to become available in our state. There was also included a card to bring in to Sephora for beauty advice and a free one-on-one tutorial.

The theme this month is the 'Forces of Nature'. It also appears that they will be shipping the items each month in a beauty bag. This is cute, but not really sure what to do with it.

Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial  - $12.08. This is an overnight facial-in-a-jar to address uneven skintone while improving skin texture for a brighter, more luminous complexion in as little as one night. This is said to be the first Sleeping Facial to be introduced in the United States. I did not open this because I'm guessing it's scented and I won't like it.  

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine  - $1.45.  Each months box is supposed to contain a fragrance. It's a complete waste to send me, I hate them all. Notes: Blood Orange, Bitter Orange, Jasmine, Geranium, Amber Woods, Tonka Beans, Sandalwood.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Kimchi - $8.67. I really do like Bite Beauty, but this is way to bright pink for me. I suppose if it was mixed with a layer of black that it would look great. But I do not currently own the black.  So, this is way to bright for me to appreciate.  Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. I love the lid, I don't' know if you can quite see in the pic but it is indented.

Origins Maskimizer, Drink Up, and Clear Improvement Masks - $1.86. This is a 3-step process. First you use the Clear Improvement, which is a charcoal cleanser and will clean your sking. Then you use the Maskimizer, which basically gets things ready as it primes, preps, and optimizes your skin to be prepared for a mask. Then lastly you use the Drink Up mask to hydrate your skin, it only takes about 10 minutes.

Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon in Latergram - $1.80. This is a lip liner. This is a favorite brand and one of the brands I was really hoping to see in a box put together by Sephora. But even so, I'll never get used to lip liners. I just don't like when the lipstick wears off and you cans still see the outline. I don't have an issue with the shape of my lips so I'll never have a need for a lipliner.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask  - $9. I love this stuff, I have received the full size in a different box and used it all. It's a deep conditioner. The formula is free of silicones, DEA, and artificial dyes. It is also cruelty-free and is color-safe and safe for use on chemically-treated, relaxed, and keratin-treated hair.

This months box has an approximate value of $34.86. This is not bad for a $10 box. But I am just left feeling underwhelmed. I expected so much more from Sephora. I don't have any reason to believe any of these specific products are currently trending. We will continue to for a few months to see if the items selections improve.

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