Sephora Play Review

One thing you might have noticed if you follow my blog is that I tend to go in fazes with what interests me. Recently, subscription boxes have captured my fancy yet again. A couple years ago, I had subscribed to both Ipsy and Sephora Play, but I ended up accumulating so much product that I cancelled them both. I think part of my accumulation problem is that I’m one of those people that hates to open things. Sure, I love presents and new makeup, but if I got a sample that I found to be epic, I would wait for a “special occasion” to open it. That’s crazy and I know it. Most stuff just ended up drying out and going bad before I even used it. I decided I would subscribe to just one this time and my goal would be to have all the products used by the time I get the next box. So far so good! I’m actually using what I got and I’m loving most everything.

Unfortunately, I threw away the plastic reusable bag they sent everything in but hopefully I won’t forget next time and I’ll include that in my picture. Each box, you get 5 samples plus a perfume sample and a little guide pamphlet that tells you what everything is and gives you tips on how to use it so it works best for you.

In this box I got:

• CLINIQUE Take Off The Day Makeup Remover
• BITE BEAUTY Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Glace
• CAUDALIE Vinopure Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Treatment
• DRUNK ELEPHANT Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser with Bamboo Booster
• LIVING PROOF Perfect hair day Triple Detox Shampoo
• JULIETTE HAS A GUN not a perfume

I’m not gonna do an official pros and cons list, but out of the 5 beauty products, only one was makeup related. One was hair care and the other three were skin care. While I do love me some skincare, I love makeup most of all. Honestly, I would be happier with 2-3 makeup products and the rest skin care. I like trying out new hair products once on awhile, but I’m just not a hair girl. Of course this is only box number one and I plan to give Sephora play at least 6 months before I find another box to try and review. My goal is to give you guys my honest review of several different beauty boxes so you can decide which one is right for you.

I can’t say for sure, but the first time I did Sephora Play, I don’t think they did custom boxes. I think they sent absolutely everyone the same box. When I signed up this time, they asked me a few questions about my skintone, hair color, skin concerns etc. I was a bit bummed that they didn’t ask me about my personal style, but oh well. I really do like my box.

I’d have to say my favorite product has been the butter cleanser by Drunk Elephant. I usually just massage my face with coconut oil at night until my makeup is loosened up and then I wipe it of and my face is completely clear of makeup and it’s also moisturized. While this routine seems to work pretty well for me, I’m always down to try new products. This product works really well and has a buttery feel to it, so it’s similar to my coconut oil. The bamboo booster it came with is an exfoliating blend and I love mixing it in once in awhile.

As for the one makeup product I got, I really liked it too. I was a fan of Bite Beauty already and I liked the color of the lip crayon. It goes on nicely and it stays on super well. The color does look nice on me, but it wasn’t a color I would have chosen for myself. While I will probably be using the whole thing, I won’t be buying it again. Since I love the crayon itself, I may consider buying it in another shade when this one runs out.

As for the makeup remover, it isn’t a product I really use. My coconut oil routine does it all in one so I don’t really have a need for makeup remover, but I gave it a try just to see how it worked. I don’t have a lot to compare it to, but of the few makeup removers I’ve used, this one is good, but it’s nothing to write home about. I may end up giving this away to someone who would use it more than I would.

The pore minimizer was chosen based on my skincare concerns and I have to say I was super grateful. I noticed last time that I had these subscriptions that I hardly ever had to purchase extra skincare. I’m hoping my Sephora Play keeps me in pore minimizer, which is one of the few skincare products I don’t just make for myself. This particular pore minimizer hasn’t exactly made my lifelong genetic skin problem go away, but it feels nice on my face and it gives my skin a brighter, tighter look. I don’t think this will be “the one,” but I plan to use it until it’s all gone and I really look forward to trying other pore minimizers until I find the one that works for my skin.

I haven’t had a chance to try the detox shampoo yet, but I will definitely be using it before I dye my hair again. I did, however, try the perfume. Or should I say not a perfume. Let me just say that I really love the perfume sample idea. Perfume smells different on everyone and it’s also pretty costly, so it’s nice to be able to wear it for a few days to make sure you really love it before you invest in a bottle. You also get to try a new perfume each month. It’s definitely a lot of fragrant fun.

All in all, I do like my box, but as I said before, it would be nice to see a few more makeup products. I’m having fun trying the new products and I am already awaiting next months box. Now to see if I have everything used up by then…….