Play! by Sephora is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription. Each month they send you six samples, a PLAY! BOOK of tips and tricks, and a PLAY! PASS for in-store learning.
I used to work at Sephora so I naturally couldn’t resist this subscription!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box.(Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Every month they included all of the samples an adorable drawstring bag with a different design.
(FYI – there were different variations of this box sent out this month. Click here to see what the different possible boxes were.)
The Subscription Box: Play! by Sephora
The Cost: $10
The Products: Five deluxe samples plus a fragrance sample, a PLAY! BOOK of tips and tricks, and a PLAY! PASS for in-store learning.
Ships to: US
Check out all of our Play! by Sephora reviews and all of our reviews of Cheap Subscription Boxes for other similarly priced boxes!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Each box comes with a Play! Pass, which is a card you can use at Sephora (in-store) to get 50 extra rewards points, and you can also get one-on-one tutorials and tips of products from a Sephora consultant.
Although I do have to mention, you can walk in and get shown any tips and even a “mini makeover” (which is where a consultant will do a small demo on you like a certain eye look, how to do your brows, how to contour, matching you with a foundation, etc) anytime! So if you don’t have this subscription (or can’t get off the waitlist), you can still go to your local Sephora and try out all the products featured, or any other products you’ve had your eye on.
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil – 1.7 oz, value: $14.50
I just tried this hair mask this morning, and I like it alright. The fragrance feels a little mature for me. I do love the application, though – after shampooing, massage this in from roots to tips, slowly add water to lather, and then let it sit for 2-3 minutes. I love a quick hair mask, and especially one I just use while in the shower since it’s more convenient! I like the results – my hair felt very hydrated after rinsing and my hair combed through super easily. After heat styling, my hair has a nice, strong feel to it. A little more weight to it, but not in a weighed-down way. Also, I can get at least three uses out of this jar.
Erborian Bamboo Crème Frappée Skin Reviving Fresh Gel - 0.17 fl oz, value: $4.30
This moisturizer is a whipped gel-cream made with bamboo! It actually uses both the sap and fibers from bamboo. This felt refreshing and light when I applied and absorbed quickly. Unfortunately, I have dry skin and just a few minutes later, my face felt like I hadn’t moisturized yet and needed something more hydrating. This is probably good for oily or normal skin, but if you know your skin tends to run dry then I probably wouldn’t recommend this based on my experience.
Farmacy Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist & Setting Spray - 0.68 fl oz, value: $9.07
I know Liz has recently discovered and fallen in love with Farmacy products so I was so excited to try one myself! I really love this product, but not the sample packaging. The liquid itself is fantastic – it feels cooling, refreshing, and smells uplifting. I love the Echinacea in it and this might just be my favorite facial spray ever. The sample packaging, however, doesn’t have a fine enough spray to make this perfect. It sprays a little heavy, but if you hold it far enough away you can totally make it work.
I’m totally keeping this spray in my purse… and tempted to buy the full-size.
Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick, Driver's Seat – 0.043 oz? value: $8
I basically live in liquid lipsticks, and I’ve tried a lot. I love this one from Smashbox! The pigment is great, the formula doesn’t feather and wears for quite a long time (it says 8+ hours, and I’ve been wearing it for about 5 now with eating and drinking and it still looks great so I’d say that’s probably accurate).
Here’s a swatch. This color is described as a warm pink and it almost leans a smidge neutral-orangey, too. This color is so me, and I love it.
The Estée Edit Flash Photo Gloss – 0.1 fl oz, value: $7.40
This lip gloss has an iridescent blue to the formula, designed to make your teeth look whiter in photos. You can wear it alone or over any color lipstick.
Here’s what it looks like. Personally, I don’t care for the formula. It’s very thick and sticky, and I honestly didn’t notice any kind of dramatic difference in the way my teeth looked in selfies.
Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris – sample spray
I actually really like this fragrance! It’s a new one from YSL, inspired by Paris. The notes include strawberry, raspberry, bergamot, calone, orange flower, pear, jasmin, white peony, patchouli, white musk, cedarwood, and crystal moss. All the fruits and florals make this right up my alley.
It’s sweet but not young-sweet. It still feels sophisticated and grown-up but romantic too.
Here’s what the Smashbox liquid lipstick looks like on – I love it and will be wearing a lot of it this Fall!
Here’s the Estee Edit lip gloss I like the natural shine it gives my lips, but if it does make my teeth look whiter I’m not sure it’s enough to make me feel like buying the full size is worth it. I’d rather spend money on actually whitening my teeth, you know?
Verdict: I liked my October Play! by Sephora box and I’m happy I received the variation I did (click here to see what the different variations sent out this month were). I was happy to try some different new items, including some that are new and I had been curious about (like the two lip products). The value also comes out to about $43 so I’m happy with that, too.
What do you think about the October Play! by Sephora? What variation did you get?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.