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 a little drawstring bag with a different design.
FYI - The box variation I received this month is box ending in #435. To find out which box you’re receiving at the beginning of each month, follow these instructions:
If you log in through a browser, not the app, and go to my account > account details > online orders and open the play! Order Details, you can see the “item number” next to the image.
All of the bags have been little cotton drawstring bags; last month was velvety, and this month is something totally new! It’s more of a rain jacket type, water-resistant fabric? It definitely goes well with the quote, “sweat is just another way to glow” and asserting the fitness/gym bag feel for January.
The back is mesh, which I really love about this!
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: U.S.
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.
I do have to mention, you can walk in and get shown any tips and even a “mini makeover” at the Beauty Studio (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. and teach you what they’re doing) 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.
This month’s theme is “Happy You Year!” I love the pun and it’s a great concept, all about a fresh start and refueling yourself – and beauty routine, with super-effective products and on-the-go essentials to keep you moving.
On the very inside of the folded info sheet is thorough details and tips about each featured product. They always give helpful information and advice so I definitely recommend making sure you read these!
Caudalie Resveratrol Face Lifting Moisturizer with SPF 20 - 0.5 fl oz, Value $25.38
This is a newer product from Caudalie and it is a multi-tasking moisturizer! It is designed to hydrate, firm, and smooth the look of skin plus protect with SPF. It has anti-aging ingredients as well as “soft-focus mattifying powders” to smooth and prime your skin for makeup.
You can use this all over your face and neck, just around your eye area, or as a primer. This moisturizer feels really nice and lightweight. I love that it has SPF and how versatile it is!
OUAI Treatment Masque - 0.5 fl oz, Value $6.67
This hair mask is supposed to help damaged hair and leave it smooth and soft. The smell isn’t my favorite, but it’s really not too bad. Very floral, I think. I haven’t tried to use this yet because I wanted to pump this review out for you ASAP, but I have to say I’m disappointed in the amount they provided. This tube and the Caudalie tube are both weighted at 0.5 fl oz but they’re very different weights in your hand because the tube for the OUAI sample is at best half empty for me. I really doubt there will be enough for me to use on my hair, even though the info booklet says this tube should be one use.
Also worth noting: the full-size ($32) comes with eight 0.3 oz foil packets which are meant to be single use. There may be 0.3 oz of actual product in this sample tube and I don’t think it would be enough to use on dry hair (which also isn’t even noted on the sample but is noted in the info booklet). Personally, I’m not very tempted to buy the full-size with that kind of packaging. Maybe if it were in a bigger tube with a substantial amount of product and a better application/product delivery system?
DermaBlend Loose Setting Powder - 0.18 oz, value: $4.86
A good loose setting powder is one of my top-priority makeup products. I’ve been using Makeup For Ever’s HD Microfinish Powder for years (same container, too – that stuff literally lasts forever). This stuff is pretty comparable! It promises smudge-proof makeup for 16 hours, and so far it’s doing a great job.
I put this all over my face after doing all my complexion color (foundation, blush, bronzer, concealer, etc). It gives a great natural finish (it helps with some shine, but it’s not matte).
Tarte Frxxxtion Stick Exfoliating Cleanser - 0.22 oz, Value $4.84
Okay, so this is officially my new absolute favorite skincare find! I am so glad it was in my box variation because I have seen it around but didn't really know what it was at first glance. It's a three in one cleanser, exfoliator, and mask! In stick form! So different, so convenient, and so cool.
The base of this vegan formula is a clarifying cleansing gel with Tarte's "Rainforest of the Sea" complex, and the microexfoliant is diatomaceous earth. It's made to draw out oil, reduce shine, purify pores, and slough away dead skin cells. To use, you wet your face and apply straight to your skin to deposit product. Swipe it all over your face and then massage it to exfoliate and clean, then rinse. Sephora's website says to use as a cleanser 2-3 times a week for optimal results. You can also leave it on for ten minutes ask a mask.
I loved this right away as I used it last night. It applies well and is different and fun to use! It works very well and the amount and size of the exfoliant is perfect for my preferences. My skin felt crazy smooth and soft, and still does today. I actually just bought the full size.
TIP: if you love this too, I'd purchase it right now because Sephora is running a promotion for 2x points on skincare products until 1/22!
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - 0.04 oz/1.2g, Value $9.71
I think I remember maybe 8 years ago, Clinique had a whole line of colors in their Almost Lipstick formula because I had one I wore all the time back then in a different shade. Now they just have this Black Honey and Pink Honey shades. They're basically sheer tinted lip balms that are universally flattering on anyone.
I really like the color and formula and that I can apply it without a mirror.
Pinrose Wild Child Eau de Parfum Towelette - Value ?
I kind of like trying this months perfume in towelette form. It's just something fast and different, though it does mean your fingers get covered in the scent too, and that it's only one-time use. This fragrance is floral with some vanilla, too. It's flirty and feminine.
Here, I'm wearing the Black Honey almost lipstick and the setting powder. Note this was with many swatches of the lipstick to build up as much color as I could.
Verdict: I had a lot of fun with the January Play! by Sephora box! I found a new fantastic skincare product that I love and got to try some nice other products as well. This was the first month that Sephora included a complexion/foundation item in some variations, which made me a little nervous since I'm so pale and most foundations aren't made light Enough to work for me. I'm glad they included the setting powder instead of sending me a complexion item that would be risky. I also love the little bag this month.
As far as value goes, everything adds up to just over $50, which is great for a $10 box.
What do you think about Play! by Sephora? What variation did you receive this month?
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