Play! by Sephora Subscription Box #2 Review – October 2016

ByLiz CadmanOct 29, 2016 | 36 comments

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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.

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My Subscription Addiction paid for this box.(Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

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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.)

This review is of the box ending in 122. (You can see your box number in your order/account section.)

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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!

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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.

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Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil – 1.7 oz, value: $14.50

This mask did a fabulous job of hydrating my hair and it was quick and easy to use, too. (After shampooing, massage this in from roots to tips, slowly add water to lather, and then let it sit for 2-3 minutes.)

One word of caution with the fragrance, though. If you don't like the scent, don't use this thinking it will wash out when you rinse. The scent stayed with me til my next shower!

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Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb - 10 ml Value $8.80

This is my favorite discovery in the box! It's such a lightweight gel/cream, and it absorbs almost instantly, and leaves my skin feeling so soft. (Plus it's free of any ingredient you may want to avoid!) A+!

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Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick, Driver's Seat – 0.043 oz? Value $8

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This liquid lipstick from Smashbox is very impressive when it comes to pigment and staying power. I think this is the longest lasting liquid lip I've ever tried.

Here it is swatched:

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Unfortunately for me, the color has some orange tones, which doesn't look great with my skin tone, but I'll definitely buy this in full-size in a better-suited color now that I've been wowed by the formula!

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Blinc Mascara Amplified - .1 oz Value $8.66

I have tried the Blinc mascara before, and I prefer regular mascara formulas. If you aren't familiar with this mascara, the Blinc formula creates “tubes” around your lashes instead of just coating them. I didn't get the same volume and length I can get from my favorite tarte mascara, so this is a pass for me.

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Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel - 5 ml Value $4.25

If you have borderline sensitive skin like me, (and get a little nervous anytime you see "peel" on a beauty item), I have good news for you! I mistakenly left this peel on for 10 minutes instead of 10 seconds (I may need to revoke my late-night beauty-sampling privileges), but no irritation!

With proper use, you are supposed to leave this on for 10 seconds than massage away and rinse off. I tried it the right way two days later and had pretty much the same results - super smooth skin and no irritation. (And this formula is free of fragrance, parabens, etc!)

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YSL Mon Paris - Sample

(Every month, Sephora includes a perfume sample in addition to the 5 beauty samples.)

This scent is floral and fruity - I like it!

Verdict: This box has a value of about $44. I'm very happy with that value for a $10 box, and I got to sample some new brands and lines that I really like. My favorite is definitely the Belif Aqua Bomb!

What do you think about the October Play! by Sephora? What variation did you get?

Starting at $10.00

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Play! by Sephora

3.8 overall rating

564 Ratings | 55 Reviews

PLAY! by Sephora is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month, Sephora sends you a mix of six samples (including cosmetics, haircare, skincare, fragrances, and other beauty products) personalized to match your preferences and a PLAY! BOOK of tips and tricks.

Read customer reviews >

Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Cheap Subscription Boxes, Makeup Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Liz Cadman

Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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36 comments

Kaitlynn Marie

Yeah, I’ll say the Smashbox lip has staying power. I swatched it on my hand and have tried getting off for like a week and it’s still there a little bit! I haven’t had a chance to sample the rest but I can’t use the peel because it has aloe. Overall I’m happy with the box 🙂

cindycb

Liz,
Which Tarte mascara is your favorite?

Liz Cadman

Lights, Camera, Lashes 🙂

http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-lights-camera-lashes-mascara

Alice

guys, shake the heck out of the smashbox lippie. liquid lipsticks notoriously separate, and I think this is why y’all are getting different “shades” out of the same formula!

One thing i really loved about this one compared to other . only 1 lip product lol

Julie E

I received the same color of lipstick and was very disappointed at first but I wore it last night with a black top and jeans and my orangy blanket scarf and it worked great! Not something I will use often but it works with some things. I do love the formula and I think it feels less drying than Stila so I plan to buy some in colors I like. I have also heard Katy Von D has some great ones that include gloss too! Hopefully I can try those soon.

Trish

My Smashbox lippie looks identical to the one posted here- a really strong terra-cotta shade. I don’t like the color at all. I added a gold gloss on top to alter the look- meh, I’ll probably just dump it since I already tried it so I can’t give it away.
I’ve never signed up for swaps here on MSA, but I have a question. How do you know when you swap with someone that they haven’t “tried” the product first?
On the sealed tubes that pretty easy to tell- but on something like lippie’s or mascara where there’s no plastic wrap or metal seal- are you just relying on a persons word?

Shannon

Yeah, the swap site is pretty much by honor system — you’re depending on the other user to be truthful as to whether they’ve sampled the product before putting it up for swap, unless the item is sealed. If you’re leery of that it’s pretty easy to stick to things that are very clearly new and unused (i.e. sealed in some way); just a matter of personal preference and comfort/trust level. 🙂

Trish

Thanks for responding- much appreciated.
I myself don’t swap much coz I like trying new products before I buy. But I do like seeing what’s up for swap!

SharonDK

I am tired of getting lip colors that don’t suit me, fragrances I don’t like (I have allergies so I have to be picky) and missing out on a good box a few months ago because they sent me an email that my credit card expired, I responded the same day with my updated exp date and it was still too late- so I just cancelled Sephora Play. I am about to get my second month of three from Goodbeing (which I’m liking), and after the holidays I will be box shopping. Suggestions are always welcome!

Candace

Sharon, a couple I really enjoy that you might want to check out are BeautyFix and Look Fantastic. They have been such great subs so far, and Look Fantastic is underrated IMO because it’s shipped from overseas. But it’s free shipping, and I get the best products that I’ve never heard of and end up really liking.

Lola EB

I also love the Look Fantastic and signed for a year. I think I will add beauty fix starting November. Check out the spoilers. I’m ending Glossybox after I get my free box because I have the need to try something new. I’ll miss the great packaging of GB.

Erin

Agreed. I have Look Fantastic and it’s amazing. One of my favourite subs and I live in Canada so I appreciate the free shipping. Great customer service and I’ve had the box 4 months and I’ve really loved everything they’ve sent. Boxycharm is another favourite of mine. It costs a little more with my CDN dollar sucking at the moment and the shipping fee but full size products make it worth it. I highly recommend both of these for new box ideas!

Abby

I received the 072 box. Sephora is my favorite box, but…

The Smashbox lipstick is terrible. I can not wear any liquid lipsticks because I have very dry lips, but this one is especially bad. My lips shrivel up but the worst part is the color. It appears neither orange or pink but instead a warm brown.

Lola EB

Could it be that the Smashbox lip is pulling orange for some and pink for others becau see mine is not real orange it is more pinky peach. I also don’t feel the variations of the boxes were that far off from each other. We all basically got two skin, two lip or color items and one hair item along with our bonus perfume. I’m happy.

Liz_bzz

It must be! Usually what people call amazing nudes are terrible browns or straight orange on my lips ?, but this one ended up being a beautiful and flattering color on me!.. but everyone else hates it! I’m cool undertone btw, but my arms tend to be neutral, so maybe my confusing skin is what makes this suitable for me? Lol

Toni

I loved it too ,I love liquid lipsticks and I have to say this might be the number one formu

Stacy Townsend

This was my box. The Smashbox is more orange in mine. I’m super pale and its not the best look. I loved everything else! The Belief aqua bomb is my favorite moisturizer too. I got this sample plus redeemed my points for another one. Yay!

Jaime

The hair mask smells like johnsons baby lotion 🙂 I love it though, but not enough to buy a full size. The lipstick is a tad to orange-y for me too but I have other colors of that line and love the formula.

Nancy

I never received the liquid lipstick in my box. When I called about it, I was told, for no real reason, they were unable to send me another, nor would they send me a replacement. I was offered “points” instead. Not even enough to redeem for a replacement! Very disappointed.

Abby

I agree with you. Love the hair mask but not $71 worth of love.

Khaleesi

So I really did end up liking all my items from #122, but still don’t like feeling like I missed out because there were other variations and too many different items. I get we all have different skin, hair, eye colors, etc but I feel there is a way Sephora can accommodate that without overdoing it.
Maybe do 1-2 variation items but not whole boxes 😉

chris

Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb is one of my favorite subscription box discoveries ever. Love it.

Anna C.

I am glad to see reviews of another variation as this is the box I received. Well done! I love the aqua bomb moisturizer as well.

That Skin Inc peel is my new must-have. It is absolutely incredible for sensitive skin and I already put a full size in my cart for purchase once my sample runs out.

Jennifer

I have yellow-undertone light skin and Driver’s Seat is not a great color for me either, I plan to swap mine. I am glad to read that you enjoyed the formula, though!

My order at first said the other box and I was hoping for the mist I emailed them. I guess they misunderstood me and sent me the mist after I got this box too. Love sephora and beautyfix and birchbox they have the best cs. I’m my glossy box they sent 2 empty samples one was sent to replace it even more empty n dried out then the last one

Lola

I had the same with GB. The Cvit was empty so they sent a 2nd one that waa a 1/8 full. I can’t even get drops oits. Sent another email and I all got was a we shipped you a new one sorry you’re not happy.

Yes that stupid cvit the second in3 was dried out and looked like glue they tried to give me 200 point I rather have a product since I already canceled lol. I know it not their fault since the same product happen to you but they are good about it at least but 2 bad one i rather have anything else now lol

Mallory

I got a different box, but I received the Aqua Bomb in a recent swap as a nice extra 🙂 LOVE IT! Definitely one of the best extras ever and best creams ever!

Sara

I just can’t believe that this color is actually Driver’s Seat. I’ve been watching Youtube swatches and NO ONE’S Driver’s Seat looks like this orange/terracotta we all got. It’s a straight up pink on everyone I’ve watched so far. On me it almost looks like Kylie Jenner’s Pumpkin. I LOVE the color but there is no way it is Driver’s Seat! Anyone else super confused??

mikayla

Suprisingly (im pale), I actually think this lipsick looks pretty good one me! but it is definitely an orangey darker pink color. Terracotta is a good word. I totally agree it looks nothing like it does on sephoras website so i was really suprised when it came because i looked it up before it came too. Honestly i was worried about it being TOO pink. as if lol. Im happy i still like it tho!

Anne

I thought the same thing. When I looked on Sephoras site before I got my box, Drivers Seat was a pretty pink, miine is this terracotta color. I can use it by layering, but not alone. Great pigment and staying power so I’m happy I tried it. If I wore makeup everyday, I would consider buying this in another color. I also have to put something on top of it, I can’t handle that dried out lip feel.

Dea

My Driver’s Seat is orange, too. Bah humbug! Can’t wear orange. But like Liz said, the formula is great.

Belif aqua bomb is the bomb – an amazing product. Love it.

The secret ingredient in Blinc mascara is school glue. Just smell the mascara – plus, they warn that if you leave product on the neck of tube, you may not be able to unscrew the top again. Hello, glue.

My drivers seat is very pink, it is almost the same color as my lips so I’ve been confused by everyone saying it has orange tones. The swatch in this review definitely looks different than mine.

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Play! by Sephora Subscription Box #2 Review – October 2016

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