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!
FYI - The box variation I received this month is box ending in #109. 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.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Play! by Sephora
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: the U.S.
April 2019 Play! by Sephora #109 "Beauty In Bloom" Review
Each box comes with a foldable info sheet. The front always has a design related to the theme. This month it's "Beauty in Bloom," perfect for Spring.
Each box comes with a Play! Pass, which is a card you can use at Sephora (in-store AND newly online as well! Woo!) to get 50 extra rewards points, and you can also get one-on-one tutorials and tips of products from a Sephora consultant.
The opposite side of the info sheet has pictures of each item and details about what they are, how to use them, and why Sephora thinks you’ll love them.
Every month they include all of the samples in a mini bag with a different design. This bag is 100% recyclable and zips shut which is great for storage or traveling. This month's was pink - normally they're red, and I'm happy with a mix-up!
Volition Beauty Tumeric Brightening Polish, .33 fl oz - Estimated Value $3.14 (Buy a 4 oz full-size for $38)
My first impression of this exfoliator was positive. It's really gritty and you need hardly any pressure at all to still feel like you're getting a good scrub. The physical exfoliant is walnut, which is one I love. The instructions say to exfoliate, let sit for 2 minutes, and then rinse off. My skin felt baby smooth afterward. However, this morning I woke up to warm, red, itchy patches on my face! And I do not have sensitive skin. In fact, I tried to think back if I've ever had a reaction like this before, and I remembered an organic/natural turmeric mask I tried from a subscription box a couple of years ago. When I washed it off, I had redness in the exact shape of where I had applied the mask. So, maybe I'm allergic to turmeric? Or perhaps it's something else, but it was definitely a weird reaction for me, especially considering my skin isn't generally sensitive and turmeric is supposed to be anti-inflammatory. Also a note for sensitive skin - as I said previously, this scrub can be intensely gritty so it may be a little strong for some.
(Note: Turmeric is actually pretty far down on the ingredients list on this product. Maybe enough to put the oh so trendy turmeric on the label? Long story short - I'm really not sure what ingredient I actually reacted to in this product.)
Sachajuan Moisturizing Shampoo, 10 ml - Estimated Value: $1.12 (Buy an 8.4 oz full-size for $28)
Sachajuan Moisturizing Conditioner, 10 ml - Estimated Value: $1.24 (Buy an 8.4 oz full-size for $31)
The reviews for this shampoo and conditioner are quite mixed on Sephora's website, but I personally liked them. They left my hair feeling moisturized but not weighed down. I could actually detangle with my fingers pretty well.
Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water, .84 fl oz - Estimated Value: $1.49 (Buy a 6.76 full size for $12)
This works great to take off eye makeup, even waterproof (and also stubborn liquid lipsticks). I also like using it after my cleanser, but part of me gets grossed out seeing how much dirt and makeup it can still take off my skin at that point. It has matcha green tea extract which actually felt really soothing on my irritated, inflamed skin the morning after using the turmeric scrub. It's gentle and effective - win!
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, .5 oz, - Estimated Value: $3.33 (Buy a 4.2 oz full-size for $28)
This moisturizer is one that I've loved for a long time. I have dry skin, and this lotion makes my skin feel really hydrated. and fresh. I also like that it's fragrance-free, but I still wish the ingredients were more natural. But, it works for me and my skin has no negative reactions to it, so I'll probably keep coming back to it.
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara, .1 fl oz - Estimated Value: $6 (buy a .4 oz full-size for $24)
Urban Decay's Perversion eyeliner has always been their darkest, blackest, most intense eyeliner they make, and they released this mascara under the same intention. I quite like this formula - I don't think I could make it clumpy on my lashes if I tried. It's a nicely pigmented mascara, too. I did experience a small amount of smudging by the end of the day, though. All in all, I like it and this sample will definitely get used up.
IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Brown Pencil, .0018 oz - Estimated Value: $7.71 (Buy a .0056 oz full-size for $24)
I like the IT Cosmetics brand a lot, but I almost totally dismissed this brow pencil because anything that's labeled "universal" rarely actually works for me. I am SO glad I tried it! You can adjust the color intensity to match most hair colors by applying with more or less pressure. To match my dirty blonde, I didn't need to apply much pressure at all, and was surprised at how well the color worked for me! I've been on the hunt for a good go-to brow pencil. I used to religiously use Anastasia but their pencils hold about half the product as It Cosmetics, the formula feels softer, and they just run out too quickly for me to keep buying. This pencil feels pretty solid in order to withstand some extra pressure during application and the fact that I use so little myself means this should last me a really long time. I'm really happy with this!
Here, I'm wearing the Urban Decay Perversion mascara and the It Cosmetics brow pencil.
Verdict: This month's Play! by Sephora box has an estimated value of $24.03 which is a good value from a $10 box. I'm really happy with this month, with the exception of the scrub. I enjoy my Sephora Play! boxes because they will always feature high-end brands! I love trying new things or getting extras of things I already love.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive next month's samples, curated based on your Play! Profile. Get email alerts for monthly spoilers!
Value Breakdown: At $10 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Tumeric Face & Body Polish: $1.31
- Shampoo: $0.47
- Conditioner: $0.52
- Sephora Cleansing Water: $0.62
- Clinique Moisturizer: $1.39
- Mascara: $2.50
- Brow Pencil: $3.21
Check out all of our Play! by Sephora reviews, our best beauty boxes, and all of our reviews of Cheap Subscription Boxes for other similarly priced boxes!
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What do you think about my Play! by Sephora box? Which variation did you get?
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