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 #940. 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.
July 2019 PLAY! by Sephora #940 Review
Each box comes with a foldable info sheet. The front always has a design related to the theme. This month is "Isle of Beauty," perfect for summer.
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 like a baggie.
Shiseido ControlledChaos Volumizing Mascara Ink, 0.11 oz - Estimated Value $8.59 (Buy a 0.32 oz full size for $25)
I've never tried makeup from Shiseido before; I'm only familiar with their skincare. I liked this mascara pretty well. It's a wetter formula so it mostly just lengthens instead of volumizing or bulking up your lashes. I preferred at least two coats. I didn't have any issues with smudging or smearing, though I am not someone who normally has an issue with that.
Living proof. Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo, 1 fl oz - Estimated Value $5.19 (Buy a 5.4 oz full size for $28)
This shampoo is meant to be non-stripping while helping to remove build-up from products, pollution, and hard water. I wasn't sure I liked this shampoo at first wash but the second time I washed my hair with it, it seemed to work into my hair a little easier and I thought my hair felt light and my scalp refreshed. I have hard water/well water so maybe it just had some buildup to work through the first time I used it? I'm happy to get to try this sample.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer, 0.13 oz - Estimated Value $2.57 (Buy a 1.52 oz full size for $30)
I'm so glad I got to try this because I just heard a friend or two talk about this primer on Instagram. I really like it! It's a little bit "sticky" at first, but if you let it set for 60-90 seconds before applying your foundation over I think it really does a good job at gripping it and keeping it in place. I'm spending this summer chasing around two toddler boys so anything to help keep my makeup looking the way I meant it to when I applied is much appreciated.
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, 1.7 fl oz - Estimated Value $4.12 (Buy an 8.5 oz full size for $35)
REN is a clean skincare brand that I really like. I'm also really happy with the size of this sample - it's 1.7 fl oz which is great for traveling or even just getting a lot of uses from it. This AHA tonic is an acid toner designed to help resurface your skin to brighten, smooth, and tone your complexion and minimize the appearance of pores. I'm loving this product. The first time I used it, it tingled a little, but it hasn't the second or third time I used it - just a heads up that you may experience that if you have sensitive skin!
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser, 0.5 fl oz - Estimated Value $4.05 (Buy a 4.2 oz full size for $34)
I've heard of Indie Lee but haven't really tried their products much yet. But I'm all for new discoveries, especially when it turns out I love them like I do this brightening cleanser! The main ingredients are strawberry seed oil, hydrolyzed wheat proteins, and tomato extracts. It smells like strawberries. It's also versatile: you can use it as a regular cleanser, or on a cotton pad to remove eye makeup, or you can also leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing to get a little bit of an exfoliating mask. The formula is thick and really slippery and left my face feeling clean but not stripped at all. I've tried so many cleansers and am kind of picky about them, and this is definitely currently at the top of my list.
Atelier Cologne Clementine California, 0.06 fl oz - Estimated Value $2.45 (Buy a 3.3 oz full size for $135)
The perfume samples are considered "bonuses" in each box. This one has a fresh fragrance profile with notes of vetiver, clementine, and star anise. It's subtle, pretty, rather unisex, and easy to wear.
Verdict: This month's PLAY! by Sephora box has an estimated value of $26.97 which is a decent value from a $10 box, though not my highest-valued box ever. This was actually a really good box for me. I was really hoping to get the Bite Beauty Lip Pencil that Megan got in her box, but I'm happy with everything I got this month! Especially the REN toner and the Indie Lee cleanser, and the fact that they're both clean products. Everything was new for me to try this month and I'm not disappointed in anything and even found a couple new favorites. Win!
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:
- Mascara: $3.19
- Shampoo: $1.92
- Primer: $0.95
- Toner: $1.53
- Cleanser: $1.50
- Perfume: $0.91
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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