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PLAY! by Sephora #940 Subscription Box Review – July 2019

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeAug 4, 2019 | 5 comments

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 box

Play! by Sephora
3.8 overall rating
564 Ratings | 55 Reviews

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 play pass

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

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 all items

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

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 info theme

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 play pass close

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 info items

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 bag front

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 bag back

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 mascara

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 mascara open

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 living proof

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 milk makeup primer

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 ren toner

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!

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 indie lee cleanser

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.

Sephora Play July 2019 Box 940 perfume

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!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think about my PLAY! by Sephora box? Which variation did you get?

Starting at $10.00
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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.
Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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5 comments

Kay

Haley, I need your help! Any tips for not smudging or smearing mascara under eye? It has to do with the shape of my eyes or anything I cannot have control over? I am East Asian and I have almost typical Asian eyes, but my eye lashes are naturally curled, so I don’t use the curler. It seems no matter what mascara I use, I get raccoon eyes 🙁 I think waterproof formula is better, but takes more work to remove. Any tips are appreciated. TIA.

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Kristin

Would love to see scale of product in hand I’m visual so no idea what the size is, as always I love your reviews.

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Courtney

I got this same box as well && really enjoyed it! Thank you for the review!!! 😊

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Nikkim

I got the same box and I enjoyed it the ren leaves my skin a little tacky so maybe I went a little heavy on it and shiseido has amazing makeup but I did not like this mascara I own 2 lipsticks from them though and they are really nice. Curious about their foundations

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TG

That’s a great selection of products and it almost makes me want to resub to play. I like that you got some new stuff to try!

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