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PLAY! by Sephora #871 Subscription Box Review – August 2019

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeSep 6, 2019 | 10 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 #871. 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 Box 871 August 2019 packaging

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

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 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.

August 2019 PLAY! by Sephora #871 Review

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 info sheet

Each box comes with a foldable info sheet. The front always has a design related to the theme. This month is "The Adventures of PLAY! Bae."

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 on products from a Sephora consultant.

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 info sheet item details

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 Box 871 August 2019 bag front

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 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 Box 871 August 2019 clinique

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 clinique open

Clinique Moisture Surge 72-hour Replenishing Hydrator, 0.5 oz - Estimated Value $11.62 (Buy a full-size 1.7 oz  for $39.50)

I've tried this moisturizer from Clinique before. I generally really like their brand but this moisturizer has just never hydrated my skin the way I need it to. I have dry skin, and even though this moisturizer is supposed to have long-lasting effects up to 72 hours of moisture for your skin, when I use it I just want to put a different moisturizer over it a few minutes later. It has really great reviews, though, so I feel like maybe I'm in the minority? If you got this as a sample I think it's always worth trying everything to see how it works for you.

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 briogeo

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème, 0.75 fl oz - Estimated Value $4.50 (Buy a full-size 4 oz for $24)

This is a really great hair product! I don't generally have an issue with frizz but this creme still does very nice things for my hair. It smooths it, makes it feel really soft, and it seems to protect from heat well. It also smells really nice!

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 glamglow toner

GLAMGLOW Supertoner Exfoliating Acid Solution Toner, 0.24 fl oz - Estimated Value $1.44 (Buy a full-size 7 oz  for $42)

This toner is new from GLAMGLOW! I was instantly intrigued because they make some pretty interesting products. It had a very subtle tingle, and felt like it got off the last of anything lurking on my skin after cleansing. Unfortunately, this isn't made for dry skin complexions. It did feel a little drying, so I won't continue using it. It's designed for normal, combo, and oily skin, and is supposed to help with the appearance of pores and have clarifying properties, due to the charcoal it contains.

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 sunday riley

Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum, 0.17 fl oz - Estimated Value $14.45 (Buy a full-size 1 oz for $85)

I'm always happy about getting Sunday Riley in subscription boxes! This serum has a high concentration of retinol (6.5%) which means it's really helpful for anti-aging, evening complexion, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Generally, retinol can be pretty drying but this serum feels more lightweight and hydrating to me. You should definitely still use a moisturizer after but in comparison to other retinols I've tried, this one is less harsh on my skin.

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 bare minerals facial mist

bareMinerals Dew Mist Setting Spray, 0.33 fl oz - Estimated Value $2.71 (Buy a full-size 3.4 fl oz for $28)

I could only find a "Shimmering" version of this setting spray online, but this spray says nothing about shimmering or highlighting, so I'm assuming they're different versions? Regardless, this one doesn't seem to have any kind of shimmer in it, and feels really nice when I used it. I have dry skin so I love keeping some kind of hydrating facial spray nearby to refresh throughout the day, especially as the cold weather comes back. It's best to use setting sprays held a little ways away from your face, and this has a nice, fine mist to help provide even application.

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 nars pencil

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 nars pencil swatched

Sephora Play Box 871 August 2019 nars pencil modeled

NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dance Fever, 0.06 oz - Estimated Value $18.84 (Buy a full-size 0.086 for $27)

Overall, I like this matte lipstick pencil and I'll wear it, though I have to admit that it isn't my favorite to reach for. The brownish rose shade is pretty, but better worn for fall on my complexion. The finish is definitely matte but it felt a little on the dry side when applying and showed any dry patches on my lips, despite the fact that I had used a lip scrub first. It lasted a good amount of time, though! I got a few hours out of it before I felt it had completely worn off. And I have to point out that it's over half the full size. That's always nice.

Verdict: This month's PLAY! by Sephora box has an estimated value of $53.56 which is an awesome value out of a $10 box. For me, this month was a little middle-of-the-road. One sample isn't designed for my skin type, one I know doesn't work for me from trying it in the past, but I always love getting brands like Sunday Riley and NARS, and the hair cream will get used up, too. Even without considering the couple samples I'll be passing along, I still get a good value from the box, though. Overall, I'm happy.

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:

  • Moisturizer: $2.17
  • Hair Cream: $0.84
  • Toner: $0.27
  • Sunday Riley: $2.70
  • Setting Spray: $0.51
  • Lip Pencil: $3.52

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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10 comments

Rebecca J Webb

I feel the same way you do about the Clinique moisturizer. I don’t like it either because it just feels sticky, not moisturizing. The lip color is gorgeous on you!

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amarante

So far nothing in the past two months has made me regret cancelling my subscription.

A few samples in such tiny sizes that they are used up before one can evaluate and a lipstick in a random color.

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Elizabeth

I feel the same way. So glad I cancelled months ago

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Jennylynne

That lipstick looks like it was custom made just for you! Love the hair. You look stunning!

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Haley Faye

Thank you so much, Jennylynne!

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Luna

Just tonight I happened to finish that Glamglow toner that I also received in my Play box. I have really oily skin, so it didn’t feel drying to me, but I definitely could sense what felt like alcohol in it (I didn’t read the ingredients, so not sure if alcohol is really in it). It had a very nice cooling sensation to it but also that deep clean feeling that alcohol based toners give. I also liked that it had a hint of a black licorice scent to it. I only got 5 uses out of it so it wasn’t enough to see/feel any of its exfoliating benefits, but overall I did enjoy using it. I don’t think I’d ever purchase it, but I would gladly use another one if I ever got it again in a box.

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Jen

That lip color looks great on you !!

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Saracha

This was my box. I was happy with everything

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Dot

My box too and I was happy as well 😁
I dislike Nars always feel there lipstick is very drying I prefer lipglosses .

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Jen

I’m not a big fan either but they are nice mixed with a gloss or balm, which works if you like more of a tint.