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PLAY! by Sephora #113 Subscription Box Review – January 2020

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Feb 19, 2020 | 9 comments

Play by Sephora January 2020 beauty subscription box review

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 for just $10 + FREE shipping.

Sephora curates several variations of their PLAY! boxes each month and matches you with the version that best fits the preferences you set in your profile. (You'll fill out your profile when signing up—you can also update your profile at any time). The variation I received this month is the box ending in #113. 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/month + FREE shipping

The Products: Five deluxe samples plus a fragrance sample and a PLAY! BOOK of tips and tricks.

Ships to: The US

January 2020 PLAY! by Sephora #113 Review

Each PLAY! box comes with an info sheet that provides the theme of the box and detailed product info. 

Each month, your samples are tucked inside a recyclable pouch. This one is incredible for travel—it's so much more chic than a kitchen zipper bag!

 

Cover FX High Performance Setting Spray, 10 ml - Estimated Value $2.58 (Buy a full-size 120 ml version for $31.00)

This is a repeat from my October 2019 box

I was surprised to see this product again so soon, but it did work really well and I was needing more setting spray so I don't feel like I can complain too much. This stuff literally locks my face into place so much that I tend to reserve it for extra long days or special occasions. I also find that the shaking step is pretty important, so shake the heck out of it before you spritz! On a side note, it has a really great smell. I know that isn't really super important but you all know I am a scent freak.

 

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in 'Trooper', 0.2 ml - Estimated Value $7.64 (Buy a 0.55 ml pencil for $21.00)

So recently it came out that Kat Von D sold her remaining shares of her beauty brand and the whole thing will be rebranded to KVD Vegan Beauty. I was wondering if we might be seeing more and more of the older branded items, and POOF here one is! This is one of the better black liners out there IMO, and I know a lot of people who use it daily, so hopefully, the formula won't be changing.

Always a consistent line.

 

GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Charcoal Instant Treatment Mask, 0.5 oz - Retail Value $25.00

FYI: The mini size is the same size as our sample, though it comes in the fancy glass pot rather than a tube. Since the product size was the same, I decided to give this sample the same overall value. 

I have skin that is drier, but I do get unsightly zits around my chin from sleeping with my hands curled up under my it. For that reason, I do enjoy the occasional spot treatment, and this is one of my favorites for minimizing pesky blemishes. I simply add a dab to the bump and wait for about 20 minutes before washing it away. It cuts the lifetime of that zit down pretty significantly. This mask has a really yummy herbally-licorice scent that I like, even though I generally hate licorice. Since I only use this for a spot treatment, this tube should last a really, really long time!

 

Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion, 30 ml  - Estimated Value $5.25 (Buy a full-size 200 ml for $35.00)

This is a repeat from my October 2019 box

Another repeat, but another favorite. Again, happy to see this! I love liquid toning lotions and I especially love this one because it helps minimize my redness. I like to apply with a cotton round between my cleansing and serum stage for added moisture. Because it preps my skin so well it also helps cut down on the amount of expensive serums and moisturizers I need after application.

I did end up buying the full-size bottle of this after my October review, but it is huge! This little travel size guy is perfect for a trip I have coming up in March!

 

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, 0.25 oz - Estimated Value $9.00 (Buy a full-size 1 oz for $36.00)

This is another product with a huge cult following and for pretty good reason! I remember this being the only primer I would buy for the longest time because I loved the powdery finish and how it smoothed my skin under my makeup. I don't really use primer nearly as much anymore (mainly because I am constantly putting things on and removing them from my face over and over each day) but when I do I still reach for this. Again, this is a great size and will be perfect for my upcoming trips, which promises long days where I will want to look my best (or at least decent) all day long.

 

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume, 0.04 fl oz - Estimated Value $1.94 (Buy a full-size 3.4 fl oz for $165.00)

Finally, our last item is legit one of my favorite perfumes. Flowerbomb is exactly what it sounds like: an explosion of flowers with a sex bomb twist. Think a top of tart bergamot and tea that quickly falls into a burst of jasmine, roses, freesia, and every other flower you can think of. The base is a moody musk with patchouli that smells anything but "hippie." This is a classic and whenever I wear it people ask what in the world I have on.

Verdict: This month's PLAY! by Sephora box has an estimated value of $51.41 which is great for a $10 box. Although nothing in here was new to me (and two items were legit repeats) it was still a great box full of products I already like. They arrived at an especially great time for me since travel sizes are going to be mandatory for me in March! 

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 is what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Cover FX Setting Spray $0.50
  • Kat Von D Liner $1.49
  • GLAMGLOW Mask $4.86
  • Origins Treatment Lotion $1.02
  • Smashbox Primer $1.75
  • Flowerbomb Perfume $0.38

Alternatively, each of the 6 samples has an average cost of $1.67.

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?

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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.
Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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9 comments

Debbie

So many repeats and within just months! I had the highest of hopes for Sephora but it just wasn’t worth it to me any more. I get that not all brands make sample sizes. I think Sephora should bring back the points and up their cost, start looping in some full or deluxe sizes. If they went up to $20 per month but started including brushes, full size products, tools etc, it could save the box. My two cents. 🙂

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Crystal

This is actually a really great bag (for me). I use all of these products currently. Unfortunately, I stopped subscribing last year & moved over to Allure. I like to hop around due to change it up.

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Mel

sephora is not going to carry cover fx anymore that’s why they are giving out this and also you can get the spray with points

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MzKayleeJames

I got the same box. And I’ve gotten the smashbox at least 5 times from them, the kvd at least 3 (although I will use this one lol), the same CoverFX LAST MONTH, and the glam glow probably 3 times now too. The only thing not a repeat of multiple times was the origins and that was the first time I’ve gotten that even though they’ve e offered it a bunch too. I’ve been with them since the Beta I think it’s time to let Sephora go, I rarely shop there anymore sadly.

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Beth in Oklahoma

One would think that Sephora, by default, would have access to the most interesting beauty samples available. There’s no excuse for so many repeats.

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RAR

I gave it a few months back because it was always the same products. Getting rid of the bonus points was another big mistake. Somebody running these boxes needs to be replaced.

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jenn

i wouldn’t be surprised if they stopped monthly boxes soon with how there has been so many repeats. might go into quarterly or just special boxes periodically. imo, ulta has really stepped up their game as of late with deals and promotions. i would love to see a monthly box from them, and if ulta carried drunk elephant, laneige, dr. jart and a few other luxury brands, i would shop completely with them. did anyone see the new haircare drunk elephant has coming out? me excited, i wish drunk elephant did a beauty/lifestyle box quaterly too, how fun and possibly $, but with how many boxes i am pausing, could be attainable.