Everyone knows Sephora is a beauty store where you can find almost anything and everything related to makeup, skincare, body care, hair care, and self-care, but they also released curated sets under their Sephora Favorites brand. A subsection of that is their POP line, which is an affordable box full of beauty samples from Sephora's top-trending brands and most buzzed-about beauty. This is a review of the Sephora Favorites: Pop- Beauty For Everyone set, which is available for only $12.
FYI – this kit is still available for purchase (while stocks last)!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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This set comes packaged in a box showing multiple women of various ethnicities and dressed in a variety of styles. When you open the box, you find six samples waiting for you along with an info sheet that lists the products.
This set also came with a sticker sheet, and I love the added bonus.
The Breakdown – What’s Inside This Limited Edition Box From Sephora
Melt Cosmetics Ultra-Matte Lipstick in Dark Room, 1.4 g - Estimated Value $9.06 (buy the 3.4 g version for $22)
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Melt Cosmetics calls this an ultra-matte lipstick, and they mean it- prep your lips accordingly! I was actually surprised by how much I liked the deep plum shade. It’s a berry that almost leans vampy, but on my lips, the pink notes shined through. The staying power of this was pretty great, too- I don’t really have any complaints!
Here is the lipstick swatched.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara, .10 oz - Estimated Value $4.07 (buy the 0.27 oz version for $11)
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This mascara is one of the best mascaras I’ve tried in 2021. I actually had a mini prior to getting another in this box, but I’m stoked to have a backup. This gives my lashes everything I want- lift, curl, definition, and I can wear it all day with zero smudging. The big wand is a little unwieldy on the mini size because it’s not as long as a full-size mascara wand, but that just tells me I need to grab the full-size version on sale (like the currently ongoing Sephora Holiday Sale, perhaps?).
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Here I am wearing both the lipstick and mascara.
Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying BHA Cream, 0.25 oz - Estimated Value $6.47 (buy the 1.7 oz version for $44)
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This moisturizer was a treat. From the start, you can’t deny that the packaging is lovely and the blue color of the moisturizer is just dreamy. The texture of this reminds me a lot of the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench moisturizer, only it’s not a gel cream. Aquarius is a cream, but it’s a lightweight one that absorbed into my skin incredibly quickly. Formula-wise that beautiful blue color comes from blue tansy, and it also has willow bark extract, which has exfoliating properties. I can see why this is designed for oily or acne-prone skin, but I love it on my dry skin when I pair it with a hydrating sunscreen, too.
Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask with Vitamin C, 0.51 oz - Retail Value $15
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I know a lot of my Instagram friends love this sleeping mask, but this is a miss for me- I actually have a full-size jar of this, and I’m currently finishing it up as a hand cream. I love Youth To The People, but my issue with this mask is that something in the formula actually clogs my pores and causes me to break out. It’s delightfully rich and nourishing to my skin, so if you have luck with this then I think your skin will thank you for using it during the cold months ahead.
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, 1 oz - Estimated Value $7 (buy the 2 oz version for $14)
I’ve used this product quite a bit in the past- I like it, but it’s not the deepest conditioning hair mask in my arsenal. Honestly, I use this on my curly hair the way others probably use normal conditioner. This isn’t that heavy on my hair, but I think that means this should work for a variety of hair types.
Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume Superdose, 5.5 mL - Estimated Value $22 (buy the 7.5 mL perfume for $30)
I’m not going to lie- I know I can sometimes have a flair for the dramatic, but I still think this is the worst perfume I’ve ever had to smell and review for MSA. I honestly have a hard time pinning down what the notes are to describe it- it’s described as being fresh and woodsy, but this smells musty and makes me wrinkle my nose. The Sephora page for this product lists the key scent note as Cetalox, and my understanding is that this perfume as a whole is a more intense version of the original Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume. This perfume has an insane staying power- it lasted until I washed it away, and I truly wish it hadn’t.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $12
Cost Breakdown:
- Melt Cosmetics: $9.06 → $1.71
- Rare Beauty: $4.07 → $0.77
- Herbivore: $6.47 → $1.22
- YTTP: $15 → $2.83
- Briogeo: $7 → $1.32
- JHAG: $22 → $4.15
This set promises a $48 value and my math adds up to $63.60. That means this set is worth more than five times what you pay for it.
Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Key Takeaways
If you miss the monthly Sephora Play! Subscription Box, I think the Sephora Favorites Pop sets are a pretty good substitute. For only $12 this set comes with six beauty samples, including new launches like the Rare Beauty Mascara and the Herbivore Aquarius cream. I love that those new products were paired with some classics like the Briogeo deep conditioner or the YTPP sleeping mask. The perfume in this box definitely wasn't for me, but I did have some friends tell me they love this perfume (my understanding is it works with your body chemistry, which is why some people love it and some people cannot stand it), and I can appreciate the generous size. Overall, this kit is a great way to either discover new favorites or stock up on travel-sized goodies before you head home for the holidays.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you order today? Yes, this set is still available for purchase!
Is this product eligible for a discount during the Sephora holiday sale? Yes, use code YAYHOLIDAY while logged into your beauty insider account to save on your purchase.
What do you think of the Sephora Favorites: Pop- Beauty For Everyone? Sephora has released quite a few new kits lately- which one would you like to see reviewed next?
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