Sephora Play! October 2018 Subscription Box Review

Sephora Play!

Cost: $10.00 monthly + tax

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month our favorite money sucking store Sephora sends out a curated box of higher end samples to try out.  Every month you receive 5 samples and a perfume sample.  The boxes are customized with a few different variations being sent out each month.

There is a small survey that Sephora has you take that helps Sephora curate a box to your needs. There is also a card included in the box for a complimentary mini makeover (which are complimentary any way so I don’t really get that) and 50 extra points if you purchase something in store.


This was a rather non cohesive set of products. With a few repeats from boxes I have had in the past.

Caudalie Vino Perfect Radiance Serum

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $79

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $26.33

This is a really good sized sample I actually have received this sample form Sephora before so I am like 2/3 of the way to a full size lol. Caudalie is such a pricey brand. This isn’t the greatest serum I have every used though this would be more of like an under makeup serum. It is a bit tack but makes my skin feel firm not tight but firm.

Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray

Full Size: 118 ml

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $4.88

I will never need to buy a travel size of this setting spray lol I have received so many samples of this. Not that I am complaining this is a great setting spray that makes your makeup last and isn’t sticky or gross.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream

Full Size:  1.7 oz

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size:  0.34 oz

Value: $6.80

I just never like First Aid Beauty Products I find them all sticky and to not feel great and to not smell good. Like they all smell like they have gone off to me. I don’t really like them but I’ll still use this because it’s small and I don’t typically buy moisturizers.

Benefit Gimme Brow in Shade 3

Full Size:  3 g

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $8

I don’t feel like this warm brown is the right color for me and I have never used a brow gel before but I have gotten this sample so many times that I feel like the universe won’t be satisfied until I finally try it. Swatched Below.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Foundation Stick in Banana

Full Size: 9.1 g

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 2 g

Value: $5.49

This is a light yellow contour stick. I don’t totally know what you would do with a yellow contour stick I wish they had sent out Fawn or Shadow that would have been an actual contour color that would have been so much better. This is pretty stiff but also creamy so I think it would actually be really good for contouring if I had gotten a good color. Swatched Below.

Kat Von D Saint Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $65

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $1.95

Kat Von D Sinner Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $65

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $1.95

I like that we got both scents because I can try them both. I heard they layer really well too so I am super excited to bring these on my next trip and am saving them for that.


I am not so happy with this bag since it is alot of repeats and sorta random feeling to me. Like really feels like of we had alot of random extra samples let’s just ditch them into these boxes.

Total Value: $55.40

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 2

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! September 2018 Subscription Box Review

Sephora Play!

Cost: $10.00 monthly + tax

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month our favorite money sucking store Sephora sends out a curated box of higher end samples to try out.  Every month you receive 5 samples and a perfume sample.  The boxes are customized with a few different variations being sent out each month.

There is a small survey that Sephora has you take that helps Sephora curate a box to your needs. There is also a card included in the box for a complimentary mini makeover (which are complimentary any way so I don’t really get that) and 50 extra points if you purchase something in store.


I don’t understand the bag choice this month it is like a legit sandwich bag but really thick. I don’t get it and I don’t like it its odd. Also two moisturizers in one bag is not cool in my opinion.

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $38

Sample Size: 3 ml

Value: $2.28

Belif true cream

I don’t like this cream it is way thick and doesn’t sink into my skin at all. Not a fan.

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

Full Size: 15 ml

Full Size Cost: $5

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $5

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

Woohoo a full travel size of a product I have been so curious to try. they whole clear gel see thru packaging thing is so up my alley I think it looks so pretty. It is a really light fast absorbing gel and I am all about that.

Too Faced Hangover Rx Face Primer

Full Size: 40 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $4.25

Too Faced Hangover RX Primer

I have tried this before but I don’t remember how I felt about it so I’m glad to be able to try it again.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $72

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $10.08

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

I just tried a one time use sample of this and it obviously did nothing so its good that I can try this on a bit of a longer term. I like the truth line alot so I have high hopes for this.

Sephora Lashcraft Big Volume Mascara

Full Size: 12.5 g

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 5 g

Value: $5.60

Sephora Lashcraft

I will not be trying this the regular Lashcraft made my eyes super itchy so I am not taking a chance on this one at all. It was also very hard to remove so this is a mascara that I recommend staying far far away from.

Marc Jacobs Highliner in Earthquake

Full Size: 0.5 g

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 0.34 g

Value: $17

This is a warm chocolately brown shade. I love how these liners feel they are so creamy and stay put really well. I just don’t love a brown liner I have brown eyes so it does nothing for me.


This was a decent bag somethings I am pretty happy to try but not overly wowed.

Total Value: $44.21

Skincare: 3

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 3

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! August 2018 Subscription Box Review

Sephora Play!

Cost: $10.00 monthly + tax

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month our favorite money sucking store Sephora sends out a curated box of higher end samples to try out.  Every month you receive 5 samples and a perfume sample.  The boxes are customized with a few different variations being sent out each month.

There is a small survey that Sephora has you take that helps Sephora curate a box to your needs. There is also a card included in the box for a complimentary mini makeover (which are complimentary any way so I don’t really get that) and 50 extra points if you purchase something in store.


Really wide variety of products this month, unfortunately I got a double from my Ipsy bag so that’ll end up in my giant bin of extras that I have for gifts  and trades and whatever. That’s totally normal right to have a giant tub of extra beauty things you don’t want but don’t know what to do with. I am also really over the cheap bags that Sephora gives out I would rather they just stop sending them because it makes me really upset to just get rid of them but I don’t have a need for them to keep them.

Moroccan Oil Ciate Londonn Laneige Nars Grande Lips

Ciate London Glow-To Highlighter in Moondust

Full Size: 5 g

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $9.60

Ciate London Glow to Go in Moondust

Starting off with the double you can see swatches and thoughts on that here in this IPSY POST.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Full Size:  70 ml

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $3.57

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

I did not think I was going to like this I don’t really need overly hydrating products but I did end up liking this. It feels really cool and hydrating and fresh on my face and isn’t sticky at all. It sinks in really quick and feels really smooth I bet this would be really great under makeup. It smells like soap though and the scent lingers for a long time so if you are sensitive to scents this might irritate you.

Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Full Size: 7 ml

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size:  2.7 ml

Value: $10.03

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Why I didn’t take this out of the box to photograph I have no idea. The has that lovely soft touch matte packaging that all Nars products have that just feels so nice to the touch. This is a white base but not opaque and almost looks a little shimmery though it doesn’t claim to be. I like white bases so this will be good to try. I don’t love the white base that I currently use so I shall see how this stacks up.

Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray

Full Size: 205 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 26 ml

Value: $3.55

Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray

Very rarely do I use texture sprays but this is one of my favorite hair brands so I shall see how it works out. I love their hair oil it works so well on my hair.

Grande Lips Hydrating Lip Plumper in Clear

Full Size:  1.5 g

Full Size Cost: $27

Sample Size:  1.5 g

Value: $27

Grande Lips Hydrating Lip Plumper in Clear

So this looks so tiny to be full size but apparently it is even though it isn’t the same type of packaging as the full size. Curious and Curiouser. This is one of the only lip glosses I can tolerate it is not sticky it feels more balmy but the stinging plumping effect is real with this.

Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Shampoo

Full Size:  100 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $0.67

Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Conditioner

Full Size:  300 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $0.67

Amika Velveteen Dream

I probably won’t use these to be honest but I will toss them in my travel size/sample drawer. Amika products are pretty hit or miss to me.


This was a really high value this month, even though I am kinda skeptical about that lip gloss. I am most excited about that eyeshadow base from Nars.

Total Value: $55.09

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 3

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup