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

Boxycharm August 2018 Subscription Box Review

Boxycharm

Cost: $21

Cycle: Every Month

What is it:

Boxycharm sends out 4 to 5 full size  items every month which makes it really unique among the  boxes I subscribe to.  It is a nice change to get all full size products especially for the reasonable price of $21 which is usually less then the cost of one item in the box.

If you would like to subscribe you can use my referral link HERE. I don’t get anything other then points but would really appreciate it but do as you feel comfortable you are also welcome to use the link in the header that leads to the regular homepage.

You can also review your products and get “charms” which are their versions of points that you can use as money off in their shop.


Really interesting assortment of products in this months Boxycharm. I had alot of feelings (She doesn’t even go here! lol). Moving on from movie references and back to makeup lets get started. This will probably be a really long post.

Laura Lee Los Angeles Wander Beauty Adesse New York House of Lashes Smashbox Bang Beauty

Adesse New York Sweet Almond Cuticle Oil

Full Size: 11 ml

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 11 ml

Value: $18

Adesse New York Sweet Almond Cuticle Oil

I don’t really feel like this moisturized my cuticles at all. It has the advantages of not leaving your fingers feeling greasy but it doesn’t make my cuticles soft. I much prefer the Fortune Cookie Soap ones they are very greasy but they really work.

House of Lashes Siren Mini Lashes

Full Size: 3 pair

Full Size Cost: $22.50

Sample Size: 1 pair

Value: $7.50

House of Lashes Siren Mini

I don’t wear lashes ever I have never worn a pair. I like the idea of minis but these are really intense lashes for minis. they seem really curly and are definitely dramatic. I would have liked if they came with glue since people who don’t wear lashes wouldn’t have that on hand.

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks

Full Size: 6 masks

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 3 masks

Value: $12.50

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks

I am excited to try these out I don’t use eye masks often I don’t feel like they ever do anything other then feel nice so I save them for like relaxing treats since I don’t have a ton of them.

Smashbox Always on Liquid Lipstick in In Demand

Full Size: 4 ml

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $24

Smashbox Always on Liquid Lipstick In Demand

I don’t know how I feel about this color it looks ok in some likes and then like concealer lips in other lights I just don’t know. In the swatch it is a pretty neutral pink but on it seems to change. I have to try it out with like a darker lip liner and see if that helps. As far as formula these stay on pretty well but aren’t super comfy they are a little gritty almost you can feel them on your lips and if I can feel it I want permanent staying power lol. Swatched Below.

Bang Beauty Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate

Full Size: 3.5 g

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 3.5 g

Value: $22

Bang Beauty Gel Eyeliner

I don’t use gel eyeliner a ton or brown eyeliner ever but feel really compelled to keep this so I will. It is really really soft and creamy and applies nicely but it is brown which is so meh to me. Swatched Below.

Laura Lee Los Angeles Party Animal Palette

Full Size: 7.8 g

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 7.8 g

Value: $19

Laura Lee Los Angeles

I was so prepared to hate this palette because I am not a Laura Lee fan but I love it. I love colorful palettes and no box ever sends those out. I have really been looking for a small colorful palette that I could take with me when I travel but all my colorful shadows are expensive and in giant palettes I would be afraid would break. This has really nice sturdy thick packaging with a soft matte feel a mirror and a good magnetic closure.  I like the bright fun colors the are pretty smooth and pigmented. Bottoms up has a lot of glitter and it does have fall out which I am not a fan of but it a sparkley Barbie pink is a such a fun touch. This is my most favorite thing in the box.

 


Total: $103

I was so impressed with the palette which made the box for me the other items were all a little meh for me I will use most but none were really great other then this palette. Not the best Boxycharm month but next month’s spoilers are looking really good.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy August 2018 Subscription Box Review

Ipsy Bag

Cost: $10 monthly, $110 annual

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Ipsy sends out a cute makeup bag of samples and full size items. you can review your bag for points that you can trade in for reward items. The rewards change often and the range between 100 points and 1000 points. You can get up to 95 points every month.

If you want to subscribe you can subscribe HERE and skip the waitlist. That is my referral link so I do get points to spend but I’m not an affiliate I don’t make any money or anything it’s just one beauty junkie to another.


I am not a fan of this orange and yellow bag, but the tassel and only the tassel seems really nice quality which is odd as hell. I also didn’t get alot of the products I was hoping for so that sucks.

Glow for a Cause Lip Love in Flirt

Full Size: 4.25 g

Full Size Cost: $6

Sample Size: 4.25 g

Value: $6

This is a really nice lip balm it feels really smooth and moisturizing on the lips. It is supposed to be watermelon flavored (yuck) but I can’t taste it so we are good. It has a really subtle pink shimmer to it that is pretty with out being overly pigmented in a way that I don’t like.

Crown Brushes CB106 Blush Highlighter Brush

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $7.95

This brush is so soft and fluffy and dense. It is going to be so perfect for buffing on highlighter I love it.

La Ritzy Lip Stix in Plum

Full Size: 3.6 g

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 3.6 g

Value: $20

So this comes in 6 shades but this is the only one on the website and it is really hard to find so I have a sneaking feeling that this is discontinued and this is unsold inventory that Ipsy bought so this won’t be something that can be repurchased I’d guess. This is a matte lip crayon but it is pretty thin and not drying feeling. The color is pretty too definitely fall ready. Swatched Below.

Ciate London Glow-To Highlighter in Moondust

Full Size: 5 g

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 1.5 g

Value: $9.60

This is a  really pretty pink champagne color but it has a lot of loose shimmer in it that I am not a huge fan of. Swatched Below.

Hikari Cream Pigment in Fierce

Full Size: 4 g?

Full Size Cost: $13

Sample Size: 2 g

Value: $6.50?

This is so gorgeous. I love red and burgundy shades so this is right up my alley. I love these cream pigments that are so thick but smooth and so easy to just swipe on. I love this one just as much as I loved the Envy shade I got awhile ago from them. Actually I have really liked all the products I have gotten from this brand I should really try so more of their stuff. Swatched Below.

The cream pigment looks much more orangey/rusty in the photo it is much more red in real life.

Upon second thought maybe I am more happy with this bag then I thought. Even though I didn’t get some of the products I wanted this has been a really good bag with products that feel suited to me and mostly full size. That cream pigment may be full size I just couldn’t find a size online to be sure.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $50.05

Skincare: o

Makeup: 3

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 3

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 1

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup