Sephora Play! July 2019 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 and 50 extra points if you purchase something in store and now online too.


This was the month of stuff in my bag getting absorbed by people in my life lol

Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

Full Size: 250 ml

Full Size Cost: $35

Sample Size: 50 ml

Value: $7

I think I am going to like this alot. This is something you have to use over time to see results but my skin was feeling really dry and like there was a bunch of dead skin that wasn’t sloughing off so I used this and it definitly took that feeling away but as for glow that would take time. It did leave my skin feeling a bit tight but I can combat that with a moisturizer.

Shiseido ControlledChaos Mascaraink

Full Size: 11.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $8.70

This has a brush with super spaced out thin bristles so I am hoping this does give that really all over the place messy rocker eyelashes type look that I really go for some times that perfectly undone kinda look I like and I really like Shiseido products.

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

Full Size: 45 ml

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $2.67

Milk packaging appeals to me so much and makes me want everything even if it is products like this that serve no purpose for me. This is a gripping primer and it is quite sticky but it does set and it smooth when it dries so you wont be sticky all day. I don’t wear foundation often and rarely the kind that is full coverage enough that you would notice if it is wearing off. I will keep it around because it is pretty and maybe I will use it.

Atelier Cologne Clementine California Perfume

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $135

Sample Size: 2 ml

Value: $2.70

I love this perfume it is one of my favorite super pricey perfumes this smells like oranges and citrus but not in an orange juice way I love this perfume so much.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser

Full Size: 125 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $4.08

This my gf claimed which is fine because I have tried this before and I hate it. Makes my skin feel sticky and gross and not clean at all.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo

Full Size: 160 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $5.25

This is a hair and scalp clarifying type shampoo I would have tried this because I like that for like a once a month once every two month cleanse but my dad got all excited and really wanted it so I let him have it. He felt it was very important for everyone to know that the shampoo is black so cute. He liked it though.


Pretty average bag like this the kind of products every one has and doesn’t need more of but there were cool brands like Shiseido and Milk in it this month so that makes it better.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $27.73

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 2

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm July 2019 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.


This month had a theme of natural and for a change they actually kinda made the products match the theme a bit.

Alamar Cosmetics Mother of Pearl Lip Gloss in Tesoro

Full Size:

Full Size Cost: $10

I don’t like lip gloss and nothing about this color even sorta excites me to try it so I am not swatching this so It can get passed on to a good home. This is a very shimmery glittery type of lip gloss that would be really impactful on the lips. I do love the packaging though A plus the textured water drop like lid is so cool.

Elemis Superfood Vital Veggie Mask

Full Size: 2.5 oz

Full Size Cost: $35

I am getting a bit of a collection of Elemis skincare and I almost want to like hold off and try to do a few weeks of all Elemis or mostly Elemis skincare and see if it makes a difference in my skin. But this seems like it will be a really cool mask that I will enjoy. I do like nourishing masks when my skin feels uncomfortable or tired.

Luxie Gaea Brush Set

Full Size: 3 brushes

Full Size Cost: $30

This is a a really nice set of more unique brush shapes from Luxie. They also have wood handles instead of the normal plastic ones to go with the earth/natural theme. This set comes with a 510 Foundation Brush and I really needed a new flat foundation brush but wasn’t going to buy them because I so rarely use one but I really like having them for if I am doing a full glam look or if I am doing special event makeup. There is also 250 Large Eye Blending Brush which has a rally large flared our head with almost a flat top. I am not sure how to use this but it is definitely not a shape I have. The last is a 246 Precision Crease Brush but I normally would use something like this for packing on shimmers. I love Luxie brushes they are in my top 5 so never sad to see Luxie Brushes in my box.

Appeal Cosmetics Gel Liner in Deep Taupe

Full Size: 1.4 g

Full Size Cost: $21

I was hoping for the green shade but alas I got this one. This is almost like a plummy brown rather then a taupe shade. It is a nice smooth creamy get liner and it isn’t a wooden liner which I know is important to alot of people I don’t care either way as long as it isn’t scratchy. Swatched Below.

Butter London Natural Goddess Eyeshadow Palette

Full Size: 6 eyeshadows

Full Size Cost: $26.50

So this palette was exclusive to Khol’s and I think it is probably going away soon since it is on sale. I found the shades to all be really pretty and workable but the color choices struck me as odd. I feel like the matte blue should have been a matte forest green it would have complemented this palette more and worked with all the shades rather then the blue which is a bit out of place and seems put in just for the ability to have a pop of blue. I also would have liked if Queen actually was a more pink shade rather then the pinky bronze that it is. All these shades sorta muddy together because they are also so similar in tone. I don’t know how much use I will get out this palette. Swatched Below.


So they did end up mailing me a replacement primer for the primer that was missing in my box which is great. It came on its own before this came so I don’t why they said it would come in my next box but whatever. I don’t love it but it is so liquidy I should actually be able to use it up pretty fast. This months box was much better then last I will use most of what I got in this box which is great.

Total: $122.50

Total Value to Me: $112.50

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy July 2019 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 300 points and 1000 points. You can get around 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.


Pretty cute bag this month very bright and summery. And as usual when Ipsy sends sheet masks you get two so I love getting an extra product.

Midflower Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Sheet Mask

Full Size: 4 masks

Full Size Cost: $9.99

Sample Size: 2 masks

Value: $5.00

This mask was super comfortable and felt really great and hydrating on my face I really really liked it. The only thing is I just can’t imagine spending $2.50 on a sheet mask mostly because I have so so many. That said I would recommend it it is nice and it is on Amazon.

The Balm What the Tea Ice Tea Eyeshadow Mini in He Said, She Said

Full Size: 9 g (Just the eyeshadow, whole palette 12.6)

Full Size Cost: $36

Sample Size: 1.2 g

Value: $3.43

I thought the concept of these palettes was so funny and sarcastic and I loved it but the colors did not appeal to me at all. I am glad I got a color I have a chance of actually using. This is a nice lilac that is very very shimmery. It is very chunky and has a lot of kick back and fall out but it does apply and blend out really really pretty so I can get past that since I always do my eyeshadow first so that really doesn’t effect me. I love these The Balm single eyeshadows because the packaging is so cute and they are so easy to work with that they are perfect for like throwing in a bag with a brush (these are not apply with your finger formulas) if I know I need to do eyeshadow like in a pinch some where other then my house. Swatched Below.

Pacifica Bronzed Rose Rose & Coconut Infused Blush & Bronzer

Full Size: ?

Full Size Cost: $13 ?

Sample Size: 8 g

Value: $13

So starting with the whole pricing of this because it is a bit weird. This is apparently an exclusive to Ipsy so I can’t link this to anything though I know thye used to have packaging like this for blush and bronzer duos that they don’t make anymore. So I based the price off of a 2 shade highlighter palette even though that has more product it seemed like the right price. Since the “formula” for this blush does exist at $12 for 3 grams which seems crazy. I linked to another more expensive blush/bronzer/highlight palette because it has this bronzer shade and a super similar blush shade plus two other shades.

The formula on these is so smooth and nice and silky to touch. The colors aren’t great for me I am going to have to see how I can make them work the bronzer is way to light ad barely shows up but the blush is too dark which seems like an odd combo of who this would work for. The blush is also really shimmery. Swatched Below.

He Said, She Said swatched with a brush; He Said, She Said swatched with finger; Pacifica Bronzer in Desert; Pacifica Blush in WildRose

Ciate London Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer

Full Size: 40 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $7

This smells like candy which is nice. The little beads that are supposed to burst seems like it might not work out that well in a primer since you want a totally cohesive smooth base but ok.

Firma Beauty 204 Wide Blender Brush

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $10.99

I like fluffy densely packed brushes like this alot for hen I want blended shimmers so I am happy to have this. I find alot of the Firma Beauty Brushes I have to be a bit firm and dense for how I like my brushes to be but they are still really good brushes.


Quick Summary:

Total Value: $39.42

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 4

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 1