Sephora Play! March 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.


So this review took so long to get up because there was a mishap with my box.  The Setting spray exploded all over my box. I contacted Sephora and for the first time was happy with their customer service they replaced my box for me but obviously I had to wait for it to come to review it.

This is a nice bag it is really soft and this nice blue tie dye that says Beauty is My Spirit Animal. I like this one alot.

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm

Full Size: 1 oz

Full Size Cost: $68

Sample Size: 0.37 oz

Value: $25.16

So this is like the exact opposite of the name. This is actually really thick and kinda tacky and mattifying. I used this as a primer more then a moisture balm because this is not a nice no makeup moisturizing illuminating balm. For the price I don’t recommend this.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Jet Black

Full Size: 0.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 0.25 ml

Value: $11

So I don’t want to open this because I have at least three of these. But it is a nice eyeliner that doesn’t bleed or smudge too much.

IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm

Full Size: 148 ml

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $2.94

I have like 6 of these they just keep multiplying. This is a coconut based gel it smells really nice. I don’t use gel so these have all got tossed in a box of things for gf to use.

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask

Full Size: 250 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 20 ml

Value: $2.24

I’m excited to try this one out there looks like there is two uses in there so that should give me a good feel of what it is like. I like how Amika products smell and the packaging is so so pretty.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cleanser

Full Size: 150 ml

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 20 ml

Value: $3.47

Oh yay another cleanser to add to my cleanser stockpile. I’ll open it eventually but I legit have like 6 face washes open right now.

Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $4.20

This setting spray is a little sticky and heavy feeling but I like that it has spf 50 that will be really useful in the summer. It also doesn’t smell like alcohol or chemicals like most setting sprays do.


Pretty good bag this month I love when we get haircare samples instead  of perfume samples it helps shake things up a bit.

Total Value: $49.01

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 2

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! 2017 Year in 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 had fun with the Ipsy review I did so I decided to do Sephora Play as well. My other subscriptions I haven’t had for a whole calendar year so I can’t really do them. So let’s see how Sephora did for the year and find out how they did compared to Ipsy.

Month Value Product
January $31.36 6
February $39.42 6
March $32.47 6
April $36.91 6
May $54.46 6
June $31.64 6
July $39.48 6
August $45.37 6
September $36.79 7
October $40.36 6
November $59.55 6
December $46.84 6

Total: $494.65

Products: 73

Every Month but one I got 6 products so I did get more products then Ipsy overall but 11 of those were perfumes so that’s with a grain of salt some people don’t like the perfume samples I’m ok with them in this box.

I paid $1.64 per item I received so actually a little less per item then Ipsy and getting higher end products, but these are all sample sizes and usually you get some full sizes with Ipsy so they are still pretty equal in my mind.

Average Bag Value: $41.22

Coming about $6 under the average value of Ipsy.

Top 5 Favorite Items

  1.  March – Glam Glow Glowstarter  in Nude Glow – $6.86
  2. April – Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover – $1.88
  3. October – Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation – $6.81
  4. January – Tarte Frxxxtion Stick – $4.84
  5. August – Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Elixir Serum – $13.07

So my Top Five comes to a grand total of $33.46. Wow that was a really low value I have some serious mixed feelings…

My thing here is dollar wise I seem to get alot more for my money with Ipsy so if that is your main concern just getting the biggest return on your money Ipsy is the way to go hands down.

Me personally though I get more use out of my Sephora Play products. I use them up more often I declutter or give away much less of what I get in my Sephora box and generally like and use more of what I get. Even if I seem to be getting less for my money I am still getting a great value.

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! February 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.


Makeup and skincare this month that is what I expect from Sephora.

The bag this month I find really creepy. It reminds me of like a retro doll you’d see in an antique shop and I just kind it creepy.

First Aid Beauty Ginger & Turmeric Vitamin C Jelly Mask

Full Size: 4 oz

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 0.75 oz

Value: $6

This was a really interesting mask like it so completely sunk into my skin that I really didn’t need to wash it off. It definitely smells like ginger and turmeric which isn’t my preference for scents that is for sure. It didn’t really do that much it was slightly brightening but really nothing to write home about.

Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $28.49

Sample Size: 15 ml

Value: $4.27

Another nice skincare item I always want to try more Peter Thomas Roth products but they are so pricey. This is one of those ones that is supposed to ball off your dead skin cells. I think it worked better then others of this type I have tried. my skin did look and feel a little smoother but not as much as I would expect I wanted it to do more.

Sephora Gel Gloss in 04 Perfect Nude

Full Size: 0.11 oz

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 0.1 oz

Value: $10.91

Why is there no picture of this I have no idea. Sorry. I also am not swatching this it is totally sealed and I don’t use gloss so why spoil it for the person I’ll pass this on to. But this product really pisses me off because I got it in fucking November same shade too. And 2 Novembers ago I got it in pink so like what the fuck really send something else.

Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Perfume

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $118

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $1.77

I love this perfume maybe I’ll have to buy it one day. It is super girly not feminine i know that is an odd description but its how I feel.

Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil in Côte D’Azur

Full Size: 1.2 g

Full Size Cost: $23

Sample Size: 0.5 g

Value: $9.58

I love that we got a liner that isn’t black this brighter blue is so fun. I have wanted to try these eyeliners they seem really cool. This went on very smooth and didn’t smudge which I like. I was expecting more impact then the color provide but I am not dissatisfied. Swatched Below.

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick in M500

Full Size: 3.5 g

Full Size Cost: $22

Sample Size: 1.4 g

Value: $8.80

This is a nice deep wine red color. It is a matte but not a super matte almost like a satin matte. I realy like it this is right up my color alley so I’ll finally get some use of out a Make Up For Ever product that I got sent. Swatched Below.


I like that there was a good mix of skincare and makeup. I really liked the new skincare that I get to try so I’m satisfied with this month. I am really annoyed about the repeat lip product that seems really lazy and cost cutting on Sephora’s part and I do not find that acceptable.

Total Value: $41.33

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup