Sephora Play! October 2017 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.


These was a very coordinated month everything photographs really nicely together.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist

Full Size: 73.93 ml

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $2.37

This smells like the spa and has the best mister on it that I have ever used it sprays so light and even. It is really tacky and makes my skin feel tight though so I’d be more likely to use this under makeup then to try and use it as a facial mist again. I wanted this to be a nice facial mist but I think I will use this in addition to primer from now on.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Full Size: 1.01 oz

Full Size Cost: $43

Sample Size: 0.16 oz

Value: $6.81

This actually looks like a decent match for me but it is different then the shade I already have of this and the shade I was matched to in store which looks totally wrong for me. I love this foundation it looks so good on my skin and doesn’t get cakey which happens to me alot. I am happy to have another sample to use up this is a pricey foundation.

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Exfoliator

Full Size: 2 oz

Full Size Cost: $58

Sample Size: 0.25 oz

Value: $7.25

Since I just got the full size in this month’s Boxycharmthis is not that exciting to me. I am sure many people are pretty happy about this little sample though.

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $34

Sample Size: 5 ml

Value: $5.67

I have been dying to try this primer since it launched last year. It is just so expensive for a primer and I have so many but I’m so so thrilled. I find this works best combined with a pore filling primer they make a good smooth base that way.

Make Up For Ever Ulta HD Skin Booster

Full Size: 12 ml

Full Size Cost: $41

Sample Size: 4.5 ml

Value: $15.38

I thought this was a really tiny sample at first but I have changed my mind seeing how pricey the full size is and tat this is almost half the full size. This is another primer type product for me but this will go very fast. I am looking forward to mixing it into the foundation and seeing the effect.

Tory Burch Bel Azure Perfume

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $96

Sample Size: 1.5 ml

Value: $2.88

I really line the Tory Burch perfumes they all smell really nice. This is a bit fruity. I am consistently amazed and the value of these perfume samples that most places give away for free.


So there were two skincare items that are only going to be useful as primers for me so I am counting them as makeup. The value was higher then last month. I am pretty happy with the box and that it can all be used as one cohesive look on the face. I actually think it is awesome to get two products from the same brand so that we can mix them and see how they play together.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $40.36

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 4

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! September 2017 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 actually got the box variation I wanted for a change what are the odds lol.

Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask

Full Size: 70 ml

Full Size Cost: $48

Sample Size: 14 ml

Value: $9.60

This was the one item I wanted so bad so I am so excited I got this. I have been dying to try it. This is an AHA and BHA resurfacing mask and I have really wanted to start trying them. This smells really awful it is like a floral mixed with a fruit leather it really gave me a headache. This is supposed to tingle when you put it on but I didn’t feel anythig and after one use I haven’t seen any results but I will keep using it. The only thing I notices was that by my nose where it is super oily it actually really dried out my skin to the point that it was kind of itchy and I needed to put lotion on it. The rest of my skin was fine.

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $38

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $7.60

So I tried this on my dryness from the mask and it was ok but didn’t last that long. I actually weirdly think this might be a great primer or moisturizer before primer it slightly blurred my skin a little I liked it. It is also light almost gel like which is how I like my moisturizers.

Ouai Shampoo Repair

Full Size: 10 oz

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 0.24 oz

Value: $0.67

Ouai Conditioner Repair

Full Size: 8.45 oz

Full Size Cost: $26

Sample Size: 0.24 oz

Value: $0.74

Well it is weird that these two samples are totally different prices. I don’t love Quai products they just tend to do nothing for my hair. This will get thrown in my travel sample bin and collect dust for awhile.

Ciaté London Liquid Velvet in Pin Up

Full Size: 6.5 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 2 ml

Value: $5.85

I actually have this exact sample and can’t remember where I got it from. But I love this it is a very neutral berry shade and a nice comfortable mousse matter formula. It is definitely not transfer proof you will be touching up with this. Swatched Below.

Touch in Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter in #3 Talia

Full Size: Liquid 0.123 oz/ Glitter 0.07 oz

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 0.041 oz / 0.023 oz?

Value: $8.33

The size of this sample is not listed so I am guessing about a third. This is pretty neat product I like the super foiled cream shadow and the glitter is a liquid that holds together pretty well this is a nice alternative to the the Stila Glitter and Glows this way you get 2 products for the same money. These are very shiny and glittery and I like it there are limited color options but they all look nice. Talia is a nice champagne toned silver. Swatched Below.

Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Black Lace

Full Size: 1.2 g

Full Size Cost: $10

Sample Size: 0.48 g

Value: $4

This is a nice creamy black liner it only lasts in my waterline for a few hours though not much does last in my waterline though. There isn’t much to say about a black liner this is a good dupe for the Makeup Forever Aqua XL those last loger but they have the same feel. Swatched Below.

Pin up, Liquid eyeshadow, Glitter eyeshadow, Eyeliner.


I am so happy with this month’s bow it is rare that I will use every product in a box. ad no perfume this month which was a change. Also because of the shampoo/ conditioner set I ended up with 7 items which is one more then usual so hell yeah.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $36.79

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 2

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 6

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Sephora Play! August 2017 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.


Someone alert the media I got a great Sephora Play box this month after not being that thrilled for so long.

The science, makeup geek theme is legit made for me I couldn’t be happier everything was so adorable about the theme and packaging this month.

I’m loving the little cutesy makeup themed periodic table.

And the science themed bag. Not all girls are into frills and pink but still love make up (you know nerds like me).

Clinique Dual-Ended High Impact Mascara & Primer Duo

Full Size: 0.53 oz

Full Size Cost: $8

Sample Size: 0.16 oz

Value: $2.42

So these sizes I find a little weird. I think each side has 0.08 oz but it doesn’t specify so this is an educated guess. Each side having only 0.04 oz seems a little ridiculous and impossible. And about 0.26 oz per side for the travel seems reasonable.

This is such a cool concept I love having them together like this because it means I will actually use a primer because usually I just don’t bother to pull out another product.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Shell

Full Size: 0.25 oz

Full Size Cost: $46

Sample Size: 0.04 oz

Value: $7.36

This is super tiny so I didn’t want to waste it by swatching it. This would be a decent color for me if I wasn’t so tanned from just coming back from Florida. I have been super dying to try this so I am beyond that this is in my box. Being so tiny I doubt it will take long to use up so once I’m back to my normal shade I’ll be testing this out.

My Burberry Black Perfume

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $72

Sample Size: 2 ml

Value: $4.80

Wow expensive little perfume sample. This was way to heavy and mature for my tastes but my mom loved it. It also felt like a really off choice for August this is much more of a fall/winter scent.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist

Full Size: 141 ml

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 41 ml

Value: $8.72

I have tried this in the past and it made my hair really sticky. I don’t personally care for it so this will go off into the giveaway pile. I am not a huge Alterna fan.

Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $98

Sample Size: 4 ml

Value: $13.07

I really hope I don’t fall head over heals in love with this because it is fucking expensive. But it is really really nice it looks so pretty and fancy I feel like a princess using it. it made my skin look really pretty and healthy and wasn’t sticky. So it is safe to say I love it and really don’t want to lol. It also has a great dropper that is angled so you can get every drop.

Beauty Blender micro.mini

Full Size: 2 blenders

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 1 blender

Value: $9

Hey this is a super cool thing to throw in. It is so super soft and squishy but feels flimsy I wonder how it will hold up to some of my cheap mini blenders.


Really a great value for a ten dollar box. I am so excited for the foundation and the serum as well as the beauty blender. This was a really great box I love that there was a good variety of products and some higher priced samples to try.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $45.37

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 2

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 1

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 0

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 5

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup