Sephora Play Review

I've been dying to see the details of Sephora Play ever since I heard about the idea. Essentially $10 a month gets you a box of samples, similar to other beauty boxes. Luckily, I received an email (strangely not through my former VIB account which I was wait listed) where I could sign up for the test run of the program. Fortunately while I was checking my email on my cousins phone in Barbados I got an invite to join! I was booking it to finish the transaction too- Bless, bless, bless! I'm so ecstatic to share what I got!

First and foremost I cannot get over this cute packaging. The Uncover the Essentials booklet is so helpful and thorough of the products included. It's super informative and gives a background on the product, fun fact, convo starter, and a hack. The hack is definitely the most helpful, I love alternative ways to use products. There's even a little card in the back of the booklet that you can swipe to receive 50 extra points in your Beauty Bank when you purchase, anything! I hope they include more because I can't afford to be a VIB anymore, but I'd like to get there again.

My initial impressions you ask? Well I'm excited first and foremost. Some have complained that these products are essentially the same as 100 or 500 point beauty rewards, but I would disagree. Mainly because I don't ever redeem my beauty bank points from Sephora (I have over a thousand- I've been collecting since ninth grade!) but also these products are much better than the normal, small samples / deluxe samples, minus the perfume. My favorite samples I've ever gotten you might ask? Well my favorite samples are always those I can't afford, like L'Occitane's Immortelle Precious Cream and Boscia's Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel. What are some of your favorite beauty samples?

T H E  R E V I E W

Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer

I've always wanted to own this pencil. Merely because Marc Jacobs swears its the blackest black, and I can never seem to get that out of drug store eyeliner. I typically go through eyeliner fairly quickly so I end up buying NYC eyeliner from Target, but hey it works! I love the creamy pigmentation of this eyeliner. If Bridgitte Bardot could choose an eyeliner in the 21st century, it'd be this one.

GlamGlow Supercleanse

Mmm, the infamous GlamGlow. We meet. I loved the luxuriousness this face wash encompasses. Immediately after I tried this I couldn't get over the way my face felt, stripped, but yet so clean. I would've never tried this unless I had received it from Sephora Play. I may consider buying the full size! I like that this isn't solely a mud mask because I have to really plan a time in the day to put face masks on.

Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion in Peony

I was very disappointed in this lip stain. The color was very lackluster. It is a stain, but I wish they would've upgraded us to a less obscure Sephora lip product.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation

I love Ole Henriksen's products, and I love the samples from Sephora. I can't actually afford Henriksen's products but I like to pretend sometimes! That's why I love this sample so much, it's .25 oz and I will be using it sparingly until its finished. The cream is super luxurious and has a whipped/rich feeling. I've been using this cream with my foundation when I don't want a full coverage / more natural look. 

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer

I'm no stranger to Bumble and Bumble's products. The founder, Michael Gordon actually follows me on instagram! My hair salon, some of you may know, Paisley & Stripe, used to be a Bumble salon. I've tried so many Bumble products but they don't usually work with my fine somewhat oily hair type. I've been trying the invisible oil primer to help tame my frizz in this hot Kansas weather. I haven't seen incredible results, but my flyaways and frizz aren't nearly as bad as usual. 

Elizabeth and James Nirvana White

I love the Elizabeth and James brand but I'm just not one for floral fragrances. They remind me very much of my mother, and my mother and I have very contrasting tastes in perfume. I prefer sweeter yet carefree fragrances. My current favorite is Prada Candy with Downtown by Calvin Klein following in a very close second. Needless to say I will definitely be handing this bottle to my mother immediately! However, the one thing I do like is that this perfume has a very peony like smell, and my mother grows the most beautiful (and ant filled) peonies so it brings some nostalgia.

SO? Do the products live up to the $10 price? I would say yes. They include samples I would never pick out like Ole Henriksen's sheer transformation or GlamGlow's Supercleanse. I've also ALWAYS wanted to try Marc Jacobs' Highliner in Blacquer, mainly because I can't afford it and the pigmentation is amazing. The Sephora Rouge Collection lip stain was a bit of a bust (I suggest their cream lipsticks instead) and White Nirvana was just not my style, at all.

Would you subscribe to Sephora Play? What else would you buy with that $10?

I'd buy a latte, I could use one.

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