Sephora Play! January 2017
Due to a shipping error,my Sephora Play! was super late this month. Impatiently, I tore into it as soon as I had it in my hands. Usual story, this month’s box has a drawstring bag, five beauty samples and a perfume tester. It also has a card that you can take to Sephora for 50 bonus points.
The theme this month, keeping with January in general, is Beauty, Set, Go. It has a focus on starting fresh and working on having healthy, happy skin and hair. I think that the samples this month fit the theme really well, and they are all things that I think I’ll use up.
Tarte Frxxxtion Stick
This was one of the more unusual things that I’ve seen from the Sephora Play! team. This is a cleanser stick. On damp skin, I’ve been swiping the stick onto my damp face, then rubbing it in to my face. It turns from a gel to a lather. Exfoliating? Not really. I have pretty dry skin, so I usually use a harsher exfoliator. This just isn’t it. If you have oily to combination skin, maybe this will be a better choice.
Sample Value: $4.84
Full Size Value: $22
Ouai Treatment Masque
Ouai has been super hyped lately. I feel like I can’t go anywhere without hearing about it. As a staunch drugstore-shampoo. Jen Atkin, celebrity hairstylist, has made the Ouai line, and everyone is trying to find a way to get celebrity hair. I’m much more likely to splurge on hair styling items than shampoos, so I was happy to try this out. I try to use a hair masque every few weeks or so, and this one has been doing the trick. Is it perfect? Not really. I don’t know if it’s worth the price tag compared to any other hair mask I’ve tried, but it works. The sample size was moderately good, with enough inside for about 2 applications, less if your hair is longer or thicker, and more if your hair is short or thin. The scent is very light and unassuming, so that shouldn't be a problem either.
Sample Value: $6.67
Full Size Value: 8 treatments for $32
Youth to the People Kale + Spinach + Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Cream
Youth to the People is a brand that I hadn’t heard of. This is a whipped, vegan moisturizer that is made in the USA. It’s supposed to be able to transfer the vitamins and nutrients from kale and spinace into your skin, epeicalled A, C, E, K, and antixoxidants. Is this good science? Not really. I also don’t really like the smell of this. It has that unpleasant rotting spinach scent. I do enjoy the ligh and fluffy texture of the gel, and also it’s fast absorption into the skin. Based on the smell and the gimmicky science, I probably won’t be purchasing this, but I will be using it up.
Sample Value: $3.50
Full Size Value: $48
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
This was almost fate. I got this box in the mail the day after my dog tore apart my (nearly empty) Clinique Black Honey. This is a lipstick that I really like. It looks nearly black in the tube, but it sheers out to being a dark, but subtle, wash of color. This is an easy one to throw on with any eye look and any outfit. You can also reapply without a mirror. I can’t speak highly enough about this.
Sample Size Value: $5.83
Full Size Value: $17
AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
It’s a big gamble for Sephora to send out a foundation. Of course it doesn’t match me. The lighter of the two shades (104 Tan Blush) is usable for me, but it is too dark. I can tone it down and make it wearable. The darker shade, 106 Almond Blush, is very orange. I’ll be throwing it away. The formula also has an incredibly overpowering floral scent. I can’t stand it. So, that said, I don’t think that this is for me. Solid pass.
Sample Size Value: $5.71
Full Size Value: $60
Tory Burch Love Relentlessly
I hate talking about perfume, but this one is generally floral, with a hint of patchouli. It’s very strong, and strong scents give Charles awful headaches, so I’ll probably skip on it. If you like very strong floral scents, this one might be for you.
Sample Size Value: $2.53
Full Size Value: $86
Top to Bottom: AmorePacific CC Cream 104 Tan Blush, 106 Almond Blush, Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, Tarte Frxxxtion Stick
This month...pretty average. I don’t mind because I feel like everything in this box was unique and unusual. I subscribe to this kind of box to try new, innovative things, and that’s what I got this month, even if they didn’t all work out. The total value of this box was $29.08, and it cost $10. If you’re interested in trying out a Sephora Play! box, you can check it out here. It’s not an affiliate link, either. Sephora doesn’t do referral programs, in case that’s something that you like. The only "perk" is the points, or the opportunity to go to a class at Sephora, unlike other reward-based boxes. Either way, I think this one's worth it. Would recommend.
