You know, I’m not sure if the monthly Sephora Play! bag has a theme or not. Frankly, I don’t think it matters. The cosmetics in the bags seem pretty random to me.
But for July, Sephora Play adorned the muslin bag, that is now in its third month, with a pink ice cream treat with a bite out of it and a pink kiss near the bitten area of the ice cream pop. Cute.
I’m on the fence about Sephora Play. I know a lot of women really like it, but I find it very hit or miss in spite of the fact that the products are all high-end brands. In my new July bag, I got a couple of things that I can use but nothing I’m even remotely excited about. Last month, I got a mascara and a very pretty tiny Tarte lipliner, but this month the makeup items are more utilitarian.
Here’s what I received:
- First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser: I’ve heard great things about this cleanser so I was happy to get this to try. I used it this evening, and it was fragrance-free and very gentle. I like it. It’ll go into my travel bag.
- Benefit Dew The Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer for the Face: Unfortunately, I don’t wear bronzer so this goes into the giveaway pile.
- Ouai Haircare Wave Spray: I have thick, coarse, straightish hair that gets frizzy and doesn’t wave. This will be given away.
- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: I like this silicone-based primer. I’ve bought it or the anti-aging version several times. I got another sample of this recently in a Birchbox, I think. I’ll throw this in my travel bag.
- Nest Eau de Parfum spray, Citrine: Not my type of scent. It has notes of lotus flower, freesia, citrus, and precious woods. I wish they wouldn’t include a fragrance sample in every bag because I haven’t received one that I liked since I subscribed.
- Beautyblender Blotterazzi and Liquid BlenderCleanser: I don’t have oily skin so I don’t need a blotting sponge. I’m going to try it as a flat beauty blender probably to blend out blush or concealer. I like the solid BlenderCleanser because it’s long lasting, but of course, I’ll try the liquid version.
Everything I received was a deluxe sample size. I don’t feel like calculating the value of each of these samples, but I know they’re worth more than $10.
Although I’ll use about 3 of the 6 samples, I’m not thrilled about this bag. I don’t feel like Sephora Play makes much of an attempt to personalize the bags. I’m pretty sure I got the same items as my friend Miriam, and our cosmetics preferences are often quite different. Oh well. I’m going to see how I like my August bag, and if it’s another meh bag like this where I’m either giving away or not using half of the products, I’ll cancel.
Do you subscribe to Sephora Play? Did you get the same items that I did, or did you get something different? Did you like what you got? Please let me know. I’m still curious how this subbie works.
I did get the exact same stuff. I like most of the items, but have received several Smash box primers between Play and Ipsy. Ipsy has now totally turned me off. Aside from the zillion black eyeliners I never use, they have now sent a dark brown brow product. I use dark blonde. The profile they get you to submit is totally irrelevant to the products they send. Bye bye Ipsy.
Let me know if you want the wave spray, Miriam! I can’t use it. I agree with you about the black eyeliners, though I’m happy to report I haven’t gotten one from ipsy in about 6 months or so, thank goodness. I wish I got the emerald green one that a friend got in her ipsy bag a couple of days ago. The dark brown brow product was a complete miss. Can you use it as either eyeliner or shadow? You’ve subscribed to ipsy for a long time. Probably time to cut the cord.
OOoo, it looks like they didn’t give much thought into your bag at all, Allison. Is there a quiz like ipsy so you can personalized your options?
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Celebrating Summer with Coppertone
I do remember taking a quiz, Shireen. I’ll have to look again at it, and cancel any fragrance samples and maybe hairstuff too
I haven’t gotten my box yet, but most of the products look like things I’d use at some point in time. I agree though, not a great month. Hopefully they’ll make up for it next time…
Stacie Hamilton recently posted…I’m Instacurling My Lashes
I think that your Ipsy bag was far more impressive. That said, this is a nice selection of utilitarian products, but nothing that would make me jump for joy!
Lola Seicento recently posted…African Botanics Marula Baobab Clay Oxygenating Cleanser and Buchu Botanical Enzyme Polish for Glowing, Luminous Skin
This was my 1st bag and I got what you got, I really liked the scent was glad to get to try it. Everything else was stuff i could use but not overjoyed with it. I ‘ll give it a few months and if it stay’s the same I’ll cancel.
Thank you, Judith, for taking the time to comment and let me know about your Sephora Play bag. I’m glad to hear the Nest Citrine parfum suited you. It was a very pretty scent but unfortunately didn’t mesh with my body chemistry. It’ll be interesting to see if the products improve over the next couple of months. I think this was my 4th bag, and I have gotten a couple of items that I liked but I expected more from Sephora, I guess
I agree, definitely meh. The only things I would use are the fragrance. I am drowning in Smashbox Primer samples!!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Summer Beach Bag Essentials!
I’ve been disappointed a lot with this sub. My bag was different and I don’t think I’ll use anything in it. I’ll give Lisa the next and Blotterazzi. I got OUAI for waves but I have totally straight hair. Too Faced Bronzer is too dark for me so it will be part of a giveaway. Not sure about the First Aid Beauty cleanser or the Smashbox Photo Finish. I guess I expected more from Sephora.
I get what you mean about personalization, though I would be happy to receive this lot.
Miranda Mendoza recently posted…4 Ways to Change Your Hair without Commitment
You got a lot of things I’ve been curious about but I would have felt the same way. I wouldn’t have used almost any of those. I was intrigued by that Hoola liquid bronzer when it came out too but I didn’t buy it because I knew I wouldn’t use a liquid bronzer. I thought the blotting sponge looked interesting but I’m dry too so would never use it.
Justina recently posted…Does the Makeup Revolution Golden Sugar 2 Palette have dupes for Becca’s blushes?
I keep promising myself to stop getting more beauty boxes but this one sounds nice. I’ve been wanting to try that Beauty Blender cleanser.
Aleya Bamdad recently posted…Ole Henriksen Reviews
It sucks that it wasn’t personalized to what you would use.
Phyrra recently posted…Holy Snails Shark Sauce Serum
I’d also be very disappointed. The only thing that appeals is the Ouiai product, just because it is a new line I’d try.
Norah recently posted…Promise Organic Skincare
Aside from the super cute bag, I wouldn’t be super thrilled with this selection either. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the BB Blotteratzi, so I’m interested in hearing what you think.
Bailey recently posted…Getting Oaty with A Derma Epitheliale A.H Duo & Xera-Mega Confort
I just got mine. Excited to try the Ouai spray and already love that Nest fragrance 🙂
Anastasia recently posted…Easy Negative Space Manicure Tutorial
This was my first Play box and I received the same items that you did. I am happy enough… Not stacking greasy BBs in a corner thrilled. I’ll use all of the products, even the fragrance sample. I hope that next month offers some makeups. If they throw me on the skin care pile, like Ipsy did, I’ll cancel.
Erika recently posted…Fashion Flash! Summer Edition
I’ve gotten some deluxe mascara samples and a pretty but tiny Tarte lipliner and a black liquid liner so there are makeup items from time to time. Glad you could wear the scent – it was a pretty fragrance but not on me!
I don’t think I’d like this box, it doesn’t have anything I’d use except the Smashbox Primer. However, there are nice things in the box, so that’s a plus 🙂
Destany recently posted…Literary Lacquers Book Club Customs – Sugar, Curiosity, and Rain & Oh, Calamity!
Pretty much, same with me. Someone else might have liked this bag better than I, but it’s not like it was put together for me
Yeah, it doesnt look personalized. It’s like they’re finding ways to recycle excess product samples and gain profit out of the “old stocks”
Kath Thefabzilla recently posted…Smashing Hot Lips Feat. Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick (Drivers Seat, Thrill Seeker, Disorderly)
You’re probably right, Kathryne. That Smashbox Primer sample has been making the rounds for a few years now
I LOVE Ouai!
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…Summer Beauty Secrets | 5 Reasons To Fake A Tan Before Vacation
I wish I got something else from Ouai then. Wave spray doesn’t do it for my hair 🙁
I got the FAB Deep Cleanser which I really like and the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer (which I won’t use) but overall I liked this months box!
Kristina recently posted…Easy Summer Dry Brush Manicure ft. Sally Hansen Complete Care
Was the other stuff you got in the bag different, Kristina? I’m wondering how I can change my responses to the initial survey to do better with Play
I got similar items this month, but didn’t get the bronzer and I’m very jealous hehe.