I know I just shared my April and May Ipsy bags yesterday, but hey I’m on a roll. So let’s do Sephora Play for April and May.
April
I tossed the materials that came with this bag, so I don’t exactly know what the theme is. But the white cotton bag with the green grosgrain ribbon says “Make It Snappy” on it. I like the green ribbon.
Here’s what I got in my bag:
- Buxom Plump Up the Volume, shade Celeste: As much as I want to like lip products from Buxom, 9 times out of 10 they contain peppermint or menthol. No surprise, Plump Up the Volume does too. The small cute doe-foot travel sample is a pretty light pink-caramel with some shine. But when I wear it, it makes my lips tingle uncomfortably. There’s hardly anything in this tiny bottle so I’ll use it a couple of times more and it’s be finished.
- Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel: I dislike the smell of ferulic acid but I will give this single use peel a try tonight.
- Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate: I am a big fan of Kiehl’s skincare so I was looking forward to trying this little tube of Line-Reducing Concentrate with Hyaluronic Acid. Actually, I just remembered that after I used my Bloom Mineral Hydrating Almond Scrub on my dirty face after gardening for 3.5 hours, I used a glycolic acid pad and applied HA serum, but I forgot to put on moisturizer. So I just tried the Kiehl’s Line-Reducing Concentrate. To my surprise, it’s an opaque off-white cream that feels greasy on my skin. I will continue to use this only at night. Hmmm.
- philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra Lightweight Moisturizer: Gee, instead of using the Kiehl’s serum, I should have just applied Purity Ultra Lightweight Moisturizer. It is exactly what it says: a very lightweight but still hydrating lotion. Perfect for summer.
- Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector, Blurring Skin Tint with Sunscreen SPF 25: Although it comes in a variety of shades, unfortunately the shade I received, 06, is too dark and too golden for me. Otherwise, I would have really liked this lightweight sunscreen skin tint. I’ll put it in the giveaway bag.
- My Burberry Eau de Parfum Spray: Although not my kind of scent, this light fruity-floral scent is perfect for summer.
This bag was meh for me. I can’t really wear the Buxom or the MUFE Blurring Perfector. The scent doesn’t suit me. The Philosophy Moisturizer and the Kiehl’s serum are fine, but the tubes are tiny. I’ll let you know how I like the Dr. Dennis Gross Peel. Rather disappointing bag.
May
The bag itself for May is kind of cute. It has a denim look to it, and I like the red and white drawstring that reminds me of a cute shoelace.
What’s inside?
- Bumble & Bumble BB Thickening Spray Pre-Styler: I have super thick hair already. Why does Sephora keep sending me hair thickeners? Goes in the giveaway bag.
- Sephora Black Clay Mask: I have super dry skin. Why does Sephora keep sending me drying, clay masks? Goes in the giveaway bag.
- Benefit the Porefessional Pore Primer: This is the 4th or 5th time I have received a pore refining product from this line. While I’m sure it’s a good product, I don’t need it because fortunately, I don’t have noticeable pores. Giveaway bag again.
- Kat von D Tattoo Liner, Trooper Black: This is the 3rd time I’ve gotten this liner. Though it’s a good one, I don’t need another. Giveaway bag.
- BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Powder, shade Champagne Pop: Although I was happy to get this pretty little compact in an attractive champagne shade, there’s either something wrong with this f**ing clasp on the compact or there’s something wrong with me. I can’t open it 90% of the time. Very nice, but virtually unusable.
- Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum: I don’t usually like this scent on me, but tonight it actually smells good to me. The caramel notes are coming through.
So 4 out of 5 items are going in my giveaway bag. Very disappointing. Though I actually have bought a number of full size cosmetics after trying samples from my Sephora Play bags, I cancelled my subscription last night. Two bags in a row that just weren’t worth while, even for $10. I can always re-up in the future if I miss it.
What did you get in your Sephora Play bag if you’re a subscriber? Were you happy with it?
It sort of sounds like both bags fell short. I like that Becca Champagne Pop the best, but a malfunctioning compact is frustrating! Perhaps you could depot it? I will also say that I have so many samples and travel sizes collecting dust that I am less likely to buy subscription boxes and bags that feature samples. I really prefer fewer things in full sizes (or near full sizes).
The BECCA powder is great, so I’ve gotta figure out how to get the compact to open and close because I like the travel size compact. Nevertheless, I cancelled my subscription. I was thinking about cancelling Ipsy and going with Boxycharm for a while, but then what will I do with all those full size products, lol. What to do?
How disappointing! Glad you cancelled.
Overall, I did discover some good products that I’ve purchased in full size from my Sephora Play subscription, but I get too many repeats and too many products that don’t suit my hair and skin type. It was fun, but after 2+ years, it’s time to give it a rest.
Both bags are a little disappointing, the second one more than the first. When Sephora came out with this beauty sub, everyone was super excited but the more I see what was included, the more I feel I’m not missing out on anything.
Although I have bought full size versions of products I discovered via Sephora Play, I cancelled my subscription. These two bags did it since they contained so many products that weren’t for my hair or skin type. I don’t think that Sephora puts enough thought into personalizing the bags, and there are too many repeats. Boo
Morning on this rainy day in California 🙋🏻☕️🌧 cute bags and the nice sample size products. Love trying anything new. Dennis Gross products are so nice, I purchase several of his products. Have a nice day. 😘
Good morning to you, DiEtta! Rain in the LA area, amazing. I used one of the 2 Dennis Gross exfoliating pads last night, and I liked it a lot. It didn’t smell like ferulic acid, it didn’t smell at all, and it wasn’t irritating. Good stuff! But I cancelled my subscription to Sephora. In spite of the fact that I have discovered some great products and bought the full size versions, I get too many repeat products and things that aren’t for my hair and skin type. If I miss it, I’ll re-up in the future. Enjoy your day!
The BECCA highlighter is cute. I love Dr. Dennis Gross.
This cements my feeling that I was right to cancel this sub. I’ve gotten many of those over and over. Sorry that you didn’t have winners.
I finally got the courage to pull the plug with two bad bags in a row. Glad you pulled the plug too! I’m considering Boxycharm, but not sure I’ll know what to do with more full size products! I’ll have to move 😉
I’m convinced that Benefit just sends Sephora (and probably everyone else too) case after case after case of Porefessional samples and minis. I’ve probably given away ten of those dumb little sample cards with the peel-off blister thing, and I’ve still got a pile of them left. What’s worse is that I’ve NEVER selected that as one of the samples to receive with my order! *rolls eyes* Given that, I’m not at all surprised that the minis are also on repeat in everyone’s sub bags.
You’re probably right, Rach, especially about Benefit’s Porefessional. I assume that certain brands pay Sephora to include their minis in the Play bags as advertising/sampling, so that’s why we see the same brands over and over. I’m taking a break from Play for a while. I don’t think Sephora ever looked at my profile/survey either, grrrrr
You should do Fab Fit Fun or Popsugar instead!
Thanks for the suggestions! I will check them out.
Both of these bags are good!
LOL, I hated them and cancelled my subscription! 😀
I love getting these bags, it’s an addiction. However, mine had most the same as yours and I feel like they’re really getting too repetitive with some of the products.
I pulled the plug on Sephora because both bags were meh for me, though over the years, I have bought full size versions of at least a dozen products. Like you said, it gets too repetitive. I’m taking a break from this subscription.
Unfortunately this bag would be meh for me too! Too many neutral shades!
I’m taking a break from Sephora Play for a while. Wondering whether to try Boxycharm for a few months?
I enjoyed my May bag more than April. I’m just not wowed anymore though. They started off strong, and now remind me of other boxes I’ve tried and cancelled
I decided to give Sephora Play a rest for a while. Too many repeats
I agree that the May bag was a total miss, even though I got different samples from what you received. And I wonder the same thing about the Sephora brand clay mask… Why would they make that the one product that’s common to every bag? Clay masks are very specific and don’t work on all skin types. It makes me wonder why we bother to fill a profile detailing our skin type and tone if they don’t even refer to it before picking products!