Yesterday we looked at my Ipsy Snow Globe bag for December, and today let’s look at Sephora Play’s Glam Straight bag.
For the holiday and to fit with the Glam Straight concept, the drawstring bag is a pale peach satin with art deco style font and design.
What’s inside you ask?
Here are the travel size samples for this month:
- IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream ($8 for mini 0.237 oz. size): I really wanted to try this anti-aging moisturizer, so I’m happy to get this little jar.
- Smashbox Cover Shot Golden Hour Eyeshadow Duo from the larger $29 Golden Hour palette, shades Turned On and Psyched: Now this little shadow duo is what I’m talking about. When it comes to packaging, even for a travel size duo like this, Smashbox has it all over Pixi by Petra! Yes, I know that their price point and positioning are completely different, lol. I love the sturdy, shiny black palette with a usable mirror inside. Who does that for a sample? Smashbox does! The two shimmer shadows are lovely: peachy rose gold and coppery brown. Perfect shades for moi! Merci!
- Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour, shade Au Naturel: As you know, I love cream shadows, and stick shadows are so handy. I already like Laura Mercier Cavier Sticks, but surprisingly, I haven’t tried any of the matte versions. Au Naturel is a mushroom shade (taupe?), and I think it will make a terrific base or a good everyday shade. Also, I will like it as a crease color. Glad to get this!
- Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen, shade black: I hate to complain because most women who aren’t beauty bloggers would probably be happy to see a liquid eyeliner with a super thin point in their bag. It looks like a great eyeliner, but I’ll put it in the giveaway pile.
- Drybar Triple Sec 3 in 1 Spray for Volume and Body: This spray is meant for flat, lifeless hair. Not my thick, coarse, loaded with body hair. Goes into the huge pile of haircare products that I must, must giveaway soon.
- Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Spray: I pretty much ignore the fragrance samples in the Sephora Play bags that I receive. I almost never like the scents they give us. Unfortunately, Miss Dior is more of the same.
So that’s it. Comparing the Ipsy and Sephora Play bags for December, Sephora Play wins because of the IT Confidence In A Cream, Smashbox Eyeshadow Duo and Laura Mercier Caviar Stick. The prestige brands definitely had the edge.
What’s your Reaction?
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I think I’d love Drybar products if they’d just tone down the scents. Every one I’ve tried has been perfumed to a mind-boggling level, and I feel like like I’ve dumped a whole bottle of their fragrance du jour on top of my head. It competes with my perfume (no, who am I kidding- you can’t even tell I’m wearing any!) and the dry shampoo actually gave me a migraine. Which was sad, because it worked really well. I gave it to a coworker.
A thumbs up to whoever designed that bag though, because it’s really cute. I still wouldn’t use a lot of the contents (these subscription services are just not for me I suppose!) but this is one of the best bags I’ve seen posted about lately. I want to try that LM stick!!!
I haven’t tried any of the DryBar products I’ve received because they are never right for my hair type. I didn’t know they had a super-strong scent – boo! The Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Hydrating Serum that I got in my Ipsy bag is a fabulous product, but the scent is so darn strong, I don’t think I’ll be able to wear it on a regular basis. Why do company’s do that?? The Laura Mercier Caviar Stick is unbelievable. I have two of the shimmer sticks, but I adore this matte stick, in a taupe shade – Au Naturel. I swatched it along with the Smashbox shadows on my arm without primer, and I forgot they were there. I went to sleep and the next morning when I went to take a shower, I noticed that the Smashbox shadows had disappeared but the Caviar Stick looked as fresh as when I applied it. That stuff did not budge. I recommend it! Subbie bags/boxes aren’t for everyone. For me, it’s a way to try stuff that I wouldn’t purchase otherwise especially if I had to buy a full size. It’s good for the blog 😉 Have a Merry Christmas, Rach!
Sad about the N+F serum too. I agree, why do they do this? Some people react to ANY amount of fragrance, so they’re never going to win for those folks. I get that from a business standpoint you can’t please everyone. (And I am very glad for the companies that DO go the no fragrance route!) but even from that standpoint, wouldn’t you want to appeal to the broadest section of the market? …Which includes people that don’t mind fragrance, but don’t wished to be gassed out of their homes by rolling clouds of overly perfumed dry shampoo, or followed around all day by the cloying remains of facial serum turned scent-stalker? Would that section of the population indeed be smaller than, say, those that are willing to don hazmat suits in the pursuit of the perfect coiffure, or those that don’t mind confessing their signature scent is dragons blood with a side of Chanel??? 😛
That’s it, I’m buying a caviar stick.
Happy holidays, Allison!!!
Ps- Drybar, this is not a scathing review of your products. I LIKE your products. They work! And they’ll continue to work, no doubt, for those that do purchase and enjoy them. That person is just unfortunately not me. If you ever come out with a scent-phobic version let me know and I’ll be first in line!
You are too funny, but I agree with you, Rach, 100%! I know that many products have to have a masking scent so the chemicals won’t smell awful, but I don’t understand why Nib+Fab and Drybar scented their products so strongly. Like you said, it’s a turnoff to so many. Ugh. If you do get the Caviar Stick, I find that this matte stick stays on so much longer than the shimmer sticks from LM. Go figure! Thank you, Rach, and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
I got the Smashbox, Confidence in a Jar (already have it, love it), and same perfume…I also got a Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray (I already have pretty thick hair), TF Better Than Sex Mascara (already have it, its ok…), and a MUFE lipstick in a very pretty and wearable shade. I’m excited about the Smashbox and lipstick. I love those LM Caviar sticks. I have a few shimmer ones and they are perfect for highlighting my inner corner, especially when I’m using a matte palette.
That’s a good idea for a way to use the Laura Mercier shimmery caviar sticks (I have two shimmers that I bought a while back but one is purple). I am so impressed with how the Laura Mercier matte Au Naturel wears like iron! I swatched it on my arm and didn’t use primer, and I forgot it and the Smashbox swatches were there, and when I woke up in the morning, the Smashbox swatches had disappeared, but the Laura Mercier was there looking as fresh as when I applied it. I tried to remove it with soap and water, and it didn’t budge. I’m impressed! I love the Smashbox duo – glad you got it too. I was thrilled to get the Confidence in a Cream. (Have you tried the IT No. 50 Serum/Primer? It’s great too!) I wish Sephora would stop sending me haircare products because like the one that you got, they’re never right for my hair type. TF BTS Mascara isn’t my fave either. Curious about the MUFE lipstick. I’d say we both did pretty well this month!
Oooh! Now I’m going to have to try one of the Laura Mercier Matte sticks! The IT Serum is on my wishlist :-).
Tamara, it’s so interesting that the LM Matte Caviar Stick stays on forever, and the shimmery ones that I own don’t! If you do get one, LMK what you think and which shade you get. The IT No. 50 Serum rocks – I buy it when there’s a sale coz it is pricey. I’m hoping the bottle I bought several months ago will make it till IT’s next 25% off sale that’s usually in the spring, around Easter time.
You are making me think about resigning up for Sephora Play! Ipsy and Birchbox will probably never ever tempt me again…..but maybe Sehora Play 💞
LOL, Sandy! I think this Sephora Play bag was one of the best I received all year. Not every month has been this good. But if you shop Sephora and/or like the brands that they carry, it is a good way to get to try things that you wouldn’t necessarily buy in a full size. It is worth $10. If you look at the travel size products that Sephora sells at check out and that Macy’s sells in the white kiosks on the beauty floor, each of those products starts at $10. Hmm, I just talked myself into not cancelling, lol! Hope you have a Merry Christmas, Sandy!
This is by far the best December sub that I have seen! I was disappointed with BoxyCharm and LookFantastic! 🙁
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…THE FESTIVE EDITION: LAST MINUTE BEAUTY STOCKING STUFFERS
I saw another blogger’s LookFantastic video unboxing, and I didn’t think it was a great holiday box. I am often underwhelmed by Sephora Play, but this month I was delighted!
This is a pretty great bag, I think! It’s offers a nice range of products, but the makeup selection is my favorite part!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Last Minute Fragrant Bath & Body Gifts for the Holidays
This was probably the best Sephora Play bag I’ve gotten all year, Helen. And yes, it is the makeup that I’m most excited about. The Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in the matte taupe shade, Au Naturel, wears like iron. I am beyond impressed with it.
This is an improvement on previous Play bags. I give away a LOT in my subs because tastes are different. I do a lot of contests so I stick them in as extras. I have the original Smashbox and used it a lot. I should get it out again. The LM stick is a winner.
MarciaF recently posted…New Year’s beauty with Milani
I agree, Marcia. I have been disappointed in my Sephora Play bags many months this past year, but for me, this bag was a winner except for the Drybar. The LM Caviar Stick wears like iron – I love it!
I love those little Dry Bar products – perfect for my travel bag.
Jen Mathews recently posted…Here’s Why I Quit Using Antibacterial Soap
Unfortunately, I never use any of the Drybar stuff they send me. They’re always for the wrong hair type!
I would love to try Sephora subscription beauty!
I have the SB Golden Hour palette–it’s beautiful and you have just reminded me to pull it out again!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…The Best Eyeshadow Palettes of 2017!
That eyeshadow duo is clearly the winner in this bag! Both shades are so pretty, and will look nice worn to work over the next week.
CosmetopiaDigest.com recently posted…Best Beauty Products of 2017: Skincare Favourites
I love the Laura Mercier eyeshadow sticks. They’re so creamy and pigmented! This looks like a great bag! I stopped mine a while ago because I was feeling overwhelmed with beauty samples, but I always loved it for the most part!
Christine recently posted…Discover Jurlique’s Holiday Gift Sets
I need to cancel mine too, Christine, but it gives me something to write about that my readers spontaneously comment on, and I get to try stuff that I’d never buy a full size of so I’ll probably keep on. I put in the samples that I don’t use into giveaway winners boxes or share them with friends/family when I can find someone who’d use them. I am definitely loving the LM Caviar Stick in this matte shade more than the shimmery ones I own!
This one is definitely pretty good for the price point! I’d be excited about that IT Cosmetics cream too!
Babi recently posted…HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: TOP 8 FAVORITE PALETTES OF 2017
It was the best Sephora Play bag I’ve had all year. I love the IT Confidence In A Cream!!