January 2017 Play! by Sephora

Hey Y'all! It's time to start a monthly review of each Sephora Play! box so I don't end up piling them up all at once again. I think that January was one of the best boxes for me by far. I actually wasn't too excited about it when some of the other boxes were revealed, but I feel like I really lucked out once again. This month, unlike most of last year, I attempted to try out every product to have the full experience.

• Pinrose Wild Child Perfume Towelette - I really wanted to like this, but of course like most of the other months, I just couldn't. I feel like if it came in the regular little vial I might have been able to use it, but with the towelette you have no control over how much you use. It ended up being too strong. The smell is actually the same as the description, jasmine and gardenias, I felt like I ran and rolled though a garden of flowers.
• Caudalie Resveratrol Lift - This moisturizer/sunscreen wasn't too special. I tried it out for a couple days and I just noticed I would get extra oily, mostly because the sunscreen. It is supposed to "volumize, firm and smooth the look of mature skin." So, I'm not sure if its because I don't have mature skin, but I saw no difference in my skin while using this.
• Dermablend Loose Setting Powder - I really loved this, so much I'm thinking about buying a full size. I use this all over my face to set my foundation. It gives my face a nice, smooth look. The only con for me is that I gives me a tiny bit of a white cast, nothing noticeable to anyone else but me though!
• Ouai Hair Treatment Masque - I usually don't like to try the hair products because I have very long curly hair and would need like half a full size bottle, but I tried it this month! I used it mainly on my ends and a few random dry spots. I felt like it really left my hair softer, I wish I would have had the chance to try it on all my hair.
• Tarte Frixxxion Stick - I don't know what it is about this, maybe because its a stick, but I absolutely loved it. I washed my face with it every morning until it ran out. I loved that it exfoliates but is still gentle on the skin. Also, for more exfoliation, you can leave it on as a mask before washing off. If I didn't already have a good skincare routine going I would buy this in a heartbeat!!
• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - A few years ago this exact product was so unbelievably popular, but when I tried it I was disappointed because it barely showed on my lips, that are almost the same color. Now, however, I love it. It's the perfect touch to my no makeup makeup days. The only con is that it came broken, it would have been fine if it was just some of the tip, but it was broken at the base, which I later found out a lot of other people had this same problem. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed using everything this month that I went back to some of the items I never tried in the other months and used them up, nothing was particularly life changing, but it was really fun trying things out. Like always, if you're able to, sign up for this box! 

Play! by Sephora 2016 Monthly Review Pt. 2

I feel like during the last half of the year the boxes definitely improved. In this post will be the last six months on 2016 and my thoughts on the products I received.

July:

• First Aid Beauty Red Clay Deep Cleanser
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
• Ouai Wave Spray
• Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer
• BeautyBlender Blotterazzi 
• Nest Citrine

This is around the time that Sephora started doing somewhat customized products for every type of variation, as well as putting the products into a bag instead of a box in box. This box ended up being another "eh" type box for me. I already had the full size TF Bronzer, so that was given away along with the Ouai Spray. The Nest Perfume actually smelled similar to the Atelier Cologne from May. BB Blotterazzi, if used as its intended purpose, is a bit too gimmicky, but its made from the same sponge material that the original BeautyBlender is from so it can also be used to apply makeup. As for the Smashbox Primer, I wanted to love it, but after testing flash photos while using it, I saw that it gives a white cast, so I immediately stopped using it.

August:

• Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
• Sephora Eye Pencil in Taupe
• Caudalie Resveratrol Eye Lifting Balm
• Clean Reserve in Blonde Rose
• MUFE Shadow in I544
• Lancome Energie De Vie Moisturizer

I received the wrong box this month but I didn't actually mind because there wasn't too big of a difference in the products. I didn't use the Eye Lifting Balm, because my eyes don't need to be lifted(just kidding), but mostly because there was little to no product in the tube. Also, I didn't use the perfume because it wasn't my taste at all, and I didn't use the Lancome Moisturizer... because I only just now found out what it was. I expected to love the mascara but it left my lashes too clumpy. I know thats a look some people like, and I don't mind that, but my lashes will basically turn into three big lashes if I don't use something that separates them. I did end up loving the Sephora Eyeliner, because its not too dark and it lasts a good while on my waterline, and I'm just a big fangirl for MUFE shadows, so of course I loved it.

September:

• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Overnight Hair Night Cap
• Ole Henrikson Sheer Transformation Moisturizer
• Sephora Rouge Shine Lipstick in Love Spell
• Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia 
• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

This box contained a repeat, KVD liner, which isn't so bad if I liked it more. Sud Magnolia smelled very citrusy still but with a hint of floral. If my hair wasn't long and curly I would have actually tried the Hair Night Cap. I love the Ole Henrikson Moisturizer, I used this every night, I still do when I alternate from my normal skincare routine. I didn't bother with the lipstick because I know its just a tad bit creamy looking, so on me it look ashy and pastel. ABH Clear Brow Gel is HG status now, I've tried dupes of it and nothing is as good is the real thing. Definitely something that I will be purchasing again and again.

October:

• Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Drivers Seat
• Madame C. J. Walker Scent & Shine Coconut Oil
• Derek Lam 10 Crosby Silent St.
• Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
• The Estee Edit Flash Photo Lipgloss
• Pharmacy Skin Dew

I was so excited to get the liquid lipstick in this box because I had been wanting to try the formula. Even though I didn't absolutely love the color, I ended up buying a full size in a different shade. I gave away the Night Serum because I knew I wouldn't use it, I tried the Skin Dew once but the smell was too strong and it made my skin too oily. The perfume smelled good but easily forgettable, not something that makes me want to jump and buy it, but it was nice to have a sample of. The last two products I think were completely ridiculous. "A high-tech, high-shine gloss with cool blue micro-pearls to help bring out the white in your smile." Straight from the Sephora site. The whole Estee Edit line seems like a desperate attempt by Estee Lauder to appeal to younger consumers, it seems cool, but the lipgloss ended up being very thick and sticky and the "micro-pearls" did nothing. Coconut oil is amazing, I actually do use this product, only because its coconut oil, however theres a strong scent, seemingly to mask the natural smell of the oil. Theres no actual way to go wrong with coconut oil, until you're charging $27 for 1.7oz, when you can buy the same thing from the grocery/drugstore (and sometimes ulta) for way cheaper for so much more product.

November:

• Sephora Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Pin Up Pink
• CoverFX Illuminating Primer
• Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
• Stella McCartney Pop
• Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rose Gold
• GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate

This box was mostly a hit. The only product I didn't not use was the perfume because to me, all I smelled was tomatoes. The lip gel was so amazing to me that I ended up having friends gift them to me for Christmas. It is so shiney and glossy without being too sticky and it lasts so long. I liked the primer because it gave a more natural glow than the Becca one I received in a previous box. The Caudalie Moisturizer was so amazing, I didn't need that much for my face so a little went a long way, but at the end of the day my t-zone had a little extra oil. The Caviar Stick is awesome, I've used it a few times as a base, because once it sets it doesn't budge, but the color itself is beautiful too and can definitely be used alone. The first time I used the Glamglow mask, it left my skin soft and so refreshed. The second time, it tingled too much and almost felt like it burned, I had to wash it off before it dried. It left my skin with little red bumps where it hurt the most.

December:

• Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon
• Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red
• DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo
• MUFE Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer
• Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
• Urban Decay All Nighter

The mascara ,unfortunately, was too clumpy for me to use and of course I didn't use the dry shampoo and it was given away. I still haven't used the MUFE primer because I feel like it will make my face too matte. The Cream Lip Stain was so great I kept thinking about buying the full size, because the sample was a little bigger than a quarter, so with my big lips it lasted for about 2, maybe three applications. It was so comfortable and I think I still might consider buying the full size for the upcoming spring months. I never knew I could love a perfume so much. Nirvana Bourbon wasn't even a type of perfume I liked, but now I love it, loved it so much I bought it. So I can now smell like Bourbon, and leather forever and ever. I used to always buy DeSlick, the travel size, before they raised the prices, and it wouldn't work that well to keep me not oily, so I deemed it not useful. I stopped using setting sprays for awhile actually until I got this one and I feel like I now know the secret for long lasting makeup. I used the sample size up so fast that for the first time I actually went and bought a full size bottle. 

I know after going through every month that I didn't actually keep or use every product, but for $10, its still worth every penny. Even when its just one out of six that I like, I still think its okay, because there is usually a good amount of product, and if I don't like something I know someone who would. I would have never bought All Nighter or Nirvana Bourbon if it weren't for this, so I'm pretty happy overall. If you have the choice, definitely get on the waitlist for this!! If you read this far, thank you so much! Also, if you receive this box, let me know which were some of your favorite products or favorite months!

Play! by Sephora: 2016 Monthly Review Pt. 1

Beauty boxes are one of the best ways to test new products without dropping major cash and risking not actually liking it, of course, you could always go into Sephora and ask for a sample of something. My favorite part of monthly subscription boxes is that I get to try out things I never would have thought to or never wanted to.

The difference between boxes is mostly your preference, for example, there are boxes that you can customize more to you and the samples sent out would reflect that, or there are some that are completely random. In the beginning, Play! was a set 6 samples sent to everyone. However, now, there is a few variations per month and it all depends on what you have in your Sephora beauty profile. I, personally, choose Play! over other boxes because it's brands that I know/love.

  January:

• Tocca Isabel
• Clinique Chubby Highlight Stick
• Dr. Brandt Needles No More
• Dr. Dennis Gross Daily Peel
• Living Proof Prime Style Extender Spray
• Sephora Honey Eye Mask

This was my first box after being on the waitlist for about a month. It came in a box in a box, with tons of little crinkled paper. From this box I only used two items, the Sephora Mask and the Clinique Chubby Highlight Stick. The other items did not appeal to me because I wasn't too into that type of skin care, I have too much hair and I'm too sensitive with smells to use just any perfume. The Highlight Stick has been a staple in my minimal makeup looks since receiving it, I actually still have it and use it because it has so much product.

February:

• Tom Ford Black Orchid
• Bumble & Bumble Prêt-a-powder 
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes
• MUFE Rouge Artist N9 Lipstick
• Lance Drama Liqui-Pencil
• BareMinerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil-Balm

My second month in and I was already considering cancelling. I wasn't sure if it was completely worth it. The MUFE lipstick seemed like left over from the 2015 birthday gift, my lips are way too pigmented for anything thats supposed to be a "pop of color" and again I couldn't handle the perfume scent. I tried out the dry shampoo but it just ended up giving me dandruff. The only product I used and loved from this box was the Lancome Eyeliner. Its so pigmented and it lasts so long. 

March:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil
• Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
• Replica Beach Walk
• Murad Invisiblur
• Sephora Airbrush Sponge
• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

I actually really enjoyed this box. I gave away the sponge, because I had recently got a new beautyblender at that time, but it was a full size sponge worth more than the box itself. The perfume smelled amazing, the soy face cleanser didn't do anything for my oily skin but I used it anyways. This gave me the opportunity to finally try the KVD Liner, while I liked it, I prefer a liquid liner with a brush. I was completely obsessed with the Murad Invisiblur, it worked so well and it lasted for a few months. The Primer Oil is the first item that I ended up buying full size shortly after using it. This box also included a little sample container. It was there so you could go in and get color matched at Sephora and get a sample of foundation. Being the shy, introverted person that I am, it got put in a drawer and forgotten about.

April:

• Derek Lam 10 Crosby 2AM Kiss
• Milk Sunshine Oil
• Sunday Riley Good Genes 
• Sephora Colorful Cheek Ink Gel
• Nars Satin Lip Pencil
• Clinique Pep-start Eye Cream

In this box I tried two things and the rest were given away. 2AM Kiss is one of the better perfumes to be sent out in the boxes, my only wish is that it was sent out in the Fall. One of its bigger notes is salted caramel, so as amazing as it was, it didn't go well with Spring. I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in a product than I was with the Sunshine Oil. I heard Milk was such a good minimal brand and couldn't wait to try it out, but the oil ended up being too thick to use as a skincare product, or anything else for that matter. While I'm sure other products from Milk are great, This ended up straight in the trash.

May:

• Tarte tarteist Lip Crayon
• Bite Amuse Bouche in Kimchi
• Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine
• Origins Maskimizer, plus two sample masks
• Briogeo Dont Despair, Repair! Hair Mask
• Korres Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial 

For a while I used the Korres Sleeping Mask but the smell eventually got to me and I couldn't use it. The lipstick and the lip pencil ended up working really well together and I loved the formula of them both. I also liked the perfume, but it smelled like I just got different citrus' and dumped the juice on me. The maskimizer seemed pretty gimmicky, to where I only used it with the masks it came with and that was it. Again, I didn't use the hair product.

June:

• BareMinerals BareSkin Serum Bronzer
• Bumble & Bumble Don't Blow It 
• Benefit They're Really Mascara
• Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen
• Becca Backlight Priming Filter
• Tocca Florence

I think its safe to say that I don't like any Tocca perfumes and I won't use any hair product because my hair is too long and too curly, so I need specific type of products. Other than that, I enjoyed the rest of the box! I almost bought a full size of the Tarteguard, but realized that I could get a better sunscreen, and also the Becca primer, but in the end, it was a little too metallic for my skin. I tried the mascara when it was first released and I know I didn't like it, but my preference in mascaras changed since then and I used that baby up until it was all gone.


Having all twelve months in one post would be a bit too much for one read. So, if you're interested, stay tuned for the next part for the second half of the year! Thank you, as always, for reading!!