Play! by Sephora: The Iconic Edition

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Sephora, offering this special edition Play! by Sephora for VIB Rouge members for $20. The email said the box would include deluxe designer samples from brands like La Mer, Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent and more. I was sold. I just added it to my shopping bag as normal and took that moment to make a Sephora order. (I pretty much always have a running Sephora order. I don’t debate IF I’m going to push Order, it’s just WHEN.)

Unfortunately, because of the exclusive nature of this box, it’s no longer available for purchase.

The box itself was special – black with a special metallic gold logo. Definitely different than the regular black and white stripe monthly box. 

Girrrrrl check out that gold bag! And the insert is an actual bound book! We are getting fancy, y’all.

Like I said, the normal product sheet was an actual little book for the Iconic Edition. There is a page for each product (Chapter 1) and then a few other chapters, with a quiz to find out what iconic style you have (Chapter 2) and then some tips for how to wear each product (Chapter 3.)

I was trying to show that there was a sheer gold sheet in front of the title page but I was having a hard time photographing it. The point is… FANCY.

I just wanted to give y’all some pictures of what that little book actually contained!

I LOVE THIS GOLD BAG. If you know me, you know I love gold everything. Like, I have two gold staplers – one for work and one for home. Same with my gold scissors. I have a problem. So I am really excited for this shiny gold makeup bag! I’m definitely going to use it!

And here’s everything they sent! I really hope Sephora does a volume II of this bag sometime because there are SO MANY fancy products I would love to try that they could include!

Guerlain L’Or Pur Radiance Face Primer ($74): Girl. THAT PRICE TAG THOUGH. I have always been interested in trying this product, especially because Tati raved about it. But like, I am NOT about to drop $74 on a primer. I also thought this was really similar to the YSL one because they both have little gold flecks in them. However, while I haven’t used the Guerlain under makeup, I used it on my hand, and the texture is super different than the YSL one. It felt more gel-like whereas the YSL one is more silicone-y. I’m so excited to use this and I am kind of mad that I forgot I had this. I will be playing with it ASAP.

Comparing the Guerlain with the YSL (which was not in this box – I got it in my June Allure Beauty Box.)

La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream ($85-$310): If y’all watched my last Regrets video, you would know that I can’t use this stuff, as much as I want to. Especially because this was a huge sample – just .5 oz costs $85 and we got .24 oz in the box. Basically I got $40 worth of La Mer! I have actually taken a La Mer class at Neimans and wish I could use La Mer since I know what great anti-aging properties they contain… but this stuff in particular breaks me out. I am so bummed, since this product on it’s own is worth twice the cost of the box. But on the other hand, at least I don’t have to drop $300 on cream?

Burberry Cat Lashes Mascara ($30): I really liked this mascara! The brush is an hourglass shape, kind of like Too Faced Better Than Sex, however, it’s rubbery versus the natural-style bristles. I think it’s great for getting long, defined lashes! I’m not sure if I would buy the full-size version, especially since this $9 drugstore mascara came into my life, but I’ll definitely use this sample.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick in 49 Bright Strawberry Pink ($37): I have wanted to try these YSL lipsticks for soooo long. And I just looked up the ingredients and there isn’t castor oil in there! Yay!

Here is a swatch of the YSL Lipstick in Bright Strawberry Pink.

Dior Poison Girl ($60-$100): Weirdly enough, I can’t remember if I have ever smelled Dior’s Poison perfume? But I actually did like this one! It was really light and sweet. Here’s how they describe it:

Poison Girl is a floral gourmand that seduces with a fruity floral top note and the addictive base. A pairing of icy-cool and juicy oranges complement each other while armfuls of sensual flowers introduce a spirited hot and cold ambiance. Lastly, tonka bean and vanilla notes spread their sensual and bittersweet caress.

The only thing I don’t like is the bottle itself. These tiny bottles are adorable but not super practical if you really want to wear it. It’s hard to get the lid out and you don’t want to pull really hard and get perfume everywhere. So I’m still working through that.

Tom Ford Black Orchid ($45-$168): When I first received samples of this years ago, I never could figure out if it was for a man or woman because the packaging is very dark and masculine so I could see it working either way. And the scent itself is very dark and mysterious. Like it’s pretty heavy when I first put it on but as I wear it, it gets lighter and sweeter. But as I am terrible at describing scents, here’s what they say:

A luxurious and sensual fragrance of rich, dark accords and an alluring potion of black orchids and spice, TOM FORD Black Orchid is both modern and timeless. Bottled in fluted, black glass, Black Orchid makes an unforgettable statement of iconic style and worldly glamour.

When I opened the little packet, I was expecting a little regular spray applicator but it’s actually a tiny roller ball! I love it! I sort of wish that Sephora had included only one perfume and another makeup product instead but oh well. I will definitely use the ones they sent, especially the Tom Ford. It’s definitely grown on me throughout the years since I first smelled it and so I may or may not buy a small full-size of it someday, just to wear on special occasions.

Final Grade: A

This special Play! by Sephora box was a fun way to try so many fancy schmancy products! I really hope they do this again with other products! (And maybe only one perfume?)

If you love Sephora, you should definitely subscribe to the $10/monthly Play! by Sephora box! Click here if you want to subscribe!

Purchased; All opinions are my own
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laurenelectro

A self-proclaimed beauty junkie/hoarder with a serious Sephora problem. This blog is a total rationalization of that problem. Everything is TOTALLY fine. Her free time is a mixed combination of making fun of reality TV with her husband, hanging out with cats and finally trying to figure out how to do her hair.