I used to get really excited for my Play! box to show up each month, but I can’t say that I have enjoyed the past few boxes that I’ve gotten from them. I want to love it, but compared to similar boxes like (hello, Birchbox) it keeps falling short for me. The theme was Hot Hot Hot this month, but instead it was Not Not Not (womp, womp).
Price: $10/month
Box Type: Beauty products, 5-6 deluxe samples
Why you’ll love it: High end brands (no drugstore products here), new and interesting products in deluxe sample sizes, plus a cute little bag each month! It’s a great mix of makeup and skincare.
How to Subscribe: Click here!
Check out what was in the Play! by Sephora box this month:
Here’s the deal. Sephora sends out like 6 or 7 different versions of Play! seemingly at random, and I’m bummed nearly every month when I see the boxes that everyone else received. This isn’t a BAD mix, per se. But compared to the Tatcha and Becca samples that other folks got, I’m not feeling the shampoo foil packs and the 100th sample of Bum Bum Cream and priming spray that seem to come every month now. Sigh.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ($20-$45 for full-size): I like Bum Bum Cream, I really do. It smells super good and it’s moisturizing, so it checks all the boxes and fulfills all body lotion requirements. I just don’t need them to send me a sample of it every month. Seriously, I have enough samples right now that it’s like I have two full jars. This is definitely a first world problem, and again I do like the product a lot, but I subscribed to Play! because they used to send samples of new products or at least things I’ve never tried before. Speaking of which…
Marajo Cleansing Creme & Deep Treatment Butter Duo ($44 for full-size set): This is the third time I’ve gotten this sample. I counted them this morning. Like the Bum Bum Cream, I’m sure there is nothing wrong with this product. But since I filled out the Play! account preferences, Sephora knows I have fine hair and am looking for volume, and deep treatment butters and cleansing cremes aren’t exactly a match with my hair type. Come on, Sephora.
Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydracharged Priming Spray ($32 for full-size): In all fairness, I do like the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray, so maybe their priming spray is also good. I am a little annoyed that I have been getting a primer every month for like 6 months straight though. How much primer does one person need, Sephora? My skin is beyond primed already. I haven’t tried this spray yet because I have roughly 500 primers to try before this one, but one day in like 10 years I’ll let you know how it went.
Cover FX Power Play Foundation ($44 for full-size): I am actually totally 100% fine with receiving this sample this month! *golf clap* They actually nailed my shade (usually it is hilariously off), and I have been wanting to try this foundation for a little while. I’ve heard good things about it, primarily that it stays put all day and feels like nothing on the skin. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but I am looking forward to it.
IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo ($14-$27 for full-size): I’m not in love with this dry shampoo (let’s be real, Batiste is the best around and probably always will be), but I do appreciate the size of this sample. The 2 oz mini bottle is $14 retail, so this 1 oz sample is roughly $7 worth of product, which is pretty good value for a sample box that costs $10. I use dry shampoo all the time, so I am pretty picky. This one can turn a bit chalky if you over do it, but it is effective. Is it the best around? No. But I’ll use the bottle for sure.
Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes, & Lips ($9.50-$19 for full-size): I know a lot of people like this product, but I don’t really have a use for it in my routine. My holy grail Drunk Elephant Beste cleanser is also an excellent makeup remover, so I don’t need a separate product to remove my eye makeup. This is just another product that I don’t have a particular problem with, it’s just not a product that is right for me and therefore not one that I’m excited about at all. I’ve also never been a fan of Clinique products (aside from over-spraying Happy when I was in middle school, obviously), and I don’t quite understand the hype around the brand. They seem like products from another generation, like Avon and (…dare I say it? I’m gonna go ahead and say it…) Estee Lauder. I know that’s heresy, but there are so many better products out there.
Final Rating: D
If I keep getting boring Play! boxes that aren’t fight for me, this is going to end up on my canceled list. Sephora, you’re officially on notice. I didn’t want anything in this month’s box except for the Cover FX foundation sample, but for $10 I would expect more than that. It seems like most of these products are available as coupon code bonus samples or freebie samples when you make regular purchases from Sephora, and that’s disappointing. I hope they steer things back toward sending new release, higher end, and lesser known products because things were a lot more interesting then! Do you agree or am I totally wrong? Tell us in the comments!
XO,
Jill
I bought this box, all opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links.