Play! by Sephora is a monthly subscription box that brings only the best and exclusive Sephora beauty and makeup samples. The subscription costs $10 per month, and you’ll get 5 deluxe beauty products, playlists, a fragrance bonus item, plus coupons you can use when you visit in-store.
That little card is a PLAY! Pass that will get you 50 extra Beauty Insider points with a purchase from the box – in-store only.
Your subscription also entitles you to PLAY! Date meetups if your store participates. I don’t even have a Sephora (not even a JCP one) but this box totally excites me even without those experiences – I love the high end brands every month for just $10.
The theme is “The Cool Cut” featuring breakthrough formulas and indie finds!
This fold out poster shows a list of all the items included in this box plus beauty trivia and tips. You can access all of the information and also watch the videos right on the Sephora site or use the app to scan the sheet for more info!
The items are placed inside a bag inside the box to keep everything secure. Lipstix and Chill? I think I will! Love these cutie cute bags.
All the goodies in my October box!
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil ($14.2) This is meant for all hair types, but the information on the package specifically refers to colored hair – it uses inula flower extract to protect both natural and dyed pigment! I was a bit surprised to see this in my box, because I have fine hair.
This mask uses prickly pear seed oil, an intensely hydrating oil (that I love for my dry skin!) and the formula is paraben, sulfate, and phthalate free! The other odd thing – it tells you to start with your scalp and go downwards. That was unusual, but it’s meant to stimulate your scalp as well. It’s still a mystery why I got this variation (see all the variations here), but I liked this product!
Erborian Bamboo Creme Frappee Skin Reviving Fresh Gel ($4.30) This unique gel cream uses a “bamboo waterlock complex” which combines bamboo fibers and sap to lock in moisture. My skin is sooooo soft! This has mixed reviews on Sephora but I personally loved it – I just wish the sample was larger, it’s pretty tiny.
Farmacy Skin Dew Mist ($9.07) This face mist hydrates and boosts your skin with antioxidants with their proprietary echinacea greenenvy and rosemary, bergamot and peppermint essential oils (tip – close your mouth when you spray!). I like this spray and it’s meant to be used alone, layered in your daily skincare regimen, or on makeup! And also, yes, that’s the actual value of this sample! It’s pricey, so use accordingly (which means luxuriate and enjoy!).
YSL Mon Paris ($92 full size, about $2) I’m so happy when I receive a spritzer instead of a vial (which I don’t mind from this subscription, because the fragrance is a bonus!). I didn’t expect to like this one – I don’t often like standard department store perfumes (even high end), and I guess I might class this as one, but this was so refreshing. It’s sweet and sparkling and a fun, vibrant scent.
Perfume notes: Strawberry, Raspberry, Bergamot, Calone, Pear, Orange Flower, Jasmin Sambac, White Peony, Datura, Patchouli, White Musk, Ambrox, Cedarwood, Crystal Moss.
Estee Edit Flash Photo Gloss ($7.41) This gloss has a great texture and cool-toned blue micro-pearls to give the effect of whiter teeth. 
I can’t say that I saw a speck of difference but I loved the glossy finish and vanilla scent. However, it was a total failure on its claims to make my teeth look whiter.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat ($12?) I couldn’t find a size on this, so I’m guessing like most glosses and mascaras that it’s half-size. This color is described as “warm pink” and in lower light it’s actually a bit coral.
The texture was a bit fluffy, lightweight, matte, but not dry. The pigment is great and I liked the color. This was a win!
This box was another wow for me – I think I’m really Sephora’s target market with this box! High end formulas, brand new items to try, and about a $49 value. My opinions are mixed on the huge box variations this month though. I absolutely loved the experience where everyone got the same box – but I think it’s likely that this subscription can’t grow without those variations, so I guess we’ll have to put up with it.
What did you think of your box this month??
The Sephora Play waitlist is open and you should be able to sign up now! Visit Play! by Sephora to subscribe or find out more!
The Description: The monthly Sephora subscription box offers 5 deluxe beauty and makeup samples – some totally exclusive to Sephora, plus coupons for in-store experiences, playlists, and a fragrance bonus item – all in a collectible bag!
The Price: $10.00 per month
The Categories: Beauty Subscription Boxes. Beauty Sample Subscription Boxes.
The Reviews: See all our Play! by Sephora Reviews.
The Spoilers: Check out Play! by Sephora Spoilers.
Comments
I got a different box the the one here including dry shampoo (again) and different fragrance which I really like Derek Lam to Crosy Silent Street. Which I like a lot. Plus I already have the YSL from somewhere else. I also have Tatcha hand cream which is quite lovely. Overall I’m happy with my products
I got the same box as Leslie. Totally different from you. Not sure if I’m going to keep this sub. I got caught up on the exclusivity bandwagon and thought I was lucky to get in. Much happier with IPSY for the price point but I have found a few products I really love, like the Hoola bronzer
My Sephora play October box is totally different than yours? I didn’t realize there was a difference? I thought they were all the same…evidentially not! But I’m HAPPY with mine!i got belif the true cream aqua bomb moisturizer, skin inc pure revival peel, blinc mascara amplified (GOOD SIZED SAMPLE) then the same smashbox lipgloss and the Christophe Robin hair masque. As usual, I love my Sephora play box! But, I thought EVERYONES was the same? Guess not!
I liked the Smashbox lippie. I was impressed with how well the formula worked for me. Im not a big fan of gloss but this one was okay. I really liked the perfume. The Bamboo cream is so small its hard to say if it would be a good match for my skin. I didn’t notice much of anything after I put it on. I used the Pharmacy mist twice today. It seems nice but Im not big on misting. So unless I see a difference in my skin from using it, I don’t see the point of it. It did feel refreshing. And I don’t know about the hair mask. I might like the results but I hate the way it smells and I don’t want that scent to linger on my head. Im not sure why I got it. I don’t have color treated hair. Overall, this box was underwhelming for me. I did still enjoy getting it and I really liked last month’s box and the theme for next month so I will stick with it for now. It is a great way to try expensive stuff for a low cost.
I have heard multiple people saying something about the scent of the hair mask and I honestly don’t remember it at all. I opened it for the photo and used it in the shower. I will have to check it out for sure.
I dropped this and went back to Ipsy but I think I may need to switch back. Those products look awesome!