Sephora Play January 2017 Review

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Play! by Sephora is a personalized, $10 monthly beauty subscription similar to Birchbox and Ipsy. It also happens to be our (Christine and Elise’s) favorite beauty box — although it’s not without its flaws.

Sephora Play’s January 2017 box is keeping up with the athleisure trend — the makeup and skincare items included are meant to help you touch up on the go. The bag this month reads “Sweat is just another way to glow” — and this bag deserves an honorable mention; the white mesh and sharp contrast of the coral accents make it an obvious standout. (Obviously we both loved it.)

Christine’s Sephora Play Products: $53.19 Total Value

Tarte Frxxxtion Stick Exfoliating Cleanser: $4.84 value/$22 for full-size
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey: Approx. $8.50 value/$17 for full-size
Ouai Haircare Treatment Masque: $6.67 value/$32 for full-size
Dermablend Loose Setting Powder in Translucent: $4.80 value/$27 for full-size
Caudalie Resveratrol Life Face Lifting Moisturizer: $25.38 value/$66 for full-size
Pinrose Wild Child Eau de Parfum Towelette: Approx. $3 value/$55 for full-size

I was really excited when I got this month’s box — almost as excited as I was for my first Sephora Play (aka the reason Elise signed up). I appreciate when a beauty box includes a wide variety of unique products, and that’s exactly how I felt about this month’s Sephora Play. I’m intrigued by the Tarte stick cleanser (weird concept, but I’m intrigued nonetheless), and I was stoked to get a hair treatment mask finally — haircare products are something I wish were included in more beauty boxes; as much as I love facial care, I feel like it’s a little overdone sometimes. That being said, I still can’t wait to try out the Caudalie moisturizer, if only because it’s expensive AF and it better be liquid gold.

By far my favorite thing in this box (and I think Elise and I feel the same way this month) is the Clinique “almost lipstick.” I have always loved Clinique’s lipsticks (I swear by their “Surprise” shade), but this Black Honey shade is quickly becoming my new fave. It seriously feels like chapstick on my lips (and I LOVE chapstick), but the color is super natural and flattering for any skintone. I was also really happy to see the loose setting powder in this month’s box — this is something I’ve been wanting to try for a while and I feel like Sephora just read my mind!

The only thing I wasn’t a big fan of this month was the perfume towelette. Not that it smelled bad or anything, it just kind of sucks that I only get one use out of it — one of my favorite things about Sephora Play is that they (usually) send an actual spray bottle for your perfume sample because it’s a much more practical way to sample perfume instead of awkwardly pouring some on your wrist (or wiping your wrist with a towelette).

Christine’s Verdict: Is Sephora Play Worth It?

The answer to this question is always a solid yes from me. Even on the months when I’m less than satisfied with some of my products, I love that Sephora Play consistently sends high-end, recognizable brands, and the value is always at least three times the cost of the box. This month, I lucked out because my value is more than five times the $10 cost — so needless to say, I’m extremely pleased this month and can’t wait to see what next month has in store!

Elise’s Sephora Play Products: $38.69 Total Value

Tarte Frxxxtion Stick Exfoliating Cleanser: $4.84 value/$22 for full-size
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey: Approx. $8.50 value/$17 for full-size
Ouai Haircare Treatment Masque: $6.67 value/$32 for full-size
AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact (in Tan Blush and Almond Blush): $11.42 value/$60 for full-size
Youth to the People Kale + Spinach + Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Cream: Approx. $5 value/$48 for full-size
Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Fragrance: $2.26 value/$68 for 1.0 oz/30 mL

First of all, yay for Sephora Play finally sending me a perfume sample that doesn’t make me want to vom. A solid 3.5 stars. I wouldn’t actually buy it, but it’s a step in the right direction.

The loves: The Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is my new obsession. Last month, Sephora sent a vampy bright red liquid lipstick that I immediately gave to Christine. It was drying and way too intense for my daily beauty routine. This Clinique “lipstick” is the exact opposite. It’s a sheer formula, so it looks SO natural. And it’s SO moisturizing. It’s the perfect go-to staple for werk. I’m also so excited that Sephora included a hair mask this month. I’ve been hoping to get one since I signed up three months ago, and this time Sephora delivered with the Ouai Haircare Treatment Masque.

The mehs: I’m intrigued by the Tarte Frxxxtion Stick Exfoliating Cleanser, but I have to admit it’s a weird concept. I’ve never even heard of a cleanser in the form of a stick before. That being said, Tarte is an amazing brand. So I’ll give it a try. I love a good cushion compact foundation, but the AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact seems a bit too dark for my pale complexion (although they sent me their second and third-lightest shades, so we’ll see). And I’ve literally never heard of Youth to the People, but I’m sure their Kale + Spinach + Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Cream works wonders (because hippies obviously made it, duh).

Elise’s Verdict: Is Sephora Play Worth It?

Honestly, this is the most excited I’ve been about a Sephora Play box since I signed up three months ago. The value of this box was a bit lower than normal (for my subscription), but the products are more my style. I just wish it were as valuable as Christine’s. I’m super jealous of that Caudalie.

Sign up for Sephora Play here!