Beauties; I have for you, the Play! by Sephora subscription box!   This is a monthly beauty product sampling subscriptions with a different theme or focus each month.  This month’s being: The next big things; The cool cut.  Indie finds, breakthrough formulas; the products that truly ‘stand out’.

Here’s the lowdown:

Play! by Sephora

The beauty subscription box that brings you the best of it.

Each month, you’ll look forward to:

A curation of five deluxe samples handpicked from Sephora shelves (plus a fragrance bonus) all in a collectible bag – for just $10.00 (ships free) US only

Tips, Tricks, how-tos and beauty advice to get the most out of your products.

Free one-on-one tutorials and subscriber meet ups in your local Sephora.

September Theme:

The Cool Cut

(The Next Big Things)

The Bag:

Some really great products, right?  Typically each month there is a variation on 1 or two products, due to skin type option; but this month there were many variations of the bag.  The only item I think that everyone received, was the Smashbox Matte Liquid lipstick.  I really like the products I received, but did find it odd that I received two matte lip products in similar shades. (the Nudestix is technically lip and cheek, but still)  I would have loved the Pharmacy facial mist, drunk Elephant Serum or the Estee Edit Gloss instead of one of the matte lip products.

The Goods:

I’ll begin with the two matte lip products:

Smashbox Always on Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver Seat:  Deluxe Sample (gift set size)  Full size $24.00

This is a long wearing (8 hour) matte lippy with a waterproof, non-feathering formula.  The formula was slightly drying, but not too bad for a matte and everything else about the product was pretty good.  I applied this and immediately had lunch, and it remained intact through that until the end of the day.  The shade was more of a subdued brick red, I don’t really have anything like it already and I actually like the shade on…but while some shades brighten your smile, this shade kind of dulls it.  (makes teeth look less white) This shade is best used just after a teeth whitening strip/treatment.

The shade on my top lip is Nudestix Intense Matte Lip + Cheek pencil in Belle & on my bottom lip Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid lipstick in Driver’s seat.  (sorry for the super zoom)

Nudestix Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in belle:  Mini Stick, (gift set size).  Full Size (set of 3 mini sticks) $24.00

I have never sampled or purchased a product from Nudestix until now..I almost have, but never made the move.  This matte lip is a bit more of a nude/mauve/plum and does not have any red tones to it.  It’s a pretty basic everyday shade for me and I like it.  The formula was nice, not too drying, easy to blend where you want to wear it and also lasted on the lips pretty well through most of my day.

Too Cool for School Egg Mellow Cream: Deluxe Mini.  Full Size $36.00

I’ve liked all of the TCFS Egg Mellow Cream products I have tried and just recently started using this, which I received in Sephora Set:  Soko to Tokyo.  It’s a 5 in 1 multitasker made with egg extracts and collagen fiber.  Use as a serum, priming moisturizer, eye cream, neck cream and sleeping mask.  I’ve been smoothing it on my face and neck just prior to bed, after all other steps.  It has a light pleasant scent, absorbs quickly and instantly softens my skin.  It doesn’t really leave me greasy, but seems best for night time only, in my case.  I  like the unique texture and while it’s early to tell how much it is doing for me yet, I’m glad I received a second mini to continue trying because so far, I’m really liking it.

VERB Leave-in Mist:  Travel Size.  Full Size $14.00

I’ve actually been using this on my son’s hair.  He wears it long and it is thick and slightly wavy.  He’s always getting tangles and crazy pieces, plus puffiness.  This stuff helps calm it some come morning  (and helps with combing through it)  plus it is scent free so he doesn’t smell like my girl-ish hair products.

Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel: Deluxe Sample.  Full Size $17-$55.00

Skin Inc is a cool brand.  I dig their customizable serums and their glass vials with colored capsule/beads within the product.  I’ve used a few things from the brand and it definitely has that cool factor I like.  Iv’e been using some much stronger peel and resurfacing products over the past couple of weeks; so I didn’t expect to see anything major when using this product.  (I didn’t) but it’s easy to use, gentle and non-iritating and did leave my skin a bit softer after rinsing.   One thing about this and similar product types; I always find it kind of hard to apply these type of ‘peeling’ products to my face and wait any amount of time before massaging in the skin, because they begin balling up as soon as you touch them to your face…so I always want to add more so something is sitting on my skin for the seconds instructed and then wonder if it’s working correctly.

The fragrance Sample:

Tom Ford Orchid Soleil:  Sample Vial.  Full Size is: $82-$168.00

Always happy to try Tom Ford Fragrance, even in a tiny sample.  The name of this fragrance describes it perfectly; it smells of warm, sunshine drenched version of a single spicy floral.  It’s not my favorite Tom Ford scent, but it’s nice.  If you think my description sounds like your perfect scent, you will likely love it. 😉

The Playbook:

The Play Pass:

(redeem this is any store and receive 50 extra beauty insider points with purchase)

 Any ‘newbies’?  What do you think of Play!(?)

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Thanks for reading!

-Kelli xoxo