Play! by Sephora - May 2017 | Blog My Backlog

What is Play by Sephora?: Play! by Sephora is Sephora's own monthly subscription box! Each month will include five deluxe samples plus a fragrance sample (or sometimes a hair sample), all coming from the same brands that Sephora carries! Each box also includes a Play Book (tips and tricks) and a Play Pass (a one-on-one tutorial at Sephora and a bonus 50 points with purchase).

How Much is Play by Sephora?: Play by Sephora is $10/month plus your state's sales tax (if a Sephora is in your store). It ships for free but only to the contiguous 48 states.

Click here to see past Play! by Sephora reviews.

This was the beginning of my love and obsession with Black Tulip by NEST.

Info card.

My bag arrived busted on the bottom, not functioning as a bag at all. Sephora did respond that they couldn't replace the bag itself so they could do was refund the entire cost of the bag. I thought that was a bit excessive (a few points could have been thrown my way and I'd been just as happy) but I was very grateful. The bag itself is cool but didn't do well in the way of holding things (or wouldn't have if it hadn't been busted).

Christopher Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt ($8.48) - I passed this along for my husband to use, because this just didn't seem like something to help me or benefit me in any way. I don't use a lot of product in my hair and my hair/scalp are super dry in general so trying to do any 'purifying' makes me already itchy, just thinking about it.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask ($14.50) - I always raise an eyebrow when an item says it's good for both dry and oily skin because I know personally that there are very few products I can use that my husband can also use. This mask has natural sources of salicylic acid, which will always concern me slightly just because my skin is already dry enough, but I'm willing to try anything once (famous last words). This didn't give me that super dry mask feeling but I didn't feel overly hydrated either, so I give this a 6.5/10. If someone can convince husband to do masks, I might have a better understanding of the other side of skin types.

treStique Highlight & Perfect Multipurpose Stick (Maldives Luminescent) ($5.33) - I admit, I've fallen in love with treStique items after I received my first one in both of my Ipsy June 2015 bags, so this was so welcome! I actually have a friend that will send me her treStique things she gets because of how much I love them. The highlight is nice but on the more subtle side, rather than blinding the gods, but it's gorgeous under the browbone and in your inner corner!

Milk Makeup Blur Stick ($3.60) - After seeing so many people hype this product up, I was sure I was going to be in love. The pores on my cheeks are fairly evident, more so to me, so I was ready to love this. Instead, I found a product that is a little on the dry side and it balls up upon application. If I can get it smoothed, it's a pretty good primer, but nothing like I thought. I do think that this might be an issue of the product drying out before I received it, or it might just be the product.

NEST Black Tulip (Sample) - Seriously, NEST should be sponsoring me by how much I rave about this perfume. It's a warm floral and there are those floral notes but it's also slightly spicy at first and then eventually shifts to a smoother and slightly sweeter note. I seriously would accept all bottles/samples of this perfume that anyone has!

GrandeLips Hydrating Lip Plumper  ($14.40) - Lemme level with you, I have a problem with buying varying forms of lip balms of all brands and formulations, so I don't need a fancy and expensive product to hydrate my lips. I was hoping for a nice plumper like the one from Too Faced, but with less burning. This is pretty good to keep your lips hydrated, but my lips are as thin as ever.

This bag was valued at $46.31, well over the cost. I did like some products and of course, I loved the perfume, but I really wish there was more curation with the Play bags. Maybe taking a page from the Ipsy or Birchbox way of things and allowing a stark yes or no on some types of products.

As always, let me know what you thought of this bag in the comments!