Play! by Sephora December 2017 Unboxing and First Impressions

Hi, all!  Today, we are going through my Sephora Play! sample box for December 2017.  You can find my review of November’s box here.  Play! is Sephora’s subscription service that provides 5 beauty samples plus 1 fragrance sample for $10/month (plus local taxes).

December’s theme was Glam Straight and the Play! Bag came with 6 products.As usual, it included an insert with product descriptions/ directions and a Play! Pass, redeemable in Sephora stores for 50 extra Beauty Insider points with any purchase.

1. Dr. Jart + Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream – Deluxe Sized (0.17 fl oz)

This soothing formula contains nurturing ingredients to calm redness and irritation (insert).  This cream has a strong herbal scent and almost silicone-like texture.  It’s on the thicker side, perfect for those with extra dry skin.  It instantly smooths and moisturizes the skin.

2. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – Deluxe Sample Sized (0.13 oz)

A deep black formula with an hourglass- shaped wand that volumes and separates lashes (insert).  This mascara has a medium sized brush that builds up a lot of volume, but I find the product dries out very quickly.  After a couple uses, it starts becoming clumpy during application and weighs down my lashes.  I enjoy this mascara overall, but the L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise is a more affordable dupe.

3. Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Shadow Duo in Golden Hour – Deluxe Sized (0.05 oz)

A high pigment eyeshadow palette featuring warm, bronzy shades (insert).  These shadows are so creamy.  They feel like butter to the touch and have a nice pigmentation.

4. Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen in Black – Deluxe Sized (0.01 oz)

A long-lasting, easy-to-use liquid eyeliner with a precise tip to create smooth, jet-black lines (insert).  This liquid liner has a brush tip that makes it so easy to create a sharp wing.  The formula is pitch black, glides on smoothly, dries to a matte finish, and lasted until I removed my makeup.  This was my favorite pick of the bunch 👌

5. Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 – Deluxe Sized (0.35 oz)

This airy spray revives lifeless strands, adds volume and body to your style, and extends your blowout (insert).  This spray smells so good, like coconuts and the beach.  It gives a boost of volume to my roots, while adding grip and texture.  My only gripe is that there is very little product in this canister.  I only anticipate one more use out of this before the product runs out.

6. Atelier Cologne Clementine California Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume – Sample Sized (0.06 fl oz) 

This sunny, effervescent scent features California clementines balanced with star anise and  juniper berries (insert).  This citrus fragrance is balanced with darker wood notes that keeps it from being completely feminine.  I feel that this is neutral enough to be a unisex fragrance.

Overall Rating:  I liked the Clinique Eyeliner and Smashbox Eyeshadows so I gave December’s Sephora Play! Bag a rating of 7/10 stars based on my first impressions.  Unfortunately, I will be taking a break from the Play! subscription indefinitely.  I generally enjoy 1 or 2 items out of the 6 products in each box, but haven’t been blown away the by selection for a while.  While decluttering my makeup collection, I found I hoarded the samples, before ultimately giving them away to my friends and family.  $10 is a fair enough price for a high end sample box, but with new releases from affordable brands, such as Colourpop or Wet n Wild, I’d much rather spend that $10 toward products that I know I’d use often.

What are your thoughts on the Sephora Play! Bag?  Which products were you most excited to test out?

XO,

Mary Dee

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