Play! by Sephora Review – April 2017 – Box #575

ByLiz CadmanApr 12, 2017 | 76 comments

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Play! by Sephora is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription. Each month they send you six samples, a PLAY! BOOK of tips and tricks, and a PLAY! PASS for in-store learning.

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My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

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Every month they included all of the samples a drawstring bag with a different design.

FYI – There were variations of this box. This review is for the box # ending in 575.

To find out which box you’re receiving at the beginning of each month, follow these instructions:

If you log in through a browser, not the app, and go to my account > account details > online orders and open the play! Order Details (it was dated 11/1 for me), you can see the “item number” next to the image.

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The Subscription Box: Play! by Sephora

The Cost: $10

The Products: Five deluxe samples plus a fragrance sample, a PLAY! BOOK of tips and tricks, and a PLAY! PASS for in-store learning.

Ships to: US

Check out all of our Play! by Sephora reviews and all of our reviews of Cheap Subscription Boxes for other similarly priced boxes!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

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Each box comes with a Play! Pass, which is a card you can use at Sephora (in-store) to get 50 extra rewards points, and you can also get one-on-one tutorials and tips of products from a Sephora consultant.

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This month’s theme is “Step it Up.”

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How cute are the illustrations this month? Now, onto the items!

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Kate Somerville ExfoliKate exfoliator - .25 oz Value $12

(Good to know for subscription box swaps - this product has an inner foil seal.)

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Looking at the comments on the spoilers for this box, it seems like people either love or hate this product! I fall into the love category.

First, it's a super quick use beauty product. You only need to use it for 30 seconds (and you can leave it on for up to two minutes) and apply it twice a week. And it's paraben, sulfate, and phthalate free!

The exfoliant particles are super fine, so it's gentle on my skin, and I love the cinnamon scent, too.

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Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - .25 oz Value $8

This is one of the first primers I've ever sampled and I still use it whenever I get it in a box! It's a classic oil-free primer that creates a smooth base for applying foundation.

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Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover - 25 ml Value $3.75

This makeup remover works on waterproof makeup and is gentle enough for contact wearers and people with sensitive eyes. I decided to use this on my eyes - the trickiest makeup remover task of tackling mascara, eyeliner, and concealer. It did the job of removing all my makeup without irritation - I was impressed.

My only gripe about this product is that I wish companies wouldn't add artificial dyes to beauty products that don't need color. It would have been just as effective if it was clear!

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Make Up Forever Aqua XL Waterproof Eye Pencil in m-10 - .5 g Value $5.25

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I have more black eyeliners than I'll ever need thanks to subscription boxes, but wow, Make Up For Ever makes an amazing eyeliner!

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The formula just glides on with excellent pigment. And it does. not. budge.

Here it is swatched:

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This is a good reminder to me to buy some Make Up For Ever eyeliners in other colors!

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Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream - 7.5 ml Value $8.12

This product is new to me and I am a little obsessed with it! It's a gel/cream hybrid formula that absorbs almost instantly, and leaves skin feeling incredibly smooth and soft! I even applied a bit over makeup when my skin was feeling dry, and it worked great.

(Good to know for subscription box swaps - this product has an inner foil seal.)

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Daisy by Marc Jacobs Perfume - 1.2 ml Value $4.60

(All Sephora boxes include 5 beauty products plus an extra perfume sample.)

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This is a fruity and floral scent with notes of Strawberry, Violet Leaves, Jasmine, White Woods.

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This scent wasn't for me, but to be fair, I'm not much of a perfume wearer.

Verdict: This box has a value of about $41. I think that's great for a $10 beauty box, especially since the box will always include high-end brands. I didn't discover too many new products in this box, but I'll use everything besides the perfume, so I'm happy with the value.

What do you think about the April Play! by Sephora box? What variation did you get?

Starting at $10.00

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Play! by Sephora

3.8 overall rating

564 Ratings | 55 Reviews

PLAY! by Sephora is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month, Sephora sends you a mix of six samples (including cosmetics, haircare, skincare, fragrances, and other beauty products) personalized to match your preferences and a PLAY! BOOK of tips and tricks.

Read customer reviews >

Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Cheap Subscription Boxes, Makeup Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Liz Cadman

Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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76 comments

Maggie

I received bag #609 and that was the end of this subscription for me. I held on for about 5 months now hoping that things would improve and I would be smitten over something they would send me, but honestly my Boxycharm already sent me a full sized smashbox primer so I don’t need a sample size. That was when I realized this subscription just wasn’t worth it for me when there are others out there that will send me something every month to justify the cost of having them. My subscription with them was a thoroughly disappointing experience. I decided to upgrade and switch to BeautyFix. Thanks for “playing” though.

Bethany

I got 609 and I feel kinda okay with it? Only two items I wanna swap!

My bag included –
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Mask
Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
MUF Aqua XL Waterproof Eyeliner
Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Pinrose Secret Genius Perfume

I have been itching for facial stuff, so the first two items do intrigue me. Even though I have a decent stash of primers, the Smashbox one is always a hit for me although a new product would have been nice. I am so upset that out of all the amazing looking MUF items we get a baby liner in just black?? Even another color would have made it a bit better, so I hope I can trade that and the makeup remover off (I just… kinda really hate liquid removers.) The perfume sample baffles me. It is in a pouch… Wtf? What good is that for easy use? Anddd like last month I am not a fan of the bag design. :/ I feel so bad tossing them out!

I am still iffy on this sub, but liked this months WAY better. Plus ipsy was a comple waste of money this month, so getting even a few items I liked from one of my subs makes me happy.

One of my major problems/annoyances with this sub is the points card. I am disabled, so I can’t drive or a lot of a lot of times do I feel well enough to go out, plus I have super limited funds. I was excited at the idea of getting bonus points, but my real life makes those cards useless! I don’t really have tons of spare cash each month (ipsy & play are pretty much my makeup splurges unless there’s a new product I need) just to buy an item to redeem my points – not to mention I would feel bad asking for a ride from my busy mom, aka main way I get around- just for that. I wish we could just enter the codes online or they would just be added to our accounts cause heck, we already bought something, haha! Am I the only one it bugs?! It hurts a bit inside tossing the card, lol.

Amanda Vela

Don’t toss the card put it on swap and you can always add it as a bonus to a swapper.

Barbara

OhWow! This is the end of this box for me.. Another black eyeliner i do not use, another eye makeup remover (have 3) perfume (don’t use) Didnt get the peter thomas roth i would like. There is nothing in here i will use. bye bye!

Erica

Sorry if this message comes twice. What box did you get?

eclst4

What box did you get?

Betty

Does any one else’s April Play Pass expire April 30,2017, the same as the March box Play Pass? Since when do they give you only a week and a half to use the Play Pass?

Katie C

Yes! I was a bit irritated when I saw this, as my Play Passes have always expired at the end of the following month, giving me about 5-6 weeks to use them. Now, I only have about a week and a half! Has anyone contacted Sephora about this?

Diana

They always expire at the end of the month they are shipped in, its always been that way for me.

Zali

I got 575 and I cancelled. When I opened it and all I had was a handful of tiny tubes, I looked back on the past things I’d gotten and wasn’t jazzed about any of it. In the same few months of Ipsy, I’ve managed to get several full-sized products and even more deluxe samples, plus just more interesting items.

tootloo

I HATE getting black eyeliner. Anyone who uses subscription boxes probably has like 10 of them hanging around collecting dust, I’m sure. Subscription box gods, hear my plea, no more black eyeliner please!

If you want to get someone interested in your brand, it seems like the natural choice to send out something unique.

Zali

Right? I ended up just ordering the set of mini Julep eyeliners to try different colors, since my sub box stash is nothing but endless black ones. I figured the point would be to try and sell people on new things they might not normally consider or know about. I think I’ve got enough mascara to last a lifetime now, too, since the lifestyle boxes love sending that, as well!

Tiffany

I noticed there are several people who still haven’t gotten theirs. I received mine last Saturday and just got an email today that my box has shipped! I have no idea what they are doing over there but it’s all out of whack. I received box #591 and the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum was my favorite only because I love it but don’t want to spend on it just yet so this should last me for a little while. I’ve heard good things about the Dr. Dennis Gross products so I’m anxious. I tried a week long regime sent to me from Sephora a couple of weeks ago but I wasn’t that impressed hopefully, this product will sway me. I wasn’t thrilled about the MUF eye pencil, they have so many great products and this is what we got? I’m always down to try a Sephora product so the makeup remover should work well into my routine. I’ve heard good things about the Juliette Has A Gun Parfum but I’m sensitive to perfumes so I’m going to wait to try it. Overall, I was satisfied.

Ann

#516 and I got: 1) Ole Henriksen Truth Serum 2) Dr. Dennis Gross Retinol Recovery Peel 3) Smashbox Primer, o joy, not! 4) MUF Eye pencil 5) Sephora Make Up Remover 6) Juliette Has A Gun not perfume.

Laura D.

I just read this.
“To find out which box you’re receiving at the beginning of each month, follow these instructions:
If you log in through a browser, not the app, and go to my account > account details > online orders and open the play! Order Details (it was dated 11/1 for me), you can see the “item number” next to the image.”

Diana

I am so glad I always get box 575! It always has the best items and value! I always seem to get the shorter end of the straw, but not with Sephora Play! I practically live at that store anyway as a longstanding VIB Rouge.

Ivette

How can you tell which box you have? Although I think I have 583 based on my samples and what some have posted are almost identical. Although the last 3 numbers on my cost center number is 575? Is there a way to really tell which one? I never paid attention to any of those numbers before. Also does anyone know if their is a easier way to find the value of each sample from the different monthly subscriptions it’s for my reviews that I’m doing on my blog?

Diana

Its supposed to be the last 3 numbers on your order #.

Ivette

How can you tell which box you have? Although I think I have 583 based on my samples and what some have posted are almost identical. Is there a way to really tell which one you have? Also does anyone know if their is a easier way to find the value of each sample for my reviews that I’m doing on my blog?

Laura D.

Excellent question. I am ready to subscribe to Sephora, but if my past luck is any indicater of which box I will get, it will be the one with the lowest value. :'( I’m not trying to be a “complainer, negative Nancy” but I have very limited funds to spend on myself and I want to be HAPPY when I receive my boxes. Anyway, LOL, I would love to see an anwer to your question.

Amanda

Box 583 only has like a $31… I’m sick of getting the lowest value box… There shouldn’t be a $10 or so difference between boxes. It’s a real big slap in the face. A $12 exfolikate vs a $3 purity sample…c’mon Sephora that’s pathetic. Instead of a 1 oz sample give us a 3oz one so that’s more even with the exfolikate. 🙁

Paola

#583 has the the value of $26.95 . I’m tired too I’m always getting the lowest value box.. and having the same samples already it’s sucks .
I already have like 3 primer samples, the purity cleanser, 2 peterthomasroth cloud cream .
The eyeliner was a free sample too on Sephora.com

Liesa

Same here. The samples are not that exciting and they are tiny. It’s hard to even hold on to the eyeliner. I wish it was a color other than black.

Patrice

I am 575 and I love the contents of this bag. (the bag itself sucks, in my opinion) I’ve been wanting to try the smashbox primer for the longest. I hear ya “Ann” about the Stila…i’ll have to ask for a sample.but my holy grail of primers is gimme good face by trust fund. and I also have quite a few eyeliners but most of them are kept for emergencies. they aren’t that good. i’m still looking for my holy grail eye liner and daily moisturizer so i’m glad to get makeup forever eyeliner and peter roth cream.Sephora makeup remover works and will look good in my over night bag. exfoliators are new to me so i’m glad to get one (never tried anything by Kate)…and my daughter loves daisy. so i’m good. Sephora made me happy for 10 bucks. even when i’m not happy with my play bag….I don’t cry over 10 bucks……

Trish M.

I’m a #583 and my box just got delivered. Here’s the scoop:
– Philosophy Purity Cleanser
– Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
– Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
– Makeup Forever Aqua XL Eye Pencil
– Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
-Miu Miu Out of The Blue fragrance sample

Kaitlynn Marie

Thank you! I’m not mad at this box at all. The only problem will be if the samples are super tiny. But none of the items have aloe, and that’s always my biggest concern (darn allergies!)

Danielle T

Thank you for posting this! I’m also getting 583.

Kind of bummed out about the primer, because I got a sample of that recently enough that I haven’t even opened it, and I wish I was getting the perfume listed in the review, but oh well. I rarely use perfume, but the one described in the review sounded wonderful.

I love Makeup Forever eyeliners, so I’m excited about getting that, and I love having extra makeup remover around.

All in all, I’m always happy with this box, even if I only use 1 or 2 of the items. I love samples, and ones I don’t use but could be useful just go into the guest bathroom. You never know when someone might need to touch up some makeup or need face wash or moisturizer if they’re an overnight guest!

TLP42217

THANK YOU! I know a lot of people are upset about some of these products (i.e. the primer), but I’m excited to get this box!

P.S. Did yours show shipped or did it just arrive?

Trish M.

TLP42217-

Mine did not show as shipped. I only checked what number I’d be after seeing this thread last night. So I was pretty surprised to see the package in my mailbox this morning! Hopefully lots more will have the same nice surprise today 🙂

Claudia

I was very bumbed by my first box i feel like not worth my money i could easly get these super mini items with my sephora points
The size is very small … compared to ipsy stuff i get not happy at all i got a sample perfum which u can get at sephora at the counter i got tiny eyeliner pencil makeup remover some exfoliateing cream and thats it…..

Michaela

The perfumes samples are included in every single Play bag, and are considered an “extra” free item, not one of the 5 samples you are getting for the month, but just a 6th free item. I have never once seen a variation of a play box that did not include a fragrance, and i read somewhere on the sephora page that the fragrance was just an extra. I got PTR Cloud Cream, Exfolikate, MUFE black liner, Smashbox primer (pretty sick of these, but good to give away or add to a bday gift), and Sephora makeup remover. Dunno which number this was, but not disappointed by a long shot, better in one month than ipsy has done in 6 months. I am pretty much over ipsy, thinking of switching to birchbox.

Shannon

This is my box…a very “meh” month for me, considering I’ve gotten the Smashbox primer and Daisy a bajillion times, already own the Sephora makeup remover, and already have a travel size of Exfolikate waiting to be used. I *am* excited for the PTR and interested to try the MUFE liner formula, but not the best ratio of keeps to swaps this month.

Michelle

This was my box too! I love it and the fact that I got the shipped email yesterday morning and it was waiting for me when I got home last night.

That cloud cream is wonderful and I am also really impressed with the makeup remover except it felt greasy after use.

The eyeliner is nice but I wish I had a nanosecond to fix once you use but you don’t. It stays right where you put it immediately. I probably won’t use because of that. I even like the bag this time and I never keep them.

Sara

I’m getting box 609. I haven’t seen anyone mention that one. The suspense!!

Grace Stafford

I’m getting 609 too! I would have been thrilled to get this box though. I wanted to try the Exfolikate and I love the smash box primer. Could care less about the eye liner but the perfume smells great and I have teenage daughters so bring on the eye makeup remover! Mine doesn’t even show shipped yet so anxiously awaiting!

Claudia

Mine is #591. I haven’t seen anyone mention that number. I’m not thrilled with the Play boxes and if it weren’t for the points, I’d have quit already. Actually, it’s only $10 but the samples are so tiny and lately, so boring!

cindycb

Mine is 591 also. This will be my last box sadly, just have to cut expenses.

Christie

I’m 591 and anxiously awaiting spoilers as well. Usually mine is in the first batch shipped out, so the waiting is unusual for me . . . and I’m feeling impatient 😉

Ann

#591 has Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, Dr. Dennis Gross Retinol Peel, Smashbox Primer, MUF Eye Pencil, Sephora Make Up Remover and Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfum. I got mine Saturday.

Susan Donahue

I’m 591 too. First time getting the Play bag. Curious to know what’s in it

Cynthia

I’m #591 too! I haven’t seen anyone else mention it either. Hopefully there will be spoilers soon!

Corinne

Kinda annoying that some have received theirs and mine hasn’t even shipped yet.

reneeglow

They might have only shipped 575 so far. I got mine on Tuesday, as did a lot of other people, but there have yet to be any spoilers for any of the other variations.

Tara

I agree! Last month I was so happy to get my box before it showed it was shipped. This month….?

Amber

It’s really annoying. I canceled…I’ve only had this for a few months, but it isn’t exciting to me. Same type of products over and over.

Cai

Wow, this box really seems to me like it was curated for a teen who is using makeup for the first time. This is like exactly what you would get your middle schooler at their first trip to the skincare/cosmetics store – eyeliner, makeup remover, moisturizer, exfoliator, and DAISY perfume! I don’t care for the artwork on the fold-out or the bag, either 🙁

Not excited.. crossing my fingers that I will get some things I actually want to use.. (I am looking forward to the PTR cloud cream)

Mel

This box seems to be okay. No really wow products though

amber

I would imagine that the eye makeup remover (it’s specifically for eyes, not whole face) has a little dye in it to remind you to shake the product well before applying to your cotton pad.

Kelseypanda

I’m getting box 609 not sure what will be inside except the eyeliner of course

Terry

I’m #505 Who knows?

kristin

So, I didn’t get one of the items (the kate product) and got two of another (the makeup remover). *sigh* I’m bummed.

Cheryl

You can call them. They will send what you did not get free if charge

chelsey wilson

The most ideal box would be the eyeliner (b/c im out), the PTR cream, the fresh mask, i dont mind makeup remover i always use it, and something makeup related.

Anything but the primer and the exfolikate

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Play! by Sephora Review – April 2017 – Box #575

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