Facebook PixelPlay! by Sephora Review - July 2017 - Box #049 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Play! by Sephora Review – July 2017 – Box #049

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanJul 18, 2017 | 40 comments

Play! by Sephora
3.8 overall rating
564 Ratings | 55 Reviews

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.

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

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

FYI – There are variations of this box. This review is for the box # ending in 049.

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.

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!

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.

This month’s theme is “Beauty Staycation.” Now, on to the items!

MILK MAKEUP Cooling Water - .1 oz Value $2

I love MILK Makeup's simple packaging and formulas, and this cooling water stick is a new favorite! You glide it over clean skin (pre-makeup), and it really does feel cool and refreshing! The cool feeling was such a nice surprise! It's designed to help hydrate and depuff your skin - perfect for undereye bags.

I couldn't tell any difference when it came to depuffing but I can confirm the hydration!

bareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolor - 2 ml Value $9.40

This is a great sample size! (Over half the size of the full-size version!)

I received the color Swag, which is described as a blushing mauve.

The formula is creamy, highly pigmented, and non-drying with a matte finish. Pretty impressive all around. And it smells like brownies!

It isn't the longest lasting longwear liquid lip I've tried, but it lasts for a long time and wears down nicely.

Here it is swatched:

This shade is lighter than my typical liquid lipstick but still works well for my skin tone. Perfect for a "no-makeup" (but it actually took me 20 minutes to do my makeup), makeup day. 😉

IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara – 5 ml Value $13.30

This is also a little over half the size of the full-size version!

IT Cosmetics is one of my favorite makeup brands (they make the best ever under-eye concealer) and this mascara is impressive, too. The formula provides awesome length and volume, and I was able to apply many layers without any clumping.

Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray - 22 ml Value $3.90

I’ve had mixed results with the Briogeo line of products, but this one is a winner!

I love the scent, and I found giving my damp hair a light spray left it feeling softer, too. (Plus I love that they are ingredient conscious!)

boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-off Treatment - 25 ml Value $11.20

(ANOTHER good sized sample!)

This mask is new to me and it was fun to try. (What is it about swirly beauty products that is so appealing?) The mask turns to a gray when you blend it onto your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then remove with warm water.

I liked the scent (I think I'm the only one who likes it based on the Sephora reviews), and more importantly, it worked! It visibly reduced the appearance of my pores! (Most products that claim to do this don't actually work on me, so this is a product I will buy in full-size.)

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Cologne - Sample

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

Atelier samples always include a chic postcard, too!

This scent has notes of Blood Orange, Bitter Orange, Jasmine, Geranium, Amber Woods, Tonka Beans, and Sandalwood.

I'm not a perfume person, but I love citrus scents and I can't stop smelling this one!

Verdict: This box has a value of about $40. I think that's great for a $10 beauty box, especially since the box will always include high-end brands. And I have to say, this is my favorite Play! by Sephora box of all time! No tiny samples! All brands I love! An amazing new mask, and a perfume sample I actually like!

Sephora, you've outdone yourself this month!

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

Starting at $10.00
Subscribe Now
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.
Liz Cadman
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!

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

40 comments

Kaitlynn Marie

This was the box I got and I agree it was a great month! The only thing I couldn’t use was the MILK stick because it has aloe. Otherwise, the products are great and I’m super happy. The only thing I’ll say is I’m almost positive I’ve gotten this exact Atelier perfume sample from them before. But it smells amazing, so that’s not a big deal.

Reply ButtonReply

Tessa B

Well this was *supposed* to be my box, but apparently USPS has lost it and it took me multiple inquiries with Sephora to get that information. In 6 months of subscribing to Play! I once received a completely empty box (no joke, just air) and now this one is lost and they are telling me there is no stock to offer me a replacement. Total bummer. As a VIB Rouge Sephora addict I’m super disappointed with the Play! experience. I cancelled. It’s okay I won’t miss receiving 5 different shades of unwearable brown lip color 🙁 Boo hoo bitter betty over here lol!

Reply ButtonReply

Rugby

How do they determine which box you get. I was so disappointed with mine. The pics couldn’t have been further off.

Reply ButtonReply

cjeaton5

Wow, this box is great!! I received 64, which was not so great for me personally. I’ll use the Ren cream (full size is already in my rotation, so it isn’t new to me), but the other items were duds. Definitely have play box envy right now (again)!

Reply ButtonReply

tara

wow this is a great box. i just canceled last month. oh well !

Reply ButtonReply

Jackie

I WISH I’d gotten this box.
I received one with Tarte lipstick in a HIDEOUS color (Set Sail).
Why can’t they send neutrals/pinks?
It happens with every subscription box I’ve tried. The lip shade always sucks.

Reply ButtonReply

Mara

This was my box too and I agree- best box I’ve gotten so far! Boscia mask was a stand out, because it’s one I have/love in full size, so now I have one to travel with

Reply ButtonReply

Tina

How is your profile set up on Sephora ? Combo skin? Did you select pores, dullness, puffiness?

Reply ButtonReply

Brittany

I got this box, too (49), and I love it! I agree, I think it is my favorite Sephora Play so far! I LOVE the It Cosmetics mascara! I got a Sephora mascara favorites kit for Christmas, and haven’t liked any so far as much as I like this one from IT! I also really liked the Boscia mask, and I have very sensitive skin. It did not break me out, and I had no bad reactions. I didn’t notice just a huge difference in my pores, but I’m anxious to use it again to see. It did leave my skin feeling very soft. I’ve been using the Milk cooling stick under my eyes in the morning, and I love the cooling effect. But I think my favorite find was the liquid lipstick! At first I thought, “I don’t need another nude lip gloss/stick!” But it is a really pretty color on me! (I am fair with blonde hair.) Good job, Sephora Play! Now let’s keep it up! 🙂

Reply ButtonReply

Dindrane

This is the box I got, too! I am glad to read about how other people are using the Milk stick, as I really had no idea… I did make my husband put some on a cooking burn last night. :p I’m also fair, but have very dark hair, and that color works perfectly! It must be truly universal.

Reply ButtonReply

Amym

This is a really good box! One of their best I think. I received 064. I wasn’t initially excited when I saw the spoilers, but now that I have the box it’s grown on me. All the samples sizes are impressive and I’ll end up using everything. but I’m still sad I didn’t get the mini Milk stick. I am obsessed with those things!

Reply ButtonReply

Emmy

I got a repeat mask, another brown lipstick, and a hair product that won’t work for my hair. Canceled the next day. I know I will have FOMO, but like Ipsy, I’ll keep in mind that no matter how great the box, I would have gotten the least favorable of the products.

I liked it better when there wasn’t any variation in boxes.

Reply ButtonReply

Sue

Totally agree with you, however I haven’t cancelled yet….I have hope! I wonder if they think having this many variations gives them a better chance that people will like what they get.

Reply ButtonReply

Debbie

Love this box! Can’t wait to try the mask! My favorite Play box yet. I really like the mascara- beats my Clinique which is impressive to me. Yay!

Reply ButtonReply

Tara

If I could have picked a box I would have picked this. I got 072 which was my second pick. Hoping Haley comes through with another box review of a different variation!

Reply ButtonReply

Michelle

I got my 023 last night and I have to say I love everything except the Bobbi Brown mascara. The packaging was awful for such a fat brush and while mine had plenty of product ( I read where some were dry) it was nothing amazing.

Reply ButtonReply

Julie E

I got this box, love everything, & agree it was the best box from them so far! My only complaint is that they sent me that same perfume sample in May 2016 and they have so many other perfume samples they could have sent me. However it is obvious that they just make a few variations and it’s not that personalized so it’s not that big of a deal.

Reply ButtonReply

Jodie

Best boxever! I received this exact box as well, I love all of it! Thanks Sephora!

Reply ButtonReply

Jillian

This is an awesome variation! My box sucked! I had received 3 of the items in other month’s boxes before. The last few months have been a little disappointing to me. I’m thinking about cancelling my sub. Maybe I’ll wait it out a few more months to see if it gets better.

Reply ButtonReply

Latasha

I got this variation as well. I had avoided spoilers this time since I was going to see if this is when I cancelled as I need to pair down subs. The box was so good and full of things that I would definitely use and 2 things I had on my wishlist to try and I like the others already. Sephora lives on another month. Beautyfix got the axe this month. Still need to pair down at least 2 more.

Reply ButtonReply

Dindrane

I’m nosy and also thinking about canceling this one or ipsy… which other boxes do you get? Any that you love?

Reply ButtonReply

Maria

This was my box. That mask made my pores look like they were cleaned by an industrial vacuum and shrunk (that’s a good thing). Liked the Milk stick, but my elf rollerball works better. The lip color is a pretty neutral. Looks good on my lighter complexion and my mom’s medium olive complexion. It Cosmetics just continues to impress me. I have never been disappointed by a Briogeo product. I already have this spray so always good to have a spare. I wasn’t too concerned about the fragrance since I keep them in a drawer until I make a care package and add them in.
They stepped up their cruelty-free game this month. This a major selling point for me. I’d try Petit Vour or Vegan Cuts, I’ve only seen them sell niche brands that I can’t but in places like Sephora. It’s great to showcase those small businesses, but I also want items I don’t have to go out of my way to buy.

Reply ButtonReply

Dindrane

The e.l.f. Eye Refresh? And YES to the Cruelty Free! I was so pleased as well, especially as I’m thinking of dumping Play! and ipsy both for Vegan Cuts or Petit Vour since I mostly buy online.

Reply ButtonReply

Amber

I had the opposite experience with the mascara. I had no volume, clumped like crazy and didn’t do much lengthening. I really enjoyed the mask and the size of the sample! I will get a lot of uses out of it. I think the milk product is alright. It was a new product for me so I was happy to try it. The leave in conditioner made my fine, thin hair too weighed down. Next time I’ll just spray some in my hands and rub a little in. Overall it was the best box I have received from them with all new products to me.

Reply ButtonReply

BONNY ADAMS

I received this box! My favorite so far! Loved every item!

Reply ButtonReply

Amy

This was my box. Best box, ever. I am wearing the mask right now!

Reply ButtonReply

Mikayla

So excited for all of this but according to tracking my box hasn’t moved in 6 days 😭😭 I need this asap and I’m worried it won’t come

Reply ButtonReply

Phoebe

I got this variation, too! I agree with everything you said – it was an awesome one! I’ve never tried every item in a box so quickly!

Reply ButtonReply

vane

Drooling over this box!!! But I’m getting 064. Booooo!!!!!

Reply ButtonReply

Nicole

I have box #072 and I don’t like anything in it. 🙁
I sooo wish I would have received this box instead. ‘sighs’

Reply ButtonReply