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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 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!
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!
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I’m really picky and I’ve been quite pleased with my Sephora Play boxes so far, including this one! For everyone saying Ipsy is better – really? For the same price, I feel like Sephora gives you (mostly) all prestige higher end brands and with Ipsy you get maybe one higher end brand item and the rest is all drugstore stuff.
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Taylor
This is my box (555) and honestly I hate it. I’m just going to give it to my sister or someone. I was hoping for anything but belif and Laura Mercier. I wish they’d ask about our makeup style so when they send out things like lipstick we could get bold if we like bold but we could opt for neutral if we don’t like bold. Would save some products from the trash.
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Michelle
I’m getting 498 and this is the third time I’m getting a damn Sephora Collection eyeliner. I don’t like the formula, and I’m sick of seeing it. It feels awfully unfair that other boxes got a Stila liquid liner, that is something I would actually use since I prefer a liquid to a pencil liner. I’m also not here for the BS foil packs of shampoo/conditioner. I already have a hair routine I like and because I have a lot of hair a little foil pack is only enough for me to try the product once which is not enough uses to decide if I would want to buy it. I HATE the UD liquid lipstick formula too, this box is a complete miss for me. At least the two skincare items are things I will use in the winter when my skin is more dry. I really don’t understand how they pick the boxes to send to you, I frequently get products that aren’t appropriate for my skin type or my makeup preferences.
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Erica
Anyone have box 506? My account say it’s still pending/out of stock.
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Jules
If anyone and I doubt anyone wants to, wants to trade their Laura mercier lipstick for the ciate london red lipstick let me know. I don’t ever wear red and that pink looks really pretty. If not my aunt is gonna get to have fun with a red lipstick lol
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Punkykiki
Here’s the thing….I tend to dislike subs that do variations, especially as many variations as Sephora Play. I understand that some companies have to do it, as they may have limited ability to get the same exact samples for all of their subscribers. But this is Sephora!!! They have everything at their disposal. But I can live with this; it is not a deal breaker. What I find totally unacceptable is the difference in value of the variations. The Sephora liner is half the price of the items in that category. The Algenist products are about 3 times as much as any of the other skin care items. At least make the boxes fairly equal in value!!! A Sephora brand eyeliner pencil is NOT in the same ballpark as the Stila. And now we have foil packets as a bonus? I agree with another person’s comments that we should be allowed to select fragrance samples vs foil samples. I had originally said that I would give this sub a chance through December. I am leaning more toward just dropping it now. I couldn’t wait to start getting Sephora Play as I was on the wait list for awhile. It has been fairly disappointing so far, as has the long-awaited Macy’s box.
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Amber
I’ve never cared about value vs value. There are some really expensive products that just aren’t very good, and some less expensive products that are amazing. What really should matter is performance. If you get a foil sample that you’d use vs a perfume that you don’t like, isn’t that better?? I personally think that Sephora brand items are just as good as some of their more expensive counterparts. They’re made to compete with the big expensive brands, but to be more affordable.
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Punkykiki
Amber, I do agree that there are some awful high dollar products and some pretty great drugstore items. But with this many variations and such a huge price discrepancy, it feels like the lower end boxes are getting less for the same amount of money. I know that it’s silly to feel that way, but I think a lot of us do. But I disagree on your other point. I never want foil packets. Never. If it’s shampoo and conditioner, it’s barely enough for even one wash. And if it’s something you can use a couple of times, it’s hard to close and keep it fresh or to keep it from spilling. I will take a perfume sample over a foil packet any day. But seriously, after all is said and done, these items are TINY (except the hair mask). For $5 more, I got a full size Tarte blush in this month’s Allure, along with four other great samples. I will keep Boxy, Beauty Fix, Ipsy and Allure. Sephora and Macy’s will likely go very soon. For $10, Ipsy is so much better than Sephora.
Ginny
Agreed. The Macy’s box was cancelled after month 1 for me. I could’ve gotten all of those products at the counter as samples.
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Luna
You’re so lucky! At any of the Macy’s I’ve been to, I already know I could never get prepackaged samples like those for free without making a purchase. I actually stopped shopping at Macys because all of the sales ladies would always act like the samples (even store made ones) were coming out of their pocket when they figured out I wasn’t going to make a purchase. But having said that, I’m looking forward to subbing to the Macy’s box after the holidays. I’m one of the few that have liked what they’ve included so far. 🙂
Sarah
Anyone with #498 want to switch for #912? Please?
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VV
I would
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jess
This is the first box i actually hate, the only thing i’m looking forward to try is the gimme brow. this is my 6th box from them and this month i’m not happy with sephora play or ipsy this month,
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GWD
Yeah, I am getting box 912, which is definitely the dud of the bunch this go round. That said, I got the exact box I wanted last month and getting things you don’t like/won’t use is part and parcel of subscription boxes. For $10 bucks, I’m not mad, even though I dislike every part of my box outside of the Deva Curl.
You win some, you lose some with these subscriptions.
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Jules
I totally agree, this is my 5th month and its the only box I didn’t even want to open. Im 912 and the only things I can use are the devacurl and the gimme brow. The fresh product makes me break out, I really don’t need foil hair care since I have enough of those from magazines, and I have too many red lipsticks that I never wear, they either wash me out or just make me look more red in the face, weird I know. If I can go to my local play date I’m going to be sure to let them know how many of us are unhappy. I try to give them feedback even when they don’t care, in person.
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Julie
Based on what’s left, my profile, and stuff they’ve already sent me I’m guessing these are my options (Yes, I made an excel sheet) (506 here, dry skin & hair, aging skin, medium skin tone) :
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner (black) (everybody has gotten liner so far)
Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo (nobody has received this)
Wander Beauty Wanderout Lipstick in Wanderberry (I’m older – hoping they give me a lipstick rather than liquid)
Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream (older)
BB Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo + Conditioner (dry hair)
Ouai Shampoo (dry hair)
Aqua di Gioia (Already received a Clean scent and Stella has already been doled out)
I realize this is 7, I’m hoping it’s between the two hair items.
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Tiffany
I am also 506 but have combo skin and oily hair. The only thing I really hope I get is the Touch in Sol. I also wanted the Urban Decay, but that seems unlikely, so I would be happy with the Wander lipstick.
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Wendy
I got mine and it is 506, identical to 498
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Yamaira
Can you tell us the details of your box (506)
Julie
I’d be happy with that, except I wish the bonus was a fragrance.
beingmetoo
Perhaps the difference between them is the brow color.
Pj
I am 506 as well , what did you get?
Danielle
I wonder what the point was of the separate numbers then? (I’m 498)
MissBailey
I have dry skin and dry, coarse hair and still got 555. Not sure how they picked who got what this month.
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TML
Same! Ugh!
Rebeccw
Hmm I have 506 too, except I have oily skin and hair. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.
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Patti
I’ve received the Belif moisturizer and Stella McCartney perfume in previous Play! boxes so that’s disappointing. I love Laura Mercier but that color doesn’t look wearable for me. Glad to get more Gimme Brow and love the DevaCurl brand even though I don’t have curly hair.
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Mikayla
If it makes it better I believe only belief “aqua bomb” has been in play before. This is “moisture bomb” and is a cream rather than a gel moisturizer.
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Patti
The Blue Tansy fit my profile perfectly, really bummed I didn’t get that too.
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Ashley
I’m also interested to see what shade of gimme brow comes in my box. Subs always put shade 3 which is way too dark for me, but the video said it’s going to be based off of our profiles.
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Jana
I got 3 and I’m blond and use taupe Anastasia, so looks like I won’t be using the gimme brow 😟
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Jana
Well I tried the 3 Gimme Brow and it’s a bit dark, but acceptable enough to use when I don’t feel like taking the time to use the Anastasia Taupe Dip Brow. I might actually order the lighter color once it runs out, because it is a quick fix for my growing older, once thick, now sparse and blond brows.
Ashley
I got 555 and I was hoping for the stila eyeliner and Laura mercier lipstick so I’m happy!
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Jaclyn
Color me disappointed.
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Tara
Anyone else getting 506?
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Erica
Me but it still says pending?!?!
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Julie
Me too – and the stuff I want is still up for grabs so I’m happy!
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Saundra624
Me too
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Elena
Me 🙂
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Caroline
How do you see what number box you are getting?
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Jules
Login to your Sephora account, go to orders and click on the order details for this month’s box. Your box number is the last 3 digits of the item # listed there.
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Cheyenne
Wow, this is my box and this will be the first Play box I’ve gotten where I literally won’t be able to use a single thing. I have very oily, straight hair with very oily skin so the haircare and skincare products are way off. I won’t use a color that bright and don’t do eyeliner or brow so I’m pretty disappointed. This is also at least the second maybe the third time I’ve gotten that fragrance from them.
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MissBailey
I’m not sure what criteria was used to determine who got this box. I’m dry skin with sensitivity and dry, coarse wavy hair.
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Catie
I got this one too. I’m very confused by what’s in our boxes since I also have straight oily hair and very oily skin as I indicated in the profile they had me fill out. Why are they giving us oily people stuff for dry skin and hair? I was excited at first for the lipstick, but after I saw the color was a fuschia… ☹
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Helen
I’m 555, pretty happy with this box. So glad I didn’t get foils, i like getting perfumes. Everything else is great. Kinda wanted the algenist power and clean perfume but hey ho, not gonna complain. Good box again Sephora for me, so thanks.
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Cat
Anyone else getting 514?
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Kimberly
I am getting 514 as well.
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Jacki
I’m 514 too
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Valerie
I’m 514 too
Samantha
Ekkk I’m getting so excited for 870!!!
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Lupita Benitez
Why? lol cause I also got 870
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Casey
Not many people seem to be getting 870, one of the last boxes to be revealed, and the Blue Tansy mask hasn’t been featured yet.
Jules
Me too!! 🤞
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Colleen
Anxiously awaiting 704…
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Nan
Me, too.
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Jaime
I’m dying to know what in the world #704 is getting, hopefully Blue Tansy since no box has had it yet 🙏
Julie
Me too! I really wanted the Laura Mercier, I wonder if it’s only in one box.
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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.
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.