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Play! by Sephora #013 Subscription Box Review – November 2017

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeNov 16, 2017 | 21 comments

Play! by Sephora November 2017

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.

I used to work at Sephora so I naturally couldn’t resist this subscription!

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

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Every month they include all of the samples in a mini bag with a different design.

FYI - The box variation I received this month is box ending in #013. 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.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

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: U.S.

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!

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Every month comes with a differently themed drawstring bag.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

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 on products from a Sephora consultant.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

This month’s info sheet was also a coloring sheet!

Play! by Sephora November 2017

This month’s theme is “survival of the chilliest,” and is all about self-care and nourishing your lips, lashes, skin, and hair.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

My Burberry Blush Eau de Parfum - .06 fl oz, Estimated Value $4.08 (buy a 1 fl oz. bottle for $68)

This fragrance from Burberry is a “fruity floral” scent. The core notes include pomegranate, rose, wisteria, lemon, and jasmine. 

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara – .17 oz, Estimated Value $13.81 (buy a 0.32 oz tube for $26)

Every Play! by Sephora box included this Marc Jacobs mascara sample. I really actually like this formula! It’s definitely super black and I thought it did a great job of adding some volume to my lashes.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

The info sheet says to add up to 3 coats for drama but I do think it just may look a little clumpy after 3 coats. It’s great with 1 to 2 coats, though.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo - .75 oz, Estimated Value $7.50 (buy a 1 oz. mini bottle for $10)

This dry shampoo is a pretty common find in subscription boxes. Fortunately, I’m the type of person that is always happy to see more dry shampoo in a box because I know I’ll use it and I don’t mind having extras or stocking up. This formula works well – it smells good and doesn’t leave any chalky residue.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Exfoliating Clay Mask - .17 oz, Estimated Value $3.06 (buy a 1 oz tube for $18)

Philosophy is a brand I learned to love while working at Sephora. I enjoyed using this clay mask! It has just the right size/amount of grit for me and feels really nice on the skin. For more exfoliation, you can massage it onto your skin before letting it dry. It’s a bright white clay, though, and my 2-year-old had no idea what I was doing, lol!

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer - .34 fl oz, Estimated Value $9 (buy a 1.7 oz. jar for $45)

This moisturizer is lightweight but still hydrates great. I have a dry complexion, especially in the winter, so this isn’t quite as heavy duty as I need but it works well for a daytime moisturizer under my makeup! It smells nice and natural, not perfumey, and has lots of great ingredients in it for your skin!

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in the Red – .035 oz, Estimated Value $3.13 (buy a 0.14 oz tube for $12.50)

Sephora’s Rouge Cream lipsticks have intense color and a hydrating formula. This shade is a classic red – perfect for the holidays coming up, in my opinion!

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Here’s the lipstick swatched.

Play! by Sephora November 2017

Here I am wearing the lipstick and the mascara!

The Verdict: This box has a value of $40.58. I think that’s good for a $10 beauty box, especially with the kinds of brands Sephora always features! I love getting to try new things from someo f my favorite brands.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive next month's samples, curated based on your Play! Profile. Get email alerts for monthly spoilers!

Value Breakdown: At $10 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • My Burberry Blush Eau de Parfum: $1.01
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara: $3.40
  • Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo: $1.85
  • Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Exfoliating Clay Mask: $0.75
  • Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer: $2.22
  • Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in the Red: $0.77

What do you think about my Play! by Sephora box? Which variation did you get?

Starting at $10.00
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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.
Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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21 comments

Holly

I got box #957 and I’m pretty satisfied with it, not over the moon but everything is useable. I don’t really think the theme matched up with the products. The “at home spa” theme doesn’t really work with the lipgloss and mascara. I have feeling they just kind of threw in random stuff they had extras of. The origins mask is a generous sample and I do enjoy a charcoal mask every once in awhile but never have a bought full size of it. The gloss is a nice shade and not too sticky, I believe we have gotten a sephora gloss before but I just throw this one in my purse for touch ups. The mascara is nice because the brush is quite big and easy to use, this is also a generous sample. The mascara is a famous mascara so it will be interesting to see if it lives up to the hype. The moroccan hair oil may be good for the winter because it’s drier. Always happy to get Caudalie, this will also be nice for the winter. The Burberry perfume is also pretty good, a light and fresh scent.

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Mindy

I got this same box. I tried the clay mask tonight so I don’t know the results yet but it went on well and is easy to use. I did use the Farmacy it has a very sticky texture. I found with my oily skin that it made me break out. I always love dry shampoo, so that I will use. I have tried the mascara twice now and really like it. It stays as if it is waterproof and adds just enough volume. I am not a huge fan of red lipstick but it will make an excellent Christmas stocking stuffer. I love Sephora. I just wish that the samples were deluxe sizes. I would definitely pay more a month to get deluxe sizes!

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Leslie

Does anyone know what to do in my profile to stop getting dry shampoo and dark red lipstick?? I absolutely hate red lipstick never wear it and never will and this is probably my 5th one in a year. I would have loved any of the other boxes but always end up with the worst one IMO and have box envy pretty much every month. I wish instead of gathering information on what we look like Sephora would actually ask what we want or like. I’m about ready to bail on them. Its only a $10 box but would rather pay them more to get products I will actually use.

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Jan C Marchand

I agree with you about the lipgloss and the dry shampoo! I never use dry shampoo even though I have loads of it now! I feel like it’s cheaper to throw that in then throw in some better skin products. Also, I WISH they would send me red lipgloss, it’s best suited for my skin and hair coloring. Unfortunately all I seem to get is light pinks which makes me look like someone from the sixties when pale, shimmery lip colors were in style.

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Debbie

This was my favorite play box to date! I really like the mascara, love the dry shampoo and can always use more. Can’t wait to try the other items out!

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Hannah

Great review! I got this box too and I’m loving it 🙂

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Julie

Haley,

Thank you for showing what it looks like on. I can never tell by arm swatches.

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Perezangela801

I got this exact box and I am in love with the farmacy moisturizer!! It’s super whipped with little beads that melt in your skin, it’s so lightweight that a little definitely goes a long way! And love the purity clay mask, and the mascara too ! So happy I received this over a week ago😍 before msa lol

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Michelle

I got box 957 and I am almost certain the review is up already.

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Christine G

I’m not seeing it on MSA, only the box spoilers. I checked all the posts going back to the 11th and this is the only review for Play!.

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marilyn

Darn! We weren’t box twins! We usually are. I wanted you to review box 957 and see the lipstick on you before I tried it. Most the items in 957 are new to me also (and I’m excited to try new things). The purity mask looks like a great product and I love their cleanser.

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Julie

I got 957 and the lip gloss really surprised me. It’s a pretty color and I love the applicator. Try it, it’s very nice.

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Anna

Mine was #957 too and would love to see a review of it.

I thought the MJ mascara brush was the same as IT’s Supehero brush (it gives me spidery clumped lashes) I was pleasantly surprised and really love this mascara.

Christine G

Same! I haven’t seen a single review anywhere for #957, only #013. Hoping there’s more than one techie this month!

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Christine G

Review*

Rie

Great review, as usual! I love seeing the products in use. Just curious, what moisturizers have you found to be heavy duty enough for your winter skin? I need a super moisturizing one as well. Thanks! 😊

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Julie

I have super dry skin and my basic routine is Purity made simple wash, Belif Moisturizing Bomb, and then at night I’ll add a thin layer of Fresh Rose face mask (like a night cream) before bed. I mention the face wash because every time I try another wash, my skin starts peeling and flaking, so for me it seems to be an important start to getting hydrated. My skin throws a tantrum without it!

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Haley Faye

Rie, my top go-tos are Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, First Aid Beauty (all their moisturizers but especially the ultra repair hydra-firm sleeping cream), Tatcha’s enriching renewal cream or silk enriching cream.

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Colleen

Have you tried the First Aid Beauty Intense Hydration? I moved to the desert almost a year ago from a humid climate and found it works really well without negative side effects. It’s recommended for people with eczema and other skin irritants. There’s a First Aide Beauty set at Sephora for $52 with several of their products right now.

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