PLAY! by Sephora: October 2016 Box

Aloha Friends!  PLAY! by Sephora is a monthly subscription box that I've been trying to get into for SOOOO long now, and last month I just happened to be perusing their website and saw that there were spots available!  Of course, I jumped on that so quick and I'm so excited that my first box is FINALLY here!

Before we get into the box, here's a little background about the PLAY! by Sephora program:
Each month, you get 5 deluxe sample sized products that are handpicked by the lovely experts at Sephora, as well as a bonus fragrance sample, so you get 6 products total.  Each box includes a little pamphlet with details about all the products and how to use them.  It also comes with a PLAY! PASS that you can redeem at Sephora stores for a one-on-one session with a beauty expert who will show you how to use each product, as well as 50 bonus Beauty Insider points when you make a purchase. The products come in adorable drawstring pouches and a box with the classic Sephora black and white stripes, stamped with "PLAY! by Sephora" all over the box.  This subscription service costs $10 a month plus tax and comes every month.  As of right now, you are unable to skip months, so if you want to skip a month, you have to cancel your entire subscription and pray that there are spots open once you want to subscribe again.  You are typically billed at the beginning of the month, my account says "November 1-3" currently, and the box is shipped FOR FREE around the 20th of every month.  You'll be notified by email once your box ships so you can track it from there and once the magical mail storks drop it on your doorstep, you can enjoy your new goodies!  Unfortunately, PLAY! by Sephora is currently available in the US ONLY, but hopefully Sephora will be beautiful and amazing so that anyone from anywhere can give it a try!

First and foremost, I want to mention that the packaging of the PLAY! boxes are SO CUTE.  I love that the box includes that classic Sephora stripes and that the pouch that the goodies come in is a drawstring pouch, making it really unique compared to other beauty subscription services.  This month's pouch says "Lipstix & Chill" and it smelled really nice when I took it out of the box!  I thought that maybe the perfume sample broke or spilled, but it didn't!  I don't know what they did to make the pouch smell so nice, but whatever it is, I hope they keep using it! *keep reading below because I totally figured out the smell lol*  K, now into the products!

This month's theme seems to be "The Cool Cut".  The products in this box are up and coming products that have yet to hit the mainstream.  Much of what I use to describe the products is going to come from the pamphlet because I've yet to try everything yet, but I will this week and come back with an update about what I think of everything!  All links are to the full sizes of each product.

"All The Lip Long Day"
Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver's Seat

- This liquid lipstick claims to be water resistant and 8 hour wear.  The formula includes jojoba, apricot, and sunflower oils for good color payoff and non-drying formula.  As a lover of all things liquid-lippie, I'm probably most excited to try this!
The Specs: fancypants doe-foot applicator / no size specs were provided

"The Yolk's On You"
Too Cool For School Egg Mellow Cream

- Egg cream?  Sounds gross right?  This is a 5-in-1 serum, moisturizer, eye cream, neck cream, and sleeping mask with egg extracts and collagen fiber.  Claims to tighten the appearance of pores, keep skin looking healthy and firm, and encourage the production or collagen.  Too Cool For School is also a K-Beauty brand, so no doubt, it'll probably be fantastic!  I'm definitely going to try it right after I finish writing this sentence.
The Specs: 6g / 0.21 oz bottle with a pump

"Do As I Spray"
Verb Leave-In Mist

- This leave-in conditioning spray claims to moisturize, detangle, and smooth as well as protect hair from heat styling, which sounds perfect for me because y'all know I love me some heat-produced beachy waves!  It's a no-nonsense product but is also salon quality, with moringa seed oil for moisturizing and detangled and vegetable proteins for keeping hair strong.  Two things about this product caught my eye: 1) everything that Verb creates is free of parabens, gluten, and sulfates and is also cruelty free, which appeals to me because I strive to only purchasing cruelty free products, and 2) this product is REALLY thick, which is something I'm not used to since it's a mist, but I guess we'll see how it works out!  *It was THIS product that made the bag smell sooo good!  No product leaked or anything and the smell isn't strong, but for some reason it just overcame the entire bag.  Either way, I'm still super happy about the smell lol*
The Specs: 1 fl oz / 30 mL bottle with a spray top

"A Kiss On The Chic"
NUDESTIX Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in Belle

- Let me start by saying that NUDESTIX has always been one of those brands I see at Sephora and I'm like "that looks too cool for me" but I'm glad Sephora doesn't think so!  This pencil claims to be color-rich, non-drying, and long-wearing for up to six hours.  It's multifunctional, as you can use it as a lipstick, lipliner, or blush.  Unfortunately, there are no details about the ingredients or it's special powers so I have you leave you on a cliffhanger for this one :/
The Specs:  2.5g / 0.088 oz pencil; fits the large opening of a pencil sharpener

"It's The Peel Deal"
Skin Inc. Pure Revival Peel

- Peels have always scared me because PEEL!!! But I'm so excited to have this in my box!  It claims to be a non-abrasive peel that gently sloughs away dead skin cells.  A key ingredient in this product is AC-11, which is derived from cat's claw, a tropical vine that grows in the Amazon, and is known to help gently exfoliate and care for environmental and sun damage.  Skin Inc. is a Japanese brand which is super exciting because we all know Asian skincare products rule all skincare products.
The Specs: 5mL / 0.17 fl oz tube, paraban and scent free!

This Month's Perfume Pick: "Soleil It On Me"
Tom Ford Orchid Soleil

- Directly from the PLAY! pamphlet: "A summery take on the beloved Tom Ford Black Orchid scent, this warm fragrance is brightened with hints of spice and exotic florals."  I'm so excited to wear this fragrance because I sprayed it on a little card and found that it smells like the most amazing lei you could ever wear while wearing your favorite sundress, drinking a Blue Hawaii on Waikiki Beach.  It literally smells like Christmas in Hawaii and if you've never been to Hawaii around Christmas then you're seriously missing out!!!
The Specs: .05 fl oz / 1.5 mL glass mini-mini spray bottle.  Fragrance Family: Warm and spicy.  Top notes: Tuberose petals, cypress, pink peppercorn.  Middle notes: Black orchid, lily accords, clove bud.  Base notes: Vanilla, chestnut cream accord, vetiver, patchouli.

This is my first PLAY! by Sephora box and I'm honestly really happy with all the products that I received!  I'm really excited to try all the products because I've never really tried any of these brands before, except Smashbox, and there's nothing better than trying things you haven't before!  Like I said before, I'll probably come back with an update about how I feel about the products after trying them, but if not, keep an eye out for any of these in upcoming Monthly Obsessions!

I hope this helped anyone who was unsure about subscribing to PLAY! by Sephora.  So far, I think it's worth more than the $10/month they charge for it because you get top notch brands like Tom Ford and Smashbox even if it's just deluxe sample sizes.  I'm excited for what's in next month's box and you best bet I'll be back to introduce next month's goodies to you!  Thanks for reading, beauties!

Check here to see if there are spots open so you can get monthly goodies from PLAY! by Sephora too!

All the Love,
Cat <3