sephora play

Why I Canceled Sephora Play

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Several months ago, I signed up for my first beauty subscription box, Sephora Play. Optimistic that retail beauty giant Sephora would have the insight required to kick ass and take names in the sub box arena, I eagerly signed up.

After four boxes, I’ve canceled my subscription. I will receive and review October’s box, but that is the fifth and final Sephora Play box I will receive. Unfortunately, I found that Sephora Play is plagued by the same issues as any other beauty subscription box – for now, at least. My optimism, unfortunately, was unfounded.

Where I Take Issue

To date, it seems as though Sephora concocts two boxes based on the profile you create at sign up. The product selections are made for you; they spin this as a convenience. Personally, I’d rather take five minutes to pick from a pool of samples (like when you place a normal order) than have someone pick for me and make choices that don’t work for me.

They spin the fragrances as a bonus but they aren’t really. Let’s be honest, those vials are included in the $10 per month valuation.

There’s this big hoopla about the box being a surprise, even though manufactured leaks occur – there are several Sephora Play, “spoilers,” sites out there.

Instead of consistently getting exciting content in the boxes, they have people creating Spotify playlists. Seriously? Who is actually jumping at the chance to listen to this stuff? I’m a Sephora customer because I’m interested in beauty products, not because I’m seeking sweet hipster tunes.

Sephora Play List

To give you an idea of why I’m canceling, here are my hits, misses, and OKs.

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Sephora Play July 2016

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Sephora Play July 2016Sephora Play July 2016
Ouai Wave Spray / NEST Citrine / Smashbox Photo Finish Primer /
Benefit Dew the Hoola / First Aid Beauty Cleanser /
not pictured because I am an ass beautyblender Blotterazzi

Ouai Wave Spray

I’ve been seeing Ouai products buzzed about, but I knew (know, really) nothing about the brand. This wave spray claims to add texture by encouraging the hair to fall into a wave pattern. So far, I have used it twice each on damp and dry hair (four times, total). I’m not impressed, unfortunately; the spray did nothing my hair does not do anyway.

Beyond that, it is quite fragranced; in small doses, its fine. Pleasant, even. As much as my hair requires (read: not a small dose), however, is entirely too much. On top of that, the fragrance isn’t for everyone.

>> Have you tried it? Did you have better luck than I did? I think it could do more for hair that is already prone to waves and curls, but…alas, not me.

NEST Citrine

Again with the fragrances – fragrance is so personal, I have difficulty reviewing it. I wouldn’t purchase Citrine, but I don’t hate it. It will come live in my desk at my office for days I forget fragrance (and want to wear something).

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Who hasn’t tried this primer? I’m not going to wax poetic about it – it’s the standard Photo Finish primer. I’m not bummed by it being here because I can always make use of tiny sample sizes. They’re great for travel, of course, for an emergency desk stash, or to pass along to a friend in need.

That said, I wouldn’t ever buy this full-sized. This anti-chafe gel is a far more affordable dupe (very similar ingredients and feel), even if it is a bit odd to keep in a makeup kit. It’s cheaper at the drugstore, even, than Amazon. The specialty versions, however, with color correction? I would consider those!

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Sephora Play June 2016

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Sephora Play June 2016Sephora Play June 2016

Never having jumped on the subscription box bandwagon, in May I signed up for Sephora Play! I received my first box in mid-June, and finally have time to talk about it what I got!

Tocca Florence

I’m highly picky about fragrances. When I realized this was a floral, I nearly tossed it out without popping the cap off the vial. I decided that wasn’t fair, so I removed the stopper and…was pleasantly surprised! For the first time since the Marc Jacobs Daisy line, I’ve found a pleasant floral. That said, I’m not going to rush out and buy a full sized, $68 bottle of Florence. I will enjoy this sample vial, but juggling several bottles of perfume is not for me. I would consider buying a rollerball. If you like subtle florals and are in the market, give this a shot.

Tarteguard

I’ve always thought that the packaging for Tarte’s sunscreen was cute, but I didn’t give the product much consideration. If I was going to drop $32 on a sunscreen, I’d probably go Shiseido, Clinique, or Murad…or I’d go with a BB Cream product. So far, I’ve used Tarteguard on my hands and forearms only – where it has done a good job. I was reluctant to introduce change to my routine so soon after finding a routine that my skin is responding well to (plus I <3 my Biore one!). Furthermore, the reviews this sunscreen has received have indicated a high incidence of breakouts in relation to use. Unfortunately it isn’t going anywhere near my face anytime soon. It DOES has a faint, pretty scent that I can’t place and none of that nasty, “sunscreen smell.” For what it’s worth, a fellow, makeup-obsessed friend swears by this stuff and reports that it doubles as a good primer.

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