Sephora Play September 2018 Box G review

Sephora had a black friday sale and I decided to give Sephora Play Box a second chance. Luckily I was able to pick the items that was showcased in the box.

I choose the Box G variation that had skincare and makeup that I was interested in trying.

The theme was next generation beauty and these were included:

1. Peter Thomas Roth - Hungarian Thermal Water Mineral-Rich Atomic Heat Mask
2. Boscia Cactus Water Moisturizer
3. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
4. Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Youthful Look 24H Foundation SPF 25 in Tan Y420
5. Nudestix - Intense Matte Lip+ Cheek Pencil in Kiss
6. Tom Ford Black Orchid

Sephora Lipstick Hong Kong by Night

#Lipstories

I was always attracted to Asian countries and when I heard about Sephora new affordable lipstick line I wanted to get my hands on a certain color. I went to the store the week that this line was released and I swatched "Hong Kong by Night" and loved it but it was SOLD OUT!!! I had my friend from Canada (our neighboring country)  to send me one because it was sold out everywhere. I love the slightly metallic with a bit of sparkle and the perfect red color when applied onto my lips. 

Sephora Clarifying Skincare Booster - Imperfection Serum

SEPHORA COLLECTION Skincare Booster - Imperfection

Zinc
No change in my skin. My pores look the same. Felt like I was dripping alcohol onto my skin.
You are better off buying the same thing from the brand, "The Ordinary" and get it with a cheaper price. 

Sephora August 2017 Play Box review

Sephora August 2017 Play Box review

Elements of Beauty

Get to know the hardworking ingredients that power your beauty routine.

This was one of the better play boxes that I have received so I think I will stay subscribed for a bit longer.

1. BeautyBlender micro mini - It's so small that I know that I will never use it.
2. Clinique HIM Dual-Ended High Impact Mascara and Primer Duo - I don't think I need another mascara cause I have many and I don't use it but it has a primer with it, so I might give it a try.
3. Hourglass - Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Shell - I've never been into foundation sticks so I might only use this during the wintertime.
4. Korres - Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum - great for traveling and I will definitely be taking this on my trip next week.
5. Caviar - Anti-Aging Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist - this is the haircare product in the box. Great for people with thin hair who wants a little volume.
6. Burberry - Black - I love all the Burberry scents because there is a tint of floral and matureness to it.

Sephora July 2017 Play Box review

Sephora Play
Beauty Staycation
Good Beauty Vibes?
More like my most hated bag!

1. It Cosmetics - SuperHero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara - I have it and I no longer use mascaras anymore after my eyes would get teary after the usage of mascara.
2. PeterThomasRoth - Cucumber Gel Mask - I don't like this brand at all. The gel mask is just too thin for a mask for me.
3. Clinique - Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Woppin Watermelon - on the sale page and I hated it. It's just a lip balm with hardly as tint of color that I returned when purchased.
4. Ren - Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream - already have it and great for an day cream but how many day creams can you feature in a subscription box every month? I need something new.
5. Madame CJ Walker Beauty Culture - Dream Come True Wonderful Deep Conditionig Masque - I never care much about hair mask and they are piling in a box in my room which I give to friends when they come over.
6. Mon Guerlain - ok scent

This bag was a disappointment. This is the second box which nothing is new and I've used all the products featured in this box. Some of them I've seen on the "sale" page website on Sephora. This is horrible. I just gave the entire bag away to a friend over this weekend. What a waste of money. I though subscription boxes are suppose to introduce you to new products but these are all re-runs that I've seen so many times. Let's see how next month's play box is otherwise three strikes and you're cancelled!

Sephora Play June 2017 review

Your Summer Starters

In A Summer State of Mind

"I'm expecting sunscreen or sun-related products." was the first thing that came to my mind when I got the email.

I only liked 2 out of 5 products. I just hope in the future that they start keep track of products that were previously placed in boxes so people don't get repeats. Not everyone likes repeats. These subscriptions boxes are suppose to open customers to new products and not products that we were previously familiar with.

1. Benefit Cosmetics - The POREfessional Face Primer - old product, repeated product-passing it on.
2. Coola - Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30 - I actually enjoyed the Coola sunscreen BB last week during my trip to Taiwan so I'm open to more Coola products in the future. Keeping and using.
3. VERB Sea Spray - I previously got this in a Sephora Favorites bag and dislike it so I will be passing it on.
4. Kat Von D - Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick - I am so happy that I got an everyday wearable color. It's a rose pink and I can wear at work. Keeping and using.
5. Klorane - Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - oldie and used it before. passing it on.
6. Bvlgari - Omnia Crystalline - a very light floral scent. I like! great for everyday wear.

Overall I didn't get a sunscreen or sun-related product so was disappointed with the theme and products didn't relate.

Sephora Play May 2017 review

Sephora Play May 2017 review

The Rising Stars

Sadly, I didn't write a review for the last month's play box because it was less than expected and wasn't worth writing a review on it. This month was a quick surprise. I was able to use all of them on my last minute emergency trip .

1. Nudestix - Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Greystone - it's matte so it's not as creamy as a regular lip liner 
2. Tatcha - Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil - great cleansing oil/makeup remover
3. Belief - Hungarian Water Essence - one of my favorite Korean essence. I'm more than happy that this product was included in this box.
4. Trestique - Highlight + Perfect Multipurpose Stick in Maldives Luminescent - a very light rose gold/pink glow
5. Rahua - Omega 9 Hair Mask - great hair mask that makes my hair smooth
6. Tocca - Stella - fresh, light spring perfume

SEPHORA COLLECTION Ultimate Warming Cleanser

SEPHORA COLLECTION Ultimate Warming Cleanser

This was the only pic that I have with the cleanser.
Why?
Because I returned the product.
I never return cleansers, but this one was too harsh to rub because of its maple sap-like feel.
My sensitive skin wasn't having it.
However, when I tried it in the shower, it worked wonders.
It did remove all the dirt and impurities you may have in your pores.
But I prefer to have a cleanser that I can use when I'm also not in the shower.

Sephora Collection Radiant Luminizing Drops

Sephora Collection Radiant Luminizing Drops
Shade 3 - Morning Light - champagne

I like the idea and I do love the little bit of pretty highlight but I think I will stick to highlight powders instead of luminizing drops.

The color or shine goes away in seconds.

It looks great on swatches but not great on the face.

Sephora Renew and peel Super Serum

Everyone including myself was scared of purchasing it, but I did.
I have sensitive skin so I was worried about the renew and peel line.
But my skin doesn't peel or burn afterwards.
I always use toner right before application.
One time, I used this serum right after cleansing my face without the toner, and my skin did sting a little, so beware!

But overall, I like this serum and nothing bad has happened because I use this for night time only because it contains AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid) which can increase the skin sensitivity to sunlight and can cause sunburn.
It even feels smooth and soft afterwards.
I already repurchased a new bottle.

Sephora Favorites - Refresh, Set, Glow!

Sephora Favorites - Refresh, Set, Glow!

Boost Your Beauty Anytime, Anywhere!

This was more of a put together mini-travel sized pouch.

It has everything from makeup wipes to hair to perfume to lip balm

Bumble and bumble - BB. Repair Blow Dry

Olehenriksen clean truth cleansing cloths

Clean Rain Rollerball

Clinique Pep-start Hydroblur Moisturizer

Farmacy Hydrating Coconut Gel Mask with Echinacea GreenEnvy - Deep Moisture Cucumber - this is a hydro gel mask and after 30 minutes it was still functional

Foreo LUNA play in Mint/T-Sonic facial cleansing device with up to 100 uses

Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF15 - nice lip balm for the summer

Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Moisturizer - one of my favorite moisturizers

Sephora Set of 2 Mesh Hair Ties - mediocre

SuperGoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 - nice setting spray

TooFaced Better than Sex Mascara - it has fallouts

Sephora Collection Colorful - Fairy Princess N.234

Sephora Collection Colorful
Long Lasting
Fairy Princess

cause every woman thinks they are a fairy princess
It rubs off like 60% of eye shadows out there.

It's a pretty color, but not dark enough for me.
A good light pink on "no-makeup" look/days.

Sephora March Play Box

Sephora March Play Box

The Gleam Team

The Shine is Now

GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega - Illuminate, hydrate and it smells like citrus. Perfect for summer nights.

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm - moisturizer and primer in one container

Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter - I had this when it first come out. This was my first highlighter that I ever purchased, but I have been exposed to many other highlighters so I'll pass this onto a friend.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink - creamy eyeshadow that can allow one person to pull off a no-makeup look

Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast - I have tried living Proof before and do enjoy it. This spray is great for people that want extra volume and I know that I will need it!

Chloe Fleur de Parfum - I've used up my Chloe original perfume in the past and was happy that I'm getting to sample this rose floral scent because this item has been on my wishlist.

Sephora Favorites Skin Saviors

Why did I get another one of these Sephora Favorites box?
Because I couldn't help it and the Kate Somerville product was something that I have yet to try.

Score makeup-ready skin with the latest in hydration

Good-for-you ingredients,amped way up.

Experience the skin-boosting benefits from light yet luxurious goat milk, soothing honey, rejuvenating sugar, and more with these five deliciously nourishing finds. 

Korres Pomegrante balancing cream-gel moisturizer with not much of anticipation. Soothing and best for the spring/summertime.

Farmacy sleep tight firming night balm - with echinacea green envy, It's nice as to all farmacy products are.

Olehenriksen truth sugar glow polishing mask - mediocre exfoliator, not great for dry skin. I even tried using it in the shower and it was still harsh on the skin.

Kate Somerville goat milk moisturizing cleanser - this was the product that drove me to purchase it because I haven't used an Kate Somerville product.

Origins drink up intensive overnight mask - this is my second time buying this product. I used it when I was in Taiwan during the humid weather and I loved it and I loved it while using this in the cold Philly weather. So best for all weather conditions.

Sephora February Play Box

Sephora February Play Box

The Soft Side

Make a Radiant Understatement

"Natural Beauty" theme

Liked 3 out of 5 products.

I was surprised with the pink silk bag but it was a bit light so I guessed that there will be lipsticks involved and I was right!

In the box/bag are the following:

Clinique - Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer - this is a great moisturizer/primer for the summertime.

Nars - Velvet Lip Glide in Bound - this is my first Nars product and this lip color matches the bag and it is great for this upcoming spring.

Sephora Collection - Lashcraft Length and Volume Mascara - stop giving me mascara! I have enough to last me a lifetime!!

TooFaced - Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake - I think I have "enough" lip for an Asian person. Plus I heard about the burning sensation and I'm not about to put uncomfortable stuff on my lip.

Origins - Ginzing Refreshning Eye Cream!!! I love eye cream!! I love Origins!!! that's enough said!

Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence - it's a very LIGHT scent so you can use this for brunch.

Sephora Favorites Get Glowing!

This Sephora Favorites Box has been my favorite so far.
I think there is a trend where I prefer the Sephora inside JCPenny Sephora Favorites boxes over the regular Sephora boxes.

I have also noticed that I prefer the skincare boxes over the makeup boxes.

Lit-from-within starts with more flawless skin

Rev up the radiance for a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion. 

These products have many natural ingredients such as ginseng, lemon, basil, ginger, gold, jojoba, grapefruit just to name a few.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal - a really nice tinted moisturizer

Beauty blender in nude - interesting that they put this in the box. Maybe the color.
Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser - can never go wrong with cleansers from Origins.
Korres Rose vitamin C active brightening Oil - I've been loving this oil during this winter.
Boscia Sake cleansing Water - I really like how this fells on the skin.
Baremineral skinlongevity vital power infusion - nice mini serum
PeterThomas 24k gold mask pure luxury lift and firm mask - this mask does firm and tightens the skin.
ole Henriksen truth serum collagen booster - great serum for the winter since we lack vitamins.
Farmacy skin dew hydrating essence mist and setting spray - great mist plus a Farmacy brand in a Favorites box is a plus.

Sephora Favorites - Glow, Body, Glow

Sephora Favorites - Glow, Body, Glow - $42

Decadent Formulas for a Soft, Smooth, and Bronzed Body

Slather, soak, scrub and suds up to 9 sumptuous formula.




This is perfect for those that love to be pampered

Clean Warm Cotton perfume - the scent is very soothing and nice.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Gentle Cleansing Bar - this comes in handy when I'm done with my Bath and Body works bath soap.
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Honeysuckle Vanilla - great body cream for this winter.
Karuna Exfoliating + Foot Mask - I'm not new to foot and hand mask because I have been exposed to the Korean versions but it's next to know that the western brands are slowly catching up.
Karuna Hydrating+ Hand Mask
Korres Yoghurt Body Butter - another body cream for this winter.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - I do like these hand creams and I keep them in my work drawer.
Origins Ginger Incredible Spreadable Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub - every time I get something from Origins, I smile. Great Bath soap alternative.
St Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower - I will either save this for the summer or past this one to a friend.

Sephora Play January 2017

Beauty, Set, Go
Stellar Products Are Only the Beginning

tarte FRXXXTION Stick - a gel cleanser in a stick form. This is something new to me with an western brand. Usually I have seen this with Korean brands such as su:m37 and neogen.

Ouai Treatment Masque - yes! A hair product that will help me with damaged hair. I really enjoy hair products that aren't in a spray form so I was glad about this one.

Tory Burch - Love Relentlessly - I'm a fan of the Tory Burch perfume so I was excited to receive this in the bag

Farmacy - Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask - I love a honey mask given to me during the winter months.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - nothing wrong with lip balm plus a little color

AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ - finally a cushion foundation sample!!

I loved this month's Sephora Play.

SEPHORA+PANTONE UNIVERSE Modern Watercolors Eyes Palette 2016

SEPHORA+PANTONE UNIVERSE Modern Watercolors Eyes Palette 2016

"An exclusive palette of 24 deliciously enticing shimmer and matte eye shadow shades, including the two Color of the Year shades: Rose Quartz and Serenity."


The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette was on my wish list for this year but the second I saw this on sale on the Sephora page, I quickly ordered it because I saw 24 colors including Bright White, Antique White, Oyster Mushroom, Fruit Dove, Rose Quartz, Mushroom, Coral Haze, Honeydew, Pelican, Pale Mauve, Cascade, Café Crème, Chinois Green, Café au Lait, Lantana, Mellow Yellow, Cedar Wood, Boa, Linden Green, Ash, Citadel, Serenity, Marina. There were some pink and reds colors along with almost all the colors of the rainbow so I can use this all year long. I don't use a primer and it doesn't flake or smear which I'm so happy about because usually I have bad luck with Sephora Collection eye shadows, but this palette made me happy. I have been using this one every day for work for the past two months and it doesn't disappoint.





"From pastels to brights, this palette has everything you need to create an impactful look. The set of 24 matte and shimmer shades come in a sleek, sophisticated palette. Inspired by the Pantone Colors of the Year, but open to your own interpretation, this mix of pastel shades invites you to transform this timeless pastel duo from sweetly conventional into 2016’s most modern color story."





"Sephora + Pantone Universe invoke the primal wonders of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water to forecast a season of elemental thrall. Introducing a spectrum of rare umbers, ethereal lilacs, rapturous vermillions, and deep sea ceruleans—all harmonized to create the perfect storm of supernatural beauty."

Sephora Favorites Customizable Skin Care & Hair Gift Set

Sephora Favorites - Sephora Favorites Customizable Skin Care & Hair Gift Set - $25

You can pick 5 products from about 10 items so that is why it is called "customizable".
There were products from skincare to hair, but mostly skincare.

1. Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment - I have used this for the dry winter, I have used it all in a week, but it didn't do enough for you to notice any drastic change. But I do have thin fine hair and my ends look pretty nourished after a week's use. 
2. REN Glyco Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask - disappointed that's its so small. I was expecting something beigger for a wash-off mask. And for a tiny sample sized for $5 is a bit pricey for the REN brand.
3. COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 - Matte Tint - sunscreen and BB cream that I will save for next summer.  On the website, it states that it is "A mineral face sunscreen featuring broad-spectrum UVA/UVB plus environmental protection and antiaging benefits".         
4. Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream - something that I was looking forward to a long time. I haven't been a fan of any of their oils probably due to the heavy scent that it has but this is "an advanced brightening, refining treatment infused into a next-generation water cream". Just seems like a regular cream to me. 
5. belif Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist - On the website, it states that it is a vitamin-C packed creamy foam cleanser with natural herbs that gently yet effectively remove makeup and impurities while hydrating the skin. This luxurious cleanser is a unique blend of time-tested apothecary herbs that are rich in vitamin C: wormwood to prevent breakouts, soapberry to detoxify, and sweet flag to cleanse and soften. These botanical ingredients are effective, natural, gentle, and non-stripping cleansing agents. Ideal for normal to dry skin, the creamy lather immediately removes impurities while respecting skin's natural moisture barrier." I'm not picky about cleansers but since it's from belif than it must be good.