Play! by Sephora Review for August 2017

The end of the month is still acceptable to get a monthly box review up, yeah? This time it's Play! by Sephora, a box that I was on the fence about subscribing to for the longest and I finally took the plunge if only to answer the siren call of skincare. Play! by Sephora is a beauty box curated by the Cosmetics retailer Sephora that provides 5 skincare, haircare and makeup items a month in a drawstring bag (meh) and a bonus perfume sample. Perfume is not really my thing and an easy freebie that one can get with any purchase but if it doesn't count as one of my 5 samples then I really don't give a shit. Play provides subscribers with a profile they can fill out to best "personalize" their box each month. I say "personalize" in quotations because unlike other subscription boxes I've encountered, Play only sends out relatively few items and very few box varieties (5-10 types maybe) a month and your profile is used to pigeonhole you into the closest-but-still-not-quite-right box variety.

Geeking out over makeup!

The bag is never my favorite part.

The theme this month was Makeup geek and omg, was the info sheet that was shipped so freaking cute. I loved that they had a very basic yet informational periodic table of the elements basically outlining how various ingredients commonly found in skincare (and featured in this box) affect skin, hair and makeup. I did find this theme odd considering there is a makeup line called Makeup Geek. This month's Sephora Play box was different from any of the previous ones that I've seen and the one previous box I've received in that it offered two colored beauty products and one tool.

Beauty Blender Micro.Mini - $9 or 2 for $18
Kat Von D Lock-It Conceal Crème in #33 - $7.40
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Golden Almond - $7.36
Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert - $10.14
Qhmet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee - $2.59
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue - $2.38

I was excited about the idea of getting a Beauty Blender Micro.Mini in my Play! box but the reality did not justify my excitement. What the shit is the point of a beauty blender that is so freaking tiny? I haven't even brought myself to use it yet because I'm fully capable of turning my current blending sponge around and using the pointed end for precise application. I guess this is functional for some people but it's just an extra step and an extra item to clean.

 

 

 

Dry Micro.Mini

Wet Micro.Mini. Not much of a difference.

 
I wanted so much to love the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Golden Almond.

The texture is great, it's medium to full coverage where a little goes a very long way and it blends out easier than I expected but I cannot provide any feedback on how well this works because well...

(Left) Kat Von D Lock-it Concealer in #33, (Right) Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish in Golden Almond in indirect sunlight

There is no fucking way I can get away with wearing this outside. It is so incredibly dark that I cannot get away with wearing it as a base but unfortunately it is too orange to pass as a contour shade. That and I just have no idea how I would even go about beginning to contour. I tried it as a bronzing shade but that was pretty offensively orange as well. I love how Play! says they sent this item based on my skin tone in my profile and yet anybody who got my box combination #221 got the exact same shade as the Kat Von D Lock-It concealer that I did. And on that note...

While Kat Von D Lock-It Conceal Crème in #33 is almost a perfect shade for my face (I know it looks out of control on my arm but that is due to my constant donning of hoodies and long sleeves), I cannot get away with wearing it out because my face and body are two completely different shades. Oddly enough, the difference starts around the neck and is so stark that matching anything to my face makes me look more novice than I actually am, and I admit I'm pretty freaking novice at applying makeup. It is a very full coverage, which looking at Kat Von D's overall aesthetic, this is not surprising. I was stunned that the shade was nearly a perfect match for me but I'm disappointed that my face does not agree with the rest of my body. Is it worth risking finding self tanners for brown girls? Probably not. Maybe if I find myself in daylight or a pool one day this can come in handy.

I got a nice but severely overpriced body lotion in my box this month. Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert costs an exorbitant $70 for 200mL. The claim: it reduces cellulite. I think I need to stop bitching about anti-cellulite skincare. Kind of. I will just  leave this here. This podcast/blog post show that I am an idiot for discrediting any effect caffeine may have but I also cannot help but feel a little vindicated because of it. Basically, the oils and emollients in lotions and the sheer quantities of caffeine needed to see any anti-aging effects more or less negate the effect of caffeine in a lot of skin care items. So long story short, cosmetics companies are overselling (and overcharging for) the effects of their products on cellulite and aging while preying on our insecurities and collective gullibility. If I just wanted a nice non-greasy feeling body lotion and I had a ton of money (think Emily Gilmore or Blair Waldorf loaded) I could see myself blowing money on something like this. But then I'd also have a bathroom entirely stocked in Lush products.

Or  I could just pay for liposuction

Every time I receive a hair item in a subscription box I try it on my kids. In the past this was because items often did not fit my hair type. A recently added issue is I have loc'd my hair so I'm limited on product types to use. Qhmet Biologics Qhmet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee is no different as it markets itself as a detangling cream. Let me tell you! This stuff works magic on Livy's hair. She's got the curlier hair of the two of my kids and just a spritz of water and a small amount of this and it's pretty easy to comb through without entirely coating her head or using too much product and she smells like a little chocolate chip running around! The best part? 8.5 oz of this stuff is totally affordable so not only do I love it but I am absolutely going to buy more instead of hoping I end up with more in a subscription box down the line. This works great with the Garnier Sleek & Shine (reviewed here) but the smell mixes to make her smell like a chocolate covered fruit, but a fruit that doesn't get chocolate like kiwi.

Qhmet Biologics at work. Sorry for the frizzy Day2 Curls.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is a fragrance actually works on me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my heart set on the Kat Von D Sinner and Saint perfumes that were offered this month but I really do appreciate this D&G sample. It is described as feminine, floral and fruity and the notes I'm catching are granny smith apples, citron and a little bit of musk. Other notes listed on the website are bluebells, jasmine, bamboo, white rose, cedar wood, amber and musk. It smells like the beach to me, really because of that clean crispness of the granny smith apples though it smells more fruity than apple-y.

Holy crap, this month was full of a lot of pissing and moaning from me about Sephora. Sorry, guys. At least the box value was pretty high at a value of $38.87 and I got to try some mid-range to high-end brands. Credit where credit's due: I got a decent body lotion that costs way too much, a pretty awesome smelling perfume sample, a decent and affordable hair product for one of the tots, and I got to try two pretty freaking awesome brands of face base. I've always wanted to try the Hourglass Vanish foundation formulas and I finally got a chance to try. I may even consider snagging one if I ever see an incredible deal come up (Ipsy had them available for almost a month at some point back in 2016, maybe it will happen again?). There are so many shades that risking ordering online can prove to be a highly dangerous game so at least this sample allows me to narrow down the field just a little bit. I had been wanting a concealer and I'm thrilled I got to try the KVD formula. It's pretty hardcore and if you want something covered it absolutely won't disappoint. I recently bought some drugstore foundations I keep saying I will review someday but I erroneously bought shades that are slightly too dark so maybe I can work this concealer with those. Little beauty blender, I don't know what to do with you. Maybe I can find someone who will love it? Ultimately the box was decent but that's just because I only started subscribing to this box for the bath, body and skincare with the occasional hair find for the kids.

August 2017 Ipsy Review UPDATED

Glam Bag Time! I seriously look forward to getting my Ipsy bag in the mail every month and in fact I've begun stalking the mailbox like cheetah approaching the watering hole. All with the dexterity of a dumpy puma. Ipsy is my first and perhaps my favorite subscription box so far. It costs $10 a month including tax and shipping and provides subscribers with 5 items curated based off of a profile created upon signing up. The 5 items subscribers receive can be anything from makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, tools and bath and body, based off of profile settings (both full sized and deluxe or sample). Every month subscribers also receive a makeup bag exclusive to that month. For example: so far I have not received any fragrance or nail polish samples in an Ipsy bag. Subscribers can also earn points through reviewing items every month and having people sign up through their referral link. Points can then be used to redeem items in the Ipsy shop.

This month's bag came in a gold mailer with a booklet explaining the burgeoning Ipsy Cash system. Love that pink poodle!

Target Beauty Box August 2017

Every month Target releases a beauty box , usually ranging from $5-$10 with sample sized and full sized beauty and personal items that can be purchased in store or through their online website. Shipments also arrive within the first week or two of the month. Here it is mid month so I've had a little time to play with my Target Beauty Box and drop off an opinion.

The August box cost $7 and is still available online. Target values the box at $21 (we will see why this is bullshit later). This month's box included:

• Dove Invisible Dry Spray Anti-Persprint - $5.49, Full Sized
• Garnier Clearly Brighter Daily Scrub - $1.19
• SpaLife Nourishing Facial Mask - $2.49
• Herbal Essences Argan Oil Shampoo - $0.62
• Bioré Deep Cleansing Nose Strips - $0.75
• Up & Up Makeup Remover Wipes - $3.84, Full Sized 

Curl Definition for Toddlers?

I was holding Lizzie saturdayand had an "Aha!" moment. I looked into her nest of curls and noticed her 3A/3B curls glowing in the diffused sunlight of an overcast day. She never sits very still and for ease of grooming I always have hair in one or two ponytails but for whatever reason I wanted to let her run around as a free cavebaby for the day. This post is pic heavy so sorry about that.

This looks about how our Sunday went.

July Target Beauty Box Review

Like a borderline burnout trying to kite that paper in on time under the professor's door, here's the August Target Beauty Box review.

Every month Target unveils a beauty box for anywhere between $5 and $10 and they usually sell out within a couple of days. The coolest thing about these boxes is that everything in them can be found either inside of Target or online at Target.com. Even though everything at Target is technically drugstore, I suppose, every now and they they throw in a higher priced brand here, here, here, and particularly here.


 

The box this month was pretty much filled to the brim. Isn't it beautiful? Right off the bat I was excited for this box. I immediately saw two things I intended to get heavy use out of. This month's box featured:

• ELF Illuminating Mist & Set - $4.00
• Secret Cool Waterlily Clear Gel Deodorant - $1.00
• Scünci Soft Cashmere Blend Headbands - $2.00
• Neotrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer - $2.65
• Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes - $1.25
• ACURE Day Cream - $9.70
• John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon -$0.20
• Que Bella Dead Sea Mud Mask & Pineapple Peel Off Mask- $4.00

ELF Illuminating Mist & Set

I really need to invest in some lighting.

I already have the Smashbox Photo Finish Priming Water which I already do not use so I cannot see myself getting much use out of this product, even though it's hot as monkey balls outside. The spray can be a little aggressive but holding the bottle further away from my face or swapping the product into a bottle with a finer mist will solve this problem. I may end up just using this for days when I don't have makeup on but I'm roasting alive outside. It has a ton of vitamins so it's worth a shot, particularly for aging concerns, of which I have very few.

Secret Cool Waterlily Clear Gel Deodorant

Much like last month, the most exciting item in this box is the most practical, every day use item. I went to Costco about 4 months ago and bought deodorant that I don't necessarily care for but it was the only ladies' brand there and it more or less does the job, sort of. Up until that point I had only been using Secret Outlast Gel deodorant which might be the only deodorant I've found other than Old Spice that prevents me from smelling like a builder. It fits perfectly in my purse which is great since every now and then I, TMI, forget to put on deodorant before I leave the house. I'm always late and half dressed, tbh. I also keep a shit dollar store deodorant in my desk at work for the same reason.

Scünci Soft Cashmere Blend Headbands

I did not intend to get any use out of these but I stand very corrected. They've been a life saver keeping my hair out of my wash off or peel off masks. My hair is not straight, and therefore isn't as slippery as other hair when wearing these. They are extremely soft and do not have a textured grippy side. Ive been wearing these very frequently just for a quick faux attempt at doing something with my hair.

Neotrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer

This little guy was a pretty interesting find. It applies like a serum and it's absolutely worth it considering how much I hate thick moisturizers. It applies so smoothly, I didn't notice any particular scent to the product. This will be one of my future purchases.

Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes

 

This might be the best makeup removing wipes I've ever used. They thoroughly remove makeup, hydrate my skin and I don't have to rub my face until i have exposed flesh to remove makeup. I know what I'm buying in the near-ish future.

ACURE Day Cream

Love it. It's light enough to be work outside, even in the middle of summer, and prevents my face from melting off in a pool in my own lap. The cream itself feels amazing and has this almost crisp musky scent to it until you sniff hard and are surrounded by a eucalyptus forest and become overwhelmed. I have not been impressed with other ACURE items but I can see myself repurchasing this item.

 

John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon was a bit of a letdown. The website promised about 2 oz but angry customers have been calling into Target stating that they were unhappy paying for a foil packet and Target has been kind enough to get complainers a $2-3 discount. Alas, I have not used this hair product yet.

Que Bella Dead Sea Mud Mask & Pineapple Peel Off Mask

Now I love a good wash-off/peel-off mask as much as the next guy. I love that this box had two different samples inside. The Dead Sea Mud Mask was not a bad mask by any means. It brightened, it cleared out my pores and it wasn't overly drying. It smelled/felt medicinal but that was not entirely offputting. The Pineapple pee-off mask was just nauseating. I love the smell of pineapple but this mask just took that and ran with it. Forever. Like Forest Gump's cross country run. I really tried with this mask and I should have had fun peeling the mask off but my god, the smell was so strong that it wasn't worth going back and repurchasing.

I think I'm ok with this month's Target Beauty Box. The value wasn't amazing but thank god we didn't get any makeup this month. The masks were a refreshing way to wind down at the end of the day and the makeup removers are more than useful at home. Neutrogena, you are my life saver.

P.S. please any cryptic reviews you see. I have been nodding off for over an hour at the computer but I swore I would have reviews done within the month that I received the products. It almost didn't work out that way this month. Off to bed I go.

P.P.S. Holy shit, this post was so heavily edited. Day after edits. I should have left it untouched as a relic to my drowsiness and stubborn attempt to get this posted at some point in July. I'm sorry, I know I'm a drunk and illiterate person. I know.

July Play! by Sephora Review

I finally gave in and subscribed to Play! by Sephora. I love the store, I love skincare and Play! seems pretty heavy on skincare, the products are easily obtained i.e. they are all available within Sephora, and the products range from moderate to high-end. I must admit it feels pretty nice getting high end items in volumes large enough for multiple uses to determine whether or not it's worth purchasing a full size of. I've waffled back and forth on whether or not I wanted to subscribe to Sephora's box. My primary deterrent was seeing the curation off the boxes. Like many other subscription boxes, Sephora allows you to create a profile based off of your coloring, skin type and preferences. There doesn't seem to be any complex algorithm beyond this point. Each month features four or five curated boxes that individuals will received based off of their profile settings, leading to less customization than other subscription services. Doesn't change the fact that the items are still usually high end and decently sized though. From reviews I've read elsewhere, each box will receive 5 products ranging from makeup, skincare and hair care and a bonus perfume sample. I'm on board with this. My first box included two makeup items, two skincare items, one hair care item and a perfume sample.

 

July Ipsy Review

A primer for the uninitiated. Ipsy is a $10 a month beauty subscription service that sends subscribers a unique bag design, and 5 items ranging from skincare, hair care, makeup, tools, polish and fragrances. Items are curated for subscribers based on a personal profile that is set up upon subscription. Disgusting, I know but it was my first and gateway subscription, leading to Birchbox, Target and now Sephora Play! but so far I want to say Ipsy does it best. The items are more closely tailored to my preferences than any of the other subscriptions, thus far, and the points system is superior to Birchbox (if you can manage to earn enough points, that is). The sample sizes are pretty decent and often include deluxe and full sized items. One thing to note though is that Ipsy's  inventory ranges from high end to drugstore so if that is an issue for you you may want to opt for Sephora Play! which has better sample sizes and more makeup items or Birchbox which has high end products and the occasional full sized item.

Quick and to the pointless: not the best month, Ipsy. Not bad, just not the best. This month was a collaboration with the Sanrio character Gudetama, the world's laziest egg. I see a depressed egg and I'm pretty sure if he had an opposable thumb he'd pull the trigger. Poor little guy. I can't say I'm a fan of the bag design, nor am I a fan of the zipper position but it's very well constructed. The bag has a bit of a pearlized finish, a matching yellow satin lining and the outside feels waterproof/easy to clean. The contents were equally underwhelming: staples but boring. Side note: I've already updated my profile last month to mix up the items I will receive but I believe it takes a month or two to for any changes to reflect. This month's bag included: