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Play! by Sephora
Cost: $10/month.
Ships To: United States
Coupon Code: N/A

Play! by Sephora is a monthly subscription box program. Each month subscribers will receive a box of deluxe samples, along with an exclusive PLAY! BOOK — packed with helpful advice — and a PLAY! PASS to redeem in store for a free one-on-one learning session with a beauty expert. The six product samples in your PLAY! by SEPHORA box are from the same prestige brands Sephora carries in store and online, and they are sized to use multiple times.

Play! by Sephora ships via USPS.  All Play! by Sephora boxes should arrive between the third and fourth week of each month.

Such a cute little bag this month!

The included booklet features product information along with pro tips for each of the items in the box. The July 2016 Play! by Sephora box theme was “Effortless Summer” and included the following items:

~NEST Fragrances Citrine (0.04fl.oz) ($1.60): The NEST Citrine has the “dewy softness of lotus flower and freesia are set against sparkling citrus notes and hints of precious woods”.  It’s a fabulous combination of scents and seems like a nice everyday summer scent.

~First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser (1oz) ($5.50): This is a “fragrance-free, gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup, dirt, and grime, leaving skin soft and supple”.  I feel like First Aid Beauty is a brand we don’t see enough of in subscription boxes, and I am happy to see it in here.  It’s formulated without parabens, phthalates, alcohol, fragrances and artificial dyes and left my skin feeling great.

~Ouai Wave Spray (1.7oz) ($8.84): Ouai Texture Mist is a weightless texture spray. My hair is very straight (and flat) and this spray does make it look like I just left the beach (I wish I did).  It doesn’t leave it crunchy or stiff and can be used on dry or damp hair.  I personally like to put it on damp hair and then twist up in a bun for a while to get even more waves.

~Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer (0.25fl.oz) ($9): This primer gives your skin a silky finish while helping to keep makeup in place.  I like to use this mixed with BB cream for summer.  It makes you look like you spent forever on your makeup, but really it takes no time at all.

~beautyblender blotterazzi™ by beautyblender® (~$8): The full-size blotterazzi includes two sponges plus a mirrored compact, so I estimated this set at $8. Blotterazzi absorbs excess oil without disturbing makeup so that skin stays looking radiant at all times.  It’s an alternative to blotting papers and can be washed (with the included blender cleanser) and reused.  This is a summer must-have and easily my favorite item in this month’s box.

~Benefit Cosmetics Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer (0.16fl.oz) ($4.48): This is a light-weight and shimmer-free liquid bronzer.  It’s a tad dark for my skin right now, but maybe with a little self-tanner, it will work a bit better.  It’s easy to work with, and the information card includes a bunch of great tips for applying it.

All totaled I came up with a value of $37.42 for the July 2016 Play! by Sephora.  Great value and the box itself was amazing.  Note: There are variations to this month’s box which are based on your profile preferences.  I believe all subscribers will receive the NEST Citrine, the blotterazzi and the OUAI, but you may receive different items in place of the ones I have received.

What did you think of the July Play! by Sephora?  If you are interested in subscribing (the waitlist is OPEN), you can check them out here.  Also, don’t forget that each box comes with a PLAY!Pass to go to your local Sephora and get one-on-one advice about the items in this month’s box.  You can also pop in for a PLAY!Date, which “gives you and a friend the chance to meet fellow subscribers and Sephora’s experts, trade tips, and talk tricks for getting the most out of the stellar products from PLAY! by SEPHORA. Learn the latest beauty buzz, snap some #SEPHORAPLAY selfies, and get inspired to try new tints and different strokes – all in your local store.”  My store doesn’t do these (you can see a list of participating stores here), but if your does, make sure to RSVP and go check it out!