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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.

I loved the bag this month!

The May 2017 Play! by Sephora theme is “The Rising Stars” and included the following items:

~Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt (1.35fl.oz) ($9.50):  It’s a good thing I read the information card because I thought this was for your body.  It’s actually a hair product – a detoxifying shampoo to be exact.  According to reviews on Sephora / Reddit, it’s NOT to be used on color treated hair as it may strip the color.  I JUST colored my hair last week, so I am afraid to use this one.

ETA: The instructions do state that this can be used as a “post-coloring treatment to relieve itchiness and remove chemical residues left on the scalp” (thanks Kate), so now I am even more confused! Maybe I will wait a few week until my color isn’t so fresh and I won’t be sad if something does happen?

~MILK MAKEUP Blur Stick (3g) ($3.86): When I opened this I thought it was lame because I couldn’t “see” anything on my skin.  But then I realized that’s the point.  It’s supposed to be like the blur tool on photoshop, except in real life.  It took some shine away, but I’m not sure I would get the full-size.  It didn’t blur quite as much as I would have liked.  I did like that I could try it before actually buying though!

~trèStiQue Highlight & Perfect Multipurpose Stick (~$7):  Ohh, I am very happy with this!  It’s a multi-purpose highlighter (it can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and face) with a little shimmer to it.  It’s formulated without Parabens and Phthalates and is also cruelty-free.

~Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask (7.5mL) ($14.50): When I saw the variations I was really hoping mine had this mask in it.  And it did!  It leaves my skin soft and smooth and leaves it glowing just a tiny bit.  It is formulated with Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates as well.

~GrandeLips GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper (~$5): I know that some people have reported getting a “bad” smelling Lip Plumper sample, but mine smelled like cake (aka vanilla) just as described.  This also arrived in another subscription box recently, and I was thrilled to get another sample.  It has a mild tingle (and takes 20-30 seconds before it kicks in), but it really plumps my lips and leaves them shiny and soft. Fabulous!

~NEST Black Tulip (1.5mL) ($4.69): This is described as a “warm floral”.  It has notes of Black Amber Plum, Pink Pepper, and Japanese Violet.  It’s strong and deep, but it’s not an overpowering scent.  I prefer something lighter for summer, so I will keep this one till fall/winter.

~The Bag:  I love this month’s envelope style bag.  It’s clear and has a snap closure.  This would be a cute way to store makeup items in your purse.

All totaled I came up with a value of $44.55 for the May 2017 Play! by Sephora?   I am thrilled with a few items (the Tata Harper, lip plumper and highlighter stick) and I like the bag, so overall it’s a win.

What did you think of the May 2017 Play! by Sephora?  If you are interested in subscribing (and you probably should be because their boxes are great), you can check them out here.