First time ever: Sephora sent us customized beauty box this month. I received Sephora Play July 2016 Beauty box B (normal/dry) and would like to share my thoughts and how I play with it.

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PLAY! by Sephora Beauty Box Subscription is a monthly beauty subscription box for only $10 and shipping is free. This month theme is Effortless Beauty.

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How to subscribe?

If you’ve received an invitation by email, you can claim your spot using your email address at Sephora.com/play. If all spots are full when you provide your email, you will automatically be added to the waitlist. If you haven’t received an invite, you can join the waitlist at sephora.com/play. They’ll notify you by email when a spot opens up! You can also try to subscribe directly here.

I received Sephora Play July 2016 Beauty box B (normal/dry). It may be chosen from your profile, have you updated it here?

PLAY! by SEPHORA July 2016 Beauty Box B (normal/dry) contains:

  1. BeautyBlender Blotterazzi Full size $20
  2. Beautyblender liquid blendercleanser Full size $18
  3. Ouai Wave Spray Full Size $26
  4. Nest Citrine Full size $25 – $38
  5. Benefit Hoola Liquid Bronzer Full size $28 – $30
  6. First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser Full size $20 – $30
  7. Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer Full size $36
  8. A collectible makeup bag
  9. PLAY! BOOK with tips, tricks, how-tos and beauty advice
  10. Access to exclusive video and how-to content on com/play
  11. PLAY! PASS to redeem in store for a free one-on-one tutorial and 50 points with any purchase
  12. Possible free sample-filled bag (select stores only) See what’s in it and how to here.

Play! by Sephora July Box Review

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This month theme is Effortless Beauty. The drawstring bag is cute.

Play! Book and Play! Pass:

Let’s jump to the goodies!

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Ouai Wave Spray Full Size $26

Spritz it on damp or dry hair to activate natural waves, enhance texture, boost body, and give hair memory. This product is scented with Ouai No. 2 Fragrance, containing notes of Italian lemon, amber, and white musk.

IcanGWP: The average review of this product is 3.6. I am new to this brand. This is from the brand: When you’ve only got 15 minute to look like it took 2 hours … we got you.

Jen Atkin, the founder, also founded Mane Addicts, a site and community showcasing stylist talent and education. You can see a big picture of this brand here at Sephora. People love their shampoo, conditioner, oil or mask. If you are using a lot hair styling products, the scent of this product is definitely a good one. It adds volume a little bit. It’s not extremely sticky or crunchy. It works okay but not amazing for my straight hair. I only tested it out once. Jen is a celebrity stylist. Her clients: Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba, or Chrissy Teigen. Their waves are awesome. I am sure there’s a way to use it. Please share!

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer Full size $36

What it is:
An iconic primer that preps skin to create a perfect canvas for flawless foundation application.

What it does:
The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smooths and perfects skin, while the unique formula supports natural collagen and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish.

IcanGWP: I always like this primer and I have no problem of getting samples. The ingredient is good. It works great. Happy here.

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BeautyBlender Blotterazzi Full size $20 (two sponges and a case)

A chic mirrored compact with two blotting sponges, made of beautyblender® material, for beauty touch ups on the go.

Shaped to fit all contours of the face, the blotterazzi™ saves you from unused corners like traditional blotting papers. Made with the award-winning beautyblender material, these blotting sponges remain “thirsty” when they are dry, absorbing excess oil without disturbing makeup so that skin stays looking radiant. With the compact’s vented back and clear, hygienic separator, it ensures that the sponges keep their freshness.

IcanGWP: BeautyBlender is so very popular because the secret hydrophilic foam material. The standard makeup sponges repel water. This material draws in water and allows a little bit of makeup to penetrate the top layer of the sponge for a cushion effect. Thus, it will work better when it is damp. I have tested:

  • Blotting sponge – It doesn’t work for me.
  • Use for eye shadow application – Great. You can have a sharp line without using the tape! No more glue on my face.
  • Apply pressed powder – It works better than regular sponge (a little bit).
  • Apply foundation or liquid concealer – It works like original BeautyBlender.
  • Apply facial oil – Good (waste a lot of product).
  • Apply cream concealer – Surprisingly, this is the best way to use it for me.
  • Apply powder bronzer – Bad idea, don’t waste your products.

It is easier to clean and dry too. Does it absorb oil? I tested it out by dropping: Sunday Riley UFO , Boscia Tsubaki Oil and Marula oil on it, respectively. And this is the result:

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It does absorb oil and keep absorbing oil. When you use it with any pressed powder (for touch up), make sure to press it a little longer. It will absorb oil a little bit while transferring power to your skin. It does not suck up all the excess oil so this product is perfect for winter.

Beautyblender liquid blendercleanser Full size $18

A sponge and brush cleanser that’s free of dyes and skin irritants.

This cleanser supports the integrity of the beautyblender® as it removes excess residue and germs for a clean makeup application. The cleanser’s soothing soy-based, low-suds formula breaks down rapidly making it earth-friendly, while the light lavender scent makes it fun to use.

This product is handcrafted in the USA.

IcanGWP: This is my first sponge and brush cleanser sample I got. Normally I use baby shampoo. I tried it on power foundation sponge, eyeshadow brush and eyeshadow (sponge) applicator (pretty much for a tiny sample). The power foundation sponge and brush are nicely cleaned. The eyeshadow applicator – not so much. It might be designed to clean liquid or cream products? Average review on Sephora site is 4.1. People think the smell is too strong and lingers. I think that it is okay for brush but it is quite strong for sponge. People seem to prefer the solid version.

Nest Citrine  Full size $25 – $38

The dewy softness of lotus flower and freesia are set against sparkling citrus notes and hints of precious woods.

Notes:
Lemon Blossom, Lotus Flower, Freesia, Dew Drop Accord, Precious Woods.
Style:
Bright. Refreshing. Sparkling.

IcanGWP: Glad to try new Nest fragrance.

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Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer  Full Size $28

A soft-matte liquid bronzer for the face.

-Smooth Dew the Hoola on bare skin or over foundation for a seamless, sunkissed look.
-Apply the lightweight liquid formula alone or on top of foundation for a natual-looking, buildable tan.
-To contour with Dew the Hoola for sculpted feautures, apply under your cheekbones and along your jaw and hairline. Then glide bestselling Watt’s Up! Highlighter (sold separately) along your cheekbones, browbones, and down the bridge of your nose for a gorgeous glow.

IcanGWP: I have received this product from  Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Deluxe Sample Set : Hoola Matte Bronzer (compact bronzer),  Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer (brown bottle) and Hoola Zero Tanlines Allover Body Bronzer (pink/purple tube). Here is the previous post and swatches:

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Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer is the right name. It adds soft matte healthy tan to your skin. It smells like typical sun tan products. Its texture is like a very runny BB. I think that the shade is medium tan with orange undertone. I think it works great when mixing with body lotion to add summer glow! The Hoola Zero Tanlines Allover Body Bronzer offers much darker shade and Hoola Matte Bronzer (compact bronzer) is preferred for face contour.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser | Full size $10 – $20 | Travel size $5.50

A fragrance-free, gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup, dirt, and grime, leaving skin soft and supple.

This Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin, removing surface oils, makeup, dirt, and grime—and its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It is infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to help block damaging free radicals. It helps calm redness and is pH-balanced to maintain the natural acidity of the skin. Daily use will result in fewer flare ups and reduced skin reactivity.

That’s the review of seven samples I received.

The PLAY! by SEPHORA July 2016 Beauty Box A (oily/combo) may contain (please confirm):

 

sephora 072016 too faced solell matte bronzer july oilysephora 072016 first adi skin rescue deep cleanser red claysephora 072016 smashbox photo finish oil free pore minimizing primer

 

What I thought?

Pros: This is a fun beauty box for summer! Six items I received: foundation Primer, bronzer, cleanser, hair spray, citrus perfume and blotting sponge. Almost all of them are deluxe or travel size, good value! Sephora sends this out for $10 a month, I love it. Sephora offers two types of Play Beauty Box this month. Mine is normal/dry skin box. I like my box and this is my favorite Play Beauty Box (out of three). I hope they will keep offering customized box.

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Cons: Full-size items cost around $25. I hope they add some pricier items.

Do you like your box? Would you rather get regular box instead of customized box? Love your comments and thanks for visiting!

The review for Sephora Favorites Soko to Tokyo Customizable Skin Care Set 2016 is coming soon.

Sephora Play Beauty Box August 2016

Sephora(NEW) See Sephora Play Beauty Box Theme Spoiler Video for August 2016 here.

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My guess is mascara! What do you think of the upcoming Play! By Sephora box theme spoiler? Any guesses and what would you like to receive?

Sephora Favorites

See all available kits at Sephora Favorites.

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See all my Sephora Favorites reviews here.

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See reviews and how to get Sephora birthday gift 2016 (2 chioces) here.

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