My April Play! by Sephora box showed up last week but I’ve been busy with family visiting so I’m just now getting to sit down and write about it. April’s theme? Step it up!
April’s sample pouch has a cute illustration with a Grown-up Princess Raggedy Ann vibe. The Step It Up theme is all about upgrading your routine with “best-in-class products” to elevate your beauty game.
When I opened my brochure I was slightly disappointed to see that I received three products that I have tried in the past, and nothing really stood out as super exciting to me.
My April 2017 samples actually have a very black-and-blue-and-cream color scheme—I wonder if that was meticulously curated or just a happy accident?
First up is a new-to-me sample: Philosophy Purity Made Simple Face Cleanser (full-size, $11-55). Philosophy has been around forever and I used to love their fun, holiday-themed body washes before my skin became too sensitive to use scented products. I don’t believe I have ever tried any of the brand’s facial products, though. I gave this stuff a try in the shower and I wasn’t really that into the scent; for some reason it conjured up memories of going to temple when I was a kid (which I hated). Also, this product contains parabens so I would not buy it full sized. I’ll take the sample with me and use it up while traveling, though.
My next sample is Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover (full-size, $7.50-15). I received this sample in a VIB Appreciation Sample Bag last year and used it up during my travels. I don’t find this product to be particularly great at removing eye makeup, and I don’t even use waterproof mascara (and yes, I shake the bottle before using it, as instructed). It’s okay, I guess, but it’s not something I’d buy full sized. Again, this’ll go into my travel bag just so I have some kind of eye makeup remover with me when I’m away.
Next up is the other new-to-me product in this month’s box: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream (full-size, $52). I don’t believe I’ve ever tried any products by this brand so this is the sample I was most excited about this month. This cream doesn’t actually have a creamy texture—it looks and feels more like a water gel kind of thing, like Dr.Jart+ Water Drop. The brochure said to use a dime-sized amount, but when I did that my skin didn’t feel quite moisturized enough…I guess my skin is becoming drier as I age. Honestly, I’m still undecided on how I feel about this product, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t buy it full sized due to the price.
My next beauty sample is Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer (full-size, $16-49). I received this sample in my October 2015 Birchbox, and I haven’t even used it up yet! I’m not saying it’s a bad product, but I have a couple of luminizing primers that I tend to reach for over this one (specifically, Vapour Organic Beauty Stratus Soft Focus Skin Perfecting Primer and IPKN Radiant Cream Primer SPF 15). This primer does give my skin a soft, smooth finish if I’m going to use foundation (which is rare). It’s not something I’d buy full sized, but is a nice thing to bring in my travel bag.
My final beauty sample this month is Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in Matte Black (full-size, $21). I’m pretty sure I’ve tried this product before—I bought a Sephora eye liner sampler years ago before I started this blog, and if I remember correctly it contained a sample of this liner. It has a similar creamy texture as Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil and it’s easy to apply. It’s less easy to remove because it’s waterproof…but it is long lasting. So if you like to wear makeup to the pool or the beach, this would be a great eyeliner for you. It comes in a pretty wide range of colors, which would be fun for festival season—if you’re into that sort of thing. 😛
My fragrance sample this month is Miu Miu L’Eau Bleue (full-size, $28-118). Because I’m married to my Marc Jacobs Fragrance I’m never too excited about perfume samples. This one, however, is pretty good. I like the honeysuckle, jasmine, and rose notes, but there’s some other element in there that I’m not super into. I wouldn’t buy this perfume, but it’s not a bad sample to have if I feel like wearing something different.
Overall, my April Play! by Sephora box was pretty average because it contained a bunch of products that I tried in the past and didn’t love. You can’t win ’em all!
What did you think of your April Play! samples?
Read my previous Play! by Sephora reviews.
What is Play! by Sephora?
Play! by Sephora is a $10 per month beauty subscription that includes five deluxe samples plus one fragrance sample; the samples are curated based on your Sephora beauty profile (hair color, eye color, skin tone, skin type, skincare concerns, haircare concerns, etc.). And of course, you can purchase full-sized versions of any samples from Sephora and earn VIB points if you’re a part of that program—which I highly recommend signing up for if you ever shop at Sephora. This subscription program also offers subscribers a “Play! Date” each month, where you and a friend can attend an in-store meetup to learn how to use the products in that month’s box (RSVP is required).
