Beauty in Bloom Samples

My March Play! by Sephora box arrived last week but I’ve been having issues with using the computer because of my ulnar nerve problem. Sometimes it’s tolerable but lately it hasn’t been, so I’ve been trying to use the computer less…which is HARD. Anyway, here I am! And I did film an unboxing video, so you can check it out  below. Apparently I’m living in the past because in the beginning of the video I say it’s March 2018. Face, meet palm.

Sunny Spring Samples

The March theme is “Beauty in Bloom,” which doesn’t really mean much of anything but the graphic design sure is cute.

This month I received two hair care samples, two makeup samples, one skin care sample, and one fragrance sample. This is this first box I can think of that included more than one hair care sample. Typically I bitch and moan about hair care samples, but I’m actually not mad about them this month.

The Hair Care

My first hair sample this month is Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo (full-size, $25). Birchbox sent me this sample in my June 2015 box, which was not long after I started this blog! I had literally just emptied a Living Proof dry shampoo sample before filming my unboxing video, so this sample fell into my lap at the exact right time. I didn’t love this product the first time around but I’m more interested in dry shampoo now because I’m trying not to wash my hair daily. Supposedly it’s better for your scalp if you shampoo as infrequently as your hair will allow it. Dry shampoo in between washings helps. My opinion of this product’s scent hasn’t changed—it’s overly floral for me—but it does a decent job of de-greasing my unwashed hair. So I’ll use this sample up, but I wouldn’t buy it full sized,

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo | Play! by Sephora

The second hair sample is Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 (full-size, $26). Apparently it comes in two scents: Blanc (notes of coconut, amber, and vanilla) and Lush (notes of violet, sandalwood, and musk). I received the Blanc scent, and while it’s ok on its own, it’s strong and lingers in my hair so I feel like I’m walking around in a cloud of it. Which I do not like. I’m curious if I’d feel the same way about Lush (most likely). This product is intended to refresh hair with texture, volume, and body. I can’t say I see much of an effect, but I may not be using enough product because of how I feel about the scent. This one’s a “meh” for me so I wouldn’t buy it full sized.

Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 | Play! by Sephora

The Makeup

My first makeup sample this month is NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna (full-size, $40). Years ago I bought the Orgasm Blush/Laguna Bronzer duo, so I’ve used this product before. I tossed it out at some point because it was old. In my unboxing video I said it appeared matte, but it’s actually shimmery; the shimmer is subtle, though. I do prefer matte bronzers because I don’t like too much shimmer on my face. Bronzer isn’t a big staple in my makeup routine, such as it is, but I’ll take this with me when I travel. It’s not something I’d buy full sized  because I’d never use the whole thing up…I hardly made a dent in the half sized version from the duo compact.

NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna | Play! by Sephora

The other makeup sample this month is Sephora Collection LashCraft Big Volume Mascara (full-size, $14). In my video I said I thought I’d received this sample before, and I was right: a sample came in my September Play! box. I really did like the sample, though, so I’m happy to receive another one (though generally, repeats are kind of annoying, especially within six months of the first). This mascara is so good that I’m annoyed Sephora Collection isn’t cruelty-free. If it was, I’d totally buy this mascara full sized. I’m trying to be better about supporting cruelty-free brands, though I’m not 100% there yet. Vote with your wallet!

Sephora Collection LashCraft Big Volume Mascara | Play! by Sephora

The Skin Care

I was most excited about the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 (full-size, $32). I see a lot of skin care Instagram influencers talk about this product; I think some absolutely love it and some are not so into it. I love my Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum 50 so I was stoked to have a chance to try another product from the brand. This is a clear, weightless, scentless sunscreen that’s also oil-free. Some folks use it as a makeup primer.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 | Play! by Sephora

As excited as I was to try this sample, I must say I’m not in love with it. It’s nice that it’s clear (no white cast to speak of!), but the texture feels a little greasy to me. It does absorb quickly and doesn’t leave a shiny finish, which is good, and it doesn’t pill, which is excellent. But something about the slippery feel just isn’t for me. Also, I wish it was a mineral sunscreen rather than a chemical one. I’ll absolutely use this sample up, but I think I’ll stick with Elta MD SPF 40 as my daily sunscreen.

The Fragrance

This month’s fragrance sample is Versace Bright Crystal (full-size, $75-95)…you know how I feel about fragrance samples. This perfume has notes of pomegranate, musk, and amber, among others. I tried this sample on one day and wasn’t into it, so it’s already in the trash.

Final Thoughts

Overall, my March box was so-so. I’ll use up the two hair care samples but won’t purchase them, and neither makeup sample was new to me. Though I was excited about the sunscreen sample, it didn’t turn out to be a huge winner for me. Sephora has been sending me repeats lately, and though I love Sephora to death I think it might be time to move on to a different subscription box. I’ve been a Play! subscriber for more than two years now, so a fresh start might be best. Stay tuned for my final decision on that!

How did you like your March Play! by Sephora samples?

Read my previous Play! by Sephora posts here.

What is Play! by Sephora?

Play! by Sephora is a $10 per month beauty subscription that includes five deluxe samples. The product samples are curated based on your Sephora beauty profile (hair color, eye color, skin tone, skin type, skin and hair 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 the Beauty Insider program—which I highly recommend signing up for. This subscription also offers a “Play! Date” each month, which allows you and a friend to attend an in-store event to learn how to use the products in that month’s box (RSVP is required). Click here for more information on the subscription.