Carry-on Ready Luxe Minis
Recently, I was texting with a friend and she asked me if I was getting the Sephora Play! Luxe Vol. 5 bag. I wasn’t even aware this bag of luxe minis existed, but I decided to get one! These are now sold out, so I’m glad I jumped on it when I did. My friend ordered a set for each of us; we got Box B, which was the only available version (out of of three options) at the time.
The $25 set includes five luxury beauty brand minis and a fragrance mini tucked inside a super cute zippered purse. The theme is Carry-On Ready: “luxury beauty made for a weekend away in the city.” I have actually already tried two of the skin care products inside, but even so, I thought the price was worth it because of the bag!
The Essence
The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (full-size, $99-185) is a classic that I had yet to try because of the price. If my math is correct (it’s entirely possible that it’s not), the full sized bottles come out to $34-$39 per ounce. This mini is one ounce, which makes its value alone worth more than the entire set. Woohoo! The essence contains pitera, a fermented ingredient meant to soften, smooth, and improve skin’s radiance. So obviously I’m very much looking forward to trying this essence. The one bummer is that it contains methylparaben…so considering that and the high price, I likely wouldn’t buy this full sized.
The Masks
The set included two masks—one I’ve already tried, and one that’s new to me. The one I’ve tried is the Tata Harper Resurfacing BHA Glow Mask (full-size, $65-150). I received a mini of this mask years ago in the Birchbox Limited Edition New Naturals Box, and I remember liking it. The BHA is a chemical exfoliant, and the mask also contains pomegranate enzymes for removing dead skin cells and smoothing texture, plus pink clay to absorb oil and refine pores. The jar is small but I believe I got two or three uses out of it. So I’m happy to have another opportunity to use this mask without spending so much on a full sized jar!
The new-to-me mask is AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peeling Mask (full-size, $70). I’ve tried the brand’s Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder and it’s okay; I actually still have some left in my travel bag. I don’t love the scent of the brand’s products, so we’ll see what I think of this one. Key ingredients are AHA/glycolic acid for exfoliation, papaya enzymes for dead skin cell removal, and green tea water for hydration and soothing. I do love the idea of an enzyme peeling mask, of course!
The Primer
I had a sample packet of the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (full-size, $54) and used it before doing my makeup for my 40th birthday party. It’s a nice, smooth oil-free primer with broad spectrum SPF 15. To be perfectly honest, the SPF feels pointless…for me, at least. I always wear SPF with a minimum of 40, and wouldn’t want to use such a low SPF as my sole sunscreen. But I guess it’s nice for folks who don’t remember to apply SPF. I’m glad I have a mini of this primer so I can try it out some more.
The Mascara
I’ve never been into luxury mascara because there are plenty of really good, affordable options on the market. But I’m definitely curious to try this Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils (full-size, $29). While $29 is more than I typically spend on mascara, it’s actually not quite as much as I expected from YSL. We’ll see if the price tag is worth it.
The Fragrance
The fragrance mini is Tom Ford Black Orchid (full-size, $90-180). I received a sample of this fragrance in my September 2018 Play! by Sephora box and didn’t like it. My dislike of fragrance samples is well documented here, but I gamely tried this one on again. And I continue to not like it. At least I tried…
The Bag
How adorable is this shiny little green purse?! I will totally use this for date night or a special event. While there are no pockets or pouches on the inside, it’s surprisingly roomy. I absolutely love the color!
I’ve received a bunch of new skin care products lately and I don’t want to start using them all at once. So I’ll update as I have a chance to try these luxe minis out…watch for updates in future Friday Fives or Instagram posts!
Did you pick up any of the Luxe Vol. 5 bags?