over a year of sephora play!

hiiii. so, same drill as the previous two posts. it's a lot of sephora play! boxes to cover, so i only really talked about stuff i've used. my november box hasn't shipped yet, but i wanted to get this post up now. ~Lindsay

Sephora Play! Luxe (September 2018)

1. i have no idea what happened with the tatcha regenerating serum.. i don't think i have it any longer and i don't remember if i tried it.
2. the tatcha water cream, the couple times i tried it at night, i woke up a greasy mess. jury's still out, but it's currently in my "getting old, use these!" bin!
3. the scent of the christophe robin hair mask was not for me, and if i remember correctly, the smell stayed in my hair longer than i would have liked.
4. i don't really get the following for the hourglass caution mascara. it's only ok. gives some volume, but it's mostly separation and some lift.

September & October 2018

1. as mentioned previously, i'm not a fan of the clinique dd hydrating gel.
2. i still have this sample of the too faced hangover rx primer... i need to actually try it soon.
3. i want to say that i tried the sephora collection lashcraft big volume mascara and really enjoyed it. certain store brand products are gems!
4. i'm terrible about using cream/stick products these days. i really do want to get around to tryng the anastasia foundation in banana one of these days...
5. i think there was something about the tarte quench primer that i didn't like...but i can't remember.
6. benefit's gimme brow+ in deep was a good match for me and i liked it while using it, but i wouldn't go out of my way to repurchase when there are cheaper alternatives.
7. i want to say a long way in the past, i'd used the caudalie vinoperfect radiance serum and really liked it. i can't remember what i did with this particular sample though...

November & December 2018

1. i cannot remember how many samples of the laura mercier translucent setting powder i've gotten. it's super popular and included in almost everything ever. i can't remember if i've actually ever tried it long enough to notice how it performs.
2. philosophy purity made simple is a great cleanser. you can use it on your face or to wash brushes. i think i've bought a full size once or twice in the past, but i've been gravitating toward cheaper alternatives.
3. i can't remember if i've tried the sephora collection cream lip stain in pink tea prior to this sample. other minis from this line of lippies are great! i want to say this shade worked well on me.
4. another too faced sample that's in my primer backlog..(yes, i have one of those too now) the primed & peachy primer will get used sometime soon.
5. i really liked the verb ghost oil. i primarily used it in wet hair, but it also worked well in small amounts to settle frizzy dry hair.
6. i looove lancome's bi-facil eye makeup remover. just look at my empties post!

January & February 2019

1. in the past, i've tried the origins clear improvement mask, and really liked it.
2. i'm not a huge fan of the laneige water sleeping mask. mostly because whenever i'd try using it, i would wake up feeling a greasy mess.
3. i want to say that i tried these hum daily cleanse supplements before, but 3 day samples aren't really enough to know whether or not you'd like it.
4. i've used clinique quickliner before in the past and only thought it was ok. this one was passed along.
5. these wander beauty baggage claim gold eye masks are also in my backlog.
6. kvd saint and sinner perfumes are super good! between these two, i have a preference for sinner.

March & April 2019

1. i ended up buying a full size of the supergoop! unseen sunscreen during one of the sales. i really like the siliconey feel to it, and very minimal sunscreen scent it has.
2. drybar triple sec dry shampoo is great! just kinda pricey.
3. i could never get into using nars laguna. i think i'm just a matte bronzer kinda person.
4. urban decay perversion mascara is another really good mascara! love it.
5. sephora collection triple action cleansing water was ok for what it was. i still prefer bioderma.

May & June 2019

1. i actually just opened this sol de janeiro coco cabana cream sample the other day to smell it. it's ok, not like the bum bum cream. i'm planning to try it in the next few days or so, but i don't really have high hopes.
2. i've tried the laneige lip sleeping mask in the past and i'm sad to report that it's not for me. i love how it applies, but my lips do not take well to it and chap up whenever i use it.
3. i'm holding onto these hum hair sweet hair gummies, been holding off because pregnant, but i'll have to report back some other time.
4. i used to love belif true cream aqua bomb, and these days, i have no idea why i've fallen out of love with it. trying it again somewhat recently, it wasn't for me. i guess my skin's changed. 😞

July & August 2019

1. until somewhat recently, i have never kept my samples of the clinique take the day off. this stuff actually works well. i still have a preference for lancome, but price-wise and effectiveness, this is the next best.
2. i can't remember if i had a sample first, or if i splurged and went straight for the full size, but i really, really, really enjoy drunk elephant's slaai makeup-melting butter cleanser. both with or without adding the bamboo booster. the bamboo booster gives an amazing exfoliation and my skin feels so clean after using these! this cleanser just works so much better than the other 2 brands of remover balms (clinique & good molecules) i've tried. i do use eye makeup remover first because it can't quite get everything.
3. i'm currently working through the glamglow supertoner at the moment. it's got an interesting smell, like licorice maybe? anyway, it seems to work well, but this sample is super tiny. i'm probably not going to repurchase because i've got other toners to use.
4. sunday riley A+ retinoid serum -- i am waiting to use this. i want to try it so badly..but again, pregnant.
5. the briogeo farewell frizz is in my hair products backlog. i've got one of those too!

September & October 2019

1. yet another powder that everyone has probably gotten several samples of in the past, the makeup forever ultra HD powder is a cult classic. and it's one that i like never ever use.
2. the first aid beauty pores be gone primer is in my primer backlog! i'll get around to it in an empties, i'm sure.
3. did i mention that i have a skincare backlog too? that's where the youth to the people superfood hylauronic acid moisturizer is sitting.
4. in the past, i've tried the briogeo don't despair, repair! hair mask. it's ok, it's more like a regular conditioner than a mask.
5. smashbox photo finish primer -- this is such a good primer! love it.
6. urban decay all nighter setting spray -- this is the first product that got me into using setting sprays. once i learned it was from skindinavia, just repackaged, i started buying directly from them for their oil-control variety because it's cheaper.
7. i'm super surprised they included 3 foundation samples with this box. that said, i appreciated the 20% off a foundation vs the 50 points card that was previously in every box. i used it to buy another kvd true portrait foundation.

5 months of sephora play! (april, may, june, july, august 2018)

hi guys! here's what came in the last several months of my sephora play! subscription...it's a lot. >.< ~Lindsay ^.~
April

mufe #6, ptr primer, ud gloss in spl

1. makeup forever ultra hd perfector in shade 6 -- i really appreciated that this had sunscreen in it, but the coverage was really sheer. this shade seemed kind of light on me, which is pretty weird.
   repurchase? no
2. it cosmetics bye bye pores pressed poreless finish airbrush pressed powder -- i can't remember how many of these i've had now... i wasn't huge on it because of the flashback it has, but i have otherwise no recollection of other opinions about it.
   repurchase? no
3. fresh lotus youth preserve rescue mask -- i haven't actually gotten around to use this yet.
   repurchase? probably not?
4. urban decay hi-fi shine ultra cushion lipgloss in spl -- this is pretty similar to their other glosses. not super sticky, slightly balmy, i really enjoyed wearing it. the color was a very sparkly, basically clear gloss.
   repurchase? haven't been wearing glosses lately
5. peter thomas roth skin to die for no-filter mattifying primer & complexion primer -- i'm still trying to finish this primer. i've been using redness and salicylic acid primers lately, but i do enjoy it the days i use it.
   repurchase? maybe
6. miu miu l'eau rosee -- say no to florals!
   repurchase? no
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

May

1. becca shimmering skin perfector pressed highlighter in champagne pop -- i really appreciate that this shade is in sample size now! while i do like my full sized one, i've been using other highlighters more than this color.. this was passed along.
   repurchase? no, other shades
2. benefit cosmetics porefessional face primer -- i've always liked this one!
   repurchase? maybe
3. bumble and bumble thickening volume hairspray -- not something i typically use. this got passed along.
   repurchase? no
4. kat von d tattoo liner in trooper -- does this need explanation?
   repurchase? YESSS
5. sephora collection mud mask purifying & mattifying -- i don't remember if i tried this yet, or if i even still have it....
   repurchase? probably not
6. viktor & rolf flowerbomb -- as many of these that i've had, i don't remember if i've ever smelled this before. reading this description of the notes, it sounds up my alley, even though it has "flower" in the name..
   repurchase? no
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

June

queen b

1. milk makeup kush mascara in boom black -- despite how much people were raving about this recently, i don't really get it. the mascara's good, but not like ridiculous. it did flake a little on me.
   repurchase? nah
2. too faced melted matte liquid lipstick in queen b -- i have been wanting to try this shade for ages!
   repurchase? undecided
3. alterna haircare caviar volume mist -- apparently sephora thinks i need volume products?
   repurchase? no
4. clinique eye makeup remover -- while i liked this, it didn't burn my eyes, and it's cost effective, i probably will not be repurchasing this. i just really like the lancome one.
   repurchase? nah
5. belif true cream aqua bomb -- when this first came out, i really liked this a lot, and even bought a full size. but i have no idea what's going on with my skin but it doesn't agree with regular use of this product anymore....
   repurchase? undecided
6. prada candy -- meh.
   repurchase? no
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

July

salt lyfe

1. tarte amaoznian clay blush in paaarty -- you guys, how many of these have i bought since the birthday freebie...? like 4?
   repurchase? YES
2. drunk elephant protini polypeptide cream -- i haven't tried this one yet. drunk elephant is pretty expensive in general, but i've heard really good things!
   repurchase? undecided
3. briogeo blossom & bloom ginsing + biotin volumizing spray -- again with the volumizing products?!
   repurchase? no
4. tarte color splash lipstick in salt lyfe -- this also has been sitting on my desk untouched... hmmm....
   repurchase? undecided
5. tarte deep dive cleansing gel -- i've had a few samples of these and i have yet to actually get around to trying one...
   repurchase? undecided
6. boscia matcha magic super-antioxidant mask -- yayyyyy not a perfume! i have not tried this sample yet. but i love (consuming) matcha!
   repurchase? undecided
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

August

1. anastasia beverly hills brow gel -- it's been a while since i've used one of these, huh. i'm probably going to pass this along for now.
   repurchase? probably will never have to
2. makeup forever artist rouge lipstick in C211 -- this is like my 4th one of these? idk. this is getting passed along. if i remember, i do like this shade.
   repurchase? nah
3. living proof t.b.d. multi-tasking styler -- what is this even..? we'll have to try it out.
   repurchase? undecided
4. benefit cosmetics hoola broner -- i love this bronzer these days for an eye crease color. ever since hoola lite came out, i've been using only that for my face and this for my eyes. this lil guy's getting passed along.
   repurchase? yes
5. origins original sking retexturizing mask with rose clay -- i'm not going to bother with this product because of the rose..
   repurchase? no
6. ouai volume shampoo and conditioner samples -- volume volume volume! what..?
   repurchase? no
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

march 2018: sephora play!

hi guys! here's what came in my march sephora play! (theme: festival of beauty) ~Lindsay ^.~

flirting game, bohemian purple

bohemian purple

1. sephora collection contour eye pencil in 15 flirting game -- these eye pencils are actually pretty good quality. this isn't the first of these that i've tried, but i definitely like this color a lot because it's pretty reminiscent of certain popular brand's liners that i looove!
   repurchase? probably other shades
2. sephora collection cream lip stain in 35 bohemian purple -- this is so gorgeous and sooo not work appropriate. sadface. i really like this color a ton. but i have no idea when i'd be able to realistically wear this.
   repurchase? other shades
3. dr. jart+ premium beauty balm spf 45 -- i tried this out, over moisturizer, under primer a few weeks ago and it was weird. honestly i really wanted to use this on its own because bb creams are like tinted and stuff, and this has spf. lol no. this was soo light. i couldn't see it on my skin aside from the 'oily' look that spf products usually give. anyway, it's a whatever in my book.
   repurchase? no
4. briogeo blossom & bloom ginsing + biotin volumizing spray -- i didn't try this and i think i'm passing it along. i don't use volumizing products.
   repurchase? no
5. lancome hypnose drama mascara -- i feel like i've had samples of this in the past, but i can't remember if i actually ever got around to using them. i've got two full size mascaras open already, so i haven't opened this one. we'll have to see.
   repurchase? ???
6. marajo hair care nourishing cleansing creme & deep treatment butter -- as previously mentioned, my skin has been freaking out, so i have been trying to be careful with what i've been using when. once my skin clears up, i'll give this a go.
   repurchase? not likely
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

february 2018: sephora play!

hi guys! it's march. not that you didn't already know that.... anyway. here's what i got in my february sephora play! box! (theme: feel the love) ~Lindsay ^.~

always red, rebel chic

rebel chic

(here's a circa 2016 photo for ya!) always red

1. sephora collection cream lip stain in always red -- yay for a repeat product. as mentioned just above, this actually came in the december 2016 sephora play! box. the idea for this box was that you'd get two lip colors to share one with a friend. well if most people have gotten one or more samples of this lipstick 🙋, they've been and done passing this along to a friend. that's beside the point. this lipstick stains and stays there, my arm swatch took quite a while to wear away! i haven't worn them regularly enough to remember how well these last throughout the day (i have a few colors now), but i do remember liking them. and this red's really pretty.
   repurchase? other colors
2. sephora collection rouge matte lipstick in rebel chic -- i really did not like how this applied. it was so dry feeling from the tube, and after a few minutes of wearing (i had to take it off..). it does have some staining power, but i'm not about this formula to find out how long it'd last.
   repurchase? no
3. lancome monsieur big mascara -- i just talked about this in a recent empties! yay for another sample!
   repurchase? yes
4. belif moisturizing eye bomb -- this smells exactly the same as the aqua bomb. feels like it too. whether or not it's working, i'm not sure, but i think so? either way i'm probably not going to repurchase, but i appreciate the opportunity to try it out.
   repurchase? nah
5. first aid beauty ginger & turmeric vitamin c jelly mask -- the one thing in this box that i haven't tried yet. i hear turmeric is often used in DIY face masks, so i'm definitely interested in trying this!
   repurchase? undecided
6. viktor & rolf flowerbomb -- i cannot count on two hands how many times i've received a sample of this. everyone raves about this perfume, but i don't like florals.
   repurchase? no
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

january 2018: sephora play!

hi guys! i'm slowly chugging away getting these posts done for yall! here's my sephora play! for january! (theme: happy you year) ~Lindsay ^.~

B302          

1. makeup forever artist face color in B302 -- this is a really pretty color, kinda reminiscent of nars orgasm or something, but it's not really a blush color for me. blended out on my hand with a finger swatch - it seems more like a highlighter instead of a blush.repurchase? probably not, maybe other colors
2. anastasia beverly hills lip gloss in kristen -- passing this along because no glosses!
   repurchase? no
3. glamglow supercleanse -- i've had samples of this in the past and i really liked it. granted, it wasn't enough to use for a week and make a full decision on... but i did like this product.
   repurchase? maybe
4. clinique pep-start eye cream -- i think i tried this shortly after it came out and wasn't really wowed by it, so i'm going to pass this along.
   repurchase? no
5. boscia exfoliating peel gel -- i haven't gotten to use this yet, but i'm interested!
   repurchase? maybe
6. gloss moderne clean luxury masque -- did i use this already?? i'm trying to go through my hair samples and use them, and i can't remember if i used this one or not..... 
   repurchase? ???
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

december 2017: sephora play!

hi guys! it's late again, but i'm trying to catch up here today and tomorrow. anyway, my sephora play! arrived less than 2 weeks ago and here are my initial thoughts. note - i only kept 1 item because i don't typically use these kinds of products. (theme: the 2017 play list) ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. smashbox cover shot shadows from the golden hour eye palette (turned on & psyched) -- the sole item i kept from this bag! i'm not sure which shade is which, but they're both pretty. i'm not sure i like using them both at the same time though because they kind of blend into one another. either way, i really like the formula and color of these!
   repurchase? probably not
2. drybar triple sec hair texturizer -- i like never use these. i don't really need/want volume.. so it got passed along.
   repurchase? no
3. laura mercier eye basics (primer) in wheat -- this was a fairly neutral shade, slightly tan for my skintone. honestly, i'm not huge into tinted eye primers because they sometimes change the color of the shadows applied over it, and i have plenty enough eye primer that i decided i probably don't need it.
   repurchase? nah
4. peter thomas roth 24 karat gold lift & firm cream -- passed this along because i'll never get around to using it..
   repurchase? no
5. anastasia lip gloss in vintage -- passed this along because glosses, and online swatches didn't seem to match me anyway.
   repurchase? no
6. tom ford black orchid perfume sample -- passed this along, don't remember the scent but i think it was a pretty strong one.
   repurchase? no
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase
8. info card - i really liked how they had random facts about the sephora play! subscription. it's kind of neat to know how many people are subscribed from each state, and other random facts!

november 2017: sephora play!

hi guys! this month's sephora play arrived today! (theme: survivor of the chillest) ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. marc jacobs velvet noir major volume mascara -- got a sample of this mascara in the past and it's slowly on it's way out! so excited to get another!
   repurchase? it's kind of expensive to be honest, so i'm not sure.
2. igk mistress hydrating hair balm -- i'm interested in trying this out. it has a very typical non-chemical, powdery floral hair product type of scent. i guess this is a leave in treatment?
   repurchase? probably not
3. origins clear improvements mask -- i've tried this in the past and liked it, but i feel like i've got too many other skincare things to work on, so i'm going to pass this along.
   repurchase? yes
4. perricone md hydrating cloud cream -- while i do like unscented facial lotions, i'm not huge on ones that sink in super fast and you no longer know it's there. this one gives the skin a pretty soft feel once it's absorbed. i'll give this a try, but it's likely to be passed along.
   repurchase? nah
5. sephora collection ultra shine lip gel in 04 perfect nude -- this is getting passed along. slowly getting christmas presents together, and this is a great addition! and i haven't been into glosses lately.
   repurchase? probably not
6. burberry blush perfume sample -- this one smells nice, contrary to most other burberry fragrances i've smelled, but i think i'm going to pass this along too since i don't think i'll use it.
   repurchase? nah
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

october 2017: sephora play!

hi guys! this month's sephora play arrived today! (theme: complexion companions) ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. makeup forever ultra hd invisible cover foundation in Y245 -- previously i received samples in Y225, which i think was too light for me and i didn't really use it aside from the first try. based on swatches, i think this may fit me better and i'll have to update later with color match and thoughts. if i remember though, i did like this foundation and didn't have any issues with it aside from the color.
   repurchase? undecided
2. makeup forever ultra hd skin booster -- mufe serum? hmm, this sounds interesting. so is it like a primer? i'll have to try this out!
   repurchase? undecided
3. urban decay optical illusion complexion primer -- i don't remember what it was about this primer that i didn't like, but i didn't like it and gave it away. this one will be going too.
   repurchase? no
4. dr. brandt poreDermabrasion -- i think gotten one of these in the past? i don't remember all of their scrubs are packaged the same >.< either way, i do like their scrubs and will be using this.
   repurchase? probably not for the cost
5. tarte rainforest of the sea marine boosting mist -- i got one of these in a 500 point perk or something way back when and never used it. i guess i should give one away and use the other at some point....
   repurchase? probably not
6. tory burch bel azur perfume sample -- not a huge fan of this, but i haven't come across a tory burch fragrance that i've liked.
   repurchase? no
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase

september 2017: sephora play!

hi guys! this month's sephora play! (theme: fall into beauty) arrived yesterday, so i figured i'd get on here and talk about it! ~Lin-chan ^.~

urban decay amulet

1. urban decay vice liquid lipstick in amulet -- i'm actually pretty excited about this because i just tossed my  last sample of this into the empties bin!
   repurchase? maybe
2. belif true cream aqua bomb -- yessss! the good stuff!
   repurchase? yes
3. benefit gimme brow in 5 -- i think i've had this sample in shade 3 before which was a bit too brown for me, but now 5? i did like their original version in the previous packaging in the dark shade. we'll have to see how this works out, since this is closer to my brow color!
   repurchase? probably not
4. sephora collection eyeliner in black lace -- i'm actually going to pass this along because i have too many black liners and i don't really know how well this one will do in the waterline, even thought it says its waterproof.
   repurchase? nah
5. algenist power recharging night pressed serum -- this is pretty interesting. it's more of a balmy consistency. i haven't really been into using serums, but i'll give it a try.
   repurchase? nah
6. igk hot girls shampoo and conditioner sample -- i actually really appreciate this sample because i'm not huge into having perfume samples.. it just becomes too much.
   repurchase? probably not
7. 'coupon' for an extra 50 points on the next in-store purchase