SEPHORA PLAYBOX
MARCH 2017
'GLOW YOUR OWN WAY'
This month its all about the bright illuminating glow from within & outside. Introducing the well known Glamglow that will be included in all variations of the box. This is box #477 for reference.
1. Glamglow : mega illuminating moisturizer in Nude glow, a Pearlescent Pink tint. ($6.86)
It claims to give dull skin hydration/moisture for healthy-looking radiance. It has a soft creamy texture. Once applied to face, the cream sort of melts into and gets absorbed in the face, but it will leave a glowy sheen behind. I wore this under my full made up face for work and at the end of the day i look extra oily. So i wouldnt recommend wearing this under full face for long period of time. Wearing on its own for a natural look would last better.
2. Benefit : Watt's up cream highlighter, a delicate champagne glow. ($7.50)
Gives off a luminous sheen & a soft focus look. The full size has a sponge applicator at the other end to blend and soften the look, the deluxe size is without. Heres the swatches + packaging. Super easy to highlight with but use a light hand as the stick is easy to overdo if pressed too hard. It has a stick cream consistency.
3. Make Up For Ever : Artist shadow in I-544, pink granite. ($7.90)
Described as a warm taupe with a iridescent finish that is a permanent shade in the line, retails for $21USD and contains 0.08 oz. The shadows can be depotted and fit into a custom palette.
These are swatches from temptalia.com for a clearer pic of the colour. 
Very impressed with the quality of the shadow, this is in an iridescent finish, much like a pearly finish. It has a soft and smooth texture, not so spongy and creamy like colourpop's uniqueness, but more to the buttery texture along the line of tarte's shadows. Its not chalky at all and there's no fall out when i swatched, it is also very pigmented as seen on my hand. Altho it is quite costly for a single shadow, unless the shade is unique, its not that hard to find a cheaper dupe.
4. Algenist reveal luminizing drop in Pearl. ($17.73)
This is a concentrated liquid pearl that says it can be worn under your makeup or over. When i first tried this on i wasn't sure what was the different ways you could make use of it except as a highlighter. So various youtubers have shed some light that you can add 1-2 drops into your foundation then mix and blend to your face, creating a radiant glow from within.
At first it looked really pigmented and thick that i fear it would be too much even for a drop. But after blending it out, it actually looks less intimidating and more natural. I've used it as a highlighter for the cheekbones and tip of the nose but not yet mixed in foundation because I don't really want a shiny effect for my whole base.
5. Atelier Cologne Clémentine de californie (price unknown)
I read somewhere that all playbox comes with a perfume sample every month and usually there are two fragrances introduced. As for which one you will receive is based on which box variation you will get. For march i received the brand Atelier Cologne, and its reatail value is actually $130/100ml 😱
The sample size is a pretty standard small tube with a stopper and i am already halfway thru the bottle because you guys, this smells really incredible. I usually get shitty perfume samples that i instantly back off just from a whiff, those that really doesn't smell nice at all (hence the free samples).
The 'clémentine Californie' has notes of Clementine, Mandarin, Juniper Berries, Star Anise, Sichuan Pepper, Basilica, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Cypress. It also has a fruity, green, sweet style. Needless to say, i will definitely be using this till the very end. Would probably repurchase a 30ml bottle because 🤑
6. Living proof full dry volume blast finishing spray. ($15)
This promises to give an instant, lasting volume & texture to hair. It is a styling and finishing spray, at first i actually thought it was dry shampoo because of the bottle. This one will be very brief because i rarely wear styling products on my head because im more into oils to tame the friziness of my dry asian hair.
So i did try this out once or twice to see if it did give some volume to my hair but i didn't actually see any results from it. I find that spraying it keeps the hair in place but volume wise, not so. Maybe its my technique of styling could be wrong.
So that is all of the 6 samples for the month of March. I think this is a really worthy box all in all for only $10usd. About $15sgd. Still packs a punch and the total box cost roughly more than $55usd. Can't wait to see what will be next for April's box!
