Sephora PLAY! LUXE Vol. 1 Review

As a monthly subcriber of the Sephora Play! Subcription box. I just had to get every special edition of the play box as it’s released.

The PLAY! LUXE box came out 2 days ago and you could get early access through their Sephora app. Being a Rouge gives me free 2 day shipping and because the LUXE edition was $25, I was able to get a deluxe sample along with my order.

I placed my order and got the package in the mail today, exactly 2 days after. Honestly now, 2 days seems like a life time compared to before when you had to wait 5-7 business days just to receive a package - oh I do not miss those times.

Since the products in all Sephora PLAY! boxes are supposed to be a secret. If you bought this box and want to be surprised by what's inside, stop reading now! 

This is my honest review as I paid for this LUXE edition.

The PLAY! LUXE comes in a pink faux leather pouch. Much like jewelry carriers, there’s a string to wrap around it which isn’t exactly the most secure way to close something but it holds it together.

Shiny pink faux leather pouch

 The PLAY! LUXE box includes:

•  Giorgio Armani makeup product
•  Guerlain makeup product
•  Yves Saint Laurent makeup product
•  La Mer skincare product
•  SK-II Skincare product
•  Atelier Cologne fragrance
•  Special-edition beauty bag
•  Collectible set of cards

So let's start with the Giorgio Armani Makeup product.

It's the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara (Link to product)

I myself am a huge Giorgio Armani makeup fan and I die for their cc cream. This mascara was pretty amazing. I don't have long lashes so I can't say it made my lashes longer but it certainly went on well as it didn't clump together and the brush glides on softly.

Next is the Guerlain makeup product - Guerlain L'Or Radiance Primer (Link to product)

Who said diamonds are a girl's best friend? In this case, gold definitely is a girl's best friend. This tiny sample really had me falling in love with the brand. The primer is luxurious even down to the price point as a full size of this baby will cost you a good $74 - but you get what you pay for in some cases. The primer is lightweight and will make you look radiant -  I mean you should, for that price?!

Yves Saint Laurent makeup product - Yves Saint Laurent Plump Up Glossy Stain (Link to product)

I've been a bit spoiled when it comes to lipstick ever since I found out about lipstick that lasts forever but I do appreciate a good red lip gloss when I see one. I love Yves Saint Laurent's packaging and I think we can all agree that this tiny container of lipgloss sample might last you longer than you'll think. The formula goes on smoothly and the red is a bright red, perfect for a night out during summer.


La Mer skincare product - La Mer The Eye Concentrate (Link to product)

La Mer products are notoriously expensive in the skincare world. I bought their full line one time and it cost me more than I would like to mention. I ended up not falling in love with their products and gave it to my mom who loves and swears by it. I think age might have a factor to do with how well their products work for you. This eye concentrate if you buy the full size will come with a little applicator that works really well for eye wrinkles. However, with this sample, you'll have to make do with just your finger.


SK-II skincare product - SK-II R.N.A Power Radical New Age Cream (Link to product)

Much like La Mer, SK-II prices are also high so this would be a great sample to try out the product before you spend your money getting a full sized one. You only need a tiny bit of product to cover your entire face so this sample isn't too crazily tiny. I think it's super moisturizing but again, because I have acne prone skin, I have been scared to try out new products because being so sensitive, I've broken out due to SK-II products before. However, my mom loves this brand and many ladies I know swear it makes their skin look more radiant.


Atelier Cologne - Iris Rebelle (Link to product)

To be completely honest, this is probably my least favorite item in the box. I like the packaging of this brand but the smell itself is too musky for me and it reminds me more of moss and grass than it does of iris. 

The PLAY! LUXE package also comes with cards explaining each product and not really sure how collectible it would be - more of a clutter to me but it's still a nice luxe touch to the package.

The item itself is sold out on Sephora but if you get a chance, here is the link to it and it's $25 + tax, free shipping if you have rouge and you can also get another deluxe sample that offer with $25 purchases. So it's like getting 7 deluxe samples ;)

However, if it really is sold out, I wouldn't say you're missing out on much.

All for now,

FREE Valentine's Day Print Out Cards

To me, Valentine's Day has always been an unofficial official holiday, ranked in my Top 3 favorite unofficial holidays right after Halloween.

Yes, I know it is widely recognized and celebrated but we don't exactly get the day off to go find our loved ones chocolates or flowers. We still wake up, go through our busy days and sometimes, we forget that Valentine's Day is next week, tomorrow or even today!

Now I don't know about you but forgetting to get your significant other something for Valentine's day for many is almost the same as forgetting an anniversary. But you know, life happens.

I was talking to my friend's little brother and he had no idea when Valentine's Day was, he thought it was on Thursday this year and I've seen many adults make the same mistake. 

That's why, I've whipped up some fast, and I do mean fast as in you can print it at work, school, even at the local Fedex right before you get home. 

It's free, it's fast, all you have to do is click on the link at the end, download the pdf file (this is so the image won't be pixelated), save the card to your computer then print it out!
You could also right click on directly on the image, open image as new tab but the resolutions would not be as good.

I have been in love with Instagram's and Facebook's heart shape and color since they came out. They picked the perfect shape and the perfect shade for the emoji.

So in a world where social media takes up such a huge chunk of our daily life, we should probably reassure our loved ones that we'd "like" their photos right? 

I mean, is it real love if we don't double tap their 2359th selfie or their 120931st food post even though they were right in front of us?

I DON'T THINK SO!

Reassure them with this Facebook inspired heart card that makes sure they know we'll DOUBLE TAP their photo any day!

If you're feeling spontaneous, here's a folded heart version where you can cut up the shape of the heart and then fold, or you could just fold the paper in half and get 2 hearts on the front and back.

Go crazy, be creative!

I used to hate the sweetheart candies because they tasted like chalk to me, well I still hate them now but you can't deny that the pastel colors and the way the words are printed on makes such cute photos, especially for Valentine's Day!

Since both of these were inspired by those tiny chalk feeling candy hearts, just follow the guidelines and cut the 2 hearts out then fold in the middle.

All 3 of the designs can be downloaded on any paper, any rectangular shaped.

In my honest opinion, if you can, download them on card stock paper so it will look nice and thick and won't be too flimsy. Keep in mind these are to be the outside so be sure to right a cute little note on the inside so when they open up the card, there is a sweet message waiting for them inside!

Links are posted here

1. I'd Double Tap You
2. I'd Double Tap You folded
3. Hey folded
4. XOXO folded

Have fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!