PLAY! by Sephora ♡ Oct 2015

PLAY! by Sephora ♡ Oct 2015

Sephora has finally launched their own subscription box, cleverly named PLAY! PLAY! is a monthly subscription box of curated products. It's only $10 a month! The samples you receive will depend on the theme of the box. PLAY! includes a PLAY! BOOK to give you information on your box's contents, plus tips and tricks. There's a PLAY! PASS in every PLAY! BOOK which you can bring into Sephora to receive expert advice and learn to apply the products.

source: Sephora

As a Sephora and makeup addict, I subscribed the moment I received an email invitation to PLAY! I got my hands on this month's current October 2015 box: Secrets to Dewy Skin. Read on to view my unboxing below in gifs:

The box is lovely!

♡ PLAY! BOOK

♡ Sephora Pearl Sheet Mask



♡ Atelier Cologne Collection Azur - Mandarine Glaciale



♡ Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser & Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal




♡ Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Day Tint SPF 15



♡ belif The true cream aqua bomb



♡ Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Instant Infusion Treatment Toner



And that's all the deluxe samples in the box! You can shop the full size products at your local Sephora or on their website, sephora.com.

While you're waiting, go to the Sephora website and sign up to PLAY! You won't regret it!

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum (mini) Review

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum (mini) Review

When I purchased Clinique Sparkle Skin, Sephora gave me the option of choosing up to three minis, and I chose Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum.


This is the first serum I've ever used. To keep a long story short, I first heard about serums three years ago, but I didn't understand what it was used for. I figured since I already use a moisturizer, I didn't need a serum - until I educated myself more on skincare and beauty. Then I realized that I was missing out on serums! I was looking forward to trying this mini sample.

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum claims that "Our smart serum understands the particular needs of your skin, providing custom repair for the damage you see and the damage you don’t. Targeted repair as needed, where needed. Visibly addresses uneven skin tone, lines and wrinkles, firming, or radiance. Calming ingredients help skin stay more receptive to repair."

Clinique claims that the serum can "sense" where the skin needs repair and where it doesn't need repair. Somehow the ingredients in the serum would know where to spot the problems on our face, release repairing ingredients, and where there isn't damage, it moves on.
The question is, is the product name marketing or fact?

PROS:
+ has a silky texture which makes your skin feel very smooth
+ gives your skin a subtle glow
+ good moisturizer
+ fragrance free

CONS:
+ grapefruit peel extract

The answer is: It's marketing. I was curious to see how exactly this serum would "repair" my skincare concerns, and during the month I've used it, I didn't notice a difference in my skin. In fact, my skin got worse as I continued to use the serum. The grape fruit peel extract - which is loaded with ingredients that causes a phototoxic reaction when skin is exposed to the sun - made my skin worse. Keep in mind that I used this during the summer! This is not what you want when using a serum.

I'm disappointed that it didn't live up to it's huge claim. Good thing I tested it out with a mini sample and did some research on it before deciding to buy it or not. This gives me all the more reason to find a new serum to use. Hopefully next time I'll see the results I want to see!

Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator Review

Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator Review

For the one week that I was in New York, my family and I were walked outside every single day. Under the hot sun. With it's burning UVB rays, ouch. After being in the heat for practically the entire day, my face was oily and shiny (luckily I always have my blotting wipes with me) and my body felt sticky and gross. I'm literally a hot mess in the summer if I have to stay outside for a few hours - not attractive lol.

So that's when I decided to research some good body scrubs! I came across Clinique's Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator and I decided to give it a try. I ordered it online from Sephora, $25. It came with a free mini sample of my choice too!, but I'll get to that later in another post.


Anyhoo, Sparkle Skin is a gel-based formula that "whisks away surface dryness, dullness, recharging skin wile leaving a buffed glow." Since it's gel-based, I recommend it for those who have normal to oily skin types. (Scrubs with emollients and moisturizing ingredients are best suited for dry skin.) I used it after a brisk walk around the park, so I had a good sweat going. My skin felt soft and smooth all over, especially my elbows and my feet. I also like how my skin didn't feel dry at all after exfoliating.

One problem I have with this product is that it's formula contains menthol, which is an irritant. Although the menthol will rinse off in the shower, it'd be great if didn't contain menthol at all. I suggest to use this sparingly, especially if you have sensitive skin. Overall, I think Sparkle Skin is a good product, but it's definitely not the best. There are better scrubs out there that I have yet to try.

HEY GIRL HEY!

HEY GIRL HEY!

Hellooo, it's Aisa, and welcome to my blog!

If you happened to stumble upon my blog, thank you for browsing~

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Enjoy!~